Moller Artistes
Got Artiste?
The Artiste was the Moller Company’s answer to an organ at lower cost. These were pre-designed instruments which, for the most part, were made as stock model cabinet organs. Slight modification was available at extra cost, but the tonal specifications as well as the scaling and voicing were very similar from organ to organ. They were available in various sizes from about 3 ranks to around 14. Later they were referred to as “Series 70” and “Series 80” organs, so named for the decade in which they were built.
We have lately become aware of several of these organs, some built even as late as the 1970’s, being replaced by electronic substitute instruments. This is unfortunate, because even though these organs have been regarded with some disdain over the years, using careful selection, there is a good core of material that can be made into a more satisfactory organ at a reasonable price. And even if they are 30 years old, they have already had a longer life than a substitute instrument will give. Rebuilding can extend that life to double or even more – a much better investment of the owner’s money, and a "green" use of existing resources!
One such organ is pictured above at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, in Hickory, North Carolina. Faced with a need to remodel the chancel of the church, and the realization that their 1980 Moller organ left something to be desired, they contacted us for suggestions.
On the homeward trip from a visit to our organ at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, in Kingsport, Tennessee, and a long luncheon discussion, Chairman of the Committee, Charles Kanipe is reputed to have said “folks, I think we’ve just met our organbuilder!”
We removed the organ and brought it to our shop. Existing chests were releathered and modified to accommodate more pipes, and additional chests were built. Several new ranks were added including an 8’ Principal and a 16’ Bourdon, both of considerably larger scale than the original stops. A new Mixture was also added, as were mutations and a Celeste companion for the Gemshorn. The console was rebuilt with a new solid-state electrical system.
The result is an organ of much fuller and broader sound, an organ that accompanies and inspires healthier singing by the congregation, and allows more accurate registration of the incidental music of the church service.
It is now what it never was before: a custom organ specifically designed and voiced for New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, with a Ten-Year New Organ Warranty! The congregation could not be more pleased.
Got Artiste? We can make an organ out of it!
We have lately become aware of several of these organs, some built even as late as the 1970’s, being replaced by electronic substitute instruments. This is unfortunate, because even though these organs have been regarded with some disdain over the years, using careful selection, there is a good core of material that can be made into a more satisfactory organ at a reasonable price. And even if they are 30 years old, they have already had a longer life than a substitute instrument will give. Rebuilding can extend that life to double or even more – a much better investment of the owner’s money, and a "green" use of existing resources!
One such organ is pictured above at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, in Hickory, North Carolina. Faced with a need to remodel the chancel of the church, and the realization that their 1980 Moller organ left something to be desired, they contacted us for suggestions.
On the homeward trip from a visit to our organ at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, in Kingsport, Tennessee, and a long luncheon discussion, Chairman of the Committee, Charles Kanipe is reputed to have said “folks, I think we’ve just met our organbuilder!”
We removed the organ and brought it to our shop. Existing chests were releathered and modified to accommodate more pipes, and additional chests were built. Several new ranks were added including an 8’ Principal and a 16’ Bourdon, both of considerably larger scale than the original stops. A new Mixture was also added, as were mutations and a Celeste companion for the Gemshorn. The console was rebuilt with a new solid-state electrical system.
The result is an organ of much fuller and broader sound, an organ that accompanies and inspires healthier singing by the congregation, and allows more accurate registration of the incidental music of the church service.
It is now what it never was before: a custom organ specifically designed and voiced for New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, with a Ten-Year New Organ Warranty! The congregation could not be more pleased.
Got Artiste? We can make an organ out of it!
