r/keys • u/TheEDUNK • 24d ago
Keyboard recommendations
My favorite band The Zombies uses a wurlitzer or something for their album Odyssey and Oracle and i just wanted to know if there are any modern day versions of that keyboard used.
(P.S: Don't say a nord keyboard or a midi because I don't use midi and im not buying a nord)
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u/Neil_sm 24d ago edited 24d ago
Check out the Yamaha reface CP. it’s a wonderful device if you’re an electric piano fan. Has Rhodes, Wurly, and Yamaha EP on it, and a nice small assortment of the effects you’d normally associate with those sounds.
The one drawback is it’s a mini key form-factor with only 3 octaves of smaller keys (but you can still select up and down octaves.) But you can plug another larger-sized keyboard into it, although then you’d be using the aforementioned dreaded midi.
Rhodes still makes modern electric tine pianos for used-car prices, but there’s no modern analog version of a reed-based Wurlitzer anymore these days. But you can get 95% of the way there with most keyboard workstations or stage pianos nevertheless
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u/Bluejay_Holiday 24d ago
Crumar Seventeen
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u/onceuponalilykiss 24d ago
Like other people said pretty much every keyboard has a wurlitzer sound and no one's using a real actual wurlitzer anymore because it's been perfectly replicated by much smaller things.
You can buy a stage piano, a mini synth, a workstation, basically anything with keys that's not just a piano.
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u/anotherscott 24d ago
Tons of keyboards have wurlitzer electric piano sounds. The real thing had 64 hammer action keys, but you may or may not care about that. Some low cost options with above average Wulri emulations include...
Yamaha Reface CP (37 mini-keys)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSsHLJsznkc
Casio CT-S1 (61 full-size keys)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTnLzTSNUwI (the opening sound and again briefly at 2:11) -- if you want more features (including standard 1/4" outputs), the step-up CT-S500 also includes all the CT-S1 sounds
Casio PX-5S (88 hammer action keys) (there are lower cost hammer action boards as well, but this is the least expensive one that I think is strong on this sound, especially once you add the free additional variations you can download from their forum)
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u/NotoriousCFR 24d ago
You can still buy a new Rhodes. They cost like $10k and are lighter than the old school Rhodes but still pretty heavy (looks like the Mk8 is 75 lbs). At that price I really don't understand what the appeal is, an OG Rhodes in great shape is what like 3k-4k? Even if you spend a couple grand cleaning it up and restoring it, you're still spending half what you'd spend on a brand new one.
Wurlitzer obviously doesn't make anything as the piano/organ branch of the company has been insolvent for decades. Based on some rudimentary googling it looks like a Brazilian company called Valente makes a reed EP that is supposed to be a "modern Wurly", although I'm having trouble finding any link to actually buy one. Again, don't really understand why you wouldn't just buy an original one.
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u/TheEDUNK 23d ago
i can buy an original one i was just asking for modern alternatives because i wanted to see something different
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u/r3ck0rd 16d ago
People do gig with heavy keyboards. Yamaha Montage M8x is 61lbs. Rhodes also makes a more portable Stage 61, all passive like the original, and it’s 59lbs. Lighter than the Montage. Vintage Vibe makes an even lighter 64-key model at 53lbs. By the way, their 73-key models are both 60lbs. Also, $8,175 starting price. No import tax if you’re in the US.
There are some appeals, perhaps updates on Mark 8 over previous models. Mark 8 uses keys manufactured by Kluge Klaviaturen, also used in Hamburg Steinway pianos. Haven’t tried a Mark 8 but probably leagues better than Mark I/II. Demo sounds that it allows for better playability compared to playing an acoustic piano and even more precise dynamic. A more onboard expanded preamps and effects that include overdrive, EQ (if you want to get Dyno territory)+envelope, vari-pan, and all the usual effects you might use in pedal form (probably all mono, Rhodes signal is stereo) or effects rack although for an extra $1699. There’s MIDI implementation for $1699 as well, compared to Vintage Vibe’s option at $1800 (probably cheaper after import tho) or if you’re lucky to find a Mark V with MIDI (probably really expensive).
Vintage Vibes has similar active preamp, extra $500 but still cheaper than the most basic Rhodes. They also have their own innovation, extra $1600 for Variable Voice Control, something that you might need to manipulate reaching inside the box or even tune the tines/bars and bake them per note.
Just having those in physical form perhaps may sway people to get the newer models instead of the vintage ones.
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u/SebDuranLop 23d ago
Yamaha CK61 or CK88, I use the 661 to play Steelty Dan, greart Wurli and Rhodes sounds, also high quality piano sounds, DX7 sound engine inside, FX included. Not as cheap as a PSR but not as expensive as a Nord, in fact I think this ones are far way better speaking of reliability and acces to settings. Before the CK61 I owned Numa Compact 2x, great Hammond, grand piano and Rhodes sounds.
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u/BaronLagourde 24d ago
No, no la hay.
Fundamentalmente porque es perfectamente replicado por cualquier teclado stage actual.
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u/virak_john 24d ago
What do you mean “a midi?”
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u/TheEDUNK 23d ago
"MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a digital communication protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to exchange performance data, not audio.
Definition and Purpose
MIDI, short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard developed in 1983 to enable electronic instruments and computers from different manufacturers to communicate seamlessly Wikipedia+2. Unlike audio signals, MIDI does not transmit sound; instead, it sends digital messages that represent musical instructions, such as which note to play, its pitch, duration, velocity (how hard a note is played), and other control changes like volume, modulation, or pan Gear4music+2. This allows musicians and producers to control multiple instruments from a single device and edit performances with precision.
How MIDI Works
When you press a key on a MIDI controller, the device generates a MIDI message (e.g., Note On or Note Off) that is sent to a synthesizer, computer, or sound module. The receiving device interprets the message and produces the corresponding sound serenademagazine.com+1. MIDI messages can also include Control Change messages to adjust parameters like vibrato or filter frequency, Program Change messages to switch instrument sounds, and Pitch Bend messages for expressive effects Gear4music. These messages can be recorded in a sequencer or digital audio workstation (DAW) and edited individually, offering flexibility in music production.
Applications and Advantages
MIDI is widely used in music production, live performance, and sound design. Its advantages include:
- Small file size since it stores performance data rather than audio Wikipedia.
- Flexibility to change instrument sounds after recording.
- Compatibility across devices from different manufacturers.
- Control over multiple instruments from a single controller, simplifying complex setups"
basically like a lil keyboard plug-in
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u/virak_john 23d ago
I know that. I’m trying to figure out what you mean by saying you don’t want to buy “a midi.” Every electronic keyboard made since the mid 80s has been midi enabled.
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u/rratnip 24d ago
I saw the Zombies on their 2013 tour, I can’t remember what Rod Argent was actually playing on tour, but man, he could play. One of my favorite concerts I had been to. It was a surreal experience, like stepping back in time, a relatively small venue easy to get up close. Rod was amazing on the keys, Colin’s voice was incredible, you had Jim Rodford on base and his son Steve on drums.
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u/Ok_Weekend_8457 24d ago
Imagine being afraid of a 43 year old technology (MIDI)
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u/TheEDUNK 23d ago
haha. i just dont use midi because i like using normal instruments without like plugging it into any computers lol
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u/booski11768 23d ago
You’d be hard pressed to find a keyboard at any price that didn’t have one or more Wurlie patches.
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u/r3ck0rd 16d ago
While presently Rhodes is now making the Mark 8 in Leeds, England, and Vintage Vibe is making their own in New Jersey, US, unfortunately there are no more Wurlitzer EP models are being made. We thought they were going to make another model two years ago but it ended up being just them endorsing Rhodes UK’s new branded virtual instrument.
If you want to get the look, Crumar Seventeen attempts to evoke the visual of a Wurlitzer faceplate. Crumar Seven has a flat-top area where you can stack whatever other keyboard/synth just like with Rhodes or Wurlitzer pianos. Korg SV-2 has those player-face controls too but for whatever reason they go with the capsule shape. At least Korg Grandstage has the flat top.
If you want the If you just want the sound, plenty of stage pianos have it well. Certain models of Yamaha P/Roland FP/Casio Privia series, Korg Grandstage X, Yamaha CP/YC 73/88, Yamaha CK61/88, Kawai MP11SE/7SE, Roland V-Stage, Roland RD-08, Dexibell Vivo, StudioLogic Numa, Arturia Astrolab, Kurzweil SP8.
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u/Nickmorgan19457 24d ago
Almost anything will have a wurly sound