Although Robert-Morton of Van Nuys, CA, made over 6000 organs before they went out of business in 1931, only 5 Wonder Mortons were made. The Great Theatre Pipe Organ of the Arlington was originally installed in Loews Jersey City and was 24 ranks. It was damaged while being removed by wreckers in 1977, stored for 10 years in a Dallas. Texas, warehouse, brought to Santa Barbara in 1986, and lovingly
restored to as-new condition by the Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society (SBTOS). To accomplish this transformation, SBTOS volunteers labored over 37000 hours guided by master organ builders Stephen Leslie and Roger Inkpen of Newton Pipe Organ Services. Our first concert was 1 October 1988 featuring Tom Hazleton who did a magnificent job with the 18 ranks then up and running. The organ now has 27 ranks (about 2000 pipes) with each rank producing a different type of orchestral sound (clarinet, trumpet, violin, saxophone, tuba, flute, etc.). There are also seven tuned percussions (marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone, chrysoglott, vibraphone, piano, and chimes) as well as drums, bells, horns, horse hoofs, surf, wind, wood block and other special effect sounds. The chest and wiring for the 28th rank (a quintadena) are in place but we haven't located suitable pipes yet.
