On View
Musical Crossroads Gallery
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
Manufactured by
Oasis Guitars, American
Used by
Kool & the Gang, American, founded 1964
Robert "Kool" Bell, American, born 1950
Date
1976-1978
Medium
wood, brass (alloy), metal and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 46 1/2 × 13 7/8 × 3 in. (118.1 × 35.2 × 7.6 cm)
Description
2015.212a: An electric bass guitar used by Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool and the Gang. The bass guitar is made of light colored wood and has brass tuning pegs. It has two pickups in black. The strings are attached to an oval shaped metal tailpiece with four smaller tuners. The bass also has four volume and tone controls on the left side of the lower front body. Two switches for pick-ups are also on the lower left side of the front body. On the headstock is gold inlay with the bass name running vertically down the center that reads “O / A / S / I / S.” The top of the headstock has an inlaid gold design. Imprinted into the wood on the back of the headstock at the top is “37 57 / USA.” On the back of the body on the lower left side is an oval-shaped black electronics cavity plate. Also on the back at the top near of the neck is a strap button.
2015.212b: Guitar is housed in a guitar case.
Place made
Juliesse Avenue, Sacramento, California, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Musical Instruments
Type
musical instruments
guitars
Topic
Disco (Music)
Funk (Music)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & The Gang
Object number
2015.212ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f3855c41-1a46-4651-92ff-e8d8553a93d5

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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