What Keyboard?

[Mike Warren]

What's this keyboard Rick Wright is playing?

 

I recognize it, but nothing specific comes to mind.

 

[zxcvbnm098]

Where was this image taken from?

[JB Sherry]

That"s a Farfisa Compact Duo.

[Mike Warren]

Where was this image taken from?

 

[Mike Warren]

That"s a Farfisa Compact Duo.

 

Thanks.

[Moonglow]

http://www.combo-organ.com/Farfisa/Compact/Compact%20Duo%2045i.jpg

 

I had a feeling it was a Farfisa from that green stripe across the top, but was unsure of the model.

[zxcvbnm098]

Great site with more info....

 

http://www.witmatrix.com/images/WrightGear-rev156.pdf

[area51recording]

Oh man.....that brings back some memories! I had that organ, as well as a Farfisa VIP 345...

[Tom Williams]

Oh man.....that brings back some memories! I had that organ, as well as a Farfisa VIP 345...

 

VIP 345 was quite an instrument. I ran mine through a Leslie 860. I sometimes wish I could go back with what I've learned about playing, percussion, and drawbar registration in the past 30 years, and play my 345 again. I'll bet I could make that bugger sing.

 

That said, I would not trade the stuff I have nowadays for it -- we're living in a golden age for keyboards.

[Moonglow]

Wow, never knew the VIP 345 was so popular. I had one as well, using a home-made wooden brace to nicely stack it on top of my Rhodes Stage 73. I really wanted the VIP 600 but it was out of my price range.

 

I ran the 345 through a Ross flanger (yes, you read that right) to obtain a sort of Leslie on chorale type of thing, although it ended up sounding more like a seasick crocodile.

[Tom Williams]

And to continue the tangent, the VIP 600 was a monster, especially after I learned that the piano manual was velocity sensitive. Played on a couple borrowed / rented ones over the years.

[TommyRude]

That"s a Farfisa Compact Duo.

you guys are good

[Franz Schiller]

I had a Compact Duo for a while. LOVED IT. Inspired me to make some truly weird music.

 

I got it for free in non-working shape from a random dude on Craigslist. Then I had to hunt down the massive power supply for several hundred bucks. Then I spent a small fortune having it fixed up. But within just a few weeks of regular use, I started losing footages left and right. Then some keys wouldn't work. It was heartbreaking. But I couldn't afford to spend huge amounts of cash on upkeep. Also, that organ was like 90 pounds, and super complicated to break down and set up, so I couldn't gig with it.

 

Eventually I switched to a Nord C1, which checked all the boxes, and sounds about as close as you can get... But man that Compact Duo was the best.

[Morrissey]

And to continue the tangent, the VIP 600 was a monster, especially after I learned that the piano manual was velocity sensitive. Played on a couple borrowed / rented ones over the years.

 

 

Ah yes, the (in)famous Sytheslalom feature:

 

[AWkeys]

I had a Compact Duo for a short time, sold it before the inevitable problems came. Still have a Combo Compact in my garage. I'm afraid to fire it up, haha! Man, I would love to have the space to have all these things set up and ready to play/record. But then again, wouldn't we all?

[mate stubb]

Pro Farfisa tip: when you go into the double time Psych Out part of the song and the strobe light goes on, reach under the keyboard and shake the reverb tank.

[allan_evett]

From 1980 to 1983 I had a Farfisa VIP 345 on 'permanent loan' from a fellow player who simply lost interest in it (He bought a DX7 as a replacement of sorts...). It came with a Leslie 760 and combo preamp. Had a lot of fun with it. Interestingly enough, the Farf rig got a lot of use covering tone-wheel organ parts. So my Hammond tone bore a resemblance to the sound Benmont Tench used on 'Don't Do Me Like That'.