Wurlitzer 112 & 112A
When we talk about the Wurlitzer 112 on this website, we're usually lumping together both the 112 and the 112A. There are a few differences between the two models, but in general both are very early electronic pianos with tube amplifiers and quirky mechanical action.
As the first Wurlitzer electronic pianos, the 112 and the 112A had a lot of flaws which were addressed in subsequent models. The action is difficult to service, and it is hard to access the reeds for tuning. And although the tube amplifier has a lot of potential for very cool modification, it does require some work to address noise and reliability issues.
However, if you have the patience to familiarize yourself with these keyboards’ quirks, they are really unique-sounding instruments, and can definitely be fun to play.
Pros:Extremely cool and unique soundHistorically importantImpeccable midcentury stylingAmplifier has lots of modification potential
Cons:Difficult to serviceDifficult to playReeds are unobtainableModel 112 side-mounted sustain pedal is unobtainable
Who should buy a Wurlitzer 112 or 112a?
The Wurlitzer 112 and 112A are very idiosyncratic vintage keyboards. Because they are difficult to service and their mechanical action is unforgiving to play, these keyboards are not the best entry into what a Wurlitzer electronic piano is capable of.
However, some musicians will love the 112 models, because they are extremely unique. First of all, we have a lot of nostalgia for the speckled-white-and-brown paint. It’s an impressively bold choice, particularly considering today’s trends towards crowd-pleasing neutral design. Second, the powerful tube amp makes up for any problems posed by the mechanical action. We love adding an effects loop and connecting to external speakers.
Anyway, from one perspective, the clunky action isn’t necessarily a flaw. The 112/112A is simply a keyboard that demands as much from you as you do from it. You have to remember its quirks, and play accordingly. If some of the greatest art is born from limitation, the 112/112A is a keyboard that can inspire some of your best music.
About the Wurlitzer 112 sustain pedal
The most notable thing about Wurlitzer 112 is that the sustain pedal is mounted on the right side of the damper rail, instead of in the center. This is not a very good design, because the sustain mechanism has to work a lot harder to lift the dampers than it does in later models. (It does look very cool, however.)
The practical consequence is that almost no surviving 112 models still have their sustain pedal. Wurlitzer gave the keyboard built-in leg storage, but it didn't provide any pedal storage. Without pedal storage, it is very easy to lose original pedals.
(Technically, you could store a pedal in the 920 tone cabinet, which was sold as an accessory to 112 and 120 electronic pianos. However, 920 tone cabinets are also very rare; they seem to have gone to the same place that all of the sustain pedals disappeared to.)
The upside is that the original 112 amplifier can be modified for an effects loop. (If any keyboard ever needed reverb, it's this one.)
Note that one of the Wurlitzer 112A’s innovations was mounting the sustain pedal in the center of the damper rail, with the mechanism coming out of the bottom of the keyboard case. This means that reproduction sustain pedals can be used with the 112A.
Read more about the 920 tone cabinet at Tropical Fish Archive
Rebuilding and modifying the 112 amplifier
The 112/112A amplifier is very special. In a sense, it is more like a guitar amp than a conventional keyboard amplifier.
It is overbuilt for its intended job, probably because Wurlitzer was considering whether the 112 should also have a second amplifier containing modular presets, in the style of an electronic organ. Importantly, there is an extra gain stage in the amplifier that isn't really doing anything. We often turn it into an effects loop, but it could also be used to provide an aux output circuit or onboard tremolo.
Read more about the 112 amplifier
See the 112 effects loop modification in the Tropical Fish Technical Library
aN EXAMPLE: OUR wURLITZER 112 AMPLIFIER REBUILD
Here is an example of a Wurlitzer 112 amplifier that we modified for an effects loop. In the photos, we are testing it with a Wurlitzer 200.
Inquire about custom Wurlitzer 112 amplifiers
The original aux output is an oddball vintage size (probably a 3/16” telephone-style jack, although we didn’t measure it to confirm). The record input is an RCA jack. For convenience, we replaced both with new 1/4” jacks which are isolated from the chassis with fiber washers. We also converted the record volume potentiometer to an aux output level control.
The effects loop is incredibly fun in a Wurlitzer 112. It adds versatility to a keyboard that has significant limitations. Although an effects loop is an extremely modern concept, there is evidence that Wurlitzer intended to add modular voices to the Wurlitzer 112 amplifier. Adding an effects loop gives the keyboard a similar potential.
General 112 information
Wurlitzer 112: Details & Closeups
From the Archives: Wurlitzer 112A
About the 112 amplifier
What pedals should you put in your Wurlitzer’s effects loop?
Why does my Wurlitzer 112 have a weird octal plug that goes nowhere?
Repairing the 112
On the Wurlitzer 112 Service Manual
Why are some of the keys on my Wurlitzer 112 lower than others?
Repair your Wurlitzer 112
This specialized tool is designed to regulate the hammer let off on a Wurlitzer 120, 700 or 112A (not 112). Setting even hammer let off, or escapement, across your entire keyboard is a very noticeable way of improving the playing experience and achieving even volume and velocity. There really are no other tools that will reach the let off screw like this will.
Tropical Fish accepts a limited number of Wurlitzer 112 restorations. Or, ask the Wurly Hotline on how you can get started repairing your Wurlitzer 112 yourself.
Some of the parts and tools that we provide for the Wurlitzer 112 are listed below. See the Parts Shop for our full selection. If you need something that you don’t see on our website, contact us. We may have additional parts that are not currently listed.
Interested in obtaining Wurlitzer 112 reeds? Let us know—we are currently gauging interest in manufacturing rare reeds for early Wurlitzer electronic pianos.
This jewel light is found on the Wurlitzer 112, Wurlitzer 700 and early Wurlitzer 140-series.
If your 140-series Wurlitzer has controls mounted on the lid, this is your jewel light. If your 140-series Wurlitzer has controls mounted on the left cheek block, it uses this pilot light instead.
Sold individually.
This re-felt kit will work with any model of Wurlitzer electronic keyboard. Over the years key bushing felt can compress and no longer do its job or simply fall out. This will cause loose or wobbly side-to-side key movement. This kit is designed to make the key bushing re-felting process a breeze.
Choose the “precut” option to receive the felt already cut into pieces, and ready to glue into your key bushings. Choose “continuous roll” if you prefer to cut the felt yourself.
Glue can also be included, optionally. We recommend a PVC based glue which has a medium dry time.
Includes enough felt to re-felt both balance rail and front rail bushings (about 100” of fine English bushing felt) and three spring clamps.
This replaces cross-threaded, heavily bent and or warped bolts in 100- and 700-series Wurlitzer electronic pianos.
Sold individually.