Vintage Keyboards

[kirbyclassiciii]

I noticed a lot of members here who collect vacuums also collect large theater organs such as the "Mighty Wurlitzer."

What I mean to ask is this: do any of you vac collectors also collect certain vintage keyboards such as electric pianos and synthesizers?

ELECTRIC PIANOS
(Fender) Rhodes Silver Top (1965-1969)
(Fender) Rhodes "Mark I" Stage 73/88 (1969-1979)
Rhodes Mark II Stage 54/73/88 (1979-1983)
Rhodes Mark V Stage 73/88 (1984-1985)
Hohner Pianet
RMI Electra-Piano
Wurlitzer EP200(A) (1968-1982)
Yamaha CP30 (1976-1981)

ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GRAND PIANOS
Yamaha CP70 (1976-1986)
Yamaha CP80 (1978-1986)

SYNTHESIZERS
Moog Modular (1964-1981)
Moog MiniMoog (1970-1981)
ARP Odyssey (1972-1981)
Oberheim 4 Voice (1974-1979)
Oberheim OB-X (1979-1980)
Oberheim OB-Xa (1980-1984)
Roland Jupiter-8 (1980-1984)
Roland JX-3P (1983-1984)
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (1978-1984)
Yamaha GX1 (1975-1976)
Yamaha CS80 (1976-1980)
Yamaha GS1 (1981-1982)
Yamaha DX7 (1983-1987)

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

How do you "collect" large pipe organs such as the Wurlitzers-you must have LOTS of space and money-plus power to run the compressors.Now keyboards I could see-they are portable-don't take up and much space and of course less expensive.But the keyboard can't equal the SOUND of the pipe organ.But they are neat nonethe less.

 

[tolivac]

I do collect RECORDINGS of pipe organs and band organs.Less expensive and less space required.I would love to have a Wurlitzer 165 or a DeCap 121 band organs!But they are much bigger than a keyboard!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I had a friend in the Philadelphia area who actually

owned a theatre organ...in his home! There were pipes EVERYWHERE!
He'd open the windows and doors and entertain the entire neighborhood.
Christmas time was out of this world. Parts of the house would shake.
When he passd away, his relatives had quite a job emptying out THAT house! Not everyone is in the market for a pipe organ. I think it ultimately ended up in a church or a school.
Both he AND that organ were a spectacle.
John

 

[cuffs054]

One of my favorite places is the Villa Vizcaya, James Deering's winter home, in South Miami. Beside the interesting life Deering had (never married and traveled constantly with his male decorator) what they created in Vizcaya is beautiful. The house has a pipe organ built into the breakfast room with pipes that run up through the center spine of that wing. On weekends it is usually played during the tours. I have the cd that was created of Deering favorite pieces and it is great!

 

[davetranter]

Pipe Organs and keyboards

Like many here, I LOVE the sound(s!!) of a good Pipe Organ. Also, like many here, I don't have the space for one!!. I did bid for one (and win!!) on Ebay, but the seller had set a very high reserve and eventually scrapped it rather than accept a reasonable price. :'(

I have a 'Livingston' 2M+P electronic in my living room.

Somewhere I have a promotional EP from ARP for several of their models, including the Odyssey and the 2600. I also think I have a digital copy of the manual for the 2600 somewhere.

All best

Dave T

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

And speaking of the original Moog modular synthesizer, the company re-introduced its System 15, 35 and 55 units (the 15 being for beginners, while the 55 is for experts).

~Ben

 

[motojoejo]

Being a piano Tuner/technician I occasionally service these kind of instruments. I love working on Fender Rhodes and Yamaha CP 70 & 80s. I just had the nightmarish displeasure of tuning a Wurlitzer EP200. I also sometimes tackle Hammond organs (pre-solid state).

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

motojoejo

I sort of relate to this. For example, the Wurlitzer EP200 was the preferred electric piano choice of, among others, the British band Supertramp. Those distinctive notes you hear out of the instrument on songs such as "The Logical Song" and "Dreamer" can only be achieved when the keys are played hard, so Wurlitzer recommends that the action be raised to accommodate such playing conditions.

~Ben

 

[motojoejo]

I can't argue the Wurlie's popularity even with current artists but even with the adjustments of the action, there is still an Achilles heel. The tuning involves adding and filing the solder at the ends of the reeds. Lead based solder expands easily with a small amount of heat thus making the note go flat. The heat from the transformer positioned in front of the treble section with poor ventilation can warm up the reeds enough to create tuning stability problems. Fender Rhodes are leaps ahead with ease of maintenance for this reason.