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
MMD > Archives > April 2017 > 2017.04.05 > 08Prev  Next


Tuning the Wurlitzer 105 Band Organ
By David Dewey

John,  pipes tend to not be too much out of tune (unless you took
them apart to repair them).  I would "sample" a few pipes with a pitch
measuring device (an electronic tuner or tuner app on an iPhone) to
determine what pitch was originally used.

We aren't talking whole steps, but just lower (usually lower)
frequencies.  For instance, in the piano world around the 1900, and
even later, pianos were designed to be tuned at A=435 Hz, known as
"International Pitch"   This was sometimes even cast into the
plate.  The modern standard is A=440, but some Russian pianists prefer
A=445!

The reason to try to find the original tuning basis is that most pipes
don't have enough tuning adjustments to be tuned to a higher or lower
standard, reed pipes especially (and reed organs too!).  Air pressure,
too, has an effect on pitch and voicing.

David Dewey
Oroville, California


(Message sent Wed 5 Apr 2017, 16:28:32 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  105, Band, Organ, Tuning, Wurlitzer

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