This instrument was designed by Reginald Dixon, the third of the Ballroom organists – two previous holders of that post being fine organists but not able to play for dancing). There are seven Flue Ranks and seven Reed Ranks, operating on two wind pressures, 10 and 15 inches w.g. (water gauge) – about 5 times higher than a normal church organ. A Watkins and Watson ‘Discus’ Blower provides the wind for the organ.

In its 72nd year in the Ballroom, the organ is busier than ever, being played by a variety of organists and in use, all the year round, for dancing, concerts, recordings and broadcasts. So much in demand is the organ, that it is often difficult to fit in the annual maintenance required for replacement of worn parts, releathering and tuning etc. All the original organ is there but in recent years the following modifications have been made;- substitution of the original Bechstein grand piano by an electronic Midi module (the original is still there and capable of reconnection), an electronic relay connecting the console to the organ pipe work, a Blower Motor Soft Starter and an electronic piston setter making registration changes at the console a simple matter.

There are 1034 pipes, two Tibias (Main and Solo), three String Ranks, two Tubas, a Diapason, Flute, Krumet, Saxophone, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura and English Horn. There are eight Ranks in the somewhat crowded Main Chamber, six Ranks in the Solo and an unenclosed side Chamber contains the Xylophone, Crash Cymbal, Chrysoglott/Vibraphone and Action Current Power Unit. The Traps, Chimes, Glockenspiel and Tuned Sleigh Bells are in the Solo Chamber.

At the end of the 1940s, the Quint and Tierce Couplers were added, giving the Tower Wurlitzer a unique new sound and adding greatly to the registration versatility without great expense or encroaching on the already crowded chambers. These stops enable the organist to couple any Great Manual registration up to the Solo Manual at either 10th or 12th pitch – adding brilliance and piquancy to the sound.  Many British theatre organ installations have since seen fit to add these couplers, which were believed to have originated in the BBC’s second theatre organ, a 5/27 Moller. Formerly Reginald Foort’s ‘Travelling’ Organ, it was installed after the second World War in the Jubilee Chapel in Hoxton, London. This make of unit organ regularly added ‘Off Unison’ couplers to its organs.

A few little-known facts about the organ are: –

For many people, Blackpool is the Tower, the Tower is the Ballroom and at its heart, the Wurlitzer organ – long may it remain so.