Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 08, 2025, 06:27:55 pm
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic  (Read 6849 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« on: September 18, 2019, 08:52:30 pm »
Picked up a very old Wurlitzer organ tonite.  The amplifier is labelled model 6115.  Nothing in the schematic library and nothing turning up in google search that looks anything like it. Will try to get some pics up soon. If anyone can point me towards a schematic or has experience with it i would like to hear.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2019, 07:13:54 am by 1blueheron »

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for wurlitzer 6115 schematic
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2019, 09:28:06 pm »
You may have more luck by identifying the organ model and searching for a service manual for that model. Love to see some pics.

A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2019, 07:33:11 am »
Sluckey,

I looked all over for the model number and couldn't find it.  Finally located it this AM on the underside of the keyboard.  It doesn't seem to be of much help as I can find no record so far of a "Series 14".  Everything seems to be series 20 and up.

This is an interesting instrument.  It appears to be of the electrostatic reed type.  It only has a single row of keys like a piano but it does have pedals like an organ.

The amplifier tube compliment appears to be:
5U4GB Rectifier
2-6L6GB Power amp
2-6SN7
2-6F5
1-6J5
1-6SK7

The 65F tubes I find very interesting.  They are on a vibration isolation mount.

It appears this unit may also have a reverb unit?  Still investigating.

It uses a pretty large field coil speaker.

The resistors and capacitors predate anything I have seen so far.

Will post more pics throughout the day as time allows

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2019, 10:14:36 am »
Based on this pic I found on ebay, it appears the chassis and layout is nearly identical to the 1953 Wurlitzer series 31 amp.  The only difference I see is they used a 6SN7 in the 31 vs. the 6J5.  Hunting for the model 31 schematic but no love there so far either.

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2019, 10:44:13 am »
6F5 is half a 12AX7.

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2019, 12:23:30 pm »
They don't look the part with 8 pins and those strange caps on their heads...  Is the vibration isolation supposed to dampen microphonics? Were they susceptible to radio interference, hence the heavy doghouse enclosure?
« Last Edit: September 19, 2019, 12:26:01 pm by 1blueheron »

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2019, 12:33:45 pm »
This is the massive feild coil speaker it had.

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2019, 12:35:20 pm »
Turned out a bit blurred like my eyes when I took this this AM,  but this is the organ itself.

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2019, 12:35:58 pm »
Reverb?

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2019, 12:37:13 pm »
Reminds me of Christmas candy inside.

Offline Ritchie200

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3485
  • Smokin' 88's!
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2019, 10:18:55 am »
These old beasts are interesting to me. If it is a Orgatron it would be between 1947-1953 - probably earlier as Wurlitzer bought the patent in ‘47. Enthusiasts gush over how much they sound like a real pipe organ. If you go here, it looks like “Jan the organ grinder” has a lot of early Orgatron info and has her email. Your find might be worth more intact, who knows what a collector would pay?


Jim


https://organforum.com/forums/forum/electronic-organs-midi/classic-church-electronic-organs/22604-everett-orgatron

My religion? I'm a Cathode Follower!
Can we have everything louder than everything else?

Offline Ritchie200

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3485
  • Smokin' 88's!
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2019, 10:24:41 am »
Found more info, might be ‘45-‘47.


Jim

My religion? I'm a Cathode Follower!
Can we have everything louder than everything else?

Offline Ed_Chambley

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3785
  • Nothing is too old.
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2019, 11:41:05 am »
Jimbob, Whirllitzer made a lot of things.  Wonderful organs, but other items as well.  Just as hammond or maybe more, the amps are reaally nice.  This one I believe has the 6sn7 PI driving 6L6Gb.  If I were to make it into a geetar amp, I may change the L-C input which is most likely about 300 on the plates of the output tubes.


Change it to Cap input and voltage will increase to to over 400, most likely around 440 with a GZ34 Rectifier.  This places the power section to take 6L6GC.  May want to check the node feeding the PI and increase the voltage for more swing and I prefer in a guitar amp a 6SL7, but 6SN7 for Bass, Hifi and Sunn amps.


I would look at Sunn schematics and add on/of cold clipper with a CF stack, but that is just me.  This actually has potential for a Cathodyne with gain added after the PI, like you major and may make a nice 40 to 50 watter because there are a lot of octal sockets that can be refigured.


If you get it together as Bluehorn1 has, it is not too difficult to scratch out a schematic.  To me, I would just caoo this an organ doner.

Offline Ed_Chambley

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3785
  • Nothing is too old.
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2019, 11:45:09 am »
I did find curious the 120 VAC rating on the chassis, whereas in older stuff, early 60's stated 110VAC.  I will take a wild ass guess and consider it was built to use 1 leg a Delta commercial install with high leg and low leg.  Maybe PRR or one of the guys can tell me why thiis would have 120VAC.

Offline Ed_Chambley

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3785
  • Nothing is too old.
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2019, 12:01:08 pm »
They don't look the part with 8 pins and those strange caps on their heads...  Is the vibration isolation supposed to dampen microphonics? Were they susceptible to radio interference, hence the heavy doghouse enclosure?
Shock mounting of tubes is common in organ preamps.  A 6Sl7 since id doesnt have a plate cap would use some tweaking, but I believe I could get close to the gain of the 6F5 exceeding the organ design which should hold together well.  This is to make a more rockin amp.  I also believe EL34 may not couas an overheat of the transformer since Whirlitzer PT are a stocking item for me.


I may even add verb and trem and knowing me, I may even try a pair fixed bias KT88's since I have never toasted a Whirlitzer PT.


Lots of options in big chasssis.  Cleanly removing all the old parts can be difficult as some of the point builders, including me will string a lead through and wrap for a mechanical connections.  I find it is easier for me to clip it first and then remove what is left.

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2019, 05:40:10 pm »
110V would be 30s-40s. By 1960 we were saying 117V. Actual delivered voltage could be all over. The "120V" is probably a nominal high limit. If you only fed it 110V you could not complain if it was short a few Watts.

Offline Ritchie200

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 3485
  • Smokin' 88's!
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2019, 11:38:04 pm »
Ed,

What makes this one interesting is the electronic reed system that generates the tone - amazing stuff! At least to me.... :icon_biggrin:  Wurlitzer made some pretty lame sounding organs for the home, this one was an exception.  Their big theater pipe organs were legendary.  Doing the research I found there were quite a few Orgatrons that made it into churches and were competing with Hammond for that and the home markets.  Noted for their ability to reproduce a pretty accurate pipe organ sound, there are some rabid fans!  Youtube vids sound pretty good.

Jim

My religion? I'm a Cathode Follower!
Can we have everything louder than everything else?

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #17 on: September 23, 2019, 08:40:02 am »
Thank you for the clues on getting a schematic guys.  I agree this looks like something from late 40's, no later than early 50's.  Oldest electric organ I have seen so far, of course I am relatively new to this.

I pulled most of the organ apart on Fri.  I declined trying to sell to a restorer because I just don;t have the space right now for storing it and I promised the wife I would only be keeping the amplifier.  I almost kept my word. :icon_biggrin: 

The blower and the soundproofing chamber connected to this, were apparently serving as the Hotel California for a mouse party.  It was a bit repulsive the amount of urine and fecal matter present so that portion went straight to the burn pile. :sad2:

I did keep the electrostatic reed section and I might see if anyone wants it on the organ forum for parts on a restoration project.  Since it was sealed in a metal can and the reeds were individually keyed like the Everett models, the mice did not get that far.  It is really an interesting piece.  I also salvaged a little bit of wood, all pre-ban Phillipine mahoghany I believe, the switch/power distribution box, and pilot light and a few pieces of hardware.

Unfortunately, what I thought might be a reverb unit is just a giant, wire wound resistor.  Looks like it may have been used as some type of heater? Perhaps for warming the unit in an unheated church on a cold winter day?  It doesn't appear to have any function in the audio circuit.  It was just a simple power cord plugged into the power distribution with the ends connected to the resistor.  It is probably 10"-12" long.

I am excited to hear that the PT and associated iron is good stuff and I was told when I picked the organ up that it still played with the exception of a couple keys so I assume that it is all good.

I believe it may be best to approach this as a clean sheet build than try to modify it's existing circuits to guitar use. Will be looking for schematics that can best utilize the chassis layout,  Chassis will need a good bit of cleanup.  I will de-solder and remove all the resistors and capacitors that can possibly be removed.

I have a crude but effective process for removing the old solder.  I find heating it to molten state and then giving it a brief blast of compressed air is the most efficient.  It makes a mess of splatter, and requires good eye protection it but beats any other method i have tried for working in cramped, point to point chassis with wrapped components 

Is an OT used with a field coil speaker such as this suitable for driving a modern speaker?  I haven't measured the resistance on the voice coil yet.  Assuming I get a speaker with similar ohm rating the field coil just provided magnetic flux boost correct?

I will try to get some pictures of the reeds.


Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #18 on: September 23, 2019, 08:47:48 am »
Quote
Is an OT used with a field coil speaker such as this suitable for driving a modern speaker?
Yes. The OT and FC are two totally separate components and operate independently of each other.

I would draw the power supply circuit showing the FC. Also note the FC resistance. There are several popular ways to connect the FC and it will be very helpful when you rebuild the power supply without the FC.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2019, 08:51:37 am by sluckey »
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline shooter

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 11018
  • Karma Loves haters
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #19 on: September 23, 2019, 09:20:31 am »
Quote
so that portion went straight to the burn pile.

If you live far enough out to have a burn pile you should be able to put treasures under blue tarps for the future  :icon_biggrin:
Went Class C for efficiency

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #20 on: September 23, 2019, 09:29:35 am »
I tried tarps in the past lost some pretty nice tube gear to condensation :sad2:.  Too many rodents looking for homes out here in the sticks and the climate is to humid and damp.  Everything rusts and corrodes if not kept under roof.  Stuff seems to move in faster than it moves out.  Anyone else have that problem?  Maybe I need to move to Arizona....

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #21 on: September 23, 2019, 08:44:03 pm »
Cleaned up the chassis and glass tonite and decided to draw an as is schematic.  Got as far as V1. :l2:   How the heck do you draw a 6F5?  I understand it is an 8 pin triode. How do you show wires to the top and bottom?

Looks like the 6F5's serve as the preamp section.  At least I understand that. :icon_biggrin:

Offline DummyLoad

  • SMG
  • Level 5
  • *****
  • Posts: 5791
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #22 on: September 23, 2019, 08:56:39 pm »
Cleaned up the chassis and glass tonite and decided to draw an as is schematic.  Got as far as V1. :l2:   How the heck do you draw a 6F5?  I understand it is an 8 pin triode. How do you show wires to the top and bottom?

Looks like the 6F5's serve as the preamp section.  At least I understand that. :icon_biggrin:


errr... anode, grid, cathode, heaters - no connections on the other 3 pins.   :l2:


--pete

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #23 on: September 23, 2019, 08:59:56 pm »
> draw an as is schematic. .... How the heck do you draw a 6F5? ...How do you show wires to the top and bottom?

Normally a schematic is NOT about mere mechanical details like whether a wire goes in the bottom, top, side, or up the backside.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/tubeenvdiag_klein/6f5.png
http://a53.idata.over-blog.com/3/44/57/30/AMPLIFICATEURS-MONOPHONIQUES/AMPLI-20W-BOUYER-SONOR-1952-6F5-6N7-5J5-6L6x2-5Z3.jpg

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #24 on: September 24, 2019, 02:34:29 pm »
errr... anode, grid, cathode, heaters - no connections on the other 3 pins.   :l2:

errr... anode, grid, cathode, heaters - no connections on the other 3 pins.   :l2:
--pete

Hmm... So the top pin is the grid....  Pin 9...  Octal... Oh well... I guess these days that would be Octal+  :l2:

> draw an as is schematic. .... How the heck do you draw a 6F5? ...How do you show wires to the top and bottom?

Normally a schematic is NOT about mere mechanical details like whether a wire goes in the bottom, top, side, or up the backside.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/tubeenvdiag_klein/6f5.png
http://a53.idata.over-blog.com/3/44/57/30/AMPLIFICATEURS-MONOPHONIQUES/AMPLI-20W-BOUYER-SONOR-1952-6F5-6N7-5J5-6L6x2-5Z3.jpg


Not so much concerned about geography of top/bottom, just didn't understand what they called the top "Cap"...  The pictures were worth a thousand words :icon_biggrin:  Thank you.  I looked it up in the RCA handbook and for some reason it didn't click as there was no pin number 9 and right beside it was 5 which confused me.  It was also confusing that I have 2 wires running to the cap terminal but I see they both terminate using resistors to the cap.  I guess I just need to think of it as the grid input is located outside the octal base.

Thank you for your help and patience guys... None of this is second nature to me so :BangHead: I struggle sometimes with what should be clear. 

So... working on the schematic...  It looks as if there are two separate input signals? Is this correct? One running to the first 6F5 and another to the second 6F5....

Just confirmed that seems to be true based on what I found here... https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=24391.0

Looks like wurlitzer used separate inputs for bass and treble.  Weird but understandable for what they were doing.  No converting that to anything useful I can think of.

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #25 on: September 24, 2019, 07:57:30 pm »
The image showing "pin 9 of Octal" is from some folks who "need" to number EVERYthing. I'd just call it "cap".

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2019, 07:26:40 am »
After a lot of empty searches, I finally came up with something for the "free reed" orgatronic.  I am guessing mine is similar with a few updates/changes.  I found it in an article from a March 1937 Radio Craft magazine.  Lots of other interesting articles including one on how to wind your own guitar pickups and an amplifier build for it once completed...

It is PDF document in 2 parts, will try to post them and then try to post the specific articles in jpeg format for the TLDR folks.


Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #27 on: September 30, 2019, 07:52:36 am »
Well the entire pdf's were too large so here are snapshots of the article describing how the organ works.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2019, 07:55:13 am by 1blueheron »

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #28 on: September 30, 2019, 07:55:42 am »
cont'

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #29 on: September 30, 2019, 07:56:33 am »
Part 2

Offline 1blueheron

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 524
  • More junk than I know what to do with...
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Looking for Wurlitzer Series 14 Orgatron 6115 amp schematic
« Reply #30 on: September 30, 2019, 08:02:28 am »
Cont'

 


Choose a link from the
Hoffman Amplifiers parts catalog
Mobile Device
Catalog Link
Yard Sale
Discontinued
Misc. Hardware
What's New Board Building
 Parts
Amp trim
Handles
Lamps
Diodes
Hoffman Turret
 Boards
Channel
Switching
Resistors Fender Eyelet
 Boards
Screws/Nuts
Washers
Jacks/Plugs
Connectors
Misc Eyelet
Boards
Tools
Capacitors Custom Boards
Tubes
Valves
Pots
Knobs
Fuses/Cords Chassis
Tube
Sockets
Switches Wire
Cable


Handy Links
Tube Amp Library
Tube Amp
Schematics library
Design a custom Eyelet or
Turret Board
DIY Layout Creator
File analyzer program
DIY Layout Creator
File library
Transformer Wiring
Diagrams
Hoffmanamps
Facebook page
Hoffman Amplifiers
Discount Program