Does anybody want to compare Wurly 200 to 200 A ?

[wurlygig]

Which is better and why etc.

[pianotuner steveo]

Not a lot of differences,just the A is newer so some electrical and electronic changes were made. The amp/pre amp is totally different,there is a seperate pre amp on the A models (same with 206A) The power cord is different-no big deal there-the speakers are mounted differently- really the main difference is a different amp. The A has an Aux out and a mono headphone out, I think the non A only has one jack.(Correction,I've been told they have 2 jacks also)

The actions are the same. There may be a slight difference in where the key capstan is mounted,but I dont remember.I have not seen a non A in a long time.

[wurlygig]

Just got hold of one of each (there are two jacks on the 200) and it seems to my ears the 200 is a little livelier more dynamic as far as the the characteristic metallic clank sound from a hard strike. The 200 A is obviously quieter (no hum), louder, fuller sounding. But as far as the classic pop and soul sounds from mid 60's to mid 70's seems like the 200 A doesn't quite nail it like the 200 from that era? Am I correct or do I just have a dud of an A?

[billulsund]

I have found that like a Rhodes the Wurlitzer electronic pianos can be set up differently to get a different tone. Granted, it it not nearly as easy to do any of the adjustments on the Wurlitzer as it is on a Rhodes. You can loosen the reed and slide it a bit closer to the pickup to get a bit more bite (unfortunately that will also change the pitch slightly and it is a real pain to re-tune the reeds). The hammers can also become grooved an worn and that will affect the tone. You can also adjust the strikeline to affect the tone as well (see the vintage vibe youtube channel for more details). From what I understand the action mechanism and reeds are the same for the 200 and 200A so I would think that with the proper set up you could get them to sound the same.

[pianotuner steveo]

Yes, except that the amps are completely different and may cause them to sound different.....

BTW a lot of 60's/70s recordings that some people think are 200's are actually 140B's- IE The Faces- Ian used a 140B on stage,so I would assume that he also used that piano on Stay With Me... again, the differences in the 140B and 200 series are the amps and of course the cabinets, but the reeds and action are (almost) the same. The capstans are mounted differently in the 140

Dancing In The Moonlight by King Harvest sounds like a miced 140B to me-the amps have a distinctive sound

[Chris Carroll]

200 and 200a used different reeds, extremely similiar but different. Around 1975 200A was introduced, speaker placement changed as well as the amplifier, the 200 reeds are the same as the 140B reeds, the newer 200A reed is thicker and has a more mellow tone.

[BJT3]

I believe there was an additional metal shielding added over the reeds of the "A" to help make it less noisy.  My 200 does not have it. Vintage Vibe sells an upgrade kit though.... They also have some great videos on you tube about fixing the Wurli's, Rhodes, etc...