We have a Gulbransen Pacemaker Organ that is in good condition. It is serial # 81647 and model # 2333-20. I would like to find the value or approximate value of this organ. Anyone could help me? Or does anyone know where I can find a resource to check the value, like a blue book? Thanks a lot!

Ancott Associates used to produce a bulletin of this sort, however they left the business a year or so ago. Every dealer used to have an Organ Blue Book, but I can't tell you whether that is still published these days. An original Gulbransen would likely date to the 1960's. The name was revived by another maker a few years ago, but I have no information on this.

Tom Tuner

Organs from that period aren't worth a heck of a lot, unfortunately. While some folks may get $50 or $100 for a big two manual Wurly with Rhythm King, Reverb, Vibrato, and all the bells and whistles that thrilled us in 1966, most people who can't find someone to give them to, will usually pay $50 to have the old thing hauled away, with one glaring exception:

The Hammond organ with analog circuitry, with matching Leslie cabinet is almost worth it's weight in silver. Organists and rebuilders will pay top dollar for models from the 50's and 60's that were pre-transistor, and that have percussion and chorus. The most valuable model being the B3, and the larger C3 running a close second. The A100 line shares identical circuitry and runs a close third. The smaller M3 and M100 models are also in demand, but less valuable than the mighty B3, as are L-100 and even the D-3 models.

But later models, like the T, and space-age looking PortaB are hard to get rid of as the transistor sound just doesn't cut it for tonewheel purists.

All those models that our parents paid hundreds and thousands of dollars for in the 1950s and 1960s: Conn, Gulbransen, Kimball, Lowrey, Thomas, Wurlitzer, et. al., are worthless.

Look for a startup church in your area--they'll welcome the donation, and it will probably give you a tax deduction of some kind.

The name was revived in the mid to late 1990's, but I have no further information.

Tom Tuner

Dear Selene,
The organ you mention in your post was built in the late 60s, early 70s. Depending on where you are located, I may be interested in it. They were not very expensive when new, so I can't give you much of an idea. I know I had a fire (caused by a faulty power cord on my Pacemaker) and the insurance value in April 1974 was then $500.

Let me know if you are interested in discussing this.

Sincerely,
theonejrs