Wurlitzer Style 260
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| Console Type | Curved Console | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Bolsters | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manuals | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranks | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuned Percussions | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traps | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Layout – Manuals & Touches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pedal | 32' Diaphone 16' Ophicleide 16' Diaphone 16' Tibia Clausa 16' Bourdon 8' Tuba Horn 8' Octave 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet 8' Saxophone 8' String 8' Cello 8' Flute 4' Flute 16' Piano Bass Drum Kettle Drum Snare Drum Crash Cymbal Cymbal Great to Pedal Solo to Pedal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pedal Second Touch | 32' Diaphone 16' Ophicleide - Pizzicato | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st & 2nd Touch Traps Switch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 Combination Toe Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accompaniment | 16' Contra Viol (TC) 16' Bourdon 8' Tuba Horn 8' Diaphonic Diapason 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet 8' Saxophone 8' Viol d'Orchestre 8' Viol Celeste 8' String 8' Oboe Horn 8' Quintadena 8' Flute 8' Vox Humana 4' Piccolo 4' Viol 4' Octave Celeste 4' Flute 4' Vox Humana 2 2⁄3' Twelfth 2' Piccolo 8' Piano 4' Piano Mandolin Marimba (re-it) Harp Chrysoglott Snare Drum Tambourine Castanets Chinese Block Tom Tom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accompaniment Second Touches | 8' Harmonic Tuba 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet Sleigh Bells Xylophone Triangle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 Double Touch Adjustable Combination Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Great | 16' Ophicleide 16' Diaphone 16' Tibia Clausa 16' Clarinet (TC) 16' Saxophone (TC) 16' Contra Viol (TC) 16' Bourdon 8' Trumpet 8' Tuba Horn 8' Diaphonic Diapason 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet 8' Orchestral Oboe 8' Kinura 8' Saxophone 8' Viol d'Orchestre 8' Viol Celeste 8' String 8' Flute 8' Vox Humana 4' Clarion 4' Piccolo 4' Viol 4' Octave Celeste 4' Flute 2 2/3 Twelfth 2' Fifteenth 2' Piccolo 1 3/5 Tierce 16' Piano 8' Piano 4' Piano Marimba (re-it) Harp Cathedral Chimes Xylophone Glockenspiel Orchestra Bells (re-it) Sleigh Bells Chrysoglott Solo to Great | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Great Second Touches | 16' Ophicleide 8' Tibia Clausa Octave Solo to Great Solo to Great - Pizzicato | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 Double Touch Adjustable Combination Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solo | 16' Ophicleide 8' Trumpet 8' Tuba Horn 8' Diaphonic Diapason 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet 8' Orchestral Oboe 8' Kinura 8' Saxophone 8' String 8' Oboe Horn 8' Quintadena 4' Clarion 4' Piccolo Cathedral Chimes Xylophone Glockenspiel Ochestral Bells (re-it) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 Double Touch Adjustable Combination Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tremulants (3) | Main Solo Vox Humana | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Toe Pistons | Auto Horn Steamboat Whistle Two Birds, One in each Expression Box Fire Gong Horse Hoofs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Two Expression Pedals with Indicating Keys One Balanced Crescendo Pedal Thunder Pedal (Diaphone) - Piano Pedal Thunder Pedal (Reed) - Piano Pedal One Double Touch Sforzando Pedal - Piano Pedal - 1st Touch, Full Stops (wind) - 2nd Touch, Everything One Double Touch Sforzando Pedal - Piano Pedal - 1st Touch, Snare Drum - 2nd Touch, Bass Drum and Cymbal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Wurlitzer Style 260 is one of the company's most iconic large-scale theatre organ models, which were often installed in deluxe movie palaces during the late 1920s. It is a 3-manual, 15-rank instrument that provided a powerful and versatile sound palette for silent film accompaniment, vaudeville performances, and solo concerts.
General Information
The Style 260 represented the pinnacle of Wurlitzer’s factory-produced, standardized three-manual instruments. It included an extensive array of orchestral and classical ranks, traps, tuned percussions, and effects to replicate a full orchestra. While some Style 260s were installed exactly as spec’d, many were customized at the request of venue owners or prominent organists.
History
Introduced in the mid-1920s, the 260 was marketed as a deluxe alternative to the more common Style 235. It was part of Wurlitzer's strategy to offer turn-key "unit orchestras" that could fill vast auditoriums with expressive sound. Around five dozen known 260s were built, with variations in stoplists and console decoration depending on customer preference and budget.
Specification Variations and Design Considerations
One of the distinguishing features on the spec sheet was the inclusion of a full 32′ Diaphone rank. However, this was frequently omitted in actual installations due to ceiling height limitations in orchestra pits and chambers. In such cases, the pedal section was often adjusted to substitute lower extensions from existing 16′ ranks, or to use resultant tones to simulate 32′ effects.
The Suitable Bass system, another unique element of the specification, was largely considered a marketing gimmick. It attempted to provide a smooth, more mellow fundamental bass tone automatically, but many organists found it to be redundant or underwhelming in practice.
Organists often requested enhancements to the tonal resources of the instrument. A common customization was the extension of the Tuba Mirabilis (on 10″ wind) down to 8′ pitch, which was not part of the standard 260 specification. This gave the instrument a middle ground in its solo voice and reinforced the upperwork with added power and gravitas.
Notable Installations
- Loew’s State Theatre, New York, NY (Customized with additional ranks)
- Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA (Known for its powerful Tuba and grand scale)
Perception and Legacy
While not as common as smaller styles like the Style D, Style E, or the Style F, the Style 260 has gained legendary status among theatre organists and enthusiasts for its grandeur and flexibility. Surviving examples—especially those restored to original specification—are treasured for their immense tonal resources and expressive capability.
List of Known Installations
| Opus | Year Installed | Location | City | State | Country | Style | Wiring Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 344 | Tivoli Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 383 | Ascher Capitol Theatre | Cincinnati | Ohio | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 404 | Liberty Theatre | Great Falls | Montana | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 501 | Lafayette Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 505 | Grauman Egyptian Theatre | Hollywood | California | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 520 | Rialto Theatre | New York | New York | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 541 | Circle Theatre | Indianapolis | Indiana | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 558 | Sheas Hippodrome Theatre | Toronto | Ontario | Canada | 260SP | 906 | |
| 568 | Elmwood Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 585 | Sheas Hippodrome Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 637 | C T P Co | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 260 | 521 | |
| 839 | Rivoli Theatre | New York | New York | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 870 | Albee Theatre | Brooklyn | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 935 | State Theatre | Cleveland | Ohio | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 943 | Capitol Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | 562 | |
| 959 | State Theatre | Minneapolis | Minnesota | U.S.A. | 260SP | 599 | |
| 978 | Plaza Theatre | London | England | Uk | 260 | 521 | |
| 987 | Diversey (Century) Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | 609 | |
| 1041 | Harding Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | 618 | |
| 1044 | Riding Club | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260 | 629 | |
| 1097 | Howard / Paramount Theatre | Atlanta | Georgia | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1099 | Store Demo Organ | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | 636 | |
| 1115 | Keith'S Memorial / Savoy Theatre | Boston | Massachusetts | U.S.A. | 260SP | 654 | |
| 1173 | Newman Theatre | Kansas City | Missouri | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 1195 | Terminal Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 2604M | 676 | |
| 1196 | North Park Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | 682 | |
| 1198 | Paramount Theatre(Olympia) | Miami | Florida | U.S.A. | 260 | 521 | |
| 1203 | Stanley Theatre | Camden | New Jersey | U.S.A. | 260SP | 680 | |
| 1323 | Scollay Sq Theatre | Boston | Massachusetts | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1341 | Palace Theatre | Cleveland | Ohio | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1393 | Keiths Theatre | Atlanta | Georgia | U.S.A. | 260SP | 724 | |
| 1404 | Capitol (Paramount) Theatre | St Paul | Minnesota | U.S.A. | 260SP | 749 | |
| 1406 | Fox 14Th St Theatre | New York | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1407 | Keith Theatre | Columbus | Ohio | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1473 | Famous Pl Texas Theatre | San Antonio | Texas | U.S.A. | 260SP | 764 | |
| 1490 | Kensington Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1541 | Chinese Theatre | Hollywood | California | U.S.A. | 260SP | 791 | |
| 1555 | Lexington Ave Theatre | New York | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | 778 | |
| 1569 | Famous Players (Florida) Theatre | Jacksonville | Florida | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1592 | Avalon Theatre | Chicago | Illinois | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1647 | Loews Capitol Theatre | Washington | District of Columbia | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1657 | Capitol Theatre | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | 260SP | ||
| 1680 | Keith'S Albee Theatre | Cincinnati | Ohio | U.S.A. | 260SP | 819 | |
| 1726 | Denver Theatre | Denver | Colorado | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1731 | United Artists Theatre | Los Angeles | California | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1752 | Madison Theatre | Ridgewood | New Jersey | U.S.A. | 260SP | 859 | |
| 1757 | Mosque Auditorium | Richmond | Virginia | U.S.A. | 260SP | 855 | |
| 1778 | Strand Theatre | Portland | Maine | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1788 | Stanley Theatre | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | U.S.A. | 260SP | 828 | |
| 1793 | Chester Theatre | Bronx | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1808 | Capitol Theatre - Not Installed | Perth | Washington | Australia | 260 | 521 | |
| 1813 | Capitol Theatre | Sydney | New South Wales | Australia | 260 | 521 | |
| 1824 | United Artists Theatre | Detroit | Michigan | U.S.A. | 260SP | ||
| 1896 | Regent Theatre | Adelaide | South Australia | Australia | 260SP | ||
| 1901 | Tower Theatre | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | U.S.A. | 260SP | 922 | |
| 1902 | Ambassador Theatre | Perth | Washington | Australia | 260SP | 950 | |
| 1908 | Kenmore Theatre | Brooklyn | New York | U.S.A. | 260 | 900 | |
| 1950 | Bailey Ave Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP | 972 | |
| 2040 | Regent Theatre | Brisbane | Queensland | Australia | 260 | 900 | |
| 2075 | Civic Theatre | Auckland | New Zealand | 260SP | 1073 | ||
| 2085 | Seneca Theatre | Buffalo | New York | U.S.A. | 260SP |
See Also
References
- Junchen, David L. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ
- Williams, Terry. Theatre Organ Stops and Styles: A Comprehensive Guide