How to Stop Organ Cabinet Rattling when using Bass Pedals?

[Paul789]

My "new" Conn organ sounds very good, but the cabinet rattles at certain resonant
frequencies, when using the bass pedals, especially the low F note. Other parts of the
cabinet will rattle with other pedal notes. This is when only using the internal, console
speakers (no externals).

I tried tightening the few nuts I could reach on the bass speaker, but that didn't seem to
fix the problem. Has anyone fixed their rattling organ cabinet, or is this something
I just have to live with? :-P

[andyg]

Back panels are sometimes the culprit but most of the rest should be securely screwed and glued together. You could locate and tighten any screws or bolts that fasten the manuals, cheek blocks or the top panel, just in case.

Most rattles tend to be other objects in the room - that was a good source of income for some service engineers! Call in, diagnose and move the rattling ornament or whatever, charge the customer and leave! :) (Most would probably be kind and give the organ a quick check-over while there.)

[Organfella]

Since you will be delving into the innards of the Conn you might want to check for any wires hanging loosely and perhaps able to touch a panel or other part capable of producing a rattle. Panels like the solid grids for the speakers, if yours is fitted with those, sometimes also make a noise when provoked sufficiently. Also check for any foreign objects that may have found its way into the belly and could rattle freely.
I once worked on a very large Conn (forgot the model) in a church and found an empty soda can inside, lying comfortably atop the pedal extensions ready to make a mean noise at the wrong time. I also found coins, paper clips, pencils and even a plastic ruler in the same organ. Removed them and arranged them in a neat pile and presented them to a surprised but happy organist.
I am not suggesting that yours has the same problem but one never knows....
Luck.
Nico

[jbird604]

Get a second person to help you. With the helper on the organ bench, have him or her hold the offending pedal down while you gently press on things to see if the rattle stops. Don't forget to check stop rail, the area around the keys, expression pedal, etc. Before even taking off the back, press around the edges, out in the middle, near the screws, etc. With the back off, WATCH OUT FOR SHOCKING VOLTAGES -- Don't wear a watch or ring or other metal object, don't touch any bare wires or metal surfaces with bare hands. Wear gloves and/or use a wooden dowel as a pusher. Apply gentle pressure to different places on internal parts, panels, cable bundles, metal hardware. With luck, you'll locate something that is vibrating with the loud pedal notes and you can move it around, tighten it down, put something under it, or whatever it takes to stop the rattle.

If all else fails, you may have to turn down the pedal volume level just a tad to prevent the rattle.

[Organkeys Jones]

You seem certain the rattle is in the console itself. But as andyg noted, it could be elsewhere in the room. I once drove 200 miles to service an Allen with a rattle in the external speakers. As I sat at the console playing I realized the rattle came from a different direction. "Wedged" on an offending note and walked around. It was the lens of an Exit sign. I used electrical tape to isolate and secure it. Problem solved! (Yes andyg, I charged for my travel & time, and checked/cleaned contacts, etc.:->)

If the rattle is in the console - do what jbird604 said. You will find the loose part.

[Nutball]

I found that the circuit boards for the pedals (located on the very bottom) rattle in the metal clips that hold them. I used hot glue at every clip to stop the buzzing. This was on a Conn 717.

Be sure to dust off where the glue will go, and slowly apply high temp hot glue for a good bond. Slow application helps the surfaces to heat up and bond better.

[Paul789]

Ok, I found at least one culprit: One of those big, rectangular, off-white 10 Watt resistors was rattling against some sheet metal!

Bent it's lead wires a bit, and no more rattling! Ok, will see if there are more! :->

[Paul789]

Ok, found two more sources: There is a metal plate that is screwed into the front wooden panel, that separates
the power supply from the volume pedal, which I had removed to service the power supply. Screwing it back in
prevents the panel from vibrating too much.

The second rattler: A deadbolt lock in a door leading to my organ room, which needed it's screws tightened!

Bass pedals are much cleaner now! Thank you all! :-)

[Organkeys Jones]

I'll add the deadbolt lock to my Exit sign story!

[Silken Path]

Cool fix. My Conn will puff at my ankle on the pedal when I play low notes, but at least it is not buzzing anything. Of course, 16 ft is as low as she goes.

[Nutball]

I have windows and light fixtures in other rooms to worry about when using my giant subwoofer even at low volume. I already went around putting padding behind pictures on the walls.