Keyboard – Kustom 88 Electronic Piano

In 1981 I trade my Wurlitzer electronic piano for a Kustom 88, an 88-key analogue piano built by the Kustom amplifier and organ company out of Chanute, Kansas. It featured a Baldwin hammers with a control panel containing volume, bass and treble control as well as a vibrato with a speed and depth control.

The Kustom 88 came in its own road case that, when opened up, the lid became the stand with two support legs included that all went together with large hand screws. It was two person job setting it up but was more portable and road worthy than the Yamaha Electric Grand I bought later. And it never needed tuning. The top of the piano was a large flat surface and was perfect for stacking other keyboards like my Crumar Performer and my Korg MS-20.

Picture compliments of Broadway Music Co

It had a decent piano mid-range but the bass is Rhodes-ish and the top is tinny. However, unlike other electronic pianos of the time the touch was controlled by – what looked like – pen-springs which gave the volume of the individual keys and expression.

I trade it on another Wurlitzer. Go figure.