Anyone remember Paul Barth?

[Henry Nagle]

Hey there, friends. I hope this is the right section. Some of you may know who Paul Barth was. He worked for Rickenbacker from the early days up until the late fifties, when he built some guitars for Magnatone and eventually co-founded Bartell. Two of my favorite electric guitars are Barth designed Magnatones; a late fifties Mark VII and a mid sixties Tornado. I've found a fair amount of information on the internet about his guitars, but I'm curious to know more about the depth of his design involvement at Rickenbacker. Also, I've heard that he did some work for Fender, perhaps helping them tool up to build the Stratocaster? He was certainly a prominent figure in the first 40 years of electric guitar and lap steel development, and I'd love to know more about him. It'd be neat to see a photo of him too.

[Henry Nagle]

http://www.magnatoneamps.com/barth.html

[Joachim Kettner]

http://www.amazon.de/The-Rickenbacker-B ... 0879303298
Henry, click on " die ersten Seiten" on the left side. There's a small picture (above the business card). That's him.

[Henry Nagle]

Thank you!

[Susan Parker]

Proud to take part in finally getting this forgotten - certainly most important! - founding father of electric guitar of ours known. Ours (Riverside, CA) because he founded Bartell of California and called us home for the final decade of his life. The following information is going to change the long known, shared credit of who founded this crucial musical instrument by making clear just how pivotal a role Paul Barth played in collaboration of nearly every aspect of its formation.
Paul Brett must have hound dog in his blood because when he goes to searching, he goes deep and finds long lost treasures. Following the adventure he took to learn more about the mad guitar his buddy was gifted by George Harrison...Paul Barth's final prototype (tell ya more about it at end)...the fascinating facts of Barth just kept growing and growing. Putting 'Hound Dog' Paul on Paul's path and gathering some very interesting facts that will rewrite this whole chapter of exactly who else deserves sharing title of a founding father.

As facts will give provinance to, Paul Barth shall not be forgotten. Enjoy.

Written and posted by Paul Brett in his Bartell of California - Guitars Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/294003039056047/

Paul Martin Barth was a pivotal yet often underrecognized figure in the development of the electric guitar, contributing significantly to its evolution through his work as an inventor, luthier, and designer. Born in 1908, Barth’s career began in the 1920s when, at age 16, he dropped out of school and started working with John Dopyera at National String Instrument Corporation in New York. There, he contributed to the production of resonator guitars, honing his skills as a craftsman. By the late 1920s, he had risen to the role of assistant factory superintendent at National, working alongside Dopyera until around 1934.
Barth’s most groundbreaking contribution came in the early 1930s when he collaborated with George Beauchamp, a fellow innovator and guitarist. Together, they co-invented the electric pickup, a revolutionary device that amplified the guitar’s sound by converting string vibrations into electrical signals. This innovation laid the foundation for the electric guitar as we know it today. In 1931, Barth and Beauchamp joined forces with Adolph Rickenbacker to form the Ro-Pat-In Company (later renamed Rickenbacker), where they developed the "Frying Pan," the first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar, introduced in 1932. Barth’s technical expertise was instrumental in refining the design and manufacturing process of this iconic instrument.
After Beauchamp’s departure from Rickenbacker in 1940, Barth took on a larger role, overseeing manufacturing during World War II and beyond. When Adolph Rickenbacker sold the company to F.C. Hall in the early 1950s, Barth moved on, bringing his talents to Magnatone, where he designed guitars in the early 1960s. He later founded Bartell of California with Ted Peckels, operating from 1964 to 1969 in Riverside, producing around 2,000 instruments, including innovative designs like the fretless guitar famously gifted to George Harrison in 1967. Barth also established his own brand, Barth Natural Music Guild, in Santa Ana, California, in the late 1950s, crafting unique guitars that reflected his distinctive vision.
Throughout his career, Barth worked with or influenced major players in the guitar world, including Leo Fender (for whom he set up early woodworking jigs) and Semie Moseley (whom he employed at Rickenbacker). His designs impacted brands like Electro String, National, Rickenbacker, Fender, Magnatone, Mosrite, Hohner, and others. Notable musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, George Harrison, John Lennon and John Paul Jones, played Barth-crafted instruments, cementing his legacy.
A quiet, unassuming man, Barth remained dedicated to his craft until his death in 1973. His final workshop was located at 10685 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, California, where his protégé Don Underwood took over after his passing. Though overshadowed by figures like Les Paul or Leo Fender, Barth’s contributions—from the electric pickup to his innovative guitar designs—mark him as one of the founding fathers of the electric guitar, leaving an indelible imprint on modern music.
END

Now check out how Hound Dog Paul's original adventure got started...you're gonna love it:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p096st ... HCphrKmLwg

Paul's 1st intro of his adventure:
https://youtu.be/ytxoWvmlDzc?si=4yfuvDYNoSd7gut1

The beautiful book "Finding Fretless" Paul gave birth to:
www.findingfretless.com

Got a couple of photos of Barth., but don't know how to add them.

[Craig Stock]

Very interesting Susan, thanks for putting the time in to post all of that info!

[Anthony Lis]

Yes, I was hoping someone would mention the work of Paul Brett in the UK and his research into Paul Barth.

[Susan Parker]

Yes, I was hoping someone would mention the work of Paul Brett in the UK and his research into Paul Barth.

He and Ray came across the pond for a Bartell Reunion.

[Susan Parker]

Very interesting Susan, thanks for putting the time in to post all of that info!

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed.

[Anthony Lis]

Yes, I remember hearing about Paul Brett coming over for a Bartell Reunion.

[Jack Hanson]

Both Paul Barth & George Beauchamp are foremost among the relatively underappreciated pioneering unsung heroes of the electric guitar. Another would be Roger Rossmeisl. I believe Barth may have been related by marriage to a member of the Dopyera family, who, among others, formed National in Los Angeles in the 1920s.

[Mark Eaton]

I believe Barth may have been related by marriage to a member of the Dopyera family, who, among others, formed National in Los Angeles in the 1920s.

Excellent writeup by Paul Brett, but I wonder how he came up with National being formed in New York? It was definitely Los Angeles unless there is some obscure piece of history regarding the company that most of us have never come across in the past.

[Susan Parker]

I believe Barth may have been related by marriage to a member of the Dopyera family, who, among others, formed National in Los Angeles in the 1920s.

Excellent writeup by Paul Brett, but I wonder how he came up with National being formed in New York? It was definitely Los Angeles unless there is some obscure piece of history regarding the company that most of us have never come across in the past.

Not sure if any of this helps...
The National String Instrument Corporation 1929 catalog
Paul Barth - Vice President
Source https://www.notecannons.com

[Brad Bechtel]

Growing up in Corona, my friends and I would cruise down Magnolia Avenue and check out Mr. Barth's shop on our way to the Tyler Mall. I remember he had a lot of unusual guitars and some of the first Hawaiian guitars I ever tried to play.

Of course I had no idea who he was other than a guy who ran a guitar shop. I wish I had known more about him and his career.

[Susan Parker]

Growing up in Corona, my friends and I would cruise down Magnolia Avenue and check out Mr. Barth's shop on our way to the Tyler Mall. I remember he had a lot of unusual guitars and some of the first Hawaiian guitars I ever tried to play.

Of course I had no idea who he was other than a guy who ran a guitar shop. I wish I had known more about him and his career.

You might enjoy our Facebook group I created. It's full of local musicians reuniting, etc.
www.facebook.com/groups/iemhof

[Brad Bechtel]

Unfortunately I haven't lived in the Inland Empire since around 1980.

[Susan Parker]

Unfortunately I haven't lived in the Inland Empire since around 1980.

Many of the members haven't either.

[Susan Parker]

It'd be neat to see a photo of him too.

Figured it out...