With a background in Electrical Engineering Geoff Griffiths began working in organ building in 1976. In 1980 he went into business on his own rapidly developing a tuning round and then moving on to carry out overhauls. The first major overhaul being the electrification of the fine Walker organ at St James Church Milton in Portsmouth.

Welcome

We are a small team of Pipe Organ Builders, based on the South Coast of England.

Please take a look at the services that we offer, as well as some of our past and current projects.

About Us

With a background in Electrical Engineering, Geoff Griffiths began working in organ building in 1976. In 1980 he went into business on his own, rapidly developing a tuning round and then moving on to carry out overhauls. The first major overhaul being the electrification of the fine Walker organ at St James Church, Milton, in Portsmouth.



As the business expanded, he was joined by Andrew Cooper from Willis in 1988 and they formed the partnership of Griffiths & Cooper, part of the company being based on the Isle of Wight and the other on the mainland. When the IBO was set up in 1996 they were founder members.

Tuning and Maintenance

We presently care for around 200 instruments in Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Surrey, and East and West Sussex.

Our portfolio ranges from small harmoniums through to large cathedral organs.

If you think we can be of assistance, please contact us.

Cleaning and Overhauling

As part of long term routine maintenance all pipe organs benefit from a comprehensive clean and overhaul every fifteen years or so. In reality this is often stretched to twenty or twenty-five years. If left too long though, some small problems, at first only evident to the player, become obvious to the listener. Although relatively expensive, it is important that this work be undertaken if the organ is to remain in good working order. It involves the removal of all the pipes for thorough cleaning, and in the case of a tracker organ, all of the action. After careful cleaning any minor repairs necessitated by wear and tear can be undertaken, with new felts and leather buttons fitted during re-assembly. The result, particularly of cleaning and re-setting the speech of the pipes, is often quite noticeable even to the most un-musical ear!

Restoration

Much of our work involves genuine restoration of historically valuable instruments. This can be exacting work, involving the use of correct materials and glues, together with a full understanding of how things were done in the past. For instruments worthy of such attention grants are often available.

Re Building

In some cases, particularly if an instrument is moved to a new location, either within the building, or to another, it may be necessary to re-configure it to fit. Great care needs to be taken to ensure everything is accessible, not only for tuning, but also for maintenance. This can often mean replacement of pneumatic action with electro-pneumatic, together with re-wiring, and the fitting of a modern computer based processing system to power the action and console aids.