I would like to echo some of the thoughts about band organs presented
by Tim Trager.  The organ we had on our carousel at Roseland Park
in Canandaigua, N.Y. was an Artizan that had been converted to play
Wurlitzer 150 rolls.  This organ played from the time the park opened
for the day until it closed, day after day, year after year with little
maintenance.  I was always amazed that such a complicated piece of
machinery could perform so well on a continual basis.

The makers of these instruments knew the kind of use they would be
subjected to and designed them to be reliable and as trouble free as
possible.  They had to, their reputation depended on it.  Amusement
park owners and carnival operators had little time or patience to spend
on equipment that was constantly breaking down.  If the word got out
that a particular brand of band organ was unreliable then the maker
would see future sales evaporate.

A properly restored band organ will perform reliably.  Some maintenance
is required whether the organ is an original antique or a new one.  If
you want a maintenance free band organ then get a CD player and a bunch
of band organ CDs.  The point is that any band organ will require some
work from time to time.  Some oiling, tuning and regulation is required
on any band organ.

The question of new or old should depend on the venue.  An antique
carousel lovingly restored should have an antique band organ.  To do
otherwise detracts from the whole restoration project.  Watching the
music roll as it plays the organ has always been a great source of
pleasure for me.  Showing the old technology with the antique carousel
compliments the entire educational experience.

A new carousel can certainly get by with a new band organ and none
would be the wiser.  The new organs being made by Stinson are great
sounding instruments.  I had the opportunity to listen to the Stinson
organ playing at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, N.Y.  It sounded as
good as some of the original organs I've heard and never missed a beat.
My only complaint was the installation of a new organ with an old
carousel.  I can remember back in the 1950s when this carousel turned
to the music provided be a juke box.  At least now they have an organ
so I'll get over it.

The band organ provides music for the carousel like nothing else can.
Even recorded band organ music leaves a lot to be desired when played
on a carousel.  Watch the children as they ride a carousel.  The look
of wonder and amazement they have when they see the drum beaters moving
in time to the music is priceless.  I've seen it many times when I
operated the Roseland carousel.

At least, have band organ music, even if the only music you can afford
is recorded music.  I recently visited Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL and
had a bite to eat near their carousel.  There was no music at all.  The
ride seemed lifeless and unexciting.  A recording would have been
preferable to nothing at all.

A pat-on-the-back goes to the Three Rivers Carousel Foundation.  I'm
so glad to hear that they plan to install a ring machine on their
carousel.  This rapidly disappearing aspect of the carousel experience
adds so much to the fun of riding.  Perhaps Matthew Caulfield can put
a bug in the ears of the folks at Sea Breeze and bring back the ring
machine that has been sadly missed for the last few years.  If Knobles
Grove can do it, so can you.

Bob Moore
Orlando, Florida