What is it?

[zylstra555]

http://yakima.craigslist.org/msg/2985282536.html
Any idea what it is? The ad says: "Wurlitzer Organ", but the nameplate looks like Allen.
Is this pre or post digital?

(And a console clock!)

[handyczech]

Not an Allen expert, but it sure ain't a Wurlitzer. The appearance of the keys and the thickness of the stoptabs, and the clock, tend to suggest at least early '60s or before. Definitely NOT digital.

[Jan Girardot]

My 76-year-old eyes can plainly see the brass "Allen" name plate above the upper manual.

. . . Jan
the OrganGrinder

[toodles]

Looks like an Allen with 2 sets of oscillators because there are 2 lever controls for Gyro Speakers. Possibly a TC-3S? Moving stop (setterboard) combination action. A relatively large organ for its day.

Toodles

[zylstra555]

Hmm... so probably not worth getting excited about.

[OrgansR4Me]

Definitely an Allen. It was their formal cabinet during the late 50's to late 60's. I believe it has been modified at some point because this is the first one I've ever seen with a timepiece in the cheekblock. If you view youtube you'll find some nice videos on these old instruments. They have nice tone even though not the same as digital instruments.

[Larrytow]

I would say that it is an Allen TC-4. Someone put a clock in the right cheekblock; pretty sure that the factory never did unless it was special ordered that way. It has collective combination action with the setterboards in the pull out drawers in each side. With the collective type combination action, you set the 4 General pistons however you like, and then whatever is set on those is available on the Divisionals independently as well. But you can't set the Divisionals separate of the Generals.

For the day, it was a great sounding organ. It came usually with two Gyrophonic cabinets; one for the Diapason channel, and the other for the Flute / Reed channel.

With all the oscillators in there, it is a very heavy console. I seem to recall about 475 lbs. The console wood work on these is some of the nicest Allen has ever made.

I used to own one, and was pleased with it for my home practice church organ until I got my ADC6000. Mine was a 1961 model, but I think this one is a bit newer, because of the toe studs.

Regards, Larry

[zylstra555]

I found a recording of a similar organ somewhere, I did like how it sounded, but I don't think that this is the instrument for me due to size, especially weight, and age. Though, I wish I could take it. My Conn Artists 720 is showing a few more signs of failure -- I'm hearing a decline in the quality of the reed voices and very slight tuning issues are starting to occur. So, I've been obsessively watching for free or extremely low priced AGO instruments but I'd really like to go digital. (For those of you who saw my other post, that is why I watching the Rodgers Trio 321 -- although analog, it is much newer than what I have, it'd be an easy upgrade to digital if I wanted, but unfortunately the pedalboard isn't AGO).
I'll keep watching for a new one!
Thanks.

[OrgansR4Me]

Many churches are making their organs available for free and in general most organs being retired now are digital. It wouldn't be a bad idea to post an "item wanted" ad on Craigslist as I know one of our members got quick results for a free Rialto II some time ago..