In regards to the style 150 Wurlitzer that was originally installed in the Rivola, I bought the organ from James Chase in Sunnyvale, CA in 2003 and brought it to my home in Oregon. It is currently undergoing a full restoration with the retention of ALL electro-pneumatic components (console, relay, etc…) James told me it was removed from the theatre in the late thirties or early forties by the Wurlitzer factory and re-installed in the Oskaloosa in a Methodist Church. The console wears a small brass tag from the Church. During the re-installation in the church, the Wurlitzer Company removed the toy counter and added two ranks, a diapason and a dulciana. Both ranks played on single rank unit chests (with late model black cap magnets and braided cloth covered wiring, not black friction tape). Fortunately, the tuned percussions were retained during the re-installation. I hope to find a suitable public venue for the instrument to be enjoyed. If the theatre ever re-opened, I’d love to see it return home! There are a lot of orphan theatre organs out there.
In regards to the style 150 Wurlitzer that was originally installed in the Rivola, I bought the organ from James Chase in Sunnyvale, CA in 2003 and brought it to my home in Oregon. It is currently undergoing a full restoration with the retention of ALL electro-pneumatic components (console, relay, etc…) James told me it was removed from the theatre in the late thirties or early forties by the Wurlitzer factory and re-installed in the Oskaloosa in a Methodist Church. The console wears a small brass tag from the Church. During the re-installation in the church, the Wurlitzer Company removed the toy counter and added two ranks, a diapason and a dulciana. Both ranks played on single rank unit chests (with late model black cap magnets and braided cloth covered wiring, not black friction tape). Fortunately, the tuned percussions were retained during the re-installation. I hope to find a suitable public venue for the instrument to be enjoyed. If the theatre ever re-opened, I’d love to see it return home! There are a lot of orphan theatre organs out there.