Hammonds are great sounding instruments, however, due to their popularity in rock, blues, and jazz playing, they are the only organ model that can hold its value, however, the newer models that do not have a tonewheel mechanism and rely on transistors are not included in this group, and you may find a large Hammond T model or B-2000 at a reasonable price, though finding an appropriate Leslie model is another problem altogether. Conn and Thomas were both known for making traditional sounding instruments, while Wurlitzer was better known for their theater organs (think Wanamaker). No doubt for church work, you'll want an instrument that tends more towards baroque and romantic voicing and less towards theater sounds.
Models by Conn, Gulbransen, Lowrey, Thomas, Wurlitzer, and others have little or no value in the marketplace, but can provide musical support for a small worship service, and most people are happy to know that a relative's treasured instrument is going to a church. For a congregation without a music director, this sounds like an ideal, interim solution that won't cost much, allowing them to put their $5-$10K into a money market account towards a real organ.Īlthough these instruments were high-dollar items in the 1960s, people today have to pay to have an old console organ, weighing 300 pounds or more, removed. I see them posted on Craigslist all the time. However, there are thousands of console organs that were built prior to 1970 that people are paying to have removed. For the Allen and other digital solutions, you need to spend a great deal on an amplification system that sounds as good as an equivalent pipe. We had to replace the console, build a cabinet for a dozen new ranks, renew the air chests and pumps, and refurbish and voice the entire organ - final price: $460,000.įor a traditional pipe organ, labor is very expensive. I was involved in a project, now almost 10 years ago, to refurbish and finish a 42-rank Austin organ, built originally during the depression. An Allen digital usually prices near the cost of a true pipe organ. A small pipe organ (18 ranks) will run into 6-figures with installation and voicing. purchasing an alternative is brewing, and so my friend needs as much accurate, factual information to make the case that an organ alternative is a good, cost-effective, and musically sound approach.įor that price, nothing. My question: Would a Clavinova be suitable option and give my friend's new church a reasonably satisfying organ sound? If so, what models do you recommend and how much should be budgeted? Are there other digital pianos that would offer more for less money?Īs you might expect, a fight over investing in a real organ vs. Our church's Clavinova is somewhat old - still has a drive for disks.
The organ sound is fairly convincing, and the skilled people operating the sound system make sure it sounds good. I recommended that the committee look into a Clavinova, which our church uses in addition to a Walter grand. New organs are very expensive and really need to be factored into the design of the sanctuary (our church went through this same ordeal a few years ago). A friend of mine is involved in a committee (often a bad sign.) that is making decisions about an organ or organ alternative for a new church building.
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