Stop Key Designs

[JaJa]

Regarding stop keys that are rounded, like on theatre organs or the Klann type W, and the notched stop keys, like on Austins or the Klann type N, which is preferable? I'm interested in the pros and cons for each type, whether they are related to appearance or function. Thanks!

[myorgan]

JaJa,

Could you explain more about the stop keys you mention. For example, I'm not sure I've ever run into a Klann type W or type N stop on an organ. Thanks in advance for your clarification, and welcome to the Forum.

Michael

[JaJa]

Michael,

Thank you for your interest in the question. The Klann type W is a stop key of equal width throughout the length of the body, except at the tip, where it is rounded in something of a semicircle. The Klann type N is of equal length throughout the length of the body, except for about the last 3/4", where it is narrower and where the pitch of the stop is indicated. You can see an example of these stops on the Klann online catalog, page 24. Thanks!

JaJa

[JaJa]

Hello Michael,

The two types can be seen on the online Klann catalog, page 24. Thanks!

JaJa

[VaPipeorgantuner]

Mainly has to do with the appearance...functionally they are the same...mechanics behind the name board is identical.

[toodles]

There are 3 common tongue tablet styles: narrow, rounded end, typically used on theatre organs, wider, rounded end used on classical organs (Allen's tongue tablets are typical of this style), and "notched", or Austin style, although true Austin tablets aren't so much notched, as tapered at the playing ends.

For those who are not familiar, this page shows these 3 styles: http://www.syndyne.com/categories.php?id=25

The theatre style permits the closest spacing of the stops, and since they are slightly tapered, it helps run stops around the curved part of the stop rail without big gaps between the tablets.

As indicated by others, choice is a matter of aesthetics/appearance, but the notched style has the advantage of providing a little space between the player's ends of the tablets, making it easier to not accidentally hit an adjacent tablet.

[myorgan]

As indicated by others, choice is a matter of aesthetics/appearance, but the notched style has the advantage of providing a little space between the player's ends of the tablets, making it easier to not accidentally hit an adjacent tablet.

Toodles,

Thank you so much for the clarification. My pipe organ (Frazee) has tapered ends that come out to the end, and then they taper decidedly at an angle for the last 1/2" before they end (where the footage is listed). I wasn't sure what the style was for those.

Michael

[toodles]

Here's a link to some Austin stop keys: http://database.organsociety.org/pho....Dunklin04.jpg

[Terpodion]

I don't like stop keys on anything except a theater organ. On a church organ they always look cheap to me. That's probably because I have seen so many cheap consoles with stop keys on cheap, junky cobbled together organs. One problem I have with them is that if you turn a stop really quickly, it will bounce off. Tilting tablets will not do that and ate more ergonomic in terms of the motion that the hand makes to turn on and off. I don't like knobs either - even less ergonomic. My ideal is the large Aeolian console, such as Longwood Gardens or Ocean Grove Auditorium.

However if I am forced to do stop keys I prefer the more slender style used on theater organs. Gottfried stop keys are very nice and are made out of a type of cellulose - if forget if it is acetate or nitrate. They do not seem to decay as all plastics do over time. I'm having some problems right now with a console which I redid using stop keys. It's only six years old and already they are "crazing" - developing small cracks. The organist insisted on stop keys and could not be talked out of it. Tilting tables struck him as cheap looking. Go figure. We all have our personal preferences.

[james]

I like rocker tabs such as the old Conn, and Wurlitzer had. I also like the tabs like many organs use for couplers that are across the front of an organ that are arranged vertically yet tilt down.

I do remember the old line Baldwin organs had the long tabs that tilted down, and they were made to last. At a tech's shop where I worked some a large Thomas organ came in for repairs. It had the long tabs which were very thin. I pressed one down and it broke off right there on the spot.

Like everything else, "to each his own."

James

[toodles]

It's really not the stop key or the rocker tab that will allow a "bounce back"--yes, I've seen it happen on a rocker tablet--it is the stop mechanism. The magnetic toggle stops made by Syndyne or Peterson (there may be others) are not prone to the bounce-back problem, the magnetic toggle is very firm but light enough.

I like 2-rows of tongue tablets that do not extend beyond the end of the key cheeks on a 2-manual organ. Nice and handy for manual registration. I also like a single row of rocker tablets, but don't like the look of 2 rows above the manuals. Drawknobs look very elegant to me, but I don't like lighted drawknobs, only moving ones, and I'm fussy about the engraving and head style.

Rocker tablets on jambs look fine to me.

As to looking cheap--well, there are elegant looking tongue tablets and rocker tablets and drawknobs and cheap looking ones of all 3. If your tongue tablets are crazing, ask what is being used to clean them or if they are in direct sunlight. It probably a material compatibility issue.

For tongue tablets, I like the notched type with a routed edge on the notch--like Rodgers used on their LED tabs. For rockers, I think the Laukhuff rockers as shown look very elegant. Rodgers used to use them in the 1960's and 1970's. I very much like the Rodgers LED stop tabs for lighted controls. Too bad they discontinued them

[myorgan]

I like 2-rows of tongue tablets that do not extend beyond the end of the key cheeks on a 2-manual organ. Nice and handy for manual registration. I also like a single row of rocker tablets, but don't like the look of 2 rows above the manuals. Drawknobs look very elegant to me, but I don't like lighted drawknobs, only moving ones, and I'm fussy about the engraving and head style.

What he said!!!

Toodles, thank you for the photo of the stops. If I were to choose between Allen's short, fat, rounded tabs; rocker tabs; Rodgers tabs; or theatre-type tabs; I'd take the Rodgers/Laukhuff every time. Good taste!

Michael