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Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 08:51   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Anyone else out there own a Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage guitar effect. I've owned mine since 1975. See it at my YouTube video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2gwe81Tq1E Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14648 is a reply to message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 11:42   zedsalt Messages: 64 Registered: March 2008 Member A friend of mine put together his own talkbox effect using a thick styrofoam cooler, a Radio Shack mini amp, and a piece of tubing from the hardware store. He wraps comforters around the cooler to reduce the bleedthrough, but he still has to use a mic with a pretty tight pattern. It's a lot of trouble to go through, but it's chock full o' character (I'm sure your Kustom Bag is, too). Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14649 is a reply to message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 12:07 chicagobill Messages: 2005 Registered: April 2003 Senior Member The Bag is almost as rare as the Kustom Theremin. In all the years that I've been around, I've only seen a couple of bags. In the last 5 years or so, I've seen 2 come up on eBay. Because they were introduced in the late '60s, I think that they were way ahead of their time and nobody knew what to do with them. I remember that John Kay of Steppenwolf was in the ads for them, but I don't remember any recordings featuring it. It wasn't until Frampton that talk boxes became popular items. Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14650 is a reply to message #14649] Thu, 28 October 2010 14:31   braud357 Messages: 154 Registered: July 2010 Location: Louisiana Senior Member I remember seeing one at my local Kustom dealer "way back when" - we wondered what good purpose that it could be used for - that is, until - "Frampton Comes Alive" ! Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14651 is a reply to message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 15:26 chicagobill Messages: 2005 Registered: April 2003 Senior Member The "talking guitar" effect dates back to the late 1940's. I can't remember the player's name, but there was a steel guitar player that had a speaker system that would attach to his neck instead of using a mouth tube. I guess that REVO is trying to sell his bag, as he has been on a lot of the boards drumming up interest. Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14652 is a reply to message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 15:29 rodak Messages: 511 Registered: October 2001 Location: Georgia Senior Member What a strange and unusual looking talk box. Did "The Bag" appear in any Kustom literature (any on this site - I don't recall seeing any)? By how many years did it pre-date "Frampton Comes Alive"? What did it sell for originally? How much have the few seen on eBay fetched? www.combo-organ.com Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14653 is a reply to message #14647] Thu, 28 October 2010 16:38 chicagobill Messages: 2005 Registered: April 2003 Senior Member I haven't seen any literature, maybe Pleat has something. I remember going to the Kustom dealer showroom and seeing one in the window there in 1969. A little later is when I saw the John Kay ads. The first one that I saw on eBay was maybe 5 years ago, it was mint with all of the original bells and whistles. I quit bidding at $200, I think it went for maybe $400-450. More recently (maybe 2 years ago) one came up in much better condition than REVO's, and it sold for maybe $250. The only person that would want one, would be a hardcore Kustom collector. As far as talk boxes go there are much better ones on the market now. I don't know when Frampton Comes Alive came out, maybe 1975? So the Bag was out for at least 4 years before this. Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14654 is a reply to message #14651] Thu, 28 October 2010 20:39 C4ster Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee... Senior Member I believe you are refering to Alvino Rey. However, I just ran a couple of YouTube videos and I didn't see anything even remotely like a talk box. It would be interesting to know how he produced those sounds. Sadly, he died a few years ago, Conrad Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14656 is a reply to message #14648] Thu, 28 October 2010 23:21   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Howdy, Thank you for your comment about the talkbox. The DIY Western Pioneer Spirit as I call it is outstanding. Sounds like something I would give a go. Reminds me of something I saw recently about Joe Walsh using a Heil prototype talkbox in the early days and they housed the horn driver in a paper sack wrapped in a rubber band at the top. As nutty as that would look, it would be worth a fortune now! REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14657 is a reply to message #14649] Thu, 28 October 2010 23:33   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, Yes Frampton made the talkbox come alive! Without it,his huge Live album would have had alot less impact in my opinion. The time was right and he used it well. I actually e-mailed Peter Frampton since he has a Facebook page to ask him if he would like to buy my "The Bag" talkbox. I'm sure he will not ever notice the question (he's a busy guy) but why not try? It would be fun to say "I sold my talkbox to Peter Frampton" wouldn't it? rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14658 is a reply to message #14650] Thu, 28 October 2010 23:40   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, Thank you for your comment about "The Bag" talkbox. I am glad you did not pour wine into it or "smoke on the water" with it REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14659 is a reply to message #14651] Thu, 28 October 2010 23:48   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, You bet! It is no secret about my mission to eventually auction "The Bag" talkbox. My 2nd video shows a "Details for eventual buyer" alert. I also posted a Craigslist ad which caught the attention of a few Kustom collectors. This device is really meant for a collector. This guitar effect is a piece of history and I am putting the word out. Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14660 is a reply to message #14654] Fri, 29 October 2010 00:01   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, thanks for your comment about "The Bag" talkbox. Apparently the idea was nothing new and started out as an artificial larnyx for voice impaired people. Doug Forbes whom I have had some contact with, came up with the idea of a musician utilizing the concept. He envisioned patent/legal issues but supposedly his band manager took off with his idea. I believe they are very rare partially because they were very expensive to buy in 1969 when introduced by Kustom. Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14661 is a reply to message #14652] Fri, 29 October 2010 00:10   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, Yes, a very strange (like The Doors) talkbox. Like no other. Was out about 5 years before Framptons' Live album. Cost $100.00 in 1969, the equivalent of about $585.00 dollars currently. You can find some old clips of Jeff Beck using one in 1974 on YouTube. The one I own is the 1st one I ever played in 1975 when a drummer gave this to me. Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14662 is a reply to message #14653] Fri, 29 October 2010 00:30   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, Thank you for your perspective. Since "The Bag" talkbox is so rare, its' value is difficult to detertmine. All it takes in an auction is 2 people who REALLY have to have the item up for bid. Then it gets interesting! You will see and hear in my next video (waiting for a sliced index finger to heal) that there is no amazing difference in sound from modern ones. This is so rare and historical and unique. The one you buy from Guitar Center will lose much value buy the time you have walked to your car from the check-out counter. "The Bag" is increasing in value as every month goes by. It is an investment. I'm sure a professional upholsterer could greatly improve the appearance but some collectors may prefer to leave its' vintage look as-is. Either way, it still sounds the same. Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14663 is a reply to message #14647] Fri, 29 October 2010 11:26   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello, How is everyone? I have found that I can learn much by observing comments and viewpoints about details on guitar gear. Research is interesting. One year ago, I had no idea what Dual JRC 4558 D chips were in my vintage Ibanez SuperTube pedal etc. Checking out websites and finding owners of similar items to mine helps greatly. If you are interested, you can see some of my videos for vintage gear and amps that I have already sold this year. They are at YouTube. Type in the search box "1966 Fender Showman Bullet-hole Amp" or "rev0tube" (with a zero) and my videos should appear,inc. some ridiculous Grand Canyon vacation clips. Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14664 is a reply to message #14647] Fri, 29 October 2010 12:20 chicagobill Messages: 2005 Registered: April 2003 Senior Member REVO: I wish you good luck with your sale, someone out there will want to buy it. As for your postings here, I wish that you would come to the site, read all of the comments and then post one answer/comment, rather than leaving eight unconnected posts. Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14665 is a reply to message #14664] Fri, 29 October 2010 18:30   pleat Messages: 1452 Registered: June 2004 Location: Belding, Mi Senior Member Where to start? http://www.vintagerock.com/pframpton_interview.aspx Having worked at a music store from 66 until 1979 as a kustom dealer, I don't have any numbers as to how many were made, but I'd guess not that many were made. It retailed for 99.00. To compare prices in 1969, the K50 retailed for 229.99 and a Kustom Microphone retailed for 59.95 at that same time. We stocked a blue paisley Kustom bag at the store I managed. Ordered it in 69, and just before I left the store in 79, it finally was torn apart and used the Atlas horn driver for a replacement horn driver. Even thru the Frampton craze and after, we couldn't sell the idea of wearing the bag for a talk box. I know the original blue tube was a ribbed plastic that would kink if bent to tight. By 79, the tube was splitting. Think back to 1969. Not much promotion was done from Kustom, and the dealers didn't know what to do with it, how to market it, or promote it by demostrating it. The only promotion I remember from Kustom, you wore it with the supplied 3/8" diameter nylon cord with fringe at each end, matching color, resembling a strap. The toggle switch is mounted to the bag, so you have to use one hand to activate and de-activate the effect. But they didn't tell you what you did with the 30" long tube, when you weren't using it. You either had to keep in your mouth, or let it fall towards the stage. You could, tape the tube to a microphone and stand, which limited any stage movement. You now have a extra cord hanging down, guitar cord and speaker cord hanging down from the bag, just one more cord to trip over. The bag was just not a well thought out design for stage application, even thou it makes a super cool effect. It was really ahead of it's time but, these are some of the reasons it didn't sell, and I'm sure we weren't the only dealer who had problems in trying to sell them. Great idea as to how it worked, but Bob Heil did it better. Solid metal floor box, with the tube being taped to the microphone and stand, the speaker/amp connections were on the floor and and could be taped down. A footswitch activated it. The Heil Talk Box didn't restrict the guitar player to be confined to a small area on stage. As to a value? It's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. In a country that will buy pet rocks, I guess there's hope in selling the Kustom bag. pleat Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #14668 is a reply to message #14665] Fri, 29 October 2010 20:53   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hello from Kansas City, Absolutely fascinating comment! This is the kind of in-depth comment I love to read. The Bag is fairly mysterious and many do not know they even exist. There is a trade-off on convenience of use/design/practicality. Frampton has a separate mic/mic stand and probably amp also for his talkbox. It is nice to be a rockstar and have a roadcrew and large mixer etc. For the rest of us, we are in danger of a choking hazard if we have a talkbox tube attached to our vocal mike all night. I wear a wireless headset mike so I would almost have to go the Frampton route. Not to mention an extra mike/stand/cable and hopefully enough channels in the mixer(always a struggle). Slinging The Bag over your shoulder can be awkward although you most likely aren't using it every time at the mike. Just my opinion and as I said,there are some trade-offs. I would not advocate buying this and using it as your main talkbox. It should be stored and looked at as an investment and collectors item, until you attend the Kustom Konvention. Thanks so much for your experience! REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #15182 is a reply to message #14647] Sun, 30 January 2011 03:38   bluesparkle Messages: 1 Registered: January 2011 Junior Member Hello! I've got a "The Bag"! It's a blue-green paisley with lace trim instead of fringe. Looks and sounds awesome! I'll post pics later. Blue Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #15198 is a reply to message #15182] Tue, 01 February 2011 11:27   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hey Blue! Incredible news! I was thinking the Kustom "The Bag" talkbox was nowhere to be found,other than mine. Do you have a brief history about how you found it? Thanks much, REVO rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #15276 is a reply to message #15198] Fri, 18 February 2011 00:02   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member No Message Body rev0tube Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox,vintage 1969 [message #15277 is a reply to message #15198] Fri, 18 February 2011 00:10   REVO Messages: 14 Registered: October 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo Junior Member Hey all, In case anyone is interested, I am placing my Kustom Electronics "The Bag" talkbox/voicebag Vintage 1969 on eBay Sunday Feb. 20th. I have 4 YouTube videos for it. Thanks much, REVO@RevoKC.com rev0tube Report message to a moderator

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