Why is a gulbransen organ so heavy?

Answer 1

Hello there,

I hope that this will answer your question.

Many years ago in the 1970's, i was lucky enough to be able to go the the many organ dealers in the area of England that I lived in and look at and try out the various organs.

At that time, many organ manufacturers such as Lowrey, Conn, Farfisa, Viscount, Hammond and of course Gulbransen, had their cabinets made of REAL WOOD. This made the organs very heavy. Also at that time there was a theory that once you had bought an organ, and played it for a while, the organ tone would mature as the cabinet aged.

Even later organs by organ makers Lowrey, which had the less heavy circuit boards, and modern modern electronic magic STILL made there cabinets out of solid heavy wood. I hope this answers your question.

Actually, I like a heavy organ as I am 6 foot 2 inches, and when I play, I like my organ to be stable, and not rock about like some of the cheaper asian models.

My organs have been, a Thomas color-glow, Lowrey citation Spinet, Lowrey Coronation, Lowrey MX1, (A light Yamaha HC4 which could be transported easily) and my current organ a Technics GX5 which I have had for 7 years (And is heavy). You may like to hear me plying it on my YouTube channel "2009RobinC"

Best wishes

Robin