What was the last new tune you heard on an organ?

The catalog engravings were for the most part suggestions to the prospective buyers. While most showmen (and importers) purchased organs with the stock facades, you could order custom work. Sometimes they were carved for an instrument that was going to an exhibition, but usually it was someone that wanted something different than what the other showmen had.

Thanks for the info on the Bruder in the picture. I thought that was a barrel organ.I do say I had no Idea that the other 80-key organs where the same kind as the one in Florida. Quote:"There at least 6 Gerbruder model 104 organs left". I assume that the 80-key organs are the model 104's. Why do they have all differnt facades? -Justin Mr. Pier explained it perfectly. I should mention that Gebruder Bruder made other organs using the same 80-keyless scale such as "Sirene" and "Terpsichore", but I don't know whether examples of these exist. These latter two organs had one basic facade design each but were each available in several different keyframe sizes. I think the model 104 is considered its own model, despite different facade designs, because of the particular instrumentation (pipe ranks) it contains. I would guess that the 80-keyless versions of "Sirene" and "Terpsichore" used the same scale but had different pipework, much like the Wurlitzer 103, 105 and 125 organs all have different pipework but use the same roll. Who knows more?

Here is a picture of the one in Rudesheim, taken during a routine tour, hence the little Wrede in the way. This organ was apparently originally commissioned by someone in Hungary, hence the rather "Eastern" facade. It now operates from MIDI, but the original keyframe is still in situ. Regards, John

Thanks for the photo.Truly fairground organs are more custom built then the American counterpart.

That main figure is just marvelous. I like it very much so. I cant see it making its way on to any of our organs soon.

You're right, the main conductor figure (and the bell-ringers) are rather nicely carved. I guess that proves wrong what some collectors have said, that German organ figures are "less graceful" (or refined?) than French organ figures. I had forgotten an organ or two to go in with the Gebruder Bruder 104 list. While I am not 100% sure these were originally model 104 organs (80-keyless), they look about the right size. The first one is or was owned by the Deggeller Amusement Co. in the U.S.

Notice that an accordion has been added in place of the snare drum! http://www.ridedealer.com/irv.htm Too bad they don't mention the organ in the history of the carnival. It says that the Deggeller Amusement Co was sold to Conklin Shows (of Canada) in 1978. It is not clear whether the organ was part of this transaction. Conklin does indeed have a model 104 Gebruder Bruder but this appears to be a different one, with a different facade style. This particular organ, accordion and all, was advertised for sale in a 1977 G.W. MacKinnon catalog. Perhaps Deggeller sold it before they sold the rest of their outfit. I don't know where it is today. --- The other organ is a rather unusual-looking one that I found as part of a photoset of a European museum or collection somewhere with several organs. Unfortunately I didn't save the information about the collection itself (the photos might have been posted on iMOD here or one of the European forums). Luckily I saved the photo to the computer. Perhaps somebody can identify what this organ is and where it is?

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