Our church has a Gulbransen Paragon organ that needs repair. According to the person that plays the organ, there are some "missing notes"--I am not a musician, just someone that really loves the sound of the organ in the sanctuary, so I can't be more specific about the problem/s. I have two questions: Is it worthwhile repairing this organ, I think it's quite old. If it is worth repairing, can anyone recommend a source for repair in the Detroit, MI area?</p>
Having a pro come in to fix the organ would probably cost more than the organ is "worth" these days - but if you are planning to keep the organ, and it meets your needs,it'smonetary value is immaterial and yes it would be worthwhile to have it fixed. FYI the organ is from the 1970s.</P>
To find a tech in your area you can try here : http://www.mitatechs.com/andgo to the membership list by state/zip.</P>
Since the organ is being used in a church, see if you can convince someone to budget for regular servicing/maintenance.</P>
If you can provide more details about exactly what is wrong, we may be able to help you out too - if you feel comfortable doing this type of work yourself. Just make sure notes are really "missing" and you can say specifically what they are - try one drawbar, one key at a time on both keyboards.</P>
Let us know how it goes.</P>
-jim</P>
Jimmy Williams
Hobbyist (organist/technician)
Gulbransen Model D with Leslie 204
Thanks for the input. I'm not a musician and don't know what a drawbar is but if I can get some assistance from the choir director I'll try to do some diagnostics and report back. I might as well take a shot at repairing it since it seems I'm not in danger of reducing it's value. </p>
You've already heard the best advice on Gulbransen from our resident expert. But I'd like to chime in and mention that I have seen many nice organs in Michigan on Ebay and it would seem prices are very low in your area. You should weigh alternatives before you make the investment in a technician. You could probably spend 1/2 the replacement cost in repairs on your instrument. And if God should bless you can probably find another Gulbransen in the near future. Just some ideas to consider. When doing so discuss who will pick up the new organ and how. If this all seems more trouble than it is worth, that's a good sign you should proceed with repairs to the Paragon. (Just to give you an idea how ridiculously low prices are becoming I was blessed with a Wurlitzer full size console with Omni last week for $75)
I appreciate your input. While I'm waiting for help to perform diagnostics on the Gulbransen I have started looking for a replacement locally. I have found two, a Technics SX-G5M (4) and a Yamaha MC600. Do you have any advice regarding either?</p>
The only Yamaha experience I have had is with the FX spinet series but I was very impressed with it. I presently own a GA3 from Technics and I can assure you they are very versatile instruments. I don't know the specifics on either model you mention, but hope our resident expert, Andy, will see your post and comment. He is a professional designer and has valuable insights into most of the Japanese import lines.
I'm am looking for a Gulbransen replacement locally and found this Hammond advertised-</p>
MUST SELL THIS BEAUTIFUL HAMMOND ORGAN. Great condition. Commodore
style with bench, walnut case (nearly perfect), model 328322, 1.8 amps.
Includes options: Philharmonic Strings, Fascinating Fingers II program,
Auto Vari program, Animation by Leslie co.
Price is $1000 OR ***BEST REASONABLE OFFER***
</p>
Do you have any advice regarding the organ or the price?</p>
Hammond might be a bit overpriced, the Hammond will be more like your dead gulbranhanson, a full console (2 X 61 keyboard plus 25 pedals) whereas the Yamaha MC600 is a spinet, (2 X 44 keyboard 13 pedals), I doubt your organist would be happy with it. </p>
In Canada you would be able to give the Hammond guy a $1000 dollar tax deduction receipt if he donated his organ to the church. If this is possible for you to do in US (probably is) that would be the best offer he will get.
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[quote user="Jeff K"]</p>
I'm am looking for a Gulbransen replacement locally and found this Hammond advertised-</p>
MUST SELL THIS BEAUTIFUL HAMMOND ORGAN. Great condition. Commodore
style with bench, walnut case (nearly perfect), model 328322, 1.8 amps.
Includes options: Philharmonic Strings, Fascinating Fingers II program,
Auto Vari program, Animation by Leslie co.
Price is $1000 OR ***BEST REASONABLE OFFER***
</p>
Do you have any advice regarding the organ or the price?</p>
I agree that the Hammond is considerably overpriced. Check out other postings about LSI generator Hammonds. Considerable cleaning and maintenance can be required. I think the seller is confused with TWG Hammonds which command a significantly greater price because of their enduring reliability. If you could get this instrument (and it was truly perfect) for $300 that would be fair and would make a nice organ for church music -- but not a classical sound for liturgy.
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