| Stylophone |
Description : It is a small handheld monophonic keyboard instrument. You play it by using a small pen over the metal keyboard.
Keys : 20
Production period : Late 60´s to mid 70´s
Quantity produced : Thousands ?
Used by : David Bowie, Rolf Harris, Rick Wakeman, Kraftwerk ( Pocket Calculator ), Belle & sebastian, Pulp ( 350s ).
What David Bowie has to say about the Stylophone : ” Ah, the Stylophone ! Marc Bolan gaveme that one. He said, you lik this kind of stuff, do something with it. And I put it on Space Oddity, so it served me well. I didn´t hang on to my Stylophones, I should have donbe really. They made them as Tenors, Altos and Baritones. It was just a little signal responding to electrodes. Sounded atrocious. "
Told to Q magazine, may 1993 issue.
Description : The stylophone started in almost the same way as the Optigan. A musical toy for both kids and adults. The difference between the Stylophone and other keyboards are that you play the keyboard with a special pen ( a stylo ). The sound is very thin, n asa l organ-reedy-ish. With a bit of imagination you could think of it as a very sick bagpipe. Two different models were made. One ordinary small one and a larger one. The 350s. The 350s had a wide variety of filter possibilities and last but not least the photosensor control ( Se 350s page )
This small keyboard have started to attract pretty high prices on ebay and other internet auction sites. One interesting fact is that the Stylophone was a pretty expensive toy when it came. Recounted into todays moneys it cost around 95 £ !!!!
If you are thinking on getting one. Make sure that the wire between the pen and the unit is in good shape. Very often a crack forms on the cord which can cause problems.
Also I have noticed that they oddly enough sound pretty different so if possible listen to it before buying. Both Andreas from Geller, Matias from Celestine and Olle from Pineforest bought Stylophones and they all sound different.
Stylophone
in style
