Trystan Casey
The Wurlitzer Electronic Piano is an iconic instrument that has been used by many artists and bands since its inception in the mid-1950s. Unlike traditional acoustic pianos, Wurlitzers use metal reeds of various pitches to generate sound. The reeds are struck by felt hammers, inducing an electrical current in an electrostatic pickup system. This unique design allows for a more compact instrument and a sharper, punchier tone compared to other electric pianos. While Wurlitzers rarely need tuning, it is possible to do so by adjusting the reeds. This involves loosening or tightening the reed screw, adding or removing solder, or in some cases, filing the reed's solder while ensuring that all metal shavings are cleared to prevent damage to the onboard amplifier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone Generation | Striking metal reeds of various pitches |
| Action Assembly | Wooden hammers, keys, whips, and dampers |
| Pitch | Longer or larger tone generators make lower-pitched notes, shorter or smaller tone generators make higher-pitched notes |
| Reed Length | Incrementally shorter as you progress up the harp |
| Reed Width | Roughly 1/32" thick and 3/32" wide |
| Filing Process | Clear metal shavings with a fine paintbrush, vacuum, and paper; ensure centered installation to avoid harmful short circuits |
| Pitch Adjustment | Reposition the reed by loosening the screw and shifting it forwards or backwards |
| Solder Application | Add a tiny drop carefully, ensuring it bonds firmly and is filed back into a pyramid shape |
| Sound | Sharper and closer to a sawtooth wave, becoming more aggressive with harder playing |
| Keyboard Range | Typically 64-note, from A an octave above the lowest standard 88-note piano to C an octave below its top note |
| Speakers | One, two, or four internal speakers, with the option for external amplifier connection |
| Portability | Portable models with removable legs, and console/grand/spinet models with attached pedals |
| Models | Various, including the EP-110, 112A, 120, 140, and 200A |
| Tuning | Generally done by end-users; raise pitch by removing lead at the end of the reed, lower pitch by adding lead |
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What You'll Learn
Raising or lowering the pitch of a vibrating reed
The Wurlitzer electronic piano is a unique instrument that uses a piano-like action assembly to strike metal reeds of various pitches to make sound. The reed is a thin piece of metal about 1/32” thick and roughly 3/32” wide. The reed lengths become incrementally shorter as you progress up the harp, with longer or larger tone generators producing lower-pitched notes, and shorter or smaller tone generators producing higher-pitched notes.
To raise or lower the pitch of a vibrating reed, you can try the following methods:
Reposition the reed
Loosen the reed screw and shift the reed either forwards or back. To lower the pitch, shift the reed forwards or away from the reed screw. To raise the pitch, shift the reed backwards or towards the reed screw. This method will only give you a cent or two of pitch adjustment. After making the adjustment, retighten the reed screw and check your work.
Add solder to the reed
If a reed is sharp, you can add a tiny drop of solder to the tip. Be careful not to melt the existing solder out of shape and ensure that the newly added solder is firmly bonded. File the solder back into a pyramid shape to ensure it doesn't make contact with the pickup during the reed's motion when struck.
Adjust the length of the air column
For woodwind instruments, the pitch is dominated by the air column, not the reed. By altering the length of the vibrating air column inside the instrument, you can raise or lower the pitch. Closing more holes makes the air column longer, producing lower pitches, while opening holes shorten the column, resulting in higher pitches.
Change the player's embouchure
The player's embouchure, or mouth shape, can also influence the pitch. A tighter embouchure can raise the pitch slightly, while a looser one can lower it.
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Clearing metal shavings from the pickup
Metal shavings from the solder mound on the tip of the reed can cause a short circuit and produce a burst of distortion. To clear metal shavings from the pickup, you can use a fine paintbrush, a vacuum, and by running a piece of paper between the reed and the pickup.
Firstly, use a fine paintbrush to gently brush away any visible metal shavings from the pickup. This will help to remove any larger pieces of metal that may be lodged in the pickup. Next, use a vacuum to remove any remaining smaller metal shavings. A vacuum will help to ensure that all the metal shavings are removed from the pickup, as even small pieces can cause issues. Finally, run a piece of paper between the reed and the pickup to remove any remaining metal shavings and ensure that the area is completely clear.
It is important to clear any metal shavings from the pickup before turning on the Wurlitzer, as this can cause damage to the instrument. Additionally, it is recommended to check for any debris between the reed and the pickup, as this can also cause issues with the sound and performance of the instrument. If there is debris present, try repeatedly pressing each key to dislodge the dirt. If this does not work, a more comprehensive solution is to open the instrument and spray compressed air at the affected area.
The Wurlitzer electronic piano is a unique instrument that uses a piano-like action assembly to strike metal reeds of various pitches to make sound. The tone is generated when a hammer strikes a metal reed, and this induces an electrical current in an electrostatic pickup system. The length, width, and thickness of the reed determine the character and pitch of the tone it produces. To tune the reed, you can add or remove solder from the tip to adjust the length and pitch. It is important to only file the solder and not the reed itself, as this can compromise the structure and resonance of the instrument.
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Repositioning the reed
To begin, locate the reed screw and loosen it. This will allow you to shift the reed either forwards or backward. Shifting the reed forward, or away from the reed screw, will lower the pitch. Conversely, moving the reed backward, or towards the reed screw, will raise the pitch. This method provides only a slight adjustment of a cent or two in pitch, but it might be all you need to get your piano back in tune.
After repositioning the reed, retighten the reed screw and carefully check if the piano is now in tune. If not, you may need to explore other tuning methods, such as filing or adding solder to the reed, which offer more substantial pitch adjustments.
It is important to note that the Wurlitzer electric piano is a delicate instrument, and aggressive playing can lead to metal fatigue and broken reeds over time. Therefore, it is crucial to handle the piano with care during the repositioning process to avoid any damage. Additionally, be cautious when adjusting the reed, as fixing one note may unintentionally affect the tuning of another note.
If you are unsure about repositioning the reed yourself, it is recommended to seek guidance from a professional piano technician or someone experienced in Wurlitzer piano maintenance. They can provide expert advice and ensure that your piano is properly tuned without causing any damage to the instrument.
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Adding solder to the reed
Tuning a Wurlitzer electronic piano involves adjusting the metal reeds of various pitches to achieve the correct sound. The reeds are thin strips of metal that vibrate when struck by the piano's hammers, producing sound. The length and mass of the reed determine the pitch, with longer and larger reeds producing lower-pitched notes, and shorter and smaller reeds producing higher-pitched notes.
When adding solder to the reed of a Wurlitzer electric piano, there are several important steps to follow. Firstly, if you are planning to file the reed's solder while it is still installed, ensure that all metal shavings are cleared from the pickup before turning on the Wurlitzer. Metal shavings between the pickup and the reed can create a short, resulting in a loud popping sound and potential damage to the onboard amplifier. Use a fine paintbrush, a vacuum, or a piece of paper to clear away any metal shavings.
To add solder to the reed, start by loosening the reed screw and shifting the reed to adjust the pitch as needed. Lower the pitch by shifting the reed forwards or away from the reed screw, and raise the pitch by shifting the reed backwards or towards the screw. Once you've made your adjustment, retighten the screw and check your work.
If the reed is sharp, you can add a tiny drop of solder to the tip. This must be done carefully to avoid melting the existing solder out of shape. Ensure that the new solder is firmly bonded, and then file it back into its pyramid shape. Be careful not to file away metal from the reed itself, as this can compromise the structure and resonance of the tone generator. Only file the solder pyramid, and ensure that no solder is at risk of making contact with the pickup during the reed's motion when struck.
If you have a reed mold, you can remove the old solder and reform the pyramid shape. Melt the old solder off the reed and add new solder in the correct slot of the reed mold. File the new solder into a pyramid shape, clean any shavings, install the reed, and check its intonation. Remember to maintain the pyramid shape of the lead, with the base being larger than the top. This allows for proper clearance through the pickup.
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Removing lead from the reed
Tuning a Wurlitzer electronic piano involves adjusting the metal reeds of various pitches to produce the correct sound. The reed is the only tone element of the Wurlitzer Electric Piano, and its tuning position is essential to the tonal quality of the piano.
The process of removing lead from the reed involves the following steps:
- Loosen the reed screw: Before beginning the tuning process, ensure that the reed screw is loose enough to allow for adjustments.
- Reposition the reed: If the reed is only slightly out of tune, you may be able to correct the pitch by repositioning the reed. Loosen the reed screw and shift the reed either forwards or backwards. For example, to lower the pitch, move the reed forwards and away from the reed screw. This will only provide a slight adjustment of about one or two cents, but it may be sufficient.
- Remove lead from the reed tip: Use a file or a scraper to carefully remove a small amount of lead from the tip of the reed. It is important to maintain a pyramid shape on the tip while removing the excess lead. Removing too much lead will cause the pitch to become too high.
- Check the intonation: After removing the lead, install the reed back into the Wurlitzer and check its intonation. Play the reed and listen to the pitch to determine if further adjustments are needed.
- Fine-tune as needed: If the pitch is still not correct, you may need to repeat the process. Continue to make small adjustments by removing lead from the reed tip until you achieve the desired pitch. Remember to always check the intonation after each adjustment to avoid over-correcting.
It is important to note that when filing the reed, all metal shavings must be cleared from the pickup before turning on the Wurlitzer. Any metal shavings that land between the pickup and the reed can create a short, resulting in a loud popping sound and potential damage to the onboard amplifier.
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Frequently asked questions
A Wurlitzer electronic piano uses a piano-like action assembly to strike metal reeds of various pitches to make sound. Traditional acoustic pianos, on the other hand, strike strings.
Wurlitzers are built ruggedly enough that tuning is only rarely required.
To raise the pitch of a reed, shift the reed backward or towards the reed screw. Then, retighten the reed screw and check your work.
To lower the pitch of a reed, shift the reed forward or away from the reed screw. Then, retighten the reed screw and check your work.
