That is probably a photo from the ad for it. Likely the ONLY photo in the ad ! Most people that are trying to re-home an organ ( especially a free one ) seem to have no clue that details matter to folks who might be interested. Rather poor marketing practice, considering that organs are items that need planning to move. I'm no help with an ID either, since I don't know much about that brand.
My best guess is mid 80's to early 90's from late analog to very early digital. If it plays fine would make good home practice instrument.
Could be a good candidate for Hauptwerk if early digital. Contact the factory via their website and send them the picture, they will know exactly what it is, especially if you have the serial # which is found under the kneeboard on a sticker.
Probably worth checking out, Jon. It looks like the console is fairly slender, thus more likely to fit through your door than many others. I "think" the stop tabs are mechanical rockers, not lighted, which might make it pretty old. The pistons are definitely an older style, rounded or flat on top instead of concave like modern pistons. But the finish looks quite good, so it may be in great shape all around.
If it's more than about 25 years old, the sound could be unexciting. It was (IMHO) around the late nineties when Johannus sort of got it all together and started building better-sounding organs with sturdier hardware and cases. There's even a chance this is digital from around the year 2000, which would be pretty decent-sounding.
These consoles tend to be less bulky than Allen and Rodgers, so possibly easier to move. Since it's free, I see no reason not to check it out. Could be just what you're looking for.
John
---------- *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!
Thanks for the info everyone. This is the only other picture. Don't know if it's very helpful. You're right about the free organ listings. Most aren't very in depth. This ad does mention it was used by a young organ student who left for college, so the parents are giving the organ away. So it sounds like it is a working instrument.
This Johannus organ looks to be either an Opus 230 or an Opus 260. They were made in early 80s to later 80s. They were analog, divider type organs, so the tone sorta sounded clarinetty.
This organ would have pre-dated MIDI.
I can't say I liked the tone much. These organs sounded better with an external speaker hooked to them. As to reliability, key contact issues were an issue, and also stop lamps
The price is right if you like these type of organs.
FYI, Johannus started building digital organs around 1990. There were also some kind of MIDI kits available for late 1980s Johannus analog organs.
If it is close enough for you to go visit, I would say you should do that. Don't need to decide if you are going to take it right at that point, but then you will know what model it is for sure. And you can see if it sounds good enough for your purposes. If it is analog, adding reverb might help the sound ? Probably not a hard job to do.
That console looks sorta deep, so you can measure it then too - make sure it will fit where you are thinking of putting it. You can also see what sort of materials were used to build the console - it almost looks like real wood in those photos ?
You can also see how hard it will be to remove the Johannus nameplate from between the manuals ! I get companies being proud of their products and all, but that large of a nameplate, in that position, and bright gold color, is WAY overdone in my view. It's funny how a little detail like a nameplate style and size can make an entire console look cheesy and cheap, but that was my first opinion of it.
In these days of fairly easily found cheap or free organs, I will remind you that just grabbing them up even if you have no use for, or don't really like them, can be a real temptation. If you go visit it and test it out, and Don't like it ( or see potential in it ), then it is best to leave it where it is. No sense making someone else's disposal problem your problem instead.
Regards, Larry
At Home : Yamaha Electones : EX-42 ( X 3 !!! ), E-5AR, FX-1 ( X 2 !! ), US-1, EL-25 ( Chopped ). Allen 601D, ADC 6000D. Lowrey CH32-1. At Churches I play for : Allen Q325 ( with Vista ), Allen L123 ( with Navigator ). Rodgers 755. 1919 Wangerin 2/7 pipe organ.
Hello Arie and Larry,
Thanks for your insight! Amazingly the organ is taken already! It was only listed on facebook marketplace for one day! I'm actually okay with that, as it seems like there are better options out there.
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