Budget Theatre Organ

[Orgrinder010]

What are some good "starter kit" theatre organs that can be had for a fairly decent price? I always see CONN's and WurliTzer electronic organs on ebay, but what are some of the better models to look after?

I would like something 3-manual, if possible, with a fairly decent sound. I've found out that even transistor or LSI organs can sound decent with some digital reverb, and other subtle effects.


An organ I've seen talked about is the Conn 6xx models, would this be a good organ to build skill on?

[andyg]

Hi Nathan,

A 650 or 651 in good condition can sound very sweet. Not 100% accurate theatre organ, of course, but very nice. The 651 has a few extra bells and whistles that make it worth seeking out.

The 652 is a different animal entirely. Some say it lost the sound of the original 65x models, and I'd agree to a point. But I really did like this organ. There was a good voiced percussion section that 'floated' between manuals. A transposer too. It could make a darned good sound and I used it for a few BBC sessions - I'll have to see if I can find the tapes, but they were in mono back then. My little backwater of the BBC hadn't got much stereo recording gear at that time.

The 652 does have some reliability issues, mainly with the LSI technology used for the percussion voices and for the reeds and brass on the third manual.

As for the 653, this is a bastardised (excuse the language, but it's the correct term!) instrument, made after Kimball took over Conn. The spec was good but I didn't like the sound and some of the gimmicks put onto it. I'm told, and read on the Net,that it wasn't that reliable, but there aren't enough in the UK for me to make that determination.

And there's always the gorgeous 580 3-manual spinet, a lovely sounding organ.

A 650/651/652 would be a good organ for building skills, and they can be MIDIfied so you can use them to drive something like Miditzer, Hauptwerk or J-Organ.

Andy

[steely1]

Nathan:

I'd have to agree with Andy on the Conn -- hisinformation onthe 65x series is spot-on, and to add that a Conn 640 may be a good find in the right condition as well, though only two manual. These intruments were earlier tube-driven models, and can have a very sweet sound as well. You can check one out here http://theatreorgans.com/walnuthill/player4.htm

The Bone Doctor had to do quite a bit of work on his to makehis playable again (an interesting story on that there as well), and he has included some links so you can listen to some of his recordings on the 640 (the reverb was added via the recording software.)

I have a Conn 552 spinet I call my "Theatre Organ Sampler." Got it for $50, after a tune-up it works flawlessly. It's so darn "cute" and fun to play ... but it makes me long for a console version 64x, 65x for the 61 note manuals and 25 note pedalboard

[steely1]

And wonder of wonders ... here appears to be a Conn 650 for sale in your own backyard! Check it out and let me know what you find ... looks like it can be had for a song (pun intended.)

~ George

http://cgi.ebay.com/Conn-Deluxe-Mode...QQcmdZViewItem

[Orgrinder010]

Yes, I had seen that, but I only live in Pittsburgh part-time, and have no way of hauling it up north.
It also looks as if it's a "hot item".

I think I'm going to wait a few years before I get another organ. I might try and sell my 4602 first.