If you have a Wurlitzer 200 or 200A model, you may have noticed that the very top five notes (G#6-C7) do not dampen and freely sustain. This is because there are no dampers on these top five notes. It is completely normal and nothing to worry about. On these top notes there is a small […]

This is common problem with Wurlitzer electric pianos which is often attributed to a defect in wiring or another electrical issue. Much more often it is because a reed is misaligned in the reed bar, causing it to touch the pickup. This creates a short or grounding, and can cause hiss, pops, bangs, and sometimes […]

What makes Wurlitzers unique in the electric piano world is that they have a built in amplifier that generates the sound. This means that the electronics are a major part of servicing these instruments. Because of the power this draws Wurlitzers are connected to mains electricity and have live voltage running through it. This means […]

The way a Rhodes makes a tone is similar to a tuning fork – where two ends of a metal fork vibrate to produce a frequency. On a Rhodes specifically, instead of two ends the same size there is a larger tone bar and a smaller wire-like tine. Due to their weight these form the […]

One of the limitations of the Rhodes is when the pedal is down and when a key is repeatedly played the note can often deaden or ‘choke’. this is because when the tine is struck by the hammer the tine vibrates in a up and down motion, and when the hammer strikes the tine at […]

Understanding the process: Out of the ‘big 3’ vintage electric pianos (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Clavinet), the tuning method on a Wurlitzer piano is the most unique. Wurlitzers are like Rhodes in the sense that the tuning usually last a very long time. Where they differ is that the process of tuning a note is much […]

Yes! Adjusting the keys, or key leveling as we call it, is the process of adjusting the key heights and depth (called key-dip) of the white and black keys of the piano. It is the same process as with a regular piano – we use paper shims or punchings to set the correct height of […]

This is a very common problem with Wurlitzers and could be due to many things. Here is a list of the most likely culprits: ⁃ The hum shield (the case that covers the hammers and is designed to prevent buzzing) is not set properly. Readjusting this can fix the problem. ⁃ Loose screws – a […]

This is often to do with the solder or ‘lead’ that is applied to the reeds to adjust the tuning. It often happens in the tenor register in the F F# G range below middle C. The solution is usually to replace the solder on the reed. If not this then it could be the […]

You can adjust the intensity but not the rate, you’ll need a tremolo pedal for that. On the circuit board is an adjustment for vibrato (strictly speaking ‘tremolo’). Be careful to unplug everything and switch all the power off before you adjust as you can easily get an electric shock from the circuitry of a […]

The difference between these two Wurlitzers is that the 200A is a newer model designed to solve some of the electronic issues that were present in the 200. The Model 200s were prone to crackling and noise in the electronics, and a new preamp system was implemented in the newer 200A design along the reed […]

essentially not a huge amount, they are both the same instrument with the same type of action mechanism and tines, but the differences are the year they were built, and some components inside which create a different tone quality. Harold Rhodes’s company collaborated with Fender, which helped manufacture the pianos from the era of 1970 […]

It is likely that the yarn that mutes the strings in the non-speaking length of the string is not dampening properly. The solution is to either remove the yarn and replace it, or to remove it at use Clavigel; which is a more modern dampening mechanism created by Vibe Vibe

Out of all the electoacoustic pianos, this is the most simple to tune. Below the keys is a rail they can be removed to reveal the tuning pegs that the strings are wrapped around. By using a flat head screwdriver on the screw at a right angle to the tuning leg, you can adjust the […]

Sometimes playing a Rhodes can be hard work! Compared to acoustic pianos with weighted wooden keys, and modern keyboards with springed keys; the Rhodes fits somewhere in the middle. But why is it sometimes so heavy? Great question, and it has to do with the design of the key and the action, which I’ll explain […]

This is a common issue that affects all Rhodes pianos at some point. This could be one of a number of issues, here are some places to start: (Note: if unsure of any of these terms, consult the Glossary.) Remove the lid and inspect the harp where the problem is Rhodes lids are easy to remove, in […]

A tone bar spring is a metal spring that is inserted between a tone bar and the harp of a Rhodes piano. Its function is to keep the tine and tone bar under tension so they remain in position for the hammer to strike the tine and generate a tone. There are two springs in […]

A transformer is a device in an electronic circuit that changes the voltage of AC current. It consists of two coils of wire wrapped around a magnetic core. The primary winding is connected to the input voltage, usually mains power. The secondary winding is connected to the output for the electronic device. In an Wurlitzer […]

Let-off, also known as escapement, is the mechanism of the hammer releasing from the jack and lower action when the key is struck. It is a critical part of the action mechanism, and very influential in the touch and feel of the piano. It is sometimes called ‘set-off’ in the UK. Function: Let-off is designed […]

A jack is the L shaped component that is found in piano actions, and the whip assembly in Wurlitzer pianos. In Wurlitzer pianos, it is commonly known as the fly – but the two terms are interchangable. Function: The jack plays a crucial roll in let-off, a major part of the action process when the […]

Side play refers to the side-to-side movement, rocking, or ‘wiggle’ that occurs on keys when the key bushings have loosened over time. Adjusting it is a part of keyboard regulation along with key spacing, key squaring, and key height and key dip adjustment. On new pianos there should be very little side play of the […]

Key spacing is a part of keyboard regulation of acoustic and electric pianos. It is the process of adjusting the key so they are even in distance from each other. This applies to all keys but is more noticeable in the white keys. For acoustic pianos, Rhodes, and Wurlitzer pianos, key spacing forms one of […]

The damper regulating screw, also known as the damper screw, is a long flathead/hex screw on the rear side of the whip in a Wurlitzer piano action. Each note has an individual action mechanism that includes this screw. It forms part of the whip assembly. Threaded through the screw is the damper grommet which connects […]

A damper arm, also known as a damper lever is an action component on acoustic pianos, and Rhodes and Wurlitzer pianos. On all pianos it is a lever that has damper felt at one end, and is engaged by the other parts of the action mechanism at the other. It’s function is as followed: View […]

A damper arm is an action mechanism found in Wurlitzer pianos. It is responsible for lifting the damper felt away from the reed when it is struck by the hammer. This causes the reed to sustain. When the key is released, the damper arm falls down and the damper felt mutes the reed. It also […]

In electric pianos, a pickup is an electronic device that captures the vibration of the tine, reed, or string and converts it to an electrical signal. Depending on the type of electric piano, the type of pickup varies considerably: See Pickup (Rhodes) See Pickup (Wurlitzer) See Pickup (Clavinet)

A front rail pin is a metal pin that is inserted into the front rail. Its purpose is to catch and support the key when the key has been pressed. They are usually made of nickel plated steel, and are oval shaped. When the key is pressed the pin enters the front of the key […]

On acoustic and electric pianos, the front rail is a horizontal wooden rail that sits underneath the front point of the keys. It houses the front rail pins, metal pins that the keys are inserted into. The front rail and pins acts as a catcher for the key when it is pressed, reducing its side […]

A damper grommet is a small circular rubber grommet found on the damper regulating screw of each note in Wurlitzer pianos. It is either black or grey in colour, depending on the model of Wurlitzer and year of manufacture. It inserts into a the damper lever clip found on the damper arm. Function: The grommet’s […]

A balance rail pin is a metal pin that is inserted into the balance rail. Its purpose is to house the key and act as a pivot for when the key is pressed. They are usually made of nickel plated steel, and are circular in shape. The key is inserted into the balance rail via […]

A resistor is a component in an electronic circuit that is used to create resistance. It achieves this by limiting the flow of electric current. If we compare electrical flow of energy to a water pipe, a resistor is like a tap that can limit the amount of water being moved through the pipe. Resistance […]

A tone bar grommet is a rubber grommet that is inserted between a tone bar and the harp of a Rhodes piano. Its function is to dampen vibrations between these two parts. There are two grommets in each tone bar assembly. Function: The grommets work alongside the tone bar screws, and the tone bar springs. […]

A tine screw is a machine screw that connects the tine and the tone bar. Its function is to connect these two components of the tone bar assembly. It has a hex screw head, and can be adjusted with a 5/16″ nut driver. It usually has an engraved V on the top face. It is […]

On acoustic and electric pianos, the balance rail is a horizontal wooden rail that sits underneath the centre point of the keys. It houses the balance rail pins, metal pins that the keys are inserted into. The balance rail acts as a pivot point as the musician presses the key – making it a critical […]

A tine spring, also known as a tuning spring or tine coil, is a metal coil of wire that is inserted on to the tine of a note in a Rhodes piano. Its function is to finely adjust the tuning of a particular note. Each tone bar assembly on a Rhodes piano has a tine […]

A tone bar screw is a metal self-tapping screw that is inserted between a tone bar and the harp of a Rhodes piano. They are sometimes called grommet screws. Its function is to anchor the tone bar to the harp, so it remains in position for the hammer to strike the tine and generate a […]

A bridle strap or bridle tape is an action part found in upright acoustic pianos and Rhodes pianos. It consists of a fabric strap that has a leather end with a punching in the centre. Its function is to aid in movement of other action parts. Upright Pianos: On upright pianos, one end of the […]

On a Wurlitzer electric piano the reed bar is the large metal bracket which houses the reeds. It is located across the entire piano, usually underneath the damper assembly. Its main functions are as follows: There are technically two reed bars on a Wurlitzer piano, one for the bass section and one for the treble […]

(See Transistor for general information about transistors.) A power transistor, also known as an output transistor, is a special type of transistor that is able to handle higher voltages and currents. With the amplifiers inside a Wurlitzer piano and Rhodes suitcase, the job of a power transistor is the output stage of the amp right […]

Lost motion refers to the amount of movement that is not transferred between different parts of the piano action when it is engaged. It is usually because a small gap is present between different components. Because the energy is not transferred, it is referred to as ‘lost’. Function: This space is designed between mechanisms to […]

(See Power Transistor for this specific transistor type) A transistor is an electronic component found inside most electronics. It is a type of semiconductor, and a key component in amplifying a signal in a circuit. Depending on the type, the way a transistor works is to act as an amplifier or switch – where signal […]

Capacitors are a component used in an electronic circuit that is designed to store current for when it’s needed. In simple terms they are are somewhat similar to a battery that in that they store energy. In electric pianos they are found in many places, from a single one on the bass boost potentiometer on […]

The whip assembly is the lower part of the action of a Wurlitzer piano. It comprises of a jack, damper lever, the whip (known as the wippen in acoustic pianos), and a capstan that connects to the back of the key. This latter part is the adjustment for lost-motion. The role of the whip assembly […]

The hammer butt is the wooden shank that houses the hammer tip on a Wurlitzer piano. Its function is to be pushed by the whip assembly via the jack around a fulcrum point so that it strikes a reed to generate a tone. Afterwards it returns to rest position ready to be struck again. Its […]

An electrolytic capacitor is a polarised type of capacitor that is inside many electronic circuits, including Rhodes preamps and Wurlitzer amplifiers. The reason they are used is because they can store a much higher charge, or capacitance, then regular film or ceramic capacitors. In audio circuits like a Wurlitzer or Rhodes amplifier this is done […]

The pickup on a Rhodes piano is an adjustable coiled electromagnetic mechanism that ‘picks up’ the vibration of the tine and converts into electricity. The pickup itself is a long length of thin copper wiring around a magnet. The pickup very similar to the type of pickup found on electric guitars. Considering early Rhodes models […]

On a Hohner Clavinet and many digital keyboards, the key spring is the spring at the back of the key which returns the key to the rest potion when it is released by the player. On Clavinets, if notes are slow or sluggish when the key is released then it is worth replacing the springs. […]

A key bushing is the small red (usually) piece of felt that supports the key on the balance rail and front rails. It primary purpose is to allow the key to remain firm and stable while being pressed, the bushings are often lubricated to allow minimal friction so as not to interfere with playing. On […]

A fuse is a piece of wire inside a glass or ceramic housing that is designed to break or blow if the current exceeds the stated amount. This is primarily to protect the person using the electronics to avoid an electric shock or fire. It is also to protect the electronics of a piece of […]

The key bed is the base layer of wood that the keyboard assembly rests on. It consists of either a fixed or removable action that houses the front rail and balance rail, and thus the balance rail pins and front rail pins. The position of the keys on the key bed has a significant effect […]