THE PLAN

This project is proceeding in three phases:

First, a number of the stops in the Solo organ are to be made playable from a 1924 two-manual Robert-Morton theatre organ console (originally from the Metropolitan/Hermosa/Bijou Theatre, Hermosa Beach, California), which contains its own relay switches.  I am presently restoring the pneumatic mechanisms in this console to their original condition, including the combination action.  This console will be capable of controlling six ranks of the 10-rank Solo organ.

Phase Two will involve the restoration of the four-manual Robert-Morton console formerly controlling one of the most recorded pipe organs in the world, the Whitney Recording Studio Organ, in Glendale, California.  This organ, of 34 ranks, was based upon a 1928 three manual Robert-Morton theatre organ  installed in a theatre in Redwood City, California.  It was further enlarged with a variety of stops, but the organ has recently been dismantled and dispersed.  I have also acquired some of the Robert-Morton chestwork and percussions from this instrument.  The organ was used extensively in movies and television as well as for regular recording work, and you can hear it on albums by Neil Young, Lee Michaels and Art Garfunkel, as well as many by the most famous theatre organists, and of course, Lorin Whitney himself.  Once again, I intend to restore all of the pneumatic mechanisms on the console.  I like wind-operated things!

In addition to the restoration of the console, I will be modifying the room where the organ is located to accomodate the 14-rank Main chamber, and the chestwork and winding will be undertaken.  At the same time, the room will be acoustically optimized for recording work.

Phase Three will entail the connection of the Whitney console to the entire 24-rank organ, via a Syndyne digital relay.  It is my present intention to keep the two manual console connected to the Solo organ as well.

Owing to some recent events in my life, there may be some fortuitous changes in the works in the next several months.  Return periodically for the updates!

The resources of the organ (as currently anticipated; that does occasionally change!):  Underlined stops are presently playable.

SOLO:

8 Open Diapason (Artcraft, 1925),

16 Tibia Clausa (Wurlitzer) (1-12 are Robert-Morton Bass Flutes from the Chaplin organ)

8 Melodia (Robert-Morton, 1923)

8 Viole da Gamba (Reuter, 1925)

8 Viole Celeste (T.C.) (not yet acquired)

8 Salicional (Robert-Morton, 1923)

8 Voix Celeste

16 Harmonic Trumpet (Casavant, 1927)

8 Clarinet (Moller, 1930)

8 Vox Humana (Robert-Morton, 1925?)

MAIN:

16 Horn Diapason (Kimball, 1902/Robert-Morton 1928 - Diaphones 1-12)

8 Tibia Clausa (Wurlitzer)

8 Harmonic Flute (Artcraft, 1925)

8 Violin (Robert Morton)

8 Violin Celeste (Robert Morton)

8 Viol D'Orchestra (Artcraft)

8 Viol Celeste (Artcraft, 1925)

16 Dulciana (Robert-Morton, 1929)

8  Dulciana Celeste (Robert-Morton, 1923)

8 English Post Horn (Robert Morton; Kukuk)

8 Tuba Horn (not yet acquired)

8 Oboe Horn (Link?)

8 Orchestral Oboe (Kukuk)

8 Quintadena