Maestro TH-1 Theremin (1970s)
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Maestro TH-1 Model Theremin (1970s), serial # D-0251, black anodized and natural metal finish.
Originally conceived by Leon Theremin in the 1920s, the Theremin was an incredibly novel invention for the time, a purely electronic musical instrument. 30+ years later in the age of the tape recorder and transistor, Bob Moog revived the theremin for a new age of live performance. Over the decades the instrument has attracted many artists, from those who produced classical music to soundtrack and special effects for movies to jazz and later rock musicians with an interest in exploring brave new sonic structures that could be controlled as any other musical instrument.
Several years before his iconic synthesizer would materialize as a commercial product, Bob Moog started a small business building transistorized theremins. Being an electronics hobbyist since his youth, he taught himself how to build theremins while still in high school and continued through his college years. Around one thousand Moog theremin kits were sold during the height of this humble business; twice as many sold than the original RCA theremin in 1930!. Moog's love for the theremin and the mysterious Russian inventor (whom he had never met until later in life) set him squarely on the path to the invention of his ground-breaking Moog synthesizer several years later. As for the theremin, Moog Music still produces Etherwave models, arguably the most widely sold theremin brand in the world today.
This little Maestro TH-1 theremin was designed by Bob Moog in the early 1970's when he was employed by Norlin, Gibson's parent company. It is a novel design, using two square plates to control volume and pitch instead of antennae. First made by Southwest Technical Products (SWTP), this unit was sold through Gibson/Maestro dealers to customers of the company's guitars and amplifiers, from rock bands to jazz artists. Unlike the original Theremins, this model (conveniently for Gibson) requires an outside amp to play through, but offers the familiar Theremin sound with a slightly different playing technique.
Cosmetically, this little unit is in very nice condition with only minimal wear to the exterior chassis; mostly a few dings and scuffs to the corners. The bottom shows a spray-painted stencil reading "Nightwing". The square control plates show some darkening/staining underneath the lacquered surfaces and the on/off knob is a replacement.
Electrically, the TH-1 is nicely original; the transformer bears the code 606-228, dating it to the 28th week of 1972. The unit fully functional and has seen a thorough servicing and calibration, including replacement of out-of-spec/expired components. It retains its original two-prong power cord. Overall Very Good + Condition.
Originally conceived by Leon Theremin in the 1920s, the Theremin was an incredibly novel invention for the time, a purely electronic musical instrument. 30+ years later in the age of the tape recorder and transistor, Bob Moog revived the theremin for a new age of live performance. Over the decades the instrument has attracted many artists, from those who produced classical music to soundtrack and special effects for movies to jazz and later rock musicians with an interest in exploring brave new sonic structures that could be controlled as any other musical instrument.
Several years before his iconic synthesizer would materialize as a commercial product, Bob Moog started a small business building transistorized theremins. Being an electronics hobbyist since his youth, he taught himself how to build theremins while still in high school and continued through his college years. Around one thousand Moog theremin kits were sold during the height of this humble business; twice as many sold than the original RCA theremin in 1930!. Moog's love for the theremin and the mysterious Russian inventor (whom he had never met until later in life) set him squarely on the path to the invention of his ground-breaking Moog synthesizer several years later. As for the theremin, Moog Music still produces Etherwave models, arguably the most widely sold theremin brand in the world today.
This little Maestro TH-1 theremin was designed by Bob Moog in the early 1970's when he was employed by Norlin, Gibson's parent company. It is a novel design, using two square plates to control volume and pitch instead of antennae. First made by Southwest Technical Products (SWTP), this unit was sold through Gibson/Maestro dealers to customers of the company's guitars and amplifiers, from rock bands to jazz artists. Unlike the original Theremins, this model (conveniently for Gibson) requires an outside amp to play through, but offers the familiar Theremin sound with a slightly different playing technique.
Cosmetically, this little unit is in very nice condition with only minimal wear to the exterior chassis; mostly a few dings and scuffs to the corners. The bottom shows a spray-painted stencil reading "Nightwing". The square control plates show some darkening/staining underneath the lacquered surfaces and the on/off knob is a replacement.
Electrically, the TH-1 is nicely original; the transformer bears the code 606-228, dating it to the 28th week of 1972. The unit fully functional and has seen a thorough servicing and calibration, including replacement of out-of-spec/expired components. It retains its original two-prong power cord. Overall Very Good + Condition.