This project was started on April 14, 1996 to help track down the remaining RCA Victor theremins. These instruments were built and sold during the 1930's by Radio Corporation of America. The registry is intended to help track down the rich history of the RCA theremins and to attempt to determine how many are still in existence. Apparently, 500 instruments were made originally under the RCA name, but were actually build by G.E. and Westinghouse under contract by RCA. Of these, 485 models were sold. It is estimated that as many as half may still exist today. You can learn more about the history of the RCA theremin in the wonderful book, "Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage" by Albert Glinsky. If you know of an RCA theremin not yet cataloged, please email submit[REMOVE]@thereminworld.com. I will not post owners' names unless I have their expicit permission, as to protect their privacy. Please note that I do not own or sell RCA theremins. This page only lists the whereabouts and owners of the instruments. If you are restoring an RCA theremin, you should definitely check out Arthur Harrison's detailed analysis of the instrument. For more photos of RCA theremins, please check out our RCA Photo Gallery

Model AR-1264:

Serial No. 20

This theremin is played by Alex Schub, a professional musician from Los Angeles. Mr. Schub may be reached via e-mail at: AlexSchub@mediaone.net. He has performed the theremin part in Ives' 4th Symphony with the LA Philharmonic, recorded commercials (Planet Lunch), and performed extensively on Dramatic 16, the history of Sci-Fi on SONOTON Music. He also played theremin on the re-release of the score to It Came From Outer Space (Monstrous Movie Music).

Serial No. 117

This theremin belongs to Debbi Schwarz. She writes:

It has a beautiful speaker with it and we have plugged everything every way we can and can not get it to work. The number on the botton of the doors is 117. It is on both doors. I enjoyed listening to my dad play it many many times as a child but I didn't pay much attention to how it plugged into the speaker. Mine is a full cabinet-about 4 feet from the floor. I would appreciate any information you have.

Serial No. 154 

Howard Mossman is the proud owner of this RCA theremin. He writes to explain how he came to own it:

The RCA theremin in the picture is No. 154 as imprinted on the bottoms of the cabinet doors. This instrument was sent to me by a kindly old gentleman in San Fransisco who rescued it from in front of a neighbor's house. It had been set out to be collected by the trashmen. He knew what it was, and contacted Emil Dodlin (historic curator) at RCA headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center and asked him if he was interested in receiving this theremin. Since Emil knew me through previous correspondences, he contacted me and told me of the availability of this instrument. He said that he did not want it, and if I did to contact the gentleman in question. I did so and he kindly packed it up in a discarded refrigerator carton, and at his own expense, and sent it out to me airmail express. He wanted nothing from me and just wanted the Theremin to have a good home. It arrived safe and sound and "sang" beautifully right out of the box. As a footnote to this story, the lady that threw this theremin out said she needed the room in her garage and didn't know what "that thing" was. She said her husband bought it in 1930 and it's been in the garage ever since.

Serial No. 331

This theremin is owned by Duane Saetveit. His father, Joseph G. Saetveit, got it from a radio station in Sioux Falls, SD in the early 1930's. They told him if he could play a recital on the thing, he could have it. (some guys get all the luck, eh? -ed). He toured intermittently around the Midwest playing recitals in churches and other small venues. It was in storage for many years after that. At his 50th highschool reunion, an old friend restored it to working condition for him. Today, the instrument is still in good shape and still works!

Serial No. 371

The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University owns a model AR-1264, Serial No. 371. It was formerly the property of the Charles Stieff family of Maryland who gave it to Peabody in the 1980's. It is now on display in the Arthur Friedheim Library. It has been recently repaired and returned to working order by Fred Geil and Paul Marchese. Funds for the repiar work were provided by a generous gift from the late Francis Schillinger, widow of Joseph Schillinger. Joseph Schillinger was Thermin's countryman and colleague who worked with Theremin during Theremin's New York years on the development of the Rhythmicon and other projects. For further information contact Ned Quist at quist@peabody.jhu.edu.

Serial No. 372

This theremin now belongs to Bill Cogley in Portland, OR/SW Washington.  He wrote to TW with the details:

My Grandfather, E. F. Salisbury of Salisbury Corp, Los Angeles, CA., purchased this unit new. At his passing, it went to his daughter, my Mother Sue Cogley and she has recently placed it in my care. Radio-Victor Corporation of America, Model AR-1264. If the number under the doors are the serial numbers, then mine say 372. The data plate has a list of 32 sets of numbers starting with 1129942 and ending with 1661058. The bottom left corner of the data sticker has: N.P. 48014. The cabinet has a sticker that says: Cabinet by Jamestown Mantel Co., Jamestown, NY. This unit is currently operating, has all original parts, wiring, cords, cabinet and is in good condition. The speaker is of the same, or close, vintage, however, is a cathedral type (not the preferred RCA 106).

For further information contact Bill Cogley at quist@peabody.jhu.edu.

Serial No. 479

This theremin was originally purchased by Norman Frost Greeley, a relative of the famous Horace Greeley ("Go west, young man!"). It is now owned by Olivia Mattis of Portland, Maine who had the good fortune of interviewing Leon Theremin when he emerged from Russia in 1989 and again in 1991 at Stanford. These events are highlighted in the article, "Leon Theremin: Pulling Music Out of Thin Air", by Olivia Mattis and Robert Moog, Keyboard Magazine, Feb. 1992, pp 46-54. Email: Olivia Mattis, omattis@webtv.net

Serial No. 521 - Jane Evans - Texas, USA

Ms. Evans recently wrote to Thereminworld with news of another RCA! She is interested in selling this RCA. Please contact her by clicking on her name above if you are interested. She writes:

"I have my father's RCA model 1264, NP48014, Theremin. It is in it's original case, which is is good, but not mint, condition. It needs a new electrical cord, as the fabric-covered cord is quite frayed. To my knowledge, it would be in working condition with the addition of a new cord. My father, Sam Fenner, purchased it new in the early 1930's. At that time, he lived at the Grand Canyon, working as a mule-train guide down into the Canyon during the days and as an entertainer (fiddle, musical saw, and theremin) for the dudes at the Bright Angel Lodge on the south rim of the Canyon each evening. He and three of his fellow guides/entertainers were the 'Oringinal 1935 Grand Canyon Cowboy Band'."

Here are some photos of this theremin.

Museum # NMM 4154

An AR-1264, 48014 donated to the Shrine to Music Museum & Center for the Study of the History of Musical Instruments by Arne B. Larson, South Dakota, 1987. Cabinet by Jamestown Mantel Co., Jamestown, NY. Ca. 1930. This is the third RCA theremin at the museum, it joins two already in The Charles D. Stein Collection of Early Electronic Instruments

Serial No. 100007

This theremin is currently owned by David Skelley. He purchased it from the original owner's niece in the Seattle area. The original owner apparently was a traveling inventor/musician and had removed the legs for "ease" of transportation. The theremin has been beautifully restored by someone named Jeff in the San Diego area (we're awaiting further details on this person) and can be seen in a picture here.

Serial No. 100093

Eric Hesse is the proud owner of this RCA Theremin and Loudspeaker 106 (SN 261613). He writes:

This item was bought by my Grandfather Leonard Hesse in the 60s from a Hugo Sundt. I received it from my Grandfather in 1998 prior to death. At the time I got it, the instrument was not working and the cabinet was showing its age. The door hinge pins are worn, the laminates have delaminated in places and the tapered legs are wobbly. However, it is generally in good shape and restorable.

Serial No. 100115 (a.k.a. #354)

Buck Sanders from Los Angeles, CA is the proud owner of this RCA Theremin (#354 is stamped on bottom of cabinet door). He got it via eBay for $5000 and it needs some restoration work. A new pitch rod and volume loop plus new legs. The seller lives in Idaho but purchased it in Pasadena in the 70's and never got around to using it. The cabinet is in beautiful shape because it has been in a traveling case (case appears to be from the 30's) which makes Buck believe it was perhaps a LA studio musicians. He's not sure about the electronics' condition but it looks very clean and the tubes do light up when powered up.

Buck has also shared some photos of his theremin with us.

Update 5/19/2003 - We got an e-mail from Buck today with an update on this theremin. As it turns out, the numbers stamped on the bottom of the doors do not appear to be the RCA serial number! Read on...

Hey Jason,

You recently registered my theremin a couple of months ago and I was writing you with an update.

I picked up my Theremin finally last week in Idaho and I was stunned by its beauty. Its in great shape and has the coolest custom case. Anyway I was at Gene Segal's (from Wavefront Technology) workshop today and we were looking at my theremin and we noticed that there is another number inside the theremin that is probably the RCA serial number.

100115 is next to one of the tubes on the upper chasis. Charlie Lester was over there and he believed that was the RCA serial number and that 354 was the cabinet manufactuors serial number.

I've attached a photo of the really cool case that was made for it. I also attached a photo of my theremin with the rods that were recently made by Floyd Engels in NY. Everyone I've shown them to is highly impressed with the detail that he put into identically reproducing the pitch rod and volume loop. They still need to be nickel plated.

Thanks!

Buck Sanders

Serial No. 100195

This theremin is owned by Rick Levine of New Jersey. He purchased it in 1987 from Fred Oster (Vintage Instruments, Phila, PA). Included with the instrument was significant documentation, including communications from the original owner in January, 1930 to RCA (Charles E. Phelps & Mr. Shewell) and their responses concerning operating problems. Based on the aforementionedand the following, this Theremin appears to be one of the earliest produced (1929).

The original owner was Robert S. Alter of Cincinnati. A.M. Gibson of Houston, TX writes that Alter was "a concert organist and pianist and a master of the Musical Saw as well as the Theremin, Musical Glasses, and other unusual instruments."

Mr. Alter in his letters refers to the RCA serial number as #2 (and a GE #100195). It is in excellent condition and he plays it occasionally.

Serial No. 100236

This theremin was recently purchased by Mr. Dave Weiner, westdave@aol.com. The electronics are not currently in working condition, but the theremin is being restored now.

Serial No. 100266

RCA 100266 is owned by B. Kolberg. He writes:

I live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I am the very proud owner of an RCA AR-1264 Theremin; cabinet door numbers 77/140, chassis serial number 100266. I had purchased the Theremin earlier this year from the renowned Musicologist, Olivia Mattis, along with an RCA 106 speaker. She told me that I am only the forth owner of this instrument.

The cabinet has its original legs and a beautiful chocolate colored finish including the usual scratches from age. I found it peculiar that the rear doors have different numbers stamped on them, but unfortunately, I do not have any additional information whether they had been switched at the factory or were replaced sometime later. I received the Theremin complete and in working order with the exception of the circuitry which had been modified to allow it to connect to a modern day amplifier. The speaker too had been updated with a newer permanent type speaker.

Since then, I have reversed the modifications and returned the circuitry to its factory configuration, I have kept the cabinet in its original condition, and I bought another RCA speaker for parts which I used to restore the speaker to its original configuration.

Serial No. 200022 

This theremin is owned by Todd Marsden. He writes:

I have an RCA Theremin, Serial Number (hand written on the wood in between the two antennas) is 200022. It also had RCA speaker model 100-A serial #2054700 (or is the last digit a 6, hand written so hard to tell). I purchased it about 9 years ago from a man who's wife had recently died. Apparently her family was the original owner. I paid $95, which was about all I had to my name. I just wanted one because I was a big Jimmy Page fan, but didn't realize at the time what I had. I went back a couple days later with money from my boss, a studio owner, and purchased a solid state theremin from the man, built from a kit by R.A. Moog! [What luck!! -Jason]

The RCA Theremin worked up until recently, but I haven't had the money to get it working again. I have some replacement tubes and schematics provided by the seller. It appears that two handles were added to the sides to make it more portable, a shelf was added to hold the RCA 100-A speaker, and a couple screws were used to hold the top shelf securely. The cabinet has lots of scrapes and dings, I wasn't sure if refinishing was a good or bad idea.

I used the R.A. Moog theremin on a local musician's project to make typical weird noises thru a delay. The RCA Theremin was used by a band called Psyclone Rangers, they were on a independant label and put out a couple records, but I don't think those sessions every were released.

Serial No. 200084

RCA theremin number 2000084 is owned by Harold Sloan, sloan@plateautel.net.

Serial No. 200085

RCA Theremin Model AR 1264, No. 200085 was purchased by John Jenkins of the American Museum of Radio in Bellingham, WA. The Museum has a new official name and website: The American Museum Of Radio and Electricity, located at 1312 Bay Street. People are still allowed to play the Theremin upon request and the museum also has a Moog Etherwave for patrons to play as well.

This RCA Theremin, and companion RCA Model 106 Electro-Dynamic Loudspeaker as sold at auction on Sunday, October 27th, 2002 at Skinners Auction House. They had not turned it on because they do not guarantee anything to be in working order. The consigner said that the Theremin belonged to her grandfather, and it had been sitting up in their attic for several years.

Serial No. 200132

The RCA Theremin once owned and played by Mischa Tulin has been found.

Mr. Tulin was a Russian piano virtuoso and composer. In 1930 at the suggestion of Leon Theremin he took up the study of the Theremin. Mr Tulin performed in Springfield, MA. and Boston MA. on radio stations WBZ and WBZA to promote the Theremin instrument. During a performance in Saudi Arabia prior to 1953 the instrument supposedly was in a fire. The case was rebuilt to the exact dimensions of the original with Tiger Maple and included very detailed triangular wood inlay decoration. Unfortunately the legs which look as if they were made to separate from the rest of the unit are missing. If it were not for this unfortunate accident it would have been impossible to link this particular RCA to the original owner. It is number 200132. The theremin is now owned by Alex M. Stazak (alexstazak@juno.com).

Serial No. 200138

Located at the Shrine to Music Museum & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments. Donated to the museum on March 8, 1996 as part of the Charles D. Stein Collection and Archives by his son, Howard F. Stein, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Cunningham. Includes separate stand and amplifier. Ca. 1930.

Serial No. 200171

This theremin is owned by Reid Welch, rewelch@earthlink.net. Mr. Welch is a piano technician by trade, and is a personal friend of Clara Rockmore. Reid regulated and tuned Clara's beloved 1931 Steinway, which was a wedding gift from her sister, acclaimed pianist Nadia Reisenberg. In one of Clara's many kind gestures, she treated Reid to a theremin lesson. A photo of Reid with his theremin may be seen in the photo gallery. Mr. Welch is also the owner of the 1937 custom theremin mentioned on Charlie Lester's web site: http://www.137.com/original.htm.

Serial No. 200183

C.E. "Sonny" Clutter, a.k.a. RadiolaGuy is the proud owner of this beautiful AR-1264. His website has several pictures of the theremin showing off the great job he did restoring it along with a model 106 speaker to working condition. Be sure to check out the rest of his great website for tons of information on various tube radios & equipment.

Serial No. 200190

Big Briar, Inc. - makers of the Series '91 and Etherwave theremins - are the proud owners of this model AR-1264 and accompanying speaker. Dr. Moog actually did a restoration on the theremin in the late 1970's, and it was recently traded to Big Briar for a new Series '91. The cabinet is in great shape, with just a few scratches and dents to give it character. None of the tubes are currently installed though, and the playability of the instrument is unknown.

Model AR-1264's without Serial Numbers

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Dave Barnes wrote in to tell us about the museum's RCA theremin. The instrument was formerly owned by Mr. John Ost, a piano tuner from Ottawa,Ontario, Canada. It was donated to the National Museum of Science and Technology, Ottawa, Ont, Canada, Nov. 1,1970.

Condition: Working, some scratches on cabinet
Dimentions: 12" X 19" X 47" high
Comments: Includes floor model RCA Electrodyne Loudspeaker Model 106, 11" X 24" X 34" High.
When MFG: circa 1930
Catalogue No: 740759.000

Thanks Dave!

Melbourne University, Australia

Apparently the music museum has an RCA Theremin in its collection. We'll update this listing as soon as we have more information. Thanks to Alex Dinsdale for the tip.

The Musical Museum, Brentford, UK

The RCA theremin once owned by "Musair" (as described in Albert Glisky's book) is on display at the Musical Museum. It is (gasp!) painted yellow and decorated with musical notes.

Marvin and Sylvia Becker's RCA Theremin

This RCA theremin belongs to Marvin and Sylvia Becker, who inherited it from her father. He was in the radio business when radios were a new item, and purchased it around l928. They are searching for an original speaker to accompany the instrument. Reid Welsh has reconditioned it and built a temporary speaker, so it is now playable.

The 'Haags Gemeentemuseum' in The Hague, The Netherlands

The 'Haags Gemeentemuseum' in The Hague, The Netherlands has an RCA Theremin in permanent loan. There is no serial number. On the inner side of the right panel of the 'backdoor' there is a little paper with patent numbers (32 in 4 rows of 8) from 1129942 to 1661058. Another paper inside the case (left panel, below) show the text: 'Jamestown Mantel Company - Jamestown NY' Around the tuning screws somebody wrote with a red 'marker' some adjust indications. With a black 'marker' the words 'Var. Osc.' 'Stab. Osc.' and 'Vol' are written.

There is a RCA Loudspeaker 106, serial number 253969. The Theremin is in original state with original cables and plugs; is NOT in working condition and it's the museums policy to keep the instruments as original as possible, so at the moment it will not be restored. The instrument is in permanent display.

Haags Gemeentemuseum
Stadhouderslaan 41
2517 HV   Den Haag

Instrument in display
Museum Muziekpaleis
Lange Voorhout 74
2514 EH   Den Haag

Synthorama Museum for Synthesizers, Switzerland

In addition to their RCA theremin, this museum also has a Moog Melodia theremin (1961), a Big Briar Series 91 (1993), and an Etherwave. They also have approximately 230 synthesizers on display. For more information, contact:

Synthorama
Museum of Synthesizers       Tel:   +4132 682 23 24
Hauptstrasse 15              Fax:   +4132 671 13 14
4542 Luterbach
Switzerland
synthorama@bluewin.ch

RCA Ar-1264

This RCA theremin, still in good condition, was once owned by Mr. Russ and he sold it in the early 2000's, it is believed, to someone in Buffalo NYC who may have been affiliated with a University at the time. Russ is also an avid organ fan, and was the proud owner of a beautiful Hammond Novachord. For tube audio fans, this rare instrument uses nearly 200 tubes instead of tone wheels to produce sounds! And is considered by many to be one of the original synthesizers.

Douglas Henderson

Mr. Henderson reports that this RCA theremin was purchased from the Aeolian company. He used to perform evening concerts with the instrument in the late 60's, accompanied by Duo-Art player piano rolls he created for duets. He plans to resume his live performances in 2003 for the Searsport Shores concerts in Maine. The theremin was recently restored to working order, and the RCA #106 speaker cabinet is being rebuilt currently.

Interestingly, Mr. Henderson reports this theremin is #503 - possibly indicating there were more than 500 RCA theremins originally built. Stay tuned for more information!

Contact:

 L. Douglas Henderson
 dba ARTCRAFT Music Rolls | The PIANOLA Quarterly
 PO Box 295
 Wiscasset, ME 04578
 (207) 882-7420
 artcraft@wiscasset.net

Audities

Audities is a recording studio in Los Angeles specializing in out of the ordinary instruments. The owner, David Kean, acquired an RCA theremin recently and the studio is having it restored. Among the other interesting items in the studio is Mini Moog Model D serial number 1001 (the first ever made).

The Smithsonian

According to reports, the Smithsonian Museum has an RCA theremin which has never been on display. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

David A. Newton's Family RCA Theremin

Mr. Newton's family is the original owner of this AR-1264 still in playable condition. The theremin is currently being refinished and tuned. Pictures are available at the above link. Mr. Newton's father used the theremin in the Cornish School of Music in Seattle around the 1930's. If you may have known his father, please contact David at danewton@hevanet.com. For a photo-essay of the restoration process, click on the above link.

The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting

Janet Moe, of the Pavek Museum, and her husband recently restored an RCA AR-1264 to full working condition. There is no serial number, but the instrument is believed to be one of the first 10 or 20 made by RCA. The instrument was originally owned by an RCA engineer, and included a document from the engineer to a patent office detailing a modification to change the tone of the theremin. For more information, or to see the theremin, contact:

   Pavek Museum of Broadcasting
   3515 Raleigh Avenue
   St. Louis Park, MN  55416

Shrine to Music Museum

The S.M.M. has a model AR-1264, nearly identical to No. 200138 which has no serial number. It is part of the Charles D. Stein Collection and Archives.

The Exploratorium, San Francisco

The Exploratorium has on display an RCA theremin case with solid state internals. Nonetheless, this accounts for one of the originals. If you have any information on the circuit used to re-build the interior, please share with us.

The Henry Ford Museum Collection

The H.F.M. has 3 RCA theremins, all currently in storage. According to their archives department, the theremins do not have serial numbers. Instead, they list several patent numbers from 1129942 to 1661058. The first is listed as HFM Object ID 68.62.4 in the archives and is in the best condition. The second is ID 43.139.1, and is circa 1929. The third is ID 36.556.15 and is in a walnut case. The theremins are not currently on display, unfortunately.

The museum has a fee-based search service. For $35, a Research Center staff member will conduct one hour's research in your topic. Please write

   Research Center
   Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
   20900 Oakwood Boulevard
   PO Box 1970
   Dearborn, MI 48121-1970

or fax (313-271-9621) your request to the research center with the specific type of information you are looking for with a check (made payable to Henry Ford Museum) or a credit card number and expiration date. (A more detailed description of our service is available on their WWW site under "Programs and Services"/"Research Center".

They also offer a special access service for researchers who require to see artifacts in storage areas or behind the exhibit barriers. The fees for this service are dependent upon the individual requests. You may write or fax the same address above for more information.