Hi Gang -- Well, I have a little more info on the status of band organs
at Knott's. The carousel in Fiesta Village uses a recording of a 165,
probably "Catch The Brass Ring".
The Wurlitzer 157 band organ has been out of service for at least six
years and is on display in the carousel building, out front. The pumps
are shot, among other things, and there's roll frame trouble, and no
one is there to maintain it. The Wurlitzer 153 is in pieces in one of
the workshops, as a very slow part-time restoration is taking place.
It's too bad things have not been kept up. I was able to inspect
everything a few years ago when I was researching Wurlitzer 157's in
preparation to build a replica 157 facade for Disneyland's King Arthur
Carousel.
Knott's hopes to do something soon, but Cedar Fair (the new owner of
Knott's Berry Farm) has other priorities.
Thomas Grace
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