Wurlitzer Returns

[Cormac Long]

Nothing more than a teaser for now at https://wurlitzerpianos.com but it looks like this iconic EP is going to be reproduced.

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[amorrison651]

I'm hopeful that it could hopefully mean more official spare parts available such as reeds, legs and pedals, but wouldn't be surprised if they come at a premium...

[pianotuner steveo]

I hope they are more affordable than the new Rhodes and have more to them than just the one sound... (midi capable?)

[martin]

It will probably be more than the new rhodes due to the complex action,.....12 grand I'd say 😪

[spave]

The website added a new teaser photo and it now has a name... the Wurlitzer 250 D.

Looks like a similar footprint to the 200 series so hopefully it has some cross compatibility with the originals.

[Cormac Long]

Also notice the MIDI ports at the bottom of that image..

[Alan Lenhoff]

I think it's unlikely this is going to be an electro-mechanical piano. They sent out an email in which they mention the source of the "modeling" they are using. I suspect that the D in the 250D model name stands for digital. Don't forget that this tease is not coming from the US company that built the classic electric pianos. It's from a German company that acquired the Wurlitzer name long after the US company stopped building instruments.

Alan

[pianotuner steveo]

Very interesting point, Alan. If that's the case, I won't need it. My Kawai CA99 (my avatar) has amazing, customizable Wurlitzer (and many other) sounds, and it has wooden keys and an action. I even customized a Wurli sample to sound as much like a Hohner as I could get it.

[Noah Peterson]

The full email sent from Wurlitzer reads:

We're proud to announce the Wurlitzer 250D, a masterpiece designed for professional musicians and passionate amateurs alike.

In collaboration with Dexibell, the renowned Italian producer of electronic pianos, we're breathing new life into the revered Wurlitzer sound. By combining Dexibell's industry-leading sampling and advanced modeling technology with our heritage of exceptional craftsmanship, we are developing the new Wurlitzer 250D. This partnership marks a significant milestone in evolving our classic sound with cutting-edge innovations, creating a one-of-a-kind instrument that is authentic yet modern.

Stay tuned for more exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes insights. We can't wait to share this exciting journey with you.


Best,
The Wurlitzer Family

I can't help but think it's just going to be a sampler, which was very disappointing to hear given that there is seemingly a market for new electromechanical pianos with the Rhodes MK8 and the VV piano.

[wurl it up]

Looking on the bright side it probably won't cost 12 grand if it's digital!

[Cormac Long]

Wurly gets to have its MK-80 moment it seems. Granted it may sound a lot better (realistic) this time.

Out of respect, I will have to eventually move this thread into the "Other Keyboards & Software Synths" board .

[spave]

There's also the chance that it will be a digital/analog hybrid that only uses Dexibell for the non Wurlitzer sounds. Otherwise I really can't see how anyone would think it a good idea to bring back the Wurlitzer name in a digital only keyboard.

If this is actually the case, then it would be the spiritual successor to the Rhodes Mk III rather than the MK-80.

[Noah Peterson]

A second email landed in my inbox yesterday and I thought it would be good to post it here.

Discover Why the 250 D is a Digital Masterpiece

We're excited to share some insights about our decision to develop the new Wurlitzer as a digital piano, staying true to our heritage while embracing modern innovation.

Why a Digital Wurlitzer?

By blending the timeless charm of the vintage Wurlitzer with cutting-edge technology, we've crafted a completely new instrument that redefines sound quality, versatility, and functionality. Here's what this means for you:

Superior and Consistent Sound Quality: Enjoy the rich, expressive tones of high-definition sampling combined with advanced modeling in any environment—home studio, small stage, or large arena.

Enhanced Versatility: Incorporate up to 7 DSP effects, and take advantage of USB (MIDI and Digital Audio I/O), Bluetooth, and MIDI connectivity.

Modern Functionality: Experience a powerful, reliable, and flexible instrument ideal for creative exploration, sound design, and professional use.

Practical Benefits: Benefit from easier maintenance and improved portability.


Sampling Technology vs. True-to-Life (T2L) Technology

Traditional sampling technology relies on static samples, often limited by dynamics, potential for unrealistic looping, and memory constraints. In contrast, the T2L technology powering the Wurlitzer 205 D combines high-definition sampling with advanced modeling to deliver a highly realistic and expressive plaining experience:

Unlimited Polyphony: Play complex passages without note dropouts.

Extended Dynamics: Achieve a wider range of expression and subtlety.

Realistic Resonance: Enjoy authentic sound interactions and long decay times.

Continuous Timbre Shaping: Experience nuanced and highly expressive performances.


Stay tuned for more exciting updates and behind-the-scenes insights. We can't wait for you to experience the new Wurlitzer.

Best,
The Wurlitzer Family

Personally this reads like someone who doesn't really understand what a Wurlitzer *is*, unfortunately this confirms that we won't be getting any new electromechanical Wurlitzer under that name.

[pianotuner steveo]

Any news on this? When is it supposed to come out?

[velo-hobo]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I personally gave up on caring about the new model when the info came out that it was basically just a digital piano inside a fancy (aka overpriced) shell

And I had signed up for the email list and followed that company on socials and all I ended up getting was a firehose of nostalgic jukebox propaganda and absolutely no news about the piano. Meh. What a waste of time it was to be interested in this at all.

As such I had forgotten all about it until now. Did a little search, and apparently as of at least a couple months ago, it has been "shelved"

The quote below is from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wurly/posts/2523211341408683/

Received an official email from Wurlitzer. The 250D project has been shelved. This could be good or bad news:

"Hi there,

We want to share a clear update with those of you who joined us for news about the 250D digital piano.

Reintroducing a new Wurlitzer instrument is something we take seriously. Rather than releasing something that does not fully meet our standards – musically, mechanically, and creatively – we have chosen to pause and reassess the right path forward. After considerable effort and evaluation, the 250D project will therefore not be moving forward in its original form.

Our ambition to bring a new Wurlitzer piano into the world, however, remains very much alive. We are committed to finding the right way to realize it – in a form that truly honors the legacy of the instrument while meeting the expectations of today's players.

At the same time, our broader mission remains unchanged: to preserve and evolve the Wurlitzer sound for today's musicians.

WURLITZER by Rhodes is part of that commitment – bringing the character and feel of the original 200A into modern studios. Whether through software or future physical instruments, our focus remains authenticity, playability, and musical integrity.

If you'd like to experience our virtual instrument, you can explore WURLITZER by Rhodes at
www.wurlitzerpianos.com

Thank you for your patience, your belief in the instrument, and for being part of this journey.

Warm regards,
The WURLITZER Family"

So, "shelved" aka they probably got a ton of negative feedback from the potential customer/influencer base, which taken alongside what I assume would be a high-end pricepoint made it a completely non-viable from a business perspective. That's just my take - don't take it as the plain truth.

[pianotuner steveo]

Ok, I just followed the link posted above to the new Wurlitzer website and nearly fell off of my chair laughing. It states that Elton John used a Wurlitzer on Bennie and the Jets! Not only did Elton rarely ever use a Wurlitzer, there isn't any electric piano of any kind on that song! There is an acoustic piano and a Farfisa organ. You can probably count on one hand how many Elton songs used a Wurlitzer. THe first few that come to mind are "Sails","The Scaffold", and "Lady Samantha" (Empty Sky LP) and the original, less known version of "Grey Seal". I believe at least one more song from Empty Sky uses one also. This Wurlitzer sounds like either a 112 or a 120. "Grey Seal" might be a 140. Oh yeah- a later song, "Don't go Breaking My Heart" uses a Wurlitzer also. A lot of other Elton songs feature a Rhodes. "Honky Cat" and "Daniel" are the first 2 that pop into my head.