Frank Zappa – The Roxy Performances (Live)

Frank Zappa's Hohner Clavinet D6 was listed for sale on Reverb in January 2024. The instrument was previously auctioned by Julien's.

The following comes from the Reverb listing:

This Hohner Clavinet D6 keyboard comes from the Julien's Frank Zappa Auction. This Clav can be seen in many Zappa concerts in the 1970's with George and other Zappa alumni playing after George's tenure. The Clavinet D6 was a part of Frank Zappa's sound. George Duke who played keyboards and synthesizers can be seen using a Clavinet D6 live in the film Roxy: The Movie (Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2015), a concert film of Zappa's performances at The Roxy in 1973. The Clavinet D6 has 60 keys, the control panel to the left of the keys has six rocker switches. The switches labeled "AB" and "CD" control the pickup selection. The switches labeled "Medium" and "Soft" activate a low-pass filter and the switches labeled "Brilliant" and "Treble" activate a high-pass filter. There is a volume knob on the control panel. The top panel is finished in a teak veneer. There is a clear plastic music stand which is secured to the inner side of the removable lid. There is a metal fader to the right of the keys. The Clavinet D6 is housed in a wooden carrying case that is finished in black vinyl. The vinyl has scuff marks and wear from the years of use. The casing is original and features a back panel that has a 1/4" output, a 6-9 Volt Adapter socket, the Hohner logo, Clavinet D6 printed. The carrying case has protective metal corner covers. The removable lid is finished in a light gray vinyl, has protective corner covers and has K9 stenciled on the top.

"This is the same guitar used and pictured on the 1974 Roxy & Elsewhere album. Though the two non-stock switches on the guitar’s lower horn were present in the Roxy era, the guitar has been augmented since those days with a mirrored top and various preamps, phasing switches, and active-filter circuits.

You can see the guitar in action in the preview below for the long-awaited concert film Roxy: The Movie. Shot over three nights in December 1973 at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, the project was shelved due to the expense and time required to edit the footage. It will finally be released on October 30 by Eagle Rock Entertainment and Zappa’s Honker Home Video. "