A website by the

COMPTON ORGAN MAINTENANCE COMPANY

presents the

Melotones, Electrostatic Organs

and other patents

 of

The John Compton Organ Company Ltd

 

 

 

Hi,

Welcome to my website dedicated to the patents produced by one of the finest and most advanced organ firms in the days when British Engineering was rivaled the world over.

The site concentrates mainly on the melotone units and electrostatic (pipeless) organs which were built by the famous John Compton Organ Company Ltd spanning a period from the mid 1930s right up until the end of the 1960s.  However, I have also included reference to other Compton patents such as the Solo Cello and links to sites dedicated to Compton pipe organs.  There are also links to sites where owners of these instruments can purchase valves etc.  I also undertake repairs of both melotones's and electrostatic organs myself and back in January had the great pleasure in restoring the melotone unit on the twin console (1 theatre + 1 classic) giant at Southampton Guildhall!  My contact details can be found within this site.

You may well ask what is a melotone or indeed an electrostatic organ? 

Firstly, a melotone unit is basically a seperate division that was found installed on Compton's cinema organs (and also a few classical installations) as standard post 1935.  It produces it's tones electronically through loudspeakers and was the beginnings of the electronic organ.  A full detailed description of this device can be found within this site.

The "electrostatic organ" was born out of the melotone and were complete instruments with manuals and pedals which came in either theatre/entertainment version (called the "theatrone") or classical/church version (called the "electrone").  Despite some modifications and improvements, the electrone employed basically the same principals as the melotone which involves the use of "spinning wheels".  As with the melotone, a full history of it's evolvement and technical data can be found on this site.

Both the melotone and electrone have been the subject of much praise and criticism over the years but it must be said that they were a stepping stone to the electronic organ we have today.  A cinema organist in the 1930s once said:  "I absolutely loath those melotones but I cannot transport the patrons into a fantasy musical dreamworld with the pipes like I can do with the melotone".

Compton Organs in general are fine examples of British Engineering.  Today it is possible to hear working melotone's at places such as Southampton Guildhall.  Many electrostatic organs can still be found doing sterling service in churches of all denominations  and many are in private homes of enthusiasts like myself.  In fact, it is only when I compiled this site that I discovered just how many people have these beasts at home!

Why do I admire Compton's so much?  Name me one other company that produced pipe and electronic instruments for churches, cathedrals, chapels, cinemas, theatres, crematoriums, holiday camps, hotel lounges, restaurants, skating rinks, ballrooms, the private home etc etc etc.

Today, the word Compton can be a filthy word in the organ world at which many traditionalists would tell you to "get a life" if you admitted even having a slight fondness for Compton organs.  However, there is the other extreme where mention of Compton will get people singing praises for these fantastic instruments.  I'm very pleased and not ashamed to admit that I fall into the latter category!  

There was never another organ manufacture like Compton that produced such a diversity of instruments and there never will be again.  Compton Organs in my opinion show British at it's best!

May I take this opportunity in thanking those people who have contributed to this site by way of photographs, knowledge and sharing stories on the message board.

You can be assured of a warm welcome to this site.  Should you have any questions then please feel free to email me at:  christopherthompson826@msn.com

Best wishes,

 

Chris.

 

Enjoy the sounds of the Compton Melotone with Al Bollington at the Paramount, Tottenham Court Road Compton organ in London:

http://theatreorgans.com/southerncross/Radiogram/UKsounds/Bollington%20-%20Berlin%20medley.wma

 

For my sister site dedicated to Compton Pipe Organs please click on the following link:

http://www.msnusers.com/ComptonPipeOrgans

language=javascript src="http://ss.webring.com/navbar?f=j;y=chrismelot;u=defurl" type=text/javascript> </SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT>

This site is a member of WebRing. To browse visit Here.

</NOSCRIPT>