Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > May 1997 > 1997.05.28 > 08Prev  Next


Wurlitzer Player Harp
By Mike Knudsen

The Wurlitzer harp is well known, but indeed rare.  I've only seen two --
one at Harvey and Marion Roehl's home back in mid-70s (not yet restored),
and just last year a perfect working specimen near Chicago.

The tone is soft, but a bit brighter (more nasal and twangy) than a
hand-played harp.  There is no expression, but the arrangement of "Claire
de Lune" that I heard was beautiful (it seemed to be an exact copy of
Debussy's piano score).  This harp was coin-operated.  It would be a
perfect instrument for a small home shared with a spouse who doesn't go
for ricky-tick, razz-ma-tazz, monkey music :-)

But they are scarce, and fitted with a pneumatic valve system that's
about 4 times more complex than necessary and reputedly the devil to
rebuild.  No idea what one would sell for, but probably at least as much
as a Violano Virtuoso.

Yes, they were motor driven and made by a separate company (in Indiana
if I recall right) for Wurlitzer.  They are as tall as a man but much
narrower than an orchestral harp, and take very little floor space.  A
pity there aren't more of them to go around.

Mike Knudsen


(Message sent Wed 28 May 1997, 18:19:59 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Harp, Player, Wurlitzer

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page