Schober Recital - Craigslist

[MoeTrucker]

This one's about 70 miles from the house:
http://lansing.craigslist.org/msg/3855100625.html

I guess where my interest in this organ is the condition of the console...I like my 301 the way it is, but thinking along the lines of a starting point for a Hauptwerk conversion on a 2nd organ...

Think maybe the Schober enthusiasts out there that catch wind of this post might throw a rope over the branch of an oak tree...

[davidecasteel]

A well-built Schober Recital Model would be a good practice organ for a student without a lot of money. The sound is definitely 1960s analog, but one of the better offerings of that genre. The Library of Stops® feature allowed making changes to the Specification--within the limits of the registers one could have whatever 32 stops one wanted by building new filter cards.

The organs were constructed from kits: the electronics were all done with kits but one could either get a factory-built set of wood articles (console, pedals, bench) or build them from plans. I don't recall cherry being a finish option for the factory consoles, so it is possible that this instrument has buyer-built woodwork. The factory consoles were plywood covered with veneer--strong, but not what one would call high quality furniture.

I think it would be worth checking the organ out, if only to determine the quality of the console woodwork. If the electronics are working well, you might even like the sound. If it's in good condition, $250 might not be too much to pay.

A number of the old Schober instruments have been converted to more modern electronics. There are articles in the Schober Organ Notes (you can find links by Googling that phrase) on the Schober Organ Orphans web site that describe in detail how to do the conversions. If you do a search on "Schober Organ digital converstion" you'll find articles on that subject.

David

[don60]

So this Schoeber is a fully-functional, fully-documented, one-owner instrument of some historical interest, and your first inclination is to gut it? Very nice.

There are hundreds of Allen and Rodgers consoles being given away or junked these days. They are much better-made than the Schoebers and of no historical or technical value. Please find one of them for your project. If you are interested, I know of a B-series Allen (the roll-top style with sloping sides) in central Ohio that could be had for a very good price. It is already empty except for the manuals, stop brackets, and combination action and is ready for reuse. Please PM me if you are interested and I will put the owner in touch with you.

Don

[MoeTrucker]

Don, read the last part of my post - the rope over the branch...doesn't look like I'm willing to gut a functional Schober...

[davidecasteel]

One thing about the Schober instruments--by having been designed to be constructed and maintained by relative neophytes with limited electronics background, and by using discrete transistors, resistors, etc., the instruments are easy to fix. The transistors are all inserted in sockets (except a couple on the power supply) so they are easy to replace.

David

[don60]

And who knows--a youngster or not-so-youngster who starts out maintaining an old Schoeber might end becoming the next Jbird!

Jerry, I was sincere in my offer about the B-series Allen. I gather it is fairly close to you, and the seller is really motivated!

[MoeTrucker]

Don, wanted to make clear on something first...
If a classical style organ is functional, I don't think I'd have the heart to gut it...I'd be more inclined to grab it before someone could trash it - Oh, I was leaning hard that way!
With the over the road trucking I do, I have to look for something within a couple hrs from the house, otherwise I stand to lose a couple days work...Central Ohio would be at least 6 hrs away, but I do appreciate your help...
I'm willing to wait for the right one to come along...for now my Allen will keep me entertained nicely...