As you know, the different sounds of different band organs is partly
(largely, even) due to the assortment of pipes their makers used.
Ray Siou always called his instrument that played Wurlitzer Style 165
music rolls a "church-pipe organ", and I'm sure Tony Greer can confirm
where the pipes in it came from.
I do know that Gavin McDonough has built band organs using ranks taken
from non-band-organ organs. They do have their unique and different
sound, but that sound can be pleasant, if you use care in selecting the
pipes you put in it. I believe the Rye Playland band organ is at least
in part a church-pipe organ.
It will be interesting to read what others say on this subject.
Matthew Caulfield (Irondequoit, N.Y.)
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