Oh my flippin god i just bought an organ

[fireandair]

:o:o:o

I really need to have my head examined.

So it's that Rodgers 820 Alexandria, and it comes with a bank of stereo speakers as opposed to the car-sized monster cabinets that it apparently originally came with. Spent about two hours chatting with the fellow I'm buying it from; he's quite nice and is happy that it's going to someone who will love it. He's been a musician since he was a boy, and is moving someplace smaller.

I have a lot to learn so I don't play it like a classical pianist who is trying to pretend there's no pedalboard, but YAGH I cannot believe I just bought an ORGAN. The tonal spread of the thing is IMMENSE, and I don't want to rattle my fillings or those of my neighbors!

Next up, contact movers and then see if I can't find a teacher in my area. I've actually been turning up nearly nothing via the web, and I know that can't be right since I live in what is probably the largest metropolitan area in the US and possibly North America (LA/OC).

I am out of my mind. :o

Someone pat me on the back and say, "There, there," or something, please?

[gtc]

Okay, "there, there".

... and enjoy.

[Hamman]

Well if if for some reason your deal doesn't work out....I have a Rodgers 850 with all the speakers in great working and physical condition you could get off me real cheap:->

[fireandair]

I'm actually curious about your speaker setup -- I've contacted Rodgers and asked them about their options for a small setup with an amp, something suitable for an apartment. The 820 was owned for the last N decades by a really nice senior fellow who hooked up about five stereo speakers to it, and he was happy to demonstrate it for about two hours yesterday. The thing (I've taken to calling it "Tiny" in my mind) was happy to shake the rafters, and it appears to have been setup like that for quite some time to no ill effect. He got it out of a church in Bakersfield some time ago and this has been his setup for a long time.

However, I am concerned about the possibility of accumulated damage if the speakers are not well-matched. Also, while I cringe to say it, I live in an apartment, so rattling people's fillings is just not an option for me, and I'd rather not keep it turned WAY down all the time. Hence, I'm VERY VERY interested in an amp with a headphone jack. VERY interested.

Any advice you can offer me would be greatly appreciated. :-) And if your setup happens to match my preferences, well so much the better.

[davidecasteel]

Bless your heart....


David

[robmcginn]

Hi Fireandair
CONGRATULATIONS! May the Rodgers bring you happiness and fulfilment. At one point, about too many years ago to account I took organ and piano at the same time, different teachers. THe organist would comment "Stop the piano technique!" A day or so later the pianist would say "stop the organ technique" LOL
There are many in this forum who can and do willingly help with questions you may have from time to time so keep us posted.

[fireandair]

Apparently, it has a headphone jack already, under the keyboard -- at least from what the Rodgers rep at the nearest dealer let me know. This makes me WILDLY happy. :-) Anyone who has an 820 Alexandria and is familiar with this is welcome to corroborate this! I am so glad that it has a headphone jack -- I can play whenever I want, noodle, compose, and generally futz around with privacy!

And I requested an owner's manual for it from Rodgers, and grabbed a method book online by someone named Harold Gleason that had a lot of positive recommendations. I've read up some online about piano versus organ technique, and the quickest, most interesting piece of advice that I found was simply that on a piano, you strike the keys, and on an organ you press the keys. They're non-weighted; I guess it doesn't do any good to strike them anyway. And I'm really looking forward to being able to compose and make independent bass lines as well with a pedalboard.

Wow, I need to put "Rodgers 820(aug) Alexandria" in my .sig file now, I suppose.

[Hamman]

If it has a "box" underneath to the right its probably what Rodgers calls an "entertainment" center. Headphone jack, tape in and out jacks,(rca) and possibly a reverb control knob. In the back of the organ on the outmost swing out circuit board there should be mix down switches. There are combinations that you can mix to. 3, 4 or even 2 channels.You most likely can email Rodgers Instruments and they can send you a PDF version of your service manual which would explain all.

Apparently, it has a headphone jack already, under the keyboard -- at least from what the Rodgers rep at the nearest dealer let me know. This makes me WILDLY happy. :-) Anyone who has an 820 Alexandria and is familiar with this is welcome to corroborate this! I am so glad that it has a headphone jack -- I can play whenever I want, noodle, compose, and generally futz around with privacy!

And I requested an owner's manual for it from Rodgers, and grabbed a method book online by someone named Harold Gleason that had a lot of positive recommendations. I've read up some online about piano versus organ technique, and the quickest, most interesting piece of advice that I found was simply that on a piano, you strike the keys, and on an organ you press the keys. They're non-weighted; I guess it doesn't do any good to strike them anyway. And I'm really looking forward to being able to compose and make independent bass lines as well with a pedalboard.

Wow, I need to put "Rodgers 820(aug) Alexandria" in my .sig file now, I suppose.

[fireandair]

It looks like this -- doesn't appear to be anything obvious under the keyboard, and nothing jumped out at me:

[OrgansR4Me]

Every once in awhile I see books on Ebay especially written to help pianist get used to the organ. I'm the opposite having played organ for almost 50 years -- yes I'm getting old -- I really hate to have anyone ask me to play the piano. Just recently I had the chance to play an antique grand while housesitting and I think I could improve my technique with a little more time at the keyboard. The owner is off to London soon so I will definitely get another chance.

When I wanted to improve my organ playing - not that I've ever taken it seriously enough to be more than an amateur -- I purchased Stainer's Method. I'd highly recommend it as it will take you through the touch and pedal techniques. Best wishes. The photo shows a true treasure and I'm glad you are making it a good home. Check the gain on the amps (reduce it to your preference) and you should be able to continue using stereo speakers of the size I see next to the organ. (Remember to get ones with great bass)

[fireandair]

Thanks so much. :-) I just contacted the movers -- it's going to be out of his place and in mine this Saturday ... just in time for a three-day weekend filled with piano and organ!

I imagine one of the biggest issues I'll have to deal with as a pianist is just accepting the dynamics of an organ. With pianos, you have such fine control over the dynamics, even within one chord. Want it louder? Hit it harder.

Now for the real challenge ... training myself to push ALL the pedal stops in if I get up so that the cat doesn't lay on them and shake the building down. :o She's deaf as a post; she'd probably think she was getting a nice massage. :-)

[Jan Girardot]

If your Rodgers has an EN-II it will be tucked up under the key bed, far to the left. Your photo doesn't show it, but that may be due to the angle at which the photo was taken.

. . . Jan

[Hamman]

Jan,
I've always seen them tucked under the keyboard far to the right. As far as gain control on the amps....there really isn't any on the Rodgers amps....not like the Allen amps. They do have a "bias" control and a "hum" control thumbwheel though. Hopefully you will have the EN-II like Jan and I have suggested. From that photo you posted there is no way to determine if such an item is indeed mounted up underneath by the angle the photo was taken.