Johannus Rembrandt 370PE or Sweelinck 20PE ?

[Guest]

Sorry to barge in here with a pedestrian inquiry, especially since I'm outranked by all the pro's who comment here. I am largely an amateur organist; but I enjoy having a home organ for its therapeutic effects when I'm in the mood to play (largely sacred music) and the digital reproduction of pipe organs is fascinating to me. Fact is, I have enjoyed my old 3-manual Rodgers 321 Trio since winning it on Ebay last December, an analog instrument from the late 1960's but still works perfectly. However, a Johannus dealer who needs to raise fast cash for a pending divorce is offering me seemingly extraordinary deals on some floor models he has in stock (including a full 7-yr warranty). I can quite affordably purchase a 2-manual Sweelinck 20PE, or for an additional $2500, a 3-manual Rembrandt 370PE. The Sweelinck has an optional and very realistic-looking pipe facade inside a cabinet that sits atop the console - for cosmetic appeal only, but quite interesting relative to visual effect. The Rembrandt is obviously a larger instrument, both in manuals and stops. Either model would require less space than my old Rodgers and would produce entirely different sounds from my old analog organ. Just wondering if anyone here has experience with either of these models, positive or otherwise. I've read some pretty disparaging threads here relative to Johannus quality, especially cabinetry, keyboard durability and audio reproduction; and those comments are causing me to have reservations. Any first-hand experience with either of these? Your comments and candor would be most appreciated.

[OrgansR4Me]

Re: Johannus Rembrandt 370PE or Sweelinck 20PE ?

Hi, Neighbor -- I'm up the coast in Port St Lucie. I don't have any experience with Johannus but found your question very interesting because I believe I followed the Ebay auction you mention. Did the organ come from the West Coast of Florida? I have a couple of digital instruments, but still love my analog instruments the best. And the reason I recall your auction is the RodgersTrio has been sort of the "holy grail" of my organ searches. There was one right here in Port St Lucie just a few weeks ago, but the price was high and there were some technical problems related to the owners move here from Atlanta. I think the big Rodgers theater will always be a prize collectible. Who can say about the future of a Johannus? My advice -- spend what you have keeping the Rodgers in top shape!

[jck56]

Re: Johannus Rembrandt 370PE or Sweelinck 20PE ?



Greetings,</P>
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I too am an amateur and humbled by the wisdom of the pro's on this Forum. I own a 2001 Johannus Opus 10, which is a lower grade model than the Rembrandt or the Sweelinck. My model has a similar pipe facade mounted on the organ. Regarding the organ and it's quality, I have been satisfied. For a practice organ at home, itwas a good buy for the money. It has been very reliable and the cabinetry has held up fine. There are a few things I wish that were different on it, but we all want more !</P>


Regarding the facade. That facade should come with speakers mounted in the cabinet. On my Opus 10, I have four speakers in the facade. I can switch to the four facade speakers, or internals, or both. The positive is the speakers in the facade are much better sounding than the internal. I only need to turn the volume less than a quarter turn and I can fill my house with sound. Combining both really fills the house. The negative side, that facade is very heavy. If you have to move it, it's a good 2 - 3 man lift. It weighs more than the Opus 10 (The better half at home does not like that thing on the console). If you are not on solid floor, you better have a weight bearing wall to place the console and facade. My personal preference would be to have externals mounted separately.</P>


Otherwise,my Johannus hasmet all my needs for a practice organ. The baroque intonationhas been very pleasing, and enhanceany of that literature that you may desire to play.</P>


Good Luck!</P>
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[Guest]

Re: Johannus Rembrandt 370PE or Sweelinck 20PE ?

Thanks very much, neighbor. The Rodgers Trio that I won was probably the one you recall seeing on Ebay last December. It was owned by a dealer in Ft. Myers. I got it for the minimum bid, plus $250 for him to deliver and install it, plus $300 for a Leslie 125 (which I really didn't need, but I enjoy having additional audio coming from the other side of the room even w/o the rotational effect when the rotor is engaged ... a feature I rarely use). All in all, the organ is absolutely perfect in terms of operation and costmetics. I suspect this dealer, who really seems to know his stuff, refurbished much of it as it had been stored unused in a synagogue before he purchased it. The dealer is also the Johannus distributor who really needs to sell some of his new Johannus units at or below cost. I believe the latter is actually the case as the initial brochures I had from him last winter on Johannus instruments had prices that are, in many cases, twice what he is now asking for them. And he was certainly reputable and responsive in our interactions on the Rodgers/Ebay purchase. If I buy a Johannus, it will entail trading in my Rodgers. Realistically, I don't have space for two organs (don't really have space for one!) but I am quite attached to this big old organ now. So it's a tough decision and one which I wouldn't be considering if he weren't having something of a "fire sale." So thanks for confirming the value of the Rodgers theatre organ which I have ... and which I may ultimately keep if I decide against a Johannus. Let me know if you're ever in Lauderdale and you'll be welcome to see and demo whatever I have here!

[Guest]

Re: Johannus Rembrandt 370PE or Sweelinck 20PE ?



Thanks very much for this helpful info, Jerry. I had wondered about the weight, function and utility of the pipe facades available on some of the Johannus units. They're certainly aesthetically appealing; but I also like the draw stops and three manuals of the Rembrandt. My house is one-story on a slab (ceramic tile floors) so weight-bearing isn't an issue, thankfully.</p>


I have cd's recorded for all of the Johannus organs and I'm trying to make a selection without driving to Ft. Myers (across the state, 3-4 hours away). I know some may fault me for that, and that's one of the reasons I've posed this question here about the differences between the Sweelinck and Rembrandt models. This dealer, needing to reduce his inventory asap, is also willing to deliver and install w/o charge. If I buy the Sweelinck, he throws in a Yamaha MDF2 MIDI; and if I choose the Rembrandt, he includes a MDF3 MIDI sequencer. Anyone have any experience with either? </p>

Thanks again for your info on the Opus model, Jerry.
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