toaster

[Colin Richell]

Some years ago I obtained for the Ally Pally theatre, free of charge an electronic Wurlitzer to be used in the theatre foyer and auditorium.

Because of lack of use, and damp conditions the organ is very sick and it would appear to be a waste of money to have the instrument repaired (for the second time).

Eventually we will need an instrument which can be used in the foyer and easily moved into the theatre audotorium, and be heard in a very large aucoustic to accompany silent film shows and choral concerts.

The organ would have to be second hand, and I wonder whether any subscribers could offer advice on a suitable instrument, which would not object to damp conditions and little use, at present.

What kind of price are we looking at ?

Many thanks

Colin Richell.

[Contrabombarde]

Worth scanning Ebay as you have various options that come up from time to time.

 

This one is actually being advertised in America, but similar Conns of two or three manuals pop up in the UK every couple of months or so. I have no idea how they sound, I assume they are analogue not digital, but they look like they have a fairly "straight" - as theatre organs go - specification ie 32 notes pedals not 13 or 25, and no masses of drum rhythms. Has anyone heard them in the flesh?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Conn-Theatre-Organ-M...=item27b6d590c4

 

Here's a plan for one, you have to put the thing together yourself. Given that there are a number of very good Hauptwerk theatre organ simulations, converting a former console to Hauptwerk (whilst retaining all stop tabs, pistons etc as opposed to playing via a touchscreen) might be another option. I tried one a while back, the gentleman had bought a genuine 1930s Wurlitzer theatre organ console and hooked it up to his PC, and it was incredible.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Theatre-Organ-consol...=item2305012aa5

 

If you fancy the real thing, a genuine 15 rank three manual cinema pipe organ is currently being offered whole by the Scottish preservation society for £3500:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshall-Sykes-Theat...=item255f53549e

 

Contrabombarde

[Colin Richell]

Worth scanning Ebay as you have various options that come up from time to time.

 

This one is actually being advertised in America, but similar Conns of two or three manuals pop up in the UK every couple of months or so. I have no idea how they sound, I assume they are analogue not digital, but they look like they have a fairly "straight" - as theatre organs go - specification ie 32 notes pedals not 13 or 25, and no masses of drum rhythms. Has anyone heard them in the flesh?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Conn-Theatre-Organ-M...=item27b6d590c4

 

Here's a plan for one, you have to put the thing together yourself. Given that there are a number of very good Hauptwerk theatre organ simulations, converting a former console to Hauptwerk (whilst retaining all stop tabs, pistons etc as opposed to playing via a touchscreen) might be another option. I tried one a while back, the gentleman had bought a genuine 1930s Wurlitzer theatre organ console and hooked it up to his PC, and it was incredible.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Theatre-Organ-consol...=item2305012aa5

 

If you fancy the real thing, a genuine 15 rank three manual cinema pipe organ is currently being offered whole by the Scottish preservation society for £3500:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshall-Sykes-Theat...=item255f53549e

 

Contrabombarde

[Colin Richell]

Many thanks for your speedy response.

I will certainly look at all the options you suggest.

The theatre organ is very tempting but I am not sure whether Ally Pally would allow the instrument to be installed in the theatre, although there is plenty of room, the audotorium is huge.

Thanks once again

Colin Richell