The Wurlitzer 4600 Series Electrostatic Organ
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Here we'll take somewhat of a "tour" through the Wurlitzer 4600 series instrument. These pictures will give you a good idea of what the electrostatic reed tone generating system looks like and how it is soundproofed so that its normal operating noise does not intrude on the music.
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Left. This picture gives you a general look in-side the Wurlitzer 4600 console. Notice the typical 1950s vacuum tube amplifier/power supply unit which also supplies the high voltage DC for energizing the appropriate reed pickups. If you roll your mouse cursor over the picture, individual sections will be identified. Just below, a close up of the compressor drive motor which is partially hidden by the large cables.
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Like the typical Hammonds, in a sense the Wurlitzer electrostatic organs also use an electro-me-chanical system for tone gener-ation. In the Hammond, however, tones are generated all the time and the key switches control the actual audio signal currents. In the Wurlitzer, tones are gener-ated only when pickups on the reeds are energized and the key switching system controls the direct current voltages that are applied to the pickups on indiv-idual reeds.
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Left. With the outside cover, the one inch felt and the inside Masonite covers removed we get a look at the actual reed unit which also shows the centrifugal compressor on the top, and the drive shaft and coupling extending out through the left side to the motor. Three of the seven reed pans are visible as is a part of another pan on the right end of the unit. Three more pans are on the other side of the reed unit. The entire housing can be removed from the console for access to all of the reed pans. Notice the substantial construction of the reed unit outer enclosure. The Wurlitzer people sure didn't want any reed noise to be audible. Keep in mind that all 85 reeds are vibrating contin-uously whenever the instrument is powered on!
