I was just given a 1960's Lowrey Heritage DSO-1....

[Guest]

My next door neighbor's father passed away and he ended up with his fathers Lowrey Heritage DSO-1 organ, the one with the 50 or so vacuum tubes in it - so cool. According to him, it was functioning when it was at this fathers house and then was "professionally" moved to his garage where it has sat for about 6 months or so.

We fired it up and it generates sounds but has a lot of hissing when certain switches are enabled and overall is not very loud at all. He told me it had been working and was quite loud when it was at his fathers house, having fired it up and played it before it was moved. I don't know if it was fully tested, but it clearly did not sound the same as what he remembered.

I don't think I'll be putting any significant amount of money into this, but am wondering if there are some usual suspects here worth checking out, just in case "something is loose," got jostled in the move, or common issues. I know its old, I know the caps are possbily on their way out, etc. I have a soldering station, de-solding pump, etc., so I am reasonably skilled there, just don't know my way around this thing.

I plan on reseating all the valves, maybe hitting the sockets with some deoxit and having a general look around to see if there are any noticeable issues with caps, etc.....the thing smells like the 1960s and warm valves....

Thanks for any words of wisdom and assistance.

Bluesholyman.

[myorgan]

Bluesholyman,

Just in case you don't already know, the Lowrey DSO-1 is one of the few older organs that has any value. I've been offered more than I paid for mine.

I've never had the issue you describe with the "hiss" in the sound, but I wonder if it may have something to do with moisture or humidity? I have had channels of other organs that initially were hissy, but cleared themselves as the organ warmed and the humidity was reduced. Where you live in Atlanta (I've seen your downpours!), that may be a possibility. Otherwise, I'll defer to the experts regarding other possible causes.

Welcome to the Forum, and I hope you continue to participate here for some time to come!

Michael

[KC9UDX]

Based on my experience with just one similar but older Lowrey, all the switches will need to be cleaned and worked.

I would reseat all the valves though, and use Deoxit, just like you planned.

[IndyNate]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum but was happy to find it. I just procured an absolutely non-molested DSO-1 organ from a local Goodwill and took it home. I'm thrilled. I'm a competent tube tech, but this one it daunting. So, here's the newb just posting anywhere he can to begin! 1) CANNOT find a service manual or schematic to save my life 2) CANNOT find much meaningful information on what the hundreds of little neon bulbs actually do 3) After searching this forum, still coming up a little empty. I hate to enter the bothersome question of, 'can someone point me in the right direction', but, can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks everyone. I cannot wait to bring this gorgeous instrument back to life.

[myorgan]

Hopefully, you stick around longer than bluesholyman. Congratulations on your acquisition, IndyNate!

It would help if you were able to provide the specific schematic you're searching for (i.e. amplifiers, keying, tone production, neons, etc.). If you can provide that, we might be able to help you further.

Again, welcome to the Forum!

Michael

[OaklandJake]

I came across one for free last year. Saw that one sold for 5k on reverb so picked it up. Had some dirty rocker switches, a dead bass pedal or two, some crackly noises (like scrathcy pots). Left it in my garage for a year. Just pulled it out and put it on craigslist and reverb to try to sell, but after playing it I fell in love. Mine had a drum machine hooked up (borken) but with a 1/4' input that I plug my rhodes in to use the leslie. What a sweet, sweet organ. A guy offered $800 + $200 in gear and I turned him down and this thing prolly needs a few hundred in work. It's just such an awesome machine. There use to be a yahoo group for them but it's deactive from what I can tell. Just had to share my love. I'm not a tech but would be interested in any info from this thread and will contribute anything I come across. The Beatles had it right. DId find this about PSU caps https://www.scribd.com/document/3644...PSU-Capacitors

[John Vanderlee]

Neon Bulbs... wow that takes me back! When first interested in electronic organs in the '60's. I though I could build one - never really got to it. But I was intrigued by the idea of the NE-2 neon bulb oscillator! It consists of only a few parts so quite cheap. I don't remember the exact circuit but it has something to do with a cap discharging through the Neon bulb once its firing threshold is reached. The R/C time constant determines the frequency. So it would basically be a sawtooth. I'll bet that is what those neon bulbs are.
John

[IndyNate]

I'm back. Been meaning to post interim, but got so busy with project, including the DSO-1, that I forgot. That said, after 15 or so hours of labor rebuilding the leslie and upgrading the entire power supply with caps, HEXFRED and Schottkey diodes and of course a thorough de-oxit/cleaning of all contacts I could get to, I'm glad to report my Goodwill rescue seems fully operational save a couple quibbles. I'm really excited and couldn't be happier. The B-flat pedal doesn't sound, but seems to trigger cutoff of the other pedals, so more research is needed. And tho I'm no organist (pianist by training), I'm still working thru the complex world of stops and all that and how they affect the sound. I think for what it's worth, this little organ is back and sounds magnificent. Even better, almost 95% of the OEM tubes are near NOS spec. I only replaced a 6X8, and bought a giant cache of all the others for nothing it seemed. Thanks for everyone who helped. I love this forum!

[IndyNate]

Here's a few pictures as well. Often times for vintage power supplies I leave the old cans in place for both looks, and the fact they're a nightmare to source/replace, so, no judgements LOL. As well, note the ghostly foot impression! How cool. Leading me to believe this was a one-owner organ. Again, love it.

[myorgan]

IndyNate,

Thanks for sharing your photos and information. You could invent a story about how the person playing the organ was electrocuted and left a ghostly footprint on the swell pedal!

This the first DSO-1 I've ever seen in a French Provincial console. Quite interesting!

Michael

[KC9UDX]

I'd like to be envious, but the one and only thing I detest about my SS is that it too is a spinet. So instead, I'm just very happy for you! These things just sound amazing.

(I'm tempted to buy a sacrificial shoe, soak the sole in MEK, and duplicate that footprint effect!)

[IndyNate]

Kilo Charlie Niner, I agree on the spinet organs. In fact, even for the price I paid for this DSO I almost didn't buy it. I've learned to hate the sound and tone of most all electronic organs (only heard SS models). Cheesy, thin and boring. Tubes do change the game with all the harmonics and interesting tonal textures. It's also the reason I didn't touch the OEM audio coupling caps. Not only did they all test within spec (and they look like sealed, military grade stuff), but I wanted the purest 1965 tone I could get. I do think the spinet format is very limiting, but luckily it fit in the LAST nook I had in my home. And yes, last night I did the classical DSO stunt and managed to pull off 'Lucy in the Sky' intro. It was wild to hear. The leslie is INSANE good. I guess I've just never heard these instruments in person.

[KC9UDX]

I always wonder if my SS can't make that sound because it's old and worn out, or if the DSO just sounds that much different. If I get time, I'll have to make a video of what it sounds like for comparison.

Aside from the fact that I just can't part with the SS, a big reason I can have it is that it doesn't take up as much room as a proper console. So we're in the same boat.