My name is Robert Eversman. I live in Mineral Point, WI.(45min S.W.of Madison) where I work as a musician. I am assembling a 5 rank instrument using the major part of a 4 rank Wicks organ built in 1938 for a funeral home in Marian, Iowa. The original ranks were #1) Open Diapason (49 pipes with 8' basses common with flute) #2) Salicional (61 pipes with 8' basses common with flute) # 3) Dulciana (49 pipes with 8' basses common with flute) #4) flute (85 pipes with 16' basses created by a winded reed box). The original console was very limiting and has been replaced with an antique roll top Hinners console (all white quarter sawn oak) and modern AGO pedalboard (Klann for now). All ranks which were originally tied in with the flute basses have been extended with matching bass octaves. The reed box has been replaced with a beautiful 16' extension made by Casavant and sits on Austin unit chests. The 8' Flute is all original to the 1938 Wicks but was revoiced with a notable chiff and is quite beautiful. The original dulciana (small scale) now functions as a celeste to another larger scale Dulciana rank from a different Hinners organ made in 1916.
The basses to this added rank are wooden and from a 1917 Moller. I also extended the top end of the Dulciana with a 4' treble octave made by Kilgen for Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago. The open flute is from a1960's Moller. The manual relays are Wicks (1957) and the pedal relay is SSL (1974). The combination action is the original Hinners mechanical system which still works perfectly. I have all the pipework I will need except the principal for which I am currently searching. I live and work in a commercial building right in town built in 1853 which functioned as a hotel for over 100 years. It is aprx 4500 sq feet and made of native limestone. Despite all this room, only part of the building is "improved" so the entire instrument is located in my bedroom! The 4' open flute is mounted on the wall directly centered over my bed. The restriction in space has become a rather fun challenge for me. The curved floors (old building!) has not been a fun challenge ! My future goal for the organ is to have 4 ranks (main Wicks chest) in an expression chamber with the open flute and 8' principal exposed. This will make the organ 6 ranks with 2 independent principal ranks. It has taken years to collect the parts I now have, but that is part of the fun of it, right? I enjoy sharing my hobby with others and promoting the beauty and joy of the King of Instruments.
Robert
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