Raining Organs This Week! Rescued Abandoned 1950 Model "S"

[tpappano]

This freebie was abandoned in a rental storage unit, no bench, of course 8) The thing is a little beat up but actually tries to play, although out of tune. Some missing notes and chords are almost inaudible. Did not catch fire. This should be interesting 8)

[Brendon Wright]

We gots ta see photos!!!
Is this the chord organ used in tunes like "Red River Rock"?

[tpappano]

I'll take a couple pics tomorrow. I don't know about which tunes may feature these, maybe there are some clues on “The YouTube”, I'll go look 8)

I also need to post a couple pics of the “Painted Poodle” now that she is finally set up in my living room!

[tpappano]

Red River Rock by Johnny and the Hurricanes, yep the cover photo for the record clearly shows a Model S 8)

[tpappano]

Here the thing is 8). Apparently one big difference between a “S” and a “S6” is capacitors! The S has wax caps so all the pitches were way off. I fixed and retuned the “solo” division which now sounds perfect, but I had to order about 4 dozen film caps to overhaul the ‘chord' and ‘organ' divisions. A few other odd issues, but I think it will soon sound new. I should also probably have my head examined 8)

[tpappano]

Replaced 57 capacitors and tuned 23 oscillators, now it plays, and on pitch!

[muckelroy]

I'm happy to see some loving on the S6. Good job. :D

[tpappano]

Thanks! This is an interesting contraption, already way more fun than a Wurlitzer 4100. I wouldn't mind it being a little louder, I'll patch it to the Leslie 720 tomorrow.

Also very early production, 1950 serial # 820.

[tpappano]

The organ rains continue, just got a pristine 1960 M3 today! And it had the bench! The generator is stuck pretty firm, must let the oil do its work 8)

I think my associates are talking about to staging an intervention...

[skydawg]

Here in NJ you could probably bring home a free M,L,T,etc,every day of the week,every week,but what`s the point?

[Sweet Pete]

same here....one of each and that's it!
Mind you it took me thirty years.

And I will be mocking up the 61/61/25 'M100' soon.
Those R manuals and genny ,with an E100 pie scanner?
Having the left end blank cheekblocks shortened/narrowed to plumb right into the M100.
The one I wanted in '68 they never built....bailing on the M platform,all about $......
turns out the R pedalboard is single contact like M as well,hoping to plumb the legato right on to it ;>)

[tpappano]

Well, seven a week would be way more than I could re-home 8) But then, what actually is the point of anything?

[Sweet Pete]

Point being it's fun to fix something electromechanical,that it also makes music? Too good to be true.
Even if only to preserve them for the next person that wants one.How many 60-70 year old things need so little attention to preserve?
Keeping a dozen from the landfill is important in the next twenty years.By then the 100 year old early ones will need motors no doubt.
Many have already been replaced so motors will become scarce.

[tpappano]

Well said, Pete! I just got the generator unstuck and running by hosing it down with WD40, and now it plays! According to the chart the poor thing was oiled exactly *once* in 1966! I guess oil can dry up in only 53 years, who knew?
edit: fixed horrible math error

[Sweet Pete]

It took me a little while to locate a bench for my free 1960 M3.....it was free also.Obtained it right after paying 20 dollars for one...
so many made it would be tough not to include these as 'favorites'....after all,this model 'built' the home organ industry.
From about 1958 until 1960 the M3 was produced in huge numbers.Another reason 1958 B3's are rare!
That era also saw an increase in what was termed 'compact' cars.Turning radius of 45 feet with Armstrong steering too.....
See the music rack holder hardware on the chord organ? Same as the M3,and how I located mine!

[tpappano]

Spring organ showers continue, today I brought home a free H100 *and* of all things a free Janssen ‘piano-organ'. Please, someone come get the piano 8) Headed back to the shop now to smoke test...

The H100 appears to be a virtual amusement park of drawbars and effects!