About 13 years ago now we supplied one of our very first 3 manual drawstop instruments to a customer in South London. Its often after a period of ownership of this length that a number of customers have thoughts of exploring a newer instrument. This may offer an improved sound platform or just as in this case a larger instrument.
Our customer David sticks in my memory as his delivery involved the unusual step of removing a window to make the delivery possible. The route through the house for the first instrument was not possible. Armed with this experience we built his new 4 manual instrument in two halves to allow for easier transportation.
While the new instrument could have made the trip through the house the old instrument still had to come out through the window, so this option was also chosen for the delivery of the new instrument. When the time comes to remove the organ in the future the window can fortunately stay in place. So this is the last time our customer David will also need to call on the service of the window fitter to facilitate the delivery.
Sales of 4 manual instruments are very rare indeed. So it was a delightful surprise to receive a second order for 4 manual instrument within a few days of David confirming his order. We wait with baited breath to see if we can make it a hat trick of 4 manuals in 2021!
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Viscount Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
