Allen organs

[electrolux-dude]

Hey guys so I now have 2 Allen organs in my house, no excuse not to play, right? Yes I'd like to get them to where I can play them. Models are a 120-C and a 225 RTC. The 120-C I bought for $75.00 in a thrift store. Was told it came from a church. Why the church kept the speakers I don't have a clue. The 225-RTC I paid $200.00 for it, again, no speakers. For some reason I am addicted to Allen organs. Anyway my question has to do with speakers and hooking them up, the 120-C looks like someone jury rigged a pigtailed cord that plugs into a guitar amplifier. I have not attempted to hook it up for fear of blowing a board or something. So, if you have any idea on how to hook up speakers, or if anyone has any speakers that will work on an Allen let me know. Following are pictures of the organs. The 225 RTC does have a card reader.

 

[motojoejo]

It's very possible that the connection was set up that way to be run through a soundboard amplifier and given its own channel or two so it sounded via the same speakers as microphones, guitars etc etc.. I've seen this done rather than have the organ have its own speakers for a proper install so to cut corners and save a buck. I'm not sure you'll blow a circuit board by plugging into a guitar amp but still don't recommend it. You might need to check the internal amplifier to make sure it's working correctly so it hasn't been altered to run to a soundboard.

Allen makes great speakers but so does Rodgers so you might check them out. I've got a church local that even uses solid state Leslie speakers (no tremolo toggle) hooked up to their Allen and the sound is actually nice.

 

[kenkart]

NO TREMOLO TOGGLE!!

A Leslie without the tremolo working is like bread without butter, I bet a Leslie would make even a Allen or a Rogers sound good.

 

[davetranter]

To connect or not to connect?

As a 'sound professional' on this side of the 'pond' I can advise here.....
I would suggest that you plug the trailing plug first into a loudspeaker and see if you get sound.... If not, then it will probably be a 'line' level signal for use with a mixing desk. If this is the case, I would suggest initially plugging into a battery-portable amplifier, since the only thing likely to damage a board is a ground loop, unless it was 'jury-rigged' by a true 'bodge artist' (though, of course, there are plenty of them about). It's difficult to cover all bases in a short post, and without seeing the actual situation, but those two steps should cover 99% of possibilities.....

Let us all know how you get on. I have a 2M+P Livingston in my living room. It's a shame I'm not an Organist. :-(

All best

Dave T

 

[tolivac]

If the organ was connected to a Guitar amp-it would have to be connected into the guitar amps "line" level inputs-the organ would put out a line level signal unlike a guitar.A keyboard amp would be better if you have access to one.Keyboard amps work on line level signals.Some guitar amps don't have line inputs-the large deluxe ones often do-so the guitarist and keyboardist can play thru the same amp and speakers without having to use a console.I have been considering an Allen or Rodgers organ as opposed to the Lowrey.Some day!Some Rodgers organs come as packages-Organ,amps,and the speakers.They use Crown amps.