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.
