American Standard Basses

Serial #	Year	Description and History
40	1936	One of the lowest numbered American Standard basses known (in fact, only ONE has been reported (to me) with a lower serial number. Probably made around 1937, note rounded heel/shoulder and unbordered serial number tag. Recent rebuild by Gary Upton at uptonbass.com. Restored and sold by uptonbass.com, in CT to Stef in Verona, Italy.
66	1936	A bass has a very red sunburst finish, with black painted pin stripes on the front and back. No heart shaped design on the back, but it has 'American Standard, Cleveland Ohio' branded on the back and inside on the back, Label reads American Standard made by, Cleveland Musical Instruments H.N White Cleveland Ohio. Patent applied for on tag, written in ink pen This bass was in excellent condition with only had 2 scratches ,the finger board is probably ebonized rosewood. No humps near the heel, and a nicely carved scroll. Brass plates with brass gear and steel worm gear. Chrome plated screw, plate screws are chrome Philips heads. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN.
79	1936	Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Tom Staselavage, Columbus, OH
87	1936	Rough looking, neck issues repaired. Excellent sound. No other info. Currently (as of 08.13.2004) owned by Don Higdon, TalkBass.com moderator.
91	1936	Incredible, all original condition (at least that's what it looks like). Very dark, no issues, very, very clean with no visible signs of neck resets or structural repairs. Bell shoulders Currently (as of 08.13.2004) owned by Clayton Jacobs of Lakewood, CA. Instrument is for sale
93	1936	Painted black and "more glue than wood anymore." Bad ply separation, a couple major neck repairs, etc. Currently (as of 08.13.2004) owned by Jeff Michael of Philadelphia, PA.
145	1937	Currently (as of 08.13.2004) owned by Dave of Warwick, RI
158	1937	Previously owned by Chris Fitzgerald of Louisville KY, presumed to be currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Nick Lloyd. May be up for sale?
169	1937	Purchased form Ron Shuffler, Valdese, NC 9-2005. Green/brown finish with laminate repair to top of back @ neck joint, original neck, broken and repaired @ neck joint. No pin striping on back. Labeled. "American Standard, Cleveland, Ohio" stamped in 2 places. Bass is wider at upper shoulders than later models with bell-shaped neck joint. Currently (as of 12.05.2005) owned by Barry Bales of Nashville, TN.
301	1937	A dark brown to almost greenish burst original finish. Black stripes with heart on back, no A/S brands any place inside or out, a cut label which appears to be the lower right corner of a regular label, it reads No-----301---------. No kerfling (rib molding/trim) on the sides. The neck is well flamed and has a highly flamed rosewood board, which has not been ebonized. nice scroll, neck joint not bell shaped. Brass plates same as #66 but with brass Phillips screws. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN.
329	1937	Bell shaped shoulders. Previously owned by Adolph Cerniak of Cleveland OH, legendary bass player in the American Polka scene. This bass has been used for 1000s of live performances and recording dates.--probably THE most heard upright bass in Polka music. The current owner is still actively performing and recording with this bass in polka bands around the Cleveland area. Currently (as of 01.07.2006) owned by Hank G, of Cleveland, OH.
330	1937	Previously (as of 04.27.2005) owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN. and sold to an unknown party. Original brown-burst finish, no bell-shaped, or rounded shoulders, unmarked, and no kerfling (rib molding/trim). Note: Roy Husky, Jr's A/Ss were also unmarked. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) whereabouts unknown.
357	1938	good playing condition w/neck shim and ebony fingerboard. Blonde polyurethane. Tuners replaced with four individual tuners. Bubble over the sound post on the top, edges are worn. Bell shaped shoulders--note that #330 has sloped shoulders. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Matthew Ambrose of Medford MA
368	1938	Restored and sold by Uptonbass.com to an unidentified player.
388	1938	Repaired by Brent Norton. Current whereabouts somewhere in MI.
410	1938	Bell shoulders. Restored by Arnold Schnitzer w/ a New Standard neck, neck block, fingerboard, tuners, bridge, bass bar, endpin, tail block, and varnish, while shortening scale to 41.5" Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Chris Brusa.
433	1939	Purchased in 1987, neck was replaced with a thick czech neck. Although probably refinished, this blonde finish has the same characteristic 'cracking' as original AS finishes. Currently (as of 01.08.2006) owned by Jason Kriveloff of Brooklyn, NY.
437	1939	Sloped shoulders. Originally purchased in MA by Brian Fischer, it was sold to the current owner in Dover, NH. Rebuild by John Stewart in Hampton, NH. Finish is rough but plays great. Currently (as of 01.01.2006) owned by John Morse of So. NH.
467	1939	Reddish brown to black burst original finish, black stripes, heart on back, nice scroll, flamed neck, original board was maple or pear wood ebonized, brass plates like 301 but with chrome Philips screws no brands inside or out, cut label No------------467------------.This bass has a inventory label in typewriter which reads: I.W.U. Superman verified the serial number as consistent with the claim that is was received as new in 1941. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN.
473	1939	Repaired by Brent Norton. Current whereabouts unknown.
544	1940	Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Lynn Daniel.
606	1941	Almost black with pinstripes and brand on back inside 'heart' pin striping. No scroll. An exceptionally nice sounding bass, used in various recordings by current owner with Larry Sparks. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Matthew Madden of KY.
660	1941	Purchased July 2005 by Kip Martin from Mark Fain, bassist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Mark purchased this bass refinished (poorly) in blonde with the neck heel in rough shape from Superman (Kent Blanton, Nashville) and had it rebuilt. The neck heel repairs are strong but still look pretty nasty. No side kerfling (rib trim), unmarked. no label, Note: Roy Husky Jr's A/Ss were also unmarked. Known recordings include: 'New Strings'--Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder 'Live in Charleston'--Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder several Bruce Hornsby, Alan Jackson, Elton John, and Emmy nominated Gordon Titcomb cuts. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Kip Martin, Leesburg, VA. (OK, just a bit of self promo above!)
722	1941	Reddish, burgundy color, lots of finish crackling over the top, back. Ebony fingerboard, unknown wood tailpiece. Label under bass F-hole w/no border. Branded on back, just under heel, encircled in heart-shaped purfling. Doesn't appear that the top or back have been off. Purchased near Baltimore in '93. In addition to extensive playing and touring use, recordings include: the last 2 Lynn Morris CDs the 3rd Longview CD, "Lessons In Stone" Marshall's "Root 5" CD ( played it on about 1/2 the cuts) Tom Adams' "Adams County Banjo" Ron Stewart's "Time Stands Still" Jesse Brock's "Kickin' Grass". Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Marshall Wilborn of Winchester, VA.
731	1941	Deep burgundy with varnish finish. No pinstriping. '[American Standard--Cleveland, Ohio' stamped on the back, just below the button. The ribs are kerfed. Labeled, the serial number in pencil is small and very neatly written. Label is plain, no border. Tuners are original with small, flathead screws. Fingerboard is ebony and tailpiece is ebonized maple or possibly boxwood. Purchased in 2002 from Ron Shuffler, it came from NJ and believed to have been owned by a jazz player. Notes: Michael is tall--the bass is full-size. Although Michael is from NC, the deer-rack is on the wall behind the stage, not part of the bass!! Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Michael Ramsey of western NC.
787	1941	Purchased by present owner in rough shape in 2003 and totally restored (restoration is interestingly and fully documented at http://www.smokin-grass.com/as787.html. Prior to restoration, this bass was used on "Pickin' On Jack Johnson" (CMH Records), tracks 1 & 3. Beautifully restored AS bass. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Mike Santosusso of Burlington, VT.