When played gently the sound can be quite sweet and vibraphone-like, sounding very 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. It has two internal speakers, but can also be connected to an external amplifier.Ĭompared to the equally-iconic (Fender) Rhodes electric piano, the sound from a Wurlitzer is sharper and closer to a sawtooth wave, while the Rhodes' is closer to a sine wave. 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 using a DC voltage of 170 V. 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. The sound of a Wurlitzer electric piano, subsequently modified by passing through a phaser

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 1984. The instrument was invented by Benjamin Miessner, who had worked on various types of electric pianos since the early 1930s. The sound is generated by striking a metal reed with a hammer, which induces an electric current in a pickup although conceptually similar to the Rhodes piano, the sound is different. The Wurlitzer electronic piano is an electric piano manufactured and marketed by Wurlitzer from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s. A Wurlitzer 200A, the most commercially successful model

Wurlitzer console piano value