Questions from A Neophyte
By Jim Cullen
-- [ From: James J. Cullen, Ph.D. * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --
Hi Group:
I introduced myself a few weeks ago when Jody generously added my to the mailing list. As a result of my renewed interest, I dug out the pieces/parts of an old Taylor & Farley (1884) Model 10 reed organ that I have had sitting around in boxes for the last 12 years and began the restoration. The works are coming along quite nicely, but I have a few neophyte questions for the group. If you wouldn't mind, respond to me personally at UYFA59A@Prodigy.Com. If the answers would serve the common good, I'll summarize them and post them to the group.
1.) Three of the reeds in the organ are broken -- about 1/8-inch of the
tips of the vibrating element have snapped off. Could you
recommend someone who does reed repair work? I would be
particularly interested in knowing about companies with whom you
have done business and with whom you have had good service.
2.) On a related note, I'm enjoying the rebuild so much that I am
toying with the idea of designing and building my own reed organ.
(Yeah, I know... my wife thinks I'm nuts, too). the problem, of
course, is obtaining the reeds. I refuse to cannabalize an antique
reed organ just for the sake of obtaining a set of reeds. I'd
rather find a company that is currently manufacturing reeds. Do
such companies exist? Is it possible to buy a complete set of new
reeds? If so, tell me where to go...
3.) I noticed that Player Piano Co. sells a sponge neoprene foam for
use in recovering the pallet valves. Does anyone have any
experience in working with this material. Is it good, or should I
go with felt and leather (and if so, which leather). My own
experience with neoprene (scuba wet suits) is that it takes a
permanent set after a while. Would this cause the pallet valves to
leak?
4.) And now, a really wierd question. Does anyone make a kit to build
a residential pipe organ? Not one of those WERSI electronic
thing-a-ma-jigs -- a real pipe organ.
Enough for now. Many thanks for your help.
Jim Cullen
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(Message sent Mon 24 Jun 1996, 17:16:44 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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