Worthington, OH
3/36 Muller-Schantz
1975/2009
Swell Division
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The Swell division has 11 ranks of pipes under expression, meaning the pipes sit behind shutters which open and close to vary the volume of the sound. This photo shows some of the smallest pipes in the chamber. Note the different pipe constructions, particularly towards the rear of the photo. |
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This photo shows the first five rows of pipes in the Swell box. From left to right are the 8' Viole, 2' Block Flute, and III Plein Jeu mixture. The black shutters can be seen in the back and on the right. |
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Front and center in the Swell box is one of the smallest pipes in the organ. This is from the III Plein Jeu mixture. These pipes are as thin as a pencil, if not a tad thinner. Tuning is a challenge, and these pipes tend to go out of tune easier than others. |
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Keeping a constant temperature in the organ chambers is one way of preventing pipes from going out of tune. Some organs even have their own climate control system for the pipe chambers! While it isn't a guarantee that the pitch won't stray, a steady temperature can only help. |
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More trumpets! In the foreground are pipes from the 8' Trumpet rank, and the 8' Oboe rank. The Oboe pipes are stamped "Hautbois" which is French for "Oboe". While similar in construction to the Trumpet toward the top of the pipe, the Oboe has a narrower shaft and a thinner sound. Even though orchestrally the Trumpet is a brass instrument, due to its pipe construction it is a reed just like the Oboe. |
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This photo illustrates the many different types of pipe construction. In the back are the 16' Bassoon pipes (strings tied around the pipes). Note the thin shaft of the pipes. Next are the 8' Oboe and 8' Trumpet ranks as noted above. The stopped pipes with the funny looking stems sticking out the top are from the 16' Chimney Flute rank. In front of it is the 8' Viole Celeste rank, and in the bottom right corner are a few pipes from the 4' Harmonic Flute, another rank with a peculiar construction. The Harmonic Flute pipes have a hole drilled in the side of the pipe (not visible) which alters the pitch of the pipe. |
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Against the back wall are the largest pipes of the 16' Bassoon rank. Note the mitered pipes on the far right side. In front of these are pipes from the 8' Geigen Principal rank. |
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Here's another look at the 8' Geigen Principal (mitered pipes on right), 8' Oboe, 8' Trumpet, 16' Chimney Flute, and 8' Viole Celeste ranks. Again each rank of pipe has its own unique physical characteristics. |
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