Ashbory Articles
This section is far from complete. If you have a review, modification, or anything else you'd like to contribute, please contact Brock. Below are some modifications, concepts, and other stuff.
General
- LargeSound.com Ashbory Bass User's Guide: A two-page introduction to the Ashbory explaining some of the finer points of using the instrument.
- DeArmond and Guild Ashbory Basses: A Comparison: The DeArmond Ashbory Bass is modeled after the old Guild model. There are some changes, including improvements.
- Ashbory Inventor Alun Ashworth-Jones: 1945-2008: Alun Ashworth-Jones, an inventor of the Ashbory Bass, passed away on the morning of June 1, 2008.
- 2002-2003 Ashbory Fender/DeArmond Art Change: Fender dropped the DeArmond name from Ashbory Basses beginning in late 2002. Other than the changes to the gig bag badge, body insignia, and the serial number area on the back of the headstock, the basses are unchanged.
- Headstock Backs: The Ashbory headstock back, which tells the serial number and country of origin, has changed over the years.
- String Package Art: Fender dropped the DeArmond name from Ashbory Basses beginning in late 2002. The strings also moved over to an "Ashbory" branded design in the same timeframe.
- Wire Connection Points for a DeArmond Ashbory PC Board Assembly: Where the wires go to hook up the DeArmond Ashbory Bass PC Board Assembly (part number 005-5030 in the Fender catalog) up to the bridge pickup, output jack, and 9 volt battery wires.
- 2007 Blemished Gig Bags: For the first half of 2007, Ashbory basses shipped from Fender with blemished bags.
Playing Techniques and Tips
- Pulse Tap Technique: Right hand playing technique which gives the Ashbory a different sound with a crazy amounts of attack
- Slyde-Rite Dry Lubricant: Though not required, there's an advantage with using a hand powder when playing the Ashbory. It allows for smoother playing, less string noise, and for whatever reason improves the sound of the strings. The Slyde-Rite dry lubricant bags are excellent for this purpose
Modifications
- Left Handed Ashbory Bass Conversion: No commonly produced Ashbory has ever been available left handed, so I took my own advise and had one converted over
- DeArmond Tuners on a Guild: It's technically feasible to replace the Guild uke tuners with the new ones. However, the operation requires some basic carpentry skills, and is NOT for everyone.
- Strap Move: Relocate your strap for better balance by moving a strap button and using a D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Strap Quick-Release System
- Ashbory Schematic plus LED change: Schematic for a DeArmond Ashbory plus a howto on changing the red stock LED to a blue one.
- Ashbory Electric Upright Bass Conversion: Mount the Ashbory to a mic stand without any drilling or permanent attachment, and you've made the cheapest electric upright bass known to man
- DeArmond Ashbory Player's Stand: This stand was designed to hold your DeArmond Ashbory at the same angle as you would play an acoustic bass
Concepts
- Elastico: An Acoustic bass utilizing Ashbory strings and tuners but with a body is quite large relative to the scale of the instrument, at 22" across the lower bout.
- Bass Ukulele utilizing Ashbory strings: Crossbreed a Ukulele with an Ashbory and you get a Bass Ukulele
- Doubleneck: An awkward looking doubleneck bass with an electric bass guitar and Ashbory Bass neck. The Ashbory is forward on the body, extending from the top body horn
