Pianotech Digest, Vol 1302, Issue 149

Michael Riffle michaelriffle at verizon.net
Sun Aug 24 08:22:50 MDT 2008


Wurlitzer Electric Piano Reeds.

Try Vintage Vibe, Wharton, NJ - (973) 989-9178, www.vintagevibe.com

Wurley's have "reeds" Fender Rhodes have tines.  Not a big deal  -  they 
will get you the right part.

Know the model #, note number of the instrument (re: model 140B, reed #39 or 
model 200 etc.).

New Wurlitzer reeds come flat so it is not likely that you will need to drop 
solder or nail polish to make them flat, IF you take your time on 
installation & tuning.

The reeds are held in place by a bolt that goes through a cup washer. 
Tightening or loosening this (only a small amount) will change the pitch for 
fine tuning.  If the tone (not pitch) starts to change you have loosened too 
much and need to SHAVE the reed.

Shave the solder (solder only , not steel reed) from the reed with an exacto 
knife....DO NOT FILE...the fillings get stuck in the electromagnetic pickup, 
short out and buzz.  Also the reed has a little forward and back play in 
bilt hole before tightening- this helps with pitch. Try to shave even from 
the left and right side of the solder.(look at the other reeds)

If an old reed has gone far flat (10 cents or so), it probably doesn't ring 
very well either - It Is Fatigued and is Going To Break Soon..... replace 
it.

Taking out the lost motion and setting the let off goes a long way on 
playability. I currently have two 140B's on tour in Europe with Neil Young 
( also 1947 Steinway L and a 100 year old pump organ - "The Antiques Road 
Show"!!). Vintage  Vibe has action parts for Rhodes and Wurly's  too. They 
can walk you through it.

Michael Riffle
Piano Technician
University of Tampa
Univerity of South Florida 



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