Hello everyone, I'm a long time lurker and new member here. I just purchased an Etherwave Standard and a Lost Volts LV-4 as my first theremins.
The reason I even got interested in the theremin is that my father recently gave me a theremin he was gifted by his sister's boyfriend in college. Here's the information I was able to gather about it from some research:
1968 SWTPC Theremin Kit
- Manufacturer: Southwest Technical Products Corporation (SWTPC), San Antonio, TX.
- Connection: HemisFair '68 (World’s Fair), October 6, 1968.
- Design:
- DIY kit with a wooden enclosure.
- 14.5” x 7” x 3”.
- Battery-powered (9V).
- 1/4-inch audio output for amplifier or speaker.
- Controls: Pitch knob, Volume knob, On/Off switch.
- Circuitry:
- Analog design with inductors and discrete components.
- Red inductors (coils) for pitch/volume heterodyning.
- Minimalist design for hobbyist assembly.
- Condition:
- Wooden case and components intact; minor wear.
- Likely needs restoration (e.g., replacing capacitors) for full functionality.
- Significance:
- Rare collectible tied to the 1960s DIY electronics movement and theremin revival.
- Represents innovation showcased at HemisFair '68.
- Value: Historical artifact or playable theremin after restoration.
He still had the original box stored in his basement, and upon looking at it I can clearly see the address it came from:
Southwest Tech Prod Corp.
219 W. Rhapsody
San Antonio, Texas 76218
And that it either was purchased and/or came from the HemisFair '68 (World’s Fair), October 6, 1968.
I took photos of the theremin and the box it came in which you can see here: 1968 SWTPC Theremin
I'm curious if anyone has any information about this theremin besides the links I found online:
https://deramp.com/swtpc.com/History/SWTPC_History.htm
https://www.theremin.us/144/144.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HemisFair_'68
I plan on putting this theremin into a case and making sure to protect the box also as it adds the provenance to it.