Columbia Elepian / Gibson Maestro

[maestro]

Greetings,

Long time lurker, first time poster...

I am a new owner of this Maestro electronic piano and can't find any useful info about it (Harmony Central reviews / thin history...ie

http://members.lycos.co.uk/karenlbeck/vkmag/issue3/html/orher_eps.html


I have experience repairing rhodes/wurli's and hammonds but this little toy piano is boggling my mind. I'm in the process of taking it apart to correct the action, change felts, replace reeds (very very similar to wurli reeds...though i'm not sure if they're identical in thickness and length) but curious to know if anyone has had any experience with these awesome little keyboards before I get too far into it.

I can't afford a working wurli/rhodes so the maestro was a decent bargain at $150...if not for the rarity value (handful in existence? no more then a few hundred were built apparently), then for the mellow sound akin to the wurli, which i prefer to the rhodes, though they're both very nice

If no one can assist directly, could you offer up other resources to explore?

Cheers.
adam

[Rob A]

Adam I think you came to the right place. One of the members here (polyvoks) has got one of these elusive beasts in his extensive collection.

http://olivier-grall.yusynth.net/instruments/Pianos/DENON/page%20denon.html

We had a little bit of discussion about it in this thread:
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=4291&highlight=denon

But I imagine that specific questions would be no problem. It's just that polyvoks is the only guy likely to be able to answer.

[matt.musicman]

I used to own one, I may be able to answer specific questions that you may have, although I'm sure polyvoks can do a much better job!

[maestro]

It took a few tries but I think I figured out how to remove the action to get at the critical components. I was thinking about replacing the felt on the hammers because the sound is a bit dull. Not sounding so much like the Elepian video from  polyvoks. The output kinda sucks as well, very hissy.

I've recorded some sound via the headphone plug.


http://www.sendspace.com/file/wgk4aw

This is pre-regulation so i'm hoping to correct some tones and change felts.

Any suggestions on how to get better attack? The plastic hammers kinda suck but can't be replaced without major mods. I can remove the hammer felts easily, in replacing them what sort of thickness should i look for??

[matt.musicman]

ha! That already sounds better than mine ever did. Mine was more dull and bell-like sounding.

[michaeltristan]

Anyone here speak Japanese?  Check this link out.  Perhaps one of these is for sale.

This is also known as the Columbia EP-61c

http://www.messe-music.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1933

if it's Yen that they are asking for, it's nearly $1,900.00 us WOW.. I'll look for a Rhodes instead...  BUT if I had money falling out of my pockets, that thing sure is cool.

-michael tristan