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Tutmarc audiovox model 736: where are they?

#141
moonshine,
I got this mando bass from a guy in Wisconson who found it at a garage sale and thought it was cool, he doesn't even play bass. The guy he bought it from was the son of the man who played it in the Chicago Mandolin Orchestra. I thought it was cool too so I bought it. its a bit of a challenge to play but with a little practice a bluegrass/ country friend of mine and I will be taking it for a spin at Eddie's Attic here in Atlanta soon. Its not very loud but a pickup would fix that. If you play it hard it gets loud enough to use on stage maybe but it will eat up your fingers pretty fast. I will be in Nashville in a few weeks ....planning on hitting Gruhn's then.
Tbone,
The story on 0017 is a real change in the history of the Fender pbass early production, it changes all of the books, I've had some discussions with the authors of a few of them about an article in a magazine, still early yet. I'm pretty sure I know who bought this bass new and most of the story behind it but not ready to make that public till I'm sure.
Til then I'm having fun with my repro Tutmarcs, will soon have my 3 piece walnut one and anything else that passes my way.
 
#144
Tbone,
Thanks for the compliment, I do this research only because its interesting to me, There are other guys that can add alot to anything I say...all that I know are friends and we don't always agree so don't take what I say as gospel....that being said Mongo2 every book out there states that production of the fender pbass started at the end of October. that isn't true it was bassed on information at the time they were written....Leo made a earlier production run around September 14 of which 2 of the basses have survived and they are quite different than the later 51's.... I have pics of 4 of them and think there are more out there. I don't really want to step on any of my friends books so I keep this information just for myself and it really doesn't matter anyway but it makes for a good story.
 
#145
Bflat said:
Tbone,
Thanks for the compliment, I do this research only because its interesting to me, There are other guys that can add alot to anything I say...all that I know are friends and we don't always agree so don't take what I say as gospel....that being said Mongo2 every book out there states that production of the fender pbass started at the end of October. that isn't true it was bassed on information at the time they were written....Leo made a earlier production run around September 14 of which 2 of the basses have survived and they are quite different than the later 51's.... I have pics of 4 of them and think there are more out there. I don't really want to step on any of my friends books so I keep this information just for myself and it really doesn't matter anyway but it makes for a good story.
Click to expand...

Nice...I think you should publish. It's very important for the history of the instrument. New information doesn't hurt anyone, but it adds greatly to the legacy. Afterall very few people had ever heard of Paul Tutmarc and his Audiovox instruments until somebody published in VG, at least that was the first I saw of it.

PS - How about posting those pix? :cool:
 
#146
Here's a pic of the original owner of the Gibson Mando bass I own in the Chicago Mandolin Orchestra in 1934.... His name is St.(Steve/Stan???/) Peters He looks like he is 7 ft tall anyway enjoy
 

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#148
Here is my second attempt to make a Tutmarc repro bass. This is the first one made from 3 pieces of walnut just as the one that Moonshine has pics of.....All of the parts on this bass will be repro /or hand made by me..... except the tuners.
I'm having fun playing with the pickup now and getting the metal pieces made. Since my last post I've picked up an original Audiovox amp and a frying pan steel with a volume pedal.....
I'll keep you posted
Dave W
 

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#151
Hi Bflat,
Great to see more photos! I'm now making my first P-bass, and thinking ahead to making my own Audiovox 736. With the copies you are making did you use an ebony nut? Please tell the bridge dimensions and pickup dimensions and specs. I think i could make a bridge, but not sure about the pickup.

Also an earlier poster wrote that the EMP museum had said their bass was one piece walnut construction, but from the two photos I've seen on the net, the body, back of the neck, and headstock have been painted in white enamel. Maybe it is a neck-thru 3 piece constuction like the black walnut photos? As I may have written before, the white one doesn't have the Audiovox name plate on the headstock, so perhaps the white enamel is a later modification.

P.s. This is still my favourite thread.
 
#152
design,
good morning, as far as the nut I did use an ebony nut I had to hand shape it, there are not any real good photos on its details so I shaped it the best I could from what I had. from one pic it seems to have a slot cut in the neck to anchor it. from another pic I'm not so sure. on the first one I just cut the bottom to the slope of the headstock and rounded the top to fit the fret board..the new bass is absolutely correctly made with 3 pieces of walnut so I have to settle that detail....Peter B in Washington who has an original has been very helpful and may solve this issue for me. there is a web site that will cut me an ebony fret board to the scale I want and cut the slots for the frets, that is next, I used rosewood on the first one and stained it ebony, I took a 34" scale fret board and cut off the first 2 frets to get a 30.5 inch scale and then cut it down to sixteen frets. putting the 12th fret at the point where the neck joins the body sets up where everything else goes....the bridge is off of a lap steel and I can give you a cad drawing or molded one I'm not sure how I am doing that yet the pickguard is water jet cut from brass on the first one and will probably be copper on the second one. I have another steel coming that has the copper bed plate so I will be able to make it exactly...... the pickup is really simple to make I have horseshoe magnets from early telephones and from 1930s jukeboxes which are similar, with the metal end plates screwed on and 2 coils of wire you have a pickup. then control and a cable you have the electronics the name plate is etched brass with black paint....I will try this but the fall back position is a silkscreen brass plate ...I have enough wood to make a few more and am set up to make as many as I want now.....thinking of making one with updated bridge and pickup and volume and tone control.....honestly it is like playing a gibson or vox....I will have an original audiovox amp here in a week or two. setting up to make a few of those too....I will put up a better sound recording later...the bass really sounds good through my SVT but I wanted to hear what it sounded like in 1936 .....coming soon
 
#153
Bflat,
I am re-reading your last post. This is exciting stuff. I'd love to see photos of Peter B's bass, the "third bass". Now I wonder how many of Bud Tutmarc's Serenader basses were made and how many survive.

Also what sort of tuning machines will you use on your Audiovox copy?

Cheers, design
 
#154
Now that I have learnt how to post images here, I'll add a few things. Firstly you may recall the two articles in Vintage Guitar magazine March 1999: Peter Blecha's "Discovered! The World's First Electric Bass Guitar!" seen here Invalid Link Removed and John Teagle's "Fender Myth Debunked! (Part I)" seen here Invalid Link Removed. I have recently bought a copy of the mag and it has a grainy black and white image I hadn't see before of the white enamel EMP Audiovox bass. It shows that the upper bout has been modified with the addition of an output socket. It also clearly shows the bridge has four "notches" for the strings, the same design as the bridge seen in the black walnut model assessed in Nashville. Also there are several chips in the white enamel paint, showing dark underneath, which to me suggests that the white paint job is a later modification. Other photos of the white bass show no "Audiovox" brand plate on the white headstock, which was another element that makes me think the white is a mod. Here are some pics.
 

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#157
I used to consider myself to be fairly educated, but this thread has opened up a whole new world for me.

Bflat, your dedication is incredible. I can't even imagine how much work you (and other contributors in this thread) put into this, for a cause that may not be noteworthy in public opinion, but is an invaluable historical resource. Please, please, PLEASE post another audio sample - or better yet, a video of this thing in action.

In the meantime, I have some homework to do...
 
#160
Transcribed as best I can from photos in Vintage Guitar magazine March 1999. Note: the Serenader bass had a fingerboard made of Purple Heart wood.

1947 flyer for the Serenader Electric String Bass and amp.

The SERENADER
The New Magic ELECTRIC STRING BASS

The SERENADER Electric String Bass
Unconventional! Yes, this time it's for the best. The newer, smaller size is especially designed to eliminate the bulkiness of a regular size bass viol. Now you sit comfortably and play the Serenader -- no awkward and tiresome standing as with the average bass viol. Shortened fingerboard speeds technique -- has every feature of the cumbersome long handle which provided such artless large areas for whole and half tones. Shortened steel strings, capable of sensitive accurate intonation -- resistant to weather changes -- dampness -- cold -- excessive heat.

The unusual contour of the Serenader fits snugly against your knees. Concave grooving corresponds to knee positions and adds to your comfort while playing the instrument. Acoustically designed to produce balanced tone and equalized strength throughout. The tone is resonant in character, deep and brilliant, responsive. Serenader construction is a combination of carefully proportioned mirror-like steel and selected hardwood body with Purple Heart wood fingerboard 12 coats of enamel, beautifully shaded red and black. Its a concert showpiece in itself. Priced at only $139.50 complete with case.

in an Easy to Carry BASS CASE
The short length of 39 in. makes it easier to get in and out of cars, elevators, doorways, etc. Beautifully constructed both inside and out. Made of lightweight sturdy plywood and covered with Keratol. Handsomely lined with crushed plush. Ideal protection for your instrument from scratches, marring, and all kinds of weather conditions.

SPECIAL BASS AMPLIFIER
Specially made with Jensen A 12 PM Speaker, resulting in masterful beauty of tone and all sustaining effects. 25-Watt amplifier. Removable chassis to minimize tube vibration.

SOLE DISTRIBUTORS
L. D. HEATER MUSIC COMPANY
1001 S.W. Morrison St
PORTLAND 5. ORE.

2125 Second Avenue
SEATTLE 1. WASH.
 
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