Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?

[Tony Pipe Milwaukee]

I saw a Wurlitzer organ which the owner claims is amodel A-210 made in Italy.

Were Wurlitzer organs made in Italy?

Is this organ any good?

How old is it?

Would you buy it?

Thanks,

Tony

[crossyinoz]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



G'day Tony,

Wurlitzer was purchased by Baldwin in 1988, which saw the cessation of Baldwin manufacture in the US and the German built Wurlitzer Omni series. The joint venture was known as Church Organ Systems Inc. and its instruments were sourced from either Viscount or Gem in Italy & rebadged Wurly or Baldwin.

Whether they're any good I guess depends on what you think of Italian organs. As to its age, released somewhere between 1989 & 1993,the yearthe company went belly up..

Would I buy one? - No, they were never sold in Oz.

[soubasse32]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



I have one in my living room - I never knew it was Italian, until someone on this forum told me. It is a pretty big three-manual with drawknobs - I think it has 50 voices. The sound is only so-so compared to more modern digital instruments, but it is convincing enough in order to make practicing a little bit fun.

Itwas good to practice on since I didn't have access to any pipe organs at that time. Now I have access to many interesting instrumentsand the home instrument doesn't get much use ...unless I feel like practicing in my pajamas. [:)]

[arie v]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Tony,

Any Wurlitzer badged classical organ from the late 80s to late 90s were actually Viscount rebadges made in Italy for Baldwin.

Is the A-210 any good. NO!!! Part of the Alpha series, almost no electronics inside.Sound was terrible.

How old is it? probably about 15 years old.

Would you buy it? NO!

These were about the crappiest classical organs made in the 90s. Only appeal may have been it's low, low price.

Thankfully, no one today builds such poor sounding, poorly built organs anymore. They wouldn't sell these days.

AV

[soubasse32]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Well I wouldn't say it is that bad! I've played plenty of electronic organs which were far worse, in my opinion.

But I won't name names. [8-)]

As far as being poorly built, I'd say it has held up fairly well under hard use (though I don't play nearly as much these days). My only complaints - one bulb seems to work intermittantly, and I've had some issues with pedal contacts. But I'd expect at least some issues with any organ of that vintage.

almost no electronics inside

I'm not sure what that means, exactly. I'd say it has enough electronics to do what it does. [:D]

[arie v]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Soubasse,

A couple of years ago, you and I discussed your instrument, and came to the conclusion that your instrument was a C-400V, a 3 manual, drawstop from the early 90s.

Your instrument was not the greatest, but of an order of magnitude better than the Wurli/Baldwin "Alpha" series. The "Alpha" series organs had way less than half the electronics that yours has, and the audio (internal), was of such miserable quality, it was hard to tell whether the organ had any redeeming musical qualities. Even with external speakers they didn't sound very good.

As far as I am concerned, take out things like roll tops, toe studs, crescendo pedal, etc. before severely compromising on the sound. But the temptation was there for Viscount, to produce a cheaper product, so it could undersell competitor's products. And they did sell in fairly good numbers. There are always customers who want the cheapest organ they can buy. Little do they know they are buying glorified junk.

AV

[soubasse32]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Well... it fit my needs extremely well, and it fit my budget too. Thatwas pretty important to me at the time.

I'm still very happy that I have it. Thetone qualityisn't wonderful, but neither is it utterly wretched (with the exception of a few 'iffy'notes on a few stops). At least it approximates what I needin order to practice just about any literature. It has been a very useful tool in that regard.

As you know, I'm notparticularly fondof electronic organs. Luckily, I have access to many nice pipe organs, and am glad that I have a fall-back instrument at home in case I feel like practicing at any hour.

[Nullifier]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



I stumbled on to this thread and was wondering if someone could tell me what a Wurly C400 V is worth these days.

There's one for sale that I'm going to look at and I have no idea of it's real value.

Thanks,

Al

[Brandon Tuomikoski]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Is this thread in the wrong place? I thought these wurlitzers were classical viscount type organs...

:S im so confused.

[Nullifier]

Re: Italian Wurlitzer organ? What is that?



Most likely, it is in the wrong place but for the right reason as the poster must have been thinking "theatre organ" made in Italy when he/she posted here.

I posted here because the thread existed andam presently negociating with the owner of a Wurly C 400 at the moment and need a idea of what this organ is worth on the used marketand how reliable these instruments are today. There is another post created by me in the electronic organ category prior to finding this thread and "arie" was so kind to respond later.

Sorry if I confused anyone.

As an aside, if the preist and I can agree on a price then I will own a 3 manual practiceorgan with about 53 ranks (electronic) that actually will fit nicely into my living room and have the wife's blessing to boot!!!!

Al