I'm not looking forward to starting out all over again. Or, to have to incur the extra cost involved. However, when I sit down to play with only bits and pieces of the 35 rank package spread around a console that is too small for 35 ranks, it really is very frustrating. You only get to live once!

My revamped Rodgers 340 console is excellent for 21/22 ranks, and still very useable for 25, but that is its limit - even with 42 lit pistons acting as stops (so 171 stops including the SAM driven tabs). I must admit that two years ago when the first spec was laid down, I had no idea how to use 22 ranks! In fact 6 years ago even using 10 ranks was a challenge!

The extra musical possibilities of the extra ranks, especially, at the extremes (the gorgeous quieter ranks, and the Tuba Mirabilis at the opposite end) and even in the "middle" (the extra Tibia and extra 2 sets of strings) will make the stress, time, effort and cost worthwhile. In addition, the new double bolster three manual console's specification prepares for a couple of extra ranks beyond 35 ranks. Mainly accompaniment ranks.

Don Clark has already commenced the construction of the new shell, and from Terry Lloyd locally, I have acquired a  2 to 3 manual Wurlitzer Balcolm and Vaughn conversion parts of which are in surprisingly good condition. This is the console from WurliTzer Opus #341 the last installation of which was in the Stren residence in Seattle  http://www.pstos.org/instruments/wa/seattle/stern.htm (my thanks to Frank Vanaman for the investigative forensics).

From this console I will be using, refinishing, and refurbishing the pedal board, music rack, bench and gorgeous corbels. New keyboards have been ordered from OSI. The orders are now placed with all suppliers and will arrive over the next few months. Due to unexpectedly lengthy delays in supply, the Rodgers console will now not be sold until the new console is completed.

The new console is to be styled on a paneled 3 manual double bolster WurliTzer console along these lines, but without the incorrect music rack shown here and the console will be finished in satin black.