Dear readers,  I am in the final stages of putting together an article
on the small organs that were some of the last built by the firm
Wilhelm Bruder Söhne.  I own one from circa 1935.  They were available
in either a book-operated version, Models 76 and 77 (the model 76 had
no percussion), or a roll-operated version that were given a series of
model numbers in the 100s.

There seems to have been two versions when it comes to pipework:

1. The Starkton standard model had 5 bass trombones, the largest was
over 8 feet long.  The Accompaniment division of 15 notes was comprised
of two ranks of pipes, Trumpets and also Cellos.  The Melody division,
17 notes, has a rank of Violins or Stopped Flutes (two variations are
known), a 3-rank mixture of principal 4', 2-2/3' and 2', and a stopped
rank at the rear of the organ for foundation tone.

2. The other type was a quieter voiced organ with no Trumpets or
Trombones and a mellower sound.

The scale is as follows and is unlike most German organs in that it is
not scrambled and the spacing is the usual non-German spacing of 3.5 mm
centres.  However, the music goes through the keyless keyframe or over 
the music roll tracker bar at the high German speed of 3.6 metres per
minute.

Wilhelm Bruder Söhne Models 76/77/100/101/102  Starkton

1 unknown or not used
2 F - lowest bass note
3 Cut-out
4 G
5 A
6 C
7 D
8 Bass Drum and Cymbal
9 g - lowest accompaniment note
10 a
11 a#
12 b
13 Snare Drum
14 Snare Drum
15 c
16 c#
17 d
18 e
19 f
20 f#
21 g
22 g#
23 a
24 a#
25 b
26 c - lowest melody note
27 c#
28 d
29 e
30 f
31 f#
32 g
33 a
34 a#
35 b
36 c
37 c#
38 d
39 e
40 f
41 f#
42 g
43 Forte
44 unknown or not used
45 unknown or not used
46 Piano

Channel 46 is nearest the hinge of the keyframe.

The music book scale is the same as the music roll scale as they used
the same stencils to cut the rolls and the books.  37 notes are played.

Two main case variations have seemed to have been made: the standard
one and also another front that was designated as being available with
the roll-operated version.  But they seem to be interchangeable.

I presently have surveyed my own Starkton Model 77, another owned by
René Weiss in Switzerland, one in a German museum and one in America
owned by the Musical Box Society International, but in storage.

I have also come across two of the softer toned organs, one in the
USA and another here in the UK.  I have been able to ascertain serial
numbers and dates and pipework disposition.

I would be grateful if any owners of a Bruder organ that plays on
this scale could email me.  I have put together a short one-page
questionnaire in MS-Word format that I would be grateful if you could
fill out so I can put as much detail as I can in the article.

I would be more than happy to supply copies of my article to anyone
in due course.  It will be profusely illustrated and Part Two is a
detailed record with photographs of the restoration.

Much of the music for these small organs was in fact arranged by Gustav
Bruder and his arrangements just make the organ sing.

Any help would be really appreciated and would be credited.  Details
of ownership would be kept confidential unless specified otherwise.
A photograph would also be welcomed when returning the survey form.

Please email me for images and further details and database form.

Kind regards,
Jonathan Holmes
Penzance, Cornwall, UK

 [ MMDigest articles about Wilhelm Bruder Söhne organs are indexed
 [ at http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/W/wilhelm.html 
 [ A photo and description of the Modell 77 owned by René Weiss is
 [ at http://www.fwbt.ch/SCHW/ORFE.html -- Robbie