Wurlitzer 4080

[farmerboy]

Hi there people I have just bought a Wurlitzer 4080 very cheaply but the Spectra tone isnt working properly so I dont believe im getting the true sound out of the organ. The problem is the speaker is not going round, although the speaker itself is fine. The motor turns and appears to have amply power although im not sure, the belt is OK maybe a bit slack but the problem seems to be the mechanism not rotating very freely...should it spin freely when spun by hand? Can anyone give me any advice on it, if it just needs a bit of oil or maybe it is the motor? many thanks

Rich

[Orgrinder010]

My Wurlitzer 4373 had a Spectratone unit in it also. It was a major pain to keep running, as the switch contacts were very bad.

It should not have too much resistance when turned by hand, it should spin rather loosely. A new belt should be considered. I bought one for mine, and it was a huge improvement. Then the organ caught fire, and died one sad weekend.

[back52887]

While cabinet leslies and very expensive, even used ones, internal leslies salvaged from dead organs are fairly reasonable. Throw out the spectratone, they weren't built to last the ages anyway, and put in a little leslie, like Wurlitzer should have done anyway if pride and cheapness hadn't overcome their good sense.

Lee

[andyg]

That's what Wurlitzer DID do in 1974, when the model 555 replaced the 550. After that, they all had leslie OEM units. Not the same sound, though.

Andy G

[socalbill]

Hi rich:
I to have just acquired a Wurlitzer 4080, $50. the 4080 looks good, sounds okay. The Spectra Sound unit turned hard and the “!/8 inch” belt wont turn it and is loose. The Belt on the small motor attached to the drive motor (on a rear pully) is a pile of rubber slag. I can’t figure out if the rear pully had a belt or a tire. Did you find a new belt(s) and if you did, do they have another?
I took the unit apart and as we speak the “oil-lite” bearings are soaking in 30 weight motor oil. I think that the unit can be resurrected if I can find parts.
I would also consider a solid state replacement if such a thing exists.
My background in music to this point has been largely restricted to turning the knob on the radio but I’m only 69 years old…. I think I have enough time left to entertain myself quite a bit if I can get it working.
Bill

[Orgrinder010]

Puget Sound Organ Services (http://www.pugetsoundorgan.com/)

These were the guys who helped me with my spectra tone belts. Of course, that was 5 years ago, they might still be able to help.

[socalbill]

Just sent them an e-Mail... let you now.
Bil

[socalbill]

Thank you for the link!
Puget Sound has belts for the 4080!
Bill

[Orgrinder010]

You're welcome. Just goes to show that this is the forum for many answers.

[anthonypaul2]

Hi
Everyone~!
I agree with Andy G. The Wurlitzer does'nt sound the same with a Leslie OEM. My Church had a Wurlitzer 4300 with 2 Leslie 120's (basically a spinning 'hat box' with no amp) what I call an EXTERNAL "internal" leslie! Anywho, in 1994 this organ was donated to my church. It was set up in such a way that you could not use the Leslies and the internal speakers together. I ended up getting rid of those leslies and just using the internal speaker because the SPECTRA TONE sounded much better! I , too, in the year 2000 had to replace the belt.. I got one from PUGET SOUND as well. Once in awhile I would have to oil the unit as the relay switches would get stuck in the slow mode. A year ago my church got another organ and the wurlitzer was donated to another church.. I played that organ for 10 years. Very little trouble and very reliable. Many people who came to the church who were new, thought we had a hammond...They swore it sounded like a hammond.!?
from
Anthony , in Hayward, CA

[junemartin]

I have purchased a wurlitzer 4080 needed a new spectra tone belt which I have ordered should be here soon, where do I oil the spectra tone arm it has not been used in some time hoping the new belt will do the trick with the old belt it seemed a bit noisy.