Back in the Cretaceous Period (or was it the 70's), when calculators were the size of small cars and an auto pop-up toaster was considered hi-tech, some geek sandwiched two circuit-boards together, chucked in some random wiring, and gave birth to a musical (sic) instrument that was to become an icon. After nearly 40 years in the closet, the Stylophone pocket synthesiser made popular by the likes of Rolf Harris and David Bowie (he used it in timeless classic Space Oddity) is back. You tap the electronic keys with the integral stylus to make funky noises - now with additional Classic, Synth and Bass sounds, - and maybe you can produce some musical hits using this retro kit as the likes of Kraftwerk, Erasure, Orbital, Marilyn Manson, They Might Be Giants, and White Stripes have done in the past. You can play solo, or plug in your iPod/MP3 player and play along to your favourite tunes, and even add some vibrato enhancement to really annoy anyone foolish enough to be listening to you. It may have been invented in 1967, but 40 years on this re-invention is bound to be another hit.
Reviews Posted Before Our Rating System Began (Prior to 12th Oct '09)
I had some numbers pop in my head the other month - "3,7,6,5,4,10,7,6,5,4,10,7,6,5,6,4" it took me a short time to realise that this was in fact the numbers required to play the Star Wars theme on a Stylophone, somthing I had not done since the 70s! Then this xmas, I received one of these beauts! Sure, it's not the original but it has more features that make it far more useful including the ability to plug it into an amp using the headphone socket. Just wait till the bloke who lives behind my house decides to attempt another 4 hour slap bass marathon, he's gonna get some electro-funk blasted straight back at him! I'd recommend twiddling the pitch adjuster while playing to get some real freaky sounds too.
The ability to plug your mp3 player in means it outputs via the stylophone speaker so you can play along while pretending to be part of the song.
An absolute worthy purchase for anyone wishing to recreate those hours spent in the playground trying to emulate Rolf Harris and anyone else brave enough to embrace such electric goodness.
Matt, Benfleet
I got this as a christmas present for my boyfriend, who is in a band and loves anything that can make a noise!
When he got it, he didn't actually know what it was (we're only young and it was before our time) although our parents were very enthusiastic about it! I had printed off the description and as he read it his eyes just lit up and gave the effect of large quantities of drugs in his system.
Needless to say he was on it all day, so we're all grateful for the optional earphones, and also you could plug in your mp3 player, which acts like a high quality speaker even if you arent using the keys!
An excellent gift, and, we promiced not to tell each other how much we spent, and he reckons it will have cost loads, so great value for money!
Camilla, Sunderland
I Love My Stylophone!! I Learned how to play 7 Nation Army On It And Now I'm In a Band :) 5,5,7,5,4,3--,2 Love It !! Buy One NOW!!
Victoria, London