Novachord + Solovox | Cherry Audio

video uploads by Cherry Audio




"Novachord + Solovox is Cherry Audio's collection of two virtual synthesizer instruments emulating the forerunners of mass- produced synthesizers. Novachord is based on the revolutionary polyphonic instrument from 1939 that used a staggering 163 vacuum tubes and 1,000 custom capacitors. Solovox replicates a related monophonic keyboard instrument intended to provide organ-type lead accompaniment. Together, these now exceedingly rare instruments set standards for tone generation and synthesis techniques that continue to influence today’s electronic instruments.

Novachord + Solovox is available at https://cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide for the low price of $39 (list $59).

Novachord + Solovox is a bundle of two individual instruments provided as one download and installed in both standard DAW/host plugin and standalone formats. It is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats (individual for each instrument), and a free 30-day demo is available from https://cherryaudio.com."


And a video from CatSynth:

Novachord and Solovox from Cherry Audio: A detailed demo and tutorial

video upload by CatSynth TV

Merch: https://shop.catsynth.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/catsynth
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth

We take a detailed look at the new Novachord and Solovox from Cherry Audio, recreations of some the earliest electronic music instruments that were forerunners of modern analog substractive synthesizers. The Novachord was released in 1939 and the Solovox in 1940, featuring a novel architecture that used vacuum tubes for tone generators (oscillators) and filters. Their sound is unique and found use in film, popular music of the 1950s and 1960s, and can still be heard today.

00:37 History of the Novachord
01:36 History of the Solovox
02:12 Novachord Presets
05:38 Solovox Presets
07:57 Novachord Feature Walkthrough
15:00 Solovox Feature Walkthrough"

Update:

Press release via Cherry Audio:

Cherry Audio is ecstatic to unveil the sensational Novachord + Solovox collection, featuring two meticulously crafted virtual instruments that pay homage to the trailblazers of the synthesizer world. Novachord replicates the revolutionary 1939 polyphonic marvel of the same name, and Solovox reproduces the equally influential monophonic keyboard instrument. Cherry Audio is on a mission to reignite the vintage charm and distinctive tones of these timeless masterpieces that laid the foundation for contemporary synthesis methods.

Debuting at the 1939 World's Fair, the Hammond Novachord contained a breathtaking 163 vacuum tubes and over 1,000 custom capacitors. Its architecture predicted the ADSR envelope and utilized a resonant bandpass filter, similar to designs adopted decades later in modern polyphonic synthesizers. Novachord is remembered for its use in We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn, and featured in decades of soundtracks, including "Gone With the Wind" and "The Maltese Falcon," and its otherworldly sounds heard in "Cat People," "It Came from Outer Space," The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. Today, fewer than 200 Novachords exist, and it is said that only five remain in operation worldwide.

Hammond's 1940 Solovox was a small monophonic mini keyboard instrument attached beneath a piano to augment it with organ-type lead voices. Deriving its design from the Novachord's oscillator and divider circuits, Solovox had 18 vacuum tubes and produced a range of string, woodwind, and organ sounds widely used in light music into the 1960s. Unfortunately, the introduction of compact transistor organs released in the 60s marked the end of the Solovox's popularity.

Award-winning developer and DSP designer Mark Barton shared our fascination with these unique historical electronic instruments, and approached Cherry Audio with the prospect of teaming up to revive them and their unique mystical sounds. Mark’s expertise in circuit modeling, along with the invaluable assistance of vintage Novachord owners Joseph and Justin Fill, enabled Cherry Audio to recreate these masterpieces using virtual synthesis rather than sampling.

Cherry Audio's Novachord features 32 polyphonic voices; a resonant bandpass filter network of three resonators; the "Brilliant," "Deep," and "Full" tone settings of the original; seven Attack/Decay/Sustain envelope options; adjustable depth vibrato; and an integrated reverb effect with Room and Hall algorithms plus speaker emulation to replicate the Novachord’s built-in amp and speakers in an acoustic space. Novachord's interface is a magnificent recreation of the original, replete with white Plakson and black Bakelite keys, teardrop levers, and gorgeous cherry wood.

Cherry Audio's Solovox is a faithful virtual analog emulation of the monophonic keyboard attachment instrument, featuring combinable Bass, Tenor, Contralto, and Soprano switches; First Voice and Second Voice two-pole bandpass filters with level controls and variable center frequencies; "Deep," and "Brilliant" tone settings; adjustable glide and fixed-rate vibrato; a mute control to filter harmonics from the oscillator voice; and an integrated reverb effect with Room algorithm and speaker emulation. The exquisite Solovox interface features responsive vacuum tubes that light up and respond to settings.

The result is the fully immersive Novachord + Solovox experience - a breathtaking feast for both the ears and the eyes. With additional touches including over 100 combined presets, flexible MIDI mapping, and Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, Novachord + Solovox brings these Golden Age classics out of the past and into the 21st century.

The unparalleled combination of Novachord and Solovox presents an unbeatable opportunity for musicians. Cherry Audio introduces this exceptional package of two extraordinary virtual instruments at one jaw-dropping price of just $39 (list price $59). With the original hardware being exceedingly rare and priceless, this incredible offer allows everyone to delve into the origins of electronic music and experience their captivating sounds.

The Novachord + Solovox collection is available from cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide for Windows and macOS (including macOS 13 Ventura, native Apple M1 processor support, M1 Ultra). The bundle is provided as a single download and installed in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos.

HAMMOND NOVACHORD SN 1253

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"The Hammond Novachord, often considered to be the world's first polyphonic synthesizer, debuted at the 1939 World's Fair and represents a major milestone in electronic keyboard musical instrument history. It uses many circuit and control elements found in modern synthesizers, particularly subtractive synthesis, in order to generate tones.

In particular, its divide-down oscillator architecture, based on vacuum-tube monostable circuits, permit all 72 notes to be played polyphonically by deriving several octaves of notes from twelve top-octave oscillators. A similar design was adopted in polysynthesizers released more than 30 years later by Robert Moog and A.R.P. The Novachord is very well suited to producing rich,"otherworldly" timbres than range from dense sustained string-like and vocal-like timbres to the sharp attack transients of a harpsichord or piano. With over 150 vacuum tubes inside, this synthesizer has a thick, harmonically rich sound that you can't get elsewhere.

An incredibly rare find, only around 1,000 Novachords are said to have ever been made, and it is estimated that there are fewer than 200 Novachords still in existence. Commercial sample libraries of this instrument alone cost $300; that's how rare, complex, and musically useful this instrument is!

This Hammond Novachord is priced to sell quickly, as we are looking to raise cashflow to cover certain impending expenses. We usually sell these for $8900 and up.

This Hammond Novachord was ordered from Hammond by a high-end Chicago hotel in the early 1940s with custom fluted legs and the original blonde-and-black finish, both of which it retains, as seen in the pictures. It also should be noted that the silver control panel faceplate is factory original, custom ordered in a brushed silver/steel. Regular Novachords have a brown control panel faceplate. This is the only Novachord with a custom factory finish and design that I have ever seen, other than the white Novachords that were at the 1939 World's Fair. This Novachord is in good cosmetic shape for its age.

When we bought this Novachord, it came with a folding dolly that was custom-built for the Novachord of the electronic music pioneer Paul Beaver in the 1960s. This dolly is the only dolly we have ever seen of its type, and its construction is ingenious. It has a hinged platform that unfolds outward in front of the main platform, which allows the player to set a bench on top of it, such that the Hammond Novachord never has to come off of its dolly in order to be played. The buyer of this Novachord will have the opportunity to purchase this dolly from us, as well as a spare Hammond Novachord power supply (see the picture of the spare power supply sitting on the concrete), for a reasonable additional price.

The inside electronics all appear to be original. The amps were removed at one point for purposes of additional safety during transport and are now back in place, but have not been plugged back in. We have not tested the Novachord and are leaving that to the buyer of this instrument, so we are selling this Novachord as is..."

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The Hammond Novachord - Introduction

YouTube via HammondfRIENd
"Introduction of The Hammond Novachord at the New York World's Fair 1939 - 1940.

THE NEW WORLD ENSEMBLE.
The story of the New World Ensemble revolves around three pioneers; Henry Ford, the sponsor; Laurens Hammond, the inventor; and Ferde Grofe, the director.

On April 30 1939, upon the opening of the World's Fair in New York the world heard its first electric orchestra.
It was the premiere of the New World Ensemble then newly formed especially for the Ford Exposition.
The same group, playing a Hammond Organ and four Novachords, led by Ferde Grofe, again appeared this year in daily concerts in the Garden Court at the Ford Exposition.

When plans were being laid for the Ford Exposition at the New York Fair, Mr. Hammond told Mr. Ford of his latest invention, an entirely new medium for musical expression - an instrument that could produce the tonal effects of many orchestral instruments.
The new Novachord was auditioned by Ford executives and the idea for the New World Ensemble was born.
Mr. Ford saw that a combination of Novachords and a Hammond Organ could play whole symphonies.

The next problem was to find a conductor - a man with the ability to uncover all the resources of the new instrument and to score music for it, a man to train and direct players to produce music up to the high Ford standards.
Ferde Grofe admirably filled these qualifications and was enthusiastic over the
possibilities of the unusual ensemble.
He, too. owned one of the first Hammond Organs and immediately grasped the musical resources of the new Novachord.


THE HAMMOND NOVACHORD

Although it was introduced only a few months before, the Novachord has excited more comment interest and enthusiasm then has ever greeted any new musical instrument.
This is partly due to the fact that it allows the player to completely change the character of its tones, and partly to the many different, beautiful tones it produces.
On the Novachord you can schwitch instantly from a percussive tone simulair to that of the piano to a sustained tone simulair to that of the organ, with many graduations in between.
And anyone who has heard the New World Ensemble has heard it producing such familiar effects as the violin, harpichord, flute, cornet, cello, Hawaiian steel guitar and others.
The Novachord has a conventional keyboard and is easy to play.
The Novachord uses no strings, no hammers, no reeds, is entirely electrical in operation, it creates its tones by means of standard vacuum tubes.
Its enormous number of beautiful effects has led many to predict that the Novachord wil become the populair home musical instrument.
It gives the musician a profusion of beautiful effects for creating entirely new musical interpretations.

Hammond.fRIENd - 2008"

Soniccouture Novachord Sample Set

via Soniccouture (videos here)
"It is a little known fact, but the worlds first commercially available synthesizer was designed by the Hammond Organ Company in 1938 and put into full production from 1938 to 1942. The Novachord is a gargantuan, entirely tube based, 72 note polyphonic synthesizer with oscillators, filters, VCAs, envelope generators and even frequency dividers.

The first instrument was delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Jan. 30, 1940 as a birthday present, but despite this auspicious start, the 500 lb instrument struggled commercially...

We sampled every one of the 72 notes on this beast - 50 times over. As well as full patches, we also separately sampled each Novachord 'tone' - the stops, or filter channels - so that we could model a 'Virtual Novachord' in Kontakt.

This comprehensive core sample library is used to maximum effect in creating two separate instrument concepts - The Dual layer NovaSynth and the 1939 / 2039 NovaSynth."

via Gregtronic. According to Greg, this sample set is from Phil Cirocco's Novachord while Hollow Sun's is from another Novachord in the UK.

Also see the Novachord label below for more. Note Hollow Sun also has a sample set and there is a Novachord instrument for Kontakt.

Working HAMMOND NOVACHORD For Auction

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

See the seller's other items for some other interesting instruments.
Be sure to read the full description as always. Working in this case means it actually plays which is extremely rare for these. See the Novachord label at the bottom of this post for more including the Novachord Restoration project by Phil Cirocco who is known for his own modular systems and work on ARP synthesizers including restoration and the ARP Lumina upgrades.

Description via the auction: "The introduction of the Hammond Novachord, the world's first polyphonic synthesizer, at the 1939 World's Fair is a major milestone in electronic keyboard musical instrument history. With over 100 vacuum tubes inside, this synthesizer has a thick, harmonically rich sound that you can't get elsewhere. The instrument is incredibly rare (only 500 are said to have ever been made, and who knows how many remain in existence). Commercial sample libraries of this instrument alone cost $300; that's how rare, complex, and musically useful this instrument is!

This Hammond Novachord is in better functional shape and cosmetic shape than all three of the Hammond Novachords we have sold in the past. It actually plays! It doesn't play perfectly though, and has some minor issues, but it probably will be an easier repair than 90% of the Hammond Novachords out there, if you can find one. It is sold as-is, no returns, because obviously the buyer will need to spend many hours repairing it in order to have it play perfectly. Cosmetically, it has scratches on the sides and back that might merit it being refinished, but from the front it looks very nice.

Our movers took the pictures shown below of the Novachord. They have moved many fragile and expensive musical instruments for us and received our express instructions on how to properly dismantle a Novachord for transport. They dismantled it into its three main parts: (1) lid, (2) metal chassis, and (3) bottom half/base, in order to get it out of the door of the house we bought it from, where it had sat for the past several decades. We have done this dismantling before with our last few Novachords and will be putting the Novachord back together as soon as it arrives on August 22 (it came from the east coast of the USA).

If you are in California, we can offer free delivery if you buy this before August 22. The shipping prices listed here are just estimates. Shipping to other locations will be determined by the actual zip code of the destination."

Champagne SuperNova - Novachord Inspired Soft Synth for Reason

Romantic Interlude (from a 50s Monster Movie) Published on Mar 1, 2018 JiggeryPokerySound

"A quick improv on the Champagne Supernova Rack Extension, using the extra vintage settings."

And a video overview from thesoundtestroom:

Champagne SuperNova 1930s Vintage Synth - Rack Extension for Reason - Brilliant

via Propellerhead

"Introductory Offer until 31st March. Only €39.

Developed in the late 1930s by the Hammond Organ company, the Novachord was an instrument that, despite using a vacuum tube oscillator and divide-down circuits, was perhaps forty years ahead of its time. Many of the Novachord's features would not be seen again until the mid to late 60s, or even into the 80s!

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Hammond Novachord SN 1137

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for auction today is one of the great pieces of musical history, the Hammond Novachord. When these were originally made in the late 1930's and early 1940's, they cost as much as a house! The Novachord is recognized as the first production synthesizer, decades ahead of everyone else. If you've ever watched an old sci-fi or horror film from the 1950's then you've heard a Novachord. There are only several hundred of these in existence out of an original production of just over 1000. The value of these will only GO UP. This is one piece of musical equipment that is rare enough to be considered as a true financial investment.

This particular Novachord does turn on and play. We put new 2A3 power tubes in the power amplifier, and tested all of the other tubes. We ended up replacing roughly 14 tubes, the rest tested ok. The notes above middle C all seem to work well. 90% of the notes below middle C do not work. My guess is that the frequency dividers for those notes need some work. All of the knobs turn freely. The vibrato works and most other functions work to SOME degree. This being said, THIS NOVACHORD WILL NEED WORK. This is NOT A 100% fully working unit! There are a few websites out there that have great information about how to restore a Novachord. This unit has the original preamplifier, speakers, and power amplifier. I believe that the bench is original but I'm not 100% sure. The finish is rough and will need attention. One support that connects the left front leg to the left rear leg is cracked and will need to be glued. There is also a crack in the wood on the faceplate that will need to be glued. The speakers are original but do have some small tears and punctures. I'm sure that there are other nicks and dings on this instrument but the pictures should give you a pretty good idea. Overall this is a very nice instrument that is just waiting for the right owner!!!"

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1938 Hammond NOVACHORD SN 105

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Some incredible pics of the inside below.

Update via Kenny in the comments worth noting: "Beautiful instrument but no where near the first synthesizer. The Trautonium was already in use and for sale long before the Hammond came out. Even the Hohner Multimonica predates the Hammond. One could say that the Hammond design was heavily inspired by these earlier synthesizers. The Hammond is an amazing instrument so there is no need for false information."

This reminded me of the 120 Years of Electronic Music site. It's a great resource for the timeline of electronic instruments.

Listing description:

"In the late 1930's, Hammond engineers went way above and beyond to create the worlds first electronic synthesizer, and built it the Hammond way ~ the best. I could ramble on all day about this device, but you're honestly better to visit this website, they've fully documented their Novachord and it's restoration.

As for my specific instrument, it's among the very earliest built (#105) and features what I believe is a factory blonde cabinet accent, which I've never seen before. I think it's original because it's so expertly installed, and wraps around the back to the amplifier compartment. The material feels like a grained vinyl (leatherette) with a canvas backing? It's been stripped off on the left side, but you get the idea. The cabinet will need refinishing as seen, but is in remarkable shape for it's age.

When I decided to power it up for the first time, I brought up the voltage on a Variac - slowly. I heard a loud popping sound and found a bad 2A3 tube, which I replaced with a good/tested one. Once up to line voltage, I was able to actually hear this thing play! Volume, vibrato, attack, and various variations of all the controls were essentially functional on the upper half of the keyboard. I didn't get a response from the lower half of the keyboard. This tells me that the basic components (pre-amp, amplifiers, speakers and motor were all functioning) There are 160 vacuum tubes to check, and about 1000 capacitors! You'll have a good and worthy project ahead of you. I do have a short video of my experimentation, happy to email or text it to you! The wiring harnesses, speakers, amplifiers, and other components appear to be in very good cosmetic condition!

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Hammond Novachord with Sweetwater's Daniel Fisher

Published on Jan 10, 2017 SweetwaterSound

"Daniel Fisher, Sweetwater’s full-time synth fanatic, gives an in-depth tour of the Hammond Novachord, which is widely regarded as the father of the modern polyphonic synthesizer. It debuted at the 1939 World’ Fair and featured 72-note polyphony, oscillators, filters, envelopes, and frequency modulation, which were used to craft its organic and otherworldly sounds.

After a close look at all of the Novachord’s parameters and internal components, Daniel gives an impromptu performance while sweeping through all of the parameters’ values. Then, as an example of what it would sound like in modern times, Fisher plays the Novachord through an Eventide H9 Multi-Effects Processor.

Only five fully restored Novachords are known to exist today.

Joseph Fill and his son, Justin, poured more than 2,000 hours of work restoring this 1941 Hammond Novachord. They replaced countless components, rewired all the connections, and then cleaned and polished the internal and external surfaces by hand.

Please feel free to contact Joe Fill if you wish to inquire about purchasing this beautifully restored piece of musical instrument history: hangarjoe@sbcglobal.net"

See the Novachord label below for more.

Synth CDs

See the Synth CDs label for more.

Vintage MOOG Albums - Free downloads. Check this one out. This is not an ad.


Amin Bhatia Virtuality
Post on MATRIXSYNTH


Switched on Bach (MOOG)

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Hollow Sun Novachord Sample Library

Rod Mitchell wrote in to let me know Hollow Sun has a trailer up featuring audio from the Novachord. You can check it out here. Hollowsun of course specializes in sample libraries, so we are looking at a Novachord sample coming soon. The MP3 of the trailer can be found here. Be sure to see the Novachord label below for more posts.

Update via MPS in the comments: "Link to demo of the first preset patch using samples from the Novachord..."

Update: http://www.hollowsun.com/shop/novachord/

Vintage Hammond Novachord LPs

via the following auctions:

Victor Records The Magic of the Novachord by Collins H. Driggs

Columbia Presents Novachord Solos by Fred Feibel

Cascades of Melody by Collins H. Driggs

Added to the Synth CDs post.

Update: The Magic of the Novachord is available on iTunes:


Thanks to UniQue Werkx in the comments.

Hammond Novachord with Service Manual

via this auction
"For Sale is a Hammond Novachord fully polyphonic valve synthesiser. This is one of the most unique synthesizers that you can buy at the moment. These were produced in the USA between 1939 - 1942, only 1024 were made with very few surviving to this day. This is one of only two known models in the UK.

The Novachord is complete but in need of total electronic restoration. It is not known whether these came with a bench, this has the bench of a Hammond B3 which matches perfectly.

It is possible to restore these as people have shown in the past. It is not a job for the faint hearted. [See the Novachord Restoration Project]

The Novachord has its original PSU but the amp in the picture is not original neither are the speakers, these are believed to have been replaced in the 50's!

The serial plate is missing but the previous owner believes that the serial number is 197 and this may be stamped on the chassis somewhere.

Below is a youtube video link that shows a working model in action." [posted here]

via Marshall on FB

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Hammond Novachord, world's first polyphonic synthesizer

via this auction

Tons more pics at the auction.

"(THE ONE SHOWN IN THE PICTURES IS THE EXACT NOVACHORD FOR SALE. THIS IS NOT THE SAME NOVACHORD THAT SOLD FOR $4500 A WEEK AGO IN MY LAST EBAY LISTING [captured here]. This is a different one than any of my previous auctions.)

This one has everything, including the speakers, original amps, tubes, electronics, etc. Nothing significant is missing, as far as I can tell. It does not turn on currently. I can rebuild the small wooden housing around the pedals (note the chips in the wood) at no extra cost to the buyer...

See the vid I had for the last Novachord I sold two months ago for an example of what a partially-working UNrestored Novachord sounded like. Then see all the other videos of restored Novachords to see their full potential."

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THE MAGIC OF THE NOVACHORD Collins H Driggs 3 x 78 LPs

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"For sale is a vintage 1941 shellac LP copy of The Magic of The Novachord on 3 x 10" records (Victor, P-57). This album features some of the earliest recorded electronic music from the Hammond Novachord. Far ahead of it's time the Novachord premiered at the 1939 New York World Fair, and within 3 years manufacturing of the instrument ceased. Perhaps the Novachord's 500 lb weight or the featured 160 vacuum tubes and nearly 1000 capacitors contributed to poor sales of this synthesizer and it's decline. This set is perfect for sampling from or to add to your growing collection of antiques synth LPs."

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VINTAGE HAMMOND NOVACHORD DOCUMENTS

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"The Hammond Novachord, often considered to be the world's first polyphonic synthesizer, debuted at the 1939 World's Fair and represents a major milestone in electronic keyboard musical instrument history. It uses many circuit and control elements found in modern synthesizers, particularly subtractive synthesis, in order to generate tones.

In particular, its divide-down oscillator architecture, based on vacuum-tube monostable circuits, permit all 72 notes to be played polyphonically by deriving several octaves of notes from twelve top-octave oscillators. A similar design was adopted in polysynthesizers released more than 30 years later by Robert Moog and A.R.P. The Novachord is very well suited to producing rich,"otherworldly" timbres than range from dense sustained string-like and vocal-like timbres to the sharp attack transients of a harpsichord or piano. With over 150 vacuum tubes inside, this synthesizer has a thick, harmonically rich sound that you can't get elsewhere.

For sale here are two rare documents for a Hammond Novachord, and these documents ONLY. We have the Novachord listed for sale in a different ebay listing. The two documents are the Maintenance and Installation Instructions, and the Guarantee placard. These documents are extremely rare, we have owned several Novachords (which are already rare themselves!) and never seen these documents before..."

Fully Functional Hammond Novachord For Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

This one in via MATRIXSYNTH reader J. Louise. Details and contact info follow.

"Hammond Novachord made in 1939. Considered by many to be the first synthesizer commercially available. Bob Moog was five years old when this came out. I believe there are less than ten of these working in the world. It has an unmistakable, and instantly recognizable sound which was featured in movies such as "Gone With The Wind", "The Twilight Zone", "The Ten Commandments", "The Outer Limits" and even "Hawaii Five-O".

The Novachord has full 72 note polyphony, envelope control, two presets which mechanically operate the front panel controls, and a six channel vibrato making for rich chords as each note in a triad has its own vibrato of a slightly different speed, emulating the sound of real string players. It has a built in amplifier and two 12" speakers. Completely vacuum tube operation, no solid state anything. The tubes are mostly originals as they run at conservative heater voltages for long life.

It took me over three years and lots of searching and talking with people to find this instrument. This particular instrument originated in Detroit, Michigan where it was used for the background music of radio dramas in the 1940s. It was then stored in the transmitter room at the station where all the cool old stuff like this got tossed aside when the next great thing came out. I acquired it in 2005 from the station engineer.

This instrument has been fully, painstakingly restored to working condition using modern components that should last a long time. It took over 300 hours of skilled labor and a shop full of test equipment and tools to bring this back to life.

The speakers are original Jensen A12 field coils and have been re-coned. The amplifier power tubes are new Sovtek 2A3s, and some tubes in the power supply have been replaced with new old stock tubes of high quality.

The instrument has been stripped and refinished in the same color it was originally but it is a satin texture and not a professional high gloss lacquer finish. It looks great in person and I get a lot of compliments on the finish. The nameplate area above the keyboard has not been refinished to preserve the original Hammond logo above the keys.

Included are the original service manual, original playing guide, lots of original Sylvania green leaf spare tubes which were from another Novachord so they are period correct, and a magazine ad from 1940 for the Novachord.

I will gladly spend time with any serious buyers to go over the technical details of the restoration, show you how it works, and answer any questions you may have about it.

I can be contacted at jessie@newoldsounds.com."

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The Novachord Restoration Project

Via MC of AH. CMS is restoring a Hammond Novachord. Title link takes you to a page on the restoration project. There are also some examples of what the Novachord sounded like. The Novachord was Hammond's first electronic instrument released in 1939. It was a polyphonic electronic organ that predated the Hammond Solovox. For more info on the history of the Hammond Novacord, see 120 Years.

Hammond Novachord

via Milo:

Update: image of the four Novachords."This is Hammond Novachord #1431, one of the last of the instruments made, most likely built in 1940 some time. It was originally purchased by CBS Studios in New York City. In the early Seventies, a retiring CBS engineer acquired the instrument and kept it at his home for the next few decades. I acquired it through an estate buyer about three years ago. It has not been powered on since I got it and I do not intend to do so until the internal restoration is complete, but over the last few days I cleaned it up for a photo shoot and figured you might like to see the results. Phil Cirocco documented the restoration of his instrument on his website and it is a truly painstaking process which I will be getting entirely too familiar with over the next few years. You see, I have three more of them..." Photograph by John Phelps, www.johnphelpsphotography.com. You can read about the Novachord Restoration Project here. Be sure to click on the Novachord label below for prior posts.

1940 Hammond Novachord Synthesizer Fully Rebuilt

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Beautiful, but pricey!

"This is the exact instrument that was recently featured at Sweetwater Sound's 2017 GearFest. To see a video of this synthesizer up close and hear what sounds it can produce, search YouTube for "Sweetwater Novachord".

Having spent more than five years, my son and I have recently completed a thorough rebuild of this Hammond Novachord Synthesizer. This legendary instrument is now fully functional as original. It looks as good and performs as well as it did the day it left the factory in 1940, and is considerably more reliable, with all of its capacitors and resistors replaced, and the original cotton-covered wiring replaced with Teflon insulated, silver-tinned copper wire. All 163 vacuum tubes test as new or nearly new. The pedals have been replated in polished nickel, and the original Bakelite and Plaskon keys are smooth and shiny.

The Novachord is considered to be the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizer, and was used extensively in science fiction and horror movie soundtracks of the 1940's and 1950's, as well as radio theatre and nightclubs around the country.

To our knowledge, there are only five Novachords that exist in this condition.

This rare instrument is currently located at Sweetwater Sound Studios in Fort Wayne, Indiana."

How much?

$96,000.00 listed here.

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