Awesome dump score today!

[Rob]

Great day at the dump. This was being dropped off by the Pastor of a local church with a helper. He explained that it didn't work and that was why they didn't take it to an auction house instead. I asked if it was vacuum tubes and he said 'yes', which increased my interest a lot more! :) They were even kind enough to deliver it to my place because it weighs about 400 lbs. (the bass pedal unit is about 75 lbs and comes away with cable connectors) and they saw that there was no way I could handle it myself on the roof rack of my Toyota. I only live a 10 minute drive from the dump. As they were leaving my place he said that he hoped I would just plug it in and it would work fine. After they were gone and I had gotten the bass pedal unit attached I plugged it in and...... it worked fine! :) It even has a mechanical motor driven Leslie speaker inside. I haven't pulled the back covers but I'm really curious to find out what is in there. Could be some impressive drivers, and a big two channel tube audio amplifier! The thing is stereo with one channel driving the leslie speaker. The thing is in terrific condition, like an 8+ out of 10. It is a Lowrie. This was obviously a very expensive organ when new. The quality is top shelf.

I've gotten some good stuff from time to time at the local dump, but never anything this awesome.

:yippy:

Now I only wish I knew how to play the thing.

Rob

[ProAc_Fan]

Great now I gotta start hangin around the local dump too.:D My wife already thinks I'm nuts but this should be the topper. I have a lowrie organ as well but I bought mine from the Sally Ann. I can't play it either but it was in such nice shape I couldn't just leave it there.:withstpd:


Mike

[Rob]

I just pulled the back off the organ and almost fell over in surprise and delight. 98, count-em (I did) 98 tubes!!! There are four 5681's in the stereo PA outputs. Four drivers too including two 12"s with alnico, and a smaller one for the highs plus a newer style Jensen musical instrument speaker for the Leslie(Looks original though from the back cut-out for the magnet. Wow, what a fine museum piece. It was cranky but after 1/2 hour wake-up with caps re-forming and tube emissions returning it is all working 100%. It is even in what appears to me to be perfect tune! I'm gonna give the insides a thorough cleaning and it will look like new.

Rob

[Rob]

Here's a photo that tube lovers will warm up to!

BTW, if anyone has any info on this Lowrey organ Model SSO-25-1 or even know the date of manufacture please let me know.

Thanx,
Rob

[MikE]

I've heard of guys buying radios and even old organs (though nothing like this one) to strip out the tubes. I'm not that greedy or needy that I have to resort to that! Next time your pastor wants to donate to the local tube junkie send him my way!
Congrats on your lastest score! MikE

[Thatch_Ear]

I have bought a few of those that were in not such good shape physically and they were a great source of tubes, those being on top are 12AU7s if I remember. The amps in the Lowry organ is basically the same one as was put in their juke boxes but not painted red. Unfortunatly although a nice instrument the best thing is just to have fun with it as the tubed ones sought after are Hammonds. Can't say I ever beat that price though. Free and delivered. My back got hurt on the very last one I ever bought, so I am out of the tubed organ business.
Thatch

[bolly]

I think I know where 1 of these is for $25CDN...

[braillediver]

You dog!

That's Beautiful.

So what are all the tubes and what brand?

That's amazing looking.

Yeah I know guys who hunt for old organs and test equipent to strip.


That's a great score.

Mitch

[Brian]

Mine looks like the same unit. It has the built in cassette recorder and a headphone jack. The headphones are Lowery branded Koss L6C which still sound excellent. The unit needs some real tlc since a couple of the ivories stick and the electrolytics needs attention. I've never opened it up.

[Haoleb]

98 tubes. yowza! i bet that thing gets pretty warm eh? you dont even need a heater anymore. i bet it sucks alot of juice too!

[Lefty]

You guys crack me up :D

next thing we know one of you will score an old military SAGE computer, think of how many tubes that bad boy has. A goggle search should bring up some great stores and even pics of the ultimate tube based system, :cool: :cool:

Lefty

[Brian]

Mine was not a score believe me. Some guy was in desparate need of a Chapter 7 and could not afford it. All he had was this organ so I took it for a fee and paid $75 to have it moved into my house. He had it on consignment in an organ shop for something like $250 and no bites. Then just before we file the paperwork, he goes and wins the lottery so no filing. I tried to give the darned thing back but he refused to take it. I'm still stuck with it in my living room.

[Thatch_Ear]

The last organ I bought was a winner. Basically a B3 but with speakers and all. Getting it out of my truck destroyed an already bad disc. Since I cant buy the things and just strip them on location and let the SA crush them, I quit buying them. Great source for tubes and PSs and PS chokes, or the amps work great for guitars.
I used to give tubes away, but have gotten a bit low and dislike giving away some very nice tubes and having the gift used just so the gear could be sold. Now everyone must pay! Well most everybody. I did give away a fist full of 6922s at the meet at Ward's place.