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Newbie: Table height Hi everyone; I'm going to build a VPO system; likely using Midiworks parts (but open to other suggestions!). I don't have space for a dedicated console table. I do have a table whose interior width is large enough for pedalboard, and deep enough to support 3 or even 4 manuals. However, I'm worried that the height will pose problems. I'm writing to see if my worry is warranted, and if so, what solutions I should consider. The table height is 30", which I /think/ is a good height for the lowest manual to rest on. But the distance from the floor to the bottom of a fixed table drawer is only 25". When I look at organ bench heights, 25" seems to be a typical height. This means that there would be no room for me to place my knees under the table. I found this video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyQDjWornF4 ) on how to sit at the organ, and it does look like one's knees go under the desk. I suppose I could move the pedalboard and organ bench back, but then I fear my arms would tire from being stretched out so far. Note that at this point I've purchased nothing, and so my concerns might be theoretical. I'd like to get some advice before starting to purchase the pedalboard, bench, and manuals. Thanks, David	by dpetrou Feb 20, 2022 09:10 PM
Replies (7)
RE: Newbie: Table height Yes, 25" is about right for bench height - this assumes tenor D on the pedal board is about 4" off the floor. You really _do_ need a vertical gap for your knees to go under the table if you are going to play in any comfort - about 6.5" on my console, with the lowest manual about 10.5" above the stool. I took the measurements from our parish church console. Your knees don't go all that far in horizontally under the table, so I used the space further back to house the PC and amplifier. You can see this in my setup pictures. We made dimensioned drawings of the table, sweeps and stool for a local joinery company to build to. Some of the drawings are published in http://www.cos-media.org.uk/publications/journals/272%20-%20Spring%202017/index.html and I can send you the rest if you like to message me with your e-mail address. Best wishes for your project. Stephen	by Mirch4 Feb 21, 2022 07:31 AM

RE: Newbie: Table height It's always best to allow for future adjustments in case you find things not quite right after a few hours of playing the finished console. Measured from the middle D on my pedals to the top of the white key on the lowest keyboard - 30". The thickness of the table top, keyboard and pedalboard can all vary. Also the length of your own leg is a factor, from the bottom of my heel to the top of my bent knee is about 22". You can allow for adjustment in the height of your table top by slipping a piece of board under each leg, or a threaded metal screw adjustor. Your bench is also a player in the game, if it's adjustable you have more potential than a solid bench.	by bayless Feb 21, 2022 01:25 PM

RE: Newbie: Table height Mirch4 wrote: Yes, 25" is about right for bench height - this assumes tenor D on the pedal board is about 4" off the floor. You really _do_ need a vertical gap for your knees to go under the table if you are going to play in any comfort - about 6.5" on my console, with the lowest manual about 10.5" above the stool. I took the measurements from our parish church console. Your knees don't go all that far in horizontally under the table, so I used the space further back to house the PC and amplifier. You can see this in my setup pictures. We made dimensioned drawings of the table, sweeps and stool for a local joinery company to build to. Some of the drawings are published in http://www.cos-media.org.uk/publications/journals/272%20-%20Spring%202017/index.html and I can send you the rest if you like to message me with your e-mail address. Best wishes for your project. Stephen Hi Stephen, thanks for your response. I've written you a direct message with my emaiol to get more information as you offered. Also, is there a PDF version of the journal you sent below? (I'd like to print it out.) From what you're saying, what I described in my first note is probably not going to work. Another route, which could afford a lot of flexibility, might be for me to purchase a table that can be adjusted up and down, for example, a computer desk designed for standing and sitting like the https://www.upliftdesk.com/. Such a table, along with an organ bench that is adjustable, would seem to minimize the possibility of mistakes, and support a wide variety of body sizes and ages. If I can make room for it, I'm also considering a prebuilt console, like one from https://www.contentorgans.com/en/our-hauptwerk-organs/ . But as I'm new to this, it seems much more prudent if I can get going more cheaply before such an investment. Side question, betraying my ignorance further :) : What is tenor D on the pedal board? When I see sheet music, I typically see pedal notes on a separate bass clef or even sometimes arranges just on two staves where it's obvious what the pedal line is. I'm not seeing tenor clefs used. Thanks, David	by dpetrou Feb 21, 2022 02:42 PM

RE: Newbie: Table height bayless wrote: It's always best to allow for future adjustments in case you find things not quite right after a few hours of playing the finished console. Measured from the middle D on my pedals to the top of the white key on the lowest keyboard - 30". The thickness of the table top, keyboard and pedalboard can all vary. Also the length of your own leg is a factor, from the bottom of my heel to the top of my bent knee is about 22". You can allow for adjustment in the height of your table top by slipping a piece of board under each leg, or a threaded metal screw adjustor. Your bench is also a player in the game, if it's adjustable you have more potential than a solid bench. Hi bayless, thanks for your reply. This all makes sense to me, and in the reply I just made to Stephen, I'm thinking that the right move for me would be either a prebuilt console desk (like Content) or going completely adjustable with something like an Uplift V2 motorized desk and adjustable bench. By the way, while I'm here, are there any recommendations for manuals, pedalboards, and benches beyond https://www.midiworks.ca/ for someone like me living in the US? Happy to start a new thread on this if more appropriate. Thanks, David	by dpetrou Feb 21, 2022 02:46 PM

RE: Newbie: Table height On my internet journeys i found the following site/pdf: https://wicksorgan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/agoconsole.pdf Hope this helps	by pordzio Feb 22, 2022 09:30 AM

RE: Newbie: Table height pordzio wrote: On my internet journeys i found the following site/pdf: https://wicksorgan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/agoconsole.pdf Hope this helps Thanks pordzio! That's helpful. David	by dpetrou Feb 22, 2022 11:59 AM

RE: Newbie: Table height pordzio wrote: On my internet journeys i found the following site/pdf: https://wicksorgan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/agoconsole.pdf Hope this helps Beware -- In these AGO console specs on the Wicks website there is an error in the diagram showing manual height above pedals (29-1/2 inches to top of SECOND manual), although it is described correctly in the text (29-1/2 inches to top of LOWEST manual). I don't know whether there are other errors.	by VoceUmana Feb 22, 2022 11:18 PM

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