Storage time....

[washernoob]

Well the day may be coming soon in which a vast majority of my vacuum collection will be going into storage.

I found a local piano store who has for sale- 4 of these fine old Conn theatre organs.

My dad says I can trade my baldwin grand in for one, but also need to sell or store my vacuums somewhere. Well that somewhere would be my grandpas basement and my friend Johns basement amidst his 450 vacuum cleaners.

Its going to be tough living without these vacuums! But its a sacrifice I am willing to take to pursue my greatest passion, of playing the organ.

I have also been given permission to play on a local churches pipe organ once a week for an hour, which will be nice.

 

[frigilux]

Wow, that is a prime piece of keyboard real estate!  How much are they asking for one of them?

 

[washernoob]

Thats the TOL model they currently have. Made in 1983. The new price was something like $27,000.

The one they have is listed at $6,000. Theirs is completely restored to new condition. Case has no damage or wear.

I figure with my piano trade in I can knock the price down quite a bit, and work on a payment plan that is reasonable.

They do have this big gals older sisters, the model 651 and 650, as well as the little 640 (only 2manual 25 pedals)

The 650 I could most likely get for free since it has not been restored by them yet. The 651 will cost me a little bit.

Here is a model 650. Not quite as extravagant as a 653, but still amazing. (some people say they sound better- lush warm tube sound)

 

[abcomatic]

HI washernoob

Wow, that looks like fun! I play the pipe organ for church and have no idea how to use a theater organ. Why not keep your grand too, just think, organ and piano duets? I love to do that.
Do these organs have Leslie Speakers or is that for Hammonds only?
It looks like the organ has a full pedalboard and a dog leg bench.
I have 18 ranks of pipes here at home, (some of the neighbors are not that fond, however)!
I can't wait to hear more about this; please keep us informed. Happy playing.
Oh, one more thing, if you know where I could get a copy of the score for a silent movie, please let me know. Thanks, Have a great and swell time!(Do I hear groaning out there)? lol

 

[mattl]

Wow, very nice units.  I used to play piano, organ and a little accordion, but stopped many years ago.   Have a very nice piano, got it tuned 5 years ago, hadn't been tuned for 20 years prior, and have a '68 Thomas organ sitting in the basement.  Cost a small fortune back then $2500, if I recall.  Not really working and not anywhere near as nice as the one you are looking at.  Found a picture online...

 

[washernoob]

Thanks all.

abcomatic-

I cant keep the grand as I already have 2 pianos in the house. The other piano is a 1905 Art Case upright by story and Clark and is too special to part with. The baldwin has its issues, and isn't overly rare or anything. The only space we have to put the organ is where the baldwin sits.

The Conn does have a Leslie speaker as well as an assortment of other speakers inside the belly of the beast!

It has the 32 pedal AGO standard console. So its a full sized suitable practice organ all around.

If I find any good source of theatre organ classics I will be sure to pass it on!

The conn has a switch to give the tibia stops a chiff sound, and without tremulants it can sound kinda like a pipe organ (well an electric pipe organ!)

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Let me know if you need a place to store that gorgeous Montgomery Ward's cleaner. ;-)

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do...

 

[washernoob]

Hehe. Ill keep that in mind

Went to the store today and was serenaded by the sweet sounds of the conn organs! Fell in love with them again.

The 653 absolutely blew me away. The sound coming from that beast is just incredible. Such fullness and richness. Simply stunning. The classical side of the instrument was impressive as well.

Here is the 653. I can get it for $5,000, and then after trade in, maybe $4,500, plus free delivery. But that is $4,500 out of my pocket, which sadly, is not something I can afford.

 

[washernoob]

And lets not forget the equally awesome, little 640. Sounded great. Not quite as exciting as the 653, but still great.

Their listed price- $1995,- price I would pay before trade- $1450, price I would pay after trade- $1,000 delivery waved.

He would not sell/trade the 650 at all, so looks like I will have to be buying an instrument.

The big organ to the left is a Rodgers classical from the late 90s. Drawknob and all.

They did also have several other large organs, including a 1980 Allen custom 3 manual digital theatre organ (but it is listed at $10,000)

 

[franksdad]

Conn organs are very nice. I hope you get one soon! I want an early 60's Hammond B3 with Leslie speakers. I have a 1975 Hammond (not quite sure of the model) that I purchased from a Thrift Store in 2001. It has the Leslie speaker built in. It sounds nice and I've loved playing it for nearly 10 years now. Maybe one day...

 

[washernoob]

At the moment my mom says, financially, an organ purchase would not be good.

So I am going to try and sell my piano, and buy an organ on craigslist! I've been looking on kansas and eastern Iowa's craigslist, too.

 

[dirtybuck]

I'm just wondering...if someone would give you an organ for free, I guess they would be considered an "organ donor"?

(running away and forming dust cloud in the process)

 

[washernoob]

Ahaha. I guess in all reality, yes you could be considered one!

 

[washernoob]

Well I may have a buyer for my baldwin piano. A young lady who was getting her PHD in some medical field dealing with HIV. She came over was over-thrilled with the instrument. She played Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. She loved the way it looked and played so well.

Have a few organs lined up to go check out. One a late 70s rodgers classical organ, a conn theatre and a few others.

In the meantime, I have been enjoying the magnificent new practice organ I have been given access too!.

Here is the organ! Once a week for an hour and a half.

 

[washernoob]

Well the living room looks so much smaller!

Today the Baldwin left the house. Now some serious organ hunting time.

 

[abcomatic]

Organ lessons

HI Washernoob, Are you taking organ lessons from someone, I hope?
I listened to the you-tube of the tracker organ that you get to practice on. What do the strings on the swell sound like? I have never played a Bedient Organ before. Drop me a note and let me know. Gary

 

[whitekingd]

franksdad

I know how pricey the B-3 is. Have you ever played an M-3? It's the spinet model of the B-3. It's got the same tone generator and is a fantastic instrument. I've got two M-3's - one in the house, and one that has been on the road with me for the last 26 years.

 

[washernoob]

Hello Gary.

I used to take organ lessons for about 3 years up until 2 years ago. I took them down at Omaha's St. Cecilia's Cathedral.

I had to stop because they were $350 a term, and thats just too much for me right now.

I do take piano lessons (main focus is on jazz improvisation/music theory) and play in Jazz band and orchestra at school. No organ lessons though.

when I hit college I do plan on taking lessons up again at the cathedral. Their organ/harpsichord teachers are incredible!

______

As for the m3. I have played an M2, but never an M3. I once serenaded myself on a restored b2 and leslie at a strictly organ repair store in town. Oh my. Oh my. What a beautiful sweet sound.

at $4,000!

I have played a C3, and RT3 but never a B3. Personally I prefer the sound of like the models A, BC, BV/CV a little more.
______

The search continues! I was given a great offer on the Conn 640 at the store. All I need to do is save $100 and I can afford it!

 

[kimball455]

Nice group of consoles

Looks like there are more than a few organ fans in the group. Come visit Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City some time and see the 33,112 pipe Midmer Losh and the 4/55 Ballroom Kimball, the second largest theatre pipe organ (original) ever build. The Arena Midmer Losh is the worlds largest pipe organ.
Harry

Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ Society - www.acchos.org