Bass guitar used by Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang

Object Details

Manufactured by: Oasis Guitars, American
Used by: Kool & the Gang, American, founded 1964; Robert "Kool" Bell, American, born 1950

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.

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & The Gang

1976-1978

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions; Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Place made: Juliesse Avenue, Sacramento, California, United States, North and Central America

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic: African American; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Rhythm and blues (Music)

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f3855c41-1a46-4651-92ff-e8d8553a93d5