3M Rodgers Providence question

[wurlitzerman3]

I am wondering if anyone has any information about the Rodgers 'Providence' 3M model of organ. In particular: 1) pipe or electronic [there was enough room for pipes, but don't know] 2) anything else anyone might know about this particular model or line. Why you ask? Well, this organ was my favorite listening to as a child as it was installed in my grandparents' church. Unfortunately, the church is now closed and I was never able to find out more info about it when I was younger. Thanks as I've always wondered about it!

[back52887]

Re: 3M Rodgers Providence question

Almost from the company's earliest days, Rogers was a leader in pipe augmentation for their electronic organs. I am not familiar with the particular model you name, but almost any Rogers of that era posessed the possibility of having real working pipes with it. They would inevitably be displayed and exposed. The simplest started with the tenor C octave of a principle, then a stopped woodflute, then a small mixture, etc. Did you see any display pipes? If not, there were probably none. Sorry to be of no more help.

Lee

[wurlitzerman3]

Re: 3M Rodgers Providence question

Yes, there were I'd say maybe 6-12 facade pipes. This organ also had real working swell shades that I can remember from the one or two concerts held on it in the '90s. From what my mother could remember the organ dates (as it's still there) from the late '60s to early '70s from what she could remember. As a kid I had always assumed it was the real thing as the chest was physically big enough for real pipes and it sounded like the real thing. (Considering it's vintage) Thanks for the help.

[toodles]

Re: 3M Rodgers Providence question

The Rodgers Providence was several different models.

The first Providence was model 330 (Providence 330), and did not have pipes.

The second was Providence 900, and I'm not sure if it had pipes, but the Providence 900B was availble as a hybrid--mostly electronics, and some pipes.

If it was installed in the early 1970's it was a Providence 330, and did not have pipes.

The 900 was from around 1980, and the 900B was from around 1983.

There may have been other Rodgers Providence models from the 1990's & later that would be digital, with optional pipes.

Toodles.