(The image above is not of the actual Theremin that is up for auction - you'll find pics of the actual Theremin below)
(The image above is not of the actual
Theremin that is up for auction - you'll find pics of the actual Theremin below)
Even if you're not familiar with exactly what a Theremin is, you probably are familiar with its sound. You've heard it in 1960's alien movies, Led Zeppelin recordings, the Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations" (the Beach Boys didn't use an actual Theremin, but it's the same sound), and even on an episode of The Simpsons.
It's truly a unique instrument - you don't touch it at all to play it! As you move your hand closer to the antenna on the right, the pitch raises; as you move your hand away, the pitch lowers. The antenna on the left is a volume control - as you move your left hand closer to that antenna, the volume decreases; as you move your hand away, the volume increases.
The most well-know Theremin player was virtuoso Clara Rockmore. If you'd like to hear some of the beautiful music that a Theremin is capable of producing, I'd recommend going to amazon.com and doing a search for "Clara Rockmore" (you can listen to sound clips there at no charge).
From PAiA's website:
Since its introduction during the 1920's,
the instrument which bears Leon Theremin's name has been evocative in image and
tone. Theremax captures this age-of-technology spirit in an instrument based on
the same heterodyne principles as the original but with embellishments made
possible by the economy of integrated circuits and solid state electronics.
In addition to the traditional mellow sine wave tone, Theremax provides a square
wave output that is rich in harmonics and ideal for use with external filters
and processors. And to control outboard units, there are Control Voltage outputs
for pitch and volume. A convenient foot switch input allows muting the internal
tone source without disabling the CVs.
But Theremax's most unique features are it's Velocity Control Voltage
(proportional to the rate-of-change of volume) and Gate/Trigger outputs.
Internally, Velocity is wired so that it can produce transient asymmetrical
distortions in the output, and when used with external filters provides a wide
pallet of expressive possibilities. Gate/Trigger signals are compatible with
both gated and s-trigger synths and CVs may be used with either V/Hz. or V/oct.
scaling.
Panel Controls are conveniently grouped at the front of the instrument to
minimize unwanted interactions during set-up. Tech-heads will appreciate the use
of four r.f. oscillators to maximize sensitivity and provide wide dynamic range,
as shown in the schematic and design analysis.
(Antennas have been removed in the above image)
The Theremin in this auction is a Theremax Theremin (the case is made of pine).
It works beautifully. Note that it does require an amplifier of some sort - a
small guitar amp works great, but I usually just use a set of inexpensive
powered computer speakers (don't locate the speakers too close - the speaker
magnets will affect the performance of the Theremin...). To connect the Theremin
to an amplifier, you just connect a cable to the 1/4" "Audio Out" jack:
I also added a small headphone preamp, headphone jack, and headphone volume control to this unit, but in my opinion, the headphone setup doesn't really work very well (note that if you want to use headphones, the headphone amp requires two 9-volt batteries - headphones and batteries are not included).
Here are close-ups of the headphone components:
Also included in this auction is an adaptor
that lets you mount this Theremin onto a standard microphone stand (mic stand is
not included in this auction). The adaptor can be attached or detached quickly
(it's attached by two phillips screws):
(Mic stand not included)
Here's what it looks like on a mic stand:
(Mic stand not included)
The Theremax Theremin's power adaptor plugs into a standard electrical outlet for power. Also included will be all of the documentation, including the original assembly/user's manual, calibration information, schematics, etc.
Here's what it looks like inside:
I'll also be including a trim-pot tool, for "trimming" the various tuning pots (information on exactly how to do this will be included). You can see the four trim-pots in the image above (they're the four square silver boxes with the red screw heads in them).
Note that I'll need to remove the two
antennas from the Theremin to ship it to you. It's very simple to reattach them
once you receive it - it's just a matter of threading the antennas through their
holes in the case, then attaching them with wingnuts. Here's a close up of how
the antennas are attached:
In addition to the winning bid amount, the winning
Bidder will also pay $20.00 for shipping (inside the
Continental U.S.). The Theremin will be packaged very safely
for shipping; the shipment will be fully insured.
Shipping cost will be recalculated for shipment outside the Continental U.S.
(shipping outside the U.S. will be by Insured Air Mail).
No matter where you are located, I am only willing to ship this item by
insured methods. Please feel free to contact me for a shipping cost quote
before you place your bid, if you are located outside the Continental U.S.
Note that there are a few Countries that a shipment from the U.S. cannot be
insured to (Norway, for instance). Please contact me before you bid if you are
unsure about shipping insurance from the U.S. to your Country.