Elka "Piano 88" vintage transistor organ synth Italy

Quite rare late 60s/70s Italian transistor electric piano/organ

Pretty epic piece of solid vintage gear.

Would be a stretch to call it a "synth" but part of synth history as Known more for organs produced one of the most iconic synthesizers ever: the Synthex.

The "Unichord" was produced by Elka which was bought by Korg Tokyo Japan

I did find the original schematics on-line but not a huge amount about this model.

It's very heavy and built like a tank with integrated flight case & must weigh about 15 kilos *I'll weight it.

I love the way the lid flips over and can be used as a table or bar!

It's a great looking vintage instrument but would have thought it needs some modification as the core sounds sound like an 8-bit buzzy organ synth or broken Nintendo playing a harpsichord.

It has more potential in experimental use I would have thought for drones & distortion through pedals. Like a possessed organ.

I put it through an interface to test & 3 of the 61 keys are faulty; 2 don't return another didn't register or was intermittent.

The power light works,

Volume dials all good bit or crackle but nothing switch cleaner wouldn't resolve.

These do not have internal speakers or a headphone socket.

Would made a good addition to a studio via a pedal board for wall of sound & drones.

Has a replaceable fuse at the back & is powered by a kettle lead which is handy.

I think that's a common mod as these originally came wired, & just noticed it's missing a bottom screw & you can see it's a kettle lead mod. *just noticed that..

I'll see if I can find a suitable screw but the connection is very firm & secure.

You'd need a step up converter to use in the States I think as it's 220Volts.

Extra long 2M new U.K 3 prong lead /plug provided is sold in the U.K. buy a 2 pin if buryingin the U.S. obviously.

Has a jack output for amp or interface and a pedal out for sustain I presume or kill (on-off) switch.

Also has a small pitch dial like a type of tuner or pitch corrector that works and bends notes like a tremalo if pressed which adds to it's wonky charm.

Selling as needing a full-service as a few keys need repairs so not fully-functioning but otherwise playable.

It sounded pretty buzzy or distorted so that could also be a fault.

Although it's prob best this goes through an old keyboard amp or powered monitor than a modern interface.

I read somewhere that this has a similar circuit to a fuzz box so can imagine this might be a fun project to modify and add effects /circuit bend. Has such a cool wooden cab with vinyl you see on amps..

And it's complete! , powering up & making a rather uniquely noisy tone that has to have some positives if modified.

These only come up once every year or do & not many sellers responsible & brave enough to post so don't miss out.

U.S/CAN/EU shipping Please allow 5-7 working days via FedEx Express.

Anywhere else please ask for a quote : )