Electric Piano Archives
Electric Piano
Archives
This site is dedicated to providing information pertaining to Wurlitzer Electric Pianos.
This site is currently being rebuilt. Check back for updates.
Photo archives should appear to the left.
Feel free to E-mail me
HERE. |
First of all, let me show you my Wurli! This is appropriate, I feel, since it's (to the best of my knowledge) the first electronic model made by Wurlitzer piano company. This piano is a model 112, built in January, 1956. It has 61 keys, a built-in tube amp & speaker, sustain pedal, and a nifty handle on the keyboard lid. This model also appears to be the heaviest model as well, tipping the scales at over 100 pounds. NOTE: This piano was painted black at one point in its life...for a view of the original finish of this model, click HERE
It all folds up in a box (the legs unscrew and are contained in the lid), but the sustain pedal appears to have no place provided for internal storage. The sustain connects via 2 thumbscrews, attaching to the right-hand side of the case. The tube amp is driven by a pair of 6V6's, and the speaker is a 6x9-type. Metal reeds provide the tone generation, and the action is very much like a real upright piano. More pictures of this model are available in the Photo Archives. Click here for Specs and other info
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This model reduced the size and weight significantly, and resembles the 200 series more closely. This one's my "beater", and is in a restoration process. It also has a 6v6 tube power-amp, although it is configured differently than the 112. The sustain pedal connects through the bottom of the unit, and the on-off-volume knob is located on the left-hand side of the keyboard. The action appears to be lighter and faster than the 112, but i won't know for sure until it's been gone over thoroughly. |
Next is a model 140-B...From here on out, these pictures apply to nothing
I personally own, so my information is very limited. This model has
Tremelo,
and apparently is one of the first models to have this option, and
the switch is located on the left end block of the keyboard.
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This is a model 145-B. This must be one of the last of the wooden-case
models built by wurlitzer. It too has
Tremelo,
and looks quite similar to the 140.
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And finally, the latest model produced in the line of Reed-based Wurlitzer Pianos...the classic 200-A!
This version utilizes two front-mounted speakers (instead of one facing out
the back), a solid-state amplification system, a plastic case, and metal
legs. This version also contains the
Tremelo
circuit w/variable intensity. This particular model is the one most
often used, both live and in the studio. |
The student version of the Wurly (206 series) is essentially the same instrument
as the one sold for professional use but the student version has some unique
features. The keyboard unit, which contains the amplifier is mounted on a
stand which houses the speakers and an input/output box--which you can see
in the photos--with a mono "tape out" and "auxiliary in" as well as a headphone
output and mic input (also mono.) |
As this website progresses, I will have references to artists playing these wonderful machines, sound files, repair and tuning information, and anything else I can think of. Send me any opinions or comments you may have, and I will do my best to incorporate the wisdom and opinions received.
Come back soon!
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