The Wurlitzer Gemini, part of the company’s “Wild Ones” series, was manufactured in the mid-1960s by the Holman-Woodell guitar factory in Neodesha, Kansas. This series, which also included the Cougar and Wildcat models, was Wurlitzer’s venture into the electric guitar market, aiming to compete with leading brands of the era.
The Gemini’s design featured a Bigsby-inspired tremolo system, known as the Wurlitzer Vibratron, distinguished by a “W” cutout in its tailpiece. Unlike traditional Bigsby units, the Vibratron lacked a down-tension bar and utilized an open-slotted, wraparound mechanism for stringing. This design provided a balanced feel and maintained tuning stability, appealing to players accustomed to Bigsby-style tremolos.
In 1959, Wurlitzer was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,881,650, titled “Electronic Piano Amplifier.” This patent detailed an electronic musical instrument with vibrating reeds, electrical pickups, and an amplifier connected to the pickups. The amplifier featured circuits with distinct wave-shaping characteristics and two tremulant generators with different phase-shift properties, each associated with a respective wave-shaping circuit. This design allowed for independent tremolo effects on bass and treble frequencies, enhancing the instrument’s versatility.
The Wurlitzer Gemini was notable for several innovative features:
True Stereo Output: Each pickup was assigned to a separate channel, enabling the neck and bridge pickups to be routed to different amplifiers for a unique stereo effect.
Tone Switches: Labeled “Jazz” and “Rock,” these switches adjusted the output and tonal quality of each pickup, offering a range from mellow to bright sounds.
Pickup Blender: This control allowed players to blend the outputs of the two pickups, providing a customizable tonal palette.
Bound Fretboard: The neck featured a bound fretboard with pearl dot inlays, adding to the instrument’s aesthetic appeal.
Despite its forward-thinking design, the Gemini did not achieve widespread popularity, leading to its rarity today. Collectors and vintage guitar enthusiasts appreciate the Gemini for its distinctive appearance and innovative features, though some note that the original low-output pickups may require upgrades for modern performance standards.
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