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Analog Electronics Music

Wurlitzer 200: Fixed

I am very excited to announce that the Wurlitzer 200 is fixed and operational. I say Wurlitzer 200 instead of 200A because a nice chap emailed me and let me know that I actually had an earlier model. Either way, it works and it sounds delicious.

Wurlitzer 200

Really this post is to gloat a little and to post the sound samples I recorded with my friend Joe. He is a great piano player and shows off the awesomeness of the Wurly better than I ever could. I also wanted to lay out some future posts about the Wurlitzer that I plan to write:

  1. Things learned about fixing the Wurlitzer. Schematics and my own drawings included.
  2. The importance of grounding for a clean signal and how it can affect other types of electronics.
  3. How transistors work and how the broken transistor on my Wurly was causing me grief.
  4. How fuses work and when to use them.
  5. Any others requested/suggested through the skribit box on the right.

Finally, here are the sound samples Joe and I put together today. It was fun recording again. For full disclosure, there was digital delay on the Wurly and there was some processing on the drums too. Also, I apologize that the drum tracks are a little loud; it’s because I’m an electrical engineer, not a sound engineer (and definitely not a professional musician). Enjoy!

By Chris Gammell

Chris Gammell is an engineer who talks more than most other engineers. He also writes, makes videos and a couple podcasts. While analog electronics happen to be his primary interests, he also dablles in FPGAs and system level design.

8 replies on “Wurlitzer 200: Fixed”

Having enjoyed the presence of the broken Wurlitzer for nigh on a year I’m happy to see it working! Nice job, man.

I have one that emits fart noises, fires 60 hrz hum into my keyboard amp when my computer is on, and straight up barks if I hit the second F too hard.
Gloat with helpful hints. how to ground etc.

Listened to the 10min jam loved the use of delay on the snare hits at the end gave it a reggae vibe and then the cowbell to finish it off with a latin jazz feel. Man I love electric piano's, if your ever in California LA area you should stop by Future Music this place is just amazing, great vintage gear, and its only like 20 min away for Apex Electronics.

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