Comments on: Stylophone synthesizer at Restoration Hardware http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 03:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: TheCarpetMaker http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649481 TheCarpetMaker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649481 Pedro for President! Pedro for President!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649483 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649483 They can also be found at Urban Outfitters for $20.00. They can also be found at Urban Outfitters for $20.00.

]]> By: Homegrown Evolution http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649487 Homegrown Evolution Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649487 Check out freaky LA evangelist Miss Velma's stylophone solo towards the end of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSOPakHFt1M&feature=player_embedded Check out freaky LA evangelist Miss Velma’s stylophone solo towards the end of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSOPakHFt1M&feature=player_embedded

]]> By: Chris S http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649528 Chris S Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649528 As far as I have been able to tell, the remake is still analog. The original used discrete components, but the remake only uses a 555 timer chip - an IC, sure, but still analog all the way. If someone *has* an original, it would be nice to post some raw waveforms, so that we can compare. As popular as the original was, I've typically don't see them on ebay that often. As for "only $20" at Thinkgeek - they have been out of stock for more than a month. They were supposed to be back in on Nov 17th - maybe they were - but they were then almost immediately marked as out of stock again. As far as I have been able to tell, the remake is still analog. The original used discrete components, but the remake only uses a 555 timer chip – an IC, sure, but still analog all the way.

If someone *has* an original, it would be nice to post some raw waveforms, so that we can compare. As popular as the original was, I’ve typically don’t see them on ebay that often.

As for “only $20″ at Thinkgeek – they have been out of stock for more than a month. They were supposed to be back in on Nov 17th – maybe they were – but they were then almost immediately marked as out of stock again.

]]> By: MustrumRidcully http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649535 MustrumRidcully Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649535 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzm8WpTSe-M This is video of a book store concert of They Might Be Giants I took a couple years ago. At the 5:55 mark John L. pulls out a Stylophone and they play Particle Man. I apologize for the shaky cam, but I was holding my camera straight up and it was hard to keep it steady. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzm8WpTSe-M

This is video of a book store concert of They Might Be Giants I took a couple years ago.
At the 5:55 mark John L. pulls out a Stylophone and they play Particle Man.

I apologize for the shaky cam, but I was holding my camera straight up and it was hard to keep it steady.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649562 oasisob1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649562 Yes, they are out of stock, which makes me sad. I feel like my earlier post only satisfies half the craving. I got mine from TG when they first began carrying them, and the whole family got a kick out of noodling around on it. You could always build your own: http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/04/build-your-own-stylophone-be-slightly-more-like-david-bowie/ or buy an original: http://www.stylophone.com/ or even go crazy and spend $55 on the SX-150: http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGK8&ampClick=19209 Yes, they are out of stock, which makes me sad. I feel like my earlier post only satisfies half the craving. I got mine from TG when they first began carrying them, and the whole family got a kick out of noodling around on it. You could always build your own:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/04/build-your-own-stylophone-be-slightly-more-like-david-bowie/
or buy an original:
http://www.stylophone.com/
or even go crazy and spend $55 on the SX-150:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGK8&ampClick=19209

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649353 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649353 Oh my gosh I love how awkward the fellow in that video is - that's so endearing! Kinda SX-150ish, but with a very approachable price tag... Oh my gosh I love how awkward the fellow in that video is – that’s so endearing!

Kinda SX-150ish, but with a very approachable price tag…

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649354 oasisob1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649354 Even cheaper at ThinkGeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/musical-instruments/aa64/ Momentarily out of stock, though. :-( They are fun fun fun to mess around with. Even cheaper at ThinkGeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/musical-instruments/aa64/

Momentarily out of stock, though. :-(

They are fun fun fun to mess around with.

]]> By: mitchelka http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649868 mitchelka Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649868 Love my Stylophone! Paid more to ship it from UK than to buy it on eBay. Performing on Stylophone-based Crutch and Spring in Harvard Square: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitchelka/4144618632/ Love my Stylophone! Paid more to ship it from UK than to buy it on eBay. Performing on Stylophone-based Crutch and Spring in Harvard Square:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitchelka/4144618632/

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649357 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649357 Thanks, oasisbob1! I updated my post. I love ThinkGeek. Thanks, oasisbob1! I updated my post. I love ThinkGeek.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649360 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649360 You're just jealous because I've been chatting online with hot babes all day. You’re just jealous because I’ve been chatting online with hot babes all day.

]]> By: Karlos http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649363 Karlos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649363 Just gotta get one classic Stylophone and a Stylophone "beatbox" then that's the whole band taken care of! Excellent Brett Domino Trio vid using the new model here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELTtsBRie4 awesome Just gotta get one classic Stylophone and a Stylophone “beatbox” then that’s the whole band taken care of!

Excellent Brett Domino Trio vid using the new model here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELTtsBRie4

awesome

]]> By: Piers W http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649622 Piers W Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649622 British Stylophiles will be happy to know you can get them in Maplins. British Stylophiles will be happy to know you can get them in Maplins.

]]> By: adamnvillani http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649373 adamnvillani Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649373 It's also featured in Orbital's song "Style" (naturally). It’s also featured in Orbital’s song “Style” (naturally).

]]> By: Ian Mackereth http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649374 Ian Mackereth Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649374 Ah, yes, I remember Rolf Harris using and pushing these in the 70s! He still gets a big mention on stylophone.com Ah, yes, I remember Rolf Harris using and pushing these in the 70s!

He still gets a big mention on stylophone.com

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649375 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649375 Wow, looks like an external USR/3com dial-up modem! Wow, looks like an external USR/3com dial-up modem!

]]> By: juepucta http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649650 juepucta Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649650 Yo nerds: The Raconteurs (Jack White et al) have been using and making these cheapass toys cool for at least a couple years now. They used to even sell their own Raconteur version of the thing. -G. Yo nerds: The Raconteurs (Jack White et al) have been using and making these cheapass toys cool for at least a couple years now. They used to even sell their own Raconteur version of the thing.

-G.

]]> By: apoxia http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649413 apoxia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649413 I can see no rhyme nor reason for the songs chosen in that medley. Despite this, that is a pretty cool instrument. I can see no rhyme nor reason for the songs chosen in that medley. Despite this, that is a pretty cool instrument.

]]> By: kaiza http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649415 kaiza Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649415 Someone with a Stylophone and more musical talent than me might be able to confirm whether a Stylophone was actually used in this annoyingly catchy song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feA64wXhbjo It certainly sounds like one, but I can't get it to sound right on this virtual Stylophone: http://www.playthestylophone.com/ Someone with a Stylophone and more musical talent than me might be able to confirm whether a Stylophone was actually used in this annoyingly catchy song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feA64wXhbjo

It certainly sounds like one, but I can’t get it to sound right on this virtual Stylophone: http://www.playthestylophone.com/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649430 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649430 The amazing Molly Lewis uses one of these in her version of Poker Face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mf7cQfhJSA The amazing Molly Lewis uses one of these in her version of Poker Face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mf7cQfhJSA

]]> By: sluggo http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649960 sluggo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649960 I wanna point out that the last song is 'Without You' and was released in 1970 by Badfinger. It's been covered to death, but most notably over-sung by Mariah Carey. The original is my fav. I've got a Stylophone, and have been using it in a live cover of 'Space Oddity' in my band, The Schmoejoes. I'm afraid I have no vid or audio to show off, but it's a crowd favorite. Everyone wants to know 'what the hell is that thing'... I wanna point out that the last song is ‘Without You’ and was released in 1970 by Badfinger. It’s been covered to death, but most notably over-sung by Mariah Carey. The original is my fav.

I’ve got a Stylophone, and have been using it in a live cover of ‘Space Oddity’ in my band, The Schmoejoes. I’m afraid I have no vid or audio to show off, but it’s a crowd favorite. Everyone wants to know ‘what the hell is that thing’…

]]> By: juepucta http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649966 juepucta Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649966 You mean "Ken Lee"? :P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgL2MKfWTo And yeah, Badfinger's version is the original - slightly less crappy. The one song of theirs i skip because it sounds like motherhumpin' Air Supply. -G. You mean “Ken Lee”? :P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgL2MKfWTo

And yeah, Badfinger’s version is the original – slightly less crappy. The one song of theirs i skip because it sounds like motherhumpin’ Air Supply.

-G.

]]> By: bingbongboinger http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649456 bingbongboinger Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649456 OMG! I have one of these I got new back in the late sixties. I saw it advertised on Canadian TV and crossed the border into Canada to buy it. I was ripped off bu US customs when I returned. They made me pay duty on it. I tried to explain, "But, but you can't buy these in the US!" I had to pay anyway. The stylophone still works fine. OMG! I have one of these I got new back in the late sixties. I saw it advertised on Canadian TV and crossed the border into Canada to buy it.

I was ripped off bu US customs when I returned. They made me pay duty on it. I tried to explain, “But, but you can’t buy these in the US!” I had to pay anyway.

The stylophone still works fine.

]]> By: Canadian http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649463 Canadian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649463 I picked one up at Urban Outfitters and a friend harshed me out for buying the remake and not the analog original. My friend is a doofus but he sort of has a good point. Search out an analog model for the real sound heard in those classic songs. I picked one up at Urban Outfitters and a friend harshed me out for buying the remake and not the analog original. My friend is a doofus but he sort of has a good point. Search out an analog model for the real sound heard in those classic songs.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/27/stylophone-synthesiz.html#comment-649464 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-649464 Then there is this little ditty from 1992 tangentially related to the stylophone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNO4EZU8GSQ Then there is this little ditty from 1992 tangentially related to the stylophone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNO4EZU8GSQ

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