Part One: The Bass Guitar

America’s Invention

DieterMr. Albert Iannuccilli

Back in the Day…

Leo Fender created the first electric bass in 1951.Inspired to make solid-body instruments in contrast to Les Paul’s hollow-body guitars. Called the first bass the “Precision Bass”. Use of metal frets, and electro-magnetic pickup revolutionized the concept of instrument making.

’51 P Bass

The advent of the precision bass changed music forever. Its main features included a solid alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, stainless steel frets, and a magnetic pickup with volume and tone control.This bass became the standard for the design of future basses.

A New Standard• Fender’s next bass in production was

the “Jazz Bass”.• It featured a slightly longer width

between frets in an attempt to persuade upright bassists to convert to electric.

• Two single coil pickups were used also

• This allowed for more tonal possibilities.

Age of Chrome• Around in the early 1960’s both model

basses received a facelift. • The P Bass now featured a “split” pickup.• New colors of paint were used.• Chrome hardware was installed to give the

basses a hip look. This was taken directly from the design of cars.

• Later the chrome hardware was removed leaving the traditional appearance of each of these instruments.

Part Two

The German Innovation

Ned Steinberger• In the 1970’s Steinberger

created several new bass designs.

• These designs included carbon graphite necks and bodies, headless basses, and use of new pickups.

• Although these basses were cutting edge they did not gain popularity until the 1980’s when other luthiers copied Steinberger’s concepts.

EMG Pickups• EMG pickups are an alternative to

standard alnico magnet pickups. • Ceramic magnets are used in place of

the more common alnico type. • Different gauges, heights, and shapes

of copper wire are used• The results create a more wider

possibility for tone.

Warwick Basses

• The first Warwick bass was crafted by Hans Peter Wilfer in 1980 and was inspired by Nobby Miedel, and the Washburn “Bantam” Bass design.

• New body woods and complex lamination processes set this bass apart for its predecessors.

• Wenge necks were used for increased stability, becoming a mainstay in the Warwick Design

• Increased neck length resulted in more frets and extended instrument range.

Dolphin Bass

• Odd body shape is claimed to be more comfortable to play.

• Features 26 frets and ovangkol wood.

• This design is the basis for other manufacturers.

Infinity NT

• Hollow body design uses ovangkol with a maple top.

• The combination of humbucking pickups, wood choice, and hollow body design create a sound similar to an upright bass.

Marleux Bass Guitars

• Small shop based in Clausthal-Zellerfeld run by Gerald Marleux, and Tilman Antons.

• Basses influenced by Leo Fender, and Hans Peter Wilfer.

• Use woods specific to the Black Forest

• Developed a new style of electronic circuitry which preserves each instrument’s unique character.

Marleux Bass Guitars

• Marleux features 5 different body styles with a wide variety of options.

• Consat models show direct influence from the Warwick “Dolphin” bass.

• Mbass models are a unique design developed by Marleux and Antons.

• JB and Roots basses are Fender bass “clones”.

• The newest in the series, Marleux-Pagelli is a truly original fretless bass.

Ritter

• Founded by Jens Ritter, who began crafting basses at age 16

• Created his first handmade bass at age 19

• “…what I make with my hands should be the best possible.”

Innovation is the sister of Invention• Using rare earth magnets and a

hybrid “active/passive” design, Jens created his own style of pickups.

• Switches are placed in the circuitry for each pickup creating a “Triplebucker” pickup.

• Powerful balanced tone is the result.

Neck Joints• "The Neck Joint is a very special and

mostly totally neglected sound influencing element. It is responsible for the dynamic and speed (Attack) of the bass and also for the string amplitude power consumption (Sustain).”

• Ritter uses at least 10 bolts per neck joint.

Models

• Models include the “Classic”, “Roya”, “Jupiter”, “Raptor”, “Okon”, and “Seal”.

• All models are similar in specifications but with very dynamic body shapes.

• Jens Ritter is continuing to innovate new designs in basses.

Classic

Roya

Jupiter

Raptor

Okon

Seal

“…The German Stradivarius.”

• Jens received most of his craftsman skills from his grandfather and father.

• Resides in Deidesheim, a small wine-growing town.

• Transcends music, woodworking and art in his instruments.

• Newest basses seen as art pieces rather than instruments. http://www.ritter-royals.com/instruments-available.php