Ace Tone FR-1 Rhythm Ace Full Auto

This bucktooth beaver is one of the very first drum machines, or rhythm machines, created by Ace Tone in 1967. You can select one or combine two patterns and control the volume and tempo. You can also use the cancel buttons to turn some sounds on and off. The video in the photos section of this listing is of the actual unit. In the video you can hear it with just wood block, with cowbell, with bass drum, with hi hats, and also without all of those.

It works well. It has a mono audio output. If you crank the volume really loud and slam it through a compressor you may hear some hum, but it’s not terribly noisey. The rhythm selector buttons aren’t even, but they all work. This thing is old and has been loved. The power indicator bulb is out, but the more important tempo bulb still works.

I would describe the aesthetic condition as “legit-patina” because the tolex and paint scuffs make this FR-1 look like it was used live in clubs. It may even have a cigarette burn on top, not sure. I took the handle off the top so that I could stack pedals and things on top, but it will be included in the box. We’ve had both Maestro Rhythm Kings, the Rhythm Jester, the Roland CR-78, CR-8000, the Seeburg Rhythm Prince, the Korg SR-120 and KR-55b, the Wurlitzer Swingin’ Rhythm, and many others, and this is the beefiest sounding rhythm machine we’ve had. It’s got a cool bass drum sound.

It has feet on the back, so you can operate it with the controls facing the ceiling, and it has feet on the bottom, so you can operate it with the controls facing you while standing.

Roughly 22 x 9 x 8 inches. 117v and seems to have the original power cable. We’ll include a long 1/4” cable for the audio output. The audio and power cables fit behind the drop panel on the back.