The Coolest Keyboards of the Sixties and seventies were made by the Italian company "Farfisa ". They can be heard in the music of early Pink Floyd, The Inspiral Carpets, Stereolab, The Weird Library of Art,Sly and the Family Stone, Blondie, Mirabilia, Sun Ra , Busride, Deadly Snakes, Reverend Angus Strychn+The Paralyzing Doses of Fun, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, Iron Butterfly, Suicide and, Fela Kuti amongst others.

Farfisa Organs were made in Italy and distributed in the U.S.A. by the "Chicago Musical Instrament Co.", which also owned Gibson. The first Farfisa organs to show up in America, in 1964 were called "CMI Organs". These first organs were what was to become known as the "Farfisa Compact-Combo".

Here are some Photos, and Descriptions. I only have schematics for the "Compact", so far. If you have a Compact that needs service, I'd be willing to photo Copy them for you. And any service manuals, advertisments and owners manuals, are always apreciated here, especially the service manual for the "Stereo Sythorchestra", mine really needs help.

At it's peak Farfisa was the "largest european maker of electronic musical instruments". With their three plants; Castelfidardo producing "Settimio and Soprani Acordians and guitars, Camerano producing "Scandalli Acordians, pianos, and reed organs, and the main plant in Aspio producing Farfisa electronic organs, amplihiers, effects. The owners manual of the "Fast 4/5" said Farfisa employed "thousands of skilled technicians, and workers".

Farfisa was bought by "Lear Siegler Inc.(U.S.A.)", and later sold to the Bontempi company, of Potenza, Italy, who still produce keyboards under the Farfisa name.

Farfisa Products

Toronto - GETTRONICS - Expert repair to all vintage equipment (416)288-9631 54 Howden Rd Unit C, M1R-3E4

Atlanta - Numerous Complaints Music.Great people to deal with

Los Angeles BILLY ZOOM MUSICOrange, CA (714) 978-6652

For Farfisa Parts

FARFISA (Farfisa & Bontempi Models)

There is no USA office, must contact: Comus Farfisa S.R.L. c/o Mr. Onofri (English spoken) 35, V.S.G. Bosco 62018 Potenza Picena (MC), Italy Phone: 011-39-73-3-8851 Fax: 011-39-73-3-885302

That's it for now, if anyone can correct anything here, add anything, pictures, manufacturing dates, links, schematics, please contact me.

Special thanks to The Electrosonics, Barry Carson, who's article in the book "Vintage Synthesizers"(by Mark Vail, published by Miller Freeman Books, 1993) provided much of the information here, David Krejci , Specia; thanks to Kirk Slinkard, who's sent me some amazing photos I've gott aget scanned, and lots of Info, Lots and Lots, and thanks to everyone who has contributed to this page worldwide. More Info is on the way soon.

"Any Farfisa Info at all"

please mail me

For more cool vintage instuments go see the Voxroom, all about Vox Guitars ampliphiers and Organs. "The Theatre Organ Homepage" also has some great information and sounds.