The world was full of budding keyboardists in the 1960's. However, that didn't mean homes were full of pianos. Pianos were big, heavy, and expensive. Having one in your home meant that you were committed to playing it, otherwise it just took up space.
The same wasn't true for a musical instrument that was inexpensive, lightweight, and small enough to tuck away into a closet when not in use.
Chord organs were found in lots of homes during this time. The most common brand was Magnus. Magnus chord organs were made of various shades of plastic. They were made to sit on a tabletop, or there were also models that came on legs. They would necessitate benches with built-in compartments for the sheet music that was also a familiar sight.
We never had a chord organ in our home. I guess that's a comment on the Enderlands' musical talent. But lots of my friends had them.
The Magnus chord organ had a fan, which you could hear spin up when you switched it on. When you pressed the keys, you allowed air to blow over certain reeds. The resultant sound was similar to that of a harmonica, which works the same way.
There were also chord buttons on the left side, which could be used to provide nice background sound to your expertly played keys.
Of course, expertly played keys did not necessarily accompany the organs. The sheet music showed you how to play the right notes, but the music actually required talent to be done well, something which I, and many of my friends, sadly lacked.
However, many successful musicians did start out with a humble Magnus chord organ, and used it to propel them on to bigger and better things. A likely upgrade for such a prodigy might be a Hammond organ, capable of all sorts of cool stuff. Its electronically-produced sound made for imitation of different instruments like the trumpet, the clarinet, or the piano.
Most of the time, when I write about old toys and gadgets, I can find a good deal of information on the subjects. That's not the case with the Magnus organs. Lots of folks remember having them, but nobody seems to know the origin of the toy/musical instrument itself.
I did find one website that stated that Magnus organs originated during the Industrial Revolution. Perhaps they did, but the plastic/electric models we had in our homes more likely arose sometime in the 50's. 
Some households proudly owned nicer wooden Magnuses. They coughed up three-figure prices for the organs, which would then be considered considered real furniture, not to be placed in the closet when not being played..
Nowadays, you can buy nice Casio keyboards capable of some amazing electronic sounds for around a hundred bucks (considerably cheaper than the Hammonds that cost over a hundred 1966 bucks). They will pipe music into your computer, where you can save it as a midi file. While not nearly as commonplace as the Magnuses of the 60's, many aspiring musicians are discovering their talent by playing with them at a young age, much as we did with our plastic, air-driven chord organs.
Comments (11)
I am only 17, so I don't remember the good old days when these were in every home; however, i did pick up one of the wooden, nicer organs for 75 bucks at a thrift store in New Hampshire. It has 16 chord buttons (8 major and 8 Minor, white and black, respectively). It has 3 octaves, and that distinctive sound. Can anybody email me information about this?
Posted by Daniel Mullen | August 6, 2007 8:59 PM
Posted on August 6, 2007 20:59
I bought a wooden magnus for $14.85 at an antique store in OKC. It's missing a key, but still a great find.
Posted by Ryan | May 25, 2008 3:29 PM
Posted on May 25, 2008 15:29
I HAVE A MAGNUS CHORD ORGAN IN MY BASEMENT. I BELIEVE IT IS MODEL 890. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF IT HAS ANY VALUE? I MIGHT WANT TO SELL IT.
Posted by ANGELO GRILLO | September 25, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on September 25, 2008 15:48
I just picked up a Magnus 12 chord button organ. It plays too loud. The volumn valve button under the keyboard moves around and does not lower the sound. Is there some way I can make it play softer? I like to play late at night and it needs to be low soft music.
Thanks,
Valane
Posted by Valane | October 17, 2008 10:17 PM
Posted on October 17, 2008 22:17
My mom had one when she was a kid and we still have it it's great. to muffle the sound we just put a folded towel underneath it because i liked to play it alot growing up
Posted by Stephanie | November 13, 2008 7:14 PM
Posted on November 13, 2008 19:14
My mom had one when she was a kid and we still have it it's great. to muffle the sound we just put a folded towel underneath it because i liked to play it alot growing up
Posted by Stephanie | November 13, 2008 7:15 PM
Posted on November 13, 2008 19:15
My family had a magnus chord organ while we were growing up.We all loved it so much. I have inhereted it and would like for my children to have the "memories" as well. I need to know where to find the "play" books. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by nina | December 11, 2008 10:55 PM
Posted on December 11, 2008 22:55
I have a magnus organ Corp. chord organ Model 821 P. It has legs. Can anyone please tell me is this of any value. I got it in approximately 1976. Thank you.
Posted by jane | January 1, 2009 2:24 PM
Posted on January 1, 2009 14:24
Music books for the Magnus Organs can be found on eBay.
Posted by Ann | April 25, 2009 3:14 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 15:14
I had one as a child growing up.Love to play it.I still have one now and play it often, found it in an auction.I am looking for more music bookd for it,if anyone knows where I can find some.I would also like to know the value of it now.Its a stands on the floor model has a foot pedal for loudness, actually looks like a organ.
Posted by Laura | May 3, 2009 8:55 AM
Posted on May 3, 2009 08:55
We had an organ that looks just like that first picture. Don't remember what the name was, but we had it. Don't think it got played much and don't know whatever happened to it?
Posted by Rivers End | June 14, 2009 11:40 PM
Posted on June 14, 2009 23:40