Bartell (guitars)

Bartell was a Riverside, California-based maker of guitars and basses, founded by Paul Barth and Ted Peckels.[1] The company was active from 1964 to 1969.[1] According to Peckels, approximately 2,000 instruments were made during this period.[1] The company also made instruments for Hohner, St. George, and Lancer.[1]

In March 2020, a prototype fretless electric guitar made by Bartell was shown on the BBC Television programme Antiques Roadshow.

George Harrison was gifted the Bartell Fretless Guitar (the first prototype) by Hollywood session player and music shop owner Al Casey, who’s wife Maxine on the 1st August 1967 took it up to Blue Jay Way where George was staying.

George took the guitar back to the U.K. where it ended up at Abbey Road in the locker in studio 2.

Lennon was intrigued by the Bartell, but he found it difficult to play. They passed it around, but then put it in the studio locker. George referred to it as 'the mad guitar’. 6th June 1968 Lennon is playing it while being interviewed by Kenny Everett.

The Beatles were recording the White Album at the time, with the fretless likely being used on tracks such as Happiness is a Warm Gun and Helter Skelter.[2] When the Beatles split up George took it back to Friar Park where it sat in his collection until 1985. The fretless guitar was gifted to its current owner, session musician Ray Russell, by George Harrison In 1985 while recording the film WATER.

In 2019 the Bartell was appraised on the BBC Antiques Roadshow (Broadcast 1st March 2020) where Jon Baddeley

Managing direct of Bonhams said “this is an incredibly rare Beatles guitar with an enviable history, which turns out to be  one of the most valuable items ever seen on the show.” It was valued at £300,000 - £400,000 by Jon Baddeley.[3][4] The programme included a picture of Harrison with his guitars, in which the Bartell is clearly visible.[3]

Another Bartell guitar, a twelve-string electric, 'St. George XK12', was owned by John Frusciante.[5] The company also made guitars for Jimi Hendrix.[3][6]