Claravox Centennial Theremin - Post Your Thoughts Here

Quite disappointing on my end... I was looking so forward to performing for some family during Christmas! But, if it means quality is going to be where it needs to be, it's worth waiting for.

I wonder if the response "exceeding [their] expectations" might make them reconsider their business model around limited edition top-end theremins... but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

This just in from Moog:

pitts8rh, how did you receive that update?

"pitts8rh, how did you receive that update?" - ephemere

The dealer that I had ordered from (Kraft Music in Wisconsin) sent me the update as soon as they received it.

Dear all,

any updates from your side?
Have a nice day!

"I wonder if the response "exceeding [their] expectations" might make them reconsider their business model around limited edition top-end theremins... but maybe that's just wishful thinking." - CB Thereminist

I certainly have no inside information but it has crossed my mind that the whole "limited edition" concept might be an entirely truthful but carefully-worded marketing tactic to boost initial sales.  It may be that the Centennial Edition will indeed be a limited production run - after all, how long can you sell a centennial or anniversary edition of anything? But as long as the theremin is still selling it wouldn't surprise me at all if they revised it into a standard model, possibly in a less expensive cabinet and with a conventional stand. Walnut lumber and woodworking labor isn't cheap and probably represents a pretty significant portion of the manufacturing cost.

I find it hard to believe that the development costs (not to mention the expense of obtaining the international safety and emissions certifications) would be recovered with a profit on a limited production run. From the wording of their statements, I sense that the door has been left open for continued production after the Centennial Edition has ended.

Just my speculation and opinion...

I find it hard to believe that the development costs (not to mention the expense of obtaining the international safety and emissions certifications) would be recovered with a profit on a limited production run

Probably this is a marketing story that is not aimed at making a profit. Caterpillar to celebrate 40th anniversary of Pacman game played it in reality using huge remote-controlled bulldozers. Anniversary limited edition Claravox is also a screaming headline.
Unfortunately, creating a professional-grade theremin is not profitable in our days. Demand may have exceeded their expectations, but still it's quite small. There are few people who need more than e/w standard. And almost no one is willing to pay a price of good guitar for theremin...

"There are few people who need more than e/w standard." - Ruslan

Not disagreeing, but the EW is probably a semi-tough product for them to manufacture and support.  And even if they bought out an end-of-life treasure trove of RF chokes, they'll be 3D printing a Roger special coil winder at some point.  Personally, I would ditch the EW as fast as possible and replace it with a more digital design, and I wonder if that was their plan for the ill-fated Theremini.

The Claravox will be my first theremin. I just preordered it. Ever since I heard a theremin-like sound on Portishead's "Dummy" album many years ago, I was enchanted, but never dared to actually acquire one. I tried an Etherwave Standard once in a while but direly missed a pitch preview, and the Etherwave Plus was a little bit too expensive for what it delivers, particularly with its weak headphone output, in my humble opinion.
Of course the Claravox costs a lot more than an Etherwave Plus, but I feel it also provides a lot of value.
Particularly the tuner output seems very useful for beginners.
The second killer argument, IMHO, is the option to use both a fully analog traditional mode and a modern mode, in one package.
Very excited!

FIRST POST

Hi eveyone, Gemma from Colorado here....

I preordered the Claravox on Octover 23rd.
Today, the payment went out of my accounts.
I am excited as this may mean that it is (or very shortly) on it's way to Guitar Center from Moog! Thoughts?

This will be my first theremin, after having a childhood longing to play the violin (denied - there was a piano in the family house and I was "encouraged" to learn that instead), and after seeing a theremin and becoming fascinated.

I have been studying music theory, plan to take lessons with Carolina, and work my self hard on this instrument.

I bought the Amp that THIERRY recommeded, also found a Boss RC-50 loop station.

After some practice (years!), a vocal mic and possible other mic will enter the equation (husband is a beautiful drummer), and BAM! There's the band!

I will update here once it arrives!

I bought the Amp that THIERRY recommeded, also found a Boss RC-50 loop station.

Probably I'm not alone here who is willing to know what particular amplifier does our theremin guru recommend for CVox...