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A couple of months ago my church made an offer for some Walker Technical equipment. It was in a working organ at another church. We wanted to buy the Walker equipment to augment our small Estey organ. The other church hasn't figured out what they need to do, so things are in a holding pattern.
We've budgeted the money to add the Walker Technical sound module to our instrument. This was based on obtaining the module and speakers mentioned above at a particular price.
I've been combing the web for months to see what we can do if the other church decides not to sell the unit. Walker Technical prefers to work directly with the organ technicians. So getting any information is sketchy at best. Search engines point me to every kind of walker for the elderly you can imagine. There are also some engineering companies that use the name Walker. I've combed eBay and Craigslist. I found a music store that had some older Walker speakers. But they would be little use without the modules.
So here are some rambling questions - especially to the organ techs here:
1. The older Walker Tech module contained (I believe) up to 11 samples. Was this unit called the DP3, or something like that? These are pre-programed with 11 samples. But Walker told our Tech that they do not change the samples on used equipment. So we would be stuck with whatever sounds were already there. I think they could change the sounds, but this position encourages people to buy the newer modules.
What can you folks tell me about this unit?
Do any of you know ANYONE who has any of these for sale?
2. Our Tech says the newest Walker Technical sound module would cost in the neighborhood of $25,000. I think this was just for the sound module, not including amps, speakers, and certainly not the cost of installation. It also doesn't include the cost of having Walker come and do the final voicing. This, was his way of saying we couldn't afford it. I had the impression we were looking at $50,000 and up. And it does sound well beyond our budget. I've seen costs like $50,000 mentioned just to add a Walker setup for 32 foot pedal sounds. That's nothing short of obscene!
But the truth is that buying an older sound module that cannot be customized to our needs with older amps and speakers that may be marginal doesn't sound like a super wonderful plan either.
Can any of the organ techs here point me to used equipment or recommend other options? I think we could pay a bounty if the equipment led to our purchasing the equipment.
I generally try to know what I'm talking about. But there is so little info available to the unwashed masses on the Walker Technical stuff that I just don't feel like I do. I feel an obligation to give my church good advice. Our Organ Tech is adamant that Walker is the only way to go. Sticking a Hauptwerk package on there just doesn't seem practical. I don't think it can be folded into the Peterson based console.
I suspect Allen and Rodgers will want to sell us a digital organ and make it the heart of the organ - with our current pipes left in place for sentimental value. I have some members who would be revolted over such a possibility. Money was given in memory of family members. It would seem like a slap in the face.
I've looked at a Viscount sound module. But I don't have the impression that it sounds all that great. I can't recommend some sort of Rube Goldberg package that would totally confuse any organist that followed me there.
Someone at Walker has now created a Facebook page called Friends of Walker Organs. But this mainly seems to be a place where one of their agents or techs posts demos of arrangements played on Walker Instruments.
I know much of this reads like a rambling jumble. As you can tell, I'm frustrated. HELP!!! :'(
As always, any and all help, guidance, advice is appreciated.
Bach On
We've budgeted the money to add the Walker Technical sound module to our instrument. This was based on obtaining the module and speakers mentioned above at a particular price.
I've been combing the web for months to see what we can do if the other church decides not to sell the unit. Walker Technical prefers to work directly with the organ technicians. So getting any information is sketchy at best. Search engines point me to every kind of walker for the elderly you can imagine. There are also some engineering companies that use the name Walker. I've combed eBay and Craigslist. I found a music store that had some older Walker speakers. But they would be little use without the modules.
So here are some rambling questions - especially to the organ techs here:
1. The older Walker Tech module contained (I believe) up to 11 samples. Was this unit called the DP3, or something like that? These are pre-programed with 11 samples. But Walker told our Tech that they do not change the samples on used equipment. So we would be stuck with whatever sounds were already there. I think they could change the sounds, but this position encourages people to buy the newer modules.
What can you folks tell me about this unit?
Do any of you know ANYONE who has any of these for sale?
2. Our Tech says the newest Walker Technical sound module would cost in the neighborhood of $25,000. I think this was just for the sound module, not including amps, speakers, and certainly not the cost of installation. It also doesn't include the cost of having Walker come and do the final voicing. This, was his way of saying we couldn't afford it. I had the impression we were looking at $50,000 and up. And it does sound well beyond our budget. I've seen costs like $50,000 mentioned just to add a Walker setup for 32 foot pedal sounds. That's nothing short of obscene!
But the truth is that buying an older sound module that cannot be customized to our needs with older amps and speakers that may be marginal doesn't sound like a super wonderful plan either.
Can any of the organ techs here point me to used equipment or recommend other options? I think we could pay a bounty if the equipment led to our purchasing the equipment.
I generally try to know what I'm talking about. But there is so little info available to the unwashed masses on the Walker Technical stuff that I just don't feel like I do. I feel an obligation to give my church good advice. Our Organ Tech is adamant that Walker is the only way to go. Sticking a Hauptwerk package on there just doesn't seem practical. I don't think it can be folded into the Peterson based console.
I suspect Allen and Rodgers will want to sell us a digital organ and make it the heart of the organ - with our current pipes left in place for sentimental value. I have some members who would be revolted over such a possibility. Money was given in memory of family members. It would seem like a slap in the face.
I've looked at a Viscount sound module. But I don't have the impression that it sounds all that great. I can't recommend some sort of Rube Goldberg package that would totally confuse any organist that followed me there.
Someone at Walker has now created a Facebook page called Friends of Walker Organs. But this mainly seems to be a place where one of their agents or techs posts demos of arrangements played on Walker Instruments.
I know much of this reads like a rambling jumble. As you can tell, I'm frustrated. HELP!!! :'(
As always, any and all help, guidance, advice is appreciated.
Bach On
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