Pipe Organ Rebuilding, Re-Engineering, and Additions

In addition to building new organs, our firm is a major re-builder of existing organs. We have rebuilt numerous instruments by companies long since passed and many by firms currently in business. Our same quality and ethic used in organ-building is employed in organ rebuilding.  Traditional materials are encouraged and if desired, our firm can be sensitive to preserving an instrument as its was installed without alteration. We are also willing to consult on changes that can expand the tonal capabilities of the organ. When additions are installed, they are scaled and voiced to provide a cohesive blend with the existing instrument.

Many instruments have been built with stops or entire divisions “prepared for.” Very often it is desired to add to an existing instrument to increase its flexibility and sonority. It is very important that additions be designed in keeping with an instrument’s tonal design and with a keen understanding or appreciation for the builder’s intentions. Our firm will work with you to design additions so they are properly scaled and voiced to provide a cohesive blend with the instrument. This will ensure the success of the additions without creating tonal anachronisms. The A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company welcomes the opportunity to consult with you on your organ needs. We invite you reach us via phone, fax, e-mail or by filling out and returning the enclosed card. We look forward of being of service to you!

The instrument seen to the upper left is located in the main sanctuary of the Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur (Atlanta), Georgia. The original instrument was a three-manual Reuter to which our firm added a fifth division, the Ancillary division, as well as other additions to tonally complete each division. A new relay was incorporated and the four manual Aeolian-Skinner style console was manufactured to control the enlarged instrument. The facade was designed into what originally stood as a white wall of tonal fabric. The two mounted chamade reeds completed both the facade and the tonal ensemble providing contrasting solo and chorus festival reeds. The result is an organ which stands among the largest of instruments in the Atlanta area and continues to receive outstanding reviews from the organists who perform at this venue. Briarlake Baptist Church ministers to a large congregation throughout North Decatur. Our firm also engineered and added the exposed Great division to Briarlake's chapel organ.

In working on the 1896 Pilcher's Sons organ, shown in the right column, we not only restored their action and pipe work but also revived the beautiful hand-painted, stenciled facade. Click on the picture in the right column for more information and photographs.

Here are some other recently completed rebuild and restoration projects: