Lowrey Organ Serial Numbers
Look for a serial number on the organ and compare it with the Tonewheel website listing in the serial numbers section. Another option is to use the Vintage Hammond website for an evaluation of your Hammond organ. This costs $5.95 and will provide you with information about the age and value of your organ. Help identifying Lowrey Organ model, 01:28 PM. Check just under the keyboard, and there should be a plate number there that lists the model & serial. The model number is GAK25H1. My in-laws have had a Lowrey electric organ for many years. Check just under the keyboard, and there should be a plate number there that lists the model & serial number. Otherwise, the model is listed inside the back of the organ. Something about the music rack doesn't seem right to me for a Holiday-of course, I've been wrong many times before! Lowrey Organ Holiday A300 Holiday Classic Oak Touch Bar & USB Port, $10,000.00; Lowrey Genius Organ Cartridge Card Rhythm and Style Lot of 3, $48.99; Lowrey M375 “Parade” Model with Magic Genie, $29.00; Lot of 3 Lowrey Organ Model L-65 Service Manuals and Songbook The Debut, $17.99; Leslie Organ Speaker Connector Lowrey ADPT 27 - 8, $49.99.
The Lowrey organ is an electronic organ named for its developer, Frederick C. Lowrey (1871-1955), a Chicago-based industrialist and entrepreneur.[2] Lowrey's first commercially successful full-sized electronic organ, the Model S Spinet or Berkshire, came to market in 1955, the year of his death.[1] Lowrey had earlier developed an attachment for a piano, adding electronic organ stops on 60 notes while keeping the piano functionality, called the Organo, first marketed in 1949[3] as a very successful competitor to the Hammond Solovox.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Lowrey was the largest manufacturer of electronic organs in the world.[2][dubious] In 1989, the Lowrey Organ Company produced its 1,000,000th organ.[4]Up until 2011, modern Lowrey organs were built in LaGrange Park, Illinois. In 2011, it was announced that production of a few models was to be moved to Indonesia.
History and notable users[edit]
History[edit]
Lowrey Organ Music Downloads
Frederick Lowrey experimented with electronic organ design, trying different methods of tone generation, from 1918 until the early 1940s, when he fixed on the Eccles-Jordan circuit, a very stable flip-flop oscillator, which became a Lowrey hallmark. The Lowrey organ differed from its main competitor, the Hammond organ (which also bears the name of its Chicago-based inventor), in relying from its inception on all-electronic tone generation,[1] whereas Hammond used electromechanical tonewheels until 1975.[5] Lowrey led Hammond in the development of automatic accompaniment features; in 1968, automatic rhythm was added, and in 1970 the Genie model added automatic left hand and pedal. While originally intended for the home entertainment market, Lowrey also produced theatre organs and a full 2-manual with pedal church organ.[1]
Notable users[edit]
Lowreys were also used by some rock groups in the 1960s and 1970s. Garth Hudson, the keyboardist of The Band, played a Lowrey Festival organ on many of the group's most notable songs.[6]Its sound can be heard prominently on the 1968 recording of 'Chest Fever', which begins with a Bach-inspired prelude/intro.[7] The Lowrey Organ is one of several organs on The Beatles' 1967 song 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!' (from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album), helping create a fairground atmosphere.[8] Furthermore, a Lowrey DSO Heritage organ was used to produce the classic opening for 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'.[9] The Lowrey Organ and its built-in drum patterns are also heard on the million-seller single, 'Why Can't We Live Together' by Timmy Thomas. A rather surprising use of a Lowrey Organ, on a percussive 'marimba repeat' setting, was the synthesizer-like background noise on The Who song 'Baba O'Riley'.[10]
Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine switched from a Vox Continental to a Lowrey Holiday Deluxe[1][failed verification] sometime between late 1966 and early 1967, and used it from then on, adding a fuzzbox and plugging it into a Marshall stack. To prevent feedback in the silences between notes (consequence of playing at a very high volume), Ratledge invented a style of his own avoiding the between-note gaps by soloing in legato.[citation needed]Mike Oldfield made use of the instrument quite extensively on his Tubular Bells album, and on several later albums as well. The Gotye song State of the Art was written to showcase the sounds of the Lowrey Cotillion model D-575.[11]
Later Models[edit]
From 1966 to 1971, Lowrey also produced combo organs for Gibson while the guitar manufacturer was owned by parent company Chicago Musical Instruments. The most popular of these was first introduced in 1966 as the Kalamazoo K-101, but was renamed the Gibson G-101 shortly thereafter. The Gibson branded organs' design and circuitry were similarly based on Lowrey's own 'T-1' and 'T-2' models, as well as their 'TLO-R' and 'Holiday' spinet models. However, they had several additional features that made their sound distinctive from other Lowrey models, including 'Repeat', 'Glide', and 'Trumpet Wow-wow' effects.
In the late 1970s, selling features of Lowrey home organs included Magic Genie Chords, Track III Rhythm and the Automatic Organ Computer.[12]
In the 1980s, Lowrey launched the MicroGenie series of portable organs with built-in speakers, some of which could run on batteries. They including the MicroGenie V60, V100/101, V105, V120, V125 and MicroGenie Pro V600 (which was programmable and had MIDI capability).
Purchase by Kawai[edit]
In 1988, Lowrey was purchased by Kawai. [13]
On October 5, 2018, Vice-President of Lowery Division of Kawai America Corp., Seijiro Imamura, announces that Lowery Organ production would cease in January 2019. [14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abcdeFrank Pugno, Bil Curry (2005-11-03). 'LOWREY ORGANS'. Electronic Organs (theatreorgans.com/hammond/keng/kenhtml/electronicorgans.htm). VintageHammond.Com.'In 1956, the Glide, a foot switch located on the left side of the expression pedal, was introduced, permitting the effects of a Hawaiian guitar “glide”, the smear of a trombone, the glissando of singing strings and the effect of a calliope. The Glide dropped the pitch of the organ about a semi-tone and cancelled the vibrato. / In 1961, Lowrey’s first home organ with a built-in Leslie speaker appeared as the Holiday Deluxe Model LSL. Automatic Orchestra Control, later renamed Automatic Organ Computer, came on the scene in 1963. / Fig. 2 – Holiday Deluxe Model LSL'
- ^ abGirardot, Jan (2007). 'Organ Tradenames'. Musical Instrument Technicians Association. Archived from the original on 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
- ^Davies, Hugh. 'Organo'. Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^'Music Trades'. 1989-07-01. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^Spark, Rod. 'The History Of The Hammond'. Sound On Sound. Sound on Sound Cambridge UK. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^Doerschuk, Bob (December 1983). 'Garth Hudson: Legendary Organist with '60s Supergroup 'The Band''. Keyboard Magazine.
- ^Johnson, Brian D. (July 22, 2002). 'Garth Hudson (Profile)'. Maclean's.
- ^Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions. New York: Harmony Books.
- ^Babiuk, Andy (2001). Beatles Gear. San Francisco: BackBeat Books.
- ^'Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ: Baba O'Riley/Won't Get Fooled Again 'synthesizer' sound'. Whotabs. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^'Planet Gear: Gotye on the Lowrey Cotillion organ and Making Mirrors'. Drowned in Sound. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ^'Lowrey New Model Premiere organ advertisement (1977)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^http://www.kawai-global.com/company/history/
- ^https://lowreyorgan.uk/an-end-of-an-era-for-lowrey-organs/
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lowrey Organ. |
Lowrey Organ Serial Numbers Explained
Lowrey organs were originally made in Chicago, Illinois (prior to 2011) and have been played in churches and by professional and home musicians since the 1950s.[1] Lowrey entered the portable keyboard market in the early 1980s with the Wandering Genie, which was succeeded by the Japanese-made Micro Genie line. In January of 2019, Kawai, the owner of the brand, announced it would cease all production of Lowrey Organs.This list of models is incomplete.
Organs[edit]
| Image | Model Name / Number | Years sold new | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 | 1968 | Organ with 2 44 key manuals, 13 bass pedals, built-in spring reverb, Leslie effect, and marimba effect famously known from Baba O'Reilly by The Who played by Pete Townshend.[2] | |
| Carnival (C500) | 1978 | Automatic bass, rhythm and accompaniment. Two keyboards and bass pedals.[3] | |
| Coronation | |||
| Cotillion | 1983 | Theatre organ with memory presets and extensive features, including human voices and other sound effects. | |
| Debut (L-65) | 1981 | ||
| Debut (L-70) | 1982 | Featured two keyboards and Magic Genie. | |
| Encore (M-100) | 1979 | ||
| Festival | 1960-1966 | Two 61-note keyboards. 25 bass pedals.[4] Features Automatic Orchestra,[5] glide control, percussion and 'Moving Stereo' controls.[6] | |
| GAKH25 / GAK25H | 1983 | Console. | |
| Genie (L-5) | 1972-79[7][8] | Featured walking basses and rhythm section.[9] One finger play.[3] | |
| Genie (L-10) | 1979 | ||
| Genie (L-15) | 1979 | ||
| Genie 44 | 1975 | ||
| Genie 88 | 1975 | ||
| Genie 98 | 1975 | ||
| Genius | |||
| Fiesta (L25) | 1982-1984 | ||
| Heritage | |||
| Holiday | 1966[9]-1983 | ||
| Holiday (D-325) | 1978 | Two keyboards with Magic Genie.[10] | |
| Holiday Deluxe | 1972-1974[11] | ||
| Jamboree (TG 88) | 1978-1979 | ||
| Jupiter | 1974[11] | Featured Automatic Orchestra and Leslie Speaker.[5] | |
| LC-88 | 1980 | ||
| Mardi Gras (L-55) | 1982-1983 | Featured four channels, double keyboard and Magic Genie chords. | |
| MX-1 | 1981-1984 | ||
| Organo | 1956 | 60-note organ for attaching to a 'standard piano'[12] | |
| Pageant (M-150) | 1982 | ||
| Parade | 1981 | ||
| Saturn Deluxe | 1974[11] | ||
| Spinet | 1956[13] | ||
| Stereo Jubilee | 1977[14] | ||
| Stereo Genie 98-1 | 1977 | Features Automatic Organ Computer and Lowrey Glide.[15] | |
| Super Genie | 1974-1975[11] | ||
| Symphonic Holiday | 1975[16]-1977[14] | Four channels, 88 keys, two keyboards, Magic Genie. | |
| Teenie Genie | 1974-1976[17] | Rhythm and auto-bass pedal accompaniment.[18] | |
| TG44-1 | 1977 | Two keyboards and bass pedals.[19] | |
| TG44BK | 1977 | Two keyboards, pedals and built in cassette recorder.[20] | |
| TG98 | |||
| TGB | 1977[19] | ||
| Theatre HR-98 | Complete professional theatre organ.[18] | ||
| Venus | 1974 |
Portable organs[edit]
Some of Lowrey's portable organs were made in Japan and based on JVC designs.
| Image | Model Name / Number | Years produced | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-2 Wandering Genie | 1980-1982 | Portable organ with Genie accompaniment. Effects include variable sustain, 'repeat' setting with adjustable tempo and 'glide' (single-tone pitch bender). | |
| Micro Genie V60 | Rebranded version of JVC KB-300/KB-303.[21] | ||
| Micro Genie V100 | 49 keys. 8 note polyphony. Rebranded version of JVC KB-500.[21] | ||
| Micro Genie V101 | 1982-1987 | 49 keys. 8 note polyphony.[22] Rebranded version of JVC KB-500.[21] | |
| Micro Genie V120 | 1985- | 61 full sized keys.[23] Rebranded version of JVC KB-700.[21] | |
| Micro Genie V105 | 1986- | Hybrid of JVC KB-600 & KB-800.[21] Features include MIDI in and out, AUX in and out, MIC in with adjustable gain. Expression pedal input. | |
| Micro Genie V125 | Rebranded version of JVC KB-808.[21] | ||
| Micro Genie Pro V600 | 49 keys. Programmable. MIDI in and out.[24] Came with 'guitar strum' accessory. Rebranded version of JVC KB-800.[21] |
Lowrey Organ Serial Numbers Lookup
References[edit]
- ^'Lowrey organs for home and church (1956)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Pete's Gear: Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ: Baba O'Reilly/Won't Get Fooled Again 'synthesizer' sound'. thewho.net. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ ab'Lowrey Genie and Carnival Organ advertisement (1978)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey organs (Spinet, Super Genie, Festival) for sale (1976)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ ab'Lowrey organs advertisement (1966)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Festival Organ advertisement (1960)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Genie organ advertisement (1972)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Organ Headquarters - Home of the Genie advertisement (1972)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ ab'Lowrey organ advertisements - Genie and Holiday (1972)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^Bujor Florin Lucian (2018-04-04), Demo 1978 Lowrey D-325, retrieved 2019-04-10
- ^ abcd'Lowrey organ sale advertisement (1974)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Organo advertisement (1956)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Spinet Organ advertisement (1956)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ ab'Lowrey makes magic - organ advertisement (1977)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey organ advertisement (1977)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^treasurec0ve (2012-11-08), 1975 LOWREY 'Symphonic Holiday' ORGAN for SALE $100 ...GREAT DEAL!, retrieved 2019-04-10
- ^'Lowrey Teenie Genie advertisement (1974)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ ab'Lowrey organ advertisement (1976)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ ab'New Lowrey organ advertisement (1977)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey organ advertisement (1977)'. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ abcdefg'JVC instruments rebranded as Lowrey'. jvckeyboards.tripod.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Micro Genie V101'. Keyboard Kountry. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^Kevin (2017-03-31). 'Audio Trough: Instrument Review - Lowrey Micro Genie V-120 a.k.a. JVC KB-700'. Audio Trough. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^'Lowrey Micro Genie Pro V600 Black & white | Glenn Giles'. reverb.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.