Late Show’s Paul Shaffer Is Selling His Gear on Gear Exchange!

Here’s your chance to own some of the gear that was used by Late Show‘s favorite musical funnyman, TV legend Paul Shaffer, the music director for Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman. The friendship between Sweetwater’s founder, Chuck Surack, and Shaffer goes way back. In addition to sharing a love for the Beatles and vintage Kurzweil keyboards, they’ve enjoyed a musical friendship that dates back to the early ’80s. In fact, Chuck once flew a repair tech across the Atlantic to fix Shaffer’s Kurzweil K250 in time for a high-profile London gig.

Shaffer Chooses Gear Exchange!

Here’s what’s cool: Shaffer has agreed to sell his complete Late Show keyboard setup and his career’s most important instruments — synths, pianos, controllers, and even his famed K250 — on Gear Exchange (GX), Sweetwater’s used music gear marketplace! Why did Shaffer choose Gear Exchange? After he heard about what an outstanding experience his friend and former bandmate Tom “Bones” Malone had selling on GX, he couldn’t wait to try it himself.

Are you eager to own your very own piece of late-night TV history? Now’s your chance! Here is a select handful of items from Shaffer’s GX storefront.

Wurlitzer Model 111 Electric PianoOberheim OB-Xa 61-key SynthesizerKurzweil K250 88-key Workstation

Wurlitzer Model 111 Electric Piano

Paul’s Model 111 Wurlitzer is a rare prototype of the Model 112 electric reed piano most players are familiar with. Released in 1955 and only on the market for a year, the Model 111 remains revered for its woody bark, percussive “click,” and chunky, teetering tremolo — if you’re lucky enough to find one. 

The Model 111 and its ’50s and ’60s sisters were later replaced with the solid-state Wurlitzer 200 in the late 1960s. But Paul’s well-preserved Model 111 is a piece of musical history that any keyboard aficionado would be lucky to own. Its tube circuitry alone makes this piano one for the books. 

Used Wurlitzer 111 Electric Piano

Oberheim OB-Xa 61-key Synthesizer

You’ve heard Paul’s Obie on Scandal’s “Goodbye to You” and its brethren on radio rockers like Van Halen’s “Jump” and Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” This flagship synth created by Tom Oberheim has proved itself a master at traditional sound design while excelling at creative bass and lead textures. 

Paul’s OB-Xa is in great shape for a keyboard of its age. It has been serviced regularly to keep it in peak shape for Late Show and has spent its retirement enjoying a well-earned rest in Paul’s climate-controlled studio. 

Used Oberheim OB-Xa Polyphonic Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

Kurzweil K250 88-key Workstation

Paul has owned and enjoyed his Kurzweil K250 “pretty much since it came out,” as he revealed in a 2018 Facebook post from Keyboard magazine. Much like Sweetwater founder Chuck’s amazement at seeing the unit in action at the 1984 NAMM Show, Paul was immediately enamored with the K250’s digital sampling and with what Kurzweil called “contoured sound modeling.”

Paul gushed about his K250 in a 2009 interview for Keyboard magazine: “I still think it’s got the greatest [re-creations] of acoustic instruments that you can just dial up.” 

For Late Show, Paul frequently used the K250’s onboard acoustic piano sounds (despite having an acoustic Baldwin upright on the bandstand). He also described the “swingin’ horn sound” in the K250, built from layered trombone, trumpet, and sax growls. 

There’s no question that the K250 was decades ahead of its time as a workstation and ROMpler. And for players like Paul, who cut their teeth designing sounds in the heat of the spotlight, nothing else comes close to this instrument.

Used Kurzweil K250 88-Key Electronic Sampling Keyboard Synthesizer Workstation

There’s More — Lots More

Are you ready to own the instruments that helped make Godspell and the Blues Brothershousehold names? They’re live on Gear Exchange right now! But remember: this is just a smattering of the many Paul Shaffer musical items for sale on Gear Exchange right now. Be sure to check out Paul’s GX storefront for dozens of other historic Late Show gear.

We are thankful that Paul agreed to sell his gear with us. Be sure to follow his work with Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band (an ensemble comprised of fellow Late Night and Late Show band alumni) on the band’s website. And while you’re there, give his social channels a follow.

Gear enthusiasts: Are you looking for the best place to turn your used gear into new gear? Well, then, Sweetwater is the place. Find out why Gear Exchange’s zero-seller-fees model is shaking up the used market.

Sweetwater Gear Exchange | How to Sell Your Gear

What Makes Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange Different?

How to List Like a Pro on Gear Exchange

What “No Fees” on Gear Exchange Means for You

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