Barn Find Nov 6 2019
70 Key Decap of Antwerp
Dance Organ
This Decap 70 Key dance organ was located in a barn in the middle of Southern Ontario. It had been used many years ago at various events in the Toronto, and surrounding area. The owner was from the Netherlands and the love of the wonderful sound such instruments produce imported and used it for many years. Finally it was put in a barn, covered with a canvis and forgotten.
We will be restoring this once fine instrument back to it's original condition complete with a new facade which was only partly present.
70 Key Decap of Antwerp
Dance Organ
This Decap 70 Key dance organ was located in a barn in the middle of Southern Ontario. It had been used many years ago at various events in the Toronto, and surrounding area. The owner was from the Netherlands and the love of the wonderful sound such instruments produce imported and used it for many years. Finally it was put in a barn, covered with a canvis and forgotten.
We will be restoring this once fine instrument back to it's original condition complete with a new facade which was only partly present.
April 22 2021;
Finally a little break from Customer restorations and back onto completing the Decap 72 key dance organ back to it's more original appearance back in 1920 Belgium, Over the years it's size was apparently cut down to fit smaller locations so I began by making the two missing side cabinets etc.
Also the two side columns from the original facade had been stored up in the rafters of the barn and will be going back into the new façade of course.
Also a midi system has been created by Klinger Organs which will allow this instrument to not only play it's original 72 key cardboard books but also midi which will allow many different styles of music to be played on this instrument including the original Decap of Antwerp but also Decap of Herentals, Mortier, Bursens etc as well as the very popular Dutch street organ music .
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Finally a little break from Customer restorations and back onto completing the Decap 72 key dance organ back to it's more original appearance back in 1920 Belgium, Over the years it's size was apparently cut down to fit smaller locations so I began by making the two missing side cabinets etc.
Also the two side columns from the original facade had been stored up in the rafters of the barn and will be going back into the new façade of course.
Also a midi system has been created by Klinger Organs which will allow this instrument to not only play it's original 72 key cardboard books but also midi which will allow many different styles of music to be played on this instrument including the original Decap of Antwerp but also Decap of Herentals, Mortier, Bursens etc as well as the very popular Dutch street organ music .
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Jan 2022 work begins on the percussion or drum section
*Above picture shows the completed drum percussion section*
Feb 2022 New LED lighting system is added to the drum unit which will interface with the elaborate light system of the façade which includes complete color changes of the instrument as well as the ability to play along with the organs music changing color to the time of the music being played.
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Feb 2022 New LED lighting system is added to the drum unit which will interface with the elaborate light system of the façade which includes complete color changes of the instrument as well as the ability to play along with the organs music changing color to the time of the music being played.
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MIDI SYSTEM BUILD AND INSTALL
Feb 2022-
The following pictures show the building of a 104 note midi system that will operate the instrument from midi files.
The instrument will also continue to be able to be operated by the original music books
Feb 2022-
The following pictures show the building of a 104 note midi system that will operate the instrument from midi files.
The instrument will also continue to be able to be operated by the original music books
April 10 2022 work continues as time allows, The midi system is now completed and the following pictures show the lay out for the 97 key system which will allow for future additions. also a special midi board system has been build by Klinger organs for me which will allow for the music notes to be played by electronic audio systems which will give a similar ability as Decap used with their Hammond organs & Cordovox for that great dance music of the 50's Boogie woogie etc. Also music by Arthur Bursens as well as Decap.
Jan 2023 Work is once again started after a busy 2022 on other items.
I picked up where I stopped last year with the install of the midi system. The idea is for this instrument to be capable of playing several different style of instruments From dance organ to street organ. I have 2 different midi systems for the instrument now. The first to be installed is the Bursens 98 key midi system and the second one is the Decap 70 key midi system and hopefully the final one will be the Nederland Boekorgel midi for Dutch street organ music.
As you will see I have organized the instrument much like a keyboard or switchboard where every control or music note is available to be wired as per each different system.
I picked up where I stopped last year with the install of the midi system. The idea is for this instrument to be capable of playing several different style of instruments From dance organ to street organ. I have 2 different midi systems for the instrument now. The first to be installed is the Bursens 98 key midi system and the second one is the Decap 70 key midi system and hopefully the final one will be the Nederland Boekorgel midi for Dutch street organ music.
As you will see I have organized the instrument much like a keyboard or switchboard where every control or music note is available to be wired as per each different system.
Feb 23 2023 Update, Work has now moved to begin the marriage of the instrument to the Bursens midi files which starts with re organizing the various pipe registers. The 8 note bass pipes which include the large Cello rank has been split to balance the sound and to also make room for a second 12 note bass rank of pipes. By moving the Basses outside the organ case more room is now given for the additional pipe work soon to be installed.
