Doc Kauffman

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Kauffman Vibrola

Doc Kauffman (born Clayton Orr Kauffman May 4, 1901, died June 26, 1990) was a lap steel guitar, electric guitar engineer, inventor and pioneer of the world's first patented guitar vibrato system. The patent for "Apparatus for producing tremolo effects" was applied for in 1928 and officially granted to Doc Kauffman on January 5, 1932. [1]

Rickenbacker Legacy

During the 1930s, Doc Kauffman served as chief

Stratocaster and by Bigsby.[3]

Doc Kauffman Vibrola found on Ken Roberts Model

Fender Legacy

In the early 1940s, Doc Kauffman and

Fender Electric Instrument Company. Kauffman and Fender remained friends until Kauffman's death in 1990. Doc Kauffman considered Leo Fender such a close friend, that Leo was listed as next of kin, after Doc's children, in Doc's final will & testament. Leo died just one year after Doc in 1991.[4]

Les Paul & Gibson

Kauffman Vibrola on Les Paul's early 1950s Les Paul Model

Les Paul and Doc Kauffman struck a friendship in the 1930s. Les would later utilize the Kauffman Vibrola on his prototype "Log" guitars developed in the 1940s. Les favored the Vibrola to such a degree, he removed the stock bridge on his brand-new 1952 signature Gibson model and installed a Vibrola.[5]

References

  1. ^ USTPO, USPTO. "Apparatus For Producing Tremolo Effects". USPTO. USPTO. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  2. ISBN 978-0-634-05613-0
  3. ^ Staff Writer. "Rickenbacker Ken Roberts Model". Retrofret.com. Retrofret.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. ^ Lipsey, Therese. "Obituary for Clayton Orr "Doc" Kauffman". Orange County Register. Orange County Register. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  5. ^ Lawrence, Robb (2008). The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy (1 ed.).
    ISBN 9781476851938
    . Retrieved 22 July 2018.
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