What kind of Allen Organ do I have?

**brad12d3** · 08-04-2012, 08:59 PM

We inherited an Allen organ recently and don't know too much about it. I was wondering if someone could enlighten us with a bit more info on what kind of organ we have and perhaps when it was built. It's a small Allen Organ. On the inside it says

Model: Ensemb
serial: a5203

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**andyg** · 08-04-2012, 10:15 PM

I can't identify the model from the photos in Blue Book and I can't find the name 'Ensemble' mentioned in the 'Mother List', which are our two usual references. However, I must comment on the condition. It looks like it came off the production line yesterday! Of course that doesn't mean that all is going to be perfect inside, as I'd guess it's 50 years old or so, but it does look well cared for. We can advise you on any TLC that it might require.

I'm sure one of our members will have a model name/number and date for you

And I wish everyone would post this quality of photo when asking for an ID.

**brad12d3** · 08-04-2012, 11:13 PM

Thank you! Yes, I couldn't believe the condition it was in when I first got it to my house. I tried to some research and try as I might, I could not find any info on this specific organ using google. I did, however, find a very similar one that was made in the early 60s, so I assumed my Organ is just as old. The gentleman who owned it before it was given to us obviously took very good care of it. There literally isn't a scratch on it and everything works just fine. The sound is amazing!
Although we have no intention of selling it, I would be very interested to know what it is worth.

Here are a couple of more pictures I took in case it helps someone identify it.

**Snowbandit** · 08-04-2012, 11:48 PM

It's cute, whatever it is. Allen has the reputation of being able to repair every organ they ever built, although that may not be at a price someone is willing to pay. This little organ looks to be in great shape.

**tkosiorek** · 08-05-2012, 03:25 AM

Looks like a T-44 Organette from 1959,I had one that came with an external Gyrophonic Projector cabinet,Allens version of a Leslie speaker.

**andyg** · 08-05-2012, 11:42 AM

I'd looked at the Organette photos in Blue Book. Alas neither of them have the correct stop layout. And, as Brad has now shown us, the serial plate clearly says Ensemb.

Next step is to send these photos to Allen and ask them. We'd love to know what they say about it.

**brad12d3** · 08-05-2012, 01:17 PM

So my wife, who is the big musician in the house, has been playing around a lot with it. She was a church music major and has collected and learned how to play a few interesting instruments like the Ukulele, Medieval Harp, Portative Organ, and now this Allen Organ. I am sure if we could fit a Carillon in our house, she would try and play that also.

Overall, it is in great condition, but every once in a while a key won't activate and it might require activating and deactivating a stop to get it to come back. Doesn't happen very often but it does happen. Also, when we activate the major bass stop, we'll get some pretty nasty rattling on a few of the pedals. I wonder if there is something that could be tightened up inside?

We would like to get someone in the Dallas, Tx area who knows a thing or two about organs to give it a look over and do some tweaking. So if any of you knows of anyone then please let me know. It would be much appreciated.

Also, don't hesitate to correct me if I am using wrong terminology. We are pretty knew to organs and are trying to learn all we can.

Also, we were curious to learn a bit more on the inner workings of the instrument. Any literature you guys would recommend that might give a breakdown of how they put together one of these and how it produces it's sound?

**Jan Girardot** · 08-05-2012, 05:27 PM

Hi, Brad and all;

That is a beauty you have there! Have you had the back off, as yet? I would love to see a photo of that. Since the model-serial plate says the current consumption is only 150 watts, it must be solid-state (transistor). The original Allen spinets (PC-44) used vacuum tubes, which could be used as an auxiliary home heating system (Ha!) For service, I suggest you check on the MITA tech site: www.mitatechs.org/

Thanks for sharing your good fortune with us.

. . . Jan
the OrganGrinder

**brad12d3** · 08-06-2012, 12:23 AM

Thanks Jan! If I can get somebody out to give the organ a check up then I will try and get a photo of the inside with the back off. I am actually curious to see it also.

The one unfortunate thing is that the bench was missing from the organ. We have been using a dining room chair to sit and play. I don't suppose you guys know a good place to look finding a bench for it? I would like to get the same one that comes with it originally. Of course I have got to nail down exactly what kind it is first. I sent an e-mail with pictures to allenservice@allen-organ.com to see what they say. I haven't received a response. Is that even the right place to send an e-mail like that? Is there another department over at Allen I should be contacting?

**Kurzweil** · 08-06-2012, 05:49 PM

I had a 1958 or 59 Hammond M3 Spinet and that Allen is a direct knockoff of it (or maybe Hammond knocked off the Allen) right down to the spindle legs, key count, piano-style keys, blond wood, and the rocker tabs. Allen was all tubes the, just like the rest, I'm sure. Those upper keys appear to have Allen's reiteration feature, which was mechanical and worked pretty well. Looks like the SOLO manual has five sets of contacts for five stops.

The activation issues are just corrosion on contacts and use may fix a good portion of it. On a Hammond, you could loosen, wiggle, and retighten the buss bars to deal with such issues.