Baldwin Encore Wonderchord 130BC

[Guest]

Hello,

I'm am very new to this forum and also to repairing Organs of any kind. I see that Baldwins are not really the favorite here. haha. I'm a sound designer I picked up the organ (a Baldwin Encore 130BC) for free and it Powered up fine but there was an issue of one long note coming from the speaker. I believe I have fixed that as I found a screw lodged under the keys.

So, I'm on to cleaning the Pots. There are 4 dials on the back but none have knobs and two of the pots don't turn also I have no idea if I am turning something up or down or moving something left or right . I want to really clean this amazing piece of electrical wonder up and maintain it. It seems as if it not in too bad of shape.

My question:

Does anyone have a copy of the Manual?

There was apparently a 230 page book with wiring diagrams and all as well as a shorter pamphlet called
"Lets Have some fun with the Baldwin Encore" or something close to that. Would anyone have a copy of this or know where to get one?

I really like this Organ and I don't want to fire it up until I know the basics on how to operate it. I would really appreciate any insight from the folks that know. I have a bad feeling that organ restoration is gonna be a new hobby. I am an audio engineer and can find my way around a diagram or schematic if I can find one.

Thanks for reading!

[seamaster]

I don't want to fire it up

It wants "firing-up" alright.

But if you must:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Baldwin-E...s/382308203714

PS: Welcome to the forum.

[andyg]

You're already aware of what most of us think of small Baldwins from that era.....

But free is always good. Give it a good clean first of all. No idea what the pots do, it should be in the service manual somewhere. If there are tuning coils inside (rectangular metal cans with a screw slot at the top) DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Age will have made them brittle and they'll break - end of organ. E-Caps will almost certainly all need replacing in the power supply given the age of the instrument.

Clean key contacts and switch contacts, and pots, as required and see what you get. OK, it will be a buzzy, low end Baldwin when you've finished and will still have zero value, after all that work. BUT, if you enjoy restoring things and you've had fun with the Encore, it might set you off restoring something a bit more 'classic'. Not just the 'usual' tonewheel Hammonds, but something like a Gulbransen Rialto or a Lowrey Lincolnwood - or even a Baldwin HT2R. Now there's a Baldwin that does get respect! :)

Have fun and let us know how things go.

[tucsondave]

The pots on the back from left to right are reverb stationary channel, reverb rotary channel, Stationary volume, and rotary volume.
It is normal for these to freeze and it usually takes a slight turn with pliers to free them. A small squirt of WD 40 on the shaft will help.
A quick squirt of Caig Deoxit D5 into the back of the pots will eliminate static when they are turned.

The key contacts are conductive elastomer. Do NOT spray them with any type of contact cleaner. They can be wiped with denatured alcohol if needed.

td