New models?

Robert McMenis
808 @ church

I discovered just today that Rodgers has a new series the Masterpiece Signature. I also discovered that the three stop rail Trillium models: 7??, 808 and 908 have been discontinued. I can see that the registration is quite different. With my limited knowledge of organ stops, it appears that the Signature Series engraved stops are very much English Romantic while the 808 is more American Classic. Stops with the same name such as Diapason; are they the same samples as in the 808?

I noticed several stops on the Signature 234 that are in the MX200 with Hector voices. Those stops are all favorites of mine to use with the organ. Our 808 has an opus number. We have custom engraved stops with Diapason instead of Principal etc.

I compared the 808 with the 234 Signature. I found that they seem to be the same size except the 808 had a 32 foot reed and the swell had a 16 foot flue stop. I also noted that the two manuals are only stop rail. The reduction of two stops isn't significant if the MX200 with Hector stops are also installed on the organ.

I noticed that the new 234 Signature has 16, 8 and 4 swell to great. I really like that.

What are the technological differences between the Signature and Masterpiece Series? Is there no longer a self-contained Masterpiece or Signature series available?

Suppose a person were to come to see our 808. Would I be correct in saying that basically the 234 Signature organ is the closest to the 808? Of course going to the 838 would be any one's dream.

Suppose the 808 were still available along with the new Signature Series with both having MX200 with Hector voices. Which model would be considered the better recital organ?

What was the rationale in not giving the Signature Series 800 series numbers?

The bottom line question are the two series, Signature and Masterpiece, equivalent in quality, ability to customize etc. Obviously all the models have different specifications and number of stops. Are the Masterpiece and Signature series samples interchangeable and if same sample is on a Signature Series and a Masterpiece Series, is there anyway that the Masterpiece would be superior in sound, ability to voice etc.?

I do suggest that you add a "about our organs" section in which there is a short narrative that explains each series. Also the number of recording to listen to need to be increased. Perhaps a specified recording of a Insignia, Allegiant, Signature, and Masterpiece models.