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 the Wurlitzer lid.
- The silver faceplate above the keyboard (that has the Wurlitzer logo and volume/vibrato text) is not secured properly. A common issue on unrestored Wurlitzer pianos. Remove the faceplate and reglue it down. An adhesive such as E6000 glue is recommended.
- The hum shield is loose – The hum shield is the L shaped aluminium case that covers the action and reedbar. Tightening the screws that connect the hum shield will solve this.
- Loose screws – a screw (or more) is loose inside the Wurlitzer and the vibration of the sound is causing it to rattle. Check the amp rail, hum shield, speakers, preamp, damper rail, and any other place you can see a screw.
- Loose speakers – the speakers on 200A in the lid can rattle against the lid. Tightening or loosening the screws can solve the problem, as can adding foam/rubber strips between the speakers and lid.
- Dust/debris in the speakers – Whilst not hugely common, the speakers of a wurlitzer can have debris inside, causing rattling or buzzing. In the 200 they are on the amp rail, gently blow away the dust and debris.
- Strip underneath the amp – underneath the amplifier is a strip of material that is designed to stop the solder ends of the amp coming into contact with the amp rail. Sometimes this can buzz at certain frequencies. Reseating the strip and glueing it down can help. You may or may not need to remove the amp from the rail to do this. Be careful not to break any wires.
- The Wurlitzer case doesn’t fit properly. One of the more irritating buzzing issues can come from the top half of the Wurlitzer case not sitting flush with the bottom half. This can happen due to years of expansion and contraction of the wood that makes up the body of the piano, and the rim being dropped. The wooden rim will need to be sanded down to fit the rim if it’s too tight or shims added if it’s too loose.
- The lid itself – If you’ve checked that its not around the speakers, sometimes the lids can have loose parts inside that have broken off. Usually tightening the lid in a certain way can help. Though annoyingly, a new lid is really the solution.
There could be other things that are causing this too. As mentioned, check our popping/crackling post too, as the line between acoustic and electrical buzz can be thin.
As with many things Wurlitzer, finding these issues can be trial and error, and sometimes finding a ‘sweet spot’ of a certain screw can be the difference between buzzing and not. There’s a lot packed into the small space of a Wurlitzer, including the sound generation and amplifier right next to eachother. To top it off this is on instruments that are 50 years old. Don’t give up, keep going and you’ll find it.
Out of options? Contact us for a service and we may be able to help.
