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Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

Last post 08-28-2008, 10:20 AM by Undermaris. 4 replies.
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  •  08-27-2008, 1:59 PM 61475

    Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

    Hi All,

    I wonder can somebody please give some information on the Gulbransen 600 series organs. I was recently looking at organ stuff on You Tube and came accross 4 entries from a guy playing a 600 series Gulbransen organ. I have to say I was really taken aback by the quality of the sounds this organ produced. It had tibia's that to my ears sounded like tibia's, not the dull flutes so many so-called electronic theatre organs produce. Indeed many of the voices sounded quite pipe like. Sadly Gulbransen organs are now few and far between particularly here in the UK, though one does occasionally see one for sale on ebay. However I intend to keep my ears and eye open in the hope that one day I will find a 600 series organ for sale. In the mean time I like to gather what information I can on this series or organs. I know many of Gulbransen's organs had two set of oscillators, one for the main and one for the tibias. I assume that was true of the 600 series. I would be much obliged for any information at all on this series. Things like what dates they were made, any information on the design, and if possible a stop list. Many thanks in advance

    Undermaris.

  •  08-27-2008, 3:40 PM 61484 in reply to 61475

    Re: Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

    The 600 series has a single tone generator that is a divider type. (Top Octave Synthesizer) Gulbransen had very good filters to convert the generated square waves into tibias and sines. They had some of the better sounding flutes of any organ. Hammond probable spent more on their "flute filters" in the later models to maintain their "Hammond sound" of sine waves. If Hammond had the more accurate sine filters, Gulbransen was certainly second.

    When comparing divider organs, the filters are the most important thing. The more money spent on the quality and number of filters, the better the organ sounded. Gulbransens have great sound!

    They did have a separate generator for the pedals with two note polyphony. This is a complicated circuit so when looking at a potentiol purchase, make sure the pedals work!

    George

    Organs

    Hammond B-3/145
    Hammond Super B (MIDI Controller)
    Yamaha FX-1 - TM-1 x 2

    Synths

    Korg Triton Pro
    Yamaha P-80
    Native Instruments Soft Synths;
    Akoustik Piano, Electrik Piano, B4II,
    FM-8, Pro-53, Massive, Absynth,
    OPXpro, Mtron

  •  08-27-2008, 4:52 PM 61492 in reply to 61484

    Re: Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

    As George stated, while this organ did not have the "classic" Gulbransen TIOs generator set for the tibias, the flute filters came very close.  This organ has 4-channel internal sound (main C, main C#, Pedal/rhythm, Tibia).  It has piano/harpsichord and a brass synthesizer, which are also split into C/C# channels and piped into the "main" sound circuits.  It also has percussive effects.  The internal Tibia Leslie was 2 speed, but is of the "rotosonic" type as this organ was designed with theater playng in mind (produces a more pronounced "throb" than a stationary firing into a spinning rotor).  It was also equiped to hook up an external cabinet if needed.  You can only play 2 pedals at a time as previously stated by George.  This is probably OK for pop/theater pieces, but MAY be a problem with some of the more advanced classical works.  If you are looking for a great sounding full featured theater style organ for a reasonable price these days, the 600 is a good deal.  I've seen these go very cheap.  I would have wanted one myself, but I needed AGO so my only Gulbransen option was the much older Model D.  I saw the videos on YouTube you are talking about and was very impressed.

    -jim

    Jimmy Williams
    Gulbransen Model D, Leslie 204, hobby organist/technician

  •  08-28-2008, 10:17 AM 61541 in reply to 61492

    Re: Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

    Hi Guys.

          

        Thanks for the prompt replies to my questions. I now know a little about the Gulbransen 600 series. I will continue to search the internet to see what else I can find out about them. I'd like to think I will own one, one day. Though I have to admit I have never seen any Gulbransen organ in my life, they are just so rare here in the UK. I have seen a Gulbransen President for sale on ebay, but that was some years ago. Anyway thanks again for your help, it's much appreciated.

     

    undermaris

  •  08-28-2008, 10:20 AM 61542 in reply to 61492

    Re: Information On 600 series Gulbransen Organs

    Hi Guys.

          

        Thanks for the prompt replies to my questions. I now know a little about the Gulbransen 600 series. I will continue to search the internet to see what else I can find out about them. I'd like to think I will own one, one day. Though I have to admit I have never seen any Gulbransen organ in my life, they are just so rare here in the UK. I have seen a Gulbransen President for sale on ebay, but that was some years ago. Anyway thanks again for your help, it's much appreciated.

     

    undermaris

    Organs Eminent Grand Theatre

    Yamaha MC600

    Synths

    Roland Juno G

    Yamaha QS300

    Yamaha PSR 9000
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