Ott Organ

What are the special characteristics of this organ?  Direct mechanical linkage between the keys and their valves is made by thin strips of wood called trackers, hence the term tracker organ, which distinguishes instruments of this simple construction from those employing more complicated and less dependable alternatives.  The organist has a physical connection to the pallet at the base of the pipes themselves, and thus directly controls the pipes' speech.  This makes the instrument more responsive to the organist's touch.

Except for the pedal pipes behind the case, all the pipes are contained in the solid oak case, which is on hidden wheels.  Keyboard naturals are covered in grenadilla and the sharps are German white birch.  Drawknobs are turned walnut with engraved porcelain faces. Pipe shades are also walnut.

The single keyboard employs divided stops to make it more versatile. Most of the stops can be played in either the bass or treble register or both.  Thus, different combinations can be played with the left and right hands at the same time. 

This technique dates back to the sixteenth century Italy and Spain, where one-manual organs were the norm. Those organs were usually divided between B and middle  C or between middle C and C#. This organ divides between F# and G above middle C, so that the left hand doesn't run out of notes as soon.  In compensation, several extra notes are added at the top of the keyboard for the right hand. 

The solo stop, Sesquialter, is tuned one octave lower than usual, and plays only in the treble register.  The 16' Pommer also plays only in the treble register, serving as a foundation for the Sesquialter.  When using a solo/accompaniment combination, the right hand plays one octave higher.

The stop action is also mechanical.  There are no electrical combinations, or pistons, as on electric-action organs.  The pedal board is flat, not concave, corresponding to many European and other tracker actions organs.

Pipe Specifications

Manual:

Gedackt 8'     divided slider     63 pipes, cherry

Rohrflote, 4'   divided slider     63 pipes, 40% tin

Oktave 2'       divided slider     63 pipes, 70% tin (facade)

Zimbell II                                 126 pipes, 70% tin

Pommer 16'   from g32            32 pipes, 40% tin

Sesquialter    from g32            64 pipes, 40% tin

Pedal:

Subbass 16'                             27 pipes, oak

Coupler:

Manual to Pedal