A comprehensive dictionary of organ stops - Allen Organ Studio of ...

54
DICTIONARY OF ORGAN STOPS.
tuned by the spring and regulated at the pipe. All the Diaphones in
this country, save those above mentioned, are of the valvular reed
pattern. No pipe Diaphones admit of variation of wind pressure without
a corresponding deflection of pitch.
A remarkably successful Diaphone (Diaphonic Horn) occurs at St.
Clement, Ilford. In 16 ft. pitch it adds great dignity to the Pedal organ.
On the manual in 8 ft. pitch it resembles a very powerful, full and rich
Horn Diapason, beside which the Diapason, itself an excellent stop,
contrasts most unfavourably. The author also heard a particularly fine
example at Burton-on-Trent Parish Church, resembling, on the pedal, a
powerful Trombone blended with a full-toned Diapason. On the manual
in 8 ft. pitch it combined effectively with the Tuba. There are several
other examples, of varying merit, dispersed throughout the country.
There is also an excellent specimen on the pedal organ at Colston
Hall, Bristol (Norman & Beard); it stands on 18 in. wind, and the
CCC pipe measures as much as 20 in. in diameter. As a double
the manual Diaphone is too weighty for the ordinary organ. In 8 ft.
pitch it is at present practically useless. It cannot be carried up
beyond about Mid. E, as the valves become too small and delicate ; it is
therefore, extended in powerful flue leathered pipes. It is not a class of
tone which ordinarily blends satisfactorily with the rest of the manual
work, however excellent it may be as a stop for individual use, or for
adding volume of tone to very large organs. As a pedal stop it would
seem to present greater possibilities, imparting great richness and body to
a Pedal organ already tolerably complete in tonal structure, and in any
case adding considerable foundation and depth. On the other hand it
boasts no particular defined tone (nor, however, does a Major Bass), and
can scarcely be termed a new tone colour, inasmuch as it is more a combination
of tones already familiar. The valvular reed requires some
considerable attention and upkeep. It does not always stand well,
being apt to fly off the note and produce most weird noises, and to
rattle. Such defects, be it nevertheless remembered, have not yet been
successfully eradicated from "close" smooth-toned Trombones. Tone
resembling that of a Diaphone, though lacking, perhaps, something of the
depth, can be obtained from beating reeds—witness the magnificent 32 ft.
reed at York Minster (Walker), which is carried down to the lowest note in
smooth round tone, wherein is clearly discernible a considerable proportion
of pure foundation tone. Sceptics who expend their time and wit in seek-
ing to determine the degree of resemblance between the use of Diaphones
and of explosives in the generation of sound, would do well to note that
soft Diaphonic stops are by no means an impossibility, and that, as yet, the
Diaphone is in its infancy, its possibilities having been but faintly explored.
On the demise of the Electric Organ Co., the Diaphone patents, together
.