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Wurlitzer 700

Started by ElBeeba, October 21, 2007, 09:27:34 PM

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ElBeeba

Hey All,

I have an opportunity to get a Wurlitzer 700 for $100.  It doesnt come with a power chord, so there is no real garuntee that it works.  I was wondering if anyone had any input as to whether or not that is a good deal.  

I could not find any info on them on the internet, but I did find out that it is a console piano, which i dont like that much.  Would it be a good idea to chop it up and Mod it into  a smaller version like the 120 or would that be too much work?

Thanks

pianotuner steveo

My 1st wurli was a model 700.I still have it,and my sister owns one as well. This model is not as playable as the later 140 or 200 models,and it has no vibrato. Even when regulated as best as possible, the action is VERY light and VERY klunky. I do not recommend chopping it down.Part of the beauty of this model is the very large 12" speaker. There would be no place to put either the power amp or speaker in the upper half.There also would be no way to reconnect the pedals (there is a soft pedal as well as sustain) The sustain pedal does not work the same way as the cable operated 200 pedals.

The other thing,is that this model is not as common as a model 206 which is common for chopping.Once you take a saw to a 700, it is ruined for life, there is no reversing the procedure. The 206 actually lifts off of the base, the 700 would have to be cut with a sawzall.The model 700 is much rarer,so keep that in mind.
Yes, $100 is a good deal, even if it doesn;t work, but no, I wouldn't try to chop it.
I am 90% sure this model was made from 1959-1962.

Steve O
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...

ElBeeba

This particular model does not come with a power chord,would it be difficult to find one of those on the internet?

How much does a 700 model usually sell for?

pianotuner steveo

You can buy a 2 prong cord from an electrical supply house that should fit. I added a wire wrapped around the power cord for grounding.One end connects to the  amp case, the other end connects to the wall plate screw.
There is no way you will get an original cord. (You can ask Morelock's. but I really doubt they have any)

This model usually sells for $400 or LESS because it is not a desirable model (because it's not portable mainly)

It still sounds like a wurli, but remember what I said about the action. you can always use an external amp with vibrato, but you can not byoass the internal amp.. See if the action plays well first.You can hear it enough to be able to tell.

Steve O
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...

DocWurly

I have very little experience with these consoles.  I've played a 700 briefly, that's it.

Until reading this, it never occurred to me that the 700, 720, 720A and 720B have soft pedals!!!  But there they are, in the pix.  That's crazy!

How do they work?  Are they an on/off affair, or variable?  They appear to be electronic, not mechanical.

And if anyone knows a good source for well-fitting power cords for unmodified versions of these, that would be extremely helpful.

pianotuner steveo

The soft pedal just connects a large resistor to the speaker output. It's pretty useless. It's just on/off.

I don't remember a source off the top of my head, but it's a 2 prong cord with a round receptacle end. Same cord used on many many models, including the 140 series.
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...