Wurlitzer Electric Piano Sound Comparison: 120 vs 140 140B 200

[@NexxuSix]

Anthony, thank you for this video! My father worked for Wurlitzer in Dekalb, IL as an electronic technician. He was involved with the development of the Sideman, one of the first drum machines available at the time. He also helped with installing the organ and P.A. System at the Houston Astrodome. These days I create music with synthesizers, and my family has been involved with the music industry for a very long time.

[@analogemma]

I love the sideman! You still around Dekalb?

[@NexxuSix]

@@analogemma I’m in the surrounding area… As you may know, the Wurlitzer building in DeKalb was converted to a warehouse many years ago. The organ that was in the building to my understanding was relocated in order to preserve the history. All other contents of the building were scrapped out from what I know.

[@analogemma]

@@NexxuSix yea! I was just curious cause I’m down here in the Plainfield area lol

[@NexxuSix]

@@analogemma I’m not too far from DeKalb =)

[@analogemma]

@@NexxuSix fun!! Did your dad keep anything cool?

[@brendadavis140]

I have my mom’s 140 that my dad gave her for her birthday in the mid 60s. I love it!

[@gregsullivan7408]

Impressed at Dr Mix's restraint.....or did someone lace his drink with a strong sedative? 🤣

[@dkpianist]

Should probably be standard protocol on his own shoots. Though he'd probably have a few less subscribers if he wasn't so "expressive".

[@jconli1]

I was given a 140B by my recording teacher in college... it was "taking up space." Mid-'90s, when Rhodes, Hammonds, and Wurlies were still frequently given away. Really wish I held on to it... one of the warmest, barkiest Wurlies I've ever heard. Great video, love your channel.

[@furiobisotti8150]

Anthony, huge thanks to you, Ben and Claudio. You shared a huge quantity of information with all key fanatics in the world. Quality of those two vids are amazing. Big hugs to you all. We all love you. Keep on with this quality and devotion!

[@Noisegenerationrecords]

I love the sound of a good Wurlitzer, thanks Anthony 😊

[@peturmagnason]

It was a joy to listen this guy. Everytime I play my friends 200A I can’t stop. The sound and the vibrations from the keys to the fingers, is like a glue to my soul. But it doesn´t beat the Rhodos imo

[@crz1990]

I bought a 206 student model (Oct.1969) on ebay for $300 shipped from NY to ND in 2009. KZbin made me want to chop it to a ‘200’ and get a vibrato knob. But I loved it for the Carpenters sound I got. Even with the crackle and hiss through the bassy cabinet I never changed a thing.

[@MPPelli]

I like all of them, but I'd have to go with the 200(A), as it's the Wurlitzer sound of the 1970s with bands like Supertramp, Queen and Pink Floyd.

[@sebpucc7089]

Supertramp especially I feel had a sound that could only really be completed with the Wurlitzer 200A. Such a great sounding instrument

[@sawsquaresinetube]

That was the fastest 18mins of my life! That was awesome, I loved the comparisons! They all sound great and could have a perfect fit in the right song for each. I like the 200’s most because they are in so many of my favorite songs. Thanks for sharing! 👏🏼❤️

[@tumuluswarden3846]

Great video! The 140B is sick, but man the sustain on the 120 is beautiful. Thank you for your time and the awesome content as well. I used your Thriller Bass patch on my Behringer 2600 and had some fun with the LFO/Voltage Processor. Now I have a few new patches thanks to you!

[@ischmidt]

When Ben started playing What'd I Say on the 120 it was like an electric shock. Just instant goosebumps, because that *is* the sound of that legendary record.

[@poppopw5305]

Now I'm mentally going over all the songs that used some iteration of the Wurlies. Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@gregsullivan7408]

FWIW, IMHO one of the very best songs that feature a natural sounding Wurly is "Jeans On", by David Dundas. The instrument is RIGHT in the foreground and there's hardly any other instruments at all. (love the kazoo type sound as well though - it complements the Wurly nicely)

[@gerardoherrera5819]

I've been learning about the world of keyboards, pianos and synthesizers for almost a year now and I love these videos. Thank you Anthony for these interesting and entertaining videos. Greetings from Chile

[@duncanparsons]

Wow, interesting to see that post first album/pre-Indelibly Stamped era picture of Supertramp, probably taken some time late 1970, a few years before Crime Of The Century was recorded. Richard Palmer-James holding the guitar, Roger still on bass, Robert Millar not yet moved on, and Dave Winthrop joined on winds. Not seen that pic before, it's really nice to see! Great episode about the Wurly, thank you :-)

[@paultorbert6929]

Vintage Vibe does fabulous restoration work and their recreation-builds are beautiful as well !!!!!!! Got my reminder/notifications on !!!!

[@Gerald_Daniel]

Since I haven't dealt with that subject much, I am particularly grateful for this video.

[@GlassTarantulah]

Anthony keeps giving the real! The only brotha on KZbin worth watching 💎💎💎

[@Axoguin]

man, i love the sound of a wurtlizer, they sound amazing

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

They are!

[@GabrielErikAlexmarski]

Me too

[@chesthairascot3743]

Ahahahahaha, the bit about the vibrato noise perfectly describes my Kawai EP-308. This instrument never breaks; it just gains more character.

[@BenBrossMusic]

I've gigged for over twenty years on my 200, playing every style of music, Bach, Irish, rock, jazz, soul... Run it through the right Amp, and it can sound as rich and round as a Rhodes, but it can be pointed and articulate enough for Baroque, bright for country, or driven hard and nasty for some great rock and roll. What a versatile instrument! Sadly, the electronics finally crapped out on me a few gigs ago, and I can't afford to fix it at this time.😢 stuck with a run-of-the-mill Yamaha digital keyboard. It works, it's versatile, but it doesn't inspire like a real vintage electric piano does.

[@chillpillology]

10,000 bonus points for riffin on dancing in the moonlight

[@cactus-wren]

Fantastic! So unique the sound they have. An iconic instrument!

[@testohtoby]

Omg the Wurli is my favourite e-piano and the 120 is soooo underrated 😍👌

[@jr2527]

I have a 140b my dad bought in the 60s, and it had been modded with a rheostat and jack in the lid, which were, strangley disconnected before he got it, but he kept it until 2019, when i got it put a VV rebuild kit in it. Such a wonderful instrument.

[@mrdavies7894]

I'm loving your collaborations with Dr Mix! Two great KZbinrs taste great together!

[@filmaadin]

Got goosebumps immediately, when he went „What I’d say” on the 120! Unbelievable, how different they sound 🙏

[@steverichard1740]

I have a 145, I love it! Original amp was tube, but I had a Retrolinear replacement amp installed so it would not have any amp issues

[@BobReidToronto]

I loved this! Bought my 200 from a buy & sell newspaper (!) when I was in high school. Still have it. Have had it lovingly serviced by Toronto's Wulitzer Whispherer John Wolff ... but I had no idea of these other models. Thank you so much for this education on the most magical electric piano of them all :)

[@ElNabulsi]

200A is my fav by far! Thanks so much for the video.

[@MusicoElectronico]

Great video as usual! I love the magic sound of a Wurlitzer even more than a Fender Rhodes 🎶 🎵 ❤️

[@lisabethlawrence]

me too! Just something about it is so special!

[@gregsullivan7408]

Me too!

[@pedrofadigas]

Wonderful colab Dr. Anthony Mix! 👊

[@velonaut303]

I love the these pianos. I played a 200 in my highschool jazz band.

[@Gregorydavidmusic]

They’re all amazing in their own way 🤘

[@wizardmix]

I have a 140 series with the tube and the knobs up top that's in "fair" condition. It definitely needs to be serviced. It's not noisy though so that's a +

[@stuartfoster8866]

Great video. I have a 140b in great condition and a 214 Wurlitzer. I love them both but prefer the 140b in both looks and sound. The action on the 140b is superb. I used to have a 145b that was great as well. Had alot more meat to the sound with the tube amp.

[@MichaelScottGordon]

Such a great episode with Dr. Mix! Thanks for this follow-up too! This has been both fun and informing.

[@anotheryoutubed]

12:45 Engineering at its finest.

[@JohnGauge790]

Looking forward to this one.

[@kelleykelley3153]

Totally feeling the 140 sound. I believe that’s what they have in Keyscape and it’s amazing! So much meatier than the 200 or 200a which I am most familiar with my creative and performing arts high school had the tan 200’s in the piano lab. Didn’t know how good we had it. 👊🏽💜👍🏽 Great video guys!!!

[@gregsullivan7408]

A quick Google reveals that it's actually the 200A in Keyscape.

[@Yellosoul]

@@gregsullivan7408 They have both in Keyscape. It’s how I discovered the 140.

[@kelleykelley3153]

@@gregsullivan7408 Keyscape has the 140B and the 200A in the library. Side by side I prefer the 140B. So thick and balanced.

[@kelleykelley3153]

If you have Keyscape don't snooze. I own way too many Wurli libraries and its the best hands down.

[@gregsullivan7408]

​@@kelleykelley3153wow that's impressive, providing two Wurlies! (I stand corrected!)

[@cactus-wren]

Great video, times flies when I watch your videos always! Great content. Thank you. Have a nice day!

[@musicsoulcreation]

Awesome Video. Anthony. The 140 sounds the best.

[@elazmohiftenfifter4340]

From 1957: Steve Allen "Electrified Favorites" -- out of print. Crunchy model 120 all the way.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Somehow Yamaha got their Wurly emulation right in their Reface and CK keyboards. It's not the real deal, but I mean as far as what's available on similarly priced digital keyboards, it's the best I've found.

[@GizzyDillespee]

It's actually my favorite digital wurly in any digital hardware instrument I've tried... I haven't tried the Gemini modeling, GSI, though, and I've heard good things about that one.

[@ladyapp-titude]

Only thing I ever owned was “the tan one” or the "big clunky wooden one", as we might have called it. We didn’t know model numbers. I sold it and got a Hohner Pianet, and shortly after sold that and got a Rhodes 73 Suitcase.

[@keyboardkingpin]

We needed this badly anthony! No one is really going into depths on these thank you!!

[@slimshekar]

That was the coolest thing I've listened to in a while! Thank you!

[@thomasmatthews8873]

The 140 B does it for me. Bubbly and Bouncy. My Ensoniq has a version of it. Very rich sound.

[@jlrjlrjlr]

Uh oh, I've been toying with the idea of getting a 200 or 200a... now I want one with the EFX mod as well!

[@alexmello9192]

Ben Bove gave my Rhodes some loving and was amazing, chill, on point with the work. highly recommend his work!

[@adwind3055]

Thanks Anthony for another great video. The evolution of the Wurlitzer has always been something, I wanted to know, but did not know where to get it. And now it is even brought to us, the easy way. Thanks man.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Just excellent tour de force of sweet old Wurlitzer earcandy ,- Thanx Mr.Marinelli !

[@d179654582248]

So stoked to see a video like this after I got to work at Ken Rich Sound Studios for a short while a few years back.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Ken is a master!

[@ganormand]

My father, a keyboardist/bandleader, brought home an early model with tubes. I spent lots of time trying to play What'd I say like Ray. Shortly after, Dad traded that model in on a 200. We fitted a carry strap (just an amp handle) under the keys in front-to make it more portable. I was just starting to play with bands, and used it on lots of gigs.

[@Sam9wilson9]

Very cool! ❤. Ya 140 for me too. Thou I love the look of 200 for sure 👍

[@PJRII]

Thanks Anthony, great video on the Wurlys.

[@celestinocamicia]

When Ben talks about the noisy tremolo circuit, the first thing I thought of was the unedited session tape for take 1 of The Beatles' "That Means A Lot", which can be found on bootleg releases of the so-called "John Barrett Tapes". Right before the song starts, a pulsing 16th-note whooshing noise is heard, and I read somewhere that it was apparently the tremolo circuit from the electric piano used in the song. Although in that case it wouldn't have been a Wurlitzer, but a Hohner Pianet N.

[@markaprill6501]

Nice. You really hit the areas I’m interested in. It would be fun to hear what you would buy for a keyboard setup from scratch…say for different budgets. 5k, 10k etc. Your opinion is extremely valuable to us amateur and aspiring musicians.

[@JBrm]

Can't buy/recommend a setup without knowing what kind of music, live or recording,...

[@markaprill6501]

@@JBrmthe kind of music Anthony chooses.

[@cfytcf]

Great video, the editing in of the photographs as the music kicks in - great!

[@OlemirCandido]

Excelent video.

[@basmatine]

The old Wurlitzer building still still standing in downtown Detroit on Broadway.

[@moonpawprint]

Learned so much thank you as always Anthony. Can only afford to use the 200A in keyscape vst but it's a beautiful sound that could go funky or haunting

[@elazmohiftenfifter4340]

There is a Kontakt instrument available: Tubelitzer -- a sampled 120. It's pretty good. My actual 120 is a bit "deeper" sounding, and you can switch preamp tubes for different coloration and distortion. The feel has always been a little sluggish, even after lubing the action. Be careful with those wooden legs -- they can split.

[@frankpiccinini1652]

Very nice video! proud owner of the only 44 notes wurli, the 106-p. School models are awesome!

[@infn8loopmusic]

Unserviced amps and worn out speaker cones really add to the wurlitzer charm make sure its a little out of tune and then add a touch of vibrato and reverb and 🧨🔥🫰💥 bam.

[@JonayPS]

I love the Wurlitzer that was used on Elvis Presley's version of the Ray Charles song "What'd I Say".

[@gregsullivan7408]

Sounds very similar to the sound in the Ray Charles version IMHO, but I hear some kind of chorusing/beating in the bass, I think. (I'm referring to the bass instrument - not the bass notes of the Wurly, but maybe there is a "clash" between the bass & Wurly?)

[@JonayPS]

@@gregsullivan7408 It's probably the same thing.

[@dmcgwhisper5945]

Excellent!

[@kgbinfo]

Call me basic, but I like the sound of the 200 the best out of all of em!

[@gregsullivan7408]

Not basic - normal. 😉

[@gcoudert]

So popular that Carl Perkins wrote a song about it: 'Wurlitzer one for the money...' 🎶🎼🎵🎸OK, I'll see myself out...

[@saftpackerl]

:D ...bye bye

[@danniielle]

Loved this video Anthony! Keyboards are my primary instrument and the Wurli 200A and 140B are some of my favourites. 😎💖

[@ravitaly]

Anthony I love this video! Have just discovered your channel and find it very inspiring. Makes me motivated to study wurlitzers and synths more! Looking forward to what else your channel brings

[@mrstephenpariah]

I used to have the non-portable ep300, built into a wooden cabinet. Slightly different sound, not widely distributed outside Europe.

[@stevem.1853]

I'd love to know how they got the sound on "That's The Way Love Is" (Marvin Gaye)- it sounds like it's plugged into a Fender Champ that's turned up all the way.... Thanks for another great video 👍👍👍

[@gregsullivan7408]

Yep it sounds like heavy distortion/overdrive - you could get close by using a distortion pedal/plugin etc IMHO.

[@mallorga1965]

Thanks for the information put into this video.

[@anotheryoutubed]

Awesome video, thank you Anthony!

[@Citracid]

So cool thank you man

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I love the history of how, even though Harold Rhodes was the musician and builder who pioneered the electric piano, the manufacturers of Wurlitzer chronologically beat Rhodes to the market. I also liked how a few Wurlitzer 100 models sat on top of an amp of their own. (I can also imagine that the sustaining switch on the amp is essentially the same as what is installed on the stage piano version with the chrome legs.) Here’s a question I’d like answered. Most of these models only have 64 keys from h c. Did any of them ever have the two missing octaves at either end? After all, Hohner took the liberty of building the Electra Piano (not to be confused with the RMI Electra model) with the same key range as the Rhodes 73. In Oct. 2023, three of the four Wurly players whose music greatly impacted me have passed on, Ray Charles, Eric Woolfson (the Alan Parsons Project) and Josef Zawinul. The fourth is Richard Carpenter, and I feel thankful that he’s still with us (as of my comment). (Beyond them, we have also got Rick Davies and solo tracks by the Beatles.)

[@gregsullivan7408]

I had the EP203W, which also sat atop a speaker cabinet. (the amp was still in the keyboard housing though). Re Wurly players - don't forget Roger Hodgson - he's still with us too!! 😀 (I wish he'd use a real one for his tours though - he's being a bit lazy IMHO 🤣🤣)

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Lazy, @@gregsullivan7408 - or. overly preservationist?

[@analogemma]

Very excited for this video! I only have a 140a to compare so I’ve never been able to do a video on this :(-more please! If you’re ever in Chicago I’d love to let you mess around with any of the electric pianos I got, I go through a bunch so there’s always something new lol

[@andre.schwantes]

Thank you. God bless you all.

[@TZKeyz]

VERY INTERESTING! I never owned one, but have played both versions but years between these 2 models. Classic keyboard for sure with a "feel."

[@xtra8dj]

This was fun, thanks.

[@simonemyszkowski8153]

I just love ya man. Keep it up

[@elazmohiftenfifter4340]

Tubelitzer -- sampled model 120

[@RobVnt0n]

waiting for it

[@johnathanstevens8436]

Oh yes, king harvest 🎶

[@gophercrow]

Gold!

[@AlexisG73]

I need to upgrade the board on my 200. Great video!

[@theloniouspunk6957]

Fantastic! ❤ (I'd love to hear about the 112, if you have a chance!)

[@connor.chan.jazzman]

Gosh, what i would do to be in a room full of these beautiful pianos. Awesome video! Wurlitzer pianos are among my favorites. Rhodes are better for me personally but man. Itd be wonderful to buy one of these someday

[@aperezdeal]

I’m a guitar player who wanted to be a keys player as a kid but grandma found a guitar in the dumpster that fateful day.

[@Ashfaq1999]

Great video. What was the tune playing in background in the intro ?

[@monsieursolitaire6214]

The 120 reminds me also the Donny Hathaway sound, which I love, so… 120! :)

[@sunflr-music7697]

Wow! Amazing!

[@Jenny-kg7zb]

I am looking for a Wurlitzer sound on a keyboard. My dad had a Wurlitzer and they are so nostalgic for me.

[@nickmastro6870]

I recently obtained a "chopped" Wurlitzer 700 console model, similar to a 120. Not a ton of info on it. Hoping I can get it modded to have a sustain pedal, not sure how difficult/expensive that will be

[@jr2527]

One of the lesser known bands that has an old wurli in it is Queens of the Stone Age. There are some old videos of them on stage with a 140b as well. Really eclectic keyboard use in their albums.

[@FoulOwl2112]

I've got a 63 Hammond F100 Extravoice tube oscillator synth/organ. Perfect working condition. I can't find a whole lot of history on them. Other than the original manual. Was wondering if you're familiar with them ? Or perhaps played one?

[@elsongs]

Which Van Halen song uses a Wurli?

[@saftpackerl]

I would like to know too!

[@Andrew-rz7qt]

I have an awesome plugin by arturia of a Wurlitzer and love it so much so that once I see one come up for sale I'm going to buy one. On the plugin I have it chained to a guitar amp with a little dirt on it and it sounds ace.

[@shahruzmoshtael]

Awesome!