What would you do with a 32-pedal, white Conn Theatre organ? Sorry, I don't recall the model. It was mine when I still lived home. Now I'm about to inherit it - but what to do? It works fine, includes electronic pipes, one Leslie speaker. If I brought it to my home I would have to build on a room. Could I keep it in repair (parts, etc.?). Is there any market for organ students any longer? Would a church be likely to want it? What to do???

It is my opinion that you will be lucky to get much of anything for this organ. The bottem has dropped out of the home organ market. I am sure that some of the piano dealers in the forum would verify that. Conn was not known as one of the better electronic organs and even with the "pipes" did not have a very realistic sound. Hammond, Allen, Rodgers would be more desirable. You are right about the parts, those would be expensive to replace. As far as churches, it is not a church organ (with traditional church organ stops and specifications) and would only be of interest to a gospel or pentecostal church which likes a lot of tremolo. Most churches don't have much money to spend. You may be better off to donate it to a church or non-profit group and take a tax write-off. Our church had a Hammond C-3 donated to us with separate tone cabinet. I tried advertising it. We ended up giving it to an orphanage in Mexico.
RickG
MM, AAGO

Thanks. I should have been clearer. It is my intention to donate the organ - if anyone wants. I really don't expect to get any money for it. And since I'm in the Chicago suburbs I did have a minority church in mind. Their size and musical preference seems to be the best bet for a theatre organ. It reminds me a bit of the time we had getting rid of my grandfathers medical items. He had an office in his home as was the custom, but trying to donate his medical items was a true challenge. It wasn't possible to donate anything with wood in it - illegal now. Medicines had to be disposed of by a particular agency (we're talking about bottles of liquid cocaine, hundreds of "points", etc.). Surprisingly, the most unusual items were taken by an international medical charity agency - a very old X-ray machine from the 20's, etc. It's always frustrating when you feel someone could make use of a perfectly good item, but no one will take it.

Well, just out of curiosity, I asked a couple of friends of mine their opinions on the organ you mentioned. Here's what one of my friends has to say about it.

One closing thought: he mentioned that the organ generally takes up 6x6 foot floor space.

Hope this helps.

Lyn F.

I guess the next question is how do you dispose of a huge theatre organ, electronic pipes and Leslie speaker? (On second thought, maybe we could sell the Leslie?) Call the junkman? Is this pricey?

Looking for Conn pipe speakers. Is that one still available, how much and where are you located (found one in California and shipping was $260.00!!!) I'm in NJ, near NYC, Connecticut, etc.
Thanks