Keyboard for a Deagan

[Charles Dubois]

Is there anyone out there who knows anything about Deagan chimes (Vibrachimes?)? It's just a small stand-alone and self-contained keyboard instrument in a wooden cabinet with a built-in amplifier and speaker.

I recently bought one which was in need of restoration. I got the instrument almost restored; but to my disappointment, found that the keyboard was incorrect. The 2 octave keyboard which came with it had mini keys (G-G) but the chime bars were F-F; which in short means that I am 2 keys short of using the whole compass, if you see what I mean. So I was wondering whether there's anyone has the correct F-F keyboard for sale; or maybe exchange it with the incorrect G-G I have... Like to hear from you if you can help. Thanks.

[toodles]

Usually you have to get the whole keyboard because of the spacing of the keys--i.e., the end note needs to not have a notch cut out for the sharp key that would be there below and/or above the last note if it were a longer compass.

[Charles Dubois]

Hi Toodles. Yes, that's what I'm hoping to get ....but where? These instruments are no longer made, and that's going back a few decades ago. If I'm right, there were three manufacturers in the USA who produced these instruments (Schulmerich, Deagan and Maas-Rowe); so I'm looking for someone who is selling spare parts [for a decommissioned Deagan] as intact surviving examples of these chimes are as rare as hen's teeth! And in answer to your question, I have considered a "reshuffling" of the keys; and as you quite rightly said, the end note has to be left whole! (On a G-G keyboard, that doesn't work.) So that idea was abandoned! :)

[myorgan]

The 2 octave keyboard which came with it had mini keys (G-G) but the chime bars were F-F; which in short means that I am 2 keys short of using the whole compass, if you see what I mean.

Charles,

South of the Equator the the notes go one step higher than if you use the same device North of the Equator.O:-)

Seriously, though, check for a private message from me. You could also check with Maas-Rowe in California to see if they can provide you a keyboard. It would be new and expensive, but it would be the correct keyboard. Alternately, you could check with Peterson Chimes for the same thing.

Hope that helps.

Michael

[Charles Dubois]

Hi Michael.

Greetings from the Land Down Under! :) I will look up the contacts you mentioned. Do you happen to know the contact details of Peterson Chimes? I've never heard of them .....

Charles

[myorgan]

Peterson's website is located here: http://www.petersonemp.com/ They have a downloadable PDF of their catalog. I haven't looked at prices yet.

Michael

[toodles]

Organ Supply Industries still manufactures Deagan and Mayland Chimes; Peterson makes their own. OSI sells wholesale only in the USA (organ builders and pipe repairers), but might have an agent in Australia, so it is, perhaps worth an inquiry..

OSI's website is: http://www.organsupply.com/
Here is there catalog section covering chimes, keyboards are on page 27: http://www.organsupply.com/assets/Ca....-Revision.pdf

If you get a price on a new chimes keyboard, you will not like the price--probably at least 400 dollars US.

Maas-Rowe used to make an instrument like yours called Vibrachimes--perhaps your unit was made by them. It had an F to F compass; they are still in business, but no longer make this unit but still have spare parts to some extent. You might contact them to see if they can provide specific keys (they did about 10 years ago when I got some replacements), though quite expensive. With certain specific keys, you might be able to change the compass of your keyboard. See: http://www.maasrowe.com/

Contact Maas-Rowe at: [email protected]

[Charles Dubois]

Hi Toodles. Yes, that's interesting! I didn't think that Maas-Rowe (or indeed Schulmerich or Deagan) were still in business! But thank you very much for the contact details - it's much appreciated. :) I will contact these suppliers in the course of this week and see what solution they have regarding a replacement keyboard for my nearly-completed project. I will keep you up to date on proceedings. BTW, I'm also bracing for a price shock as you can imagine! (Yes, $400 is quite steep...!)

Rgds

[myorgan]

Charles,

And that's the American dollar!

Michael

[Charles Dubois]

Yes, indeed! ..... :) But if I don't try, I'll never know. Ah! Such is life!