Hello to All! For those of you who do not know me, please check out my profile. I am still fairly new to thereminworld.com, having only posted for a couple of months as of 9/30/2016.
I own many of the available models of theremins. I like the Etherwaves a lot, but I also love the sound of tube theremins, which are now very hard to come by, with only a single source of Keppinger-design chassis components selling off of Ebay. Solid-state/EM theremins are currently pretty abundant, led by Moog and Burns. Many of these transistorized instruments are great, such as the Moog Etherwaves and The Burns Pro. Some are more or less toy-like or even downright junky, but I won't mention those names here. The latest trend is "Optical" theremins, which are sort of like synthesizers with optical sensors instead of antennas.
Over the years, theremins have been steadily digitalized. Starting out as vacuum-tube systems in the early 1900's, they were carried into solid-state, transistorized forms by engineers like Robert Moog. As work now progresses into optical proximity detection, the evolution is into the realm of micro-circuitry, like computers, tablets and cell phones.
The sound has steadily evolved. There is a very noticeable difference between the sound of an early tube system like an RCA and one of the latest, synth-engine theremins like a Minimoog. Some people like the new sound. I prefer the classic theremin sound-quality, so here I must make a parting of ways with the new generation.
You can't just go out and buy a classic theremin anymore. There is one builder selling off of Ebay who can provide you with the components of a Keppinger-type system. But you'll have to build the cabinet and do all of your own tweaking. You can find an occasional Etherwave Pro up for sale on Ebay, for about $10,000.00!!! Or a rare old theremin like an RCA up for sale for only $12,000 bucks or more!
If you are in the market for a theremin, you will probably end up with what's available and affordable: an Etherwave Standard or Plus. Or a Burns. Or a Theramax. Or something similar. Fine, but your options are severely limited....
I am working very hard on a new line of "classic" theremins. I am deliberately moving away from the little "mic-stand" instruments that are variations of small boxes. They are unquestionably convenient if you are an on-the-go musician doing gigs all over the place. They are equally inconvenient in that you have to deal with a mess of cables, external amps and sound systems, and probably loose effects pedals. My designs will all be self-contained - they contain their own sound systems and effects, all housed in a free-standing cabinet.
Some of the designs will use old tube components. Others will utilize solid-state circuitry. I will consider special orders. I will be able to make only a hand-full of these instruments a year, so there will be some build time required.
My first prototype, the "Aria" model, is now nearing completion. It houses an Etherwave Plus circuit board, and contains a multiple speaker sound system driven by a vintage Fender head. There is a "Talking Machine" voice effects unit, as well as reverb and harmonizer. There is a volume pedal. Finally, there is a wired remote glove worn of the volume hand. Touch buttons in the palm of the glove allow changes to sound, octavation and stand-by with a flick of a finger.
Look for my first pictures, which I will be posting here starting around mid-October of 2016.
Wish me luck!
Jon