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This page displays the information available for the Gibson-Clavioline with rare stand, as seen (Sphere item # 28918).
To enlarge the image, and access any other images, please click on it.

Detailed description, from the owner or the reseller, prices and supported shipment are displayed. Question and answers as well as reserving or bidding for the item are also available on dedicated pages by using the links on the menu.


Detail    top
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 Make Gibson
 Model Clavioline with rare stand, as seen
 Description 1950s Vintage Gibson Clavioline w/Tube Amplifier / Speaker / Case & Tripod Stand

The Gibson Clavioline is a single manual mini-key piano attachment with a tube preamp and amplifier, made from about 1934-1965. The sound made famous in Telstar and in The Beatles' 'Baby I'm A Rich Man', it uses a basic square wave.

The original design was by Constant Martin in France, and many companies licensed it. Selmer were perhaps the most famous maker in the UK, but Jorgensen in Germany was another, and Gibson in the US. The common design feature was a metal-cased keyboard, complete with internal tube tone-forming circuitry. The case attached by metal sliders to rails that could be screwed to the underside of your piano keyboard - or you could use the Clavioline as a stand-alone instrument on a metal stand. There is a Set of rocker switches underneath the keyboard for tone choice. The tube amplifier and speaker are in a case, which the Clavioline keyboard folds into for transport.

Although the tone is quite variable, the sound is distinctive, and instantly recognizable, due mainly to the simple envelope employed - and maybe also to its monophonic nature, which somehow gave melodies a different feel from exactly the same line played on an organ. It may be the glitches which provide its charm. Gibson licensed the Clavioline design from Constant Martin and made the American Clavioline version in 1954. Al Kooper plays one on BS&T's first album, Child is Father to the Man, and I think the specific tune is 'Meagan's Gypsy Eyes.' Also used on 'Sweet Pea' by Tommy Roe, 'Just a Mirage', Tommy James, and Del Shannon's 'Runaway'. A really cool instrument, it's the big brother to the Clavioline used on 'Telstar'.

Good condition, functional but has issues. Powers up, although the power light on the amplifier does not light. Keys play, but seem to just play one pitch, with a variable pitch underneath, and a quavering quality. The tone switches do change the sound, volume control works, and the octave switch works.

Includes the tube amplifier / speaker, which forms the case that holds the Clavioline, the Clavioline keyboard, 3-legged tripod stand, and power cable with split-off multi-pin cable that powers the Clavioline. Also has the service manual (which appears to be original). And includes the expression knee-lever, which is integral to the sound of the Clavioline.

Full pictures are here, along with a video of the instrument being played:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rSXB0kPlwqEIRB92uAWtyN6DwBvGPExU?usp=drive_link

Great review at Sound on Sound:

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/story-clavioline

 Age 70 year
 Weight 23 kg
 Condition Average
 Location Usa 
 Vat Not from a VAT-registered business. But VAT / duty may be due if importing from outside your trade bloc.
 Quantity 1 item is available from the owner
 Options User manual : Yes
  Service manual : Yes
  First owner : No
  Original boxes : No
 Plug type Usa standard plug
 Voltage type Internal 110V power supply
 Status Item is still available
 Sale type The item is on the auction rooms
 Ending on 12/04/2025
 Category Synthesizer (monophonic) 
 Serial number 1593
 Sphere reference # 28918
 Statistics Created on : 16/03/2025 
Changed on : 17/03/2025 
  Published on : 17/03/2025
  Displayed : 232 time(s) by members and guests  
Safety All electrical items sold in VEMIA are deemed to be trade sales. No warranty of electrical safety is given or implied. Many items are vintage and would not pass current electrical safety standards. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that items are safe to use in their future environment - if necessary by using the services of a professional.

 
     

Prices and conditions    top
The following section gives you the prices as well as shipment and payment conditions associated with the item. Payment is always requested in GBP. Converted price is shown for information and converted with Sphere standard currency rate.

Shipment and Payment links gives you access to an extended description of our rating :
 
 Start price 300 USD
 Converted price (1) 229.29 GBP
 Shipment International or local shipment to pay
 Packing costs 0 GBP
 Payment Full pre payment needed
 Auction bid step 10 GBP
 Auction highest bid 0 GBP
 Converted highest bid 0 GBP
 Leader or winner *None
 (1) Currency conversion Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 10th October 2024 at 10:56 CET. They are there to give you a rough guide to the bid price in your currency. Please check for a more up-to-date conversion at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html. The bid price will be the actual price in pounds (GBP) at the moment the auction closes. This will be roughly converted to your currency for your information.

For technical reasons, we are unable to update the conversion from GBP to Euro during the auction, although it may change at any time. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

Payments must always be in GBP. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates.https://spheremusic.com/Winfaq.asp?Question=91.

 
     
 
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