User Manual

9. History: The story behind the Electro 2 instruments NORD ELECTRO 2 V2.2x
Page 62
THE HOHNER CLAVINET
The Clavinet is another story. It's based on strings and guitar
pick-ups. Ernst Zacharias designed the Clavinet during the
mid-'60s and filed his patent in 1966.
Previously, Zacharias had designed an instrument called the
Cembalet -- a keyboard that used accordion reeds as the tone
source. This instrument was very popular at the time and was
in production for ten years. Hohner released the Pianet L -- an
electrified metal-reed piano -- in 1962. In 1977, the company
introduced another version called the Pianet T, which was the
cheapest, most popular, and final model of the Pianet series.
While designing and building the Pianet series, Zacharias also
worked on another project. As he was very interested in early
keyboard music, he investigated the clavichord to see if he
could make an electric version. This work finally resulted in the
Hohner Clavinet I. It was primarily designed as a home instru-
ment for playing baroque or classic music. Of course later his-
tory proved that this instrument instead had a huge impact on
the rock/funk keyboard player.
The mechanics of the Clavinet is similar to what happens in an
electric guitar, and offers a distinct powerful attack. Thanks to
the keys is in direct applied to the hitting the string fast rhythm
patterns. Unfortunately, the first Clavinets were difficult to
play in high-volume situations because of major feedback prob-
lems.
A
Hohner Clavinet D6. The sound of this instru-
ment was made famous thanks to the fabulous Stevie
Wonder song "Superstition".
The front page of Ernst Zacharias’ patent for
‘String Instruments Having a Keyboard filed
in 1966.