Alligator Bass Guitar

[FlatEric]

Ok, bit of a long shot.

Some of you on here know that I am restoring a Reeve Headless Bass.




This is the second Reeve I have, The other is a "Tribute" Twin Neck - Mr Lee!



Having tried to find more about Reeve (tried several times on here) I have now cracked it, thanks to Val Reeve.

A very interesting story about two guys in Bedfordshire, Ges & Mick - making quality Basses & Guitars, over 30
years ago.


Anyway, back to the plot. . . . .

There was a very limited edition of these:



"Alligator" Bass, which was made for the Alligator Amplifier company, which made the Alligator Combo, which I
have seen mentioned on here.

Anyone Got one, seen one, played one, know of one???
There was a guitar version, as well.

While I'm here, I'll ask again - anyone got a Reeve instrument, seen one, played one, know of one???

The story so far here:

[url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/"]http://flatericbassa...blogspot.co.uk/[/url]

Cheers.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

I had an alligator combo years ago. Didn't know they made basses. I thought it was amplification only . Interesting

[tauzero]

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1457123202' post='2995699']
I had an alligator combo years ago. Didn't know they made basses. I thought it was amplification only . Interesting
[/quote]

I think if you read FlatEric's blog, you'll find that they didn't - Reeve did, on a commission for them.

Fascinating story so far and I'm looking forward to the next part.

[BassBod]

Those are Kent Armstrong hand made pickups..as used by Manson and many others in the 80's (including Ken Smith) I had an Alligator 2x8" combo in the early 90's..in fact, I think someone still has it for sale on evilbay. Nice amp, but very heavy.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1457135134' post='2995804']


I think if you read FlatEric's blog, you'll find that they didn't - Reeve did, on a commission for them.

Fascinating story so far and I'm looking forward to the next part.
[/quote]

Thanks for clearing

[FlatEric]

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1457197605' post='2996298']
Those are Kent Armstrong hand made pickups..as used by Manson and many others in the 80's (including Ken Smith) I had an Alligator 2x8" combo in the early 90's..in fact, I think someone still has it for sale on evilbay. Nice amp, but very heavy.
[/quote]

True, indeed and they are certainly great pick-ups.

The identity was confirmed by the man, himself here:
[url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/bass-restoration-kent-armstrong.html"]http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/bass-restoration-kent-armstrong.html[/url]

More of the story and more pics on the next post, coming up soon.

Cheers.

[Alistair McCaig]

Yep , Kent Armstrong pups, fantastic. 

Had them on my headless Reeve bass that they built to my spec. 

[Dan Dare]

I'm pretty sure I remember Alligator operating out of a shop in Finsbury Park, just down the road from where I live. They used Volt drive units in their amps. They were pretty standard solid state combos with nice speakers that sounded quite good. Kent made excellent pickups and did great repairs. He fettled the pickups on my old J bass for very little money many moons ago.