Trystan Casey
The Wurlitzer electric piano, first introduced in the 1950s, is known for its distinctive sound, portability, and versatility. Its unique sound has been described as warm, mellow, and slightly distorted. The distortion in Wurlitzer electric pianos can be caused by several factors, one of the most common being debris caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing it to short circuit. This can result in various sound issues, including distortion on notes, intermittent normal tone with distortion, loud cracks and bangs, white noise, and high-pitched whining. Another cause of distortion could be related to the amplifier, specifically deteriorated carbon composition resistors, which can become noisier as they degrade. Additionally, the Wurlitzer's pickup system, which captures the sound of vibrating reeds, can also contribute to the overall distorted sound when amplified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for distorted sound | Debris caught between the reed and the reed bar |
| Failing carbon composition resistor | |
| Electrolytic capacitors | |
| Loose reed screw | |
| Misaligned reed | |
| Solution | Remove debris |
| Replace failing carbon composition resistor with modern, low-noise metal film resistors | |
| Replace electrolytic capacitors | |
| Tighten loose reed screw | |
| Adjust misaligned reed using a 5/16 nut driver and a pair of tweezers |
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What You'll Learn
Distortion caused by debris between the reed and reed bar
The Wurlitzer electric piano generates sound by striking a metal reed with a hammer, which induces an electric current in a pickup. The reed bar can become shorted when debris gets caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing the instrument to produce distorted sounds. This can result in a variety of noises, including moderate to severe distortion on notes, intermittent normal tones accompanied by distortion and pops, loud cracks and bangs, white noise, and high-pitched whining with an oscillating pitch.
To address this issue, start by playing the piano with the volume low and identifying any distorted notes or pops. If a particular note seems to be causing the issue, repeatedly press that key to try to dislodge the debris. If this does not work, turn off the instrument and strike the problematic note and the surrounding notes to potentially fix the issue.
If the problem persists, you will need to open up the Wurlitzer and locate the affected reed. Disconnect the power, remove the hum shield, and inspect the reed for any debris or misalignment. If debris is present, carefully remove it with a pair of tweezers. If the reed appears misaligned, adjust it with a 5/16 nut driver so that it no longer touches the pickup.
In more severe cases, you may need to use a vacuum cleaner with a small blowing mechanism to blast away dust and debris from the reed bar. If the issue remains unresolved, it may be caused by a deeper electronic issue.
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Amp-induced pops and crackles
Additionally, electrolytic capacitors found in all Wurlitzer amplifiers can also be a common source of noise. The Wurlitzer electric piano's unique pickup system, which captures the sound of vibrating reeds and sends it to the amplifier, can contribute to the overall sound distortion. The volume and tone controls, such as the volume knob, tone knob, and vibrato effect, also influence the amplified sound output.
The reed bar becoming shorted is another potential cause of loud pops and crackles. This can happen when debris connects the reed to the pickup, causing the reed bar to become slightly grounded. Even a tiny particle of dust can cause this issue, and it may occur after the keyboard has been moved or transported. To fix this, it is recommended to clean the reed bar area and ensure no debris is present.
Furthermore, the Wurlitzer's design, with its combination of electric and mechanical sounds, can contribute to the distorted sound when played hard or with amplified output. This unique character has made it a popular choice in various musical genres, including blues, rock, jazz, and pop.
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Electrostatic reed bar shorting
The Wurlitzer electronic piano is an electric piano manufactured and marketed by Wurlitzer from 1954 to 1983. It is conceptually similar to the Rhodes piano, though the sound is different. The Wurlitzer has an electrostatic reed bar, which requires a polarizing voltage to work. The reed is one conductive plate, the pickup is the other, and the air gap between them acts as an insulator. The vibration in the reed induces a signal voltage in the pickup, which is ultimately amplified by the onboard amplifier.
If the reed bar becomes shorted, you will hear loud pops and crackles. This can manifest as a low-level whine or even a white noise type of sound. In the worst case, the Wurlitzer won’t make any sound at all. The cause of the short is usually a small piece of debris that is connecting the reed to the pickup. This can be difficult to spot without a magnifying glass. Another cause could be a loose reed screw, causing the reed itself to rotate and touch the pickup.
To fix a shorted reed bar, first, remove everything from the interior of your Wurlitzer and clean it thoroughly. Next, make sure that every reed is straight and securely screwed into place. If the reed is loose, it can easily become bumped out of place when the hammer strikes and become bridged to the pickup. Finally, clean the reed bar with a soft brush. If the noise problem is persistent, use a small piece of high-grit sandpaper (such as 600 grit) and slip it into the space between each reed and the pickup. Make sure that the grit side is facing the reed, as sanding the pickup will negatively affect the timbre of the piano and is irreversible.
To avoid reed bar noise, which is more likely to occur in a dirty, neglected Wurlitzer, you can purchase and install reed bar shields. These shields are an extremely important aspect of controlling noise coming from the reed bar and can dramatically reduce the amount of noise.
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Deteriorated carbon composition resistor
Wurlitzer electric pianos are known to produce loud popping, crackling, or banging sounds, often due to debris caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing it to short and distort the sound. However, another reason for these unwanted sounds, particularly the low-level crackling, popping, or sizzling, could be a deteriorated carbon composition resistor.
Carbon composition resistors (CCR) are fixed-value resistors widely used in consumer electronics in the past. They are made from fine carbon particles mixed with a binder, typically clay or ceramic. The mixture is baked to achieve a solid form. CCRs have the advantage of being able to withstand high-energy pulses, which is why they are used in applications like medical defibrillators.
However, CCRs have some drawbacks that have led to their decreasing use. Firstly, they have poor noise properties, and as they degrade, they become even noisier. This noise is due to the mixture of different materials, and it increases when a current flows. Secondly, CCRs have low stability in their resistance values, which can change significantly over time or with heavy use. This instability is due to the different heat expansion properties of the materials, which cause stresses and changes in the mechanical contact between the conducting particles.
To address the issue of deteriorated CCRs in Wurlitzers, the deteriorated resistor(s) should be located and replaced, preferably with modern, low-noise metal film resistors. This will help reduce the unwanted sounds caused by failing resistors.
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The Wurlitzer's unique pickup system
The Wurlitzer electronic piano is an electric piano that was manufactured and marketed by Wurlitzer from 1954 to 1983. The Wurlitzer is unique in the electric piano world because it uses electrostatic pickups, unlike the Rhodes, Clavinet, or Pianet, which use electromagnetic pickups.
The Wurlitzer has an electrostatic reed bar, which requires a polarizing voltage to work. The reed is one conductive plate, the pickup is the other, and the air gap between them acts as an insulator. The vibration in the reed induces a signal voltage in the pickup, which is ultimately amplified by the onboard amplifier. The reeds come in a variety of lengths to match the desired pitch or note. They have a small weight on one end and are screwed to a bar on the other. The reeds produce vibration when struck with the piano (felt) hammer tips.
The transformer converts AC 120V or 240V electricity into three different voltages. The high-voltage line is intended for powering the pickups on the reed bar. This is sent through three capacitors that significantly lower the current, making it usable as an electrostatic pickup. When one or more reeds are played, the vibration affects the capacitance between the reed and the pickup, causing a small fluctuation in the voltage. This change in voltage captures the audio signal that is sent to the amplifier.
The most common maintenance task for a Wurlitzer is replacing broken reeds. Over time, particularly with aggressive playing, the reeds on a Wurlitzer will break through metal fatigue. Any debris between the reed and the pickup can cause a short circuit and produce a burst of distortion.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common cause of distortion in Wurlitzer electric pianos is debris caught between the reed and the reed bar, causing it to ground slightly. This can result in a range of sounds, including moderate to severe distortion on notes, intermittent normal tone with distortion and pops, very loud cracks and bangs, white noise, and high-pitched whining.
To fix distortion caused by debris, start by playing each key with the volume low to identify the affected reed. Then, turn off the Wurlitzer and strike the affected key and those around it hard. If the issue persists, open the Wurlitzer, remove the hum shield, and inspect the reed for misalignment or closeness to the pickup. Adjust the reed with a 5/16 nut driver and a pair of tweezers if necessary. If this does not resolve the issue, you may need to open the Wurlitzer and spray compressed air at the affected area.
Yes, distortion in Wurlitzer electric pianos can also be caused by a failing or deteriorated carbon composition resistor, which can be inherently noisy and become even noisier as they degrade. In this case, the resistor(s) should be replaced with modern, low-noise metal film resistors. Additionally, electrolytic capacitors found in all models of Wurlitzer amplifiers can also be a common source of noise.
