RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

JoeBirmingham · Post by **JoeBirmingham** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:15 pm

I'm just trying to gather information for a friend about a Rocky Mount Calliope she has.

I don't know if it is collectable. Not a lot on the internet.

Found this:
"There were two completely different instruments to bear the RMI Calliope name. Both were limited production items, and both appeared on the market in the same time frame, 1969. The first one was called The Calliope Model B. The second was called the Calliope.

The Calliope consisted of a 37-note keyboard with its own built-in amplification system. The unique feature of this instrument was that the 19 individual speakers were voiced into individual tuned metal pipes, giving the feeling and sound of a real calliope. The retail cost of the unit was $795. [written by Tom Emerick, Allen Organ Company]"

I don't know if it is collectable. I cant find a photo on the internet.

Does Anybody have more info or photos?

Thanks.

JoeBirmingham

yorgatron · Post by **yorgatron** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:36 pm

I have a record, but here's not much info out there on these as they're kind of rare. I don't think I've ever even seen a picture of one.

seamonkey · Post by **seamonkey** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:44 pm

You actually own that LP?? how cool is that.

Here's a little bit of info thanks to our friends over at Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mount_Instruments

ppg_wavecomputer · Post by **ppg_wavecomputer** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:07 pm

All RMI stuff is collectable to some extent -- if you're into calliope sounds, that is.

I'd love to see a picture of it, I can't imagine what it looked like.

Stephen

V301H · Post by **V301H** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:19 pm

If you have heard the studio version of "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag" by Country Joe and the Fish you may have noticed the Calliope sound. According to an interview with keyboardist David Cohen this was played on an electric Calliope that happened to be in the studio where they recorded the song. So it is most likely one of the RMI models. In this performance from 1970 it could be an RMI Calliope although I have never seen a photo of one:

JoeBirmingham · Post by **JoeBirmingham** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 1:04 am

Thanks all for the help. JoeBirmingham

ppg_wavecomputer · Post by **ppg_wavecomputer** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:58 pm

JoeBirmingham wrote:Thanks all for the help. JoeBirmingham

Pictures, please, please.

Stephen

JoeBirmingham · Post by **JoeBirmingham** » Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:16 pm

I'm helping a friend and should visit her in the next couple of days.

I will hopefully get some photos then.

JoeBirmingham

yorgatron · Post by **yorgatron** » Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:12 pm

JoeBirmingham wrote:I'm helping a friend and should visit her in the next couple of days.

I will hopefully get some photos then.

JoeBirmingham

Kcollier719 · Post by **Kcollier719** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:53 pm

Sorry to reopen an old post here but I was wondering if anyone has learned anything about these. I own one that I'd like to refinish. The stickers have peeled and the wood is splintered in places but I can't decide if I should do that or not. It does play, the keys stick a little but it's playable. Mine happens to remind of an old circus wagon (think of the movie Dumbo) with big wheels and it's gold with red trim.

Micke · Post by **Micke** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:03 pm

Here are pictures of the two RMI calliopes & band organ:

The first one pictured looks like the one seen in the 'Country Joe and the fish" video above. I guess that's the same model as yours.

And some basic info on the three models:
http://www.synthmuseum.com/rmi/rmiban01.html (Band organ)
http://www.synthmuseum.com/rmi/rmicalb01.html (Calliope model B)
http://www.synthmuseum.com/rmi/rmical01.html (Calliope)

Kcollier719 · Post by **Kcollier719** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:26 pm

Thank you for your reply! The 2nd picture is the one I have, it looks just like the first one but with all the speakers across the front. Sure wish I had that stool to go with it!

RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

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Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key

Re: RMI Rocky Mount Calliope 37 Key