The Clavinet switches on the left hand side of a D6 or E7 control the sound, but what do they mean? Brilliant, Treble, Mid, and Soft are high-pass EQ filters. When one is engaged it brings out more higher frequencies in the signal of the Clavinet. But what do the letters mean? The switches C/D […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. There are two main types of pickup that are used in electric piano instruments: Electromagnetic Pickups: Electromagnetic pickups use a magnet and coil arrangement where a magnet is surrounded […]

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 […]

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. […]

(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 […]

(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 components used in an electronic circuits that have multiple functions including storing charge, regulating voltage, filtering frequencies, coupling and decoupling, creating oscillating circuits and protecting circuits. In the very simplest sense they store and release energy like a battery, though this energy is utilised in many more different ways. In electric pianos they […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]