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Old 1st Mar 2019, 5:47 pm   #1
Lancs Lad
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Default Unusual item to identify

Obviously I know what this is, because I use it often. But can any of you guess what it is and what it does?

They were made by a very clever man here in Lancashire (Leyland, to be precise) but I'm not sure how many were sold farther afield.

We bought it in 1984, and, believe it or not, it still has the original batteries inside, and it still works! Absolutely spot-on every time.

Some of you will probably know what it is, but, go on, everyone else! Have a guess!
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 6:03 pm   #2
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

A tuning sound source?
 
Old 1st Mar 2019, 6:08 pm   #3
ms660
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

My Googleometer says Speedyplain….chord computer.

EDIT: Link added for old advert....mag page 19:

https://www.americanradiohistory.com...2-01-S-OCR.pdf

Lawrence.

Last edited by ms660; 1st Mar 2019 at 6:25 pm. Reason: correction
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 6:10 pm   #4
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

A chord calculator. push the buttons to select the base note, and the type of chord and then the display shows the keys to press on the instrument.

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Old 1st Mar 2019, 6:39 pm   #5
m0cemdave
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

I've got one of those, same model. They made a guitar version as well.
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 7:13 pm   #6
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

These batteries have been in since day one! 35 years

What chord is it showing?

Final photo is cat getting in on the act!
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 7:31 pm   #7
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

I make it G#dim with the Googleometer…..which sort of describes my knowledge of musical notes!

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Old 1st Mar 2019, 7:45 pm   #8
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

And there was me hoping it was some sort of late-1990s version of the Stylophone....
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 7:52 pm   #9
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify



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Old 1st Mar 2019, 8:34 pm   #10
Lancs Lad
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

I actually keyed it in as A flat diminished, ms660! But it's the same chord!
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Last edited by Lancs Lad; 1st Mar 2019 at 9:02 pm.
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 8:43 pm   #11
Lancs Lad
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

And what about those batteries?

The same ones that the man in the music shop in Leyland put in thirty-five years ago!

They haven't leaked, and the LCD keyboard display doesn't show any sign of dimming anytime soon.

I always kind of wished that the 'OFF CLEAR' button had been labelled 'CLEAR OFF'! But I suppose that's just my daft Lancahire sense of humour!
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Last edited by Lancs Lad; 1st Mar 2019 at 9:00 pm.
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Old 1st Mar 2019, 9:08 pm   #12
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Default Re: Unusual item to identify

It's a brilliant little bit of kit. And I think it knows every chord that there ever was. Maybe even the Lost One! And those batteries beggar belief...
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Last edited by Lancs Lad; 1st Mar 2019 at 9:38 pm.
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