Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
Hi! In the event that I was to try to recreate the keyboard sounds in the song “Magic”, by Pilot, what is that keyboard in the linked video? I have had zero luck finding it. This would be a huge help! What is it????? -Max |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
It’s nothing I recognize, but since the band is lip synching I doubt it matters too much ;) I’m guessing it’s some sort of electric piano. Probably a European model not common in the USA. Another lip-synch Pilot video shows a Wurlitzer piano and ARP Odyssey. If you mean the wah-wah sound, it’s some sort of EP or clav through a wah or envelope filter. |
Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
I never even realized that their guitars aren’t even plugged in! I wonder if they ever even wrote and recorded the original tracks! Those mics must have been VERY sensitive to transmit unplugged electric guitars and vocals from 3 feet away ;-). Still, though, I do wonder about the keyboard. It almost reminds me of some sort of upright Novachord (never made an upright), because of the controls. Is the keyboardist even playing live for real? The drums seem to be. -Max |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
Pilot may have had a lightweight feel, but bassist David Paton who wrote and sang “Magic” went on to work with Kate Bush, Elton John and Alan Parsons Project so he was no lightweight musician. Even when lip synching most players try to follow along with the track. That video has no live playing in it at all, it’s just the recording. Good luck on IDing that keyboard, but I would doubt it’s used on the record. |
stoneb3
Total Posts: 851
Joined 06-05-2011 status: Guru |
I believe it’s a late sixties National, prior to the Panasonic/Technics/Roland/ Ace-Tone mixture. |
Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
A “National”? It must be very rare, as all that I can find are guitars and amps made by them. -Max Edit: And this: (see attached). I think that this is what the keyboard was. File Attachments
National_SX-601.JPG.zip (File Size: 1365KB - Downloads: 364) |
stoneb3
Total Posts: 851
Joined 06-05-2011 status: Guru |
Close, there’s not a lot of info online about them.
As I recall an Uncle of mine bought one around the late sixties from our local Western Auto, I believe, of all places. The store closed a few years later, gone with the ages. Then I moved to the Vineyard in the late 80’s and low and behold: a Western Auto on Circuit Ave. in Oaks Bluff. Weird.
Stone |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
The USA guitar company National that made Dobro guitars is totally different than the Asian National electronics company which was associated with Panasonic. We have a winner! National SX-601 organ
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stoneb3
Total Posts: 851
Joined 06-05-2011 status: Guru |
Huge picture man!
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Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
Thanks! Neat looking thing, isn’t it? |
stoneb3
Total Posts: 851
Joined 06-05-2011 status: Guru |
Sure is, in a Jetsons’ kinda way. It might even sound cool. I’d take one in. I’m trying to keep our last remaining electronics store open. It’s tough though, not a lot of profit in caps. |
Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
You run a music store? Awesome! Where? What do you specialize in? -Max |
stoneb3
Total Posts: 851
Joined 06-05-2011 status: Guru |
Good grief no store, just an avid collector. Some people collect ceramic roosters and elephants. I collect keyboards. I knew a guy who collected antique toasters and swords. Weird. Very uncomfortable home is how I felt when visiting. Wires, springs and blades, and it looked like a horror movie set. I hope my visitors don’t feel the same, although most are musicians. They get it.
Stone |
Mighty Motif Max
Total Posts: 317
Joined 04-30-2016 status: Enthusiast |
I misunderstood, as you said
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I seem to collect accordions. A lot of people just don’t want them anymore. It’s kind of sad, they take such skill to make. I will be out performing, and sometimes people say, “I have an old accordion up in my attic that I don’t know what to do with”, or, “My husband/uncle/(relative) passed away, and (he/she) left this. Can you use it/would you like to take a look at it?”
I almost always say yes, and I tend to get a lot of them for free.
I also seem to acquire vintage home organs. I actually have two, and they are both Kimball organs, one near the top of the line in 1980, and the other was an entry-level one from 1983. they both work quite well. My first accordion teacher had a large room completely filled to the top with accordions! I also know of a person who collects old torches, and exhibits them! I know what you mean about visitors. When people come, there are instruments in almost every room. Including the big organ in the dining room! Now, about keyboards. I definitely have a few of those. The most interesting (other than my Motif) is certainly a Yamaha YS-200, a FM synth from 1987. See here: http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/ys200.php I got this one at a pawn shop for a good price - the owner thought that it was, “A old 1970’s organ thing”! -Max |
Chaderico
Total Posts: 1
Joined 10-27-2020 status: Newcomer |
Hi all. Just wondering, if someone was to have a SX601 , what would the asking price be at all...I cannot find any figures anywhere |