Wurlitzer 200 sERIES
The Wurlitzer electronic piano is one of those rare commercial products that consistently got better as time went on. Although it is clear that Wurlitzer prioritized economical designs, it never let cost-cutting get in the way of producing an incredible instrument. The 200 series deserves all of the hype and more.
This page is a work in progress. We’ve spent the past ten years surrounded by 200-series Wurlitzers, and we have so much to say about them. Check back soon as we complete this page.
Pros:Iconic Wurlitzer soundSpace-age chrome and plastic stylingHighly playable mechanical actionWell-constructed solid state amplifiersExtremely serviceable, with lots of replacement parts available
Cons:Lid is more prone to mechanical rattle than earlier models200 amplifier is somewhat difficult to service and a little noisy (although the 200A is excellent)Some earlier 200 series models need FURTHER modification to reduce the noise floor
Mechanical noise in 200-series Wurlitzers
The 200 series was the product of a major redesign. By shrinking the footprint of the piano and designing a lid from ABS plastic, Wurlitzer was able to cut at least 25 lbs from the weight of the piano. Finally, here is a Wurlitzer electronic piano can safely be picked up by one person, if a little awkwardly. (This was an aspiration of Wurlitzer from the beginning. 1950s advertisements show the 112 being picked up by the handle, which is not something we recommend attempting.)
The downside of the lid is that it contributes to a lot of mechanical noise, especially in the 200A, which has lid-mounted speakers. This can be mitigated by adding foam strips, or refreshing the foam that Wurlitzer initially installed.
tHE wURLITZER 200 aMPLIFIER
The Wurlitzer 200 amplifier is fully solid state. It has all the bells and whistles one would expect from a solid state keyboard amplifier: voltage regulation, a transistor driver circuit, and silicon transistors throughout.
The tremolo is bias-shifting, so there's no optocoupler to troubleshoot. This means that, if Wurlitzer 200 tremolo fails, you can get it back up and running with basic components that can be found anywhere.
The Wurlitzer 200A Amplifier
The optocoupler tremolo in this model requires an LDR that is no longer available. We have been working through our stock of new-old-stock LDRs. We would be interested in exploring the production of replacement LDRs if there is demand for them. Learn more about requesting reproduction products.
Student & Teacher Models
Wurlitzer had been selling electronic pianos to schools ever since the 112 was released. The 140 series also had a student model—the 146, which shipped with disconnected tremolo and an extremely complicated wiring harness. The wiring harness allowed a series of 146 keyboards to connect to one another, and then to a gadget known as the 830 Monitor. This allowed the instructor to listen through headphones to individual or groups of students play.
The 206 and its associated teacher models refined the student piano concept, because they were built specifically for the classroom. Although the keyboard part was more or less the same as the regular 200 models, each student piano was mounted on a tolexed console base that housed the wiring connection.
The teacher piano is much different than the regular 200/200A. Instead of a conventional faceplate, the front of the keyboard contains all of the controls that were formerly housed in external devices like the 830 monitor. The electronics for these assemblies occupy most of the amp rail, and the PCB is tucked vertically behind the teacher controls. Without the accompanying classroom pianos, the teacher piano's communications controls are useless. However, it works just like a conventional 200/200A, and can be modified for tremolo and an aux output.
If you have a Wurlitzer 206 or 206A, you will need to enable vibrato and the aux output in order to enjoy full functionality of the keyboard. In the 206, this is very easy, because the tremolo components are pre-populated in the PCB, and the aux is passive and only requires two resistors. The 206A is a little more complicated. The aux and tremolo circuits are present on the PCB, but they have not been populated with components, and their mounting holes are not labeled. Still, if you populate the board, you can very easily upgrade your 206A to 200A specifications.
General 200 Series information
What Is the Difference Between a Wurlitzer 200 and a Wurlitzer 200A?
The Wurlitzer 206 Student Model, Explained
What should come with my Wurlitzer 200 or 200A?
About the 200/200A amplifier
Should I repair or replace my Wurlitzer 200 or 200A amplifier?
What Is the Difference Between a Wurlitzer 200 and a Wurlitzer 200A?
A Brief of Student-Model Wurlitzer Electronic Pianos
Repairing 200 series Wurlitzers
Easy Fixes for Malfunctioning Wurlitzers
Popping and Crackling Sounds in Wurlitzer Electronic Pianos: Is It the Amp, Or Is It the Reeds?
Repair your 200-series Wurlitzer
Tropical Fish accepts a limited number of Wurlitzer restorations. Or, ask the Wurly Hotline on how you can get started repairing your 200-series Wurlitzer yourself.
Some of the parts and tools that we provide for 200-series Wurlitzers 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.
Our newly designed dual head capstan wrench is used for adjusting the let-off and lost motion on 200/200A, all 140, and all 720 series Wurlitzers.
We designed this double headed capstan wrench to tackle a problem that no other wrench does. This wrench makes it possible to adjust the inner and outer most capstan screws that are obstructed by the harp supports.
These Wurlitzer jack springs will bring new life to your keys. There are many issues that are caused by weak jack springs—some subtle and some severe. If you find you are adjusting the let-off and the action is unresponsive, this is likely your remedy. Weak jack springs will also cause slow hammer and key return.
These jack springs are compatible with all 140 and 200-series keyboards (including 140B, 145, 200A, etc).
Sold as a set of 64.
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.
The front rail felts are the larger green felts that sit around your front rail key posts. The balance rail felt punchings are the smaller white felts that sit around your balance rail posts.
If the front and balance rail felts of your Wurlitzer electronic piano are missing or damaged, your keyboard’s playability will be diminished. If they have ever soaked up humidity or spills, they might also lend your Wurly a little mildew aroma.
Updating these felts is a good, routine step to take when servicing your keyboard—especially when leveling your keys. (For fine-tuning your key height and key depth, see our balance and front rail paper shims.)