Beginner here, torn between the OpenTheremin 4.5, LostVolts V4 and Burns.

I'm in the process of choosing my first Theremin and the much recommended, much beloved Etherwave is not in my budget right now, (Also really hard to find online with international shipping. I'm in SE Asia). I want something that is decent enough to learn proper techniques on that would translate well when changing to a better instrument (As opposed to a bad gear that I have to unlearn everything upon an upgrade). And when it comes to budget Theremins, the Burns, the OpenTheremin, and the LostVolts seem to be the most visible of the bunch. For the people who've played them, how do they compare to each other and what would you recommend?

"And when it comes to budget Theremins, the Burns, the OpenTheremin, and the LostVolts seem to be the most visible of the bunch. For the people who've played them, how do they compare to each other and what would you recommend?"  - RollingApple

I haven't played any of them, but if it were me I'd go with the OpenTheremin.  Just about every player owns one.

Hi @RollingApple,

I won't advise for a specific model because I am probably too much enthusiastic about some specific ones.

Just my reaction to "As opposed to a bad gear that I have to unlearn everything upon an upgrade"
If you are starting your adventure with the theremin just be prepared to have to learn and unlearn everyday !

That said welcome to this great familly.

I'm in the process of choosing my first Theremin  

I have had the Burns but would not really recommend it. I never played the open theremin but I do have the Lost Volts and am very impressed by it for the price. It has a decent sound and the volume is more dynamic than the Etherwave. I would have no problem giving a performance with it in a pinch.  Check out Priantz playing Moon River.

 

Hi bisem, I've seen several of your comments, and earlier you were severe with LV theremins. Is that because it was before the LV-4? Seeing the video makes me more confident in buying one. I went from considering, in the following order: B3 → B3 Deluxe → LV-4 → Open 4.5 → RDS (the brazilian one) → PV-1 (Theremaniacs) → and again LV-4.

My last impression was that the PV-1 felt like being real and richer analog sound, maybe almost more grainy, but with a wider octave range with the basses. I like that the LV-4 can modify envelope and brightness, but then again some pedal effects can be added later on.

Availability and pricing is also an issue, being in Canada. LV-4 sits in the less expansive range and the PV-1 feels kinda expensive going up to 530 $ CAD with shipping. I have excluded the EW, even second market, and of course the Theremini.

Any other food for tough from anyone is very welcome.

Thanks.

Sylvain

Sylvain, what did you get?

I’m new here, playing a Lost Volts LV-4 for about 50 days now. I also have an Open Theremin kit on the way. Our public library offers one free 3D print job per month, so I’m printing the case there to save a few $. 
I was previously a trumpet player, in school and as an adult. 

I like the Lost Volts quite a bit, and the video of Moon River above is the best I’ve heard this model played, so thank you for that. It’s fun that you can actually see his waveshape and filter settings. 

I’ve watched videos, checked out books and methods, and am repeating my way through early Kip Rosser lessons 6-10. I can play bits of melodies especially when not thinking. 

Hi! 
Such a lot of coincidence. I'm a former trumpet player, turning (hopefully) thereminist. I, too, was turn between a LV4 and OT4.5. A local teacher seemed to suggest the LV4, but he had not played one himself yet. He stressed the importance of pitch linearity (for beginners) and because of Carolina Eyck's endorsement of the OT4.5 for its excellent linearity, I went for that. It's with customs now, so fingers crossed. The teacher had some issues with grounding and noise on his OT4.5, which seems fairly common, so I guess care need to be taken there. I will report in due time.
Cheers!

Funny to find another trumpet player here. Those Clarke studies are good for theremin practice too!

I’m getting grounding from a keyboard amp with my LV-4, and I expect this to work for the OT too. I’ll get power from a single port phone block. Good luck avoiding ‘the hum.’

I ordered Friday morning and it will supposedly be here Monday morning. 

So fast! I ordered last Monday, it got dispatched on Tuesday, but only arrived in the Netherlands late Friday afternoon. Customs will probably keep it over the weekend, as I haven't yet seen the unavoidable bill. I hope to get it sometime next week! 
Will have to see if I can get my grounding worked out. I have only few grounded power outlets in my house and obviously don't want to play from my bathroom all the time. The only amp I have for your l now it's a small headphone amp without earth....
The trumpet is long ago for me. I think it still helps in knowing some music theory, but I'll gladly regard myself a complete beginner. Enjoy the instruments!

I’m in the U. S. and paid the premium for FedEx, which does its own customs handling. I did not want to watch surface mail tracking show it not moving out of customs. 

I suspect your hoped for setup with your headphone amp is not going to be earthed, also called grounded, and you’ll need a solution. I’m a beginner too, but I believe the OT, like the LV-4 and even the Moog Etherwaves, expect to get their earth/ground from the amplifier through the connecting cord. I don’t know what mobile/busking setups do. When I use a headset, I plug it into the amp. It probably doesn’t sound as good as your headphones, but I prefer hearing an amplifier, and I can probably take it to Open Mic when I’m ready.