Style "O" Nickelodeon Co. Orchestrion Restoration 2022
July15 2022 work begins by dismantling the instrument and various items made ready to be removed for individual work.
Aug 26 2022 The parts I ordered while in Germany to restore the instrument arrived a few weeks ago so work started.
The following pictures are as much for me as you :-)) to follow the work progress. Needless to say I am sure you will notice how complicated these instruments are. While restoring each section we will be upgrading to new items which are showing their age and make improvements to the wiring and instruments which have been implemented over the past 40 years since this beauty was built.
To enlarge a picture just click on it.
The following pictures are as much for me as you :-)) to follow the work progress. Needless to say I am sure you will notice how complicated these instruments are. While restoring each section we will be upgrading to new items which are showing their age and make improvements to the wiring and instruments which have been implemented over the past 40 years since this beauty was built.
To enlarge a picture just click on it.
As you can see the last picture of the piano being tuned for the first time in 40 years :-))
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Sept 3 2022 Work moved onto the main player "stack" which is the devise that reads the paper music roll and converts the signals into actual movement by activating the various devices such as small bellows to play the piano or the drums, xylophone etc. as well as turn things on and off such as the solo instruments ie Burdon pipes, mandolin Bells, etc
As you can see by the following pictures a full restoration was completed which will give another 40+ years of music and enjoyment. A little over 150 hrs were required to complete this step in the restoration.
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Sept 3 2022 Work moved onto the main player "stack" which is the devise that reads the paper music roll and converts the signals into actual movement by activating the various devices such as small bellows to play the piano or the drums, xylophone etc. as well as turn things on and off such as the solo instruments ie Burdon pipes, mandolin Bells, etc
As you can see by the following pictures a full restoration was completed which will give another 40+ years of music and enjoyment. A little over 150 hrs were required to complete this step in the restoration.
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Sept 11 2022 Picture progress report. Work continues on the restoration and re assemblie of the various instruments as they are restored. Some items of instrest would be the Burdon pipe chest and pipe restoration, beginning of installing the tubing runs, electronics etc.
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Oct 5 2022 Work continues on the many items contained in the instrument as it is now going back together. I have also decided to rewire the complete instrument with new approved CSA wire which will bring the instrument completely up to date for the future customer and will also allow for additional features such as "Coin operation" etc.
Oct 30 2022 Work continues on the restoration of the orchestrion with many items now being completed. The spool frame "Play/Rewind" devise was restored no now the instrument is operating with automatic rewind at the end of the music rolls songs, then back into play once the roll has rewound.
I am pleased to say that the instrument is now playing and I think another two weeks and it will be completed and ready to offer for sale around Nov 15th or sooner.
The following picture progress report will give you an idea of the amount of work required.
Ron.
I am pleased to say that the instrument is now playing and I think another two weeks and it will be completed and ready to offer for sale around Nov 15th or sooner.
The following picture progress report will give you an idea of the amount of work required.
Ron.
Nov 6 2022 The pastfew weeks have been all very long days of 8 to 10 hours including weekends. The good news to report is that;
YOUR "CUSTOM BUILD" Nickelodeon Co. Orchestrion is now completed and playing once again as it did over 40 years ago.
Every item in this amazinging instrument has been removed, restored, tested and replaced then regulated to operate as in a real orchestra. The various items are shown in this picture report as usual but of special interest will be the Burdon pipes (which is the feature solo instrument) was once again removed from the instrument and redesigned , so now the various parts of the main pipe chest could be accessed for service while in the orchestrion etc then all of the pipes were re-leathered, tuned to A440, and the entire chest reinstalled, and finally the wind regulator was rebuilt at the new pressure required from the blower.
Next was the computer system which operates the various special functions or features of this instrument was repaired tested and installed with a new addition which is the ability for the instrument to be connected to a coin box for commercial operation.
Now the instruments case was assembled with music videos being made before the front stain glass was installed as well as after the front was installed.
You will also see that the key cover is once again operating correctly but the color of the key cover and the front of the piano under the keys had become lighter from the sun shining on it. I have now adjusted the front of the piano to be color matched to the key cover.
Also you will see a picture of a wicker basket picture, This will contain the blower and vacuum system so the future owner of this instrument has something more attractive to look at.
I will send you the usual email and to set up a time for you to visit the instrument.
I will update your "For Sale" website page this week including posting the new videos, additional information on the many features, music roll list etc.
THANK YOU
YOUR "CUSTOM BUILD" Nickelodeon Co. Orchestrion is now completed and playing once again as it did over 40 years ago.
Every item in this amazinging instrument has been removed, restored, tested and replaced then regulated to operate as in a real orchestra. The various items are shown in this picture report as usual but of special interest will be the Burdon pipes (which is the feature solo instrument) was once again removed from the instrument and redesigned , so now the various parts of the main pipe chest could be accessed for service while in the orchestrion etc then all of the pipes were re-leathered, tuned to A440, and the entire chest reinstalled, and finally the wind regulator was rebuilt at the new pressure required from the blower.
Next was the computer system which operates the various special functions or features of this instrument was repaired tested and installed with a new addition which is the ability for the instrument to be connected to a coin box for commercial operation.
Now the instruments case was assembled with music videos being made before the front stain glass was installed as well as after the front was installed.
You will also see that the key cover is once again operating correctly but the color of the key cover and the front of the piano under the keys had become lighter from the sun shining on it. I have now adjusted the front of the piano to be color matched to the key cover.
Also you will see a picture of a wicker basket picture, This will contain the blower and vacuum system so the future owner of this instrument has something more attractive to look at.
I will send you the usual email and to set up a time for you to visit the instrument.
I will update your "For Sale" website page this week including posting the new videos, additional information on the many features, music roll list etc.
THANK YOU
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THIS INSTRUMENTS
nICKELODEON cO. ORCHESTRION
"fOR sALE PAGE"
This instrument uses both a blower and vacuum to operate and both are now housed in an attractive wicker trunk
