Mr & Mrs Bright love their new Makin Derwent home organ

Mr Alan Bright from Stirling is thrilled with his new Makin Derwent organ; he commented:-

A famous phrase associated with point-winning-play at Wimbledon was “Oh! I say” by Dan Maskell. Quite apart from this sporting context, the one-liner that comes to mind for the magnificent Makin Derwent 4-68D is “... OH! I SAY …”

If you are present for the arrival of your instrument there are an array of mixed feelings; disbelief that a dream is about to be realised, to absolute horror at what has to be done to the instrument to unpack at unloading and in our case to split the console. However, there was no need to worry regarding physical handling as the Harrington team demonstrated their expertise in identifying problems and finding solutions; major ones being a high and stepped entrance door threshold and a tight turn on an uneven floor in limited space. The split console was a good choice in this respect as the separate sections could be more readily manipulated and the demand on muscle power reduced. John advised me that the organ would not have fitted in without the console split.

After re-uniting the two sections of the console, cabling and adjusting the pedalboard for alignment, the several function checks were soon completed. Indeed, within an hour, voicing specific to the location was well underway. The Makin User Manual (2023) clearly sets out and explains operation of the computer-controlled systems and points the way for users to introduce personal voicing preferences.

The installation including discussion of important points regarding the computer display including memory bank storage (all covered in the User Manual) was completed in just over three hours.

For the following three of four hours I was as if on a different planet. An amazing experience.

The Keyboard Transfer is a great feature especially as the related manual composition pistons also transfer. Good examples of its potential is in the prelude of Prelude and Fugue in E flat BWV552 by Bach and in Cantabile B major by Franck.

There is a vast range of tonal colours available on the organ from a fiery Orchestral Trumpet and an array of English style solo and chorus reeds to a delicate Lieblich Gedackt and a full set of mutations. The full organ tutti is stunning.

From first contact and quotation to installation, Keith and his team have impressed in every way with friendly professional and timely service.