The original Kimball pipework was, however, reasonably intact and in good condition, although generally in poor tonal regulation and tune, some stops showing evidence of less than successful re-voicing attempts. Tonally, there had been a few substitutions, along with various additions and extensions on offset chests, most of them done at different times and by different people.
Even visually, the organ had been changed, the casework darkened, and the display pipes (along with much of the rest of the church interior) painted a dull off-white to match the sanctuary’s then rather drab interior. Examination of the interior revealed obsolete windchests, a patchwork electrical system with components ranging from the 1936 electrification to recent solid-state, a replacement (and slow) swell shade motor, inoperative top-note pedal extensions, leaky windlines patched with duct tape, recently recovered reservoirs and winkers, and evidence of some re-leathering of primaries. Kimball had electrified the action (originally tubular) and replaced the console in 1936, but both action and console were now rapidly deteriorating, resulting in dead notes, loose pedal keys and an erratic combination action. On visiting the church I found a rather decrepit instrument, originally built in 1897 by the noted Kimball firm, which had subsequently been repaired, patched, altered and added to on several occasions by various people.
In March, 2004 I was invited by the Director of Music and Arts, Marlon Hurst, to advise the organ committee of the First Presbyterian Church as to what might be the best avenue to pursue with regard to their organ. The organ is now in as-new condition, ready to sound forth in its second century with both bold new voices and sounds that echo from its past. The visible façade pipes, containing basses of the 16′ and 8′ Diapasons, have been brilliantly decorated using the original patterning. All of the existing pipes have been carefully repaired and re-voiced, and all the new pipes were custom scaled and built for this project under the watchful eyes (and ears) of the Buzard Company’s Tonal Director, with all tonal finishing completed on site by him and Mr. A new building frame and structure has been constructed behind the original casework, with new enclosures incorporating the Kimball shutter frames.Ģ5 stops of Kimball pipework have been retained, supplemented with 11 ranks of new pipework.
Kimball organ for sale manual#
New electric pull-down slider and pallet windchests have been constructed for the straight manual stops, and new electropneumatic action windchests have been constructed for the unit stops. A completely new console and switching system have been crafted, incorporating preparations for future installation of an Antiphonal division in the gallery (the location of the church’s first pipe organ.) The new wind system retains and supplements the original Kimball reservoirs and tremolos, with new wooden wind trunks throughout the organ. In addition, the mechanical systems of the organ were neither in good condition nor adaptable to the tonal changes being made.
Kimball organ for sale full#
Many changes had already been made to the instrument over its first 100 years, and although the organ made some nice sounds, it could not provide the full tonal palette that is desired for what this instrument is called upon to do. Stop ListĪsterisk(*) denotes pipework retained from the existing organ and restored for the new tonal context. The organ was removed to the Buzard factory in February, 2006, with re-installation beginning just about a year later and taking about two months on site. Our enthusiasm for the project and approach to the particular requirements of the project were a good fit with the church’s desires, and after jointly refining our vision a contract was signed on Jfor a complete rebuilding of the church’s pipe organ. It was in May, 2004 that Buzard Pipe Organ Builders first inspected the organ, and met with the church’s organ committee.
Subsequent alterations and repairs, not up to the quality of the original work, led to the decision to pursue a comprehensive rebuilding. In 1936, Kimball revisited their now 40-year-old instrument, converting the action to electropneumatic action and making some minor tonal changes. of Chicago, IL installed a two manual and pedal tubular pneumatic action pipe organ in First Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Kentucky. In the case of this undertaking, it can perhaps be said that this project has taken 110 years! It was in 1897 that the W.W.
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