Advice Requested Regarding Rodgers 840 Windsor

[NE Shepherd]

I have continued to search for a "new" practice organ. My minimum requirement is an AGO pedalboard. I looked into two Rodgers organs but both had sticky keys and I don't want to deal with pink glue. I am now very interested in a Rodgers 840 Windsor. It has been used in a church that has gone contemporary and no longer needs an organ. They say it is in excellent condition. It does, of course, have an AGO pedalboard but it also has the extra bonus of 3 manuals. I searched the forum and saw a discussion regarding Midi and the 840. The picture of this organ does not show any pistons to the left of the keys, so I assume it doesn't have Midi? If it is in excellent condition, then I would be happy to play it, as is, for as long as it works. My husband and I are going to see this organ. Could you suggest anything in particular that I should look for? They said it comes with "2 small and 1 large speaker." Any thoughts on that?
Thanks so much for your help!
Renae

[toodles]

The standard complement of speakers for an 840 instrument is 6 speakers--1 for the subwoofer, and 5 for the main channels, so perhaps this church mixed down the channels or there are speakers that they don't know about.

As you suggest, it probably does not have the MIDI option intalled, but it is a fairly complete instrument. The keys would be Laukhuff wooden core keys of high quality with ebony sharps. The shape of the expression shoes indicates early production--which probably doesn't matter at all except for the shape of the expression shoes, and, perhaps, the output panel connectors--both are unimportant as to functioning of the instrument.

This era has batteries to maintain the combination action memory as well as some of the programmable functions, and they might need replacement--as batteries go, the are expensive, but not prohibitive. Maybe $15 to $30.

It should be a good bargain for you. Take a tape measure and check the depth of the console--mine was less than the specified depth, and you will need to make sure that it will fit through your door.

Brochure: 840.pdf

[myorgan]

At the risk of sounding jealous-nice instrument! I'd love to have it if I didn't have so many Allens. No one has stated yet whether it is analog or digital. If it is analog, you'll have a tough time lifting it because of all the internal boards. I just checked the Mother Organ List, and it appears it's oscillator rather than digital.

This wouldn't make a bad first organ for practice. The only issue you'll have is down-sizing to a smaller console if required. I ran into that yesterday while giving a lesson on a 2mp small Rodgers 525. I was attempting to explain to the student (church organist-her church organ) the purpose of the various choruses on each manual, and there was no Flute chorus on the Swell!:-P It makes it a bit difficult to teach proper registration without the stops necessary.

However, on this organ, I daresay you won't have that problem! Good find!

Michael

[Dewey643]

I just acquired a late 1980's Rodgers Essex 640! It was given to me by the Methodist church I now belong to. Organ is in really nice condition,...plays nicely,and the manuals feel really nice! For an organ with built-in speakers,it doesn't tire my ears out being that close!

[NE Shepherd]

Thank you both! I had them measure it, but I will check it in person as well. I imagine we could figure out speaker options. I am very thankful for the battery information! Is there anything special we need to do if we have to put it on its end to get in the door?

Renae

[toodles]

Provided that the internal circuit racks are properly tied down, there is no problem to turn this organ on its side for moving--though that is not usually necessary.

The organ is an analog design, but this is part of the very last analog organs that Rodgers designed, and the sound is quite good. The reeds are particularly good to my ears. it uses LED stop tabs, so each one acts like a reversible piston--push on, push off. It takes a little bit to get used to that, but it makes the combination action completely silent, which is quite nice.

[John Vanderlee]

Here's a comment on your 840. I have a friend who has a 4/23 Wurlitzer pipe organ in his house. He is very picky. He added an 840 to his collection as he needed something for his liturgical practice!

[jbird604]

Rather decent analog organ! We service several of these in churches around here, and they all sound quite good. It's "big" of course. I would certainly ask the church to look around for the rest of the speakers. As toodles mentions, it needs SIX cabinets, and unless they had a tech do some very custom audio tinkering, you won't hear nearly all the stops if half the speakers are missing.

But this one is far better than the dinky little Wurlitzer C200 you saw, and much better than the small digital Rodgers organs you saw with sticking keys (which is nearly a fatal problem now, given that there are exactly ZERO replacement keyboards available).

[toodles]

Be aware that on this organ, the swell Festival Trumpet 8 never has tremulant, and the Vox Humana 8 always has tremulant. This is inherent to its design. The Vox tremulant is internally adjustable, if you find it too heavy or too light.

[Larrytow]

I agree with everyone else - that is a very nice organ for you ! WAY better than that C200 you asked about. I play a Rodgers 755 occasionally ( 2m, but similar tone generation technology ), and it really sounds good for an analog organ.

Obviously it is a large console, but it is also heavy. Moving it may be a chore for you, but that consideration can work in your favor when you get to discussing the price of it. Lots of people might not have room in their home for such a big console, but if you do, go for it ( if it works well when you visit it of course ).

As myorgan mentioned, having such a nice organ of your own can indeed sorta spoil you when you have to play smaller ones. However, it is my belief that every organist should own at least one nice big 3 manual.