So I usually post in the piano forum, but thought I would share that I recently acquired a Clough & Warren chapel organ with 21 stops, and from my research possibly 400 or more reeds. I am going to have it fully restored, and will share more when I get it back. I know that a Reed Organ can never compare to a pipe organ, but from many I have gotten the response that such instruments are worthy of nothing but the dump. Are there any on this forum who appreciate these instruments and see them as something worthy of restoration? Or for that matter an important part of American history? If there are any Reed organ enthusiasts out there let me know. Perhaps we could start a Reed Organ forum on PianoWorld!

I appreciate a fine old reed organ for sure!!!!


Just yesterday I was at the house of a local fan/car collector, during a regional- Antique Fan collectors association- meet.

He had a smaller, 10 stop -or+ a few, reed organ. Cant recall the name. But it was quite nice. Everything played and for being small it still has a very robust sound.


Now a 21 stop one will probably knock you off the bench with power! FUN! Wow!


Reed organs may not be a pipe organ, but they will BEAT AN ELECTRONIC ORGAN ANY DAY!

WHY??

because they have REAL air... REAL sound. Digital/electric organs are synthesized, and speakerized (ha) Pump organs are pure real sounds with real modulations in the air.


I nearly bought an Etsey FULL sized reed organ. 2 manuals, 61 note keyboards, and a 30 note pedalboard. Hand crank and blower options. Fantastic looking instrument at only $800. Wish I did buy it!
Is yours foot operated or electric blower?

Congrats. It will be one heck of a fine instrument when restored.

The organ was designed to be played with either foot pumping or cranking via a handle. I would like to have a blower installed, and am looking into this now. However, I still want the ability to pump manually. Using your feet to control the amount of wind in the bellows allows you to do some pretty cool stuff dynamically, only adding to the reed organs musical abilities over digitized organs.

Yes. having hand pumped bellows in any organ really adds to the real charming sound.

You should have the option to retrofit both on pump organs. Having a blower can be linked to the pedals, but when off the pedals still function as they should.


My local Cathedral's 2003 Martin Pasi pipe organ can be pumped manually and also has a blower.. In the bellows room there are 4 step on levers that go down quite a bit. You stand on a platform and hold onto the bar, and pump a lever as they come up. Great fun and makes a blooming sound effect with the organ.

Really authentic when using the dual temp feature of the organ (one of only 3 organs to ever be built that way). You can play bach in the Quarter Comma Meantone temperament, and have it hand pumped for maximum authenticity!