DuBreq Stylophone pocket organ makes a comeback
Old age tech for the new era
Forgotten Tech We thought the Stylophone pocket electronic organ was dead and buried, but no, the pianist’s portable training board has been revived for the hi-tech age.
Stylophone: wah, wah-wah, wah, waaaaaah (repeat ad nauseam)
For anyone too young, or old, to remember, the Stylophone first screeched its way onto the electronic music scene in the late 1960s. However, it’s always been panned by music purists because of its iffy audio qualities and despite the support of leading Digeridoo exponent Rolf 'Can you tell what it is yet?' Harris.
It's the Swinging Sixties and Rolf shows the world his organ
Image courtesy Hollow Sun
The updated version features a volume control, an MP3 player jack that lets you play along to your favourite tracks, and two - yes, count 'em - two new and "exclusive" Stylophone sounds. There’s also a headphone jack.
All the Stylophone’s original features are still present. This, of course, means it features a corded stylus to slide along the metal keys with and a Vibro knob to make sounds more "haunting". So, you'll be able to relive the days when you played in bands with names like Elrond's Numenorean Codpiece as though they were only yesterday.
The Stylophone runs on four AA batteries, but sadly there’s no external memory card slot to record your, ahem, music onto. It’s available now from Firebox’s website for £15 (€22/$30). No musical ability required...
COMMENTS
Stylophone and VLTone
Stylophone - Always wanted one of these but never found one on the west side of the Atlantic, or in NZ when I lived there as a kid.
VLTone - will be playing one in performance tonight. Original owner and I still have the vinyl carry case somewhere as well. Just did the math and realised it is now 27 years old....
What does it have in common with Paris Hilton:
They are two of the most annoying sounds of all time :) (and to cap it all it is better looking as well)
X.
Not new
These were on sale in the Debenhams Christmas tat department last year.
I noticed at the time that the box doesn't bear the image of Rolf, who surely can't be credited with the invention of the didgeridoo.
Re:Space Oddity
There is certainly a stylophone on Space Oddity (quite clearly heard providing the long bass notes under the first sung phrases "Ground control..."), but it is quickly rather upstaged by Rick Wakeman's mellotron playing.
For a clearer blast of stylophone in Bowie's work, listen to "After All" on "The Man Who Sold The World". The stylus sweeps up the metal strip just as he starts to sing the chorus.
Re:Space Oddity
No, really, a Stylophone. Dubreq used the fact in their advertising.
