Encouraging appreciation and enthusiam for the Organ
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Many thanks to both of you. I know Phil Fluke, but he is fully booked for the reasonable future...I have experience of re-building pianos, and am aware that a proper job is generally the best option, and also that the last generation of people who really knew harmonium repair are dead and gone. The top half of the instrument is in fine order - no running at all, even in touch and at pitch. However, as with pianos, the cost of a repair is usually way beyond the value of the beast when eventually 'done'. Time for a little head scratching, methinks!
I have just acquired a nice Trayser harmonium, hopefully to use in a performance of the Rossini Petite Messe. All is well, and at pitch, in the upper half, but the feeders need re-leathering, and possibly the gussets of the reservoir.
Does anyone know of someone out there who does such repairs at a sensible price i.e. not something resembling a telephone number?! It looks a reasonably straightforward job, but I was just wondering....
A dramatic change in personal circumstances force the sale of my pride and joy house organ. I have listed it on Ebay and had a number of 'tyre kickers'. T break even , I am looking for £5k, for which you will have a going concern, and will not heed to pay for an organ builder to dismantle in order to remove.
It was originally made in 1974, and Peter Collins altered the mixture in 1998. The dimensions are: 6' (just under) wide for main structure 27" deep 15" projection of keyboard 6'5.5" tall
Beautiful soft tone on flues, and lovely tracker touch.
Discus blower to side - it just pushes up, and concave radiating pedals, permanently coupled
With the keyboard removed it will go through a standard house internal door. Removal of keyboard just requires the removal of a single button for each note. All metal pipes are tin and the 8' flute has solid oak basses ( in towers to side). Sitting to the rear, as it were, you do not get pipework blasting in your face from every direction, and it is a joy to play.
16' Dulzian to pedals 8' Rohr Flute 4' principal 2' gemshorn split iii rank mixture (split) The previous owner had the mixture re modelled as a cornet thing. I had intended to get it revoiced......
It is on castors, so will move around a room with ease. For removal, you will need a big plank, a piano trolley and a Renault low loader.
I moved it will all pipes attached with no issues. Viewing at Ross-on-Wye, Southern end of M50
Viewing welcome by arrangement. Collins made several similar organs, illustrated in the Classical Organ in Britain....books.
A rather lovely instrument for the price of a dreadful new Asian piano or electronic job of no great distinction........or indeed a fraction af the cost of a builder having to dismanthe and re-assemble!
Although this one will happily move around on its castors, you would be pushed to pop it in the back of your estate car. I have a friend in South Wales with portable chest organ in his ex church, which he might be prepared to part with. Text me on 07784029155, and I will let you have his number.
Also, I have just stuck the Collins on Ebay for the last time.....
Agree absolutely! Easy on the ear and fitting well under fingers and feet. The pedal solo toccata in one of very few pedal only pieces from which the listener can actually derive pleasure! All come from the RSCM. If you want some real fun try Mons Leidvin Takle - you will find him on Youtube, but the scores have to come fro the frozen North! Hymn to Freedom is a cracker!
Ebay have now removed the listing. I shall re list, and welcome Ebay bids, welcome payong their 10%,and of course Paypal fees are utterly welcome. However, I would not wish to sell unless it has been inspected by the potential buyer or their representative
Sadly, this is mine. Very much a going concern, but an imminent change of personal circumstance means that someone else will gain the benefit. If anyone is interested, plase do not bid on Ebay but give me a shout via this excellent site.....
291901273238 on Ebay looks like a Palace Yard Nicholson buried in 'new' casework, at Bridgend. Surely someone can rescue it? Why on earth can they not just leave it there?
Ebay 191948231024 lists a lot of pipework in Liphook. NPOR gives no clue as to origin, but already dismantled. More info when and if seller answers enquiry.......
After an exchange of emails with the vicar, it would seem that due process will now be observed: however, although I offered 50% over the Ebay price when the faculty is sorted, the vicar seems intent on not honoring the sale . Such is life..... A quick phone call to the builder who installed it in the church revealed that 'it had taken quite a battering', so caution is the order of the day. He also mentioned that the big Willis found a home in Malta........nice to know some still value such things: a home abroad has to be better thatndestruction at home!
I have just 'bought' this on Ebay auction. As a precaution, I Emailed the seller - seemingly the vicar - asking him to confirm that a faculty had been granted. No reply, so, before coughing up and collecting, I checked with the Winchester Diocese, and found there not to be any. It might well be helpful if forum members were to do likewise before any C of E organ is sold on Ebay: at the very least, it might slow down swift and possibly ill-considered decisions?
Great news about Southampton's Feldberg F3 harpsichord. and great news that the grating political correctness of the so-called authorities should be put in context! I really have the same feelings reading Ed Kottick as I do enduring the current election campaign!
A Feldberg F1 - potentially a glorious instrument - failed to fetch a miserable £250 on Ebay recently: the tide will turn eventually!