About to look at and maybe buy a Wurlitzer student model - things to look for?

[dtaki]

Hello,

Thanks for the forum ad. Some time soon I'll be looking at a Wurlitzer student model (the seller says "201" but it looks identical to the 206's that I have googled) and hopefully buying. Other than the obvious things like all the keys working and being level, and tuning, is there anything specific I should look for?

Thanks - I am hoping to soon leave my Wurly VSTs and actually have the real thing!

[pianotuner steveo]

You are correct, there is no model 201.   It's either a 206, a 206A, or a 207 ( teacher model)

If it has the power cord attached, (they originally had to be connected to other pianos, but most people add a cord before reselling) turn it on and test every key. Listen for crackling noises and other bad sounds. The more in tune the better, but that is repairable. They are a pain to tune,however.

One thing that makes the digital versions of Wurlitzers sound fake is that they are perfectly in tune. Real Wurlitzers are rarely in perfect tune.

Also, keep in mind that there is no vibrato unless it's been modified.

Let us know if you find any issues and what they are.

[DocWurly]

This is probably a tangent, but there IS actually a model 201, though it sounds like it isn't what you are seeing in this ad.  Still..... be aware of this.

The 201 is a European equivalent to the 200.  But, as you can see, the electronics are different (they have to be, to work with European standards), and speakers are mounted differently (and are a different shape).  One person has reported to me that theirs has a third knob for variable vibrato, but I have been unable to confirm that this isn't some sort of later modification.  (The one in this picture has a typical 2 knobs).

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/109611566004662377677/album/AF1QipNOrdL3_1IeQmHOLaZF3DOOQTvBdsiR0H1ezZmi

[cinnanon]

206A would be more desirable than the 206.  With the 206A you'll get the reedbar shields and a better amp. No vibrato though.  The student models are usually in the best shape internally, compared to the 200's.

[pianotuner steveo]

...wow... I've never heard of the 201 until today. Thanks for that picture!

Cinnanon is right, the student models usually weren't " beat on".

There is a guy who sells the capstan wrench on eBay, if it doesn't play well and needs regulation.

[Tim Hodges]

This one sold recently, looks like it had some major work done on it at somepoint:

Wurlitzer Electric Piano EP 201 Very Rare - For Restoration Wurli

Very rare EP 201 Wurlitzer. 
Like the better known 200 but with vibrato depth and speed and noise gate.

Was working until recently and now doesn't power up.  Has been toured and needs restoring but everything internal is there.

[dtaki]

Thanks for all of the replies! It turns out the guy also has a 140 that he is selling for the same price, which I will probably be looking at instead due to its more portable nature (he said the legs come off and store inside the cabinet). Although this one doesn't look exactly like the 140's I've googled the way his 206 looked the same. See attached picture - any ideas on what this might be? He said that he thinks it's a 140 but couldn't remember.

Oh, and sorry - I just realized that there is a separate forum for buying. Mods, please move it if it should be there instead.

Now that I think about it, he mentioned that it is a tube model, so maybe a 145?

[cinnanon]

It's 120, no where near as nice (action wise) as a 140. Harder work. I'd go for the 206 all day long.

[pianotuner steveo]

It's definitely a 120. Poor action, no vibrato, but they do have their own charm. Again, I agree w/Cinnanon and think you would be much, much happier with the 206

[dtaki]

Well, I ended up picking up the 120 - I would not have been able to get the 206 into my car. The guy said that he also has a 200a and a 112, so he might sell the 206 at another time (maybe I'll borrow a larger car to pick it up). I paid about $350, which seemed to be a pretty good deal all things considered.

I see what you guys mean about the action - it seems difficult to play softly. It does sound good when leaning into it though!

[cinnanon]

Not a bad price for the 120.   Pretty good price for the 206 though. If space was an issue I could have told you a way to chop the 206 in under 10 minutes into two pieces. Six screws hold the  base  to the cabinet and you have to remove 15 screws to get to those. All temporary too.

[pianotuner steveo]

$350 is a good price for a 120 these days? Wow times have changed...

Make sure you remove the "death cap" if it hasn't been done yet! (The cap between the AC input and ground) don't replace it, remove it. There is no reason for it to be there.

[cinnanon]

$350 is a good price for a 120 these days? Wow times have changed...

What would you say is a good price for a 120?  I've never bought one before but $350 didn't sound like a bad price for a tube wurlitzer. Wouldn't say it's good but didn't seem bad. I know you've bought all of yours for like $50 but we all aren't so fortunate.

[cinnanon]

Here is one that sold recently on eBay for $500.....for reference? I dunno?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/232001513767

[pianotuner steveo]

That's just crazy. I paid $85 for one and found another waiting for trash pickup. Yes, it worked and had everything except the bench! I traded it for 2 206's ( which I sold) after cleaning it up and regulating it.

I can't believe anyone would pay $500 or more for a 120 unless it's in mint condition or restored, they just aren't good enough IMO. I guess I could see paying $350 today, but I would have found a way to move the 206 personally. I used to move my 700 in a 1968 VW beetle!

Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of the 120's and 700's, but hate the action.

[dtaki]

Cinnanon - I might be interested in learning about which screws to take off it it's not too long of an explanation. I might go back to that guy for the 206 at some point, since he said he's still probably selling that one.