Identify Rodgers organ...?

[rjsilva]

I don't have a photo, but can someone make a guess as to the model of Rodgers organ based on description?

It looks very similar to an 805, including the screen on the right side of the manuals. Unlike the 805 it has a power switch on the left side of the manuals. There are 10 lighted rocker tabs for the pedals, 15 for swell, 11 for great, and four other ones to the right of great. It has about 29 stops. A notable difference between this and the 805 is that this one has no toe studs and two expression pedals. It also has a lot less pistons and I think only 5 generals.

Any guesses? I've been searching and searching and can't seem to figure it out.

[jbird604]

The model number should be on a plate or sticker underneath the keyboard desk. Could be any of several models from the PDI or Trillium lines.

[rjsilva]

Thanks jbird! Good organ? There's a church giving it away for free and I'm trying to get one of my students to get it for a practise instrument. Except it's two+ hours away and I can't actually go and see it.

[jbird604]

Probably a decent organ, though "free" is the right price. Without knowing the model number it's impossible to know exactly what it is. Could even be one of the Rodgers models with the potential pink glue problem that renders the organ unrepairable. And most any organ over 20 years old will have foam speakers that need rebuilding, along with other maintenance, upgrading, refurbishing. It might or might not be currently playable, so your student may have to spend some money up front, but getting a genuine American-built AGO console for free, even if it requires some work, is not a bad deal. Even if it has pink glue, the console shell and the pedal board are of high quality and ought to be worth retrieving. I've seen a few pink glue organs that kept on playing for years once the blobs of glue were scraped away whenever they appeared.

[D1gichip]

The dripping epoxy syndrome is repairable, by the way. It isn't really easy, but can be done and the fix is permanent. The larger problem is the key contacts are not available. so when they fail, now you are in trouble.

[rjsilva]

I remember reading about the pink glue issue and I wondered if this model is in that timeframe. I did lots of searching, guessing potential Rodgers organ model numbers, but realised the model numbers are all over the map :) I was thinking it might be a lesser version of the 805 because it's really similar but with less generals, etc.

The owner claims it works 'perfectly'. I wish it were closer so I could check it out...

[ahlborn]

Probably is a Rodgers 751

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/share...el_751_eng.pdf

[rjsilva]

That's it! Thank you ahlborn.

Is this model past the pink goo stage?

[ahlborn]

This model is from the late 90s, probably the keyboards supplied by Roland have potential pink glue syndrome.
However, I think John Bird can give more precise information.

[jbird604]

The 751's we see here don't have the pink glue. Probably ok.

[D1gichip]

There is also a white glue in Rodgers keyboards. It's almost worse than the pink one.

[rjsilva]

My student went to see the organ and will be picking it up next week :) Hopefully the church won't give it away in the meantime (they said they'd hold it). I'm really excited for him.

Interestingly, the console was apparently was using much older speakers. They have tube amps in the speakers.

[D1gichip]

If those are Rodgers tube amplifiers, they are worth some money online. It would have been the ONLY amplifier Rodgers ever built as a tube type. It was an A-40. It was actually a very nice amplifier!! Sounds like a very old organ if this has Rodgers tube amps on it. In any case, ANY tube type amplifier is worth a LOT of money on eBay! Don't toss them out.

[rjsilva]

Thanks D1gichip :) The organ is actually from the late-90's or 2000. That's what's curious about the tube amps. Maybe they kept the speakers from an old installation when they upgraded the organ.

[JJSPenfl10]

Rjsilva is this the organ listed in Paterson, NJ? If so it looks in good condition and your student is very fortunate!

[rjsilva]

Yes he is very fortunate! The ‘seller' apparently said he'd take the listing down since my student will be picking it up sometime this week, so hopefully he doesn't end up missing out.

[JJSPenfl10]

I inquired for the church I attend but the giving church did not respond. I saw this thread and understood why. It's an excellent practice instrument and I'll admit to being a bit jealous.

[rjsilva]

For anyone interested, my student picked up the organ today after extended difficulty scheduling it. Turns out it works perfectly, and it even has built-in speakers which is a huge bonus for his house. He is extremely excited!

Sounds pretty decent through the built-in speakers. Even the full ensemble sounded surprisingly good. I can only wonder how much better it'd sound through external speakers and more channels.