Allen console design

[organman95]

Have a rather odd question.

Couple observations I've made over the years. The MDS-80/81S has all stops and couplers on drawknobs in their respectful divisions. Power switch and expression indicators on left jamb.
Now, all other models post-MDS, even if it was blank across top manual, had power and expression indicators above manual instead of on the jamb. And on the AP-12 and AP-20, the power is above top manual, but expression indicators on right jamb.

What in the world is with the different design above the top manual? Very odd and inconsistent, especially on the two AP models.

Oh, and Protégé used to have the CC in the drawer...why was it moved out of the drawer??

[jbird604]

I'd venture to guess that the CC was moved out of the drawer just to save a little money on production costs. It sure isn't an improvement otherwise. The buttons are vulnerable to having liquids spilled into them, as well as general debris falling down into the switches and causing trouble. I guess the case could be made that it's slightly easier to read the display when you don't have to turn all the way to the side to see it.

And the differences between various models regarding what is or is not located above the top manual could be due to little more than the whims of the engineers. Obviously, with all the controls of the organ multiplexed and going through the same ribbon cables on the way to the MN board, it doesn't matter where they are located or how they are laid out.

If I could design a custom Allen console, I'd not have any controls above the top keyboard, and I'd have the music desk built into the console right there, with the bottom of the music just higher than the top keyboard. That would work SO much better with my bifocals than having the music rack suspended in space up there somewhere, forcing me to roll my head back to read the notes!

[organman95]

If I could design a custom Allen console, I'd not have any controls above the top keyboard, and I'd have the music desk built into the console right there, with the bottom of the music just higher than the top keyboard. That would work SO much better with my bifocals than having the music rack suspended in space up there somewhere, forcing me to roll my head back to read the notes!

Other than the rack not built-in to the console, that is basically the design of the MDS-80/81-S (which aren't those basically the same model??)

[toodles]

Allen has never adopted a completely consistent approach to console layout; as an example, the 1st drawknob T consoles (ADC-3100 and ADC-3160) had the Trem for the swell on the coupler rail, but the trem for the Great was a drawknob; the Swell control was placed on the rail obviously because there was not space for another drawknob; but the Great trem could have also been place on the rail for consistency.

The layout mentioned on the MDS-80 is yet another example.

I suspect that in the MDS-80 case, since the music rack is lower than Allen usually places it, it made more sense to move the couplers to the division jamb locations; the power and indicator might also be on the jamb because there isn't a lot of space between the top keyboard and the bottom of the music rack, making for a little awkward access and visibility.

As JBird indicates, I'm sure the console controllers were moved out of the drawers (where it was done) to save a few bucks in manufacturing cost, just like some of the CC's have gone to a 2 pushbutton design--again, likely to save some money.

[Piperdane]

. . . That would work SO much better with my bifocals than having the music rack suspended in space up there somewhere, forcing me to roll my head back to read the notes!

I had this problem before my cataract surgery. I bought a cheap pair of drug store readers and wore those when playing at the console - no more crinked neck. After cataract surgery I no longer need any corrective lenses to read music - yea! These days I mostly use an iPad Pro 12.9 for my music scores.

[myorgan]

I had this problem before my cataract surgery. I bought a cheap pair of drug store readers and wore those when playing at the console - no more crinked neck. After cataract surgery I no longer need any corrective lenses to read music - yea! These days I mostly use an iPad Pro 12.9 for my music scores.

My wife did the same thing for Symphony, and she swears by those cheap glasses! At least there's no line. I just remove my glasses to play, and will continue to do that until I can't see the music clearly any more. My tri-focals (aka progressive lenses) were a waste--they didn't listen to me when I said I didn't want any correction for the reading. "But we have a formula we need to follow. Try that first, then if it doesn't work, we'll do it again. So, for the last 5-6 years, I've just needed to remove my glasses except when driving.

Michael

[Schnarrwerk]

I remember the first trifocals I had, with larger lenses than average. The ends of the pedalboard, in the corners of my peripheral vision, were grossly distorted. Drove me nuts till I got used to it.

[jbird604]

I'm almost ready to take a saw and remodel that Allen console at church. The music desk is too high up and too close for me to see the music with my regular glasses on, too far away to see it without any glasses (which is how I play at home). And with my shoulder injuries and surgeries from last year still limiting my upper arm movements, I have to nearly stand up on the pedalboard to turn pages.

Sure would love to have a built-in music desk, like the ones I see on many Wicks consoles, with the music just an inch or two above the swell manual. I could really work with that!

[toodles]

Unlike Allen, Rodgers often used music rack hinges attached to the stop rail, which lowers the music rack by a couple of inches. The hinges allow the rack to fold down underneath the roll top, and puts the music in a better spot.

When I went to bifocals, for a long time I got separate "computer glasses" which gave me a focus distance that worked well for organ and piano playing--music was in focus out to the pedals, so it was a good range. That's always an option, but won't help with the shoulders.

But I'm with you--I think a music desk just above the keys makes really good sense.

[myorgan]

Sure would love to have a built-in music desk, like the ones I see on many Wicks consoles, with the music just an inch or two above the swell manual. I could really work with that!

John,

For one of my organs, I removed the 3 screws holding the lucite music rack to the hinge, and screwed 3 more holes 1.5" to 2" higher. The lady that plays the organ regularly is less than 5' tall, and can't see that high. Doing so moved the music so she can read it, and reach it at the same time. She's also pleased she can actually see the conductor now rather than having a wooden music rack in the way.

Michael

P.S. I also had to move the latch the same distance closer to the music rack so it would latch.