Bradford specializes in organ restoration, and provides professional tuning and maintenance on both an on-call and contractual basis. BRADFORD ORGAN COMPANY, incorporated in 1977, has for 35 years been building new mechanical action organs with slider chest design. Bradford also specializes in organ restoration, strongly believing that organs of the past should be saved. Bradford’s seven member st
aff has restored organs as large as 99 stops, as well as many vintage American organs from as early as 1827. Bradford also provides professional tuning and maintenance on both an on-call and contractual basis. The company has a vast array of experience in providing accurate and thorough assessments of damaged instruments. This has led to Bradford being involved in many consultations on organs damaged by simple rain storms to organs completely saturated by Hurricane Katrina. Walter Bradford began his work with organs as an apprentice with Kurt Roderer who in turn apprenticed in Ennetach, Germany with Gebr. Spaeth, and with Flentrop Organ Company in Zandam, Holland. After an eight year apprenticeship dedicated to organ construction and voicing, Bradford began his own business and incorporated in 1977. Bradford began building new organs, restoring historical instruments and providing tuning and maintenance for the local churches. The business has grown over the years and is fully equipped to build new pipe organs of slider chest or electro-pneumatic design. Restoration of existing pipe organs is an important aspect of the company. Almost any organ repair can be furnished by the Bradford shop. New organs from Bradford can be found in Illinois, Alabama and Virginia. Numerous restorations can be found in the Chicago area.
