Hi All,  I thought readers of the MMD would enjoy this video I made
of the one-of-a kind Ruth 36-X playing on its original 78-key scale.
There isn't much about the organ on the Internet, but the instrument
is nothing short of outstanding and well-deserving of some publicity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVeY8PJe2NU 

The organ is meticulously restored by its owner, Gavin McDonough.
Although the organ was converted to play Wurlitzer style 165 rolls in
1948, it still retains all of its original pipework from the factory
and wind-operated action.  With the addition of MIDI control, the organ
once again is able to play as it did when it was built.

One of the most prominent features of this Ruth organ is its nine
animated figures.  The organ was a custom order from Ruth by Wilhelm
A. Meissner who specifically requested a full orchestra to outshine
his competitor's organ with moving figures.  According to a 1897
lawsuit, Meissner released patents for incorporating animated figures
in a carousel mechanism around 15 years prior to the organ being built
-- and he felt that other organs with figures were a violation of his
patents!

The medley featured in the video is my brand new arrangement of tunes
from "Hello, Dolly!".

Mikey Mills
http://www.mechanicalmusic.org/