Hammond B3
(1955) Electro-Mechanical Organ



The Hammond Organ was designed and built by ex-watchmaker Laurens Hammond in 1935. The Hammond B3 generates sounds using a tone generator consisting of an AC synchronous motor driving a set of 91 tone wheels, each of which rotates adjacent to a magnet and coil assembly. The number of bumps on each wheel determines the pitch produced by a particular tone wheel.

The Hammond uses a unique drawbar system of additive timbre synthesis and stable tuning. A note on the organ consists of the fundamental and a number of harmonics, or multiples of that frequency. In the B3, the fundamental and up to eight harmonics are available, controlled by the drawbars which are labeled to represent pipe organ pitches.

The 2-speed, Leslie rotating speaker was a large part of the B3's signature sound. Counter-rotating sound deflectors (one for the woofer and one for the tweeter) create a wonderful doppler vibrato effect, especially when the speed is changing.

The Hammond B3 was popular with churches, home organists and became immensely popular during the 50's and 60's with rock and soul groups.

Original price: $2500.00

Rhodes Electric Piano
(1965) Electric Piano



A piano teacher, Harold Rhodes initially created a tuning fork piano, the “Xylette”, during WWII as a portable instrument to help rehabilitate wounded airmen. He continued to refine and develop his idea producing the “Pre-Piano,” the “Piano Bass” and in 1965 the Rhodes Electric Piano was born.

The innovative Rhodes piano immediately become a standard instrument in the jazz, pop, rock and R&B genres. The sound of the Rhodes is instantly recognizable and it remains a widely used instrument even to this day.

Harold Rhodes continued to evolve and improve his piano in association with Fender until 1983 when production was discontinued.

Original price: $1195

Hohner Clavinet
(1971-1985) Electric Clavichord



The Clavinet, designed by Ernst Zacharias to replicate the sound of a Clavichord, was a huge success for Hohner. Artists such as Stevie Wonder, the Commodores, Billy Preston and Foreigner, each made the Clavinet part of their trademark sound.

The Clavinet uses real strings, which are struck by rubbertipped hammers against a metal “anvil”. A pair of single coil, magnetic pickups convert the sound into an electrical signal for amplification. The 60-note, keyboard is velocity sensitive—the harder you play, the louder and more vibrant the tone.

The Clavinet employs a combination of tone and pickup select switches, which can be used to vary the tone color.

Original price: $700.00

Yamaha CP-70
(1990) Portable Electric Piano



The Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand Piano was introduced in the mid-70's and produced until the mid-80's and during that time was the standard touring piano used by just about every major artist and group.

The CP-70 is described as a portable electric grand piano. It is covered in black Tolex and comes apart in two separate pieces that weigh well over 100 pounds each. The CP-70 has hammers and strings just like a normal piano, and a piezoelectric pick-up system that converts the string vibration into an audio signal.

The CP-70 has a warm, smooth sustain and is not as percussive as a grand piano. The lowest octave bass strings are shorter than normal and this octave doesn't quite sound like a full sized piano. But this portable piano has a character all its own.

Original price: $4000.00

Wurlitzer Electric Piano
(1956) Portable Electric Piano



Ben F. Meissner patented his stringless piano design in 1932. Mr. Meissner sold his design to the Everett Piano Company who further developed his ideas and later resold their improved design to the Wurlitzer Organ Company. The Wurlitzer electric piano utilized felt covered hammers which struck metallic reeds. (The reeds are tuned with blobs of solder and a file.)

A magnetic pickup system converted the tone into electric energy and a small amplifier drove the built in speakers on the front of the piano.

The Wurlitzer piano sounds very different from the Rhodes piano and has enjoyed great success, especially during the 1960s and 1970s.

The Wurlitzer piano can be heard on Ray Charles' classic “What I'd Say” recorded in 1959. Supertramp, Steely Dan and Little Feat also made extensive use of the classic Wurlitzer sound in their many great recordings.

Original price: $995.00