The Organ Forum

Okay, I'm new here. 

My primary instrumental experience is as a pianist and a percussionist - not an organist.  Anyway, I've been reading up on the comments posted regarding the Premiere versus the superior Rialto K or the Rialto II. 

 As it is though - I don't know of any available Rialto K or IIs going for free in my area (near Chicago), and I've been given a Gulbransen Premiere for free. 

 Given the information I've read I have four questions...

1.) Is it worth learning how to play the organ on the Premiere (especially Theatre style) even if it doesn't have the quality sound reproduction as the Rialto or Rialto II?

2.) Is there anything that can be said positive wise regarding the Gulbransen Premiere?  (i.e. here are some actual decent sounds on the Premiere)

3.) Is there anything I can do to improve the sound of the Premiere? (i.e. add an external Leslie speaker to it)

4.) Any suggestions on locating a Rialto K or Rialto II for sale near Chicago?  (So far I've only seen them being posted from California)

Thank you so much!

Peace,
Joel

PS.  Just wanted to add I talked with George, the Gulbransen Tech guy in IL, today.  Nicest person one could hope to meet.  Very helpful, and a joy to know that there are still human beings like him out there.

Congrats on getting the Premiere.

1) Yes, the organ is just fine for learning how to play in theatre style. I did a lot of playing on one back in the early 70's. I married the owner's daughter, but that's another story!

 2) I quite like the Premiere, it's not a Rialto, but can make some fair sounds. I certainly have no complaints about its Tibia voicing! Rhythm unit is yuk, but theatre style playing doesn't need it anyway. You don't have that many sounds, so you quickly learn about minimal registrations and how to make them work.

3_IIRC, the Premiere is 2 channel, so try to find a leslie like a 700 or 705. You'd need to make up a kit to connect it, but it's not rocket science to do so and all the info you need is out there. The Rotosonic drum rotor in the 700/705 gives a heavier throb to the Tibias.

4) Sorry, can't help you with this one. Just remember that Rialto K and Rialto II are very different instruments.

 Andy

Thank you very much for the reply Andy, and the information.

 Peace,

Joel

Just wanted to put in a plug for George, the friendly Gulbransen tech guy extrordinarie!  He got my Gulbransen Premiere up to speed wonderfully.  Just can't say enough about him.