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Topic: The Pete Drake Talking Music Actuator talk box prototype. |
Ton Masseurs
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 8 Jun 2021 11:16 pm |
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Hello everyone.
So I've decided to sell the Pete Drake box to make room for some newer gear I actually use.
The full story (and all the photos) is in the other topic ( https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=370577 ) but here are the important highlights.
1970 I called up Shot Jackson's shop to order my first proper Sho-Bud Pedalsteel. During the conversation he mentions Pete Drake is there with a prototype for his talk box or: "Talking Music Actuator". Would I like one. I get to talk to Pete Drake and he explains toe what it does. I decided to buy it.
I the Pedalsteel play it for years and I get the box and it doesn't really work in our touring rig so I only use it on some sessions.
It's 50 years later. I've used it perhaps 20 times in all those years. It still works.
It's different from the production model from what I can tell in that it has as speaker cable in and out (the production model does not seem to have an out) controlled by a switch.
So I am open to offers. I have a rough idea what to sell it for. But let's see if we can get there organically or if I'm just way off base.
Thank you for looking and any interest.
Kind regards
Ton Masseurs. |
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Dan Kelly
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 9 Jun 2021 8:32 am
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Interesting... It seems that vintage talk boxes from the early 70's are going for about $400.00. Kustom Electronics Talk "bags" are averaging about $2,000 ++ The late Leon Russell's is going for $2,000. So, based on the listings on Reverb... a reasonable range for the Pete Drake prototype could be between $400 and 2,000.
So Ton... what do you think it is worth?
_________________
blah, blah, blah.
Hey You Kids! Get Off My Lawn!
blah, blah, blah. |
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Lee Warren
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2021 8:56 am
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| Geez, this belongs in a museum! |
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Ton Masseurs
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 9 Jun 2021 9:55 am
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| Dan Kelly wrote: |
Interesting... It seems that vintage talk boxes from the early 70's are going for about $400.00. Kustom Electronics Talk "bags" are averaging about $2,000 ++ The late Leon Russell's is going for $2,000. So, based on the listings on Reverb... a reasonable range for the Pete Drake prototype could be between $400 and 2,000.
So Ton... what do you think it is worth? |
I've also listed it elsewhere and I'm getting offers around €800. Which is alluring enough.
I am not famous so there is no real value there. No one is going to say "This belonged to Ton Masseurs!" They will say "Pete Drake intended this as prototype to feature in Shot Jackson's shop. And somehow it got sold to a Dutch guy".
I'm currently in negotiations with a French collector of old guitar effects.
Perhaps I can get more if I really draw it out. But it's been sitting around my gear for over 13 years now. And except for the story surrounding it I don't have much use for it.
If I can get enough money to do the yearly summer project I do with my son. Where we build a guitar or this year maybe a guitar and an amp. And refinish a really nice acoustic guitar. That's enough. I can't put a price on the joy of us working together to build something. And me teaching him old school stuff and his reimagining of what that can become.
I will always have the pictures and the story. |
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Joe Alterio
From:
Irvington, Indiana
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Posted 10 Jun 2021 6:56 am
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You might try reaching out to the Musicans Hall of Fame & Museum in Nasvhille (https://www.musicianshalloffame.com/) and see if they might have an interest...?
Best,
Joe |
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Ton Masseurs
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 10 Jun 2021 11:17 am
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| Joe Alterio wrote: |
You might try reaching out to the Musicans Hall of Fame & Museum in Nasvhille (https://www.musicianshalloffame.com/) and see if they might have an interest...?
Best,
Joe |
I believe they already have one. If I googled this machine there was 1 photo from a similar box in a museum. I think it's the mucians hall of fame. |
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Ton Masseurs
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 11 Jun 2021 11:46 am Please close this topic
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Hello everyone
I have sold the talk box to a French collector of vintage guitar effects (so outside the forum)
So thank you all for your interest, advise and excitement.
I'll always have the story. And the Frenchman is happy to have the box.
I do like my choice to finally register for this forum and I am looking forward to taking part in the discussions and insights that I'm pretty sure I'll find here 
Thank you all!
Gratefully
Ton Masseurs |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2021 12:10 pm
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| That's great. It sounds like you got it in the hands of someone who really appreciates it and got a little money for your summer project in the process. Thank-you for sharing your pictures and story here and welcome to the forum! |
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Edward Dixon
From:
Crestview Florida
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Ton Masseurs
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 11 Jun 2021 4:48 pm
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| Bill Sinclair wrote: |
| That's great. It sounds like you got it in the hands of someone who really appreciates it and got a little money for your summer project in the process. Thank-you for sharing your pictures and story here and welcome to the forum! |
Thank you!
Yes I am very happy with the outcome. Someone who will take care of the box for years to come and I can indeed go and teach my son all about tube amps  |
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