Conn Custom 3 Manual Theatre

[Jay999]

Hey guys...I was looking up some Conn parts at <organ service corp.com.> Wow! There's a one of a kind Conn 3 manual theatre pictured there in the Conn parts section. Do any of you know about this instrument; whether it is still alive, etc?

[abcavitt]

Jay999,</P>


I've asked Carla Bateman at Organ Service Corp about this instrument. She says that no one has</P>


a clue where that organ is or even if it still exists. Conn did several 'one-of-a-kind' instruments, but</P>


none are around today. With that said--It's a great photo! [;)]</P>
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Al</P>


Duncanville, TX</P>
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[Jay999]

Hi Al....my being a rather enthusiastic fan of Conn organs, when I look at that picture, I just get the itch to want it! Sure looks like it would be a fantastic instrument to play.

[andyg]

It was discussed some time ago on the now defunct Yahoo Conn group. The new Yahoo Conn group hasn't dicussed it yet - it's pretty quiet over there.</P>


It did look quite something. I suppose some enterprising fan could always take a 651 and marry it to a 652....There is a rather nice custom3 manual Gulbransen, a mix of a Rialto K and a 628, discussed somewhere either here or on the Lowrey Yahoo group.</P>


Andy</P>
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[hillgreen2]

I believe that instrument was for the Timbers restaurant in Platteville WI. Years ago I came across an article or an ad in an old American Theatre Organ Society magazine from the early 70s that talked about the instrument. The console was built by another company (I think it was Klann) and then shipped to Conn, where their custom organ division put in the guts of the instrument. In the restaurant it was connected to at least one rank of pipes (16' bourdon, because the owner wanted to feel the organ). I think it also has a real toycounter. </p>

Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't have a website so I am not sure if the organ is still playing or not. I recall hearing that it was in rough shape a few years ago.</p>

[abcavitt]

Hillgreen2, </P>


Thanks for the info about the organ and restaurant. I did a search in the Yahoo Yellow Pages, and</P>


found the following info, which might be helpfull. Maybe someone in that area could 'rescue' the</P>


instrument. Just a thought! ( Yes, I've drooled over that console myself! I have a Conn 653.)</P>
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<SPAN class="fn org"></P>
<H1><SPAN class="fn org">Timbers Restaurant &amp; Lounge</SPAN></H1>


<B class=tel><FONT size=5>(608) 348-2406</FONT>[/B] </P></SPAN>
<DIV class=yls-dt-address>670 Ellen St, Platteville, WI 53818</DIV>
<DIV class=yls-dt-address></DIV>
<DIV class=yls-dt-address>This is a 'review' printed under the listing. Doesn't sound to good, does it.</DIV>


"Once was our favorite place to dine!!: Some one new took over a few years ago. How sad it is now!!! No homemade cinnamon rolls or good coleslaw. Now greasy fish and fries are served. No organ music most eves. Tables are bare, no flowers or candles either. Buffet is not good either. Hope to see changes some day soon."</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I've sent an email to an ATOS chapter president in LaCrosse, WI about this. Maybe they can help</P>
<P mce_keep="true">rescue this instrument.</P>


Al</P>


Duncanville, TX</P>

[Jay999]

Hilgreen...ABC...Thanks guys! I've got a trip planned up Milwaukee way this summer. I'll have to see if I can take a side trip over to the restaurant and see this organ. Maybe even play it? With your comment about it being constructed by Klann....they're close friends of mine....so maybe they know a little about this organ too. If it's from the early 70's....what do you suppose it would be? Maybe about 3 or 4 Conns built up in a rather stock manner, or something entirely different than any of their stock offerings?</P>


Oh, by the way, I'm looking around for a 645, if you know anybody that's got one collecting dust. Thanks guys.</P>
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[hillgreen2]

You may want to call the restaurant to see when the organ is played. My understanding is that the owner of the restaurant and organ doesn't allow anyone to play it but himself.</p>

I believe there were two or three custom theatre organs by Conn, with outsourced consoles but Conn electronics. Conn had a custom organ division and even built classical organs with drawknob consoles (by Klann I think). </p>

There weren't very many custom organs and I'm not sure how many have survived. Probably those congregations were wealthy and have upgraded instruments over the years.</p>

Most of the major electronic builders built custom instruments. Even Baldwin built custom instruments with drawknob consoles - also outsourced. I recall that one ATOS convention had a concert at a college in Indiana that featured instruments by Allen and also utilized a 1950s or 1960s vintage Baldwin that was a custom job installed in the auditorium.</p>

Perhaps someone more familiar with these companies can elaborate, but I believe they built custom instruments to show what their technology could do, but of course these were "souped up". More tone generators and multiple channels and speakers than their normal church instruments.</p>

We only think of Conn and Baldwin's mass produced instruments because those survived in greater numbers than the custom jobs.</p>

[Jay999]

hilgreen...I looked up Platteville on the map. Heck, it's all the way across the state from where I would be driving up, north of Milwaukee. I guess that's what defines a true "organ nut". Taking time to drive over there and see it, hear it, and then be denied the opportunity to play it. I'm really curious about what it's got going for it....is it a stock generator, or maybe one for each division, then amplified and channeled to a lot of speakers, (sort of like you said), or is it something totally different? Anyway, if I've got the time....Ha!, and can afford the gas!, I'll try to swing by there and at least have an up close look at the stop rail.