For the next duration, I will be uploading documentation on every model of Wurlitzer Electric Piano ever produced, chronologically. Approximately 1 page per model, around 40 instruments total. And then the accessories.
This will take a while, as each page is a photo essay… and an essay. In the meantime, if the instrument you are curious about isn’t here, I refer you to my complete list, on which these blog entries are based: Here.
I’ve been stalled on completing my essays about the 140 series (aka the 140-145-720 series), which encompasses at least 11 different models, or more, depending on how you count them.
So let’s start with this grid chart, which may help us all to keep oriented, going forward.
The 140 era (including 145, 720): 1962-early 1968
| Series (Columns) Instruments by era (Rows) | 140 series: *Portable *Solid State amp *6" x 8" speaker | 145 Series: *Portable *145/720 Tube Amp *6" x 8" 4 ohm speaker | 720 Console Series: *Furniture console *2" Longer keys *Knobs/pots always on cheek block *Electronic Soft Pedal *145/720 Tube Amp until 1966 | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Pre-A"-era [1962-Jan 1963] *two reedbars, adjustable treble strikeline *120-style reeds from F-21 up, and short flimsy reed screws (era 3) *Knobs/pots on lids in portables *long damper arms *11 damperless treble notes *4 ohm speaker | 140 *Portable *Solid State ("140" amp) w battery pack **Vibrato produced by varistors *6" x 8" 4 ohm speaker *two reedbars, adjustable treble strikeline *120-style reeds from F-21 up, and short flimsy reed screws (era 3) *Knobs/pots on lid *long damper arms *11 damperless treble notes Serial #s: 25001-26227 | 145 Unlike 140: *145/720 Tube Amp (no battery pack option) Otherwise, like 140. Serial #s: 30001-30893 | 720 Unlike portables: *Furniture console *Longer keys w lead weights at back *Veneer shims under keybed (instead of card stock paper) *Knobs/pots on cheek block *Electronic Soft Pedal *Amp is in base of console; as upper compartments are smaller to accommodate keys *Pilot Light near pedal *12" 4 ohm speaker Like 145: *145/720 Tube Amp (no battery pack option) Reeds, action are otherwise identical to parallel 140 and 145. Serial #s: 40001-40425 | 930 93W amp. "Tone Cabinet." 940 Battery Pack for 140. |
| A-era [early 1963-late 1964] As above, but: *200-style (era 4) reeds and matching pickups *only 5 damperless treble notes *5 "reed plates" introduced below top octave *era 3 reed screws continue, but with defective/brittle washers from November '63-on | 140A As above, but: *200-style (era 4) reeds and matching pickups *only 5 damperless treble notes *5 "reed plates" introduced below top octave *era 3 reed screws continue, but with defective/brittle washers from November '63-on *slightly-revised "140" amp (perhaps to compensate EQ for changes in reed tonality) Serial #s: 26228-27500 | 145A Unlike 140A: *145/720 Tube Amp, slightly revised (for reed EQ?) (no battery pack option) Otherwise, like 140A. Serial #s: 30894-32084 | 720A (early) As with 720 above, but: *Lead weights eventually discontinued in keys Like 145A: *145/720 Tube Amp, slightly revised (for reed EQ?) (no battery pack option) Reeds, action are otherwise identical to parallel 140A and 145A. Serial #s: 40426-41105 | 930 93W amp. "Tone Cabinet." 940 Battery Pack for 140A. |
| Early B-Era [late 1964-late 1965] As above, except: *knobs/pots on cheek block (after brief transition) *"pseudo cloth" lid texture discontinued from portables. *good reed screws (washers gradually thicker, in stages, eventually as found on later 200 series) *short damper arms (after brief transition) *Reinforced damper mechanism *redesigned amp in solid state model; battery pack option phased out after short duration | 140B (early) As above, except: *Redesigned solid-state "140B" amp, some early ones w battery pack. **Octocoupler Vibrato. *6" x 8" 8 ohm speaker Also, parallel to other instruments in this era: *Knobs/pots on cheek block (usually) *"pseudo cloth" lid texture discontinued. *good reed screws (improved in stages, eventually as found on later 200 series) *short damper arms (usually) *Reinforced damper mechanism Serial #s:27501-30000 (or so) | 145B Unlike 140B: *145/720 Tube Amp, as before. *6" x 8" 4 ohm speaker *Unexplained huge horizontal screw between amp and speaker compartments. Otherwise, improvements are parallel to 140B's, to wit: *Knobs/pots on cheek block (always) *"pseudo cloth" lid texture discontinued (presumed always). *good reed screws (improved in stages, eventually as found on later 200 series) *short damper arms (usually) *Reinforced damper mechanism Serial #s: 32108-33563 | 720A (late) As above, except: *good reed screws (as found on parallel 140B and 145B, and later 200 series) *short damper arms *Reinforced damper mechanism Serial #s: 41421-41747 | 930B 93W amp. "Tone Cabinet." 940 Battery Pack for 140B. (only compatible with early instruments) |
| Later B-Era [1966-early 1968] As above, but: *Tube amp models discontinued/replaced *Adjustable reedbar disappears by 1967. | 140B (later) As above, but all "140B" amps have no battery packs. *Adjustable reedbar disappears by 1967. *Serial numbers pick up from discontinued 1965 145B allotment Serial #s: 33626-35001, then 35900-38598 | discontinued | 720B As with late 720A, except: *140B Solid State Amp *6" x 8" 8 ohm speaker *Pilot light and headphone jack relocated to cheek block Serial #s: 42001-42702 | 930B 93W amp. "Tone Cabinet." |
| Classroom Instruments of Later B-Era [1966-early 1968] | 146B, aka 146 *a 140B with classroom monitor switches, plugs on back to connect to 23 other classroom instruments, and no vibrato knob control/pot. *There is also a teacher's "140B" with similar switches and lack of vibrato, but no connecting terminals on back. Serial #s: 35101-35624 (146B) Serial #:s 46001-46874 (rebranded 146, no B) | n/a | 726B *a 720B with classroom monitor switches, plugs on back to connect to 23 other classroom instruments, and no vibrato knob control/pot. Serial #s: 45001-45767 | 830 Electronic Communication Center (for "Wurlitzer Music Laboratory"). Sits on top of teacher's 140B, allows monitoring of up to 24 student instruments (4 banks of 6). |
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Notice that serial numbers are non-chronological in this era. The 140, 145 and 720 series each get parallel allotments of numbers in 1962, separated by 5000 and 10,000. In late 1965, the 140 series runs into the 1962 allotment of 145's, and leapfrogs over them as the 145B is discontinued.
The classroom instruments are solid state variants appearing in the later "B" era. They are predecessors to the better known 206 classroom system. Instead of 206's coupled to a single teacher's 207, up to 24 of the 146(B)'s or 726's are coupled to a box (Model 830) that sits on a teacher's modified 140B.
Great rundown Steve!