Welcome to Miller Pipe Organ Company    

FAQS

 

Browse through a list of common questions below. If you don't find an answer to your question here, send us your question at Info@MillerPipeOrgan.com.

 

What is the most important thing we can do to assure a successful service visit?

Setting the thermostat at the temperature at the same temperature it will be set when the organ is used is imperative for a successful tuning. And this must be done hours in advance in order for the organ pipes to acclimatize. In some cases, this will mean at least overnight. We will be happy to help you decide on the amount of time required for the temperatures in the organ to stabilize. It is impossible to do a thorough tuning when the temperatures are still moving. By far, this is the most important thing you can do to assure a solid tuning. You can then enjoy an in-tune organ by consistently bringing the organ back to this temperature. Remember, it takes time for the room temperatures to stabilize and even longer for the enclosed parts of the organ.

Organ pitch changes two cents in pitch per degree of temperature change. As the temperature rises, the pitch of the organ sharpens. As the temperature falls, the pitch flattens. Pitch differences in the larger (lower pitched) pipes is not as noticeable as in the very small treble (higher pitched) ones. Having the temperatures at a predetermined setting allows one to recreate the same conditions again and again, thus having an "in tune" instrument.

What should the organist do to prepare for a service visit?

Leaving a list of problems at the organ console is a big help! With a prepared list, we can begin to resolve the problems without spending time searching for them. Leave as much detail as possible; what stop or stops are involved? What happens or doesn't happen? Don't worry about filling up the service problem book we have left for your use. We will happily provide you with another one when the book is filled.

If you believe your problems will require extra time or materials, just give us a call as soon as the problem shows, so that we arrive armed for the repair. This would include any mechanical problems that hinder the use of the instrument or, if you suspect failure or damage, call us posthaste. Local clients may call us at 451-6616. Out of town clients may reach us at 1-800-827-6710 or contact us by e-mail. Even when the office is closed, telephone calls are received by an answering machine.



Will your technicians need us to provide anything?

If we do not have keys (which saves a great deal of time, especially if you need us on a weekend), please have the organ pipe chambers unlocked but the doors not open, as this changes temperatures. We understand your need to protect the security of your facilities, and we use the utmost caution in protecting your interest. All keys in our possession are coded and available only to our employees. If a ladder is required for reaching parts of the organ, having the ladder available on our arrival speeds up our work.



Why do you ask for "silence in the sanctuary" during the organ tuning?

We will do our best work when there are no distractions. Tuning requires careful listening! Extraneous noises such as talking, vacuum cleaners, or construction make it difficult not only to do a quality tuning, but for our service team to communicate between the organ and the console. Your help in advising the custodial staff, school or day care center, decorating committee, persons who wish to practice or rehearse, repair persons, and others of our visit, will facilitate our work. We really need absolute silence so that we can leave your instrument in the best possible tune in the shortest amount of time.



Should we notify you when there is to be any kind of work in the sanctuary?

Absolutely! The old saying of "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine" also applies to the organ. We can save you a great deal of expense if you will inform us before any painting, carpet installation or construction work is done in the auditorium or organ pipe areas. This would include plaster repair or any other work which will create dirt and dust, or might do physical damage to the organ. All too often, we are advised after the fact, and then expensive cleaning or repair work to the organ is required. Sometimes we can advise you what precautions to take over the phone. Sometimes it is necessary for us to protect all or part of the organ during the repair work. In any case, it is always less expensive to protect the organ beforehand than to fix or repair it afterwards.



How do we know when your service team is coming to visit?

Watch for service schedule information in the mail. We send two notices with service schedule information. The first is our quarterly newsletter, The Principal Chorus. This publication is sent to all organists, ministers of music, and some pastors or contact persons. We also send a bright yellow follow-up postcard with the same information to the person you designate. As this information is so important to you, please notify our office of any changes in staff, so that the notices reach the proper people.



What information should we provide to you before your scheduled visit?

We provide reply cards to enable you to provide us with the date of your special programs and the dates of any possible conflicts (especially Vacation Bible School), so we can schedule your visit before your special program and avoid other conflicts which make us wait and cost you money. It is difficult to rearrange the schedule with so many organ tunings in our nine state service area already on the schedule. Please call us a soon as possible when a conflict arises, as it takes hours on the part of our office staff to rearrange schedules when many clients may be involved.

If you are not part of our regular rotation of service visits and you want your instrument serviced, please notify us as early as possible so that we can schedule you in the most efficient manner. It is less costly for you when we can service your instrument while we are already in the area and do not have to add extra travel time and expenses to your bill for a special trip.



How often should a pipe organ be tuned?

Like people, no two pipe organs are alike. Organs are custom built for the room in which they reside and various factors determine how often the organ will need tuning. Whether or not the sanctuary is air conditioned is also a consideration in how often an organ will require tuning. Many of our clients have the organ tuned quarterly. Others have two service visits per year; one during heating season and one during the time that air conditioning is being used. Some clients with small instruments, and no reed stops, have only one visit. Conversely, we have one client who has six visits per year. With the weather seasons not being as definite as they were in years past, some areas use air conditioning for a longer period than others. It all comes down to the needs of each individual instrument.