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Please ID this instrument

Started by David Aubke, June 09, 2014, 05:05:47 PM

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David Aubke

A friend of mine was groovin' to some Carpenters - really, I'd admit if it was me - and asked me about the keyboard Richard was playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHQx_kdOas

I only watched through to the second tune and it seemed to go from reed organ to electric piano.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

vanceinatlance


Student Rhodes

#2
Looks like something from the Wurli family.   
As for the organ tones, perhaps they're pantomiming to a studio track.
Later in the show, there's a song with a string section, which is nowhere to be seen, which gives some credence to the possibility of playing to a track.  Also, on some songs, I'm pretty sure I hear Karen backing herself up on vocals.

The piano does seem to have a different knob set up than we see on most 200 series Wurlitzers.  Was there a student model that had the knobs centered on the panel?


pianotuner steveo

Richard did not use a student model. I believe it was either a 214 or a 203. I can't see the video- it will not play on  iPad. If I could, then I could tell exactly what model it is. TV shows were famous for having instruments appear out of nowhere.  I remember seeing an early '70's Wings special in the days before digital pianos, but the keyboard sounded like an acoustic piano. Totally impossible back then.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

Alan Lenhoff

Quote from: Student Rhodes on June 09, 2014, 07:55:37 PM
Looks like something from the Wurli family.   
As for the organ tones, perhaps they're pantomiming to a studio track.
Later in the show, there's a song with a string section, which is nowhere to be seen. which gives a little credence to the possibility of playing to a track.  Also, on some of it, I'm pretty sure I hear Karen backing herself up on vocals.

The piano does seem to have a different knob set up than we see on most 200 series Wurlitzers.  Was there a student model that had the knobs centered on the panel?

If he's miming, it's a great job. I'm guessing someone added a midi kit to his Wurli.  Ken Rich has posted on this forum that he has done midi'd Wurlis.

Alan
Co-author, "Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music"

Learn about the book: http://www.classickeysbook.com/
Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1574417762/

1965 UK Vox Continental;1967 Gibson G101 organ; 1954 Hammond B2; Leslie 21H; Leslie 31H; 1974 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73; 1972 Rhodes Sparkletop Piano Bass; 1978 Hohner Clavinet D6; 1968 Hohner Pianet N II; 1966 Wurlitzer 140B; 1980 Moog Minimoog Model D; 1983 Roland JX-3P; 1977 Fender Twin Reverb; 1983 Roland JX-3P synth; Vox AC30CC2X amp.
(See the collection: https://vintagerockkeyboards.com/ )

Alan Lenhoff

Actually, I just noticed that the video is from 1971, which I'm thinking would be before midi.  So, maybe he was miming.

Alan
Co-author, "Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music"

Learn about the book: http://www.classickeysbook.com/
Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1574417762/

1965 UK Vox Continental;1967 Gibson G101 organ; 1954 Hammond B2; Leslie 21H; Leslie 31H; 1974 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73; 1972 Rhodes Sparkletop Piano Bass; 1978 Hohner Clavinet D6; 1968 Hohner Pianet N II; 1966 Wurlitzer 140B; 1980 Moog Minimoog Model D; 1983 Roland JX-3P; 1977 Fender Twin Reverb; 1983 Roland JX-3P synth; Vox AC30CC2X amp.
(See the collection: https://vintagerockkeyboards.com/ )

vanceinatlance

After seeing Steveo's post, I think it might more likely be a green 203 or maybe even a different model? My 214 was a classroom model. I think the 203 was marketed as a home or studio model. The lettering on the back and the full length grill cloth along with the placement of knobs is definitely different then what I have on the 214. Here are some pics of mine. The grill cloth has been changed out from the original tan cloth.

pianotuner steveo

Maybe it was a 210.

All student model Wurli's end in '6'

106, 146, 206

There was something different with the 214. I can't remember exactly what it was though.  Need to find my old paperwork.

1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

vanceinatlance

I bought my 214 from the son of a music instructor who had passed.  He said his mother purchased this as an "instructors" model and had used it in her classroom to teach. It has four 8" speakers just like the 210. I used to have a 210 which was very much like this one, except, it did not have a shelf or wheels. The 214 I have does not have an interface for connecting to student pianos or a visualizer.  The interesting thing on the 214 is that the music rack, metal face plate and knobs and metal casters are all gold plated and the front print says classroom piano on it.
The Wurlitzer in the video appears to me to have a full grill from top of the speaker cabinet to the bottom on the audience side, which I have never seen before. The knobs also appear to be more towards the right side of the piano which I only recall seeing in pictures of the lounge piano that was used on airlines.

Cormac Long

Here you Steveo, three screenshots from the video..
Regards,
   Cormac

Forum Administrator
admin@ep-forum.com

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goldphinga

its not a 214, look at where the controls are..theyre in the middle of the faceplate not to the left...mmmm...prototype?

David Aubke

Quote from: alenhoff on June 09, 2014, 08:20:01 PMIf he's miming, it's a great job.
I thought the same thing. I assumed it had to be overdubbed to get those distinct sounds out of the same instrument in 1971 but if so, he puts on an impressive act.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

pianotuner steveo

Vance, that is what I was thinking about, the student models all had that multi pin connector, the 214 did not have it. The student models end in 6, the teacher models end in 7.

I usually see pictures of Richard with a black piano that has the bottom cabinet. I think that is the 210.

I don't know what this is, but it looks like a modified 203. I do not ever remember seeing knobs mounted like that from the factory.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...