That 70's Allen

[Guest]

Wow, I have never seensuch a retro looking console; it does have 32 pedals though. Anyone know anything about this strange looking thing... Just caught my eye asstrange looking! I presume its some form of analogue theatre organmade by allensome 30 years ago or so. Maybe someonehas a space in their heart and housefor this uuuugly duckling[;)]</P>


http://albany.craigslist.org/for/639559091.html</P>


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[nullogik]

Re: That 70's Allen



My God! Thats a hideous looking thing, why anyone would want that in their house...I don't know. I wouldn't even take it if it were offered to me for free, let alone pay for it.</p>

Normally Allen produce some fine looking consoles, but someone must have left their sense of style at home when they designed this ugly thing.
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[NYCFarmboy]

Re: That 70's Allen

groooooovey...just need the following to go with it:






1974 AMC Gremlin's with the Levi jeans interior out in the driveway to go with it.

a moustache and heavy sideburns


Green or brown tinted smokey glassware.

light blue polyester leisure suit.

White patent leather shoes.

oh..and this poster:





(yes I grew up in the 70's)
;)

[JamesonC]

Re: That 70's Allen

Oh jeez, this one is easy guys!!! Allen Continental Carousel is the name of this one, it actually sounds pretty decent with the external "Gyro", Allens knock off of the leslie hooked up to it. Nice find, Mike!

[jbird604]

Re: That 70's Allen



Mike,</P>


Haven't seen the console version, but regularly service one of the spinet versions. I suppose Allen made very few of these (for good reason) but they are interesting. </P>


For one thing, they have "flying hammers" that give a very nice strumming or re-iteration effect on selected voices, such as the banjo and marimba. This effect is created mechanically by means of some spring-mounted lead weights on the contacts. These weights cause the contacts to "bounce" rhythmically when the note is struck. Of course this effect is disabled unless you turn on the appropriate voice.</P>


The tone generation is analog, but nothing like the cheap unit flute design of the T-12, etc. Instead, each manual has a full-length rank that has numerous voice trunks. The reeds, strings, and flutes are distinctive sounds. The compromise is that all voices are of necessity at 8' pitch only, though there are sub and super couplers.</P>


Another interesting feature is the"celeste tuning" tab, which spreads apart the tuning of the two manuals. Then when you couple one to the other you get a celeste without the added expense of a separate analog generator set. And any voice can be a celeste. This feature was carried over in a slightly different fashion to the earliest Allen digitals.</P>


So, ugly as it is, and odd-ball by modern standards, it is a unique little organ. A collector would prize it as a rare piece, and anyone could have a lot of fun with it.</P>


John</P>
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