Which theremin did you get for the holidays?

We'd love to hear from newcomers to the site!  Which Theremin did you get for the holidays?

I wish I got another theremin !! But I have 2 already, should be enough for a little while ;)

I got a new one, not as a gift, but for repair. Thus I'll be allowed to play it for a few days when it will be fixed. It's the prototype which the British engineer Anthony Henk built for Lydia Kavina in 1995. You can see it in the following video: http://youtu.be/Xn4TgYkqdi8

Lydia recorded both her solo CDs with original theremin music playing this theremin.

Anthony Henk built his later instruments all based on this prototype, among them the theremin on which Celia Sheen played the Midsomer Murders theme for the BBC: http://youtu.be/YTZK9FNgK74

Lydia's prototype is actually feeling bad, there is a problem in the volume circuit which limits the height of the volume field between mute and max volume to less than 1". Out of that I diagnosed some common problems of older electronic instruments which have travelled much, oxydated potentiometers and switches and some doubtful soldering points.

I hope to be able to make it sing again as in its best times.

What an awesome task!  Please let us know how it works out.  I hope you'll share a video of the restored product too.  That's one of my favorite instruments of Lydia's, and we just don't get to see enough of these custom models anymore.

Thierry wrote:

Lydia's prototype is actually feeling bad, there is a problem in the volume circuit which limits the height of the volume field between mute and max volume to less than 1". Out of that I diagnosed some common problems of older electronic instruments which have travelled much, oxydated potentiometers and switches and some doubtful soldering points.

Well that is the exact problem I have with my Wavefront. Instead of being 1 inch mine is about 3. not the most pleasant settings to play with! I cannot wait to see what kind of magic you'll do with Lydia's prototype! :) I be it will be LOVELY!!!

Found this under the tree. Knick knack..
What once should have been a single complete acrylic tube cracked badly. This is the result of a rescue.

Glad to see that Santa was nice to you, Dominik!!! :)

Thierry,  please make sure to take lots of photos and share them with us.  The 'Henk' is a pretty fascinating instrument, and i havent seen much info on it. i love the (cabinet)design.    These are no longer produced, correct?   Id love to see some interior shots or even a circuit diagram/partial schematic- just to see what makes it tick.  

Dominik - that is seriously cool!  Do the pitch and volume "tubes" connect via a 1/4" cable or something?

Do the pitch and volume "tubes" connect via a 1/4" cable or something?

Yes. This is the problem with the split device. Everything doubles. To keep the aesthetic target all cables would have to run down to the floor and then elevate again. Anthony Henk without question solved this elegantly in a unique way.