And Now for Something Completely Different...

No, it's not Monty Python's Flying Circus. However, it is a new and completely different project than what was previously described as Opus 4. Let me explain...

Lots has happened since my last post. Most notably is that I have moved into my own apartment. After moving into a new space, and settling in, thoughts of decoration come to mind. Above my couch there is an empty canvas.

Couch

A friend of mine mentioned that he had 25 fake solid wood organ pipes that belong to a reed organ that he owns. They were meant to be a false facade for the reed organ, but he is not using them. So, my first thought...what if I used them in some arrangement above my couch?

Fake Organ Pipes from Reed Organ

I soon realized that the pipes are rather large, though still manageable, for the space. The center pipe just fits the length between the couch and the ceiling. So, after some more input and bouncing some more ideas around, Maybe there is another way to utilizing these pipes. Something more artistic maybe...

My previous opus' have been scaled models...obviously. However, now I'm working with 1:1 scale. The benefit is that these pipes are fake...solid wood. This means I can cut them down to size if I so choose. The problem with this is I cannot change the diameter. Since I cannot change the diameter, I can only decrease the length of each pipe so much that it doesn't look realistic anymore.

So, I have decided to use five pipes from the left hand group of the above photo and design a corner display. It will mimic one of those center displays in my previous models. However, the difference is that this is on a much larger proportion. It will be a corner display.

Corner Pipe Display

So, this may not solve the blank canvas above my couch...but there are 21 more pipes to have fun with. Be that as it may, this display stands three (3) feet tall. The pipes are decreased to an overall length (OAL) of 34 inches. The model, itself, is rough. The grill work will look a little more "ornate." I will need to sit down and make a more elegant, yet practical, template. Not exactly sure on the type of wood used, but the thickness will be 1/4 inch. Two (2) inch tall crown molding will be on the top and one (1) inch tall molding will be at the bottom. There will also be some sort of illumination inside.

Remaining Pipes from Original Set After Corner Model Completion

As far as the pipes are concerned, they are old. I will sand them down, prime and paint them a silver color unlike the wooden brown that they are now. I'm contemplating gold leaf or something for the mouth of the pipe. However, this is still up in the air.

Well, I think that's a good update...certainly well overdue. It might not be as adventurous as Opus 4, which I would still love come to fruition one day. However, this project is more feasible, both financial and practically, for me at the present moment. As with all my creations, my Opus', it will be a unique piece of art.

I now end with a performance on a reed organ. This is now the same model reed organ that these pipes have come from. Rather, it's a larger three manual organ. For those of you who do not know, or have not guessed, reed organs are not pipe organs. They utilize brass reeds to produce the note whereas a pipe organ uses air through a pipe to produce the note. That is why these pipes are fake. They are only there as a false facade. It's the same inspiration that prompted me for Opus 1...when someone sees an organ console, a PIPE organ, they expect to see pipes! Ergo, a false facade to appease the audience even thought the music is coming from the reeds inside the console! Enjoy!

Resurrexit!

Just like the mythical Phoenix, the blog as risen from its ashes - a Resurrection of sorts. Why you may ask? Well, life has its twists and turns. I knew at some point I'd return to this little unique hobby of mine. I didn't know it would be so soon. Be that as it may, I'm back at the design board and Opus 4 is going to be a BEAST! Let's start from the beginning, shall we...

When thoughts of designing and possibly building another model came to my head, it was going to revolve around a needle point work that my grandmother is about to finish. It is of a beautiful rose window like the great cathedrals of Europe. I thought to myself, "it would look cool to design a pipe facade to be displayed in front of the work like (you guessed it) the cathedrals of Europe!" Research and inspiration came from the great cathedral at Notre Dame, Paris. After drawing a design or two, I wasn't that pleased or inspired. That is, until, I started doing a little more research.

The End of an Era

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, I'm not watching soccer. However, I did reach my GOAL in completing Opus 3 by today!!! I'm very happy how it came out. To continue where I left off...

I assembled all the boxes for the Great and Pedal chambers. At the same time, I started preparing and painting the pedal pipes. I did something a little different this time. Instead of one solid color for the pipes, I decided to combine both nickel and aluminum simultaneously. The nickel was dominant and the aluminum was held at a further distance. I guess that would mean no set of pipes would be exactly the same. Either way, I got them all pretty close.

I Can See the Light...In More Ways Than One!!

After a little battle with a virus, I got back to Opus 3 today and plan/need to complete the project by Saturday the latest! It is possible. Phase 1, the middle section, has been completed...including the lighting!!! I must give a HUGE thank you to my dad who installed and wired the lights. Though he taught me some things about wiring and electricity when I was a younger man, I have forgotten much of it. I'm full of many things...electrical engineering (even something as simple as this) is not my forte. Here is how it went.

A PC board was placed on a tangent side of the swell box lighting fixture. The lights were then installed and wired together.

Efficient, Changing, Designing, Adapting our Mentalities

Opus 3 is in FULL SWING! Yes, it's been some time since my last post. However, Opus 3 is a reality and it's all starting to come together. Lots have already been done. With that, where should I start? Well, like I've said in the past, from the ground up! Locating dowel holes were used to position the bottom base to the principal base. There are also two holes for screws, coming from the bottom, to hold down and secure the model.

Opus C...What is Opus C?

I had to keep this one a secret, but I made another model at the same time as Opus 2. I've called it "Opus C." Why not "A" or "B"? I chose to label this one Opus C for two reasons. One, it's just a Console. Two, it is a birthday gift to a very close friend of mine whose name starts with the letter "C." Now, for the design.

Here We Go Again!

Made some good progress for Opus 3. I think the smartest way to construct this model is from the ground up. Sounds logical, right? I was tempted to start with the pedal towers. However, I think it would make more sense starting from the foundation, and that's exactly what I started doing.

Roll Out the Red Carpet for Opus 3!

Sound the trumpets! Roll out the red carpet for the official revealing of my next model. I'm about 99.9% confident that this will be the final layout of the model. Here are some prospective 3D models and information about what Opus 3 is all about!

Round Two...Check!

Yes, Opus 2 has been COMPLETED! I'm impressed with how I was able to complete this model in such a short amount of time. Granted, it's a "skill 1" compared to a "skill 5" model like Opus 1. Still, it had it's good moments and bad moments. I've learned a few more things while building the keyboard that I will make use of in Opus 3 and any models from here on out. Some pictures:

Almost There...

Even though this weekend was a busy one outside the model world, I still managed to make some great progress. The pedal board was the main focus. That includes painting all the keys, it's base and assembling them. At the present, the pedalboard is assembled but there may need to be a few touch-ups that need to be done before calling it 100% complete.