E.M. Skinner, Inc.
1962

Updated through online information from R. Joseph Wiessinger. -- The nucleus of the orginal organ put together by Basset was a 5 rank theater organ from someplace in Miami Beach. No information on who built it.

Updated through online information from R. Joseph Wiessinger. -- The organ was essentially rebuilt as a new Reuter in 1988 as Reuter #2101, sold, designed and installed by R. Joseph Wiessinger, Fla Reuter Rep. Only a few of the ranks from the existing organ were reused and a few chests and reservoirs (mainly the OSI swell chest). The existing chimes were reused and the Harp from EM Skinner organ #759 was also reused. The stop key console, blower, Peterson switching system, swell shades and most pipework and chests were new. The nucleus of the old instrument was a 5 rk Theater Organ supposedly from a Miami Beach location. Basset added new pipework from JB Meyers and elsewhere. The 8' E M Skinner French horn came from E M Skinner #541, First Congregational Church, St. Petersburg. I installed the French Horn in the new 4m/60 rank Reuter #2102 at Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Fl, since removed and dispersed.

Identified through online information from Douglas H. Cable. -- The nucleus of the organ is an early 1960's Ernest M. Skinner Organ Company instrument built in Lake Wales, Florida by Carl Basset. Basset was the chest maker for the Skinner Organ Company and bought the name from Mr. Skinner when he retired in the late 1950's. Parts of it are nearly identical to the Skinner organ installed in 1st United Methodist (Old Stone) Church in Key West. Basset did not make his own pipes but bought most of them from Jerome B. Meyers & Sons in Milwaukee, WI or Durst Organ Supply in Erie, PA.
There were additions and alterations made by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas that included the new console and added the façade, Great Principal, Rohr Flute, Mixture and Trumpet. The Spitz Principal, Nasard, & Tierce replaced other stops in the Swell as well.
The notes that I have regarding the Florida E.M. Skinner organs comes from Garth Saunders retired organist at Old Stone Methodist in Key West during conversations in the early 1970's.