SMcD Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hey brothers! I posted about this a month ago in the Facebook group, but there's been some more development and I thought I would ask again on the main forum. I recently responded to an online ad for a Wurlitzer 140b. Vintage instruments like this are super-rare where I live (Winnipeg, Canada) and I was surprised to see one in my own city. So I went to the seller's place on the weekend and gave it a spin. It sounded gorgeous. Every note was functional, funky, and fat. I'm used to folks selling old instruments with obvious defects, but this thing seems solid through and through. Originally, the seller wanted $1300 for it. My opening offer was $800, but he won't go any lower than $1100. So that brings me to my question: is $1100 a reasonable price, considering the condition and (potential) rarity of the instrument? If not, what would be fair? I've gotten some conflicting info online - some forum posts saying $500 tops, and some auctions over $1300. It's worth mentioning that he doesn't have a pedal for it, and I'm not sure if he has the legs. Any help is appreciated! I'd love to own this instrument, but without getting ripped off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Is that Canadian dollars? If so, that's $880 American or so, a very fair price for a highly functional 140. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Yup, Canadian. I didn't realize our dollar had dropped that far! Yikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I would pay $1,300 for a 140B in excellent condition (though I would probably hold out for one with legs, even if it cost more). But I think $1,300 is a fair price. As I mentioned in another recent Wurli thread, there's a shop that sells refurbished Wurlis here (some without legs) for $2,000 to $2,500, so that's what the top end is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 if you really like playing it, in other words, if it's "your thing", you are not getting "ripped off" at CAN $ 1100. I paid US $ 1300 for my latest 200 2 years ago. inc. S/H, with legs, pedal, and bench. I've seen them since for more, I've seen them since for less. I bought what I bought so I didn't get ripped off. The same should apply to you. Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Yup, Canadian. I didn't realize our dollar had dropped that far! Yikes. Yeah, it hurts, man. It makes a huge difference on gear. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimkost2002 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 That is a fair price given all you've indicated....Go for it, imho. Owning and caring for a vintage instrument is one of the greatest musical rewards. "I have constantly tried to deliver only products which withstand the closest scrutiny � products which prove themselves superior in every respect.� Robert Bosch, 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thanks for the input guys! I'd really love to pull the trigger on this, and I'm starting to think that it's the right thing to do! I see a lot of posts on other forums from guys who picked up similar instruments for $400-$600, though. How rare is a price like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinny Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Prices can be all over the place, depending on where you live, and how hard you search to find the good deals. I paid $400 (USD) for a 140b back in '02 or '03. The piano itself was in really good condition, but it had no legs or pedal. I sent the amp to Vintage Vibe to have the line-out mod done and he basically rebuilt the amp. I ordered legs and a pedal, and about $500 later, I had a really nice 140b. So, really, it was a $900 piano. I think with these vintage boards, a low price doesn't always mean a good deal. People might think they're scoring a great deal at $400-$600, but they don't realize that it probably needs work, whether the action needs adjustment, it needs tuning, or the amp needs rebuilding. Or, it's missing the legs and the pedal. If I were to spend $800-1000 or more on a vintage Wurlitzer, it would have to be complete with legs and pedal, be in tune, and would need any major hiss/hum/noise issues fixed. I can't believe the Wurlis on Ebay that go for $1000 that say they're in good condition, but have no accessories, and have out-of-tune reeds and are noisy. If you're going to try to sell it for that much, make it worth that much. Stuff and things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I'm happy to say that I pulled the trigger! It turns out that the seller doesn't have the legs, so I'll have to shell out some more dough for a good stand. All told, I'll be spending about $1200 on this - but I've decided that it's worth it for this little piece of history! I pick it up on Tuesday. Stay tuned for some hardcore '70's-style gear porn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Congrats, Shaun! You must be pretty excited. Time to lay down some sweet, sweet tracks. Do you think you'll gig with it or keep it in the studio? Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 Thanks, Eric! It's gonna be a loooong day at work tomorrow until I can get it in the evening. It'll live in my bedroom most of the time, but maybe I'll take it out for the odd extra-special gig, if I can coerce a bandmate to help me carry it. Bought a Yorkville IKS-8 (T-stand) for it today. Hopefully it sits on there alright, but if not, Long & McQuade has a pretty good return policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Brought her home today. I decided to name her Beth. The lowest Ab is a bit out of tune and the F and F# right below middle C seem to have slightly less "bite" than the surrounding keys, but holy crap guys I own an actual honest-to-God Wurlitzer! Okay, that's enough fangirling. Have some pics! Clonk Clonk some more Final clonk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimkost2002 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Great to hear, Shaun! If you are feeling DIY, Vintage Vibe has a whole series of 140b repair videos on youtube...those notes usually are an easy fix...plus doing that touch up work is a great way to get to know Beth. "I have constantly tried to deliver only products which withstand the closest scrutiny � products which prove themselves superior in every respect.� Robert Bosch, 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMcD Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks for the tip, Jim! I'm a little scared to get too hands-on right now (especially where soldering and filing on the reeds are involved), but maybe somewhere down the line I'll get a little braver. There is a tech or two in Winnipeg who can service her though, so I'll probably get her looked at in the next few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Aiken Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Those are my favorite Wurlys!!! Prices have definitely crept up on electromechanical keyboards in the last 2 years or so. Your price was actually very good, at least in my neck of the woods. Fix it up and it will last you a lifetime - unlike a digital board that you may want to ditch in 3 years. Moog The One, VV 64 EP, Wurlies 200A 140 7300, Forte 7, Mojo 61, OB-6, Prophet 6, Polaris, Hammond A100, Farfisa VIP, ,Young Chang 6', Voyager, E7 Clav, Midiboard, Linnstrument, Seaboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimkost2002 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Hi Shaun, don't worry about digging in right away. The first, easy step is to watch the videos while looking at Beth's internal workings and physically identify all the parts discussed. As you gain confidence, do some easy tweaks---like voicing thae F and F# below middle C. "I have constantly tried to deliver only products which withstand the closest scrutiny � products which prove themselves superior in every respect.� Robert Bosch, 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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