via this auction. If anyone knows more about this piece feel free to comment. Via JB.
Details for the archives:
"Vintage Rare 60’s Weltmeister Basset Keytar Bass Keyboard. This is being sold as a project for a few reasons but don’t let that scare you off! The low A key sticks at times and I’m uncertain what power to run through it. They say 4.5v but the corroded batter clip holds 2x1.5=3VDC so I haven’t hooked it up. The rest of it is outstanding! It blew me away when I first saw it, having only seen Yamaha’s Keytar. This is a beauty. Serial # stamped inside is 6818 and the volume pot has 766 stamped on it. The stickers on the front are just that-stickers and can be removed. Comes with original form fit case. Certainly appealing to key collectors! 32x13 ¼” So let's say you are a keyboard player but your band needs someone to fill in on bass, you think you could go the Manzurek route and get a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, but if you can't get one or think that the Rhodes is either too heavy, too big, too sparkly, or not sparkly enough, now there is an alternative. Presenting the original strap-on keyboard, the Weltmeister Basset, also known as Combo Bass, is a compact wearable bass keyboard based on the mechanical action of the Weltmeister Claviset. That's right, before Moog Liberation, before Roland SH-101, before MIDI keytars there was the Weltmeister Basset. In production 1963-1969 give or take a few years, features an 32 note F-C keyboard of those accordion type keys with rounded edges. It has electromagnetic pickups like it's big bother the Claviset. The "button" on the "neck" is a apparently a volume control, and the whole thing runs on a 4.5V battery. Little else is known about this keyboard, but I'm still researching it. A similar model is currently on display at the Synthorama Museum near Solothurn in Switzerland."
Wow. Neat-o.
ReplyDeletebut does it have midi? ;)
ReplyDeleteThis isn't likely to have MIDI - it was built before MIDI existed...
ReplyDeleteIt's a cross between the bottom octaves of a Fender-Rhodes piano and a Clavinet, so all it has is a frame with some weighted rods and a set of hammers driven by the keys. ( you tune it by filing bits off the lead weights on the rodes...) The output comes from a pickup like you'd find on a guitar, but the coil is split into sections which handle a few notes each. The battery power just runs a small pre-amp.
do you know where I can find another one of these?
ReplyDeleteI heave dhis keytar to sold gnusung@o2.pl
ReplyDelete