The 48-key scale was developed by Gavioli et Cie in Paris about
the turn of the 20th century. I produced two sizes of this popular scale while
in the Page & Howard partnership. The larger and more complete contains
144 pipes in the following configuration:
Melody
22 notes: 3 ranks + Trumpet on register
Accompaniment
12 notes: 2 ranks
Bass
8 notes: 3 ranks + Trombone on register
Percussion
Bass drum & cymbal; snare drum.
The melody pipes are displayed at the front, with the trumpets behind. The accompaniments are ranged on either side, and the basses are at the back, with the largest rank under the floor of the organ beneath the wind reservoir. Action is charge pneumatic, into a main bar chest, with the forte register operating via membranes. Thus, the only moving parts in the action are very accessible at the back.
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This façade was constructed and decorated in our own workshops, and was modelled on a photograph from a facimile Gavioli catalogue, showing a 50-key organ. The original organ of this design was built in 1985 and was exported to Tasmania, Australia in 1999, where it now graces the centre of a set of gallopers. The organ's action is based on a main "bar" chest, with membrane register control. All moving parts are easily accessible at the back. |
The trumpet rank, here on our original workshop voicing machine, shows the top six pipes at "harmonic" length for stability in tuning. More recently a new voicing machine was built, equipped with a 56-note keyboard, and a capacity for four ranks of pipes. It was sold due to lack of space in my current workshop. |
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This is a military-style 48-key organ. Shown here is "The True Hussar", which operates with the gallopers of Masons Amusements. Its specification of 114 pipes is as follows:
Melody
22 notes: 3 ranks, incl. trumpet; + glockenspiel on register
Accompaniment
12 notes: 2 ranks
Bass
8 notes: 3 ranks
Percussion
Bass drum & cymbal; snare drum.
The 22-note glockenspiel has chromium-plated steel bars, carefully tuned. The dimensions of the bars is designed to complement the natural harmonics of the organ's pipes. They are suspended on silicone rubber and struck centrally to enhance a bell-like ringing tone. This glockenspiel can be fitted to any organ, adapted to suit the organ's scale and layout.