Tutmarc audiovox model 736: where are they?

[beebassdude]

so these are regarded as the first basses ever made. only info i can find is that one is at a museum somewhere in seattle, and a TBer worked on one once in tennessee somewhere. originally there were said to be 100 of these things made, so im just wondering where they all went? are they part of private collections, or at other museums somewhere, or are a few of them sitting in some 93 year olds attic or basement waiting to be found?

and yes id gig with one if i could lol!

[beebassdude]

nobody? cmon now!

[Sartori]

I am also curious about these.

[beebassdude]

somebody on here has got to know something.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by beebassdude

somebody on here has got to know something.

That would be you, apparently.

[msb]

I saw the one in Seattle . They were not a success in the marketplace but I have no idea how many were actually made .

I would have loved to have had the opportunity to play it . Unfortunately it was in a glass case .

[beebassdude]

Originally Posted by bassteban

That would be you, apparently.

lol i wish.

[Dark Horse]

I've often thought about building a "clone" of one...at least as close of a clone as I could get by using the limited photos out there for reference.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

I've often thought about building a "clone" of one...at least as close of a clone as I could get by using the limited photos out there for reference.

I too have often thought of making one for myself.

[M.R. Ogle]

There were probably a million BetaMax tape machines made, too... but once those proved to be a vastly inferior offering, I'm sure MOST of them just went into the trash.

The Tutmarc bass is only appealing to geeks like us.

[bassistjoe93]

I've heard a sound clip of one on a website. I can't for the life of me remember which site though. Something like the Seattle experience music museum or some such thing like that. It actually sounded pretty darn good for a 1930's bass guitar! I'd like to get my hands on one as well!

[silky smoove]

The museum question is called EMP (Experience Music Project). It's located in the Seattle Center near the Space Needle. It's a grotesque looking building that, the last time I was inside, was almost entirely devoted to Jimi Hendrix. Cool place, but not as cool as the City would have you believe.

[moonshinegtrs]

The "TBer worked on one once in Tennessee somewhere" would be me. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time when this came in. If you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, 100 instruments is not a lot considering how long ago these were built. I do agree that at least one or two more should have surfaced, which leaves me to doubt that even 100 were made.

As I remember, the sound wasn't that great; to be fair, it had strings that were about to disintegrate, but overall the sound was pretty thin. I would of loved to put some newer strings (flatwounds) on it & have been able to do some set up work on it, but my job was to authenticate it, not make it play better.

Still, it was pretty cool to be able to be able to take it apart:



I never thought about building a replica, but it would be pretty cool.

I do have a few more pictures; I have to find them, but I would be more than glad to share what I have if someone wants to build one (...Andy???) .

Moonshine

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by moonshinegtrs

The "TBer worked on one once in Tennessee somewhere" would be me. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time when this came in. If you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, 100 instruments is not a lot considering how long ago these were built. I do agree that at least one or two more should have surfaced, which leaves me to doubt that even 100 were made.

As I remember, the sound wasn't that great; to be fair, it had strings that were about to disintegrate, but overall the sound was pretty thin. I would of loved to put some newer strings (flatwounds) on it & have been able to do some set up work on it, but my job was to authenticate it, not make it play better.

Still, it was pretty cool to be able to be able to take it apart:



I never thought about building a replica, but it would be pretty cool.

I do have a few more pictures; I have to find them, but I would be more than glad to share what I have if someone wants to build one (...Andy???) .

Thanks for those pix, it's the first one I've seen of the pickup construction (which has been a sticking point) and has renewed my interest in building it.

If you could post or PM me your other pix I'd appreciate it.

[moonshinegtrs]

Here are some more photos:





More on the way...

Moonshine

Originally Posted by mongo2

Thanks for those pix, it's the first one I've seen of the pickup construction (which has been a sticking point) and has renewed my interest in building it.

If you could post or PM me your other pix I'd appreciate it.

[moonshinegtrs]

More Pics':





Moonshine

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by moonshinegtrs

I do have a few more pictures; I have to find them, but I would be more than glad to share what I have if someone wants to build one (...Andy???) .

Moonshine

I'll do my best to build one

You didn't happen to take any basic measurements of anything, did you ?

And thanks a TON for the pics !

[TRichardsbass]

Send your pics to Brian Fox at bass player mag. You will be a hit and published for sure. Tell Brian I sent ya.

[moonshinegtrs]

Last set... The last of these is the notes that I wrote while I was examining the bass:





Here is a pic of the Audiovox Lap Steel that came with the bass:


Moonshine

[Spaldo]

Wow! This is awesome, nice work all 'round, Moonshine!