'Ruby'

 

My revamped Rodgers 340 console was excellent for 21/22 ranks, and still very useable for 27, but that was 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) has made the stress, time, effort and cost worthwhile. In addition, the new double bolster three manual console's specification prepares for 44 ranks.

The prepared for additions to the standard 35 rank Connoisseur Hauptwerk Organ Definition File will be: Violins, Harmonic Flute, French Horn, Vox Minor, Unda Maris, Dulciana, and a pair of Spitz Flutes.

Queensland master craftsman, Don Clark, built the new console, 'Ruby', for me (see pics here http://picasaweb.google.com/tibiasolo/NewConsole#). Ruby used, (after refinishing and refurbishing) the pedal board, music rack, bench and gorgeous corbels from a  2 to 3 manual conversion of an original WurliTzer console by Balcolm and Vaughn of Seattle. I acquired this console from Terry Lloyd locally. This is the console from WurliTzer Opus #341 the last installation of which was in the Stern residence in Seattle  http://www.pstos.org/instruments/wa/seattle/stern.htm (my thanks to Frank Vanaman for the investigative forensics).

Superb new WurliTzer reproduction keyboards are by OSI.