Let's take a Sentimental journey. Which Home Organs would you Save???

[JohnR]

If you had the chance and the room, to save any home organ that you wanted to, which one's would you save? And why? Also, which one's have you parted with and wish you'd never had?

[seamaster]

Hammond C3
Hammond X-66
Hammond Concorde
Lowrey H-25-3
Roland AT-900
Technics U90
Technics F3
Wersi Galaxy
Wersi Spectra
Yamaha D-85
Yamaha FX-1

[andyg]

What seamaster just said, but I'd add Kawai DX900 and Kawai SR6, Conn 652 and Thomas Palace III (later version). Probably some more, like the Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, for example.

[KC9UDX]

Probably every one I've seen abandoned on the side of the road, or free on Craigslist. I managed to rescue four such over the years. But I only have room for two. If I had infinite space, I'd have dozens, at least. The ones I wish I still had were chord organs that I bought at rummage sales in the eighties. I have no recollection of what happened to them.

[Momboc]

Hammond C3
Hammond X-66
Hammond Concorde
Lowrey H-25-3
Roland AT-900
Technics U90
Technics F3
Wersi Galaxy
Wersi Spectra
Yamaha D-85
Yamaha FX-1

What seamaster just said, but I'd add Kawai DX900 and Kawai SR6, Conn 652 and Thomas Palace III (later version). Probably some more, like the Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, for example.

And why?

What particular sounds or features put these organs on the list?

This could be a list of organs to be sampled or emulated virtually

[Doddy.van.Straaten]

And why?

What particular sounds or features put these organs on the list?

This could be a list of organs to be sampled or emulated virtually

Already being done - just search the forums contents . . .

https://www.organforum.com/forums/sh...t=rialto+doddy


https://www.organforum.com/forums/sh...gue-instrument

[JohnR]

Nice list! Very familiar with the Yamaha FX-1, D-85, Roland AT-900 and the Hammond C3 and totally understand why they are on the list. I have to admit you've peeked my interest on the others.... Looks like I'm headed to Youtube to see if I can hear a few of those! Thanks

[JohnR]

What seamaster just said, but I'd add Kawai DX900 and Kawai SR6, Conn 652 and Thomas Palace III (later version). Probably some more, like the Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, for example.

You guys are really on top of it and are always great fun! Very familiar with the Yamaha and a few of the Hammond products. X-66 very cool! Don't understand why it and the X-77 aren't embraced by more Hammond enthusiasts. Totally different sound than the earlier B's and C's... But still Hammond. Wish I were more familiar with Kawai and Wersi lines. The Wersi's and Kawai's always looked great and fun to play! Thomas? I got to hear a Thomas (2001) on Youtube the other day. Honestly, it had a very unique tone quality to it. Almost like an older Lowrey? All Rolands are nice.... No Yamaha HX-1 or ELX-1's?

Great lists! How about adding these? The Hammond Elegante- great theatre sounds and I do love a Leslie. Yamaha Electone 7000 (E-70 replacement), I believe the E-75 in your neck of the woods? Great analog instrument and one of my favorites! Nice organ tones and even better synths. The Technics SX-F100 - Andy, I bought one here in the states upon some of the Technics recommendations on this site. Had never heard or played a Technics before purchasing this one but I have never been happier! A very well rounded instrument for its time. Great hammond clone (among other organs) and easy to play. Totally agree with the Yamaha FX-1- much sexier than my childhood FX-20! I'll have to hit Youtube to learn a little more about the Conn's and Lowrey's.

Interesting, I haven't heard anyone mention Wurlitzer or Baldwin? I know absolutely nothing about them but I'm sure there were a few that had some nice qualities?

[Organfella]

As a non player I can only respond from the point of view of the sounds these lovely instruments make. Also as a lover of all things resembling excellent craftsmanship again, I can only respond from my position as a tinkerer and viewed from the exposure to the organs I own:

All the Hammonds - just because they are tonewheel Hammonds.
The Lowreys - DSO-1, H25-3 Because of their sound and quality
An ageing Baldwin Orgasonic R81 - because of its bass capability
All my reed organs - just because...

I do not regret having parted with some working ones as they all went to churches or to some souls who could not afford anything and dearly wanted a home organ. (One such sweet old lady passed on just last week :'()

I do lament however one or two that I salvaged but were beyond repair and I had to regretfully dismember them.

Nico

[Lucien Nunes]

The answers will depend on why you want to save them. Most of the models listed above are high-end and not fully representative of home organs. They would be good choices if you are saving them to enjoy playing or give performances on, subject to maintenance availability. On the other hand, to save the 'flavour' of what home organs were all about, in a museum context or to give people in the future the opportunity to step back in time and experience them, then you would need a more diverse range of models including ones that were 'musically uninspiring' that you would not choose to play today.

[abacus]

Wersi 248, Helios, Galaxy, Spectra, Louvre, Sonic OAX 600/700 up to V1.51 (They went downhill with V2.00)
Bohm Orchestra 3003, 1030, 250, 400, Emporio, (Including Sempra upgrade)
Yamaha D85, FX1, HS8, HX1, EL900, StageA
Frafisa Combo, Balmoral, Coronet 2
Hammond Tonewheel & Leslie, Elegante, X66, XK5
Technics U60, Pro 90, G7
Roland AT900c
Lowrey Heritage, MX1, Holiday (80s), Prestige (00s), Sensation, (00s) Sterling Edition, Aria Pro
Thomas Playmate (70s), 2001
Eminent Grand theatre
Rhia Orchestra
Elka 705
Hohner D98
Gulbransen Music Computer
Wurlitzer 950
Kawai DX900, SR6

They all had something that stood out.

Bill

[andyg]

Lucien makes an interesting point but I think it's the high end ones that are in fact representative of the best of the organ business. In many cases they incorporate all that the smaller organs had to offer, and there are plenty of cases where the smaller models are perhaps best left alone!

[bnelson218]

Definitely Thomas organs but pre-Californian era. Models like the Lawrence Welk, the Celebrity (model 821), the Palace III, and especially the Electra (model 812). Of course the Hammond B3 and also the X66 and X77, the Lowery H25. I just feel that many of the organ lines suffered when the focus shifted from voicing to more and more automation.

[Larrytow]

Although the Yamaha Stage Models are not exactly "home" organs, I agree with Andy that they do represent the best technology of each era / generation.

My favorite is of course the Mighty EX-42, and I am actually collecting them ( kinda anyhow ). There is nothing like the analog sound of one in full cry, though the R60B tone cabinets with 3 actual rotating speakers each.

[joecool240]

My favorite is of course the Mighty EX-42, and I am actually collecting them ( kinda anyhow ). There is nothing like the analog sound of one in full cry, though the R60B tone cabinets with 3 actual rotating speakers each.

I agree Larry !

Joe