Lowrey Prestige Organ...

[danorob1]

Hi Gary -

It's actually funny - If i could have removed the plate holder off the organ without marring the finish, I would have done that - but I was not sure it if was simply glued or taped on, vs being pinned into holes in the cabinet…

Like I said, I could not stand the "built for customer name" plate anymore, but you are correct in that it does make the organ seem a little more personal with the plate...
Dan

 

[tolivac]

If the Liberty is the last of the larger TOL organs-what is Lowrey going to do?Stick with the Liberty or start marketing organs to professional players and commercial usage?Thought of an unusual use for Lowrey-maybe they could get together with DeCap Herantals Division in Belgium or Holland-they make a 105 series DeCap organ that plays from MIDI or from punched cardboard music books-the machine plays the keyboard organ from the book or MIDI.The rest of the DeCap has drums and percussion accordeon, and Bax and Meloton pipes to go with the electronic organ.It a thought for them.Go to YouTube and the show some videos of the DeCap 105 organ playing the keys of a keyboard console organ.Pretty neat-this is the organ I could play!When you look at the front of the DeCap the keyboard organ is in back-behind the facade-along with the keyboard playing mechanism.Think they should have it visible-cool to watch!Early DeCap 105 organs used Hammonds.Forgot the brand they went to after the Hammonds were no longer available.

 

[tolivac]

Oh yes-the nametag is a neat finishing touch--identifies the organ with an owner rather than one that was simply built in a factory on an assembly line.Makes the organ more personal to you.NICE!!

 

[countryguy]

I think Lowrey has finally realized that the population is aging and the new generation that are becoming seniors are not so interested in a large size organ any more. Lowrey has created a couple of new models, smaller in size but with the same or more features. They have been trying to jazz up the look of the organ as well with the brushed aluminum console, multiple LCD screens, etc. in order to try and attract a younger audience. I hope it works but I think the younger generation are interested in keyboards and not large console organs. In order to get younger people they have to drop the price substantially.

Gary

 

[danorob1]

Now that is much better...
No more looking at that stupid "built for customer name" blank !!!

Gary - I am shocked that they would stop building the big consoles - What are they going to sell the seniors every 2 years now ???

I aso have to say that I was stunned to read that you had a power supply go out on you - Never mind the fact that it took out a board as well… If I am not being to much of a nudge, just how much does a power supply board run for? Yours look the same as mine…

I know you purchased yours in 2012, but in what year was it built ? Was it built in the USA or oversea's ?
Just curious -
Dan

 

[danorob1]

Gary -
One final question for you -
Where did you find that Music Lamp? Is it LED?
I have been looking for days on Amazon and the internet, and I can't find anything I like -
Dan

 

[countryguy]

Dan,

I purchased the Prestige new in March 2012. They were still being built at the Lowrey factory in LaGrange, IL at that time.

I don't remember the exact cost of the power supply and the other board. I think they charged me $220 for the power supply and $170 for the other board. Then after I sent the 2 bad boards back to them, they gave me a refund of about $200.

Yes the lamp is LED. I bought it new on Ebay from a lighting company. It was pretty expensive but I do like the lamp as it has a very slim profile. I just wish the lamp head was a little wider. Here's a similiar one I found.

Gary

http://www.lampsplus.com/products/B...G2172&cm_mmc=SHP-SH-_-Desk Lamps-_-NA-_-G2172

 

[tolivac]

I thought the Lowrey Liberty has a built in music light.
Since the number of folks wanting to buy large console organs is shrinking-Lowrey may have to go other ways.Do as Hammond,Allen,Rodgers,and such and market to pro players and commercial use.(Hammond does have a website and they build organs,and keyboard style units-just don't market them to homes)Maybe Lowrey should package the newer organs as keyboards so they can be of interest to a wider segment of people-and that would lower the price.Plus the instrument would be portable-think younger musicians like the portable instruments.Of course the Keyboard style instrument would need a stand,amp,and speaker.But these can be carried in a vehicle if required.Take the wood case,speakers, and amps away from the present Lowrey and what would you actually have------an advanced Keyboard!!
On the repair of the Lowrey-liked how they gave you 200 bucks credit when returning the old boards-figure they will probably rebuild them for future parts stock.
To sum it up-to make Lowrey more appealing they are going to have to drop the stratosphere pricing.This should make people more tempted to buy-may even me!Thought the idea of moving the production to Southeast Asia was to lower the cost.
think folks like the portable style instruments so they can take them over to a freinds house for a "jam session"Say one guy is playing a guitar,other drums.Try that with the 350 pound console!

 

[countryguy]

Rex,

All of your suggestions are valid and believe me have been discussed many times on the yahoo group that I belong to. Some dealers as well as staff at Lowrey headquarters are members of the group and monitor all of our messages so they are fully aware of all these suggestions but they just seem to be ignoring them. They just keep on trying to market to seniors and no one else. At one time they did make a portable keyboard...I bought one in the mid 80s.

All their large console organs do have a built in music light but it is not enough for people like me with poor eyesight. Having the light over the music as well as the built in light strip just makes it easier. There is also a pull out music shelf which allows the music to be closer to the player. This shelf has its own light strip which turns on automatically and the main music rack light strip turns off. You can see it in my pic...it has a knob at either end just below where the Lowrey nameplate is on the centre below the main music rack.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

Gary: What features did the Lowrey portable keyboard have?This could be an alternative to the full size organ.And much less expensive.
Now get you about the light-having the light light up your music book makes a lot of sense.It is too bad Lowrey isn't paying attention to other peoples ideas-after all these folks COULD become future customers!Some folks like me would like to have an organ-but not at those premium new car prices.The organ can make music-but won't take me to work!Again their pricing just doesn't make sense.They are driving customers AWAY rather than attracting them.and since these instruments have such high prices-are stores really stocking them?Or do they order the organ for the customer if he wants it?Can't see having something this expensive on the showroom floor if you aren't sure its going to sell.As we are seeing it the market for seniors is drying up as we all point out when they are downsizing their homes and moving to assisted care homes.And the folks entering the current senior "stock" aren't interested in organs.Even pianos are having a tough time these days.Only those folks that want to play them are buying.Is Lowrey trying to appeal to another group of folks-that could be the wealthy "gadgeteer" type guy.He buys the organ and shows it to his other wealthy freinds.Then he sets it to the "EZ Play" mode and plays the one finger tunes-He then turns to his freinds and says--"Now isn't that COOL or what?"Then in between the few playing sessions the organ sits and gathers dust while our gadget freind plays with some other "toy" in his home.To this guy the organ is a "toy" rather than a musical instrument.Hate to have this happen.The organ would be better in a home where the person would want to really PLAY it and ENJOY it.Lower prices would encourage this.

 

[countryguy]

The Lowrey keyboard was very basic compared to todays keyboards produced by Yamaha, Roland, etc. The sound that comes out of a keyboard is nowhere near as good as what comes out of a big organ, even with the external speakers. Personally I like the large organs as a piece of furniture as well....a keyboard just doesn't look good in a living room or family room.

Gary

 

[danorob1]

Hi Guys -

I agree with gary that no keyboard really ever sounds the same as a console organ would… Even my Hammond sounded 100 times better then a keyboard could…

I also agree with Gary that a Console Organ does look great as a piece of furniture - Especially the Lowrey's with their Roll tops…

I am really enjoying the Lowrey, but have to work on how to dumb down my playing a little, or dumb down the organ itself… it has so many features buried so deep, i just have to take the time to sit down and figure it all out…

I was watching a video of the Rhapsody i found on line, and the person from Lowrey was saying something about if you played 10 different sounds a day, it would take over two years to listen to all the combinations…

Dan

 

[countryguy]

I'm glad that you are enjoy the Rhapsody Dan. I've had my Prestige for 2.5 years and there is still so much that I have not tried on it. There are so many rhythms styles, variations, voices, etc. that the combinations are practically endless.

Have fun.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

Guess keyboards aren't going to cut or play it.This is too bad.The roll top case would keep dust and such off the keyboards.Can the cover be locked so as to keep the kids from making noises on the organ?I still think the prices on these organs are still very excessive.Counts me out.

 

[countryguy]

No the rolltop cover cannot be locked. Not a problem for me as there is just me and the 2 cats in the house LOL The prices are definitely excessive and if someone doesn't do their homework before going to see a dealer, they are going to get royally hosed.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

Thought a lock on the cover would be helpful in homes where there are small kids-afterall bet they would love to make strange and funny noises with the organ-all those lights,buttons,keys would be tempting for a kid!And since the organ is VERY expensive-that would be another reason!I don't have kids,either-but in some homes the lock could be useful.So,buying an organ today is kinda like some sort of mission-you have to plan it out!and does the dealer "Wheel and Deal" around like with some car dealers?

 

[countryguy]

Oh yes, you definitely have to wheel and deal with the dealers which is why 2 people buying the same model can pay 2 outlandishly different prices (much like airline tickets). You will get a much better price at a dealer that moves a lot of organs over one that sells at a lower volume.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

Do you have to hold your gun to their head to get the lowest price???How would you dicker with these folks?Guess experienced Lowrey organ buyers have it down.Would think if the organ has been a "demenstrator" or "Floor model" you could get good prices on those.Then of course there is the "Pre Played" or used ones.

 

[countryguy]

It is like making a deal with a car salesman. Make sure you are well informed on organ prices for similiar models (new & used). Be prepared to walk away if you don't like the price being offered. The dealer will call you because they are anxious to sell especially in markets where sales are a little slower.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

What I figured-just like buying cars.Figure I will wait on this one for awhile.The high prices could get me a lot of organ CD's and players to play them on!Also want to see if Lowrey is going to stay in business.It just doesn't seem like things are looking to good for Lowrey-from some of the things I've read on the internet.