In almost all cases, this is because the headphones that you have are stereo headphones whereas the signal coming out of the headphone output of a Wurlitzer piano is mono. This means that (usually) only the left (tip) side of the headphones will be heard as there is no collection to the right (ring). Solution […]

Electric pianos are wonderful, but one thing we’ve always found slightly lacking is the sustain pedals. Sadly they sometimes they feel like an afterthought. Now granted, the Wurlitzer pedal is certainly a better design than the Rhodes piano, but, sometimes they just don’t work properly. Whether the pedal isn’t working at all, allowing all notes […]

This is related to our post about popping and crackling as it is usually the same issue. By far the most common is that there is debris caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing it to ground slightly. The next most likely culprit is a reed that is misaligned slightly and causing the […]

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 related to our post about whining and distortion in Wurlitzers too as it is usually the same issue. By far the most common is that there is debris caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing it to ground slightly. This can either sound like several things: It can be very unsettling […]

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 […]

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 one of many things. Fortunately it is usually something very simple. If you are hearing distortion, popping or crackling, then this is found here. Here is a list of problems and solutions. Remember to switch off and disconnect the power cable before opening up […]

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. Every type of electric piano has a form of pickup, though they differ in their design. See below for the pickup of a specific instrument: See Pickup (Rhodes) See […]

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 Hohner Pianets a sticky pad is a small rubber pad that sits on the hammer arm at the far end of the key. Its function is to mute the Pianet reed when the key is at rest position, and to spring off the reed when the key is played. This lifting off the reed […]

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 […]

The pickup system on Wurlitzer pianos is formed of two metallic bars, one for the bass and treble section of the piano, that is housed on the rear portion of the reed bar. It is a comb shaped structure that surrounds the reed of each note. It is located under the dampers and damper arms. […]

The key slip is a removable rail that covers the base of keyboard instruments. They are commonly found on grand pianos and Hohner Clavinets. The function of the keyslip is to cover and protect the keyboard and action, and provide decoration and cosmetic appearance. On Hohner Clavinets and some Pianets, the keyslip covers the tuning […]

Escapement is the adjustment on a Rhodes piano a that determines the height of the harp in relation to the action, specifically the hammer. It is a key factor in determining the touch and weight of a piano action, and can have a profound effect on the way the piano is set up and played. […]

The harp is the name given to the removable section of the Rhodes piano immediately underneath the lid that houses the tines, tone bars, pickups, and other electronics. It’s function is to support all these components and allow the correct position of them so that the hammer tips in the action underneath can strike 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 […]

The damper arm on a Rhodes piano is the mechanism for each note that allows the damper felt to rest against the tine. When the note is pressed the damper arm lifts and removes the damper felt from the key allowing the note to sustain. This is achieved by the bridle strap coming under tension […]

(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 […]