R.A. Colby Custom Console Builder

R.A. Colby...Organ Builder

See the pictures of the Burlington Unitarian Organ.

Frame - Used to set-up organ in shop then transfer seamlessly to church. Also spreades load somewhat.
Blower - Supplies the wind which is the lifeblood of a pipe organ.
Wind Trunk - Main artery for wind supply.
Reservoirs - Regulate the wind supply. Automatically increases wind pressure when it's getting low, and vice versa.
Supports - Legs for chestwork, walkboards, in some cases reservoirs and pipes.
Chestwork - Holds air mass, pipes, and valves which open and close to play pipes.
Wind Lines - Short run windlines from reservoirs to chestwork.
Wiring - Includes Valves, tremulants, expression motors, circuit boards.
Pipe racks - Holds smaller pipes upright.
Walkboards - Allows easy access to pipes and accessories for tuning and service.
Skyracks - Holds bigger pipes upright.
Swell Shades - "Blinds" that open and close controlling volume of instrument.
Pipes - Make the sound by allowing air flow through.
Casework - An outer architectural structure for covering or housing organ components.
Console - Keyboards and controls for playing the organ

Engineering Excellency
All of the pipe organs we build will be designed to fit in the space perfectly as well as provide easy access for tuning and service. We pay special attention to these requirements because we understand, as an organbuilder and service facility, how ideal it is to walk through a fully and efficiently engineered instrument. No one will provide you, the customer, more extensive knowledge and assurance to meet your goals.

R.A. Colby specializes in two different styles of pipe organ construction explained below. Electro-mechanical and Electro-pneumatic.

Electro-mechanical
R.A. Colby is your resource for quality pipe organ installations. We use the best materials and workmanship to create the best product you can possibly find. Our standard chest construction is of the electro-mechanical style. This style provides you most value as well as a dependable and servicable instrument. "EM" chests utilize an electric magnet attached directly to the pipe valve to supply the action to the pipe.

organs
Electro-mechanical valves

Electro Pneumatic
In addition to our standard construction options, we provide fully traditional electro-pnuematic style chests for the most discerning customers who expect the absolute finest experience out of an instrument. "EP" chests provide the quickest response time from the press of a key to the sound of the pipe. These type chests utilize leather "pouches" and directed wind flow to create the action of the pipe valve.

organs

Electro pneumatic valves