Repairs to Style "O" Orchestrion
0 Sept 20/24 Restoration began with the music roll spool frame which was built back in 1995 by the "Player Piano Co. Wichita Kansas USA. (Owner Darrell Armstrong)
It uses unit valves to control the rewind/play feature. This is an excellent spool frame with super fast rewind. Unfortunately the builders tried to use a plastic film instead of split skin leather as a pouch and this material only lasted about 15 years where leather can last 80+ years.
You will see many pictures simular and while we hope you enjoy seeing the work involved these pictures are actully for our use to insture the reassembly is as original. The builder of this orchestrion used quality parts but used his own imagination on how it should be tubed. We will be retubing the instrument correctly as the original instruments in 1910 built their product to play the style "O" "Operators music rolls" by Coinola music rolls
To enlarge any picture just click on it
It uses unit valves to control the rewind/play feature. This is an excellent spool frame with super fast rewind. Unfortunately the builders tried to use a plastic film instead of split skin leather as a pouch and this material only lasted about 15 years where leather can last 80+ years.
You will see many pictures simular and while we hope you enjoy seeing the work involved these pictures are actully for our use to insture the reassembly is as original. The builder of this orchestrion used quality parts but used his own imagination on how it should be tubed. We will be retubing the instrument correctly as the original instruments in 1910 built their product to play the style "O" "Operators music rolls" by Coinola music rolls
To enlarge any picture just click on it
Other items are now starting to be removed for restoration such as the Vacuum motor, Snare Drum and the two bellows which operate the Sustain and Soft peddle of the piano when it is being played by hand and will now be controlled by the paper music roll while playing music.
Pictured below are the pneumatics (Just restored) that operate the piano sustain and soft pedal for piano expression. All restored, Tested and re-Installed
Work continues in the lower section of the orchestrion with the removal of the Sanre and bass drum and the next item for restoration which is the special vacuum reserviours that control all of the air movement for the entire instrument.
Just click on picture to enlarge and download.
Just click on picture to enlarge and download.
Picture above shows all of the items restored and installed in the lower section of the Orchestrion ready for testing and final tuning of the drums etc.
Next items are the instruments located in the upper section which includes the Rythm cymbal, Tamboring, and Indian wood block etc.
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Oct 14/24 Work began by restoring the "Coin count" box which reads the music roll and at the end of each song is a "coin count hole" this hole tells the Coin count box to send an electrical signal to the start/stop system to stop and turn off the orchestrion until another coin is deposited. So one coin plays one song
I have built a special switch that will allow you to play the music roll continously without putting in a coin for each song. Most collectors who want to just hear the great music without getting up to put in another coin really appreciate. Then when you are done listening to the music you just put the special switch back into position (Coin Operation) then at the end of the song the coin count will shut off the instrument.
Also this week we restored the Mandolin system which give the orchestrion its "Honkey Tonkey sound" This instrument turns on and off as dictated by the music roll so it has the large bellows plus a complicated lock and cancel system
Following this we restored the Rythm cymbal, Indian wood block and Tamborine
Today we removed the pianos player stack mechanism which will be repaired this coming week along with the piano action'
TO CORRECTLY VIEW THE THUMNAIL PICTURES BELOW PLEASE CLICK ON THEM TO SEE THE ENTIRE IMAGE
Next items are the instruments located in the upper section which includes the Rythm cymbal, Tamboring, and Indian wood block etc.
......................................................................................................................................
Oct 14/24 Work began by restoring the "Coin count" box which reads the music roll and at the end of each song is a "coin count hole" this hole tells the Coin count box to send an electrical signal to the start/stop system to stop and turn off the orchestrion until another coin is deposited. So one coin plays one song
I have built a special switch that will allow you to play the music roll continously without putting in a coin for each song. Most collectors who want to just hear the great music without getting up to put in another coin really appreciate. Then when you are done listening to the music you just put the special switch back into position (Coin Operation) then at the end of the song the coin count will shut off the instrument.
Also this week we restored the Mandolin system which give the orchestrion its "Honkey Tonkey sound" This instrument turns on and off as dictated by the music roll so it has the large bellows plus a complicated lock and cancel system
Following this we restored the Rythm cymbal, Indian wood block and Tamborine
Today we removed the pianos player stack mechanism which will be repaired this coming week along with the piano action'
TO CORRECTLY VIEW THE THUMNAIL PICTURES BELOW PLEASE CLICK ON THEM TO SEE THE ENTIRE IMAGE
Oct 20/24 This picture progress report covers the work done on the piano action and the piano player mechanism which is referred to as the "Stack" It gets this name because each and every note on the piano has its own little bellows, valve sets of both primary and secondary and to fit all of these items into a box that will fit into the piano they had to "Stack" everything.
First work was done on the piano action which had dried out and many of the glue joints simply come apart which meant approximately 20 of the piano notes would not work when playing as an orchestrion. also a number of bridle straps needed replacement, as well as misc. felts, fastners and screws etc.
The Piano was then tuned to it's original pitch of A435.
Next came the piano stack which was in good condition and only needed to be tightened and regulated.
This is the part that your piano tuner said was leaking and needed to be restored. Cost to restore this player stack as well as the work we had to do would of put the cost to restore this instrument close to $9,000.00
I believe the stack was restored back in the 1950's by a professional restorer.
Now we are regulating the stack to the piano action complete with new gaskets for the stack etc.
This coming week we will install the rhythm cymbal, Tambourine Indian wood block and Mandolin.
and then begins the fun part of playing the instrument and regulating all of the many instruments to work together.
,
First work was done on the piano action which had dried out and many of the glue joints simply come apart which meant approximately 20 of the piano notes would not work when playing as an orchestrion. also a number of bridle straps needed replacement, as well as misc. felts, fastners and screws etc.
The Piano was then tuned to it's original pitch of A435.
Next came the piano stack which was in good condition and only needed to be tightened and regulated.
This is the part that your piano tuner said was leaking and needed to be restored. Cost to restore this player stack as well as the work we had to do would of put the cost to restore this instrument close to $9,000.00
I believe the stack was restored back in the 1950's by a professional restorer.
Now we are regulating the stack to the piano action complete with new gaskets for the stack etc.
This coming week we will install the rhythm cymbal, Tambourine Indian wood block and Mandolin.
and then begins the fun part of playing the instrument and regulating all of the many instruments to work together.
,
Oct 25 2024
This weeks work began with moving the original lights that were mounted on the top and bottom glass doors to the instruments lid and below the keyboard. This makes removing these front doors easy to access the instrument to change the paper music roll, adjust the volume of the instrument and music tempo. Previously you had to first undo the long lengths of wiring that were connected by mars connectors on the top panel and a hidden plug on the bottom panel.
Now you can simply remove the panels with no worry about the wiring.
We have now completed installing all of the many components and regulated the various items so they play as intended back in 1920. We have also made an instruction packet which includes a copy of the original Music roll spool frames manual from "Player Piano Co." which details all of the various functions of the spool frame, how to adjust the music roll tracking, re-roll and play functions as well as separate pages titled "Overview of the instruments operation, care and feeding" also a detailed
"How to change the music roll" and a page showing all the music rolls hole functions etc.
Also below you will find pictures of the three controls that are located in the instrument and are referred to in the above mentioned instructions for Instrument volume, Music tempo (speed) and Coin operation.
When the instrument arrives all you will have to do is plug it in and then insert a coin into the coin slot.
****
This weeks work began with moving the original lights that were mounted on the top and bottom glass doors to the instruments lid and below the keyboard. This makes removing these front doors easy to access the instrument to change the paper music roll, adjust the volume of the instrument and music tempo. Previously you had to first undo the long lengths of wiring that were connected by mars connectors on the top panel and a hidden plug on the bottom panel.
Now you can simply remove the panels with no worry about the wiring.
We have now completed installing all of the many components and regulated the various items so they play as intended back in 1920. We have also made an instruction packet which includes a copy of the original Music roll spool frames manual from "Player Piano Co." which details all of the various functions of the spool frame, how to adjust the music roll tracking, re-roll and play functions as well as separate pages titled "Overview of the instruments operation, care and feeding" also a detailed
"How to change the music roll" and a page showing all the music rolls hole functions etc.
Also below you will find pictures of the three controls that are located in the instrument and are referred to in the above mentioned instructions for Instrument volume, Music tempo (speed) and Coin operation.
When the instrument arrives all you will have to do is plug it in and then insert a coin into the coin slot.
****
Video below is playing the music roll that came with the instrument called
Hits of 1987.
I have shortened a few to give you a chance to hear it playing.
Hits of 1987.
I have shortened a few to give you a chance to hear it playing.
This brings us to the end of our "Picture Progress Reports" Thankyou
