SPECIFICATIONS

The Optigan was created in Californie in 1971. It was produced by Optigan Corporation, a Mattel subsidiary, up until 1973, and by Opsonar afterwards.

The Optigan was an instrument that used celluloid discs, which featured recordings of real musical instruments (especially organs) and accompaniments. The term “Optigan” comes from the words “OPTIcal orGAN”. It was an instrument designed for household purposes.

The Optigan had a 37 note keyboard, and a 26 button pad for accompaniments: 1 row of buttons for major chords (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), 1 row for minor chords and one for diminished chords. 5 switches controlled introductions, endings, drums, and other effects (clapping, bells… ).

The cabinet (and the bench that came with the instrument) was made of plastic, imitation wood (!). The bench could also be used as a locker.

The celluloid discs featured each track’s waveform, drawn in concentric circles. A light bulb sent a beam of light through the disc to a photoelectric sensor. The intensity variation was converted into voltage, then into sound.
There is a great variety of Optigan discs, with different musical styles and evocative names: Bossa Nova Style, Polynesian Village, Singing Rhythm, Easy Does It With Vibes…
Each Optigan was supplied with a “Starter Set” including the following discs: Big Organ & Drums, Pop Piano Plus Guitar, Latin Fever et Guitar in 3/4 Time.

Several simplified music sheets collections, made especially for the Optigan, have been released.

There were several Optigan models produced until 1976:

  • 34001: first model to be produced – mono version: 1 amp et 1 speaker
  • 35001: stereo version (2 amps + 2 speakers), plus a spring reverb
  • 35002: the most widespread model. Same as 35001, except without reverb
  • 35011: wooden cabinet (plywood) – stereo with spring reverb
  • 35012: plastic cabinet with moldings (!) – stereo with reverb
  • 37003: the last model to be produced – very rare – wooden cabinet

More information at optigan.com


Patents

  • US 3,657,459 – Musical Instrument With Variable Amplitude
    Filed: 11/02/70 – Issued: 04/18/72
  • US 3,657,460 – Organ Keyboard Switching System
    Filed: 01/22/71 – Issued: 04/18/72
  • US 3,720,415 – Disc Drive
    Filed: 06/08/70 – Issued: 03/13/73
  • US 3,724,860 – Optical Disc Drive For Organ
    Filed: 12/10/70 – Issued: 04/03/73
  • US D224,444 – Keyboard For Musical Instrument Or The Like
    Issued: 07/25/72
  • US D224,270 – Cabinet For Keyboard Instrument Or The Like
    Issued: 07/11/72
  • US 3,694,660 – Radiation Sensitive Readout Head With Circuit Board Construction
    Filed: 01/12/71 – Issued: 09/26/72
  • US 3,647,927 – Electronic Organ Wherein Musical Sounds And A Tremolo Effect Are Provided By Electro-Optical Apparatus
    Filed: 12/11/70 – Issued: 03/07/72

PHOTOS

Optigan 35002 #93450

Photos: David Cilia – 2004


Optigan 35002 (Model Mediterranean) #49387

Photos: Don Kennedy for Studio Bell – National Music Center

VIDEOS

AUDIO

DISCS

These are the records I own:

Vintage discs

  • Starter set
  • The Blues Sweet & Low
  • Waltz Time
  • Folk & Other Moods – Guitar (4/4)
  • Nashville Country
  • Banjo Sing-Along
  • Bossa Nova Style
  • Gay 90s Waltz
  • Cha Cha Cha!
  • Big Band Beat
  • Dixieland Strut
  • Bluegrass Banjo
  • New Orleans Blues
  • Gospel Rock
  • Guitar Boogie
  • Swing it
  • Champagne Music
  • Romantic Strings
  • Big Top Marching Band
  • Singing Rhythm
  • Movin’
  • Majestic Pipe Organ
  • Sleigh Ride
  • Rock and Rhythm
  • Easy Does It With Vibes
  • Organ Sing Along
  • Polynesian Village
  • Hear and Now
  • Classic Guitar
  • Rollin’ Easy

Discs made by Optigan.com

  • Wurliscape
  • Pianoscape
  • Radioaktivox
  • Mod Rock
  • Symphonic Strings (String Ensemble Orchestron)
  • Chamber Strings (Violin Orchestron)
  • Country Folk in 6/8 (French Horn Orchestron)
  • Celleste (Cello Orchestron)
  • Latin Guitar & Trumpet (Trumpet Orchestron)
  • Folk Guitar & Flute (Flute Orchestron)

I’m looking for the following records:

  • Country Waltz
  • Polka Music
  • Mazurka Music
  • Cathedral Organ
  • Vox Humana
  • Down Home
  • Country Sunshine