The Seeburg Style G orchestrion was introduced in 1911 and has become the favorite of many collectors of American orchestrions.  Seeburg described the Style G as containing “two sets of pipes, violin and flute, bass and snare drum, Cymbol, Triangle, Tympani, Mandolin, loud and soft effect piano.  Giving the effect of an Orchestra of six men.”  In most Style G and some model H orchestrions, Seeburg used an inspired musical effect to give the illusion of a much larger musical scale.  The two ranks of pipes would play in different octaves.  This arrangement is particularly effective when playing lively popular music, giving the Seeburg G a special magic that helped make it the quintessential American orchestrion.

Dave Ramey, Sr. built his version of the Style G in 2005.  Not a reproduction as the intention was to create an orchestrion that sounded exactly like the Seeburg G, but not necessarily look identical.  The cabinet is slightly smaller and has features that resemble some of the details of the original Seeburg model, but are simplified.  The art glass design combines motifs from the various designs originally available for the Seeburg G rather than a copy of one particular design. 

The instrument was made with a vintage player piano as a base.  The cabinet was enlarged to house the mechanisms.  The mechanisms are all new and most were made similar to the Seeburg model.  Dave himself made both ranks of pipes (violin and piccolo).  The end result is a beautiful looking and sounding style G orchestrion.  The purchase price includes six re-cut G rolls.  Click here to view a Youtube video of this instrument.

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