Question for the Organ Experts

[Teasing the Korean]

Can any of you organ experts tell me the type of organ that you sometimes hear on 1960s European soundtracks? You typically hear it doing single note lines in a lower register, and it has a fat, distorted kind of sound. Nino Rota used it. I think some of the other Italian film composers, like Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani used it too, along with Peter Thomas.

What is it?

Edited January 19, 2008 by Teasing the Korean

[randissimo]

Can any of you organ experts tell me the type of organ that you sometimes hear on 1960s European soundtracks? You typically hear it doing single note lines in a lower register, and it has a fat, distorted kind of sound. Nino Rota used it. I think some of the other Italian film composers, like Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani used it too, along with Peter Thomas.

What is it?

Jim?

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Piccioni, Umiliani ...

don't know 'bout the equipment BUT:

Antonello Vannucchi is da man!!! and he just used a Hammond or a Lowery. (?)

[porcy62]

I am totally dumb and ignorant about the issue BUT, back in the days, the main italian manufacturer of electric organ and keyboards was FARFISA. No idea if it was the instrument are you referring to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farfisa

Edited January 20, 2008 by porcy62

[Jim Alfredson]

Probably a Farfisa since it is an Italian organ.

[Teasing the Korean]

I've played Farfisas and Vox Continentals, but I've never been aware of them making the particular sound I'm referring to, unless it was run through an effect. I will post a link to a sound sample if I can find one.

Thanks for the replies.

[Teasing the Korean]

I have discovered that the organ in question is an Elka combo organ, info courtesy of Brother Cleve.