Thanks to the Nov./Dec. 2021 edition of the AMICA Bulletin, one of the
most prominent feature articles discusses the third and possibly final
band organ replicating a Wurlitzer 165. The new instrument, which has
been fully built from scratch "guts and all" by Bruce Newman of Gold
Coast, Oregon, was commissioned by Allen Velthoen, a California native
and resident.

I have browsed this one particular article carefully regarding my deep
love for the Style 165 product line of Wurlitzer band organs as well as
organs that have been constructed to replicate this magnificent beast.
But anyway, now onto the main topic!

The facade that will be enclosing this particular organ takes the cake
(for me, personally) out of all the 165 fronts I have studied so far,
in terms of artwork and design choice. Allen picked it up from John
Malone who had it as a spare lying around his Turlock home.

It was also built by the same Mexico-based shop who carved and
painted the fronts for both of the Verbeeck-built 165s: John Malone's
and its sister organ on the East Coast at Seabreeze Amusement Park in
Irondequoit, New York.

Now, moving on to the paint job, while growing up Allen Velthoen lived a
very serene, rural, secluded life as a child. Because of that childhood
inspiration he and his wife hired a painter in the area to touch up the
facade in a way that would reflect what Allen probably remembered seeing
in his childhood.

The facade features many stunning and gorgeous natural scenes of fauna
and flora, including a pair of swans and their cygnets, dragonflies, a
quetzal, finches, two red winged blackbirds, a lone monarch butterfly,
orchids, cattails, lily pads, and even a kingly peacock graces the top
crest. All this fine art is blended together with shades of salmon,
lavender, hues of chartreuse.

To sum up all this I'd definitely say that a working piece of object
d'art like this band organ should belong out in a highly praised art
museum or gallery, as it's not only a treat to the ears but to the eye
as well!

It is definitely presumed this organ will be getting lights installed
on its museum quality front as holes for lights are scattered all around
it.

Andrew Lardieri
Voorhees, New Jersey