Tannerin For Sale on Ebay
Item number 140058470242 is a prototype Tannerin built by Tom Polk in 1999. Tom’s design was based on Paul Tanner’s original instrument the Electro-Theremin. Tom also built a Tannerin for Brian Wilson’s 1999 solo tour and 2 more compact models for the 2005 Broadway production of “Good Vibrations”.The Electro-Theremin, or Tannerin, is an electronic instrument that shares many similarities with the Theremin, as a matter of fact the sounds they create are often mistaken. The eerie melody featured on The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” is often mistaken as a theremin but actaully was a an Electro-Theremin.The Electro-Theremin is typically played by moving a slide control to control the pitch, which is what gives it that Theremin-like portamento sound. There wheren’t any “keys” to press, but as you can see on the image below, an image of a keyboard lays atop the case to provide a map of the slides pitch.
The prototype for sale on eBay is not played with a slide control but rather with a wand. When pressed against the bar along the device it controls the pitch, similar to a stylophone. The left hand controls the volume knob for swells and tremelo, while the right hand controls the pitch. Since the prototype has a wand instead of a slide, it can also give staccato sounds without using the volume knob.
Although the prototype listed in the auction is not one of Tanner’s original devices, I do not believe that either the Electro-Theremin or the Tannerin where ever formally produced and sold. This may be your only chance to find one of these rare devices.
