Need Help Identifying organ

[AMDguy]

not sure where to post this, but this seems the best place for it...

I found an organ on craigslist for free, and it looks pretty decent. I emailed the "seller" (its free) and he told me that everything is in perfect working condition. From the pictures, I can make out that it is an Allen, but not much more than that. Under the bench, there are 2 expression pedals barely visible, and the pedalboard is 32 notes.

I have done a little bit of comparing, and it looks very close to an Allen ADC-1140, but the ADC-1140 has an extra "group" of stop tabs. Let me know what you think.


I currently have a Gulbransen Theatrum and I am looking to upgrade to something with a proper pedalboard.

Thanks,
Christian

[jbird604]

You're close. This is definitely an ADC series organ, since it's in the "T" console and has seven pistons (plus set and cancel) and a round little window on the right with a numeric display to tell you which piston is active. Also, I see it has a crescendo indicator with only two lamps, also a mark of the entry-level ADC models.

I'm inclined to call it either an ADC 430 (if the speakers are in the console) or ADC 530 (if it has no speakers in the console and requires two external speakers). These models were the only ones with crescendo pedals in the "3-digit" ADC series (actually they are "MADC" organs, since they have the flat board generator rather than the large horizontal cage of true ADC models).

And if this were an 1140 or 2140, which have identical consoles and a very similar look, it would indeed have an extra group of tabs, which were for the "Alterable" section (a sort of floating division for the card reader voices). The Alterables were not available on the 430/530, so that pretty much makes this pictured organ a 430 or 530 and not an 1140 or 2140.

Rather good little organ. True AGO pedals and console layout, so perfect for home practice if you need a genuine AGO layout. And a nice stop list with all the "essential" classical stops. There is a fair amount of borrowing, with certain stops used in more than one division, but the way it's done you don't really notice it. Everything works more or less as you'd expect on a good classical organ, except that vibrato and celeste tuning don't "couple" from one division to another. But that is really a minor quibble, hardly ever causing any problems for the typical player.

The sound is good, a step above the old MOS organ sound from the 70's. (These ADC models were made in the 80's.) The only drawback to the sound is that it is a little grainy when heard up close, as will be the case with one of these in a home, especially if it has speakers in the console. And the reverb is probably just a spring, so not a great deal of help from that either in sweetening up the sound. It is possible to substitute a digital reverb for the spring and get a more realistic ambiance, but you may or may not really need that.

Blind presets which may or may not be user settable (depending on the presence of an extra memory board) are not great, but are better than nothing for quickly making stop changes. Note that the tabs will NOT move to indicate the piston press, you'll only have the numbers in the little round window to tell you than a preset is active.

[andyg]

I've moved this to the correct section. Home Organs is for entertainment organs. John has given you plenty of info, but others looking at this section may be able to add to what he has told you. AndyG - Moderator

[John Vanderlee]

It's not clear, but seems to me the darker area under the key desk indicates grille cloth, thus internal speakers. The owner should know. Mind me asking how much?
John

[Larrytow]

When you go to the CL Ad and look at the photos, I think I see two Allen HC speakers sitting on top of the little Hammond organ . I gotta say that storing the pedalboard On Top of the organ is inventive, but not a method I would use - particularly with no blanket or padding between them !

Go grab it up !

[AMDguy]

It's not clear, but seems to me the darker area under the key desk indicates grille cloth, thus internal speakers. The owner should know. Mind me asking how much?
John

it is free!! Now to find a place in the house :)

[John Vanderlee]

Grab it! Worth the effort

[AMDguy]

ok, so a little update, I emailed agian, and he now told me that they want $1000 fot it. that seems a bit much, given that youo can get an ADC 2160 for that price:

https://www.--------/itm/Allen-ADC-2...EAAOSwElhdCnb0

[Larrytow]

Well, one is in California, the other one is in New Hampshire. We don't know where you are in relation to either one. Moving organs across the country is possible of course, but it can get expensive and / or time consuming. Kinda like real estate, location matters.

First you said the CL one was free; now you say they want 1K for it ? Not sure I would want to deal with a seller that raised the price just because you expressed interest in it. Most times I don't like to get any organ that I have not seen in person first. Sometimes they are not hooked up and playable, but you can tell enough usually to know whether you want a particular one or not if you go inspect it.

Just some things for you to consider - don't know if they are helpful.

[timnc]

Get it! Should be light enough for a couple of healthy backs and a pickup truck. Just tie it down well. They can tip in the back of a truck.

[myorgan]

ok, so a little update, I emailed agian, and he now told me that they want $1000 fot it. that seems a bit much, given that youo can get an ADC 2160 for that price:

https://www.--------/itm/Allen-ADC-2...EAAOSwElhdCnb0

Christian,

Please contact me if you need assistance with transporting the organ. I have sent you a PM.

Michael