Can you ID this Lowrey?

[jeffires00]

Hi, I am a trumpet player, so I do not have extensive knowledge about organs, but I do appreciate them. Someone has offered to give me the one pictured here, but I cannot ID it from image search. I'd like to bring it home and play with it, and use it for band rehearsals as we have a keyboard player who could play it. I would also like it in my house for aesthetic reasons.

Here is what I would like to know:

What model Lowery is this?
Appx when was it built? (I'm guessing early 1960s)
Does it operate on vacuum tubes?
What are all the buttons on the lower left cheek block? (chord buttons?)

Any information on this model would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time

[myorgan]

jeffires00,

I cannot identify the organ because I cannot see the photos--even on your link. However, if the organ is truly from the 1960s, it almost certainly uses vacuum tubes. You can search for Lowrey TBO, DSO (didn't have buttons), TLO, etc.

I hope that helps get you started. The chord buttons on the left are certainly a key to the identification.

Michael

Michael

[jeffires00]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your response. The images show in the preview - let me see if I can get them to appear...



https://imgur.com/a/HaSIth6



https://imgur.com/nHudHu5


Thanks,
Jeff

[andyg]

Photobucket stopped allowing links to photos stored with them some time ago. So you've found an alternative.

This organ is a rare one, with that chord button unit. The model name is Holiday, the model designation is LSC-Duo Chord and the year is 1960. All tube driven. Will no doubt need some serious work done, unless it's recently been overhauled. It does look good, but that's no guarantee that everything will be OK inside, so it's worth asking about its service history. Certain parts, like electrolytic capacitors, will have deteriorated after 58 years, and should be replaced. The neon bulbs used for keying can be hard to source, there are a couple of Lowrey groups that may know where to get things. Once fixed, you'll have a bit of Lowrey history, no value on the market but nice all the same.

If it's free and you like the aesthetics anyway, then go for it and let us know how it is. What your band's keyboard guy will think is anyone's guess. He may be flummoxed or he may start thinking "Baba O'Reilly" (by The Who) but the Lowrey organ on that track was a couple of years later and higher in the range!

[jeffires00]

Thanks so much for that info. Doing image searches, I could not find any Lowreys with those chord buttons. You have answered my questions as to the model and age. The organ will need work, as we do not think it plays. The positive is that it has been in the same house for its entire life, and is in excellent condition cosmetically. I have to go pick it up out of the grandmothers' house.

I'll try to evaluate the time and expense to get it working. I live in New Orleans, where we have a good many musicians using organs, and there are resources to repair and source parts. I plan to start with the same guy that helped me overhaul my Pioneer and Marantz amps.

I think our keyboard guy will enjoy it - he mainly plays a Nord, but he has some Rhodes pianos and other toys and said he would be glad to play an old organ.

Thanks again, and I will try to share photos and videos if I attempt to rework it. I appreciate the resources in this forum, and your time for answering my question!

Jeff

[KC9UDX]

Most likely the capacitors haven't failed to the point where they really need to be replaced yet, unless this organ has been mistreated.

If it doesn't make any sound at all, the problem is likely an open power resistor, which is a relatively simple fix for someone skilled in electronics repairs.

[andyg]

Failed, possibly not, and I'm not one of those who says that every cap over 15 years old should be replaced, but 58 years is a long time for something like a rubber seal to deteriorate or the 'goo' to work its way out. They're going to go at some point, so in this case don't you think that prevention is better than cure, KC?

[KC9UDX]

Maybe, but in all my years I've never seen a capacitor that old that leaked. They dry up. They don't even have rubber seals. And then they cause hum and other problems. But if the operation is satisfactory, I don't see the point of tearing into repairs. My Lowrey from 1956 is all original. Would it benefit from new capacitors? Maybe. Is it necessary? Not yet.

[goldnmold]

I've seen them dry up just enough to short out, then heat up enough to boil what's left and blow the rubber seal to smithereens!

Also, it might be helpful to look for the placard that will have the official model number and serial number etc. On Lowreys like this one it's usually hidden below the manuals on the underside of the shelf... Above where your knees would be. Happy hunting! And congrats on a cool organ.

[jeffires00]

I'm planning to go retrieve the organ soon. I found out that the only time it has been moved was when the floors were redone in the house it is in. It should be in as good a condition as possible for one of this vintage. After I assess the condition, I will begin any repairs necessary. If it operates, I am not going to change any parts, but I want to look at the electronics to see how it is made. I've re-capped an old stereo receiver and also hired shops to repair old amps, so I know a bit about what to expect with old capacitors and resistors. I have never worked on an organ yet, so this is an interesting project for me.

Also, there is an old pump organ that they want to get rid of - the kind you push air through with foot pedals. I'm going to try to grab that one as well...

Thanks again for the insights and recommendations.

[jeffires00]

I have had this Lowrey Chord Organ in my house for about a year, and I am finally preparing to work on it. Upon examining the organ, every one of the tubes lights up and warms up. There is no corrosion, and none of the capacitors or electronics appear distorted or burned.

Here is what happens: The bass pedals and chord block buttons all play the same note. The expression pedal works. Neither manual will produce any sound, but a light thumping noise can be heard when pressing the keys hard.

Behind the generator board, there are three rows of lights that resemble small Christmas lights. When pressing the manual keys, the middle row of lights light up, but not the others.

In one of the photos, you will see my finger pointing at a capacitor. This capacitor becomes very hot when the organ is powered on. I suspect that this could be part of the problem.

I've never worked on anything like this, and it is fascinating! I would love any tips or advice on torubleshooting this organ. My first step is to source a capacitor like the one that is getting abnormally hot during operation. I'm trying to reach out to some local hobbyists, but not very many people work on organs here.

https://imgur.com/lT3iqMx

https://imgur.com/2EGFOQL

https://imgur.com/j0HZ4D9

https://imgur.com/UzDRTLd

https://imgur.com/eqbxYlh

https://imgur.com/NLpfw3N

[Goff]

For photo posting you can also use https://postimages.org/

[jeffires00]

For photo posting you can also use https://postimages.org/

Hi Goff,

Thanks - I'm always glad to learn of additional options for images. Is there any benefit to using that site over another (does it work better with the forum)?

[Paul T]

I've encountered several situations where cleaning and reseating the tubes in their sockets restored functions to an instrument. That's just a general observation which may or may not help you.

[Goff]

Hi Goff,

Thanks - I'm always glad to learn of additional options for images. Is there any benefit to using that site over another (does it work better with the forum)?

Yes, if you need to post a photo and the forum only allows a URL then you can convert your photos to get a URL.

But if you can upload an image from your computer, that will also work on this forum by using the "upload attachments" function.