Ok, so I know I'm parnoid, but I keep hearing about all these people dying of mesothelioma (Steve McQueen only one of them) and I noticed that my Allen TC-3 has asbestos pads under the amps and the tone cabinents.
Is anyone else worried about this or am I just nuts?
Having dealt with asbestos previously, it seems to me that it is not a health problem as long as it is not disturbed. It becomes a problem in buildings when doing demolition/renovations, and say, old asbestos-insulated heating pipes are being removed and the asbestos is released into the air. (Codes typically allow asbestos material to remain in older buildings as long as it is not disturbed.)
In your case, I am not familiar with the older Allens, But I can't imagine the pads under the amps will be a problem except when removing the amp for repairs or perhaps when moving (jostling?) the instrument. I am a bit puzzled, though, why Allen would put asbestos pads under the tone cabinets, since asbestos was used as a heat insulator/fire shield and speakers don't emit any significant heat. If they are indeed asbestos pads and they are attached to the bottom of the cabinet so that they scrape the floor every time you slide the cabinet around, there could indeed be a risk of releasing asbestos particles into the air.
You might contact Allen to see whether and where asbestos was used in these older instruments. Any of you techs out there know?
Gary
Gary
Wurlitzer/Viscount C-380 3 manual with Conn pipes.
Be sure to wear a surgical mask, gloves and boots when you play. The pads are to prevent hot amplifier internal components (the bottom of the amplifier chassis is open) from burning the wooden floor of the organ console. My MOS used aluminum foil instead. Usually wetness will prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne where they can be inhaled and cause lung damage. So take a garden hose and have someone throughly wash the console inside and out while you are playing. I'm told this will keep you and the tubes cool also. Be careful, though as the congregation may not react in a positive manner to this display. Just explain that you're a crazy Minnisota organist and water improves the ambience. Really, asbestos pads are not a problem. Hope you don't mind a little west coast humor.
Buzzy,
I don't have your email address. Drop me a note so I can get the info to you.
Sounds like you would have no problem installing the boards. Best to start out with one then add more later. I'm at aljco(at)pacbell.net
Al
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