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MMD > Archives > July 2004 > 2004.07.04 > 04Prev  Next


Crank Organ by Drehorgelbau Goeckel of Malsch
By Hal O'Rourke

These organs were made in a small workshop the village of Malsch near
Heidelberg.  I visited there several times in the 1980's while living
in Germany.  It was a family business run by Martin Goeckel and his
sister.  Their principal business was church organs and crank organs
were a new enterprise.  They offered several different models in 20-
and 26-note scales with a variety of pipe inventories.

There were several attempts to market these organs by various people
in the USA about 15 years ago and the builder attended at least one of
the MBSI annual meetings.  They never sold well in my opinion partly
because they had a completely unique roll format not compatible with
any other organs and the music available was limited and mainly
European titles.

Some of his early organs carried the name "Bacigalupo" but intense
pressure from disapproving German enthusiasts convinced them to
change the case design.  Some later versions had the name "Bausigalpo"
and also "W. Baus" after the German collector Werner Baus who was
somehow involved in the project.  The latest organs I've seen from
this company were in a very attractive inlaid veneer case with the name
"Alt Heidelberg."

I still have sales literature and many memories from this company,
which I would be glad to share if you contact me privately.  I have
no idea if they are still making organs or supplying rolls.

Hal ORourke


(Message sent Sun 4 Jul 2004, 11:00:16 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Crank, Drehorgelbau, Goeckel, Malsch, Organ

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