Organ matters - Organs matter!

Did this instrument ever find a home?

I've just been browsing through the IBO Redundant Organs list and discovered this, I'm appalled they are describing this as an undistinguished organ!

Is anyone able to flesh out the spec on this instrument? I'm in London next week, and may visit to get some details...

First Listed 29th November 2013
               
Original Builder    N P Mander    
               
Last known Organ Builder    Not Known         
               
Given Description    This organ was built new in the mid 1960s for the new church at Perivale. That church is now to be rebuilt, as a church, but without this organ. Pleasant and brightly voiced but otherwise undistinguished. Well made and easy to maintain.
               

     
Manual II    
   8, 8, 4, 2 2/3, 2, III, 8
Manual I    
         8, 8, 8, 4, 4, 2, II
     
Pedal
16, 8, 8, 4    
Couplers    
         3
               
Action Type    Electric    
               
Dimensions    The organ is uncased at present and quite compactly arranged, but exact dimensions are not available.    
               
Condition    In generally good conditions, but would benefit from a cleaning and overhaul
               
Organ offered as    Complete
               
Location    Perivale, West London

Quick Update,

A final decision on this organ is to be made over the next few weeks.

Thank you for your comments about saving it, but really, this organ is not good. The optimum solution would be to get a good redundant instrument brought it, but this is likely to be beyond budget (£20k max).

As it looks like the organ will be removed, please could the forum advise as to the best way to do this? I would be keen to see parts of the organ taken for use in rebuilding other instruments. As an instrument entire, it just isn't good: there are far better instruments needing homes...

Thank you for the response David,

I certainly think that the two 18th century ranks need to find a sensible home. In terms of restoration, I'm not sure, but I got the impression that they are beyond help...

In terms of the spend vs longevity debate, we are, unfortunately constrained by what the congregation feel able to spend at the moment. They are aware that the lifespan of a digital instrument is really around 20 years, that that it would need replacing then.

I suppose, the hope is that a small enough pipe instrument could be found is good enough condition to be a viable alternative, with a similar, managable budget.

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice/suggestions.

One of the churches, at which I regularly play, has resolved to replace its ageing pipe organ. It is not a C of E church, and needs no faculty to do this.

The congregation has agreed to seek a digital replacement to the current organ, to be housed inside the existing case.

We now need to consider desposing of the existing organ. We took the advice of a reputable organ builder (IBO approved for all categories), who said that the organ was not worth spending any money on, the action is very poor 1930s TP, and the pipe work is of very mixed pedigree, and has clearly been assembled from various sources. There are 2 18th century ranks (ex 4' and 2' principals), which have been unskillfully cut up into flutes, with very little character.

The NPOR listing can be found here:  http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N00030

My initial reaction is to have the pipework removed and sold/given to new homes, (excepting the Great Diapason, as this forms much of the facade), then the action dismantled, and the lead sold for scrap.

I am as sad as the next person to see a pipe organ removed, and replaced with a digital instrument, however, a pipe organ would be far beyond their means (the budget for the Digital replacement is max £20k). Any suggestions on how we might proceed in a better way would be gratefully recieved, however, please be realistic...

Shaun