Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

[Guest]

I'm new to this forum and did a couple of searches, but couldn't turn up any technical details on either the Rodgers 725 or 705. Both are of interest to my small church, which is looking for a replacement for their 50-year-old electronic organ.

I'd love to hear people's opinions on how these organs compare in sound -- or even sound individually. Also, how adjustable are they? Can the stops be easily voiced and/or adjusted?
The 725 has internal speakers (don't know about the 705). Will it sound different with external speakers? How does that sound compare to that of newer organs?

Someone mentioned that Rodgers took their analog technology to its limits in the 1970s and early 80s. The 725 is from 1977; the 705 from 1983. Does anyone know where they fit in the spectrum of Rodger's analog capabilities?

Thanks very much in advance for your answers.

Chaconne

p.s. The Rodgers 725 is named "Jamestown." There is also an older model Jamestown, the Rodgers 100. Out of curiosity, what is the same or different about these two Jamestown models?

[toodles]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

Howdy.

There's a couple of Jamestown 725 models: 725A & 725B. The B's got more voices, and the easy way to spot it is the stoprail is tall enough for 2 rows of tabs, but it's only got 1 row.

The 100's a minimalist organ from the early 1970's--it's got no reed stops. Can't recommend it, unless you don't have any other options.

The 705's also got two versions: 705A & 705B. (Some of Rodgers's organs have C, D, & E versions, too!). The B has more goodies (stops). These had LED stop tabs, and are among the last Rodgers analog designs, but they are at the low end of the model line up.

Got an e-mail address you want to make public? I can send you pdf's of the brochures, then you can compare.

Toodles!

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

hello there;i played a 750 scarborough which i think is the step up from the 725.my church was an a frame sanctuary with no carpet.very good 4 channel organ.if you have the internal speaker model,of course it would be enhaced by a couple good external ones.jbl cambridge, klipcsh come to mind.i like the analog rodgers much more that the newer digital ones.they sound much too crispy.the 750 was the top of that line that you have.and the black church in eastpointe mich. doesn't even use it now. milt miller detroit

[radagast]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

>The 100's a minimalist organ from the early 1970's--it's got no reed stops. Can't recommend it, unless you don't have any other options.


What would anyone, esp. Rodgers, make an electronic organ with no reed stops? It's not as though you were trying to cut costs with a pipe organ. I've seen plenty of pipe organs that had only three ranks of pipes. But an electronic organ? That doesn't make any sense.

[toodles]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

Brochure on the Jamestown 100 says on the Great it has a clarinet "formed by synthesis" and the Swell has a "Cornet V", making them flues, not reeds.

Guess these were so low in price R didn't want to spend a few bucks on a reed keyer? Think these just had a flute and a diapason rank unified out.

Allen made some oscillator organs with no reeds as well.


Toodles.

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

specs on a Rodgers 100:

http://www.nycfarmboy.com/rodgers100.html

It makes a good practice instrument and has some great sounds, in particular I like the celeste stops on this model. Everything else is so-so.

[buzzyreed]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

You like celeste on anything. You're probably eating spaghetti right now with celete and tremolo sauce! ;-)

hey! NO fair, NYCfarmboy changed his post so my joke looks like a non-sequitor. hmmph.

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers 725 vs. Rodgers 705

Thank you all for your answers! I got a spec for the 705 from a Rodgers dealer (it's a 650 with a harp/carillon). Very nice setup. But I think my church is going to go with the 725.

I'm still curious about the Rodgers speakers. Does anyone know anything about them? How they compare to high-quality stereo speakers?

Also, does anyone know -- or can anyone point me to -- the history of Rodgers' analog organs? What changed technically when?

Thanks again,
Chaconne