Gibson G-101

The Gibson G-101 is a model of combo organ, one of many makes and models of electronic, transistorized, reedy-sounding portable organs, most popularly used in Rock & Roll bands of the mid- and late 1960s, designed for use on stage, or in the studio, for players that transported them frequently between performances. This organ was introduced in mid-1966 as the Kalamazoo K-101; its name was changed to Gibson G-101 shortly thereafter, and production continued until about 1971. It was a favorite among many professional keyboardists.

Features

The Gibson G-101 was initially branded "Kalamazoo K-101," and was manufactured in the USA by the Lowrey Organ Company. Although the organ was available as both brands, they were one in the same, the only difference being the nameplates. It had two square, tubular, fold-out legs, and a drop panel that acted both as a stabilizer for the legs when standing, via thumb screws that attached the panel to tabs on the back of the legs, and also as a cover for the folded-in legs during transport. It had a single manual of five octaves (61 keys), the bottom octave of which was fixed bass, having reverse-colored white-on-black keys similar to those on the Vox Continental's entire keyboard; the second octave was white-on-grey, and was switchable as extended bass or left as a normal lower octave (many combos had similar features). The organ offered four "flute" footages and one flute mixture, and several "non-flute" voices and effects. Optionally, a bass pedal unit was available. Other unusual effects on the G-101 featured "Repeat Percussion" which sounded like Tremolo, but it was a re-triggering circuit on the note instead of straight Tremolo. There was a "Repeat Rate" knob to control its off/on and speed. It also featured three Vibrato tabs (Off/On, Slow/Fast, and Light/Heavy), medium and long Sustain, Staccato, Kinura, Glide (which pitched the notes flat by a half-step when actuated by a side-lever on the volume pedal), Trumpet Wow-wow (also activated by that same lever when selected), and Piano and Harpsichord-like voices that were not too typical on combo organs. The "Sustain" had its most dramatic effect on these latter two voices, leaving a jingling "after-ring" sound when the key was released. The Gibson G-101 was often mistaken for a Farfisa Combo Compact because of its drop panel cabinet, even though the plastic top was black and the vinyl-covered cabinet was of a distinctive green-and-grey color scheme. The Gibson G-101 tended to have very few technical issues. It was a sturdy, versatile, and handsome-looking piece of equipment, and remains one of the most sought-after models of vintage combo organs by collectors, enthusiasts and players today. A G-101 in mint condition is likely to command a high premium. Also offered were siblings "K-201" and "G-201," having a dual-manual design, but these were extremely rare.

Dimensions

38" long, 18" front-to-back, 8" top-to-bottom, 34" tall standing, 62 lbs.

Accessories

Volume or "expression" pedal (having a side-lever for Glide and Wow-wow effects), music stand, cover, travel bag, optional bass pedal unit, and an optional Gibson "Maestro Reverb" amplifier to provide outboard reverb to Gibson/ Lowrey combo organs.

Usage

Examples of major artists using the Gibson G-101 include Ray Manzarek of The Doors after their first two albums. He used the Vox Continental prior to that, but switched because, apparently, the Continentals were then licensed to a new company that was making them with plastic keys that were unsatisfactory for his use. Steve Nieve, (a.k.a. Steve Nason) of Elvis Costello and The Attractions had a G-101 among his arsenal. The G-101 can also be heard on The B-52's song Rock Lobster.

External links

* [http://www.combo-organ.com/Gibson/index.htm Gibson combo organs] - Combo Organ Heaven website