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1960's Gibson G101 Vintage Combo Organ Keyboard CMI Lowrey G201, The Doors

Estimated price for orientation: 2 799 $

Category: Organs
Class:











Description
Brand: Gibson Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
MPN: Does Not Apply Exact Year: 1960's
UPC: Does not apply


Up for sale, a 1960's Gibson G101 combo organ in excellent condition and in good working order. One of the rarest and most desirable combo organs ever produced (and one of only two made under the Gibson name), the G101 was most notably used by Ray Manzarek during the heyday of the Doors. Manufactured by Lowrey for Gibson's parent company CMI, the G101 perfectly splits the difference between the cutting, reedy tones of a Vox Continental and the more bubbly organ sounds of a Farfisa. Complete with the original volume pedal, there's an incredible array of tones available on this organ, with a huge bank of tabs for different voicings, some of which approximate an electric piano or harpsichord rather nicely.Recently serviced, all of the keys respond well with the various voicings, and the organ has been tuned and recapped as necessary to ensure that everything is operating as intended. While the organ itself retains the original two-tone Seafoam Green and Fawn covering with stock piping, the lid has been retolexed to match with modern fawn and a similar green tolex. The hinges for the lid are also modern replacements, while the latches and both Gibson logos are original and in great shape.In terms of cosmetic wear, the organ has been very well cared for, with some expected scuffs on the edges of the keyboard. There is wear along the back bottom edge of the organ as well, and the back left corner has been patched with new fawn to cover the otherwise bare wood (closeup photo included). This organ would present very well in a studio and is a rare and recently serviced example.A more thorough explanation of the various voicing tab settings is included below, courtesy of Combo Organ Heaven:
ControlsKnobs: Bass volume, Extended Bass Off/On, Repeat Off/On/Rate
Left bank of tabs: 

(Green) String Bass, Sax Bass, Fuzz Bass
(Gray) Bass Normal/Percuss., Bass Sustain Off/On

Middle bank of tabs:(Red) Glide Normal/TrumpetWow-Wow
(Yellow) Trombone 16'(Piano S-St-P), Clarinet 16's
(Blue) String 8'(Harpcd S-St-P)
(Yellow) Trumpet 8', Kinura 8'
(White) Flute 16', Flute 8', Piccolo 4', Nazard 2-2/3', Mixture
(Red) Brilliance Normal/FullRight bank of tabs:(Green) Vibrato Fast/Slow, Vibrato Light/Heavy, Vibrato Off/On
(Red) Sustain S Med, Sustain SS Long, Staccato St Off/On
(Gray) Reverb Off/On, Percussion Off/OnFeatures:Voices: The White tabs are known as the "Flute voices", and the Yellow and Blue tabs are the "non-Flute voices". The Mixture tab adds a combination of 8', 4' and 2-2/3' sounds, but using different filters than the other tabs. It's a very bright-sounding voice.Glide/Trumpet Wow-Wow: The Glide switch controls the function of a side-lever on the foot pedal. When set to "Normal", it bends the pitch down a half-step, when set to "Trumpet Wow-Wow", it gives what's commonly known as a wah-wah (but it really does sound like "wow") effect to the Clarinet 16; Trumpet 8', Sax Bass and Fuzz Bass voices only.Sustain/Staccato: With the Sustain and Staccato tabs all off, the keys have a rather slow, or "soft" attack envelope. Turning on the Staccato tab makes this attack much shorter, more in line with what you'd expect from a typical combo organ. The Sustain "Med" and "Long" tabs add a sustain time after key release. Turning on the Staccato tab along with the Sustain tabs on shortens the sustain time significantly. The "S-St-P" markings on the Trombone and String tabs only indicate that, in conjunction with the Sustain and Staccato tabs, these voices resemble a Piano and Harpsichord, respectively.  And they really do - well, in line with the technology available at the time!Percussion/Repeat: Percussion changes the volume envelope for the non-flute voices to a sharp attack followed by quick decay. When used in conjunction with the flute voices (which are unaffected by Percussion), it provides a sort of Hammond-type percussion effect. Unlike Hammond percussion, it's a re-triggering effect -with an odd twist.  If any keys are being held, and an additional key is pressed, the percussion effect re-triggers for ALL the keys pressed. When the Repeat knob is on, the percussive attack repeats itself, at a rate determined by the Repeat knob setting. 

Bass Octaves: The lowest (black/white) octave is a fixed bass octave.  The next octave (grey/white) is switchable between bass and treble, by using the "Extended Bass" switch.  Both octaves are fully polyphonic, and both produce the sound selected by the three Bass voice tabs.Bass Percussion/Sustain: Not an attack percussion like on the Treble side, this Bass Percussion makes the bass notes die down even if you hold the key down. The Bass Sustain operates as-expected - adding a sustain after release, just like on the Treble side.Reverb: This tab is really just a switch for an external reverb - there's no internal reverb in the G101.
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be via FedEx Ground and will cost $150. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your organ arrives safely. Due to the vintage and mechanically complex nature of this item, buyer acknowledges that there is a slight risk involved with shipping this keyboard, and accepts this risk in the unlikely event that the item may need minor adjustment upon arrival. We have safely packed many vintage analog keyboards and fully insure our shipments against loss or damage. We're here to help our customers get to know their vintage keyboards and we really care! International bidders are welcome, but must contact us before bidding or buying for an accurate freight quote.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!