Bartell Guitars

Paul Brett knows a good story when he hears one and when he began digging into the history of the Bartell Guitar Company, he was hooked. Researching the California guitar manufacturer from the 1960s was not easy from his home in England, yet Paul was fascinated. In 2021 he published the book, Finding Fretless: The Story of George Harrison’s Mad Guitar. The process of writing the book resulted in a keen friendship with Ray Russell who was given a Bartell guitar by George Harrison. The Beatles played the instrument on “Helter Skelter” and "Happiness is a Warm Gun" on the White Album

Ray Russell is the noted English studio musician and composer who has also performed with a number of bands over his long career including the prog rock group Mouse. His guitar can be heard on hundreds of records with such artists as David Bowie, Gil Evans and Roxy Music. Working with Sir George Martin in Air Studios was a meaningful experience for Ray as was working on the James Bond Theme Song. His go-to instruments for much of his studio recordings were a Fender Stratocaster and a CF Martin guitar. He also used a Bartell fretless, which was given to him by George Harrison.

Sharon Sagar is the daughter of Paul Barth, the founder of Bartell Guitars. Paul started his guitar and bass manufacturing factory in Riverside, California, in 1964. As a teenager, Sharon worked in the factory in the summers and enjoyed getting to know the other dedicated employees who impressed her with their dedication to the quality of the instruments. Sharon recalled the relationship her father had with electric guitar pioneer George Beauchamp (1899-1941), and the time they spent together. The Bartell company produced some 2,000 instruments before closing in 1969.