Can I get my 200 to 200A amp clarity?

[GaryRhodes]

My 200 is date stamped 1968. Never been unhappy with the sound, until....I had my friends 200A at mine for a while. Apart from volume output being greater, the clarity and definition in tone is far better on his 200A. Are any of the 200 amp upgrades able to give a 200A definition? I'm presuming my 200 amp is possibly the first revision and I believe it was quite refined over the years. But, wow it's like a blanket over mine in comparison. Mind you, is it also the speaker change? Even if I got a modern amp, would the speakers also need to be changed?

[pianotuner steveo]

The speakers do not need changing unless they are defective (blown, or partially distorted), or someone changed them with lower quality speakers at some point. The amp is a different story. The new replacement amps are far superior in every way.

Remember, the frequency response in electric pianos is not as wide as stereo speakers need to be. The fundamental of the highest C on a Wurlitzer is barely above 2Khz, the lowest A is 55 Hz. It would be pointless to add speakers that are efficient up to 20Khz for example. Up to 4-5Khz should be plenty.

[cinnanon]

Yeah just get a new amp. The 200 amps are garbage even if restored. Make sure you buy a 200 amp and not a 200A amp. I see VV has new 200 amps with screw terminals like the RL amps.

As for the speakers, the 200A's appear to be louder and have more bass because the speakers are affixed to the lid directly.

[Tim W]

Hello,

If you decide to replace your amp, we hope you'd consider the Warneck Research EP200.

Our amp is a NEW design using high performance components for high reliability and a very low noise floor.  The preamp section has EQ to match the original Wurlitzer curve while eliminating all the undesirable behavior (hissing, puffy vibrato, etc.).  The power amp is protected against overloads and shorts, and will safely shut down in the event it is presented with a fault.  Reed bar shields are also included in the box to eliminate hum from the pickups.  We also offer a variable speed vibrato upgrade with a modulation waveform that exactly matches the original.

The other amps available are simply copies of the old original Wurlitzer 200 design, with very minor enhancements (fuses, terminal blocks, etc.) that do not really improve the noise floor, reliability, or power output.  Despite the similarity in looks, there is a large difference in performance.

This is why professional musicians, professional techs, and studios choose Warneck Research.

Best regards,
Tim

[Electrickey]

I think the 200 tone sounds better than the 200a. More of a classic sound. These pianos differ from each other anyway. If you like the sound of the 200a you might want to get that model.

I was doing back line with Incubus, their 200a blew a regulator chip, so they used mine. The keyboard player remarked how he liked the lower end of my 200a than his. His was retrofitted with midi capability and his keyboard was adjusted better than mine. Just mention this to show that like any other musical instrument they sound different from each other.

I understand there are new approaches to the amps in these instruments, but the classic sound with all the inferior design quirks is part of that sound.

Someone sells a Wurli sound sample called "broken wurli."