Organ matters - Organs matter!

I thought as much!

However it appears to be getting better now, maybe the use of the switch after its non use for many years is now helping

Marc

Hello,

Does anyone have any advice about cleaning Kimber Allen 64 note switches, and infact can they be cleaned?

I now have two of the flute stops now working on my small pipe organ, and one or two of the contacts seem to be slightly temperamental. These units were purchased second hand and I suspect they are atleast 30 years old.

One thing to note is that only a small current (milliamps) is flowing through these switches as I have a bank of transistors driving the direct electric action; I did think that the low current may be an issue. Ideally I would have built solid state switching circuits but that would have added another delay to the project.

Does the orientation of the switch have an issue, I have the solenoid at the top and the switch is pointing vertically downwards? I think this maybe does not matter as my 4ft flute stop operates fine so sounds like contacts to me!

Best Regards
Marc

Hi David,

Please feel free to bid, cash is a little tight at the moment and I don't want to start a bidding war!

I'll probably invest in something after the new year when I have the pipe section of my home instrument fully working, the current St Annes set of Hauptwerk with its incessant ping every 10 seconds will have to do for time being

Best Regards
Marc

Does anyone know it the stop list can be changed on these? and how easy it is to do?

Might be perfect for the pedals on my house organ (2 x 32ft stops may be slightly excessive however!)

Many thanks
Marc

I think everyone's suggestions are very good and much appreciated.

The organ is electric action, which means it should be fairly straight forward to add another chest. I also like the idea of electronic additions, maybe just add a swell manual with midi so creating a hybrid.

Lots to think about, I might see what Sixsmiths also recommend, however they are currently busy repairing lightning damage to the organ at St Lukes, Benchill. The current estimate for repair is £ 6k, eek!

Best Regards

Marc

It is not that it is too loud, it is will not play at a significant pp level, which is sometimes required for before services, and also for the accompanying of any small group singing.

A 16ft stopped pedal rank would be great to add warmth and foundation to the sound; I will maybe post a photo of the existing location of the pipe/windchest and blower, which may unfortunately make the addition of such quite tricky! (I.e. it is mounted above the entrance to the church)

The organ that I play regularly on a Sunday is very limited. I have been thinking about how it could be improved upon and I would be interested to hear people's comments with regards to suggested expansion of this organ.

It is a single manual two rank extension organ built by Sixsmith in 1972. It rather cleverly comprises of 8 stops on the manual and 3 on the pedal (a form of wizardry I think!)

The current registration is

Manual

16 ft – Open diapason
8ft – Gedact
8 ft – Open diapason
4 ft – Principal
4ft – Flute
2ft – Fifteenth
1 1/3 - Larigot

Pedal

16ft – Sub Bass
8ft – Flute
4ft – Principal


The organ is indeed limited in its tonal qualities, as the two ranks that it is made up of comprise of a 8ft stopped wood rank, so giving the 8ft Gedact and 4ft Flute, it also uses resultant fifths for the 16ft pedal (which doesn't work very well!), and a 4ft open metal rank giving the other stops.

My initial complaint about the organ (apart from the obvious lack of manuals, reeds and 8ft pipes) is that it does not play quietly, so I was thinking that maybe the first move would be to enclose the organ (which is only 2m x 1m) in a swell chamber ?

Or perhaps add a second manual (swell) with a couple of additional ranks for variation.

The third option is to try and find a reasonable redundant organ that can be used as a replacement.

Funding has not been established yet, so I would also be interested in knowing peoples views to the estimates for additional work

I know this organ is a bit of a joke, and we have considered replacing it with an electronic organ (a narrow escape now I think about it!), but maybe it should be added to the npor list? Small is beautiful, perhaps!??!

I will send further details if needs be

Best Regards
Marc

Well I have just returned from a visit to my brother and family in Ripon and I managed to get a short go on the wonderful 4 manual Harrison in the Cathedral, definitely an inspiring instrument.

They are also currently trying to raise a considerable amount of money, £ 350k, to enable the complete overhaul and clean of the instrument and I'm sure donations from anyone who wants to sponsor a pipe will be gratefully received. Further details about the sponsorship scheme or how to make a donation can be made to Margaret Hammond, margarethammond@riponcathedral.org.uk

You can also visit the website to see what work is proposed to be carried out

http://www.riponcathedral.org.uk/organ01.php?PHPSESSID=i1qfr7k241btl2jglke4v6qtj5




Best Regards

Marc

I think this post may have strayed slightly from the original thread, but it is interesting.

I am one of only two organists within a group of four churches in south Manchester. The congregations have been dwindling at most of the churches and unfortunately we are about to lose two of the organs, the first as one of the churches has now closed (the average attendance was less than 10) and the second because of the reordering of the church (again average attendance 10 to 20).

Now may I add the radical view that if worship groups, or basically any other form of musicianship had been introduced along side the usual pipe organist and so involving more of the youngsters that the church is always trying to attract, then these churches would not be closing or having to radically alter (so losing their wonderful pipe organs). When I talk about youngsters I mean from the age dot!

The church within the group that appears to be flourishing is the one that has involved the youngsters and does now have a worship band. This church due to swelling of the congregation has managed to plough a considerable amount of money, which is definitely not plentiful in this area of south Manchester, into the restoration of the pipe organ. The music is not especially evangelical but just modern, and for your information not my cup of tea but yet I am just one person!

My point is that whatever our opinions of what type of music should be played on a Sunday morning service and on what instrument, surely we need to cater for all ages, and also for all types of music. As long as we decide to not forget where we have come from, i.e. not reject or forget pipe organs, then the two forms of music can work together and in fact help the continued life of the church so saving pipe organs from redundancy.

For your information here is the npor listing for the church which has just closed

Quite sad isn't it!

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N10804

Just my opinion anyway

Marc

Dear Tony

I will send you the details hopefully before the end of the year. I feel it shouldn't be listed yet until it is in some type of functional form, eventhough I have had single ranks working.

And yes a possible venue for a visit, however at the rate I am going then only one or two can fit in the room with the organ, hopefully my house will not collapse under the weight!
Many thanks

Marc

Here is the npor listing

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=H00225

Good looking instrument

Marc

The lack of use, possible due to lack of competent or even non competent organist

Worship groups are great, but for them to completely replace organs is somewhat tragic

Hello everyone,

I would like to let you know about a small two manual + pedal house organ that I am currently building.

I have been an organists and pipe organ enthusiast for many years now, and needed a reasonable practice instrument for home. I did consider the rational route of buying an electronic instrument, but due to my inquisitive nature and not one to be scared of getting my hammer and saw out, I'd thought I would try and construct a pipe organ

I have almost finished the console and the great pipe work. I am just working on the electronics, which is quite time consuming, and once that is up an running,
I will start on the swell, which will included shutters!! (yes I am mad)

Here is a picture of some of the progress so far

http://thecavendishorgan.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=97604047


Best Regards

Marc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Church-Pipe-Organ-Two-manual-and-pedals-/160476915241?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item255d2b6629

This one has got to be worth saving by an organ builder?