Gulbransen D

[Lakeshoreorganist]

Hi everyone,</P>


I have a Gulbransen D theatre style and I am wondering if it is worth saving. It always seems to have a lot of problems and I don't even know if you can get parts for it anymore. Any suggestions.</P>


Thanks</P>

[james]

Re: Gulbransen D



It would be nice IF we could restore all these older organs. However, doing so might end up being a total nightmare. Good luck.</P>
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James</P>

[OrgansR4Me]

Re: Gulbransen D

Hopefully, Mr Williams will weigh in on this organ with his outstanding knowledge of the D. See previous post http://organforum.com/forums/post/41299.aspx I previously had a D Theater and let it go. But you will always miss that fabulous tone. Very few organs I have owned can rival the sound of the early Gulbransens. (I also had a B spinet). It can be frustrating and you alone know if you have the time and money to invest. Best wishes on your decision.

[jimmywilliams]

Re: Gulbransen D



OKthat's "my" organso I am a bit partial...[:D]</P>


Yes it is worth saving - but of course it depends on how much time/money/etc. you want to put into it. That is all dependent on the problems you are having with it. Most problems with these old Gulbransens can be solved with standard electronic parts you can get anywhere (mouser.com, etc.). In most cases, a complete re-capping job (in the Tibia Generators, voicing/pre-amp boards, and power supply) can bring these back to "almost-new" working order. </P>


Of course, the big question is whether you like how the organ sounds or not - that should be the deciding factor on whether you want to work on it or not. </P>


You can still get parts for these organs as well: Dave's Electronics in Illinois.</P>


Are you having particular problems? I posted a very detailed troubleshooting guide for the D a while ago on this forum. Search the forum (don't remember the exact posting right now) .</P>


The more info you can give about problems you are having, the more we can help.</P>


Hope to hear from you.</P>


-jim</P>

[Lakeshoreorganist]

Re: Gulbransen D



Thanks for the advice guys. The organ is at my parents house right now and I live about 4 hours away now so I don't have time to work on it now. However I think I will hold on to it now that i know I can get parts. I do love the sound of it and it is the only full AGO pedalboard organ I own. Most of the problems are dead notes on the voices other than the Tibias...they all sound great ! I also have several dead pedals. I was just feeling bad about storing it at my parents and thinking I should junk it but I will know where to turn if I decide to move it to my house.</P>


Thanks for your input !</P>

[james]

Re: Gulbransen D



This is a wonderful report. In fact the best news I have heard all day that one more very nice old organ can be turned into excellent playing condition once again. </P>


I wish I could find a decent Gulbransen H3 that could be restored to excellent condition.</P>


James</P>

[OrgansR4Me]

Re: Gulbransen D

I don't have any leads on the H3 but did you see the Premiere $5.00 and no reserve on Ebay. If I could afford the trucking I'd jump on it. That's my other Pipe -- Pipe Dreams! We do what we can with the money we have, right? Here is a link: http://cgi.ebay.com/gulbransen-elect...QQcmdZViewItem

[jimmywilliams]

Re: Gulbransen D



The problem with the main/complex voices is primarily the "horseshoe" cinch connectors that the TG41 divider boards plug into. I have had to take mine out, clean, and reseat them numerous times and still eventually I will end up getting "strange" sounding notes. </P>


When you work on the organ test each main stop (non-tibias) and carefully note which notes play and which do not. Note that any blue or green stops on your organ are actually tibia combinations so you don't have to test those. It will be tedious but worth it in detecting a pattern. But, before doing anyof that, pull out, clean, and reseat the TG41 boards (from the back of the organ there are 6 of these boards mounted above the leslie drum). I imagine the cinchconnectors can be tightened but I didn't want to take a chance in snapping off a connector.</P>


If that is the only problem you are having with the organ, it is in pretty good shape. Let us know how the results of your main voice testing. FYI the pedal notes are also generated off the mains as well, so since you are missing notes on both the pedals and the keyboards I would suspect the TG41s.</P>

[james]

Re: Gulbransen D



OrgansR4Me,</P>
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I hear you big time on the money part. It costs more to have someone haul an organ than an old organ itself. I know I am dealing with my Wurlitzer project right now. It is my ambition to get this one going asap, and the tech tells me that some capicators have been back ordered twice. All of the other needed parts have come are there in his shop.</P>


So, with me when I see a half a chance I need to jump on it IF money allows.</P>


Good luck with your project. It is a worthwhile one for sure.</P>
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James</P>