Home Pipe Organ

These photos show the four-rank organ that used to reside in our home. It's presently in storage in our second building while I use the space, and more importantly, my time for more productive things at this stage in life. Specs and reference photos are here.

The original organ was constructed by a builder named David Holcomb in Crown Point, New York, USA, approximately 50 years ago. It made its way through one or more churches in NY, last serving at a small church in Rouse's Point, NY.

Photo of whole console

The console was disassembled and refinished. Although there are many stops tabs, it's really only four ranks that are heavily unified! The non-speaking facade is constructed using bright-lead Harmonic Flutes, behind which are the swell shades. (Sorry, no sound bite.)

Photo of pipe room

Ranks in the 12'x12' pipe room.

8' Salicional
8' String Celeste
8' Diapason
16' Stopped Bourdon Flute

Wiring between the chests and console is done with 25-pair telephone cable and "66-blocks" (telephone technology.) Besides cables, the console gets pre-regulated air (7" WP) through a 2" flexduct to operate the combination action. Access is a slight problem.

People have inquired as to how to get starting on building a home pipe organ. Here's my thoughts...

Start with a used pipe organ or at least the major portion of one. You can add used ranks after you have a base.
Look at www.Diyapason.pipechat.org. You can sign up there to receive daily emails of posts to their chat list.
I found I was "reinventing the wheel" each time I began constructing a new windchest. I finally committed to paper some of the practical aspects and techniques I've found useful. This pdf document contains step-by-step instructions and drawings for electro-pneumatic and direct electric chests. "Some assembly is required!"
I designed a belt-driven unit to replace the Century motor in a Spencer blower at Christ Memorial Church in Williston, Vermont, USA. It was literally 100 years old and had sporadic starting problems.

This is the nine-rank pipe organ installed at Christ Memorial Church. I led a 40-person crew in organ renovation, facility preparation, and organ installation. 12 weeks, 1000 man-hours.

Several people have asked where I found 40 people who would all work toward the common goal of bringing this project to very quick completion without letting this project languish for several years. Here's my thoughts...

These were people who recognized that while a pipe organ would facilitate worship, it wasn't the only instrument to accomplish this, nor that hymns were the only type of acceptable music for the church. Indeed, this church is rich in both classical and contemporary music, the common thread being that the sung words preach the gospel. We skip certain hymns and much of contemporary "happy clappy" music that doesn't contain the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Overall, the pipe organ expanded the boundaries on one end of the spectrum; drums and bass guitars did the same on the other end.
These were people who were involved in different phases, some with more time, some with less. Some only helped restore wood parts, some helped in electrical renovation, some helped on readying the building and balcony, and some helped in all the phases.
This is a church that hits projects with energy and tenacity, but in a way that prevents the project from "killing the troops."