Wurli 200a project

[soul]

Getting ready to restore the 200a I bought for $50 15 years ago.  Im guessing this was mfg in '71?  Anyone help me with dating it? 

Serial: 122594L, no logo on the back
volume pot marked: 203643 (could be 203693)
vibrato pot marked: 208697
transformer marked: 203715
middle f stamped: 71011008
f# key looks like its stamped 81011... hard to see

Its got a lot of rust on the metal chassis inside, probably lotsa beach gigs, or just left out in the rain.  Plays ok, all tines intact, a few keys that dont work. I think they are broken.  and there is some distortion on the output.  I cant wait to get it cleaned up and running.

[soul]

Ok, Im starting to tear it apart one key at a time.  Starting from the low end...

item #1:  Key 1 (A) on the low end doesn't work.  The damper doesn't spring back down.  Also, this piece in the back is loose.  Is it supposed to be glued or attached somehow?  I assume that it is, because the A key is just sorta hangin around loose.

I found some pieces of white and pink paper wedged underneath the keys as shims.  Are these factory? 

Thanks,
Steve

[Tim Hodges]

Wow $50 that's great Steve. Unfortunately I'm a Rhodes man so I can't offer much help but hopefully Steveo will pop along shortly I believe he's had a few Wurly's.

Good luck with the restoration!

[pianotuner steveo]

Yeah, a few..... ( over 30)

The paper wedges are factory. If the have nt been disturbed, they are shims for the key frame.

The damper arm ( called the sticker) sounds like it is broken off. These are very fragile.

If it is not connected at the bottom, it is broken. If it is just loose on top, the screw and grommet just need to be seated back into the clip. There should be about a business card thickness of free play between the screw and the clip.

I have spares, but this is not an easy part to change.

It connects to the whip assembly on the back.

[soul]

Thanks fellas.  Yea, I think the damper arm (sticker) is broken off.  It is not attached at the bottom.  I tried to take it out to look at it closer, but you're right, it wouldn't come out very easily, I gave up before I made it worse. 

I'd be interested in that replacement and any advice on how to install it. 

Gonna take another look at it tonight and check the other keys that aren't working. 

[pianotuner steveo]

 Ok, i looked at the photo ( i did not see one yesterday) and it looks repairable,as is. The flange at the bottom is broken. It can be careully glued back together with a few drops of wood glue.

[soul]

Looks like I need  the little springy-thing that goes under key1 (A) damper.  It is broken. 

Q:  Where can I find one?  Or do have to find a replacement damper? 

BTW:  I glued the sticker back together with wood glue, looks good.  I also took all the keys off and cleaned everything.  Found an old 5 cent stamp, an oxidized penny and hair pin.

Turns out this is the only broken key!  the others were just stuck on pennies and hair pins 

My next move is to try and remove some of the rust, and look into the amp section. 

[soul]

This thing is looking sweet with a new coat of ArmorAll!    Just found the damper parts at vintage vibe.  Gonna get a new faceplate and knobs too, along with a new damper for key1.  Output sounds good, no noise, but the headphone output is loud and distorted.  I had to solder the wire to the jack where it broke in two.  Wonder if that is causing the harsh headphone output?