My interest in organs was first sparked when I took private violin lessons beginning in the 3rd grade, and my teacher had a Hammond B2 in her studio. She would often accompany me using the Hammond. I was fascinated by the fiddling she would do with the drawbars prior to beginning to play. In fact, my first "organ" acquisition was a 1948 Hammond CV. In the 6th grade I built a single manual plus pedal electronic organ using neon bulb oscillators for the local Science Fair.

Later on, our church replaced their pipe organ with a new 3/44 Moller. The previous instrument was actually a theatre organ removed from the Riviera Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. Its parts were flung out a second story window of the church and trashed (sigh). Soon, crates of new parts arrived: pipes and strange wooden parts were laying around everywhere in the church. I was facinated! I followed the installation with great interest and got lots of chamber tours.

Prior to and during the dedication (Virgil Fox), the Moller developed ciphers. I was the official "pipe puller" and had a key to the chambers. One summer I assisted the local Moller technician install additional felt/leather valves on the pouch rails. My job, as you might expect, was removing and replacing the bottom boards and pouch rails. I'll never forget laying on my back with a Yankee Screwdriver! But it was a labor of love. Well, needless to say, I now had to have a pipe organ.

Once the kids had moved out, I started acquiring electronic organs (starting with the Hammond CV). From there I acquired a Conn 821 with AGO pedals. This lead to my finally taking organ lessons at age 53, having never taken piano (I tried ever since college to take lessons, but no teacher would accept me without a piano background). Working through the local AGO chapter, I was fortunate to find a teacher. I began taking lessons with Dr. Timothy Wissler at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta (3/66 Goulding and Wood).

While attempting to upgrade to a better practice instrument, I visited the local Allen Organ Studios looking for a used electronic. The sales person was very helpful, and when I stated my interest in pipes, he gave me several leads on pipe organs (including a Moller Artiste, which convinced me that I could actually OWN a pipe organ). Well, it went downhill from there. I joined the various email lists as well as the local ATOS chapter. I acquired my first set of parts from Richard Schneider (3 rank Wicks). My second acquisition was a 10 rank Mudler-Hunter, which I eventually sold, since the parts were not appropriate for expanding the Wicks. My last pipe acquisition was a 1929 vintage 6 rank Hook and Hastings mortuary organ. I combined the Wicks and Hook and Hastings parts, built an electromechanical relay using the Wicks as a basis, replaced a few ranks as well as the blower, and eventually acquired a nice 2 manual Schantz console.  At this point I had a very playable 2/10 organ in my basement.

When we retired and moved, I decided not to try and move the organ, so it was sold.  I acquired a 3 manual used Allen MDS-40S which I use for practice.  I also found an organ teacher at our new location.


Dave McClellan
Dandridge, TN

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