Pianotech

  • 1.  Wurlitzer Model 270 Butterfly Electronic Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-27-2015 17:19
    Hi all.

    Came across one of these today. The owner was kind enough, after I was there, to search and find a service manual for Wurly electrics:

    http://www.hallofelectricpianos.co.uk/WurlitzerManual.pdf

    The one I came across can be found on page 19 of that manual. Does anyone here have experience with them? It looks like, from the instructions, that it should be similar to a piano action to regulate and do most piano-like repairs.

    Any thoughts - experiences would be helpful.

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    -Phil Bondi
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  • 2.  RE: Wurlitzer Model 270 Butterfly Electronic Piano

    Posted 05-27-2015 18:32
    I have worked on one in the distant past, late 70's.
    But all I remember having tot do to it was tune the tines by adding solder or filing it off.
    The owner had no problems with how the action played.
    So sorry can't be of any help re regulation.

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    John M. Ross
    Ross Piano Service
    Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
    jrpiano@bellaliant.net
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Wurlitzer Model 270 Butterfly Electronic Piano

    Posted 05-27-2015 20:00
    Phil,a Mostly what you are familiar with as far as regulation. Tuning is done by adding or removing weigh on th tines. Fun little piano to play still have one from the seventies, super Supertramp fun. Call if run into anything. 😎 DP ------------------------------------------- Dale Probst Registered Piano Technician Wichita Falls TX dale@wardprobst.com -------------------------------------------
    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Wurlitzer Model 270 Butterfly Electronic Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-28-2015 00:28
    Hello Phil,

    I have a Wurlitzer Electric Piano that I have done some work on. The service manual explains things pretty well. I found that I often don't need to add solder unless the pitch is way off. You can tune the a note somewhat just by moving the reed in and out.

    If you have questions or need to get parts, a good source is http://www.vintagevibe.com/. They also sell instructional DVDs.

    Sometimes adjusting lost motion can be a pain because the keys are very light and the capstans are hard to reach. Vintage Vibe sells a long capstan wrench that can be helpful. Also, these need a fair amount of lost motion to repeat properly. Good luck!


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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    250-562-5358
    ps@pspianoservice.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Wurlitzer Model 270 Butterfly Electronic Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-28-2015 01:14
    Phil,
    Small adjustments are made by loosening the hex nut holding down the tynes.  The holes are slightly elongated and can be moved in or out to make the pitch higher or lower.  You may find a tyne that is 50¢ flat.  This tyne is fatigued and will fail.  Do not file off the solder to make it sharper.  It must be replaced.  If you do try to file off some solder, be very careful to not get any particles next to the pickup bar that surrounds the tyne.  Don't file it in the piano.  Take the tyne out if you are going to file it.  

    These just need to be close enough for rock and roll.  If a tyne is within a cent or 2, leave it alone.

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    Carl Lieberman
    RPT
    Venice CA
    310-392-2771
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    Original Message