The Wurlitzer electronic piano, commonly called the Wurlitzer electric piano was an electric piano manufactured and marketed by Wurlitzer from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s. The sound is generated by striking a metal reed with a hammer, which induces a
Wurlitzer manufactured several different models of electric pianos, including console models with built-in frames, and standalone stage models with chrome legs. The latter became popular with several R&B and rock musicians in the 1960s and 70s.
The first commercial recording of a Wurlitzer was the jazz pianist Sun Ra, who used it for his album, Angels and Demons at Play. It was subsequently used by Ray Charles and Joe Zawinul. The instrument was used extensively by Supertramp in the 1970s, such as "Dreamer".
The official name of the instrument is the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano. However, the sound is generated electromechanically by striking a metal reed with a felt hammer, using conventional piano action. This induces an electrical current in a electrostatic pickup system using a DC voltage of 170v.
Inventor Benjamin Miessner had designed an amplified conventional upright piano in 1935, and Wurlitzer used his electrostatic pickup design, but replaced the strings with struck steel reeds. The improved model was co-invented by Paul Renard and Howard Holman for Wurlitzer in Chicago. The instrument entered production in 1954 as the EP-110, followed by the 111 and 112 of 1955, and continued to be produced in various forms until about 1983 when production of the 200A ceased.
Compared with the equally-popular (Fender) Rhodes electric piano, the sound from a Wurlitzer is sharper and closer to a sawtooth wave, compared to the Rhodes which is closer to a sine wave. This gives the Wurlitzer a sharper and punchier tone. When played gently the sound can be quite sweet and vibraphone-like, sounding very similar to the Rhodes; while becoming more aggressive with harder playing, producing a characteristic slightly overdriven tone usually described as a "bark".