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Topic: Tutmarc Serenader |
Kelvin Monaghan
From:
Victoria, Australia
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Posted 28 Jun 2013 11:21 pm |
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I just picked up a Gorgeous Serenader,I wasn't too sure how it would shape up tonally as I had read somewhere someone had one which was thin and hummy.
Well this one sounds great very strong and even not harsh or thin at all ,not unlike the tone of my old New Yorker and extremely quiet probably due to the metal cover plate.
I included a pic of the internal old style Horseshoe magnet pickup for anyone interested.
If anyone can tell me about these guitars ,year made etc I would be gratefull.
Cheers
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 29 Jun 2013 10:51 am
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Kelvin, I'm the one who had a "thin and hummy" sounding Serenader. It's good to hear that you got a good sounding one.
The Serenader was made in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Made by Bud Tutmarc, the son of legendary builder Paul Tutmarc in Seattle WA. Paul was a very early builder, 1930s. He made Audiovox lap steels and basses.
The Serenader is a lot like the earlier Audiovox. But it's a little unusual for the early 50s because the electronics, the large horseshoe magnet inside and the blade pickup, were commonly used in 1930s lap steel guitars. When I got my Serenader I was a little confused... a 1950s style case, tuners, and finish, but 1930s electronics... 
Then I read an old interview of Bud Tutmarc, and he said he chose to use the earlier style of electronics in the Serenader (like the Audiovox had) because he thought that was an important part of the sound. As I see it, the Serenader was a son's tribute to his father's earlier, classic lap steel guitar, the Audiovox. A similar body shape, same electronics, different finish.
For more info try a Google search of "Bud Tutmarc", "Paul Tutmarc", Audiovox, and Serenader. Enjoy your lap steel!
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Kelvin Monaghan
From:
Victoria, Australia
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Posted 29 Jun 2013 4:44 pm
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Thanks for that Doug its a shame the one you had obviously had its problems,I'm very surprised at the clear harmonically rich tone it puts out considering the ancient electronics,although not too far removed from the original Charlie Christian pickups with the big magnets I guess.
Cheers |
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Hugh Roche
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2013 9:27 am
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| thats what I call a horseshoe! |
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