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Average Price: $776

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$799

$2000+

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Description

The Farfisa Combo Compact debuted in the mid-1960s and made a splash on the scene immediately. Boasting loud colors, a rough sound, and a price the touring musician could afford, the Compact Combo quickly became one of the prominent combo organs of the ‘60s.

The organ came in two color choices, red or gray, with red being more common.

Product specs

Brand Farfisa
Model Combo Compact Organ
Finish Blue with Black-White / White-Black Keys, Gray with Black-White / White-Black Keys, Red with Black-White / White-Black Keys
Year 1964 - 1968
Made In Italy
Categories Organs
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 61 Keys

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Farfisa Combo Compact organ?

The Farfisa Combo Compact is known for its distinctive, aggressive, and raspy tone, making it ideal for classic rock and psychedelic music. Its sound is often described as more raw and vibrant compared to other organs like the Vox Continental.

How many keys does the Farfisa Combo Compact have?

The Farfisa Combo Compact features a full-size keyboard with 61 keys, offering a wide range for expressive playing.

Is the Farfisa Combo Compact organ suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Farfisa Combo Compact is designed for live performances with its durable build and full-size keybed, making it a favorite among touring musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.

Is the Farfisa Combo Compact an analog or digital organ?

The Farfisa Combo Compact is an analog organ, which contributes to its warm and distinctive sound character.

What is the keyboard action like on the Farfisa Combo Compact?

The Farfisa Combo Compact features a synth action keyboard, providing a light and responsive touch suitable for fast playing styles.

picure

picure

Farfisa Combo Compact Demo (SOLD!)

Video thumbnail for Farfisa Combo Compact Demo (SOLD!) by picure

Farfisa Combo Compact Demo (SOLD!)

picure

picure

Video thumbnail for Farfisa Combo Compact Repair - Part 1 by Vintage Vibe

Farfisa Combo Compact Repair - Part 1

Vintage Vibe

Vintage Vibe

Video thumbnail for Farfisa compact combo demo by Dustin Altick

Farfisa compact combo demo

Dustin Altick

Dustin Altick

Video thumbnail for 1964 Farfisa Combo Compact Demonstration and Repair by Vintage Keys Studio

1964 Farfisa Combo Compact Demonstration and Repair

Vintage Keys Studio

Vintage Keys Studio

Video thumbnail for Farfisa Combo Compact Jam In The Key Of E by Vox Jaguar Videos

Farfisa Combo Compact Jam In The Key Of E

Vox Jaguar Videos

Vox Jaguar Videos

Video thumbnail for Farfisa Combo Compact - Exploring the Presets - MVM #68 by Midiverse - TV

Farfisa Combo Compact - Exploring the Presets - MVM #68

Midiverse - TV

Midiverse - TV

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Farfisa Combo Compact.

Value and pricing

  • Non-working Farfisa Compact organs can be found for 300-500 Euros, though restoration is challenging.

    Source
  • An $850 price for a Farfisa Compact is considered fair, though additional repair costs should be anticipated.

    Source
  • Farfisa Compact organs typically range from 1000-1500 Euros for a stage-ready model, depending on condition and location.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Korg Vox Continental features a waterfall-style keybed reminiscent of traditional organs, enhancing playability for classic organ techniques.

    Source
  • The Crumar Mojo is praised for its Farfisa Compact emulation, with identical tone to the original Compact Deluxe.

    Source
  • Internal spring reverb and tone boost knee lever significantly enhance the sound and presence of Farfisa Compacts.

    Source
  • Compacts with germanium transistors offer "fuzzy warm goodness," unlike later silicon models, which sound cleaner.

    Source
  • The Yamaha Reface YC, when set to mode F and paired with Catalinbread Echorec and a wah pedal, closely replicates Richard Wright's Pink Floyd sounds.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the drawbars on the Mojo, which act like switches when pulled halfway, similar to the Nord series.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Farfisa VIP series is noted for durability and often includes a drum machine, making it a robust alternative to the more delicate Compact.

    Source
  • Korg's modern Vox Continental is praised for its versatility, offering Farfisa, Vox, and B-3 sounds with a waterfall keybed, ideal for glisses and swoops.

    Source
  • FAST, Duo, and VIP models offer similar sounds to the Compact but differ in pricing, with FAST generally costing less and Duo/VIP models more.

    Source
  • Nord Electro models offer a tactile experience with buttons emulating Farfisa switches, and later versions include optional hardware drawbars for a more authentic feel.

    Source
  • The Mojo's Vox emulation is noted to have 6 drawbar settings, matching the original Italian Vox Continental's sound closely.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that vintage Farfisa Compacts can be glitchy but are cherished for their unique analog sound, despite being heavy and delicate.

    Source
  • Owning a Farfisa means embracing its lack of MIDI, requiring an "old school" playing approach.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Real Farfisa organs may require specialized maintenance, often needing a few hundred dollars in repairs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Nord Electro 3, though lacking in real drawbars, is valued for its adequate UI and ability to toggle sounds with buttons, enhancing live performance adaptability.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bill Briggs uses Farfisa Combo Compact

Bill Briggs

Singer, Keyboardist

The Remains

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Briggs can be seen playing a Farfisa Combo Compact organ. The photo comes from one of the Remains’ first recording sessions in 1965 at Columbia Studio A in Manhattan.

See how Sam the Sham uses Farfisa Combo Compact

Sam the Sham

Singer, Keyboardist

Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs

...
Verified via Photo

Sam the Sham frequently played a red Farfisa Combo Compact organ. The organ is featured on the band’s hit “Wooly Bully.”

See how Daryl Hooper uses Farfisa Combo Compact

Daryl Hooper

Keyboardist

The Seeds

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Hooper can be seen on stage with a Farfisa Combo Compact (right) and a Wurlitzer electric piano (left). This was his primary touring setup with the Seeds.

See how Paul Hornsby uses Farfisa Combo Compact

Paul Hornsby

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Hour Glass

...
Verified via Rtjwebzine

Mentioned by Hornsby in this May 2017 Road to Jacksonville interview.

Then, about 1964 I heard Eric Burden and the Animals. Alan Price with his Vox portable organ impressed me a lot. I thought that keyboard was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. The band I was in, was already playing their House Of The Rising Sun. I thought that if I had one of those organs, I bet I could play that tune. Before long I bought a Farfisa Combo Compact organ. I remember I got it on Monday and I played my first gig with it on Friday. I played the hell out of that thing & did as much with it as was possible during the next 6 months. Then I came across a Jimmy Smith album and discovered the Hammond organ. That changed everything. That was real organ playing. I had to have one right away. So, I continued playing guitar and organ about equal amounts for the next 10 years.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Farfisa Combo Compact, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Wurlitzer 140B
Wurlitzer 140B Vintage & Electric Pianos
2
Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
1
MXR M169 Carbon Copy
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Delay Effects Pedals
1
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb Effects Pedals
1
Roland XV-5080
Roland XV-5080 Sound Modules
1
Korg M1
Korg M1 Synthesizers
1

Community setups

Show yours
volcarock

volcarock

Gear IQ 4041

G

gilbertfil

Gear IQ 75

1 alternative for Farfisa Combo Compact, curated by the Equipboard community.

Farfisa Compact Deluxe

$834.71

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

Both the Combo Compact and Compact Deluxe were a part of Farfisa’s Compact line. The organs look and sound nearly identical, however the Compact Deluxe has additional voices such as the 2-2/3' footage with an independent "brilliant" tab. Later models, such as the Combo Deluxe Compact I, also include a rhythm section (drum machine) of brush cymbal and drum.

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