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Chapter 28 EVP88 515
Rhodes Models:
• Suitcase MkI
• Suitcase V2
• Bright Suitcase
• Stage Piano MkI
• Stage Piano MkII
• Bright Stage MkII
• Hard Stage MkII
• MarkIV
• Metal Piano
• Attack Piano
The Metal Piano and Attack Piano models feature sound qualities that can be “aimed
at” with the original Rhodes instruments, but not to the extent of these models. They
do not sound realistic, but they are included as sound “ideals” that the Rhodes
technicians might have had in mind when preparing their keyboards.
Wurlitzer Piano
This well-known manufacturer of music boxes and organs also built electric pianos, the
portable versions of which have written pop and rock music history. The 200 series
Wurlitzer pianos are smaller and lighter than the Rhodes pianos, with a keyboard range
of 64 keys from A to C and an integrated amplifier and speakers.
The action resembles that of a conventional acoustic piano. It can be played with
velocity sensitivity, just like the Rhodes. Its sound generation system is based on spring
steel reeds which can be tuned with a solder weight. The Wurlitzer has electrostatic
pickups: The reeds are supplied with a 0 volt current and move between the teeth of a
“comb”, connected to a 150 volt current. The tone of the Wurlitzer, which was first
manufactured in the early sixties, features many odd harmonics. If you were to ever try
to emulate its sound with an analog synthesizer, you would start by switching the
oscillator to output a 60% rectangular (PWM) wave.
The Wurlitzer is best known as the signature piano sound of the band “Supertramp”. You
will know it from their “Crime of the Century” album. It can be heard on “Bloody Well
Right”, “Dreamer”, “Hide in Your Shell” and also in “The Logical Song”. You might also
recognize the Wurlitzer sound when listening to Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the
Moon” or “Wish You Were Here” (“Have a Cigar”, “Money”, “Time”) and “I am the Walrus”
by the Beatles.
Wurlitzer Models:
• Wurlitzer 200 A
• Wurlitzer 240 V
• Soft Wurlitzer
• Funk Piano