A preamplifier designed to power your Wurlitzer electronic piano
A Wurlitzer electronic piano uses an electrostatic pickup. Analogous to a condenser microphone, the electrostatic pickup requires a voltage to work. The M3 preamp provides that voltage, and has a bit of amplification to boost your signal, and even has tremolo.
The M3 preamp retains all the classic character of the instrument, the sound of the hammers hitting the reeds. The nuance that the electrostatic pickup provides is all still there. Using the preamp gives you the freedom to use the Wurlitzer how you want to. Where you send the signal next is up to you.
Why are we making this? We have had one for years actually. We used the preamp to tune Wurlitzer e-pianos while we were working on them. The preamp allowed us to hear the instrument with a lot of clarity and we did not need to completely reassembly the internal amp and speakers to check our work. Soon, we began keeping our in-house wurly free of its internal amp, so it was just the keys, action, harp and lid. It felt like the keyboard had room to breath. If a hammer needed a slight adjustment, the only thing stopping us from keeping the keyboard in perfect working condition, was lifting the lid. The instrument was working better, and sounding better!
We noticed that the preamp opened up a world of sound that we never heard before (with the small internal amps the instruments came with). We began recording with this preamp, and never looked back. If we wanted a lo-fi sound of small, oval speakers, we ran it through a tiny speaker cab, or went direct and eq-d the recording. If we wanted more sound, we plugged into a large combo guitar amp.
Can I use this with another instrument?
Yes! On request we can wire this exact preamp to operate without voltage on the input. Setup that way, the preamp can be used with a guitar or a synthesizer.
Features
An M3 outside of the cabinet- demonstrated plugged into a 1999 Fender Deville 2×12”
Wood cabinet (initial batch will be Mahogany/Sapele or similar color wood)
Faceplate color on the first batch is what we are calling ‘Spruce’ and is a heather/mint green with white lettering
Cream colored, aluminum knobs.
Amber fresnel LED lens.
Approximate dimensions 14”x8”x8”
Price?
The pre-order price of the amp is $1125. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.