Electric Organ FOR ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS

Description: With its deep, mellow tones, the electric organ is rapidly gaining popularity in the music scene. Typically, these instruments are large and expensive. However, for the price of a new hat, one can construct a miniature version of an organ that was recently featured in a nationwide radio broadcast. The original instrument, designed by Elmore B. Lyford, a New York electrical engineer, cost him a little over five dollars. Despite its low cost, the organ produced rich, organ-like tones that delighted renowned radio pianists and intrigued engineers who examined it. To build the organ, one requires nine 50,000-ohm variable resistors, a 0.003 microfarad capacitor, some brass, a type 74 voltage regulator tube, a socket, and a few feet of insulated connecting wire. The organ operates using three 45-volt B batteries. While it can be connected directly to a loudspeaker, optimal results are achieved when using an audio amplifier. If a modern radio is available, its amplifier and speaker can be utilized by connecting to the detector tube or through the phonograph jack. The accompanying photograph displays a separate amplifying unit and speaker. The keys can be fashioned from strips of brass or standard push buttons for the contacts. Alternatively, the keyboard of an old toy piano can be repurposed as the electric console. Although the original design featured only eight keys corresponding to the musical scale, additional keys can be included to create intermediate tones. Once the tube is installed and the organ is connected to the speaker circuit, simple tuning operations can commence. Each key circuit includes a variable resistor that adjusts the tone of the note generated when that key is pressed. These resistors should be calibrated until each key, starting from the left, produces a note in the scale. The master resistor, designated as A in the diagram, controls the tone across the entire range; increasing this resistance lowers the overall tone, while decreasing it raises the tone. When playing the organ, only one key should be pressed at a time. Beginners are encouraged to start with simple melodies, and they may be surprised at how easily they can discern the notes by ear. Pressing each key will prompt the loudspeaker to reproduce notes with the rich tremolos characteristic of a quality organ.

The electric organ circuit described is a simple yet effective design that captures the essence of traditional organ sounds in a compact form. The use of nine variable resistors allows for individual tone adjustment for each key, enabling the user to achieve a customized sound. The 0.003 microfarad capacitor plays a crucial role in filtering and shaping the audio signal, ensuring that the output maintains the desired tonal quality. The type 74 voltage regulator tube serves as the heart of the circuit, providing the necessary amplification and stability for the audio output.

The power source, consisting of three 45-volt B batteries, is essential for the operation of the circuit. This configuration not only makes the organ portable but also ensures that it can be powered easily and cost-effectively. The option to connect the organ to an external amplifier or a modern radio's audio system enhances its versatility, allowing for greater sound amplification and fidelity.

The mechanical aspect of the organ, where keys can be made from brass strips or repurposed from an old toy piano, adds a creative touch to the project. This aspect of the design encourages DIY enthusiasts to innovate and personalize their instruments, potentially leading to unique sound characteristics based on the materials used.

Overall, the design of this electric organ is a testament to the ingenuity of low-cost electronics, providing an accessible entry point for those interested in music and electronic engineering. The simplicity of the components involved, combined with the potential for customization, makes this project an appealing endeavor for hobbyists and aspiring musicians alike.WITH its deep, mellow notes, the electric organ is fast gaining the musical limelight. As a rule, these instruments are large and costly. Yet, for the price of a new hat, you can build a duplicate of a small organ that was featured in a recent coast-to-coast radio broadcast. Complete, the original instrument cost its designer, Elmore B. Lyford, a New York electrical engineer, a little more than five dollars. In spite of its low cost, its rich organ-like notes delighted the well-known radio pianists that fingered its keys and its simplicity interested the engineers that examined it. All you need to build the organ is nine 50, 000-ohm variable resistances, a. 003 microfarad condenser, some brass, a type `74 voltage regulator tube, a socket, and a few feet of insulated connecting wire.

For power, the organ uses three forty-five-volt B-batteries. Although the organ can be connected directly to a loudspeaker, best results are obtained if an audio amplifier is used with the speaker. Of course, if you have a modern radio, you can use its amplifier and speaker by making connections to the detector tube or through the phonograph jack attachment.

In the photograph, a separate amplifying unit and speaker are shown. The keys can be bent from strips of brass or ordinary push buttons can be used for the contacts. In fact, if you are really ingenious, the key-hoard of an old toy piano can be rigged as your electric console. Although only eight keys, corresponding to the scale, were used in the original, more can be added to obtain the intermediate tones.

With the tube in place and the organ connected to the speaker circuit, you are ready for the simple tuning operations. As shown in the diagram, each key circuit contains a variable resistor. This resistance controls the tone of the note formed when that particular key is pressed. The resistances should be adjusted until each key, starting at the left, produces a note in the scale.

The master resistance, marked A in the diagram, controls the tone of the entire range. Increasing this resistance lowers the entire tone of the scale and decreasing it raises it. When you play the organ press only one key at a time. In the beginning start with a simple tune, and you will be surprised how easily you can pick out the notes by ear. As each key is pressed, your loudspeaker will reproduce the notes in the rich tremolos characteristic of a fine organ.