Doric/Ekosonic

Dubbed "the mysterious Doric" by Barry Carson, it's not such a mystery any more.  There were at least six different models, and rumor has it there was a double-keyboard model as well.  The Ekosonic's I've found seem to be twins to the Doric's, differing only cosmetically.  I suspect the Doric's may also be related to the Howard, primarily because they look very similar (same sort of profile, dished tabs in the middle, knobs on the front panel), and both include a pull-out coupler, which is a rather unusual feature for a combo organ.  In addition to the combo's feature here, they made at least two console/spinet organs.  The three models were also available in a "MIX" version, which is described as "Same as the (model name) with a triad (mix) added to each treble tone."  It's suspected that this may mean that each note actually plays a triad (root-third-fifth, aka major chord).  I'm not sure just how useful this would be.  It's also possible that the "Single Tone" tab, shown below on the 65PS model, may turn this feature on and off.

Thanks to Barry Carson for the 1967 ad information that accompanies my descriptions.  A couple of interesting notes about the ads:  The June 1967 ad features the 61MIX for $645, but it's the 65PS(or 65MIX) that's pictured.  Odder still, a 1968 press release introduced the Cheetah Reverb (even though it had already been advertised at least 6 months previously), but the accompanying picture was of the 65PS.

Barry had also mentioned previously that "Doric also had aftermarket add-ons and solderless replacement circuit boards." I bought a Doric 61TT recently, and the oscillator boards do indeed plug in.  The power supply also is also very modular, attaching via two screws and a single multi-pin plug.

61TT/61MIX

A January 1967 ad touts the 61TT as "America's popular swinging combo organ", featuring 30 voices (10 voice tabs x 3 footages, 16', 8', and 4' via the Coupler), and "authentic jazz sound".  And, at only 40 pounds, it was the "lightest on the market".  Priced at only  $595, it was also available as the "61MIX" for $645.  I don't have a picture of one, but I assume it looks identical to the 61TT, differing only in the wiring, with the possible addition of a "Single Tone" tab.

Controls:

Cosmetic difference seen on this model include cheekblocks in grey as well as black, a nameplate that just says "DORIC" in block letters, rather than "Doric Transistorized Organ" with the funny greek symbol in the word "Doric", and a front panel that appears to be covered in the same fabric as the case, rather than the ribbed plastic seen on the one above, as shown below:  I think the fabric front panel may be only on the Ekosonics, but I've seen Dorics with both grey and black cheekblocks.

The Ekosonic twin is reviewed at Melbourne Music. Go there to read their full (and as usual, witty) description.

And here are the knobs:

  

An unusual feature of the Doric is that it's actually two pieces - the main organ part separates from the base.  The only real reason for this that I can see is it provides access to the key contacts underneath.  Here's a picture of it in two pieces, and another showing it with the hood up, affording access to the rest of the innards:

 

65PS/65MIX

The same January 1967 ad describes this model as "similar to the 61TT with added bass controls (4', 8', 16'), reverb controls, and a magical coupler extending the bass to the treble and the treble to the bass, making a uniform 61 keys at the flick of a switch.".  This one cost $695.  The MIX version was $745.

I suspect this is actually the "MIX" version, due to the "Single Tone" tab, which is not present on the Ekosonic "twin" show below

Controls

Here's the Ekosonic version.  Note that the tabs are all white, the cheekblocks are red, and I believe the front panel is fabric-covered, like the Ekosonic 61TT (above).  In place of the "Single Tone" tab, it has a "Vibrato Full" tab.  The first Bass voice tab is simply "Bass 16", and the knobs say "Ottava" rather than "Octave"

Cheetah Reverb/Cheetah Reverb MIX

In June of 1967, another ad introduced the Cheetah Reverb model.  It proclaims the Cheetah to have "61 Keys", then adds "(not 49 keys)", this, for the "numerically-challenged", I suppose.  The Cheetah featured "2 octaves of bass, reverberation (optional plug-in), ebony and crimson finish.".  The Cheetah Reverb was priced at $495.  A MIX version of the Cheetah was also available, but no price was specified.  A spinet version was also available.

Controls: