Bontempi B5 Organ

Spoonie · Post by **Spoonie** » Sun May 24, 2009 3:41 am

Just found this organ for kids from the 70's for $10. Is this thing any good? Should I buy it and stop worrying about it? Is this $10 for a reason

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:46 am

It's an air powered chord organ. Like an accordion with an air pump instead of bellows. They can be very cool sounding. I prefer the Magnus ones but they're all variations of the same thing.

Buy it. It's $10. Even if it sucks it's still only $10.

Spoonie · Post by **Spoonie** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:00 am

A chord organ. Hmm sounds like fun. Im sure i can use it for something, huge paper weight if all else fails. Is there any problems with these chord organs that i need to be wary about?

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:35 am

Not much to worry about with these. The motor can sometimes be louder than the organ but you can usually fix this by sealing up all the seams to prevent air leaks (tape or caulking works well.
Other than that the only thing to worry about is a bad motor or bad reeds. You'll know if you've got either. The tuning can sometimes be a little wonky on these things but that's part of the charm as far as I'm concerned.

You can't go wrong for $10. they're fun instruments even when they're not 100%.

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:06 pm

i've always considered the fan noise to be a part of the charm, but that can be mitigated in a few different ways.

if it's close to being on pitch, i'd consider $10 to be a steal.

DJ_LBP · Post by **DJ_LBP** » Mon May 25, 2009 8:26 am

I have an old Magnus that I got for pretty cheap. It was cool until a friend picked it up by the sides and the whole thing fell out of the wood box.

Keep a hand on the bottom when possible.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Mon May 25, 2009 9:51 am

For $10 you only have to use it once for it to be worth your while!

Spoonie · Post by **Spoonie** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:28 am

Thanks for the warning DJ LBP but not to worry because this thing looks like it is cased in grey plastic. Kids toys from the 70's certainly don't have the glow in the dark colour schemes that the modern equivalents' have.

Drumsound I like your theory!! If all else fails and it sounds like a boat docking i'll start writing some ambient death folk...

farview · Post by **farview** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:30 am

It's an organ for the same price as an order of Pad Thai, just buy the thing and get on with your life.

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:36 am

DJ_LBP wrote:Keep a hand on the bottom when possible.

always good advice when handling someone else's organ...err.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Mon May 25, 2009 9:21 pm

RefD wrote:
DJ_LBP wrote:Keep a hand on the bottom when possible.
always good advice when handling someone else's organ...err.

And we have a winner!

Spoonie · Post by **Spoonie** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:50 am

Hi just to update I bought the organ and everything seems fine except for the fact that it is really out of tune!! I recorded it and then had to pitch shift it about -40 cents before it was in tune with other instruments.

I was wondering if there is any way of tuning the instrument itself? I opened it up and found not much apart from the motor and a section under the keys which is gaffer taped up. Is it possible to do anything to improve it?

Message Board

Bontempi B5 Organ

Bontempi B5 Organ

Who is online