super-sweeper
Well-known member
Make sure you're not reading your Lowrey information from the same place they say the moon landing was fake!
Lowrey Prestige Organ...
- Thread starter danorob1
- Start date
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Check out the Appliance forum site-they are talking about a home in Grand Rapids,Michigan that has a built in pipe organ!For the price of the organ----you can get the house,too!
that has been the problem for the Lowrey costs-haven't been able to see prices on most dealer website-they just link you to the Lowrey site-so you don't even know what is in stock!The only places I see prices are on Craigslist and EBay.It was on one of the instrument forum sites where the members felt things weren't looking to bright for Lowrey.But they are owned by one of the largest musical instrument builders in the world-that is hope,though.
that has been the problem for the Lowrey costs-haven't been able to see prices on most dealer website-they just link you to the Lowrey site-so you don't even know what is in stock!The only places I see prices are on Craigslist and EBay.It was on one of the instrument forum sites where the members felt things weren't looking to bright for Lowrey.But they are owned by one of the largest musical instrument builders in the world-that is hope,though.
Some of the dealers do have prices on their website but usually only for the lower end used models. For the price on the higher end models you always have to call the dealer. Here's a website in WI that has prices on used Lowrey's as well as other makes.
Gary
http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/used-i...viewCat&catId=338&sort_by=name&sort_order=low
Gary
http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/used-i...viewCat&catId=338&sort_by=name&sort_order=low
danorob1
Well-known member
Hello All,
I know it has been a little while since I've posted an update, but it has been a busy few weeks…
The Lowrey tech came and pulled the pedal board on the friday before last, and then returned them back completely rebuilt on the following Tuesday… I did not really think 4-days was all that bad…
And I am happy to report the the organ is now back to like new condition..,
For anyone that was not familiar with the virtual orchestra aspect of how a more recent organ works, I thought i would post a video or two to give you an idea… Keep in mind that I have only played once or twice a year for the last twenty years - I have not played seriously since my late 20's, so be gentle !!!
… I picked one fun song, and my interpretation of a holiday/church song…
I hope you enjoy, and hope the links work,,,
Dan
I know it has been a little while since I've posted an update, but it has been a busy few weeks…
The Lowrey tech came and pulled the pedal board on the friday before last, and then returned them back completely rebuilt on the following Tuesday… I did not really think 4-days was all that bad…
And I am happy to report the the organ is now back to like new condition..,
For anyone that was not familiar with the virtual orchestra aspect of how a more recent organ works, I thought i would post a video or two to give you an idea… Keep in mind that I have only played once or twice a year for the last twenty years - I have not played seriously since my late 20's, so be gentle !!!
… I picked one fun song, and my interpretation of a holiday/church song…
I hope you enjoy, and hope the links work,,,
Dan
Dan: Very nice playing!!Glad your organ is working well with its new pedalboard!
thermokid
Well-known member
Organ Music
That was absolutely Beautiful... I wish I could play as good as you do. My mother always said practice, practice, practice. I have her organ it is a Roland Atelier AT70. Dan
That was absolutely Beautiful... I wish I could play as good as you do. My mother always said practice, practice, practice. I have her organ it is a Roland Atelier AT70. Dan
Just watched the videos Dan...well done. It certainly sounds like you have played more than once or twice a year for the past 20 years! So I take it you are pleased with the Rhapsody? I'm not really too familiar with it as it doesn't seem to have been a popular model with Lowrey customers for some reason.
Gary
Gary
danorob1
Well-known member
Gary, Dan & Rex- Thank you for the comments on the songs… It is very hard to capture the actual tones and effects of the organ using an I phone - I have to get either a Roland digital recorder, or a real video camera…
Gary - Here is the story of how I started playing…. Back in 1971 when I was 5-years old, my father purchased one of the Hammond Piper organs for my mother to learn on… She Never did, try as she may….
The rule was we could not touch the organ because we were too little… When my grandmother was come to sit us, I would play using the numbered books… Before Long, I did not really need the books…
One day my father came home unexpectedly and started to walk into the room to tell my mother that she was getting very good… Only it was not my mother playing, it was me…
From That point on, they encouraged me to play… Then one day in September 1973, my mother took me up to the Hammond Organ store in North Plainfield, NJ to purchase some music books…
Three hours later, she was calling my father to tell him that he better come up, because she just spent $6300.00 on a new organ for me…
I lived in Georgia for 7-years from 1986 till about 1993… I played that thing almost every day from 1973-1993… Then I met my partner, and moved back to New Jersey in early 1994…
From that point on, things changed and now that I was with someone, I did not have the time to dedicate to it like I used to… I would play a few songs at Christmas, and that was about it…. I would say that if I was lucky I would play maybe 1-2 hours per year - Just enough to keep the Tone Generator from locking up…
Actually it is funny - The Vibrator scanner on the T-Series was belt driven off of the Main Run Motor by a rubber o-ring type belt… I would have to put a new one on every 6 months when I would finally go to play the thing because they would crack and snap from not being played...
So I really was telling the truth when I say that I only played one or twice per year in the last 20-years… I was just very lucky that I never really took lessons, and never forgot what I had learned… It always came very naturally for me… I taught myself to read music, and taught myself to play he Organ and Guitar as well...
I played the Guitar from the time I was 13, until I sold it when I moved to Georgia - At one time I headed up two different Folk Groups at my Church - That was something I also enjoyed…
(I regret selling it as it was a Ovation Custom Legend and was gorgeous) - I was in Sam ash music last week to get some sheet music, and asked to play one of the acoustic guitars that had on display, and was shocked that after all those years, I could still belt out stairway to heaven, with very few errors… I may have to ask Santa to bring me a guitar for Christmas this year!
So that is my story !!!
Dan
Gary - Here is the story of how I started playing…. Back in 1971 when I was 5-years old, my father purchased one of the Hammond Piper organs for my mother to learn on… She Never did, try as she may….
The rule was we could not touch the organ because we were too little… When my grandmother was come to sit us, I would play using the numbered books… Before Long, I did not really need the books…
One day my father came home unexpectedly and started to walk into the room to tell my mother that she was getting very good… Only it was not my mother playing, it was me…
From That point on, they encouraged me to play… Then one day in September 1973, my mother took me up to the Hammond Organ store in North Plainfield, NJ to purchase some music books…
Three hours later, she was calling my father to tell him that he better come up, because she just spent $6300.00 on a new organ for me…
I lived in Georgia for 7-years from 1986 till about 1993… I played that thing almost every day from 1973-1993… Then I met my partner, and moved back to New Jersey in early 1994…
From that point on, things changed and now that I was with someone, I did not have the time to dedicate to it like I used to… I would play a few songs at Christmas, and that was about it…. I would say that if I was lucky I would play maybe 1-2 hours per year - Just enough to keep the Tone Generator from locking up…
Actually it is funny - The Vibrator scanner on the T-Series was belt driven off of the Main Run Motor by a rubber o-ring type belt… I would have to put a new one on every 6 months when I would finally go to play the thing because they would crack and snap from not being played...
So I really was telling the truth when I say that I only played one or twice per year in the last 20-years… I was just very lucky that I never really took lessons, and never forgot what I had learned… It always came very naturally for me… I taught myself to read music, and taught myself to play he Organ and Guitar as well...
I played the Guitar from the time I was 13, until I sold it when I moved to Georgia - At one time I headed up two different Folk Groups at my Church - That was something I also enjoyed…
(I regret selling it as it was a Ovation Custom Legend and was gorgeous) - I was in Sam ash music last week to get some sheet music, and asked to play one of the acoustic guitars that had on display, and was shocked that after all those years, I could still belt out stairway to heaven, with very few errors… I may have to ask Santa to bring me a guitar for Christmas this year!
So that is my story !!!
Dan
Thanks for telling your story Dan. You are very fortunate to have such a natural talent.
Gary
Gary
danorob1
Well-known member
It's funny Gary - The one thing that I seem to have lost was the ability to listen to something, sit down, and after a little playing around, be able to mostly play it by ear…
I guess the old saying is true - use it or loose it !!!
So - It is funny - Near us, the Lowrey Dealer had not one, but 4- Rhapsody's on the floor when I was in - All were recently traded for something newer - All were owned by Seniors - I actually got to meet Rose at one of the classes I attended on "how to use your Lowrey" - She was the first and only owner of my Organ, and went on to tell me that she hoped I take care of it like she had - It was her Baby !!!
The Rhapsody was the Elite series organ from 2002-2005 - I was lucky as mine was built on 08/25/2005 at the very end of the production run…
The last person to touch and inspect the organ actually signs and dates the metal bracket that retains the side panels that form the case for the expression pedals - I got to see mine when they removed them to get the pedal board out…
The dealer told me that a Rhapsody was basically similar to a Royal or a Stardust with a few less song sets ups, and a few less voices… The Biggest difference between the three is the lack of the Theater tabs on the lower angled portion of the console on the right and left sides -
The funniest past is that even though mine is a Rhapsody SU400 - 3/4 of the boards in the organ were labeled as SU500/SU530 - When I asked the person at Lowrey why this would be, she explained that as they would run out of component boards during the very end of a model run, they would begin to use the newer boards that would have been used in the next upcoming model -
So all in all, yes - I am really enjoying it - It brings a calm over me to sit down and play -
After a day at work, I walk in - Pet the dog - Make a pit stop, then sit down for an hour or so and just play, and play, and play… A nice way to end the day !!!
Now I have to deal with entertaining everyone - The day that it was delivered, my "work wife" came over after work, and the next day at work was planning a holiday gathering so everyone could hear me play -
Does not seem like they are going to let me out of it !!!
I guess the old saying is true - use it or loose it !!!
So - It is funny - Near us, the Lowrey Dealer had not one, but 4- Rhapsody's on the floor when I was in - All were recently traded for something newer - All were owned by Seniors - I actually got to meet Rose at one of the classes I attended on "how to use your Lowrey" - She was the first and only owner of my Organ, and went on to tell me that she hoped I take care of it like she had - It was her Baby !!!
The Rhapsody was the Elite series organ from 2002-2005 - I was lucky as mine was built on 08/25/2005 at the very end of the production run…
The last person to touch and inspect the organ actually signs and dates the metal bracket that retains the side panels that form the case for the expression pedals - I got to see mine when they removed them to get the pedal board out…
The dealer told me that a Rhapsody was basically similar to a Royal or a Stardust with a few less song sets ups, and a few less voices… The Biggest difference between the three is the lack of the Theater tabs on the lower angled portion of the console on the right and left sides -
The funniest past is that even though mine is a Rhapsody SU400 - 3/4 of the boards in the organ were labeled as SU500/SU530 - When I asked the person at Lowrey why this would be, she explained that as they would run out of component boards during the very end of a model run, they would begin to use the newer boards that would have been used in the next upcoming model -
So all in all, yes - I am really enjoying it - It brings a calm over me to sit down and play -
After a day at work, I walk in - Pet the dog - Make a pit stop, then sit down for an hour or so and just play, and play, and play… A nice way to end the day !!!
Now I have to deal with entertaining everyone - The day that it was delivered, my "work wife" came over after work, and the next day at work was planning a holiday gathering so everyone could hear me play -
Does not seem like they are going to let me out of it !!!
I don't play-but at some point would like to.Its just getting an organ to play.They are kinda scarce here.Folks in my area are not into organs.They would say-"oh thats what you have in church.""You want one at home?"I say--"YES"!!All my time have done lots of LISTENING-but no playing-except for a few roll or book organs.Those I can play-just put the roll or book in the keyframe and let the organ play!I knew a fellow that had a Wurlitzer 105 band organ and a Mortier book type dance hall organ.Was fun playing those.At that time was living in an apartment-no way could I have an organ there.And the Mortier was HUGE--would have to live in that-instead of the apartment.Those were sort of neat and thrilling to play.The sound of the motors pumping the bellows was cool-neat "breathing" sounds.And I would go to Glen Echo park in Wash DC-ride the Dentzel Merry Go Round and ---LISTEN TO THE Wurlitzer 165!!Often for hours!So at this stage just hope we can score on the lottery--then maybe I can get an organ of some sort.Listened to a CD of a Rodgers electronic "theater"organ from 1998-sounded really good!!!Wonder what those would be like now!An early digital "sampler" instrument.The picture of it in the CD case just shows the console-there are no speakers-you don't see any grill for them on the Rodgers organ case.Guess the amps and speakers are separate.Will research these on the 'net.This disk was one I haden't played that came with a large boxful of organ CD's from the Chocowinty,NC swap shop.Then there are the organ videos on YouTube!Listen to those,as well.
danorob1
Well-known member
Hi Rex -
It is funny how times have changed -
We have always had two big malls locally - There were at least two or three organ stores in every mall - Never mind the stand alone company owned stores -
Now Nothing - I had to drive over an hour to get the the only Lowrey dealer in the state - There are also NO real Piano stores either - Years ago, they would sell both instruments - No More -
While organs may have fallen out of favor with the public overall, you can not change the fact that they still sell - I went down for this weeks "how to use it" class at my Lowrey dealer, and 4 different organs had sold signs on them and were waiting to be delivered - One Rhapsody like mine, A Stardust, A Sterling, and a brand new Inspire EY400 -
Actually the person who had purchased the Inspire was in the class - She was trading in a Sterling for it - She said the Sterling was to complicated and she wanted something smaller - She had no problem telling everyone that she thought it would be the best $30,000.00 that she had spent -
She said since her husband passed, she only does three things - a 40-day cruise every year, a new Mercedes every two years, and a new Lowrey when they come out every year…
All I could think was "good for you honey" - Life if too short - Enjoy it while you can - (and if you can afford it),,,
Dan
It is funny how times have changed -
We have always had two big malls locally - There were at least two or three organ stores in every mall - Never mind the stand alone company owned stores -
Now Nothing - I had to drive over an hour to get the the only Lowrey dealer in the state - There are also NO real Piano stores either - Years ago, they would sell both instruments - No More -
While organs may have fallen out of favor with the public overall, you can not change the fact that they still sell - I went down for this weeks "how to use it" class at my Lowrey dealer, and 4 different organs had sold signs on them and were waiting to be delivered - One Rhapsody like mine, A Stardust, A Sterling, and a brand new Inspire EY400 -
Actually the person who had purchased the Inspire was in the class - She was trading in a Sterling for it - She said the Sterling was to complicated and she wanted something smaller - She had no problem telling everyone that she thought it would be the best $30,000.00 that she had spent -
She said since her husband passed, she only does three things - a 40-day cruise every year, a new Mercedes every two years, and a new Lowrey when they come out every year…
All I could think was "good for you honey" - Life if too short - Enjoy it while you can - (and if you can afford it),,,
Dan
Dan, you are very fortunate that you can play by ear! I cannot do that. I only have 3 songs that I can play from memory - Spanish Eyes (the very first song I ever played back as a teenager), Jingle Bells and Heart & Soul LOL
At one time, Lowrey used to put on the HOH (Home Organ Holiday) convention once a year in Chicago. I think they did it for about 11-12 years and then quit doing them 3-4 years ago, probably because it got to be too expensive for them. Now Dennis Awe puts on his 'spectacular' once a year in different cities. I have been to 2 HOH. The first was in 2007...I just went for one day. I was fortunate that there were tours of the Lowrey factory that year so I got to see the entire process of organs being built from beginning to end. It was obvious that everyone put a lot of care into their job. There were about 700 people at the convention, I think I must have been the youngest one there at age 48 LOL Talking with people during the meals it was obvious that people had spent a lot of money on Lowreys. Most people had owned several, trading up every time a new model came out. Most of them lived near dealers, took lessons and belonged to the Lowrey L.I.F.E. program where they could get together on a regular basis with other Lowrey owners. In 2009 I went back for the full 3 day convention. It was great to hear all the Lowrey artists play as well as be able to see and play all the current models. They had a room with all the models on display and anyone could sit down to try them out. The best part that there was no selling allowed, no salesman, no pressure to buy, etc. They also had classes during the day on how to get the most out of the organ.
Gary
At one time, Lowrey used to put on the HOH (Home Organ Holiday) convention once a year in Chicago. I think they did it for about 11-12 years and then quit doing them 3-4 years ago, probably because it got to be too expensive for them. Now Dennis Awe puts on his 'spectacular' once a year in different cities. I have been to 2 HOH. The first was in 2007...I just went for one day. I was fortunate that there were tours of the Lowrey factory that year so I got to see the entire process of organs being built from beginning to end. It was obvious that everyone put a lot of care into their job. There were about 700 people at the convention, I think I must have been the youngest one there at age 48 LOL Talking with people during the meals it was obvious that people had spent a lot of money on Lowreys. Most people had owned several, trading up every time a new model came out. Most of them lived near dealers, took lessons and belonged to the Lowrey L.I.F.E. program where they could get together on a regular basis with other Lowrey owners. In 2009 I went back for the full 3 day convention. It was great to hear all the Lowrey artists play as well as be able to see and play all the current models. They had a room with all the models on display and anyone could sit down to try them out. The best part that there was no selling allowed, no salesman, no pressure to buy, etc. They also had classes during the day on how to get the most out of the organ.
Gary
Besides Lowrey-was looking at other organs available out there-Found both Allen and Rodgers has a LOT of cinema style organs-but---NO PRICES.Rodgers/Roland has a home model sort of like the Lowrey under the name of Atelier.Looks like a nice instrument under their descriptions-but no list of dealers or any idea of prices.Don't get how these things sell?And of course no dealer here to visit.Of course and organ is like many other things-you want to see,listen to it before buying,and yes,try it.Does the place selling it have lessons or instructions-like the same idea of places that sell sewing machines-they usually have lessons-often free--on the one you are buying.What good is the sewing machine or organ if you don't know how to use it?The Allen cinema organs appear to be REALLY nice-one model is 5 manual and has a 1600W sound system.The tone cabinets and amps are separate from the console.
danorob1
Well-known member
Hi Rex -
My Lowrey Dealer is also a Roland Dealer - They are the two brands he sells -
He has all the Roland Models as well -
We did try a AT-900 Atelier Platinum Edition The Price was $59,999.00 - still $10k less then the Lowrey -
It sounded great to me, but DID NOT have the depth, Base, Punch, what ever term you would like to use of the Lowrey Organs - Again - New they are out of my reach -
Dan
My Lowrey Dealer is also a Roland Dealer - They are the two brands he sells -
He has all the Roland Models as well -
We did try a AT-900 Atelier Platinum Edition The Price was $59,999.00 - still $10k less then the Lowrey -
It sounded great to me, but DID NOT have the depth, Base, Punch, what ever term you would like to use of the Lowrey Organs - Again - New they are out of my reach -
Dan
In North America, Lowrey and Roland seem to be the 2 prominant brands although there are others. In Europe, Wersi and Bohm are very popoular while Lowrey is popular in the UK. The Roland AT900 has a lot of nice features, some say more than what is available on the Lowrey. I've heard people says that have owned Lowreys and then bought a Roland, that the Roland is more difficult to set up...you can't just sit right down and play. I guess it is not as user friendly. I think the Roland is meant more for the person that likes to 'tinker' with their registrations rather than use a lot of presets. Some say that the solo instrument sounds on the Roland are much better than the Lowrey....all a matter of personal taste. I've seen new AT900s advertised for in the $30K range...I think they are quite a bit less expensive than the Lowreys.
Gary
Gary
danorob1
Well-known member
Interesting Gary -
Goes to prove that the dealers do set the prices -
Now - I did make type in my post above, and it should have read $49,999 on the Roland, not $59,999 - the $49k price i was given on the Roland was from a sales person, not the owner - ( I was getting ready to leave for the dentist and did not double check my posting )
When I was just in I asked the actual owner about the "Real" price if I wanted to get the liberty he had on the floor - He gave me a price in the high teens, ( close to $20,000 ) and that was with giving me credit on what I just paid him for the Rhapsody back on a trade -
Again - there is a lot of wiggle room - And Yes - They did say that setting up the Roland was not as simple as the Lowrey - More professionals purchased the Roland, more home players purchased the Lowrey -
Dan
Goes to prove that the dealers do set the prices -
Now - I did make type in my post above, and it should have read $49,999 on the Roland, not $59,999 - the $49k price i was given on the Roland was from a sales person, not the owner - ( I was getting ready to leave for the dentist and did not double check my posting )
When I was just in I asked the actual owner about the "Real" price if I wanted to get the liberty he had on the floor - He gave me a price in the high teens, ( close to $20,000 ) and that was with giving me credit on what I just paid him for the Rhapsody back on a trade -
Again - there is a lot of wiggle room - And Yes - They did say that setting up the Roland was not as simple as the Lowrey - More professionals purchased the Roland, more home players purchased the Lowrey -
Dan
It would be really interesting to know what the dealer pays Lowrey for a Liberty. I'm assuming that all dealers pay the say price to Lowrey and then each dealer sets their price. That may not be true of course. Lowrey may also give 'deals' to dealers that move a lot of inventory (like Fletcher's in Florida).
Gary
Gary
Back to where we started-all of these organs are so overpriced.No way I am going to pay new car prices for an organ.Organ project to me going to be abandoned.Just too expensive.Settle for listening to my CDs,records,and YouTube.Can think of other ways for entertainment-like collecting vacuum cleaners and other things!
Ebay, craigslist, etc. are your best bet for getting a very inexpensive organ.
Gary
Gary
