Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > January 2001 > 2001.01.11 > 03Prev  Next


Knott's Berry Farm & Disneyland Instruments
By Tom DeLay

Yes, the Wurlitzer 157 was/is installed above the entrance to the
carousel arena.  When I was there (+/- 2 years ago) the band organ in
the center of the carousel was not there.  The 157 sat very tired and
unplayable.  It also looked to be very weathered.

A Cremona flute/piano was somewhat playing in the ice cream parlor near
the entrance.  It was obvious that at one time this had been a neat
machine.  It is still a magnificent machine, but where $$ count, it
will likely not be restored (nor will the other machines in Knott's
Berry Farm).  I hope I am wrong.

By the way, during a recent visit to Disneyland, none of the few
remaining machines seemed operable.  The beautiful Welte Cottage
orchestrion had chunks of flexaust plumbed through the wall (presumably
to a blower) which might indicate the original pump does not work.

This is so sad.  At one time (1955-1965), Disneyland had a marvelous
"hands-on" collection including a Wurlitzer LX (or was it a CX?),
PianOrchestra, the Welte, and gobs of other machines and cabinet
pianos.  Generations have now gone by not knowing such magnificent
music machines ever existed.

Tom DeLay
Salinas, CA

 [ The original pump is still installed but, because of the expense,
 [ Disneyland elected to not rebuild the bellows pump in the Welte
 [ orchestrion when the instrument was rebuilt a few years ago.
 [ A German-made turbine blower now provides wind.  Many other
 [ instruments previously displayed were shipped to Disney World,
 [ Florida, and/or sold.  Fewer and fewer guests, who visits Knott's
 [ Berry Farm and Disneyland, show interest in old-fashioned things,
 [ so the cost-conscious managers divert maintenance money elsewhere.
 [ 'Tis sad.  -- Robbie


(Message sent Thu 11 Jan 2001, 06:35:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Berry, Disneyland, Farm, Instruments, Knott's

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page