Happy Birthday Leo

[TheGreek]

We wouldn't be where we are without you...

[Lozz196]

Indeed, good call Mick

[Bassassin]

Indeed.

 

We'd all be playing variations on this:

 

[Lozz196]

Forsooth, I spy The electric lute

Edited August 10 by Lozz196

[Bolo]

That looks good for metal

[BigRedX]

19 hours ago, TheGreek said:

We wouldn't be where we are without you...

 

Yes we would. It would just be a slightly different place.

[Hellzero]

17 hours ago, Bassassin said:

Indeed.

 

We'd all be playing variations on this:

 

For those not knowing it, it's the very first electric bass, an Audiovox Model 736 Bass Fiddle, invented by Paul Tutmarc in 1935.

 

I wrote a mémoire about the subject that I've been putting here countless times...

 

Edited August 11 by Hellzero
Precisions added

[Chezz55]

Proud to share my birthday with Mr F - and to own and play several of his P-Bass variants.

[Bassassin]

2 hours ago, Hellzero said:

For those not knowing it, it's the very first electric bass, an Audiovox Model 736 Bass Fiddle, invented by Paul Tutmarc in 1935.

 

I wrote a mémoire about the subject that I've been putting here countless times...

 

 

While I was looking for a decent Audiovox pic, I came across an interesting luthier who appears to have created a range of contemporary Tutmarc designs from a Leoless alternate reality!

 

 

Liking the one in the middle...

Edited August 11 by Bassassin

[Supernaut]

His birthday was May 21st? 

[TheGreek]

3 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

Yes we would. It would just be a slightly different place.

 

Back on my blocked list!!

[Cato]

1 hour ago, Bassassin said:

 

While I was looking for a decent Audiovox pic, I came across an interesting luthier who appears to have created a range of contemporary Tutmarc designs from a Leoless alternate reality!

 

 

Liking the one in the middle...

 

I like those a lot, nice mix of features from other basses with the original design, looks like the neck and string spacing would be a fair bit more comfortable players more familiar with post Leo bass design 

Edited August 11 by Cato

[lowdown]

This video popped up on my Facebook feed today.  Actually, Rick Beato originally posted it on YouTube last year sometime.

It's a little seven-minute story regarding a '52 Fender P Bass. For those that have not seen it, it's maybe worth a look.

 

 

 

[chris_b]

Yeah, Paul Tutmarc got there first, but all I can say is I'm glad Leo's company came up with the ultimate bass guitar design when they did.

 

It totally changed my life.

Edited August 11 by chris_b

[tauzero]

10 hours ago, chris_b said:

Yeah, Paul Tutmarc got there first, but all I can say is I'm glad Leo's company came up with the ultimate bass guitar design when they did.

 

It totally changed my life.

 

I'm glad that so many subsequent manufacturers have improved immeasurably on that bass guitar design.

[chris_b]

1 hour ago, tauzero said:

 

I'm glad that so many subsequent manufacturers have improved immeasurably on that bass guitar design.

 

Of course they did.

 

Things don't stand still, but with all the flaws, issues and competition, Fender Strats, P basses and Jazz basses still form the bulk of the instruments I see being used on gigs and on TV.

 

I now play 2 FSO's. Fender designs with all the wrinkles ironed out and taken to the next level. I couldn't be happier.

[Bassassin]

2 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

I'm glad that so many subsequent manufacturers have improved immeasurably on that bass guitar design.

 

Leo himself did in 1960.

 

If I was forced to choose just one bass for the rest of my life, it'd be some variety of Jazz. Not much you can't do with a J.

[BigRedX]

2 hours ago, Bassassin said:

If I was forced to choose just one bass for the rest of my life, it'd be some variety of Jazz. Not much you can't do with a J.

 

By Jazz do you mean something with the same body shape and neck width or something with the same pickup configuration and electronics but any shape? Or does it have to have both to be considered a Jazz Bass?

[Bassassin]

30 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

 

By Jazz do you mean something with the same body shape and neck width or something with the same pickup configuration and electronics but any shape? Or does it have to have both to be considered a Jazz Bass?

 

Either/or, I guess. If I (for some reason) suddenly didn't have any of the ridiculous number & variety of basses I currently have & was plonked in a shop & told to pick something from a typical not particularly exciting selection of basses, there would probably be a J or two I'd get on with.

 

But yeah, the neck proportions & pickups on a different-looking bass work equally well - I have a Yam SBV & a Kawai Sleekline which are both just funny shaped Jazz basses.