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Clavioline

Started by magic_mark, September 23, 2019, 10:19:28 AM

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magic_mark

I came across this Clavioline and I'm trying to find out some information about it.  The internet is lacking.  Hopefully someone here might be able to help.  It's missing the volume lever and the back panel.  I would like to find replacements for both or make them but I don't know what I'm looking for material wise.  I would also like to figure out a manufacture date for it, I'm guessing late 40s or early 50s.  Surprisingly it seems to work and produce sound.

sean



Your search engine didn't find these links?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavioline with lots of online links in the footnotes.

The history of the Clavioline:  https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/story-clavioline

Clavioline repair:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDqXkrHlyk4

Joe Meek on the Clavioline:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmZA8fzOLk

OMG, Rhodes and Clavioline:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eAgj1S3ZHE

Lots of other Clavioline videos on the tube.


I wonder if you could take plain-old hardware-store 3/8" steel rod, and bend it into a suitable knee lever.  What does the connection under the Clavioline look like?  Does it fit in with a simple pin?  Like a cotter pin driven through the lever>


Sean


sean


Looks like the lever simply fits into the control, and gets tightened with a thumb wheel.




That photo comes from https://antiqueradio.org/GibsonClaviolineKeyboardInstrument.htm

Sean

magic_mark

Thanks Sean.  I did see all those links.  The pictures helped when I was initially trying to figure this thing out.  I couldn't figure out why the volume was so low at first until I found out there is supposed to be a rod attached to the lever on the bottom as in the picture you sent.  I believe the diameter is 3/16".  I used a drill bit to figure that out. I suppose I'll buy round rod at the hardware store for that.  The thumb wheel just tightens the rod in place.

pianotuner steveo

All I know about them is the fun fact that the Beatles used one on "Baby You're a Rich Man"
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...

magic_mark

True.

I ended up buying 3/16" round rod for the volume lever which seems to work.  I was able to date the speaker, pots and transformer to late 1952.  The transformer is stamped GA-40P and was made by Gibson, seems to be a variation of the Les Paul GA-40 guitar amp.