Organ matters - Organs matter!

I had assumed this was a UK event.  It may be worth clarifying future postings when they are covering overseas matters.  Most folks can guess it is in the US if there is a state name.  I guess there are several 'Shrewsbury's across the new world, so it is not just a UK issue.

Simon.

NPOR seems a little confused where this is.  The Tywyn (formerly Towyn) 'near Barmouth' is in mid Wales, whereas the Towyn near Abergele is in Caernarfonshire and on the north coast.

Simon.

I'm a bit confused that it is an 'introduction', but aimed at piano players of grade 6 or above.  Maybe more of a conversion course?  Or maybe the wording is just to keep the half-term riff-raff out. 

What is really needed is something to inspires those who are just starting out with keyboard instruments.  Too many seem to lose interest during initial struggles, before finding the world of organs.  The earlier they get that initial 'wow', the more likely some will find the vision to go on to become superb musicians.  The best organists seem to have come in contact with the organ long before the age of 10.  One would presume (Mozart apart) thet they were not grade 6 at that stage ....

Occasional tending of saplings is good, but someone needs to plant a few acorns once in a while.

Simon.

Welcome to the forum.

Is your organ a self-build or an older instrument?  You may find it more economic and easier to replace rather than extend an existing rank.  However, that might not be appropriate for a historic organ or where the pipes are particularly significant.

I have a spare 8' Lieblich Gedeckt and Gamba and guess many others might have similar.  Where in the country are you and what pressure are you using?

Regards,  Simon.

Having never heard of them, I presume they were a fairly modest local firm?

A quick web search brings up very little of relevance.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but couldn't see a better category.

I have a small (3 stop & coupler) relay in a plywood box.  It has the address 'Resonant Works, Linton Lane, Epson, Surrey', stamped on the inside.  Any suggestions on who this was?

Regards,  Simon.

Dragonser, thanks for the suggestions.  I think I've found the basis of something for the week now.  Surprised I hadn't tripped over Londonorgan before, but pulls together useful info in one place.

AOC, at the risk of digression, I must admit I was somewhat disappointed with St Albans.  I get the impression one is meant to sit through the standard spiel and go away suitably enlightened.  Any requests of a technical nature seemed beyond that day's volunteers.  I guess this is reflected in the change of name from 'museum' to 'theatre'.  Maybe the package is more satisfying on a evening concert visit for a performance.

Bletchley Park had much potential, but unfortunately most of the grounds were built on some years ago.  It really did deserve preservation, but fell victim to the recent housing prices boom.  It was a lovely place when it still had a bit of greenery round it.  The claustrophobic feeling of the flats overlooking what remains put me off going, though there is still some interesting material there.  There is significant cinema equipment in one of the display galleries, so I should go over again sometime.

I haven't been to Bucks Railway Centre for a few years.  I used to volunteer there until it became a bit too political for comfort.  When things fell apart I said 'never again' but guess I should see what's happening over there sometime.  Probably not this time of year though, as pretty much everything is outdoors.  The kids have been a bit obsessed by trains so music is a good alternative.

Simon.

There are only limited opportunities here in Milton Keynes, so a day out in London is usually a predictable success for the kids.

Simon.

For me, the February half term is the worst period of the year.  The weather is too cold for the kids to go out and there is little organised 'fun' in low season with many attractions closed for refurbishment.  Can anyone help out by suggesting any daytime concerts or recitals (ideally in easily accessible central London) worth a visit to break up the coming week?

Simon.

Hi David.

Any ideas on the origins of these (or even where in the country they might have originated?  They seem a very close match of F&H terminology for a few cinema organs.  Surprising colour scheme for the tabs - to the extent the colours make some labels diffucult to read!  What does the upper green one say, as I can't make it out even with the help of Mr Photoshop?

I presume they are a hard 'old' feeling plastic (close the bakelite) rather than the more shiney and slightly softer plastics of the 1960s?

Regards,  Simon.

Thanks Tony.  I'd seen the picture in a few contexts before, but that is the most accessible.  Being a drawing for a catalogue illustration, I wouldn't read too much into it.  It was probably produced before the F&H made one, if anything like other advertisers of the period.  The illustration drums up interest, and one is only built if that interest becomes a firm order.  In any case, unfortunately it doesn't show any specific detail of engraving style or standard fittings to expect on an F&H cinema console.

I believe the larger (tubular pneumatic) instruments such as the Capitol, Scarborough probably had drawstops, not tabs, but have never seen a photograph of either style. 

Regards,  Simon.

Can anyone advise of the style of draw stop knobs or stop tabs used on Fitton & Hayley (later Binns, Fitton & Hayley) organs?  I am interested in the few instruments they built for cinemas.  I believe some parts from at least a couple (Colwyn Bay & Scarborough are still in existence, but without much idea what original parts would look like, I am sure to overlook much in my searches.

The only image I have been able to find is a drawn catalogue illustration of a console which shows little which might be specific to this builder.

Regards,  Simon.

Depending on your expectations, you may be over complicating things.

Are you planning on using electric action?  If so, take a look at the products of a Mr 'Windchest' on fleabay for inspiration.  A simple wooden box, with direct pallet magnets underneath should do for your needs.

There is a risk with a secondhand chest that your pipes won't fit.  I have a chest here that is for a narrower scale (or metal) flute and my wooden Hohl Flute won't fit.  I'll probably put a Gamba on, but that wasn't the original plan.  You'll need to make up a new rackboard to support your pipes which is probably a third or the effort of making from scratch.  If you make up your own chest, you can make it to suit the space you have too.  If several short rows on a short/square chest rather than an 8' one are better for your circumstances, you have the choice.  The chances of finding a second hand one like this is low.

Just a thought.

Simon.

I understand the majority ws removed and stored for some time in the local Co-op Funeral Directors premises.  Folks from the HJ museum picked over what was there and took whatever they thought was transportable.  They have sample pipes, but don't collect complete ranks presumably due to space constraints.  I think they left some multi-rank chests as too big to contemplate preserving.  A few other parts seem to have been preserved elsewhere, presumably someone else had a look over the parts before LTOT.

Simon.

I have couple of Hope-Jones unit chests I hope to work into my project, and wondered if anyone could shed any light on their origins.  They are assumed to be ex-Opus 70, St Pauls Burton on Trent.  One is a very narrow scale, the other more like a flute.  I was under the impression most ranks on this organ were on multi-rank slider chests, but does anyone know which were on extended unit chests?  These have 80 and 68 pipe holes respectively and they still have their original H-J magnets, with wooden caps.
Any information would be very much appreciated.

Simon

Were Miniaturas assigned serial numbers in the same range as larger organs?  Larger ones have a 'jam label' on bottom C pipes giving the job number, and often have the same serial written on the console (often on the setter board, pedal contact rail and combination relay box).  They started at A1 in September 1928. and carried on consecutively in chronologically with the date of ordering.

Despite making some many instruments, few records seem to have survived.  Those from before 1941 were lost in the blitz, and later ones disappeared during takeovers towards the end of the companies existance.

I look forward to seeing the website of your project.
Regards,

Simon.

Thanks for the thought Peter.

I've got around half the stop tabs required as original ones, so would very much prefer more 80 year old ones if they can be found.  I have access to engraving machines, so can re-engrave original examples if they have the wrong text.   Originals would ensure a good colour match and are flat, unlike many plastic reproductions (unavailable in red) which have a distinct concave top surface in the plastic.

Another interest of mine is typography, so I appreciate the only way to get matching lettering is scan original examples and regenerate typefaces from that.

Simon.

Sorry, at the risk of re-awakening an old thread, I can confirm the H-J organ at St Mary's, Croydon was broken up by Allen when they installed a toaster.  At least some of the pipework was saved, as I understand a couple of the VdO string ranks are for sale up in Glasgow.  With an asking price of £500, I didn't pursue it for my own project organ.

Simon.

Quote from: dragonser on December 25, 2011, 09:47:05 AM
Hi,
the Catholic Church Near West Croydon now have an Allen Electronic......
I know as
I had to visit recently to repair their Yamaha Digital Piano.
there may be more info on the npor  website ?
I seem to remember reading that the original Organ wasn't saved ? :( 

regards Peter B

As some of you know, I'm in the early stages of building a modest extension organ for my son.  Having found a suitable console, I'm now looking for parts to restore it.  At this stage I'm only looking for Compton parts, as these will be easiest to combine with what is already there.

I'm currently short of:

One swell pedal (complete)
One set of swell pedal contacts (I have the woodwork, but no electrical bits)
Two toe pistons
Various red (reed) stop tabs (unavailable new, it would appear)
Brass division markers

But would be interested in anything else that might be suitable for a late 1920s or early 1930s Compton console.  It's currently in a bit of a state having had much of it's original material replaced by 1970s plastic (some of which in turn is life expired), but hopefully can be made both usable & attractive over the next few months.

Thanks in advance,

Simon.

I had thought of KA relays, but even second hand the costs still mount up pretty quickly.  A horseshoe console with less than a dozen stops is starting to look a little bare.  Ideally I'd hope to grow to a couple of dozen stops, drawn from 4 unified & extended ranks, over 2 manuals and pedals.  I also have something of an attraction to the engineering in the 1920s electromachanical and electropneumatic relays too.  The combination of polished wood and brass can verge on art.

Thanks for the link to Classic Organs.  Unfortunately, at £200 per rank plus extra for extended stops, this is out of my budget. 

Simon.