Tom Moffat wrote:

> I have an Aeolian Orchestrelle player organ, in good condition
> except that the lowest note is stuck in the "on" condition.  Does
> anyone out there know what kind of surgery is required to silence
> the lowest note (or any stuck notes)?  Is this a common complaint
> with these organs?

Tom, there are a couple of things that could cause the note or notes
in question to stick (cipher is the proper term).

1.  If it is only one stop that has a cipher it could be dirt under the
pallet valve feeding the reed.  You might try putting the organ into
manual play and rapidly repeating the note to see if you can dislodge
the debris or compacting it so that the valve seats.  This will do two
things open and close the manual play pallet valve, which could be a
cause (but it would also cause multiple ranks to cipher), and also the
single, improperly operating, note valve to cycle.  This is effective
most of the time.  If that fails you will have to open up the offending
reed bank and clean the pallet valve with a stiff short bristled brush
to dislodge the debris and restore the nap on the leather valve
surface.  If it is moth damage, or damaged valve face, then you will
most likely have to replace the valve face with new felt and leather.

2.  If there are multiple stops ciphering there are three possibilities:

a.  The manual play pallet valve, as mentioned above, check this if
all stops sound.  You will have to remove the Spool box to get at the
manual pallet valve box, which is located beneath it.  Just remove the
cover and inspect the problematic valve.  Make repairs if necessary.

b.  The primary valve is unseated.  This also has two possibilities:

(a) leak around the secondary of the valve that transmits atmosphere to
the channel boards at the rear of the instrument.  Cause of this could
be due to shrinkage of the back boards which affects an improper seal
of the primary to the back board.  Try giving the screws around the
place where the primary valve block attaches to the back board.

(b) Dirt (accumulated paper lint and dust), under the primary pouch
which causes valve to unseat.  Debris on outer side of pouch between
valve lifter and valve stem button.

3.  If the note comes on and just stays on for an extended period then
eventually shuts off.  It could be a clogged bleed.  (Correct this by
using a tracker bar pump, modified to fit the 58 note tracker, to
exhaust the clog from the tracker bar channel to the primary pouch.

Good Luck, Let us know how you make out.

Walter Kehoe