Fatar - US Distributor

Is there anyone in the US that sells blank Fatar Keyboards, such as the TP60LF?

I don't need the pistons, keybeds, etc. I will be reusing an existing console. I just need the actual keyboards. I found them on hauptwerkshop.com but I am a little apprehensive due to the linguistic barriers.

Any suggestions for those of us in the USA?

Many people use midiworks.ca in toronto. Darryl sells them without pistons including the plain plastic key coverings, and the Cjerry and ebony versions. They also have a midi interface on them that makes it very easy to get up and playing.
They offer incredible customer support and are extremely helpful, friendly, nice people.
Have a look here.
https://midiworks.ca/index.php?option=c ... uct_id=140

Yes, I knew of them. They sure seem to be the most popular, but they also seem to be the most expensive, and albeit, the most end-user friendly. I'm looking for just the raw keyboards so I can build completely custom. The link you sent, is that just a plain keyboard from Fatar, or has Classic Midi Works taken a Fatar keyboard and modified it?

Hello Drew.
I think Midiworks "midifies" original Fatar mechanical keyboards.Compare:
http://www.fatar.com/pages/TP_60LW.htm
https://midiworks.ca/index.php/products ... ory&path=1

(Tho. Darryl can tell us something about this)

BTOH I am very satisfied with 3 Classic Midiworks keyboards.

I have 4 of their keyboards. You plug them in and they work with no Midi merge problems. I've had 7 in total. The first 3 early models I sold to a friend. All online to work flawlessly. It's just so simple so I don't begrudge the price and the customer support is second to none. I'm lucky because I live nearby and deal with Darryl personally. He happens to be a pretty fabulous guy.

I'm lucky because I live nearby and deal with Darryl personally.

...I and live 2.700 miles far from Darryl and its support is still excellent¡

Yes, I have always read great things about them, and I certainly have no reservations about the company. Again, my interest is in looking for the blank keyboards. I work for a technology company full time and I do a lot of soldering, wiring, circuitry, etc. and I just tend to enjoy the meticulous side of this just as much as the actual organ playing, and as a result, I'm just curious if it's even possible to get my hands on 3 to 4 of those blank keyboards, and I will do the electronics myself. Really, a 3 or 4 manual stack of any kind, regardless of builder, but in great shape is what I'm actually interested in.

If it ends up being impossible, I am certainly not opposed to just buying them pre-done by MidiWorks. But I'd certainly like to see what's possible. I have looked at several distressed organ consoles - an old 4-manual Moller, recently - that would have been a viable candidate, but the monumental task of actually moving and dismantling the console - on the 3rd floor of a building with no usable elevator - made that impossibly daunting.

My interest in Fatar comes by way of their recommendation from many people here on the forums. I am not opposed to other brands/manufacturers/etc. I just want to do away with my 4 M-Audio Keystations, and move my instrument into a new console.

You can get the blank key bed from ClassicMidiworks, but talk directly to Darryl about it. Roman Sowa also makes midi controllers with the funky Fatar connectors. I would much rather have the Loduca keyboards, but sadly they are no longer being manufactured. You can also check with Arndt Organ Supply as they carry Fatar as well.

Hey, thank you for the reply! In my quests, I had never run across Arndt Organ Supply! Thank you for the input!

You can get the blank key bed from ClassicMidiworks, but talk directly to Darryl about it. Roman Sowa also makes midi controllers with the funky Fatar connectors. I would much rather have the Loduca keyboards, but sadly they are no longer being manufactured. You can also check with Arndt Organ Supply as they carry Fatar as well.

Thank you for your input. Arndt has EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Fatar Keyboards, with MIDI encoder already on board, which also has connections for 8 pistons, and 3 swell shoes, per manual! It's a perfect fit!

Nice folks, extremely helpful! And VERY reasonably priced, I might add.

Thank you.

I would advise anyone interested, to reach out to Arndt Organ supply.

Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like a slightly unusual configuration. If I understand correctly, on a three manual organ you could only have 24 pistons (possibly 9 generals and 5 divisionals on each manual?) Which strikes me as a little limited by current standards, but you could have 9 swell shoes???
John

Well obviously so many swell pedals aren't necessary, but 8 pistons (on three manuals and pedals) are plenty - I always use the stepper, anyway.

Lastly, they have plenty of other encoders and decoders for stops, pistons, LED drivers, etc. but for what I'm looking to do, this fits the bill nicely. They are also very close to me geographically.

I thought MIDI Works were expensive until I tried making my own pistons under Fatar keyboards that I sourced from within Europe. I now understand why adding a piston rail nearly doubles the cost of a keyboard, wow they are fiddly to wire up and build!

If you do manage to get hold of Fatar keyboards by themselves, Doepffer in Germany make a unit called the MKE which is a MIDI interface specially designed for Fatar organ keyboards.

As I stated earlier, I work in electronics everyday. It's what I do. I don't mind the wiring and extra wood-working; that's half the fun.

And here I thought playing the organ was all the fun