About the instrument

While Western equivalents like the Fender Rhodes or Wurlitzer utilized hammers to strike tines or reeds, the Claviset utilized a specialized plucking mechanism. This grants it a percussive, harpsichord-like timbre that is distinct from the “bell” tones of its American counterparts. The Wrongtools Pianotron is widely regarded as the best and most exhaustive sample library of this rare vintage instrument available today.

Mechanical Operation and Sound Generation The internal physics of the Pianotron differ significantly from other vintage electric pianos. It utilizes a mechanical plucking action rather than a strike or a pull.

• The Plucking Mechanism: When a key is depressed, a lever rises with a small cam or plucker at its end. This cam plucks a tuned metal reed, causing it to vibrate. This is a rare implementation of the plectrum principle in an electric piano.

• Damping System: A felt damper is physically lifted off the reed during the key-press and returns to silence the vibration upon release.

• Key Action: The original wooden keys lack dynamic velocity sensitivity; the reeds are plucked with a consistent force. Wrongtools has preserved this mechanical honesty, including the distinct wooden clack and mechanical reset sounds that occur during a performance.