Taylor AB-1 Ex John Entwistle

This Taylor AB-1 is a particularly special one. This was part of John Entwistle’s collection that was sold at Sotheby’s in 2003. Two of these AB-1 basses sold in that auction. We had the other one of John Entwistle’s AB-1 basses through a few weeks back, this is the other. The previous owner went to this auction and the bass has been with one owner since then. What a fantastic bass and is one of the biggest acoustic basses we have ever seen, it’s massive and sounds superb even unplugged. There are a few marks and scratches on the bass but nothing major.

– Part Exchange Welcome –

Some info below on the AB-1

The Taylor AB1 is probably the most original late 20th century design for an acoustic/electric bass guitar, a market driven by the “Unplugged” fad of the ’90s. They were co-designed by visionary master luthier Steve Klein and Robert Taylor and as a purely acoustic instrument more functional than many. AB-series acoustic-electric basses (AB-1, AB-2, AB-3) have been often considered to be among the best-sounding acoustic bass guitars to be found; while no match for an upright bass this model has more natural acoustic sound than most competitors for this niche market. These were only produced in limited numbers between 1996 and 2003 and are now out of production.

The AB-1 has a slim mahogany neck with 24 frets on the ebony fretboard and a Steve Klein signature fretboard inlay at the body end. The ebony nut 1-5/8″ wide (like a Jazz Bass) and a phenolic saddle tops the large Imbuia bridge. The deep 19″ wide body has a unique internal skeleton frame that transfers string forces to the sides, leaving the top free to vibrate with less intrusive bracing required. Of all the Klein/Taylor models the AB-1 comes closest to the sound of an upright bass. The Imbuia back and sides are combined with a Sitka spruce top to produce a warmer, woody sound with plenty of sustain.

The cutaway body is wedge-shaped in cross-section with the widest part down at the knee which makes playing this bass more ergonomic than most similar instruments. The single round soundhole is eccentrically placed on the cutaway, allowing the top to be much stronger than the traditional location. This AB-1 comes with the factory-installed Fishman ABGP-2 Pickup/Preamp with volume and contour controls mounted on the upper bass shoulder. There is a hinged battery box on the lower treble side.

Overall length is 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm.), and 8 in. (20.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).