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Kustom Keyboards [message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 00:12 Go to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Looking at possibly buying a Kustom keyboard at a really good price. It's been stored in a shed and guys says that wasps have made homes in it. Just wondering if these things ever go out of tune or what problems to look for other than the obvious. He says it is loud and needs cleaning and one speaker does have a rip in it. Appreciate any feedback.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24707 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 00:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
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What model or what kind of keyboard? There were two different organs and an electric piano made when Baldwin owner the brand.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24708 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 08:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Snodgrass is currently offline  Snodgrass
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Are you thinking about that black organ in Texas?
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24710 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 18:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnhead is currently offline  sunnhead
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I own a Kustom Kombo I and its pretty cool. The only thing is these Organs are tricky. If they have lots of issues you will be spending a lot of time making things to fix the problems. The tabs have a funky spring mechanism and if that breaks they stay up and its a pain in the ass. If it needs work best to beware, and dont buy sight unseen, unless its like $50 or something.

-S
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24712 is a reply to message #24710] Tue, 08 March 2016 21:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Yeah its the one in The Colony Texas.....my brother lives there.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24713 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 21:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Bill its a 1969 model L1595
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24715 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 08 March 2016 23:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Snodgrass is currently offline  Snodgrass
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for $400 you can't go wrong though if you have somebody that can get it get it
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24716 is a reply to message #24706] Wed, 09 March 2016 02:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
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Agreed, $400 is a real deal. The positive side is that it powers up and makes noise, which proves that the basic stuff is still working. As long as all of the parts are there, then fixing it up should be fairly easy, as most of the electronics are basic stuff. The specialty parts will be harder to replace, but there are a lot of parts out there from used, dead organs.

There are twelve separate boards for each note on the organ. Each note is tuned with a small coil, so you tune the "C" note and all of the C's are in tune together. You tune the "E" note and all of the E's are in tune together. If you have a chromatic tuner, tuning is a snap.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24718 is a reply to message #24706] Wed, 09 March 2016 12:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Thanks guys, I'm waiting for the seller to contact me back.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24719 is a reply to message #24706] Wed, 09 March 2016 20:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Guy responded back to me and sounds like it has a lot of electronic issues. Sound is distorted and not clean and has been sitting in a shed for a number of years........shameful. Going to take a lot more than just cleaning and re-tuning to get this thing back up and running again. Picture posted is black but listing is cascade. Think I'll pass on this even though its only $400. Have a feeling it will cost maybe 3 times as much to just get it fixed even if parts are found for it. Anyone else interested in this?

[Updated on: Wed, 09 March 2016 20:20]

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Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24720 is a reply to message #24719] Wed, 09 March 2016 21:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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Too bad, if the guy could plug a guitar or a CD player into the pre amp on the back panel and see if the sound clears up. Those organs used the left over Frankie power amps if the AC Cord is grey.
pleat
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24723 is a reply to message #24720] Thu, 10 March 2016 11:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Snodgrass is currently offline  Snodgrass
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Do you have a link to the ad? I've seen this one on Ebay for the last couple of months but can't seem to find an ad for it anywhere now.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24724 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 11:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
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If it really is an L1595, shouldn't it have 2-12" JBL's and 2-horns?
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24725 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 12:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Turns out its the J 1495.......it has the four 12 inch Jensen's in it. I have a feeling that some of the keys don't work or the selection functions either since I can't get the guy to give me a straight answer as to whether or not everything works on it.

[Updated on: Thu, 10 March 2016 12:19]

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Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24727 is a reply to message #24725] Thu, 10 March 2016 16:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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The J1295 is the Kombo 1 with 4 12" Jensen speakers. The 1495 would be A1495 a more rare Altec 4X12 speakers.

pleat
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24728 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 18:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Nope they are Jensen's. My brother is going to look at it this weekend to see if it worth buying or not. Will let you know what I find out.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24729 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 19:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnhead is currently offline  sunnhead
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I owned a 1295 and that organ had CTS 12's in it, weird cuz they never advertised one with them. But they had kustom stamps on them... Sold that on Ebay last year.. some guy From LA flew in and picked it up in a snow storm, then headed to Omaha that night to pick up another amp. Glad it wasn't me lol! Still have my Cascade 1595.

-S
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24730 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 19:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnhead is currently offline  sunnhead
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also looking at the auction the Tag says C1295 Could be CTS in that puppy also.

-S
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24732 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 19:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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I'm betting they are also.......figure if I do buy it and get it back up to par I might sell it since I don't play keyboards. Wondering if the market is any better here in the Midwest than Texas, I know this has been listed for quite a long time on Ebay and was on Craigslist before that. Hoping to find a Leslie speaker also to go with it if I make the trip to Texas. That is the coolest sound I've ever heard out of an organ.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24733 is a reply to message #24732] Thu, 10 March 2016 20:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sunnhead is currently offline  sunnhead
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ill tell you what, they are cool organs, however this one doesn't have the ports, that is a cool factor that is missing. I know these organs and they can be trouble, $400 for this one may be a mistake.. I have seen some in close to that condition. Rare they are but Can be a headache. Just dont let you kustom fever overrun your common sense Smile I have had it happen and man does it suck lol. The organs come up time to time. Since you dont play keys its really hard to own one and feel like its getting use. Another member here bought a Charcoal Organ a while back, in amazing condition. He dint play it either ended up selling it to a collector.

-S
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24736 is a reply to message #24706] Thu, 10 March 2016 23:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Thanks for pointing that out that it doesn't have the bass ports in it. The holes are there put no ports. Wonder what's up with that? If I do get it, I do have a pair of killer bullet tweeter that will fit in the holes and I do have an extra set of bass ports that I could put in there as well.

If its reasonably repairable, I'd rather buy it and restore is so someone else can get some use out of it. I have a bunch of guitar amps and don't play that anymore either but I like bringing this stuff back to life and when I decide to sell them, someone will have some great vintage equipment to play through. This stuff is just too nice to let go to hell so I'll do my part to preserve a piece of music history.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24746 is a reply to message #24706] Sun, 13 March 2016 21:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Update on the organ. Here is what I have learned. The T&R does have a lot of tears in it...nothing major just has been abused that's for sure. Handful of the function keys are not working at all. The black keys on one side have very little sound output and with volume all the way up and pedal down..still very weak. Some of the other keys work intermittently. From what I make of this there is a problem either in the pre amp or the amp itself. I don't know how the keys actually work so don't know if the contacts or whatever are just so full of dirt or what. Same with the function keys.

I'm undecided about this since I have no idea what it will take to get this back to working again. Any thoughts?
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24748 is a reply to message #24746] Mon, 14 March 2016 09:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
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Personally if were me I would walk away from it. You should be able to find one in much nicer shape that is at least working. Now that being said if you can pick it up cheaper you could use it for parts for a good one you might find. If you don't play the organ it is no biggie to let it go. It very well could cost more to repair than you could ever get back out of it.

Steve
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24749 is a reply to message #24706] Mon, 14 March 2016 11:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Snodgrass is currently offline  Snodgrass
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Do what you have to do but I still think for that price it would be worth it to go for it.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24752 is a reply to message #24706] Mon, 14 March 2016 14:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Bill I need some input from you........what do you think the problems might be other than the amp?
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24754 is a reply to message #24706] Mon, 14 March 2016 14:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
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If some of the keys work and are good and loud, that means that the power amp is working. The function switches do a variety of things and if they are dirty or oxidized enough, they can cause things like the loss of some notes, etc.

Based on the fact that this was stored in a barn, I would first guess that dirty contacts in the key switches and in the function switches is the main problem here. I think that the ad listing stated that one of the function switches was missing the rocker piece. That would be a problem to replace.

If this was local to me, I'd buy it and fix it up. If it was too badly damaged to fix up, then parting it out or just flipping it is always a possibility too I guess.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24756 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 15 March 2016 11:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Well thanks to you Bill, I just bought it. I got the guy to come down in price so looks like I'll be making a road trip to Texas. Going to be needing your help in getting this beast back in working order. What's your hourly rate...... Smile
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24757 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 15 March 2016 13:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
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If you have to ask, you can't afford it!

I noticed that the price dropped to $350 and I wondered if you had gotten him to reduce the price. Hey, a road trip to see your brother is a good thing.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24758 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 15 March 2016 15:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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I got him to come down another $50 and he knows where I can find a rocker to replace the one lost. Figure at this price I can afford to bring in back to life.......would be a shame to see it end up in a scrap pile somewhere. So I guess we will see how it goes.

Texas is already hot this time of the year but guess the dogs and I could use a little vacation. Maybe check out places along the way for more Kustoms that need a little TLC and a good home.

If you wake up some morning and find a black Kustom organ sitting outside your door, its mine. Let me know when you have it fixed. Trumps not the only one who can make great deals.....lol
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24759 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 15 March 2016 16:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
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As long as I don't wake up and find it next to me in bed!
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24760 is a reply to message #24759] Tue, 15 March 2016 16:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Why.......do you snore......lol
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24761 is a reply to message #24758] Tue, 15 March 2016 16:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
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I would have sold you mine, and I am much closer. It has all kinds of cool stuff going on with it........

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc434/hunter12407/001_zps9vmzm0al.jpg
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24762 is a reply to message #24706] Tue, 15 March 2016 16:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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I already have something like that upstairs and everything works on it and I got it for free from a church. Its just there for looks since I don't play but hope my girlfriend will spend a little time on it. It does sound really good, but it just doesn't have the sound of the good old 60's compacts had. I'm still looking for a Leslie to hook up to it since it does have an output jack on it........or would sound great with the Kustom I hope.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24763 is a reply to message #24762] Tue, 15 March 2016 17:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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I haven't seen any photo's of the organ everyone's been talking about but without the port tubes, I'd place it at the very beginning of the kustom organ production. If you look at the organ in the literature section of the 67/68 catalog, there are two organs, the black one from the back side K1495 and the white one L1595. The white silver shows the two horns and two 15" JBL speakers. The K1495 lists the two 15" speakers as Kustom speakers which are the Altec 418 speakers with the horns. These models are before they offered the organ with the 4x12" speakers. That being said, I could imagine the early models with CTS and eventually changed over to the Jensens.
Here is link to a sight that has a lot of history on all the electronic organs from the 60's. Robert McNutt is the owner of the site and has done a great job. Section on how the pre amp panel came to be on the back panel.

http://www.combo-organ.com/Kustom/index.htm

Hooking a Leslie to the Kombo I would be a job.
pleat

Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24764 is a reply to message #24763] Tue, 15 March 2016 17:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
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Pleat: The actual model number is a C1295 Black. It has 4 12" CTS speakers with the metal dust caps. No visible ports, Frankie power amp chassis and Preamp panel installed. The eBay item number is 141842612061.

Robert McNutt, aka Rodak used to post here all the time. I think he owns a couple of these organs. His site is great for anybody that's into combo organs.
Re: Kustom Keyboards [message #24765 is a reply to message #24764] Tue, 15 March 2016 19:09 Go to previous message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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Thanks for the ebay item number. I did look at the photos. If Kustom started the serial numbers at 1000 like they did the guitars and basses, the 1220 would be the 220th organ produced. All the early kustom organs were retro-fitted with the pre amp panel as an excuse to fix the real problem of keys popping off. So I don't think we will see any without the pre amps. On Combo Heavens website, there are some examples of odd baffle boards with and without port tubes.

My band used the kombo 1 organ with the 4x12 Jensen speakers with the aluminum port tubes. I tracked down the very organ 29 years after the keyboard player left the band. It was missing the speakers, power amp was blown and wires were torn loose from the circuit boards. It became a cost that I didn't think would be worth the effort to repair. It had a 3 diameter burn on the top of the organ down to bare wood. I ended up selling it to a collector in Nashville who tore the organ down to the black covering and had it recovered in silver. I saw it 2009 at our Chanute convention and the parts were in a basket and the guy was asking 1100.00 for it as it sat. Not sure what became of it after that.

The main issue we had was the keyboard player couldn't hear how loud he was, so we added a Gibson vertical 2x12 and horn cabinet behind him and it worked great.

Best of luck getting this one up and running.
pleat
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