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Frank Gay Bass

Not available for use in Recording Studios
Not currently on exhibit
Not currently on exhibit
Artifact TypeGuitar, Bass
Manufacturer Frank Gay guitar-maker | born 1920 - 1982
Date1957

This bass guitar dates to the early career of prolific Canadian luthier Frank Gay. Well known for making over-the-top acoustic guitars for famous Nashville musicians, as well as lutes, mandolins and banjos, this rare electric bass features some of the country aesthetic of Gay’s acoustic instruments. The bass’ electronics are reminiscent of guitars made by Danelectro and it’s possible that they were in fact repurposed from a Danelectro bass, while the machine heads may have been taken from a set made for guitar. Unusual for a maker so associated with acoustic instruments, this bass may be one of the few, if not only, existing electric basses made by Frank Gay.

Donated by James Baker

Object number2020.01.01
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Frank Gay
20th Century
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: On exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Frank Morse Robb
1937
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: On exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG
1971
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Eric Herz
1976
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Kurt Wittmayer
1954
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Don Kennedy
Gibson Guitar Corporation
1959
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Meghan MacKrous, courtesy of the National Music Centre
Rickenbacker International Corporation
c. 1941
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Meghan MacKrous, courtesy of the National Music Centre
Grammer Guitar Inc (Ampeg Corporation)
1971
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Meghan MacKrous, courtesy of the National Music Centre
2009
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Meghan MacKrous courtesy of the National Music Centre
Gibson Guitar Corporation
1961
Not available for use in Recording Studios
On View: On exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo credit: Meghan MacKrous, courtesy of the National Music Centre
1980
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
Photo Credit: Meghan MacKrous courtesty of the National Music Centre
c. 1960
Available for use in Recording Studios
On View: Not currently on exhibit
isVirtual:
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