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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer 200A microphonic
« on: June 13, 2021, 10:57:10 AM »
Thanks! Glad you found the problem.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: WTB Wurli 140B bench
« on: June 11, 2021, 06:09:05 AM »
That is going to be tough to find. I've only seen ONE in the last 45 years. Is it to complete your piano, or to actually use? They arent the sturdiest benches for adults. But you probably know that! Lol
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer 200A microphonic
« on: June 08, 2021, 03:43:30 PM »
No, it is not normal. Double and triple check every Eb damper. It is very likely one is not seating properly. Sometimes the felt gets crusty and squeezing the felt with needle nose pliers can help.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: First Wurli and First post
« on: June 05, 2021, 12:45:54 PM »
Usually, letoff too close causes the hammer to block against the reed, and also increases the chance of reed breakage.
If a hammer lets off too early, you have to hit the key harder which can cause the hammer to double strike or " bobble" . Most unserviced Wurlitzers that I have encountered over the years are letting off too early.
You also need to check key dip to be sure nothing is impeding the key travel. (Compare to a properly working neighboring key) Extremely shallow dip can cause double striking as well, extreme dip can cause hammer blocking.
If a hammer lets off too early, you have to hit the key harder which can cause the hammer to double strike or " bobble" . Most unserviced Wurlitzers that I have encountered over the years are letting off too early.
You also need to check key dip to be sure nothing is impeding the key travel. (Compare to a properly working neighboring key) Extremely shallow dip can cause double striking as well, extreme dip can cause hammer blocking.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: First Wurli and First post
« on: June 03, 2021, 01:37:19 PM »
Double striking can be a letoff issue, yes. I mailed your tool today! 
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurli sighting in a new Lowe's ad!
« on: May 26, 2021, 04:29:57 PM »
DUH, right! What was I thinking?🤪
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer 200a electrolytic capacitators
« on: May 20, 2021, 06:01:36 AM »
I was thinking of "non A" models, without the preamp. I'm not sure if this changes what I recommended to try or not.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer 200a electrolytic capacitators
« on: May 19, 2021, 07:52:37 PM »
I don't think so since you measure the voltage right where the wires attach. If you are super careful, you can disconnect the + wire from the reed bar and measure, but watch out for shorting it or getting zapped! You can disconnect it with the power off and use electrical tape to tape it to your meter...you can just leave the ground wire where it is. This will give you a reading with no load.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Wurli sighting in a new Lowe's ad!
« on: May 19, 2021, 07:47:37 PM »
The new Lowe's ad regarding giving military discounts shows a 140 or 145 that is 1/2 painted, and has no sustain pedal. It's funny how they painted the piano but not the legs. There are 2 knobs on the left cheek block, so it's not a 120 or earlier. Silly place to pile books and ukuleles.....
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer 200a electrolytic capacitators
« on: May 18, 2021, 05:58:45 AM »Before you replace anything, have you reflowed solder? These amps are famous for cold solder joints...
If changing electrolytic caps, be sure you note the polarity, and put the new ones in the right way.
The black stripe running down the side of can caps indicates polarity.
I'm 90% sure wv35 means "working volts-35"
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The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Rhodes Suitcase - Mixed Speakers (Ceramic / Alnico)
« on: May 05, 2021, 03:33:03 PM »
I wouldn't use a 9v battery to do the test, a 1.5 V is more than sufficient and shouldn't harm the speaker.
For anyone that doesn't know, you can test polarity of an unmarked speaker with a battery. This test also tells you if the speaker is working or fried.. If the cone moves outward with the battery connected, the pos end of the battery is connected to the + terminal. If the cone moves inward, it is reverse phase. If it doesn't move at all with a good battery, the voice coil is likely fried.
This is useful for correctly phasing mismatched speakers.
For anyone that doesn't know, you can test polarity of an unmarked speaker with a battery. This test also tells you if the speaker is working or fried.. If the cone moves outward with the battery connected, the pos end of the battery is connected to the + terminal. If the cone moves inward, it is reverse phase. If it doesn't move at all with a good battery, the voice coil is likely fried.
This is useful for correctly phasing mismatched speakers.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 120 model, not far off
« on: April 03, 2021, 08:33:53 AM »
Yes, I am shipping the tool today.
There is no line out mod for a 120 that I'm aware of. You can make an Aux out, but not line out. There is a difference.
The present outputs are too "hot" to connect to an external amp. VV sells (or used to sell) a small box that connects to your present output to make an Aux out. I know you can DYI with a resistor and a cap, but I don't remember the values. The resistor will be a big one, and I think a 5 watt.
You shouldn't try to connect to an external amp at least until the "death cap" is removed...
There is no line out mod for a 120 that I'm aware of. You can make an Aux out, but not line out. There is a difference.
The present outputs are too "hot" to connect to an external amp. VV sells (or used to sell) a small box that connects to your present output to make an Aux out. I know you can DYI with a resistor and a cap, but I don't remember the values. The resistor will be a big one, and I think a 5 watt.
You shouldn't try to connect to an external amp at least until the "death cap" is removed...
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 120 model, not far off
« on: April 01, 2021, 12:50:08 PM »
The death cap is connected between the AC jack and the chassis ground. DO NOT bridge it! Cut it right out.
A shorted cap is bridged and is a shock/ and possible fire hazard
A shorted cap is bridged and is a shock/ and possible fire hazard
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The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Requesting reactions to my Rhodes recording, is it too bell-y?
« on: March 24, 2021, 07:34:06 PM »
If you want a softer tone, softer hammer tips may be the next step.
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The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Making a stand for Rhodes Suitcase (with stage legs)
« on: March 17, 2021, 05:50:08 AM »
I don't know how your carpentry skills are, but about 40 years ago, I bartered for a suitcase 73 w/no base. I built a box out of 1 x 12 shelving. I did tolex that, and I made front and back pieces out of plywood and covered them with speaker grill cloth. The pedal mounted onto the bottom, and I drilled a hole in the top for the pedal rod. I did have the original power supply for the preamp (but no amp)
I don't think that cost very much to build and it looked great!
I don't think that cost very much to build and it looked great!
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The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Making a stand for Rhodes Suitcase (with stage legs)
« on: March 14, 2021, 09:49:53 AM »
The only comment I have is that I personally would just paint the plywood black. I think putting Tolex on it may be a waste of time and money. I've never owned an 88, so I can't help with the flange locations.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 200a cheap amp replacement
« on: February 25, 2021, 02:15:27 PM »
Don't forget that part of the uniqueness of the original Wurlitzer amp is the roughly 150vdc that it creates for the reed bar. A generic amp will not do this. The Wurli is not passive like a Rhodes.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer picking up radio stations
« on: February 19, 2021, 02:09:58 PM »
More likely the carbon in the old one was just worn out. You are lucky that you found it fairly quickly.
I had a Wurli with a worn vol pot once and it caused a loud hum at any volume.
I went crazy replacing parts....
I had a Wurli with a worn vol pot once and it caused a loud hum at any volume.
I went crazy replacing parts....
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 270 line out
« on: February 17, 2021, 04:55:30 PM »
Interesting- my 700 has the light and jack in the left cheek block
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer picking up radio stations
« on: February 16, 2021, 07:37:55 AM »
There is an inexpensive tester with lights that will plug into any 3 prong recepticle and it will tell you if the outlet is wired properly. They have 3 lights on them.They will light up different ways for correct wiring, open ground, reversed hot and neutral,etc. I think they are like $4 in any home store electrical dept.
He may possibly have an open ground.
Ok, they cost a little more- this one is $6 @ Harbor Freight
He may possibly have an open ground.
Ok, they cost a little more- this one is $6 @ Harbor Freight
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurlitzer picking up radio stations
« on: February 13, 2021, 06:10:53 PM »
Well, there you go. The radio towers...
Are his receptacles properly grounded? I'm assuming he has a 3 prong cord?
Unfortunately, there may not be much else he can do other than move away from those towers....
Probably not feasible...
Are his receptacles properly grounded? I'm assuming he has a 3 prong cord?
Unfortunately, there may not be much else he can do other than move away from those towers....
Probably not feasible...
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 270 line out
« on: February 10, 2021, 04:23:41 PM »
That doesn't look like a 270- that might be a 720. Completely different model.
The 270 is the butterfly grand.
The 270 is the butterfly grand.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 270 line out
« on: February 03, 2021, 12:56:41 PM »
I'm 90% sure there is a headphone jack in the front, but I can't access mine at the moment.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 270 line out
« on: February 01, 2021, 03:43:33 PM »
Well, it's not really line level out, but an AUX out.
Lower impedance (hotter signal)
But yes, it's not just a headphone out.
Lower impedance (hotter signal)
But yes, it's not just a headphone out.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Identify this Wurlitzer
« on: January 26, 2021, 06:31:03 PM »
I agree with cinnamon. It looks exactly like the 720 I had, and the 726 seems to be really rare.Ive never seen a 726 in person...
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The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Backrail felt: how thick can you go?
« on: January 26, 2021, 06:20:13 PM »
Thicker is ok if you know what else needs to be done, but op was asking about 2 layers which I do not recommend.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: New (to me) 140A questions
« on: January 17, 2021, 08:59:20 AM »
And the model 700 had the death cap. Same amp as the 120.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: New (to me) 140A questions
« on: January 09, 2021, 11:03:47 AM »
Yes, you may do it that way, but be careful about pulling the wires too far. Also, there is a nut under the knob that holds each pot on.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: New (to me) 140A questions
« on: January 08, 2021, 03:05:55 PM »
Yes, knobs off but don't forget there is AC power on the switch. I don't remember if that model has the death cap or not. Can someone else say for sure?
I wouldn't mess with bending pickups until you are 100% sure that is the problem. It may be letting off the soft notes too early, so the hammers may be barely touching the reed before falling back down.
Press the soft playing keys slowly, and watch what the hammers do. If they drop down with little or no musical tone, that is likely the problem.
There's a guy on eBay that sells the best wrench for that.
I wouldn't mess with bending pickups until you are 100% sure that is the problem. It may be letting off the soft notes too early, so the hammers may be barely touching the reed before falling back down.
Press the soft playing keys slowly, and watch what the hammers do. If they drop down with little or no musical tone, that is likely the problem.
There's a guy on eBay that sells the best wrench for that.
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The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: 146b Hot Resistors
« on: January 05, 2021, 05:46:24 AM »
Yes, it is normal. Don't touch 'em!