Part%20One:%20The%20Bass%20Guitar

1
Part One The Bass Guitar

• Americas Invention

Dieter Mr. Albert Iannuccilli
2
Back in the Day

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

3
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.

4
(No Transcript)
5
A New Standard

• Fenders 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.

6
Age of Chrome

• Around in the early 1960s 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.

7
(No Transcript)
8
Part Two

• The German Innovation

9
Ned Steinberger

• In the 1970s 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 1980s when other
  luthiers copied Steinbergers concepts.

10
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.

11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
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.

14
(No Transcript)
15
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.

16
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.

17
(No Transcript)
18
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 instruments unique
  character.

19
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.

20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
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.

26
(No Transcript)
27
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.

28
(No Transcript)
29
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.

30
(No Transcript)
31
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.

32
Classic
33
Roya
34
Jupiter
35
Raptor
36
Okon
37
Seal
38
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/instrume
  nts-available.php