Allen TC-1

[Guest]

Ok so there is an Allen TC-1 going around locally for $300. I realize this organ is REALLY old, but how are they, as far as a suitable practice instrument. I've never seen or played one, so I figured I would ask you guys, since I'm sure you have some experience. Thanks</P>

[MarkS]

Re: Allen TC-1



The TC-1 usually has a "princess" pedalboard. The transition to an AGO pedalboard will make you crazy.</P>


A larger, AGO console was an option so you may want to check it out just in case.</P>


If it's not the AGO console move on. Youdeserve a decent instrument for practice.</P>
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1957 Allen C3</P>

[CDDuBois]

Re: Allen TC-1

In August 2006 I purchased an Allen TC-1 from a church in southern California. I wondered for most of a year why I was having so much trouble playing the pedals. Then I learned that my TC-1 had a Princess Pedalboard. A standard AGO pedalboard has pedal lengths of 27 inches, but the Princess pedals measure only about 21 and a half inches long. So in August 2007 I purchased from a private owner an Allen TC-4, which has a standard AGO pedalboard. I am much happier, not only with the pedalboard, but with the additional pistons, the setterboards, the additional reed generator, the 32 foot flute stop in the pedals (that has oscillators all the way to the bottom, not a resultant bottom octave), the Mixture II stops on Swell and Pedal, the roll top, etc. So I would recommend that you look for something else than the TC-1. I've come across several nice organs here in California, some even for give-away, that I have recommended to needy churches. Just search on the web for craigslist+"allen organ" or craigslist+"rodgers organ" or craigslist+"church organ". You will likely find some nice instruments available in Florida or on the east coast that you would be pleased with. CarlD

[Guest]

Re: Allen TC-1

I've also found a TC-1 for sale locally, and I'm planning to see it on Monday. I've only seen a small picture of it at this point, and I noticed it has a concave pedalboard. I was wondering if all princess pedalboards are flat, or if the TC-1 non-AGO pedalboard is concave. I might just call back and have the seller measure the pedals if it'll save me an unnecessary trip out to the suburbs.

[soundboarddude]

Re: Allen TC-1



Princess pedalboards aren't "flat", they're just smaller, perhaps a little less concaved and radiating.</p>

I have a TC organ (I'm sorry, I can't remember if it's a TC1 or TC15), but it has two tone generators and a princess pedalboard. I didn't find the pedalboard to be a problem, unless I was playing really big literature that has larger pedal parts. But for hymns and pieces that don't have very many pedal notes in them, it's perfectly fine. My only qualm with it is that the pedal division is pretty weak - it only has 5 stops.</p>

I'm not convinced it would be worth $300 (on top of the time and hassle to move it). I got mine for free, and I think that's about how much they're worth!
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[MarkS]

Re: Allen TC-1



If it has two generators (flute and diapason) it's a TC1. If it has one generator (flute) with a few extra 8' voices on the swell it's a T15.</P>


A princess pedalboard will prove very frustrating for serious practice.</P>

[CDDuBois]

Re: Allen TC-1



I bought my TC-1 for $10 and gave it away a year later because I couldn't find a buyer. It had three tone generators: Flute, Diapason, and Celeste. The Trumpet and Clarinet stops (Great only) were synthetic. The princess pedalboard was radiating and concave, but narrower and shorter front-to-back than AGO. The pedal length will quickly tell you if it is genuine AGO: 27 inches on the center E or F pedals, whereas the princess was only about 21 and 1/2 inches. The princess also has undersize and differently-shaped sharps.
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I bought my TC-4 for $350 and then learned that the next-to-last owner gave it away because he couldn't find a buyer. So the man I bought it from made a nice profit. It has four tone generators: Flute, Diapason, Celeste, and Reed (Trumpet). As I described in an earlier post, I like its AGO pedalboard, 16 live (not blind) pistons (12 are settable via setter boards; the other 4 are collectives and also have toe studs), Mixture II's on Pedal and Swell, and 32 foot Flute stop (not resultant) on the Pedal. The Trumpet (16 and 8 on the Pedal, 16, 8 and 4 on the Swell, 8 on the Great) really rocks, but the Great Clarinet is synthetic. For these and several other reasons, I can't imagine ever going back to a TC-1.
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[saudade]

Re: Allen TC-1

My first classical organ was a TC1. The pedalboard was too small for my feet but I perservered for 10 years or more, then I got an ago board from another Allen and switched it, had to raise the organ up to go over it. Same connections but kind of a weird arrangement. The case isn't as wide as an ago pedalboard. All flutes, as you can see with the hood opened. 16 to 1 with the mutations. I liked it a lot, at one time had it hooked to my leslie 720, sounded like a Hammond on fast tremolo.I could see it make a diapason with a flute and overtone, synthetic clarinet with flute and 2 2/3, and a funny'string diapason' that engaged all the flutes, was like full organ. I wouldn't want another one with the better vintage Allen analogs so cheap these days, but if it was all I could find and convenient and cheap or free I'd take it. I've always played on different sized pedalboards, there is some getting used to it; flat vs concace, princess vs ago; Some organs around me now in little churches have non standard consoles and pedalboards, and with some warm up and pedal exercises the feet seem to learn the new distances.

[MikeOf Bonsall]

I just bought a TC-1 from rural east San Diego for $175. I got it because the TC-1 has a solid classical looking console and this one had the AGO pedalboard. The tone generators are first generation and will of course go to the dump but it is so easy to add new midi keyboards with pistons and to wire the pedalboard to them and I believe for about $4K there will be a fine virtual pipe organ that will sound better than a new Allen.

[MikeOf Bonsall]

I'm updating to say I kept the TC-1 keyboards as wiring then to midi cards was quite easy. Save the amp and speakers my total investment will be about $1100 for and organ as in my signature. What a cheap way for great music. These old TC-1s are great consoles for building on. Just don't get the princess pedalboard.