Lowrey MODEL NAMES by YEAR

[stanbrubaker]

I've been searching the internet, and am amazed that I didn't quickly find a simple list of the Lowrey home organs.
I've been watching eBay off and on, but I'm only interested in models after 2000, and would prefer after 2006 or newer.

Does anyone know where I could get even a basic list of WHICH YEAR each model was introduced?

I have a Promenade, in beautiful condition, but am considering something newer (touch screen... CD or USB... more presets...)

Thanks for your help!

[andyg]

The Lowrey Forum may have the answer, but I'm sure I've scoured their records and only got a few production dates. I did once ask Lowrey USA, so that I could add the data to my own records but there was no response from them. You could try, maybe you'll have better luck than me!

If you're thinking of something newer, bear in mind that Lowrey are stopping production at the end of the year. Expect values to nosedive, and I'd consider only fairly recent models as once supplies of major parts are exhausted, that will be that. There are already reports of CPU boards being unobtainable for models that are less than 10 years old.

Bottom line is that there should be some bargains around.

[stanbrubaker]

Thanks for getting right back with me, Andy, with a very helpful reply. I've been on your website the last ten minutes, enjoying your bio!
I might have a chance to buy a "Stardust SU-530" that's for sale, supposedly in good condition. Is that a decent model? If it all works when I check it out, and I transport it carefully, is it likely I could get five or ten years out of it? What do you think?

[andyg]

The Stardust is a good sounding model, but I think it may be one of the models for which the main CPU board is reported to be unobtainable (check the posts on the Lowrey Forum for the details). Now it is technically a Kawai organ internally and they are as reliable as they get, so chances are that it will keep on going with no problems. But the parts issue can be a good lever on price.

[Teradon]

I have been looking for the list also.
I found it today on another user group.
It is an Excel file and I don't know how to attach to this reply.
The other user group is [email protected]
It was posted July 2.
Jerry Le blanc is the one that posted it.
I can email it to you.

[andyg]

Please do, thanks! You can email me via my website - just click on 'Contact Me' and then on the email link near the bottom of the page.

[Teradon]

I sent you email but in this program there is no attachment for files (that I see).

[andyg]

No, that's why I said 'via my website' rather than Organ Forum. Have emailed you direct.

[RogerM]

Andy & stanbrubaker, try this link

[email protected] ,then go to messages, then page 5 Lowrey dates and models, scroll down to post #56911 where you will find a link to the Excel spreadsheet. You don’t need to register.

Edit: I can’t get the link to work but it is the right URL and works if you key it in manually.

[stanbrubaker]

Thanks! That's exactly what I wanted!

I just purchased a Lowrey Stardust last Wednesday, and it seems to be in perfect condition. I had scheduled Dave Delcamp (of Kingston PA, phone 570-441-7745) repair my old Promenade (cleaned contacts in both keyboards, replaced upper Keyboard supply ribbon, and changed battery) and while he was there he looked over my "new" Stardust, and put a new memory Battery in it too. I highly recommend him-- he's been in it for years, and knows his stuff.

Anybody interested in my old Promenade? It's in great shape! (you can see it in five of my my
YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/stanbrubaker/videos )

[andyg]

To bring this old thread up to date:

I've discovered that there is much incorrect information on line about Lowrey organs! All the model lists that I have gone through have had omissions and inaccuracies, and some of the 'Lowrey history' articles I've found have been less than accurate or perhaps 'economical with the truth'.

So during lockdown, I've been busy researching model names, designations, launch dates etc and amassing as many decent photos as I can, as well as doing some digging into the true history of Frederick C Lowrey and the the Lowrey organ company. The result will be a large pdf file with the Lowrey timeline from 1941 to 2018. Dates are as accurate as can be obtained - spot on until the late 1990s and pretty darned accurate (within a year) until production stopped. The only odd ones are the little EZ series in the 2010s, and no-one is able to confirm accurate details on them!

There will also be a pdf file with a less 'promotional' history, with photos of the landmark models etc.

And a zip file with all the photos I've been able to find so far.

So much work has gone into it that I can't just give it away, there will be a nominal cost, just to let me recoup some of the time and effort that's gone into it.

Depending on how things go, I might do something similar for other makes.

[flashworth]

Andy,
Obviously this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you ever published that PDF list of the Lowrey Organ Timeline? I have what I believe to be a 1993 Lowrey with no name plate on it, and was wanting to cross-reference with your list, however, I never saw a link to your PDF, or some way to purchase it. I would be happy to pay the recuperative cost of making it.
Please let me know if you ever completed the project, and if so, where I could access that information (and If there is any compensation I can give you for it).
Thanks.

[myorgan]

Andy,

What about Jan Giradot's Mother List? I've used that for reference several times, but wonder if his Lowrey dates are accurate.

Michael

[andyg]

From what I was able to research, even Jan had a couple of very minor errors on Lowrey dates, but his is certainly a 'go to' list for most things. Jan was quite rightly a well respected name in the electronic organ world.

Jan and I exchanged numerous emails about dates etc and I was able to supply him with most of the data required for Kawai - though finding anything definite about organs from 1960 to the mid 1970s proved all but impossible. No-one seems to have info, though some is now coming to light on the Vintage Organ Facebook group.

I did promise him that I'd happily take custodianship of the Mother List and add to it when more information was available. On his passing, I asked the family's permission to do this. but alas they never replied. So I'm leaving it as it is for the moment.

[myorgan]

I did promise him that I'd happily take custodianship of the Mother List and add to it when more information was available. On his passing, I asked the family's permission to do this. but alas they never replied.

How unfortunate for the organ world. It would have allowed his work to represent him posthumously. Thank you for what you're doing!

Michael

P.S. Then there's always the release dates of certain models in the US before Europe or vice versa. I don't envy the task!

[Larrytow]

Andy, when it comes to knowing all the little ( and the big ones too ) details of almost any brand and model of home entertainment organ, you are the person that comes to my mind first. With your varied and comprehensive experience in the field, I think you are well qualified to be the caretaker / reviser / editor of Jan's Mother List.

It is unfortunate that Jan's family did not respond to your offer. That indicates to me that they perhaps have no idea of what that list is, or why it is important to preserve it. Or, perhaps they simply do not care ? In either case, I suggest that because the list is out and available to pretty much everyone who looks for it, there you be no problem with you just taking over without express permission from the family.

I currently have one Lowrey organ, and it is a pretty oddball one at that - kinda half theater, and also their only in house attempt at a church organ. If you need any info or photos of it for your list, I have them available.

Specific brand lists like you are talking about making is a wonderful idea. I realize how much time and effort it takes to make even one of those, and I think most of us here do as well. So charging a bit for it / them seems quite reasonable.

[Admin]

When Jan died two years ago, his son posted here and said he intended to do a print run of the Mother List. Don't know what happened, but the post is here: https://organforum.com/forums/forum/...578#post554578

[andyg]

Glenda Cates. I've moved your question to its own thread. Andy G -Moderator