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MMD > Archives > June 2018 > 2018.06.04 > 02Prev  Next


Holmberg Musical Clock
By Ed Gaida

Don Holmberg, originator of a line of organ or flute clocks, was a close

personal friend of mine and I was privy to the overall design and building

of the clocks.



The design of the chest was the work of a talented man, allowing a compact

unit to be crafted.  The penumatic components used zephyr skin and were

lightening-fast as far as repetition was concerned.



Most of the pipes used came from two suppliers, one in the UK and one in

Holland.  Holmberg voiced the pipes himself after they were in the specific

clock they were purchased for.



As for the electronics that controlled the musical side, they were designed

and built by Holmberg's son, Don Jr.  The components were based on equipment

purchased from Apple.  The files they play are definitely NOT MIDI files!



The clocks are well-made and the time movements were sourced from a German

manufacturer.  Don sold a good number of the clocks.  His original shop was

razed for a housing project and a search of the Internet produced an address

in Universal City, Texas, a suburb of San Antonio.  The company's websit is

still active and there are service manuals listed for all five of the models

he produced.  Check out: http://www.holmbergorgans.com 



Even if this doesn't help, it adds a piece to the history of the company.



Ed Gaida

San Antonio, Texas




(Message sent Mon 4 Jun 2018, 16:23:18 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Clock, Holmberg, Musical

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