Electronic Repair

This is a Wurlitzer 200 electric piano I restored in 2024. It was spraypainted metallic blue by a former owner, and had various problems with the amplifier and some keys not working mechanically. It first needed a general clean up and vacuuming. I found lots of random debris inside... a few hair pins, guitar picks, coins, nails, staples, and a photo of a centipede. Some of those items were jamming up the key action.

Instead of repairing the amp/power supply, I installed a Vintage Vibe replacement. Other than having brand new electronics, the Vibrato also has the option of variable speed as well as intensity (the original speed is fixed). For power, the original jack was broken through, and a lamp cord was hardwired in place. I replaced that with a grounded IEC jack. The original speakers were blown, so I replaced them with new ones from Custom Vintage Keyboards.

The reeds were actually in tune, for the most part. I only had to adjust a few of them. I replaced bushings on 13 keys that were missing them, and cleaned all of the plastic key tops. One key is whiter than the rest because it was replaced at some point.

I also installed an effects loop from Vintage Vibe, as well as their front panel and leg sockets. The black trim along the bottom of the shell fell apart after removing the blue paint, so I replaced that with vinyl trim tape.

The customer named his Wurlitzer the "Swurlitzer" after the delicious looking paint job done by Curley and his crew at Collision Specialists Inc in Durham, NC.