Old Baldwin organ

[Treeline]

I ran across an old Baldwin organ in a surplus shop; looks to be from the early 1950s. It was in an institution that recently closed and is a bit battered but not evidently abused. I couldn't get to it in the piles of stuff so am guessing at the model. A little image Googling suggests it might be an old Model 5 or something similar; two manual, separate speaker box, tube amp, perhaps 37 channels, plain wooden veneered cabinet. They tell me "there's just something wrong with the amp." (Right -"just"). The asking price is $150 and I'm contemplating offering a nominal amount just so I get to move it...

Anyway - Does anyone here have any insight? Is this a potential cool old gem or should I run like hell in the other direction?

Thanks.

[Treeline]

I bought it. Fifty bucks and I don't have to move it until March.

Went back and tore into it a bit. It's a Model 5 from somewhere between 1946 and 1954 or 55. All the parts are there and it appears the problem is in the amp - it has a separate amp / speaker cabinet a little smaller than a refrigerator; seems to have a 200 watt tube amp in there. I never saw so many tubes - maybe fifty or sixty of the suckers...

God will I be in trouble then. My wife is sure to find out. How do you casually conceal a church organ?

Did I mention it has curly maple veneer?

[Zaphod B]

How strong is your floor? Those fuckers are heavy!

[Treeline]

It is similar to this pic I pulled from the 'net.

[Zaphod B]

Very cool. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[bsr2002]

Don't forget to put this on when you play it.

[Treeline]

Originally Posted by bsr2002

Don't forget to put this on when you play it.

LOL!! I may have to wear that when my wife sees the thing...

[LP2006]

Yeah, I've got an old conn organ I picked up for $25. Works pretty good considering it was only $25 dollars. Sounds just awsome with the original Leslie System. Unfortunatley there's no room for it in my house at the moment, and its just been kind-of chillin' in the garage (quite literally chillin since I live in Michigan ). I don't want to power it up out there in fear of destroying it. If anyone in the Lansing area wants an organ, shoot me a pm.

[themaddog]

I bought a Baldwin Orgasonic almost 8 years ago from Goodwill for $40. Only thing wrong with is the pedals, which don't seem to function. I don't know enough about it to go inside and tinker with it. I think the organ is from the '70s, don't think it's tube, but it sounds pretty bitchin'.

-MD

[res0nance]

A tip on the tubes - if you fire it up in the dark and look at the tubes, they should glow orange. Any that have a blueish glow to them also have leaked air inside and must be replaced. Any that don't glow at all, well, take a guess =) It's a good start to get it working until you get a tube tester. I used to tinker with a nearly identical beast at my highschool ages ago and got it working (to their amazement and dismay, as i played on it in the auditorium until they wanted to puke!). I rigged up a bogen PA amp to it and it worked fine, so don't sweat the power amp section you may be able to replace it or reroute the signal...

I am envious =)

[meTrex]

Geez, I am in good company here. I recently dragged home a 1959 Hammond M3 (owned by a little old lady since it was made) Mint condition for $100 CDN. Glad I'm not the only one that brings a very heavy instrument home on a gut feeling ha.

Hopefully, I will find room in my home recording compositions for the old organ sound.

I was happy to see your post res0nance! Although the small tube amp works well now....I always wondered if these old organs can be easilly modified by getting a more powerful modern amplifier installed in them.

[peritus]

I'm just sad cause I found a Hammond w/ internal leslie for $20 at a thrift shop a couple weeks ago and couldn't afford to move it... So sad...

[meTrex]

Ya, that hurts. Up here in Canada....the Lesley is a rare animal. Wish I had one.

[robin watson]

1937 synthesizer (includes sound samples):

http://www.discretesynthesizers.com/Nova/intro.htm

[peritus]

Originally Posted by robin watson

1937 synthesizer (includes sound samples):

http://www.discretesynthesizers.com/Nova/intro.htm

This is in the top ten coolest sites I've seen in the rememberable past!
Awesome!

[meTrex]

Yes, very cool site. I love to restore equiptment...but that would be just a bit too much for me!

Thanks for bringing it to our attention for fun viewing guys!