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D.R BURVILLE ORGAN BUILDERS

One can sometimes forget the amount of work that goes into building or restoring such instruments.

David works long days to deliver the finished product to clients. Early mornings, late nights, weekends. This is not a 9 to 5 job! There are so many components to make the music. So much to consider. So many challenges to overcome.

This gallery gives a good example of the range of tasks and work David can undertake. Scroll through and have a look.

full restoration

The 97 Key 'Oktoberfest' organ was originally built by Gavioli in Paris in around 1896 for a German showman. In the 1950s the organ was rebuilt by Heinrich Voight who enlarged it and converted it to the model 38 Ruth scale. 

​In 2014, David thoroughly restored the organ including the vibrant front. Browse the images of the organ restoration from start to finish.

The Oktoberfest Organ can be seen and heard at the Flower of May Holiday Park in Scarborough and at various events across the UK including the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Restoration was completed by David in 2014.

woodworM cured

This delightful 48 Key Marenghi had been suffering with severe woodworm. David carried out a simple on site restoration. The Organ was fully treated with all woodworm killed in the process. It was then repaired and releathered, tuned and adjusted, all ready to go on entertaining people for another hundred years!

new pipework added

James Dundon's Dutch Street Organ has been to David's workshops for a two stage restoration. This involved the  releathering and cleaning of the instrument and revarnishing of the case, chests and pipework. Finally, Bass Trombones and a Cello Celeste were fitted in the drum wings to finish the sound off beautifully. The video here shows it withstanding temperatures of 28c at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in August, 2017.

moving instruments

This 110 Key Organ, rebuilt by Verbeeck in the early 90's, was recently totally dismantled and reassembled into a new lorry body.

This mammoth task also gave the opportunity to access some 'hard to reach' parts of the organ for essential maintenance and releathering.

midi player

David has teamed up with Peter Hood of Rollcutter.com to provide the world's first 'drop on Midi player' meaning the organ is totally unaltered & preserved.

​One of the many Midi Players built has been for the Three Wigs in the Uterect Museum.

semi electronic decap

'Willem Tell' is a 105 Key Decap Semi Electronic Dance Organ at the Flower of May Holiday Park in Scarborough. 

After a leak in the roof above, the organ was stripped, repaired and reassembled, including the adjustment of the hammond unit. While in bits, the organ was releathered and cleaned.

 MODIFYing an organ

Here is a great example of improving a simple instrument. Starting life as a Pell hand-turned Book Organ, the new owner requested it had percussion made and installed, plus a decorative front designed and built by David. Note in the video, with the front removed, the interesting sideways bellows system. Below are before and after pictures.

also in the workshop...

Here is a gallery to demonstrate the variety of work that goes through David's workshops. From carving and casework, to pipework, releathering, maintenance and full restorations.

​Click to enlarge and for descriptions.

quality work

David's long apprenticeship and 25 years of experience in full time Organ Building makes him passionate about sympathetic restorations at a fair price.

BESPOKE DESIGNS

From producing Organ Fronts to inventing new styles and methods of Mechanical Music, David has the brain and passion to make your idea a reality.

midi SOLUTIONS

David has teamed up with Peter Hood of Rollcutter.com to provide the world's first 'drop on Midi player' meaning the organ is totally unaltered & preserved.

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QUALITY AT A FAIR PRICE

David prides himself on the quality of his work and the fair price he charges.

​Ask any of his customers.