Article by Jerry Hill
From time to time many of us will go to EBay when we think it’s time for something different or an update to our current organ, such as more musical features that are always added to a later model. That’s a sure sign that you’re hooked in to a brighter musical future. There’s a lot of choices out there from Lowrey, some good…and others, not so good.
Dennis Awe Playing the Lowrey MX-1
From experience, I can tell you what models to avoid at all costs.
To start, I’ll take you back quite a few years to 1989, and starting with the NT Series such as the MX2 and Heritage NT400. As many of you know, that Series was the start of 100% digital organs that Lowrey now likes to refer their organs as being called Virtual Orchestras, and was quite exciting and revolutionary in it’s day. Today for example, the MX2 which was a top of the line model can be purchased on EBay for as little as $200 – $300.
(prices will vary in other parts of the world)
Below is an excellent video produced by Mike Bracchi from the Vintage Organ Group, and played by Mike Hall. This video just shows what a musical revelation back in the late 80’s the MX2 really was.
And the following video is demonstrated admirably by Jeff Mazza showing many of the voices and instrumentation selections that this organ is capable of.
The MX2 Brochure can be found here
It Looks good and it sounds great – doesn’t it ? . . . So you may be thinking this model would be good to tinker around with or it could be a cheaper first timer option instead of some of the many newer and more expensive models out there on sale today. But my advice is simply to let that Model go, it was great in the late 80’s early 90’s, but now is the time to let it quietly fade away peacefully.
This may sound somewhat harsh for such an innovative Lowrey Organ, but the reasons are many. To start with the MX2 has an inherent and never ending problem with it’s keyboard contacts. Just one Lowrey service will easily solve the problem of the faulty keys that aren’t working correctly, but as a call out charge for this type of extensive repair will be in the region of about $400 – $500, the total outlay is now double you original cost to buy it !
The Lowrey Technician when opening up the organ will have to nearly rip it all apart just to get access to those hidden keyboard contacts. Add to that a couple of months later, some or all of the other contacts may stop working. And last, but certainly just as important is that Lowrey no longer stock any replacement parts for an organ of this age. That’s why you can pick one up on EBay for so little – I would say in this case, it really is Buyer Beware !
Next in line were the LX Series, which included both the Celebration and Majesty
Again these have the same contacts, and same problem. I don’t know why Lowrey allowed this problem to continue for so many years…but however, they did. Just moving the organ from one room to another, let alone cross country will dislodge all that loose dust that’s accumulated for decades, and then the problem starts.
So do be aware that although when you tested it at the sellers house and everything was just fine, it then may not be working once you have moved it and installed it in your home.
Thank goodness that with the arrival of the SU Series, Lowrey finally dealt with these problematic contacts, and it’s no longer an issue anymore or a costly repair. I haven’t heard of any particular problems on later Lowrey models, so I assume they’re fairly problem free . . . . . but then again !!!!
If considering a used model of later years, before purchasing reach out to your fellow friends and members of this site with any questions. We have some sharp people here and all over the internet with lots of experience and they just may be able to fill in the blanks before you part with any money.
Jerry Hill – Lowrey Stardust
About problems with newer models I had a Lowrey Symphony delivered 10 days ago I tried the pedals and one would not stop sounding the delivery guy took the back off the organ and sorted that then off they went, 2 days later the d1 pedal started not sounding followed 1 day later by the g1 pedal missing notes so it seems to me maybe they do have contact problems.
The engineer is coming this week so I will update then
Very interesting John, look forward to hearing how you get on
I’m not familiar with that Model John, but if it was made after 2004 you shouldn’t be having the problems I discussed with the NT and LX Series. Sounds like an adjustment needs to be done. Please advise when it’s solved.
Jerry
The engineer did not appear last week as promised but he appeared today and changed the entire pedal board and showed me where the fault lay, the way the contact is made is with a short spring touching a U shaped metal clip I remember the older wersi organs using a similar system for the key contacts and the springs and contact rail used to get tarnished and I was forever spraying contact cleaner onto them to remove the tarnishing it was not too hard to do with the wersi with the pedals on the Symphony the pedals would have to be removed to do it.
Needless to say I am not impressed.