The great mysteries of... the GUITORGAN!

[Stereordinary]

So, a friend of mine has had for years now, this guitar that he got for free (along with a 70's SG) that simply says GuitOrgan on the headstock.  Now I know a little about these, mainly the part about the outboard pedal that connects to it and generates an organ tone to the tune of the notes played on the guitar.  The frets are individually wired in six sections that cause an otherwise open circuit to complete when a string is de-pressed and send an electronic signal to the pedal where a sympathetic drone note is generated.  Univox made some and every one I've seen looked like a circuit-bending nut went to town on an ES-335.

I got to hold it and the thing weighed a ton.  It was gloss black and has a tiny red push-button by the nut of all places.  Anyway, we're hoping to find the pedal that goes with it or a schematic for one or somebody willing to build or repair one.  Anybody have any ideas?

[1946dodge]

You may want to try to contact this guy.
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... organ/10/1
A snippet of what he reported for you :

These things are rather delicate instruments. When I got mine, three notes weren't working properly, but it came with all the schematics. So, after first studying the schematics of course, I took it apart and tried to find the problems. This was difficult. It took about 3 or 4 weeks of on and off searching through the circuit, changing various inexpensive parts that could be considered culprits to the problem. Well, I'm happy to say, after becoming ONE with the Guitorgan FSG circuit, I've repaired it completely! It is now playable and enjoyable. I believe it could withstand live playing, sure. Just don't be rough with it, and it won't screw up.

[glimmertwin]

I just saw one on ebay but I can't remember where...it wasn't under guitarorgan...I can't find it now.  Damn where was that...one of those late night searches for random things..

[StevenO]

Are these the ones with the Portamento switches? Any guitar with a portamento setting is a friend of mine.

[RumorsOFsurF]

Sounds interesting...  Pics?

[Stereordinary]

From Willie's:

[aen]

Dudes!

When i was like 10 I sat in with a guy who had one of those, and it was on Public access television.  I played cello and danced.  The guitar sounded really cool.

[IPLAYLOUD]

A local guy has a 69 LP Custom with one built in. It has 132 little frets on it and weighs 15 lbs.

Phil Upchurch endorsed Fender Coronados when they came out in 1967. He still has a White Coro with a Guitorgan built in, but unfortunatley, the top was damaged and it is unplayable.

[sookwinder]

Dudes!
When i was like 10 I sat in with a guy who had one of those, and it was on Public access television.  I played cello and danced.  The guitar sounded really cool.

Aen, welcome to “cello-dancers” anonymous ,  how long has it been since you danced around the false god that is the cello ?

[dain]

Now I know a little about these, mainly the part about the outboard pedal that connects to it and generates an organ tone to the tune of the notes played on the guitar.

actually most (all) of the tone generation equipment is in the back of the guitar covered by the large rectangular cover.  some models didn't even come with the volume pedal assembly they just attached to a box that supplied power through a multipin. you might be able to get by without the pedal if you just built a variable power supply.

[Stereordinary]

Got a shematic for one?  Or better yet, where to get one cheap?

[mynameisjonas]

anyone heard of the Hagström Patch 2000? it was basically a Swede, with what appears to be the GuitOrgan circuitry built into it.

info: http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/Patch2000SS.htm
demo video: http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/Travels/Medi ... 000web.wmv

edit: apparently these where the first ever guitars with this kind of technology (yay! go sweden! )

edit#2: apparently they were not

[chrisjedijane]

I like the look of the bass version a LOT!

edit: check out that guy's platforms!!!

[Superfuzz]

anyone heard of the Hagström Patch 2000? it was basically a Swede, with what appears to be the GuitOrgan circuitry built into it.

info: http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/Patch2000SS.htm
demo video: http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/Travels/Medi ... 000web.wmv

edit: apparently these where the first ever guitars with this kind of technology (yay! go sweden! )

edit#2: apparently they were not

That's a crazy instrument, the perfect instrument for old progressive bands..BTW I dont' see any use in the music of today.

[chrisjedijane]

oh you could totally use it in anything - the guy said it'd work with any synth, right? You could then use it with any voltage-control synth - imagine using it with a Moog or something....