The organ console itself sits on the theater floor but its piping, wiring and a range of instruments and other items that produce its sound effects occupy several rooms above the screen. “The Wurlitzer was designed to be able to play the score – not just the music but all of the sounds,” said Colleen Flynn, who serves as the foundation’s secretary. The organ has been an institution at the theater since it opened in 1928, during the days of silent film.
There’s still a lot to do … It used to be for the past 50 years or so, you could put a patch on it and go from there, but we’re past that now.” “The things that needed done to still play it, we’ve done. “We haven’t had a whole lot of money to go thoroughly repair it,” said Bob Gulledge, the Byrd’s organist. The organ console is raised from below the stage and controls instruments hidden above the theater.
High atop its list of repairs is the full restoration of the Byrd’s iconic Wurlitzer organ – to the tune of $650,000. The foundation also plans to use some of the money it raises to pay off a $1.2 million loan for the purchase of the theater. That has been put toward installing a new roof, a new boiler and a digital server, among other projects.
The nonprofit foundation, which owns and operates the movie theater, has already raised $1.5 million toward its goal. Its list of repairs includes the restoration of the Byrd marquee, updating the 60-year-old box office and concession stands, repairing the exterior the theater’s exterior, expanding cramped restrooms and installing handicapped accessible restrooms, rewiring outdated electrical systems, restoring ornamental finishes, and replacing damaged, uncomfortable theater seating. The Byrd Theatre Foundation is in the middle of a $5 million capital campaign to restore the 85-year-old Carytown movie house to its original grandeur. Richmond’s oldest movie theater and its “Mighty Wurlitzer” need seven figures worth of fixing. Our electronic test equipment hasīeen described as, "the most complete testing/repair equipment in the mid-westĮxcepting Chrysler Research and Development".A priority on the Byrd Theatre Foundation’s to-do list is replacing the theater’s 1,300 seats. Incorporated in 1986 as "BACK STAGE, INC.". was founded in 1980 as "Back Stage Audio, Ltd." and was
Product experience ranges from the present all the way back as far as theīack Stage, INC. Our technicians are also musicians that understand the actual use of the products that Orange, Crest, Kelsey, Samick, Sound Tech, and many others. Our technicians have also receivedĬertification and/or warranty service center status with/by : SLM (Crates-Ampeg-AudioĬentron), Kurzweil, CARVER (non-warranty), Gallien-Krueger, Korg, Roland, YAMAHA,Ĭasio (professional only), Korg, Fender, Randall, Rane, QSC, Bi-Amp, PEAVEY, Fostex, Please Call Denis Ikeler at: Phone: 810 Company Profile BACK STAGE, INC. Not Offering action or tuning services at this time (only electronic repair) (Don Hicks) - 31, and John Doyle - 24 For Fender Rhoades Or Wurlitzer Electric Pianos We are IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ON-SITE ORGAN Please try these:ĥ1, Organgrinder (Tim Verellen) - 98, Hicks Organ Service Yes, I am old enough to have worked on them all since the day they were born.
We have specialized in portable Digital keyboards since they were first created.
(keyboards-amplifiers-effects-synthesizers-samplers) and all manner of professional support equipment. Backstage is a repair center for most major brands of electronic musical instruments
(please call New first to get an authorization to bring it to us). We also do Warranty work for the Extended Warranties for all Guitar Centers Loud Technology, Peavey, AMPEG, CRATE, Orange, Yamaha, B52, Egnater,įreeman Amps, Morgan Amps, 65 Amps, & Gallien & Krueger. Don't forget to wear your mask.Ĭurrently we are a Manufacturer AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE CENTER for: , Or, if this Virus gets under control we may reopen to We may be selling parts or salvage repairs in the futureĬomeback and check us out. Please take your repairs to MotorCity 1565 Crescent Lake Rd, Or.on the web e-mail us or further notice due to Inventory andīack Stage is closed to the public. In Flint at "SHerm's Musical Instrument Repair). We only have one site for incoming repairs Instruments and Equipment since 1980 Contact Informationįor our location, please see the map on our
NEWS LOCATION OUT of TOWN MAP FLINT MAP PRICES CUSTOM WORK PARTS THE BACK STAGE PASS THE MUSICIAN'S BACK STAGE PASS to Repair for Electronic Musical Instruments