Nostalgia demo 1

Nostalgia demo 2

I already have the Wurlitzer EP200 featured here in the Vintage section. The EP200 was probably the most common of the Wurlitzer pianos and was regularly seen on stage and in studios in the 60s and 70s standing proud on its four chrome-plated legs. However, there were other variations in the EP range including some in different colours. Wurlitzer also made a 'console' version, the EP203W, that had a mono amp and speaker combination built in below the piano itself. The piano mechanism was the same as the EP200 - a weighted piano action sent a hammer to strike a small 'reed' for each note, the vibrations of which were amplified with an electrostatic pickup. The principle is very similar to the Fender Rhodes as is the sound. However, the Wurlitzer was capable of a far raunchier sound when played hard making it more suitable for rock music where it had to compete with the rest of the band.

Although samples from the more common EP200 are included in Nostalgia, these are fairly rudimentary with one sample per octave. The EP203W soundset, however, has been extensively multi-sampled across the keyboard range and uses velocity switching across all four keygroup zones to accurately re-create the original's dynamic tonal range. Having owned an EP200 for some time back in the 70s, I can tell you that the result is very convincing indeed and comes with all of the original's quirks and charms - this is arguably the most accurate representation of the Wurlitzer sound to be found in any collection. The EP203W sound has kindly been donated by Australian Greg Sullivan, a skilled samplist and electric piano afficianado who owns the actual 203W pictured above.