GELBass was formed by Gary Edward Bartig, as part of G. Edward Lutherie, specifically to develop and produce the Eminence Portable Upright Bass. That instrument was an original design by the late Scott Zumberg in 1990. Zumberg died in 1993 and Bartig sought and received permission to develop the instrument.
The primary dealer for the Eminence Portable Upright Bass was Gollihur Music. In late April 2022, worldwide supply chain issues, plus a desire on the part of Gary Bartig to focus on other projects, led to Gollihur assuming full rights to develop, produce and market the Eminence. Bob Gollihur died on July 20, 2022.
