You are right. The original Valve amplifiers are still present and working well. Your suggestion about using the console as the basis for a Hauptwerk organ has been considered but there is a historical significance to the unit which we would like to preserve.
These old things had beautiful valve amps on them - though I don't know if you've got that. As for the rest of it, I'd rip the guts out and use it as the basis of a new drawstop Hauptwerk console =P
There's no doubting that these things are fascinating, but I think they were better used for the old Melotone units. They're pretty painful up the top end! There can never be an adequate substitute for the pipe organ (and God knows Compton built some fine examples of those!).
Interesting. Hammond came up with a mechanical system too. They use rotating metal disks with the waveforms cut around the edges like teeth on a gearwheel. Magnets and coils were the pickup units which produced the notes. The waveforms were mixed with sliding drawbars.
I have a 1946 series 31 Wurlitzer and Wurlitzer 310 tone cabinet that were in a vacant house since 1971. So I'm looking at 40 years for that electrostatic reed organ as well. The guy who I bought it from discovered it. He made a new cable to connect the cabinet, but all that has worked so far are the mechanical sections. reeds are physically audible, but of course they are used electronically 100%- they provide the stable frequencies to be manipulated, w/ 3 pick-ups each reed.Will be EZ fix-caps
It is an Electro-static tone generation system. It uses spinning disks the have the waveforms etched into the rotating surfaces. The John Compton organ company came up with the system in the 1920s and used it to suppliment the sounds on their Theatre pipe organs. They called the device in the organs a Melotone unit. The BBC Electrone was a special order and much more elaborate. Several variants were made and were offered as an alternative to the much larger and more expensive pipe organ.
@theatrone So this was after the Telharmonium and before the B3? Do you suppose Comton got inspeeration from Thaddeus Cahill? Awsome post.. please keep us all updated on the prgress!!
Is this another form of tone wheel? Possibly an electro static type like the old Wurlitzers? I see mechanical disc rotating, how are the sounds generated?
Thanks for posting this. I hope to hear more as you get time. I had the great pleasure to hear BBC's Reginald Foort live on pipe organ on several occasions. I read about the Compton Electrone organs years ago. Maybe I will get a chance to see some of the UK instruments on a future business trip.
Thank you! I have some videos of me playing my own electrone and im looking forward to playing the Rochford Compton soon. I always say encouragement costs nothing but has a lifetime value.
You are right. The original Valve amplifiers are still present and working well. Your suggestion about using the console as the basis for a Hauptwerk organ has been considered but there is a historical significance to the unit which we would like to preserve.
theatrone 2 days ago
These old things had beautiful valve amps on them - though I don't know if you've got that. As for the rest of it, I'd rip the guts out and use it as the basis of a new drawstop Hauptwerk console =P
There's no doubting that these things are fascinating, but I think they were better used for the old Melotone units. They're pretty painful up the top end! There can never be an adequate substitute for the pipe organ (and God knows Compton built some fine examples of those!).
TheMysticalOrgan 2 days ago
The restoration has ground to a halt due to other commitments but will recommence as soon as possible.
theatrone 4 months ago
How is the restoration coming? Will there be more videos?
The2010SnowDay 4 months ago
Interesting. Hammond came up with a mechanical system too. They use rotating metal disks with the waveforms cut around the edges like teeth on a gearwheel. Magnets and coils were the pickup units which produced the notes. The waveforms were mixed with sliding drawbars.
theatrone 10 months ago
I have a 1946 series 31 Wurlitzer and Wurlitzer 310 tone cabinet that were in a vacant house since 1971. So I'm looking at 40 years for that electrostatic reed organ as well. The guy who I bought it from discovered it. He made a new cable to connect the cabinet, but all that has worked so far are the mechanical sections. reeds are physically audible, but of course they are used electronically 100%- they provide the stable frequencies to be manipulated, w/ 3 pick-ups each reed.Will be EZ fix-caps
paulj0557 10 months ago
It is an Electro-static tone generation system. It uses spinning disks the have the waveforms etched into the rotating surfaces. The John Compton organ company came up with the system in the 1920s and used it to suppliment the sounds on their Theatre pipe organs. They called the device in the organs a Melotone unit. The BBC Electrone was a special order and much more elaborate. Several variants were made and were offered as an alternative to the much larger and more expensive pipe organ.
theatrone 1 year ago
@theatrone So this was after the Telharmonium and before the B3? Do you suppose Comton got inspeeration from Thaddeus Cahill? Awsome post.. please keep us all updated on the prgress!!
paulbrockenhagen 11 months ago
Is this another form of tone wheel? Possibly an electro static type like the old Wurlitzers? I see mechanical disc rotating, how are the sounds generated?
patsaxon 1 year ago
Very gooooood indeed!
rambus0 1 year ago
Very fascenating insturment! Best wishes for the completion of the project!
jkmek99 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this. I hope to hear more as you get time. I had the great pleasure to hear BBC's Reginald Foort live on pipe organ on several occasions. I read about the Compton Electrone organs years ago. Maybe I will get a chance to see some of the UK instruments on a future business trip.
maplewoodsp 1 year ago
@maplewoodsp
Thanks for the comments. If you do make it to the UK let me know. I can point you towards some interesting instruments.
Pat
theatrone 1 year ago
Absolutely superb! Fantastic work.
4dorgan 2 years ago
Crucial to make sure it ain't going to go BANG!
PictureHouseCinema 2 years ago
Very much looking forward to the completion of this project. It will bring back some very happy memories.
electronicempire 2 years ago
Thanks, work has been a bit slow lately due to ill health but things are progressing well
theatrone 2 years ago
Great to here the old BBC Compton Electrone playing again.
Ben
organistuk 2 years ago
Thank you! I have some videos of me playing my own electrone and im looking forward to playing the Rochford Compton soon. I always say encouragement costs nothing but has a lifetime value.
christhompsonorganis 2 years ago
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!! Another electrone up and working!!! Good work Pat and Tim!
christhompsonorganis 2 years ago
Thanks for the encouraging words. This is a worthwhile project and we are proud to be given the opportunity to restore an historic instrument.
theatrone 2 years ago