Rebuilding an existing pipe organ is often a worthy alternative to buying a new instrument.

Key Benefits

• Rebuilding or restoring a pipe organ is good stewardship of existing resources
• The project result is an instrument with like-new reliability and a fresh, new sound
• The instrument can be expanded, or reconfigured to become more flexible and useful
• Rebuilding and re-locating an instrument from another church is yet another option

Definitions

 

Restoration

Usually referring to an instrument with historic significance, restoration is a time and resource-consuming task. The end result is an instrument that represents the historic instrument with alacrity. This option, in its strictest sense, is usually not preferred by most churches, as it denies the opportunity for expansion or alteration of any kind.

Rebuilding

While some restoration takes place, usually the projects we embark on are rebuilding projects. Key elements of an organ are restored, but the instrument is adapted to suit the musical needs of the liturgy as it is today, and will be in the future. Also, we always upgrade all switching systems to solid-state control, eliminating components that wear or require adjustment or frequent service. This would be a project that has many alternatives and options available to the church.

Renovation Projects

This option would include cleaning, repairs and minor upgrading, but not a complete undertaking as one project. We realize that resources are not always available at one time, so we can break a larger project down into smaller pieces, allowing time and funds to grow as the instrument is gradually renovated, project by project. 

Relocation

Organs are available throughout the country. We can often locate the exact instrument that would fit a particular location, budget and congregational need. These organs, while usually not turn-key, can be rebuilt and installed at a fraction of the cost of a new instrument, again with like-new results.

Revoicing

The pipework in organs is made from a variety of metals in a variety of dimensions. Without getting overly technical, these dimensions can often be manipulated to produce fresh, new sounds. In some instances, these "new" stops bear absolutely no resemblance to the stops they were constructed from.  The following are a few examples:

• An older, thick "Diapason"  can be reconstructed into a rather lovely Gedeckt, Rohrflöte, or Harmonic Flute

• Additionally, that muddy, thick Diapason can sometimes be  reconstructed into a new Prinzipal-type sounding stop

• Thin, scratchy 8' Salicionals can become the most delightful mutations (Nazard 2 2/3', Tierce 1 3/5', etc.)

• Pallid 8' Dulcianas can become sprightly 4' Principals

• Hollow 8' Melodias can become interesting 4' or 2' Flutes

While these creative and cost-effect treatments can recycle ranks of pipes that some might consider trash, they cannot and should not be considered as the end-all of a totally new tonal scheme. If an organ were to be rebuilt, and a new successful tonal scheme developed, some new pipework is almost always inevitable.