Lowrey Organ - the MX 1

[james]

Will someone please post some info regarding this organ, and a nice picture would be most welcome. I recently joined the Lowrey Forum, and lo, and behold, my email is flooded about this particular organ. Can anyone tell me, is this organ that popular, or just what is this all about? When did this organ come on theMKT,and/or is it in productioncurrently or another new one with the older name such as the modern HammondB3 from Suzuki? I only know a bit about Lowrey Organs, and was most acquainted with the Holiday Series, and a few others back in the 60's. I do have a very nice Lowrey Symphonic Citation Theater Organ.</P>


I will never forget the Holiday Series from back when, as the very next day after I bought a new Hammond, a salesman offered to sell me a nice Lowrey Holiday Spinet for little above wholesale. Apparently he was helping a dealer sell out older models as new ones came into his large store in the metro area. I saw many new Lowrey Organs at a dealer 's store back in the 60's. </P>


I have finally learned why Lowrey Organs of years gone by would make the lower manual start with A instead of the standard or what I thought was standard F.I found out you can play an octave higher without running out of notes inmost scores. Then, if the 16' pitch is there, that makes it moreversatile.Of coarse, I stand correction, and I am always open to others' opinions.</P>
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I read once where the Lowrey Spinet Organs were like a piano with 88 keys just chopped in half. Many of the early Spinets had a Coupler which wouldbring the upper manual pitches of 16' 8' 4' down to the lower manual. I like a 16' in the lower manual even on a Spinet.</P>


James</P>

[andyg]

The MX1 was launched in 1980, heralded as a 'milestone' in electronic organ design. It was the first organ with 'Orchestration Plus' - programmed accompaniment, where the backing chords that went with the rhythm box played melodic and harmonic phrases rather than just strumming the chord. It was a collection of synthesizers rather than a pure organ, and wasn't terribly reliable at times - as you'll see from current threads on the Lowrey group.</P>


It sounded very big indeed, even when not using the Orchestration Plus. Plenty of pix, info and demos on the adjunct Lowrey site at www.lowreyforum.com (http://www.lowreyforum.com/).</P>


A few manufacturers started off by making their spinet lower manuals start on A. No idea why, really. And yes, Lowrey did use the advertising spiel - "your Lowrey has 88 keys, just like a fine concert grand piano" - hype, that's all!</P>


Andy</P>
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[pipe64']

[:)]

[jimmywilliams]

I don't mean to sound naive ...but could someone explain to me why the new Lowreys are so expensive compared to other brands? I was checking out their website and was shocked to see how expensive they were. It looks like they all have those "stick" pedals on top of that - you would think for the money they would at least have a real pedalboard for heel-toe playing. Is it the technology, the materials? Just wondering...

[jbird604]

Myhunch is that those advertised prices are completely phony. I'm always hearing about somebody gettinga "deal"on a Lowrey, something ridiculous likebuying an $80,000 organfor $7500.</P>


They apparentlydream up thoseoutrageous prices so they can make you think you're getting a steal, or so they can give you a $35,000 trade-infor your old Hammond Phoenix or Thomas Troubador.</P>


Surely nobody ever actually pays those inflated prices.</P>


Or do they?</P>

[Mark Pratt]

I heard that is a new kind of math that advertisers use. It was invented to make folk think they're getting a great deal.You see it everywhere these days. Iwas given a Lowrey Mardi Gras from about 1980 I think. I'ts lower manual starts on F. This organ is confusing to use because a large number of the switches do double duty. It's cabinet looks cheap when compared to the late 70s models. Wasn't it about 1980 when the organs with the clear colored tabs came out?

[james]

Mark,</P>


You are correct, it was the early 80's when Lowrey made those models with the clear tabs that were lighted with various colors when the on/off switch was in use. I have heard these organs had some great sounds, but were a nightmare to a service tech. At one time I was told they were sent to Houston, TX when repairs were needed. Why Houston, TX, I sure don't know.</P>


There are all kinds of schemes when it comes to buying and selling. I just remember that "liars can figure, but figures don't lie." Regarding the buying of old organs the adage, "let the buyer beware" for sure nowdays.</P>
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James</P>