So, I got this at the pawn shop/flea market dirty store thing in the bad part of town. It's a converted organ, made by "WD Doherty Clinton Canada", and it has apprently had the foot pumps removed, and a large electrical fan thing plumbed in at the back. This eliminates the need for pumping.

There's no sustain, but about 20 or so knobs that change the pitch or add sounds. From what I can gather it's known as a reed organ, being that the sound comes from wind blowing through a reed like a clarinet or oboe. A bit like a calliope or a sort of circus-sounding instrument.

This is an attempt at part of the edward scissorhands suite, to give you an idea what the instrument sounds like. Keep in mind I cannot read music. I'm a bit slow on the keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJmaxX5p8jg

I think the low end is out of tune but god only knows how I'd fix that.

I have no idea how old it is, I'm guessing it's from the 1940s judging by the art deco look of the woodwork, but there is almost no information available online about the manufacturer. I doubt it's worth much, seeing as it's been ratbagged and cut up inside, but I'd like to know more about it if anyone has any ideas or resources.

what did you pay for it? I'd love to have something like that to fiddle around with.

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getting tired of the collective orgasm at the public declaration of the word "change"

Dr. Nathanson

i am jealous. i organs. it reminds me a lot of a harmonium.

the low end probably isn't necessarily out of tune because i've noticed that reed organs tend to sound kind of funky on the lower end when you play more than one note together.

good find! i need to scour the shops around here for stuff like that. i've been meaning to get a console electric organ for a while now.

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It was 250 can$, which is about 115 Squiggle (i dont know where the pound sign is) or in us dollars, 3 buttons and some cheese.

It was heavy as fuck, and it was pouring rain when we moved it. I'm gonna do some wood restoring, and maybe some before and afters. It's got scratches in it like the dickens. My father was visibly unimpressed at the amount of room it takes up.

One odd thing about it is that the pedals are on either side of your knees like a sewing machine. Maybe this is typical, i don't know.

What's a harmonium? Aren't they an indian instrument? a little keybox thing? like bagpipes but with a keyboard on it. No wait that's an accordion. Please advise.

Does anyone know what newer organs sound like, or if they even make such things anymore?

a harmonium is a pedal-pumped reed organ. the indian harmoniums are pumped by hand.

they still make organs (you can definitely get a harmonium) but i think most of what is available are church organs (which are horridly expensive) and keyboard-like electrics.

EDIT: i didn't see the part about the foot pumps being removed so i assumed it had none to begin with. you have a harmonium then. besides that, a reed organ and harmonium are more or less the same thing, except harmonium i associate more with the smaller indian instrument.

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This thread is misleading. I was expecting to see your other 'super radical organ'. How disappointing.

Danke for the clearup! I was a bit confused.

And sorry ether, I make it a point not to show that other organ unless beads or tapas are involved.

so bead-i mean 'be' it.

I want a B3

yes please.

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God I'm jealous, I'd love a harmonium.

And what a steal! $250!