Digital Organ Companies
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,973
    LOL
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    Well, apparently the organ already had two baptisms, one of water and one of fire (fire in the church, then water damage from the firemen). It's like a cockroach - you can't kill it. I'm not sure that smoke coming from the console would help any at this point!
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Or, you could use incense.
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Just make sure to throw in a shoelace so it smells bad. Incense for the smoke, shoelace for the smell. Just crack it open, light up about twenty coals, and throw on the incense and laces! Problem solved!
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    Something tells me you people have a lot of experience doing stuff like this...
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Well, I am a teenage guy, so I guess that makes me a pyro-nut. I do love incense though, and serve for a bishop who does too, so I guess I have experience, minus the shoelace, of course...
  • This week we will move a 40 year old Allen Digital Organ to our parish hall, to be replaced by what we believe is the last instrument designed by Walter S. Holtkamp, Sr. But even today, the Allen Organ Co. will provide factory parts for that instrument. It has served well and is much more pleasant to play than a 4-rank unit organ scaled for a swell-box in the 1920's and "redesigned" as an unenclosed instrument in the 1980's. As
    I look forward to our "new" pipe organ, I'm thankful to have had the Allen until we could
    find and install the Holtkamp.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,801
    In my early years I was a piano technician/rebuilder. I remember a piano coming in (from a piano bar) a Steinway, that had gotten the proverbial 5k drink spilled into the pinblock. :-)
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    This week we will move a 40 year old Allen Digital Organ to our parish hall, to be replaced by what we believe is the last instrument designed by Walter S. Holtkamp, Sr. But even today, the Allen Organ Co. will provide factory parts for that instrument. It has served well and is much more pleasant to play than a 4-rank unit organ scaled for a swell-box in the 1920's and "redesigned" as an unenclosed instrument in the 1980's.

    As I look forward to our "new" pipe organ, I'm thankful to have had the Allen until we could find and install the Holtkamp.


    Okay, I admit it. I'm envious. Your 40-year old Allen that you're retiring is at least ten years younger than the Allen that this church has. I know that Allen keeps parts for it, but at this point, you have to wonder if it's worth it to keep repairing. I have a feeling that any repairs done now cost more than the total value of the organ.

    The church also has an organ in storage in the church hall. Last time I tried it, it didn't work at all. Perhaps it had to do with the second cord that was sticking out of the back and wasn't attached to anything.
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    So...

    It's been decided that the church will spend up to around $1250 to repair the ~56 year old organ. Nevermind the fact that organs twenty years newer with full pedals, proper stops and external speakers can be found in good condition for roughly $2500. Naturally, however, I wasn't consulted for this decision because my opinion only counts if I agree on whatever they've already decided and they knew I would say it's a waste of money.

    So, do I just back away and let them flush the money down the toilet and then cackle gleefully when the organ dies again, or do I try to point out that for a little more they could obtain a decent instrument?
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,209
    Get the quote for $2500 now, save it, and show it when the organ breaks down.
  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    I'll keep track of the stuff, but I somehow doubt that method will work either. I recently saw an organ sell for around $2,800. Last year the church I work for was offered a very similar model of organ for FREE. They refused it.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,209
    I wasn't saying it would work, but it would inform them.

    By the way, of whom does "they" consist?

  • TCJ
    Posts: 986
    Pastor and six of seven council members, apparently.