QR Test Church Organ

FIRST DRAFT

Estey Church Organ, Style H98, #441848  (note name correction – per Whiting p.118)

This reed organ was manufactured in 1929 by the Estey Organ Co.

According to an Estey organ catalog,

This organ is well adapted to use in smaller churches.  Its range is from the full rich diapason to the remarkably sweet and delicate tones of the aeolienne harp and flute.  In architecture and interior construction, it is the embodiment of the latest achievements in organ building.

Features

  • The case of this organ is oak; this model was also available in walnut.
  • The pipe top on this organ was sold as an option. It is for decorative purposes only and serves no musical function.
  • An external electric Orgoblo blower was available as an option.

Specifications

Manual                 5 octaves, 61 keys, FFF to F3, divided B/c

Keys                      Celluloid and ebony

Air source            2 foot pedals (Blow Pedals), played in an alternating treadle motion

Stops                     18 stops – 15 speaking, 3 mechanical

(Listed left to right)

Bass

Bass Coupler – mechanical

Sub Bass 16′

Bourdon 16′

Flute 4′,

Flute d’Amour 4

Diapason 8′

Dulciana 8′

Harp Aeolienne 2′ [II]

Forte

Tremolo – mechanical

Treble

Forte

Dulciana 8′

Diapason 8′

Vox Jubilante 8′

Flute 4′

Bourdon 16′

Choral 8′

Treble Coupler – mechanical

Reed synopsis  

  • 318 reeds
  • 5 sets of reeds in both bass and treble x 61 keys + Sub Bass [CC-C] ( = 318 reeds)
  • A442   (Is this the pitch?  Is this correct? Is this the reed set? Ad in whiting says all organs tuned to A440)

Knee Levers  

  • 2 knee levers
  • Grand Organ lever on the left is equivalent to pulling out all the stops.
  • Swell lever on the right is for volume.

Notes

  • Model H98 has 2 more stops than the more commonly found 16-stop Model H97 ( bass and treble Bourdon 16′)
  • The base price in 1929 for this model was $290, plus $75 for the pipe top.
  • The actions on this organ have been restored.
  • This organ plays well.
  • This organ was a gift of John Chaney and is from the Lee Chaney Collection.

Source: Whiting/Estey, EOM database