A reed-based electric piano designed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias, known for its quiet, delicate sound and use on iconic recordings.

Overview

The Hohner Pianet is a reed-based electric piano developed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias. It is an electromechanical keyboard that produces sound through metal reeds rather than strings, resulting in a quieter and more delicate tone compared to other electric pianos of the era. The instrument gained notable exposure through its use on recordings such as The Beatles' "I Am The Walrus," where its distinctive timbre contributed to the song’s psychedelic texture. Though lacking technical documentation, the Pianet has attracted interest from collectors and musicians drawn to its unique electro-mechanical design and vintage character.

Design

The Pianet is a reed-based electric piano designed by Hohner engineer Ernst Zacharias, who also created the Clavinet. It operates using metal reeds instead of strings, making it a quieter and more delicate electromechanical keyboard.

Context

Market

A Hohner Pianet was listed for sale as fully serviced and accompanied by original legs, indicating that complete, restored units are occasionally available. While no broad market data exists, such listings suggest demand among collectors for well-maintained examples.

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Related Models

• Hohner Guitaret (1960s)