Berlin Reed Organ
Restoration
Feb 20 2022; Restoration began with the disassembly of the Berlin Reed Organ. The main reservoir and pumping bellows pneumatic cloth has split and cracked over the past years and will be replaced with material similar as used in 1890's. This "Organ sheeting" is only made in Germany now. We have recently received a shipment and work has begun. Also the main chest of the bellows will need to be resealed, and new gaskets installed. Once this work is done then we will begin the actual reed organ section of the instrument.
Restoration
Feb 20 2022; Restoration began with the disassembly of the Berlin Reed Organ. The main reservoir and pumping bellows pneumatic cloth has split and cracked over the past years and will be replaced with material similar as used in 1890's. This "Organ sheeting" is only made in Germany now. We have recently received a shipment and work has begun. Also the main chest of the bellows will need to be resealed, and new gaskets installed. Once this work is done then we will begin the actual reed organ section of the instrument.
March 12 2022 Picture progress report;
This part of the restoration shows the work required to restore the main bellows are reservoir.
The old bellows cloth was removed, all of the wooden boards resealed and straightened where warped etc.
New special reed organ bellows cloth which is only available from Germany now is cut and fitted in place. New leather valve strips are made and installed inside the two pumps and when completed two more on the outside. The floor of the reed chamber was also resealed and straightned etc.
Next item is the installing of the pumps back into the organ cabinet and completing the peddles straps.
Finally the music part of the instrument.
This part of the restoration shows the work required to restore the main bellows are reservoir.
The old bellows cloth was removed, all of the wooden boards resealed and straightened where warped etc.
New special reed organ bellows cloth which is only available from Germany now is cut and fitted in place. New leather valve strips are made and installed inside the two pumps and when completed two more on the outside. The floor of the reed chamber was also resealed and straightned etc.
Next item is the installing of the pumps back into the organ cabinet and completing the peddles straps.
Finally the music part of the instrument.
March 20 2022. Restoration on the main bellows is now completed. The pump pedals were installed as original but the webbing straps that originally attached to the bellow top and then through a roller on the organ case and finally to the pedal top did not allow for any adjustment, in case the webbing stretches (which had happened) without a complete dismantling of the instrument. Now the webbing strap still runs as original from the bellow to the roller but then goes under the pedal base and out the front of the organ. It is secured in place by one of the screws that holds the pedal base in place.
To adjust the pedal straps in the future, the organ has to be lent back so the floor is visible, The webbing strap end fished out from above the pedals hinge, and the tension screw removed, then the strap can be tightened and the screw replaced. and finally the end of the webbing pushed back above the pedal hinge out of sight.
I doubt you will ever have to make this adjustment,
but someone in another 100 years may :-))
By The way, Berlin Organs had a special patent on their pedals and this was their famous "Mouse proof pedal patent "
To make picture larger just click on it.
To adjust the pedal straps in the future, the organ has to be lent back so the floor is visible, The webbing strap end fished out from above the pedals hinge, and the tension screw removed, then the strap can be tightened and the screw replaced. and finally the end of the webbing pushed back above the pedal hinge out of sight.
I doubt you will ever have to make this adjustment,
but someone in another 100 years may :-))
By The way, Berlin Organs had a special patent on their pedals and this was their famous "Mouse proof pedal patent "
To make picture larger just click on it.
March 27/22 The top section was next tackled. I think the following pictures can say more then I can on what is involved. Few people realize the number of parts and adjustments involved in these instruments. Now on March 26th the reeds are in a special bath which will clean off the last 40 years of dust and a sort of rust that grows between the reeds tung and the body of the reed. These are called free reeds because the tung simply vibrated in the slot of the reed body. The smallest speck of dust will cause the reed to stop and not sound it's note so a special hook is supplied with the instrument which allows the owner to be able to pull out the problem reed, remove the obsticale that is stopping the note and replace the reed into the instrument.
I estimate the restoration will be completed the week of April 3/22
I estimate the restoration will be completed the week of April 3/22
April 1 2022 This week was the final go through for reed cleaning, regulation of the instrument and testing.
