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BARTELL of California

Bartell produced guitars and amplifiers from 1964 to 1968

The company factory was to the west of Riverside California, out at the end of Jurupa Ave near the Riverside Airport.

 

It is estimated that around 2,000 instruments were produced based on the innovated designs of master craftsman Paul Barth.

The Bartell company also rebranded their products for Hohner, St. George, Lancer and Acoustic corporation, selling across the USA, Bartell-branded guitars’ sales distribution limited to southern California and Arizona.

Bartell of California appears on labels inside Hohner fretless basses, St George guitars, Natural Music Guild, and Contessa amplifiers.

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TED PECKELS

Founder and Company President

Ted form Bartell in 1964 with his partner Paul Barth

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PAUL BARTH

Founder and Head of Design

Paul formed Bartell in 1964 with his partner Ted Peckels.

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TOM MITCHELL

Design, build and electronics

Tom was one of the top designers, great with electronics and went on to form his own company, Mitchell's amplifiers

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ED BALLANTINE

Paint spray department

Ed worked in the paint booth. later he became a successful voice over artist.

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CHRIS ELLINGTON

Bartell employee

Chris worked with Ted, Paul and Ray Massey and had a successful career in the music business becoming owner of  C Note Music

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JIM KLEPPER

Bartell employee

Jim worked at the Bartell facility preparing bodies and necks in the late 60s before joining the USAF.

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GLENN MILLER

Bartell employee

Glenn ran the wood shop in its last days until the place was sold.

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ED FLORIO

Bartell employee

Ed worked at the Bartell factory

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DAVID SANDELL

Bartell employee

David was the house sound engineer for Temecula Stampede. He sadly passed away towards the end of 2019

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ROY TONTINI

Bartell employee

Roy, nick name Tiny, worked at the Bartell factory.

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DICK CHANDLER

Bartell employee

Dick worked at Bartell along with Glenn Miller

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PHIL GIURBINO

Bartell employee

Phil, nick name Tex, worked at the Bartell factory.

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BERT WILSON

Bartell employee

Bert worked at Bartell factory

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CHIP LARSEN

Bartell employee

Chip hitch hiked from Ohio to Southern California to feel the cool happening vibe, he lived with Glenn Miller for two years.

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'ROLAID' RAY

Bartell employee

The electronics area was headed by "Rolaid Ray" with a team of girls doing the Electric Bench work

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DOUG CHANDLER

Bartell employee

Doug 'wires' Chandler worked at the Bartell factory. He was a Amp Wiring Guru !

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ERIC WEISBROD

Bartell employee

Eric worked at Bartell factory

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MARK PAPE

Bartell employee

Mark worked at the Bartell factory.

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DAVE ARINE

Bartell employee

Dave worked at Bartell factory.

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LARRY CASS

Bartell employee

Larry worked at Bartell factory.

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DOUG DONAGHUE

Bartell employee

Doug worked at Bartell factory, he invented the BARTELL Shatterbox. He joined the US Army in 1966.

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JAKE GIURBINO 

Bartell employee

Jake worked at the Bartell factory.

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RAY MASSIE

Bartell employee

Worked at Fender late 40s went onto build Massie and St George Amps in 50s and 60s - poss designed Barth amps https://jedistar.com/massie/

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JAKE MILLER

Bartell employee

Jake worked at the Bartell factory with his brother Glenn.

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ADRIAN A AABY

Bartell employee

worked at Bartell of California for a while before they closed. Became Foreman at Mitchell Speaker company

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GWYNN (HONNY) BUTTON

Bartell employee

Wired harnesses for amplifiers

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