Stops and Technology
The mechanisms by which a pipe organ operates changed very little until the late 19th century. Electric blowers and electro-pneumatic key action revolutionized organ building. Advances in solid-state technology during the 1960s and 70s eventually replaced mechanical stop and capture action.
One feature of organ consoles remains virtually the same: drawknobs. Many organists prefer drawknobs to the tilt-tab or rocker-tab method of controlling pipe ranks. In this photo from a 1950s organ, stop action was completely mechanical even after electronic memory levels were added later.
The console seen below is currently in our shop undergoing a complete renovation. The drawknobs of each console are nearly identical, but the stop actions have no resemblance.
If your console is outdated and in need of a facelift, Parkey OrganBuilders can customize a rebuild to your specifications.
Ask for Phil Parkey at 678-296-6693 or email Mr. Parkey at [email protected].
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