1999 Press Release Announcing the DeArmond Ashbory Bass

Below is the official press release from Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announcing the DeArmond Ashbory Bass, which corresponded to the 1999 Summer NAMM show in Nashville. For more information and pictures, be sure to visit the DeArmond chapter at Ashbory.com.

THE ASHBORY IS BACK!

7/24/1999
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - After an absence of more than ten years, DeArmond is ready to re-introduce the innovative Ashbory Bass. From its eighteen inch fretless scale, to the patented Ashworth transducer, the Ashbory Bass is the most unique instrument ever created.

Originally produced by Guild, DeArmond once again offers this bass to players who are tired of playing the countless clones of the same old instruments. Its solid one-piece body and neck is just thirty inches long, and weighs in at only two pounds. Its small size allows for easy portability, and makes it comfortable enough to wear over another instrument. And, its signature silicone rubber strings produce a low-end response to rival that of any upright bass.

The Ashbory Bass has master volume, bass and treble controls, and features active circuitry that allows an array of varying tones. For the punchy sound of a standard electric bass, turn up the treble and pluck the strings close to the bridge. For that true acoustic bass sound, simply adjust the on-board bass and treble by turning them all the way up. And with the Ashbory's patented preamp powered transducer, any configuration will yield an exceptionally low signal-to-noise ratio.

The eighteen inch scale length of the Ashbory's neck, with its much smaller than standard frets, allows players to make reaches that would otherwise be impossible with an upright. This lets bassists play faster than ever before, without sacrificing any of the clean tones that are associatedwith the acoustic upright bass.

The Ashbory has a fretless, silk-screen fingerboard pattern with fret markers and "dot" inlays, and features a wholly unique headstock design fitted with Custom Designed tuners.

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Fender is one of the world's foremost manufacturers of guitars, amplifiers, and related equipment. Corporate headquarters are located in Scottsdale, AZ, with manufacturing headquarters and the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop in Corona, CA. Artist Relations offices are located in New York, NY; Nashville, TN; and Corona, CA. Fender also publishes Frontline magazine and Guild Gallery magazine twice a year. Fender has marketing and distribution offices in London, England and Dusseldorf, Germany and additional manufacturing facilities in Ensenada, Mexico. Fender manufactures and distributes electric and acoustic guitars; related strings and accessories; amplifiers; and pro audio equipment. Fender markets using the brand names Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, SUNN®, De Armond®, Floyd Rose®, Rodriguez^TM and Solidbody Gear^TM. For more information, contact Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 7975 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85258, or visit our Websites at www.fender.com and www.guildguitars.com.