Wurlitzer 950TA

The Wurlitzer 950TA Total Tone Professional 1978

The 950 was a total departure from the 805 in both sound and technology. It heavily used Large Scale Integrated Circuits (LSI) which is the process of integrating or embedding thousands of transistors on a single silicon semiconductor microchip. These were specially designed by Wurlitzer to do jobs like: Frequency generation, Keyer matrix, Rhythm sequence and sound keying etc. This innovation made it easy to offer much more than ever before. Tibia's up to 1', more rhythms, multiplexing string chorus, one finger chords and auto chord to name a few.
This combination would be the golden era of electric organ building for Wurlitzer as by the mid 80s it would be over.

950TA Sable Cherry

950 Brochure Back

Wurlitzer 950 20 Page Brochure PDF

I decided I would highly modify my instrument like my 630TA of the past with a Sytha Solo board from the 445 to add a lot of new synth sounds like Tuba, Harmonica, Clarinet, Trombone, Violin, Accordion, Guitar, Banjo, along with second touch to the synthesizer keyboard. The reverb was channelled to the Leslie speaker which is great for organ tone but was not great for the synthesizer. So I added a second reverb unit for the synth channelled to the straight channel. Also an octave higher for some of the voices like Trumpet 4', Clarinet 16', Tuba 16' and added pitch delta, razz effect and Mandolin, Musette and Whistle.

950TA White & Gold

950 Traditional Cherry

Rhythm voice cancel or voice joining would allow replacing snares with a block as example.


Pedal Voices	Upper Voices with volume	Tibia Voices with symphonic presence fader	Tibia Voices Lower


Lower Voices	Tremolo & Symphonic Presence Controls	Upper Left Cheek Block	Lower Left Cheek Block

Upper and Lower Sustain Percussion Voices ----- Upper Presets

Swing'in Rhythm


Drum Voice Cancel + Voice Joining	Orbit III Synthesizer Control Panel -- Buttons: Second Touch, Pitch Delta, Razz, Octave switches

Orbit III Synthesizer Tabs --- New Syntha-Solo Violin, Accordion, Mod1, Mod2, Tuba, Trombone, Clarinet Guitar 8',Musette, Whistle, Mandolin

The Syntha-Solo voices added to my instrument can be listened to by following the link to the Wurlitzer 445 page.

The Sky's The Limit Glenn Derringer 1977

Space age technology seemingly knows no boundaries. It touches each of our lives in some way. THE SKY'S THE LIMIT marries space age organ technology and music ... to touch and excite your subtlest emotions.
Glenn Derringer brings together, for the first time on record, his remarkably unique keyboard styling with the dynamic sound and capabilities of the Wurlitzer 950 console model organ. Glenn's imaginative arrangements and superb keyboard technique are virtually unmatched in the “pop” organ field. His inventive approach to familiar standards is refreshing rent hits dazzle and glitter with Glenn's original touch.
And what better partner than the exciting Wurlitzer 950, indeed an instrument engineered with space age technology. Its robust full organ sounds are second to none. Its delicate solo orchestral sounds offer the ultimate in authenticity, even to the most discerning ear. The Orbit synthesizer, a third keyboard, produces literally countless combinations of organ, instrumental and special effects sounds. And if that weren't enough, all Orbit voices are playable on the pedalboard, too!
When all of these electronic marvels are put into the hands of Glenn Derringer, you'll soon realize ... THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!! Album # Winmil 203. Instrument used Wurlitzer 950 and EP200a

Apart from Stardust, all recordings use a Live drummer and bass player. Other tracks also feature a Wurlitzer EP200a Electric Piano.

Copies of this album can be found for purchase on E-Bay. Not for sale on CD or any digital form yet.

Listen to The Sky's The Limit

Glenn Derringer Rare Live Performances

Glenn Derringer live playing Brazill on the Wurlitzer 950TA		Glenn Derringer live playing The Baby Elephant Walk on the 950TA
Use the "F" key on your keyboard to view full screen HD

By far my most favourite organ in my collection. I've played this organ far more than any other plus all the hours playing a 630TA professionally at gigs. I love the synthesizer, it's very versatile and gives you many solo sounds to explore. The organ Tibias sound awesome and clearly defined. The automatics are unusable for normal playing using only one finger. Many agree this is Wurlitzer's electronic organ crown achievement.
I will have to do some recording on this instrument as I only have one song recorded and yet to produce the video.
	Glenn Derringer's arrangement of Tico Tico played on my 950TA. Recorded with a Tascam DP-32SD 32-track digital portastudio and 4 Rode NT5 microphones. Final mix down mastering using Samplitude Pro X 5

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