Which keyboards typified the Sixties?

[Tubthumper]

Can anyone shed any light on the classic keyboards of the Sixties? I'm particularly interested in classic Sixties organ sounds; as an example, can anyone tell me which organs were used on "I'm a Believer" (Monkees), "Twentieth Century Fox" & "Light My Fire" from the Doors first album, etc.

The organ sound I'm after may have also featured in an early single (1990s) by Smashmouth, song title unknown.

[TonyBelmont]

Hammond B3?

[Oldone]

Originally Posted by Tubthumper

Can anyone shed any light on the classic keyboards of the Sixties? I'm particularly interested in classic Sixties organ sounds; as an example, can anyone tell me which organs were used on "I'm a Believer" (Monkees), "Twentieth Century Fox" & "Light My Fire" from the Doors first album, etc.

The organ sound I'm after may have also featured in an early single (1990s) by Smashmouth, song title unknown.

VOX or Farfisa I believe.

[Jamz]

Vox Continental
Fender piano bass
Farfisa
Wurlitzer
Mellotron
Hohner Pianet
Hammond B3, C3, M100
RMI rock-si-chord

[MrVelvet]

The Vox Continental was one of the key sounds that the doors used and it also has a Monkees-touch as well, tough I don't know right now if that's what was used on "I'm a Believer".

[covert]

An organ sold under the Gibson name is often mentioned in conjunction with the Doors. There were a bunch of Italian made electronic organs that played in the Vox/Farfisa arena.

[BeePee]

I think some keyboardist played a piano.....

BP

[waxx]

i've also seen some video's with 60's liveshows where they used Elka organs (maybe the italian organs someone mentioned, cause they're italian), and wurlitzer electric piano's

[vixapphire]

those wurlitzer electric pianos pretty much define the 60's for me. what a great sound.

[Brian Middleton]

Originally Posted by vixapphire

those wurlitzer electric pianos pretty much define the 60's for me. what a great sound.

Wurlitzer=60s
Rhodes = 70s
DX7 = 80s

Can you say "devolution"?

[ShaneFontane]

B3, Farfisa, and um....
THE FENDER RHODES!!!!

[wilkinswp]

Vox. . I think Ray Manzarek used the Rhodes piano bass. . . but that's probably unique to the Doors. . . and I guess this is not really a keyboard sound. But vox was one of them used then. . .

[Metatone]

The Gibson organ referred to earlier is the Gibson G-201...there was also a G-101. I believe Ray (the Doors) switched to the G-201 (from the Vox Continental) sometime after the first few albums...maybe only for live performances? I'm pretty sure Light My Fire was the Vox.

For me, combo organs (vox, farfisa, g201, many many italian brands, acetone, etc) are the definitive 60's organ sound, but of course Hammonds were happening too (B3, C3). The website Combo-Organ Heaven has loads of great info and pics.

Wurly, Rock-si-chord, Mellotron....also key elements.

And yes, lots of piano....sometimes 'tacked' for that wonky western saloon sound.

What about Harpsichord?

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Oldone

VOX or Farfisa I believe.

Yes, they have that sound.

[6777]

I've read that the I'm A Believer riff was a played by an organ and electric piano at the same time - probably a Vox Continental and Hohner Pianet

[matucha]

philips philicorda ;-)

[RKrizman]

In the 60's I played a Vox Continental. Most of my friends in garage bands had the Farfisa Compact. But I think the Vox saw more play in the big leagues, with people like the Animals, Paul Revere and the Raiders (still love those records), the Doors, etc.

Of course, soul music featured the Wurly and B-3.

-R

[covert]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

In the 60's I played a Vox Continental. Most of my friends in garage bands had the Farfisa Compact. But I think the Vox saw more play in the big leagues, with people like the Animals, Paul Revere and the Raiders (still love those records), the Doors, etc.

Of course, soul music featured the Wurly and B-3.

Much of the Animals stuff may also have been a Hammond M-100. That's credited as the sound on the original House Of The Rising Sun recording.