More Info →George Deans, organ builder - Manawau Heritage

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 8th April 2025. Became interested in pipe organs at an Upper Hutt church. The organist was an organ builder. Sung in the church choir and learned about the organ from the organist. He moved to Auckland in 1970 and started an apprenticeship with organ builders, George Croft & Son. He helped to rebuild the Auckland Town Hall organ. Also worked on smaller organs and designed organs. Pipes are made in England from tin and lead. Different percentages create different tones Computer type Cat 6 cables have replaced multi-stranded cables between the console and organ. Mechanical and pneumatic action became electronically controlled. The acoustic properties of venues and cabinetwork must be considered in design. Planning is important because you don’t hear it until it’s finished. A voicer is employed to tune the pipes when they are installed in their final place. Organs are re-tuned once a year and need to be rebuilt occasionally. George worked on Auckland organs at Anglican Cathedral and St. Matthews in the city. He started his own business in 1984. Organs are custom built for the building where they will be located.