Vintage Galanti Clipper 61 Organ String Synth

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via this auction

Here's an interesting bit of organ synth history; a Galanti Clipper 61. Presets include Organ, Flute, Horn, and Strings. There is a "Drum 6" rhythm section along with separate Bass accompaniment.  There have only been three previous posts on the site featuring Galanti.  One for an INSTAPIANO, one for an instaStrings, and a mention on the end of General Music.  See that post for some history and the other brands affiliated with Galanti, including GEM, LEM and ELKA. The name Galanti actually comes from founder Antonio Galanti. A new Generalmusic incorporating the three brands was announced back in January of 2015.  I believe the now canceled ELKA Synthex remake was to be the first product under the new brand.  Their website is still live. Anyway, the Galanti Clipper 61 is an interesting piece of this history.

The following is the description from the listing:

"Galanti Clipper 61.

Organ combo made in Italia in the early 70 '.

Section bass / organ / percussion and vibrato and a drum machine.

Keys slats, 61 keys polyphony (and yeah clipper 61!)

UTILIZATION

This model includes two independent volumes:
The first controls the base function, the second organ sound, but acts as a balance between the organ and the bass.

Changes are managed by dominoes front, 3 for low, 4 for the organ.
Fixed vibrato, percussion, complete with a bonus effect wah!

Rhythm section includes a volume knob, one for speed, and a series of different rhythms ...

SOUNDS

The sound is great, between the synth and organ.

This is the famous 'cheezy sound' analog well as love.

Touch is also very nice, with afterfacts 'click' with the touch!

The bass is very powerful and hot, the organ sounds really marry perfectly to any type of effects: chorus / phaser / flanger / overdrive / self-wah...une graphic equalizer pedal allows you to control the sounds and adjust certain frequencies.

Moreover it is incorporated seamlessly into a mix by adding this small button 'cheezy' vintage!"

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Vintage 70s GALANTI INSTAPIANO

via this auction

"*Galanti/GEM instapiano synthesizer ::: Made in Italy using high quality components. This synthesizer appears to be in good working condition. The instapiano uses dicrete components for making its Piano/Bass/Harpsichord sounds, as well as incorporating SAJ110 (ITT) frequency divider components, for its keyboard controller board. This instrument comes in a soft case. It is missing the volume knob, but is still able to be moved manually."

Lem Galanti Insta Strings

via this auction

"LEM Galanti Group GEM ELKA Vintage Synthesizer Keyboard... Very retro toned synth !!! (c76-80') Insta strings VID... This auction is for a LEM Galanti Group Analog Keyboard Synthesizer called "Insta strings". There are some nicks and scratches, but the unit functions perfectly. See the video clip. The analog synth tones, when pitchshifted, remind me instantly, of the same tones on the opening intro to "Tales From the Darkside" - an early 80's television show."

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General Music No More

http://www.generalmusic.com

via AH: GeneralMusic declared bankruptcy laying off 75 workers

Their official website appears to just have you see here on the left. It's sad to see any synth company go under. Condolences to all at General Music.

Update via antonio on the AH list: "I received a couple of requests about Generalmusic history and in the meantime I received an email from Roberto of VIEI yahoo group (italian synth and organs) that I'm translating (kind of :D )here:
Generalmusic moved first steps thanks to an accordion built in 1890 in the Antonio Galanti artisan laboratory with the help of 3 sons a company was created: the award-winning factory Galanti accordions. After accordions they started crafting classical and electric guitars (much
later). In 1959 the 3 brothers founded in Mondaino the General Electro Music (GEM) company. At the start they worked for other companies like Baldwin, Thomas, Vox with no internal brand.
In 1966 they created the first branded GEM instrument: the "Minigem", a portable electronic organ. It was a big success and they decided to expand creating other 2 companies the "Intercontinetal Electronics" and in San Marino, "Titanic Music". In Marignano, where is the current (closed) factory, they created the "Laboratorio Elettroacustico Musicale" (LEM) specialized in amplifiers. In 1987 GEM acuires the ELKA brand and 1994 changes the name in GeneralMusic (GEM, LEM and ELKA). Other brands acquired during those years are pianos Schulze Pollmann, (plant Fermigliano) and church organs Ahlborn in 1992. During the 80s and 90s the company had about 450 workers. Many analog keyboards were created under the GEM brand: Pk4900 a Gem synth, the Instapiano, Instastring and many others (I guess Peter Forrest would be more precise than me!).

now seems really the end of the story...

thanks (to Roberto)

antonio"