Allen ADC 5000 with capture action problem

[Gerritfrl.]

Hi All,

I can purchage an Allen ADC 5000 drawknob console, in fine working order exept the capture action is not working.
Is this an major problem to fix? or must the whole component getting replaced, or...
Do you think it is an good idea to buy this instrument? it is for sale in London, England for 1000 pounds ($1500, €1100) I can use some good advise in this matter...

Thanks guys,
Gerrit

[arie v]

Hi,

It depends on what is wrong with the capture. Since you work for Allen Benelux, you should be able to get a good deal on a replacement capture board.

If it is in fine condition, the price looks about right.

If you could get an ADC 5300 (or even 4300) that would be better. Slightly newer, but better sounding.

AV

[circa1949]

Here's my 2 cents.
That's a very good price for the European market, assuming the organ is in otherwise good shape. Especially for a drawknob console. For you the capture action should be trivial to fix.
It's true the X3XX series ADCs are better sounding, but I think from our "modern perspective" of relatively long multisampling software organs and/or Hauptwerk, they are both going to have generally the same tonal issues. (8 bit quantization, phase distortion issue on certain notes, etc.)

Is this for use your in your home Gerrit? Does you home have a relatively voluminous main area/room? In my opinion, the tonal issues inherent w/ADC are more noticeable in a confined acoustic environment. In other words, I think these organs could still have a lot of life in a church or auditorium setting. In a home environment I think a discerning listener will always face the issues that I faced with my ADC organ. That being said, that organ had a full cage of tone generators and as such probably has a relatively nice ensemble sound. Of course, you could one day add MIDI to it and use it just as a console. By then I'm sure someone will have figured out how to MIDItize ADC stop controls in a reproducible way. (come on, someone needs to try my "flipping the wires" recommendation!)
YMMV - your mileage may vary.

[Gerritfrl.]

Yes, I would install that organ in my home. My living room is not that large.....Maybe I must think on an ADC 5300.
I must consider that option.
And Yes I work for Allen Benelux, but we are not familiar with ADC organs. When we started in 1996 the MDS organs were allrady made...

[circa1949]

Well, live a little! If ADC organs are so uncommon in Europe, the chance of an ADC-5300 coming along for the same reasonable price is very, very slim. As I said, they aren't going to sound very different. If I lived in a European country and wanted a nice Allen organ for a reasonable price, I'd jump on that. I wouldn't assume as I would in the US that better ones would come out of the woodwork later.

It really depends on how discerning a listener you are. I'm sure many people have been happy through the years with any type of ADC organ as a home instrument.

[myorgan]

I'd also take the 5000 for that price. I paid just a little less for my 4300 a couple of years ago. I'm not sure, but I think that may include a 32' reed stop in the pedal? You'll probably like it, and it can always be voiced to your liking.

Michael

[michaelhoddy]

No 32' reed on the 5000 unfortunately, but a couple 32' flues. But for that price, I'd take it too.

[arie v]

Gerrit,

On the Allen Organ Benelux web-site there is mentioned several Allen ADC installations in Belgium. So you don't need to go too far to find one - unless they have already been replaced.

AV

[Gerritfrl.]

Arie,

All the ADC installations in Belgium are small ADC organs and besides that, the churches who own such an ADC organ have no intentions to replace their instruments.
In general just a view people visit the sundaymorning service, and the churches do not have the moneye to replace an organ...
And I am not interested in an small ADC Allen....

Last week I send a view e-mails to this company in London, England for the ADC 5000, but I did not get any response from them...
To bad actually, becauce I wanted to buy that organ.

Gerrit

[Momboc]

Was it this one?

http://london.classifiedsadd.com/adv...b-console.html