Production later expanded to Logan, Utah. Various models continued to be produced here until 1964, when it expanded to an additional plant in DeKalb, Illinois. In May 1956, Wurlitzer opened a new 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m 2 ) factory in Corinth dedicated to making electric pianos. Early models were built in a small factory in Corinth, Mississippi. The 110 and 111 models were introduced shortly afterwards, with the 112 appearing the following year. The first model, the 100 was announced in August 1954 at a trade show in Chicago, with production beginning later that year. The improved model was co-developed in Chicago by Paul Renard and Howard Holman for Wurlitzer. The lack of acoustic noise meant it could be played quietly using headphones. The reed assembly was designed carefully in order to produce the best set of harmonics when a hammer struck a reed. This allowed a much smaller instrument to be manufactured, as it did not need the space to support tension-loaded strings as found on acoustic piano. In the early 1950s, Meissner invented a new type of electric piano, substituting strings with struck quarter-inch (6.5 mm) steel reeds. By 1940, Miessner had licensed a patent for his piano design that was used in several electric piano models across the US. Four years later, he demonstrated the piano at the NAMM Show in Chicago. He first demonstrated the instrument in 1932. Inventor Benjamin Miessner designed an amplified conventional upright piano in the early 1930s by taking an acoustic baby grand and installing an electrostatic pickup system in it. Additionally, any debris between the reed and the pickup can cause a short circuit and produce a burst of distortion. Over time, particularly with aggressive playing, the reeds on a Wurlitzer will suffer metal fatigue and break. When played gently the sound can be sweet and vibraphone-like, sounding similar to the Rhodes while becoming more aggressive with harder playing, producing a characteristic slightly overdriven tone usually described as a "bark". This gives the Wurlitzer a sharper and punchier tone. Ĭompared to the Rhodes piano, the sound from a Wurlitzer is sharper and closer to a sawtooth wave, while the Rhodes' is closer to a sine wave. It has one, two or four internal speakers (depending on the model), but can also be connected to an external amplifier. The instrument is fitted with a mechanical sustain pedal. Most Wurlitzer pianos are 64-note instruments whose keyboard range is from A an octave above the lowest note of a standard 88-note piano to the C an octave below its top note. This induces an electrical current in an electrostatic pickup system running at 170 V DC. However, the sound is generated electromechanically by striking a metal reed with a felt hammer, using conventional piano action. The official name of the instrument is the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano. Problems playing this file? See media help. SoundĪ Wurlitzer electronic piano, showing the velocity sensitivity However, the action and performance of the instrument has meant it is stable enough to be used for years.
Several electronic keyboards include an emulation of the Wurlitzer.Īs the Wurlitzer is an electromechanical instrument, it can need occasional maintenance, such as replacing and re-tuning broken reeds.
The stage instrument was used by several popular artists, including Ray Charles, Joe Zawinul and Supertramp. However, it was adapted for more conventional live performances, including stage models with attachable legs and console models with built-in frames. Originally, the piano was designed to be used in the classroom, and several dedicated teacher and student instruments were manufactured. The first Wurlitzer was manufactured in 1954, and production continued until 1983. The instrument was invented by Benjamin Miessner, who had worked on various types of electric pianos since the early 1930s. It is conceptually similar to the Rhodes piano, though the sound is different. Sound is generated by striking a metal reed with a hammer, which induces an electric current in a pickup. The Wurlitzer electronic piano is an electric piano manufactured and marketed by Wurlitzer from the mid-1950s to mid-1980s. A Wurlitzer 200A, the most commercially successful model
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