Full Version: Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Anyone know anything about these??
Nobody at all?? 
The only experience of these i have is off a midi keyboard. But i don't really know what you want to know about them.
I used to sell Wurlitzer electric pianos back in the late 60's and early 70's.....when I was working for Boosey and Hawkes "Cavendish Organ Centre" in Margaret Street (just off Regent Street, West End)
I seem to recall that way back then, the sound was produced by amplifying result of the key hitting a metal tongue.......bit hazy on that one.....not technically minded.
We did sell a lot of them, particularly to groups who like the unique sound.
They had rather round "plong" sort of sound then, not really piano like. What they developed into after that era I'm not sure.
Try looking for details on the internet.
Wurlitzer was a "descendant" company of the famous cinema organ manufacturer. They also made electronic organs particularly in the golden heyday of the home organ - 60's, 70's and 80's. Considering the prestige they held as PIPE organ manufacturers, the electronic organs were quite dreadful - not a patch on the competition at the time.
I seem to recall that way back then, the sound was produced by amplifying result of the key hitting a metal tongue.......bit hazy on that one.....not technically minded.
We did sell a lot of them, particularly to groups who like the unique sound.
They had rather round "plong" sort of sound then, not really piano like. What they developed into after that era I'm not sure.
Try looking for details on the internet.
Wurlitzer was a "descendant" company of the famous cinema organ manufacturer. They also made electronic organs particularly in the golden heyday of the home organ - 60's, 70's and 80's. Considering the prestige they held as PIPE organ manufacturers, the electronic organs were quite dreadful - not a patch on the competition at the time.
QUOTE(diapason @ Mar 18 2009, 10:20 PM) 
I used to sell Wurlitzer electric pianos back in the late 60's and early 70's.....when I was working for Boosey and Hawkes "Cavendish Organ Centre" in Margaret Street (just off Regent Street, West End)
I seem to recall that way back then, the sound was produced by amplifying result of the key hitting a metal tongue.......bit hazy on that one.....not technically minded.
Similar to the classic Fender Rhodes piano.
The re is a Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer_electric_piano
QUOTE(diapason @ Mar 18 2009, 11:20 PM)
I used to sell Wurlitzer electric pianos back in the late 60's and early 70's.....when I was working for Boosey and Hawkes "Cavendish Organ Centre" in Margaret Street (just off Regent Street, West End)
I seem to recall that way back then, the sound was produced by amplifying result of the key hitting a metal tongue.......bit hazy on that one.....not technically minded.
We did sell a lot of them, particularly to groups who like the unique sound.
They had rather round "plong" sort of sound then, not really piano like. What they developed into after that era I'm not sure.
Try looking for details on the internet.
Wurlitzer was a "descendant" company of the famous cinema organ manufacturer. They also made electronic organs particularly in the golden heyday of the home organ - 60's, 70's and 80's. Considering the prestige they held as PIPE organ manufacturers, the electronic organs were quite dreadful - not a patch on the competition at the time.
Thank you so much! I have a very bright, enterprising 15 year old student who asked me if I knew anything about them because he's thinking of buying one. It turns out that he likes to collect things and is prepared to sell some quite valuable train sets and old toys to fund this new purchase. He just likes the sound they make, I think. I can't help but admire his 'go ahead' attitude!
QUOTE(jenny @ Mar 19 2009, 01:41 PM)
Thank you so much! I have a very bright, enterprising 15 year old student who asked me if I knew anything about them because he's thinking of buying one. It turns out that he likes to collect things and is prepared to sell some quite valuable train sets and old toys to fund this new purchase. He just likes the sound they make, I think. I can't help but admire his 'go ahead' attitude!
You don't sell valuable train sets NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Besides, an old Wurlitzer electric piano shouldn't cost THAT much.
(gasp, shudder, quake at the thought fo selling MY trains!)
QUOTE(diapason @ Mar 19 2009, 11:13 PM)
You don't sell valuable train sets NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Besides, an old Wurlitzer electric piano shouldn't cost THAT much.
(gasp, shudder, quake at the thought fo selling MY trains!)
Sorry about that!!
I can't help but be impressed by the fact that, at only 15, he is not only thinking of what he wants to do, but is actually going ahead and doing it. His mother told me that last year he sold lots of things he had been collecting on e-bay so that he could start a new collection. When I compare him with another pupil of the same age, who can't seem to be bothered to do much at all, it seems amazing.
I'm also very impressed with that fact that he wants to learn every exam piece in the book and has bought some old sight reading books for himself. This is his first exam and it certainly makes a refreshing change!
QUOTE(diapason @ Mar 19 2009, 10:13 PM)
You don't sell valuable train sets NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Besides, an old Wurlitzer electric piano shouldn't cost THAT much.
I'm not so sure about that. A lot of 60s and 70s analogue kit is much prized by current rock and pop bands. Analogue synths, drum machines, organs, etc. I believe attract some pretty good prices. Hammond B3s and Fender Rhodes pianos, not to mention Mellotrons.
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