Wurlitzer model 25?

[steverose]

Is anybody familiar with this model of Wurlitzer? It is in a church and has a straight stop tab rail, not horseshoe. I am being told it is from the 1950's and has several speaker cabinets. Didn't find that model number while searching. It is a full AGO console. The slide out music rack looks neat.

[tucsondave]

Jan's organ list shows the Model 25, keyed reed organ, as being built in 1945.

td

[steverose]

Well today I visited the doomed church that houses this gem and checked it out for myself, and it was quite the experience. I was told by the contact at the church that it had been played last week at the final service so I knew it was at least working going into it. I spent some time playing and exploring trying to document as much as possible with my camera. Then I headed off to find the guy who let me in and tell him I would be in touch soon. He mentioned that he forgot there were some organ parts in the back corner of the old choir loft but he wasn't sure that it was from the same organ but whatever was there would be thrown in with the organ if the buyer wanted. I climbed up the stairs to the loft and checked out the pile, and much to my amazement what was there was a nearly complete second model 25 minus any casework. There were two manuals, stoprail, pedals, swell shoes, amps, all saved for spares I would guess. Check out the photo album I made.

http://flic.kr/s/aHskHUh5iG

[james]

I am amazed to see a model 25 looking this as well as this one does. It is a shame the church is going to be torn down, but you will have a rare gem in this organ. It sure has been taken good care for a good number of years. I wonder why is this church going to be demolished?

I played on a model 50 a few times, but not for any service. It was in the local Catholic church for years, and was in need of plenty of work on it. I have no idea where it went when they purchased a Saville Organ in the late 70's. In the early 90's the Saville Organ was replaced with a small unit Reuter Pipe Organ.

I do remember that Wurlitzer had a great sound, and I'm sure this one is from the same time. BTW Those pics are sure a nice job. Also apparently that church was going to make sure they had plenty of parts on hand if needed. I can't blame them for the great sound this organ could do for a church. Wurlitzer knew what a great theater organ sound was as well as certainly what a good church organ should sound like. How I wished the church where I played at the time had a Wurlitzer reed model.

BTW I think I am correct one of the off/on switches turn on the blower, and the other one the amp. I remember seeing this arrangement on the model 50 the first time I saw it. I thought well almost Hammond like yet a bit far apart. Apparently I turned on the correct one first which was the one on the left.

I do remember one time when some visited the church where I played, and the young girl in the family was learning to play the organ and doing really well. They were from the South Texas area, and I remember her Mom saying the Wurlitzer in their church had two switches to start it going when you played it. This latter incident was awhile before I had the chance to play the model 50. BTW The church where I played, and her aunt attended had a Hammond C3.

James

[Dean DeMartin]

Dear pianissimo....
I purchased and now safely sits in my home in Michigan is that beautiful Wurlitzer 25! I named him RUDOLPH.
Drove to Rochester NewYork twice, and moving her and driving it home was a bear!
She weighs about as much as the Titanic!
Also saved and retrieved all the extra parts hidden in the choir loft.
Hopefully may be able to save other like reed organs with these parts.
I've been cleaning her up and is in beautiful condition.
My audio file organ tech buddies say, I need to replace all 35 caps to be safe!
presently awaiting an opening from my audio organ tech for a complete electronic whatever she needs.
She will be pampered and spoiled in this house!
the reeds seem to all be in great shape, played it without the amplification, every stop works well.
unfortunatly the tone cabinet was sold and stripped for parts...so am in search for a series 40 tone cabinet.
Hope to post photos of her soon.....
Played this exact model as a teenage organist growing up in AllenPark Michigan, I can't believe and really happy to have one sitting in my home, I believe she's kind or rare. Well she's safe for a little while any way.....
happy to hear from any one about this organ...
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Michael

[musikfan]

Very cool! I'd love to hear what this organ sounds like!

[james]

Please make a recording of this great organ. You might show how the individual stops sound as well in combinations.

James

[BaconByte]

Dear pianissimo....
I purchased and now safely sits in my home in Michigan is that beautiful Wurlitzer 25! I named him RUDOLPH.
Drove to Rochester NewYork twice, and moving her and driving it home was a bear!
She weighs about as much as the Titanic!
Also saved and retrieved all the extra parts hidden in the choir loft.
Hopefully may be able to save other like reed organs with these parts.
I've been cleaning her up and is in beautiful condition.
My audio file organ tech buddies say, I need to replace all 35 caps to be safe!
presently awaiting an opening from my audio organ tech for a complete electronic whatever she needs.
She will be pampered and spoiled in this house!
the reeds seem to all be in great shape, played it without the amplification, every stop works well.
unfortunatly the tone cabinet was sold and stripped for parts...so am in search for a series 40 tone cabinet.
Hope to post photos of her soon.....
Played this exact model as a teenage organist growing up in AllenPark Michigan, I can't believe and really happy to have one sitting in my home, I believe she's kind or rare. Well she's safe for a little while any way.....
happy to hear from any one about this organ...
--------------------------------------------------
Email removed to prevent spam.

This thread is 6 months old. People can use the Private Message system to contact another member. It is best to only provide personal information in the Private Message area to those you trust.

Michael

Allen park is not all that far from me. You should post a video of the organ once you're done. I always wanted to hear how one sounds. And also check out the Senate Theater if you ever want to play a Wurlitzer pipe organ since you'd only be about a half hour away!

[steverose]

Well thank goodness this organ got removed in time. I was planning a drive up there this week to see if demolition had begun.

[Dean DeMartin]

Thanks to you Steve....your photos brought my attention to the organ!
if ever in the metro Detroit area...drop on by!

[lcid]

Wurlitzer Orgatron Series 25 saved

So glad your Wurlitzer Series 25 "Rudolph" has been rescued and will be loved and played with. I have the Series 20 which has a more detailed console; insides are identical/similar (I think). If I can answer any questions about the instrument, I'll be glad to help. I do have a service manual with schematics and I believe these books are still available; someone on this forum has that information. My amplifier was recapped in C1986. The rectifier was repaired about seven years later. I did have the matching Model 40 tone cabinet at one time, but donated it along with my Series 50 (had a much smaller number of reeds) to a church when I moved. Please let all of us know how things go for you with some pictures. Enjoy and have fun!

[Dean DeMartin]

Lloyd, Found your full response....
thank you .......RUDOLPH sends you his best....after the electronic re capping and etc....will try to post a you tube of the playing instrument .....
If you hear of the matching tone cabinet..let me know....
Have a good and restful Winter!

[Dean DeMartin]

Ps....Steve...
while at the doomed church....I saw the stripped out tone cabinet high above the sanctuary....
tried to get it down....but was pritty exhausted and had not the courage or strength left to ask the 4 helpers sent to help me, to get the cabinet down. After the moving and bringing her up to the truck we were all beat! The television program "shipping wars" should have been there to film the event of moving that monster! I believe moving her from its organ pit...actually due to its tremendous girth and weight reshifted the earths axis a slight degree! All I can remember during its move was this one guy constantly yelling "watch your fingers guys!" ...............Often I wish I wasn't an artist!
How did they ever ship and place these things during Wurlitzers glory days!
thanks again....Dean.

[james]

Dean,

I sure envy you have this organ. What kind of speakers do you plan to use with this organ? I have studied these ES organs for years, and when much younger I played on a model 50 a few times so I know how they function. I have written several articles on here regarding the Wurlitzer ES organs, and will always find these interesting for church and classical work.

I look forward to hearing this organ in the future.

James

[Dean DeMartin]

Hi James....
Im presently at the advisement of my Hifi audio organ tech, not having the original series40 tone cabinet will have to adopt an alternative voice for the organ, possibly another compatable cabinet. I have extra amps and 2 speaker cabinets from a Rogers organ from the 80's...wonder if that may work? Guess I'll know when the recapping and renovation of the amps hopefully begins soon.
any suggestions?
thanks
Dean.