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I think there may have been some restructuring of the forum after the upgrade, so I'm going to post this here in the right section. I'm working on restoring/modernizing my Schulmerich Carillon Americana console. Effectively, one could compare this job to a MIDI conversion for Hauptwerk or to modernizing a pipe organ. The consoles for this top-of-the-line carillon were built by Moller for Schulmerich. They are identical to Moller 2 manual tilt-tab consoles in their basic design, but have monitor speakers, custom tab markings with the carillon voice names, and a custom section to control the Tremolando and to activate the bells and amplifiers for the tower speakers.
This project has two major parts:
1. Refurbishment of the woodwork as the console was stored in an unheated garage where it was exposed to temperature extremes, moisture, and rodents.
2. Updating of the keying mechanisms for manuals and pedalboard. Updating of the swell shoes to feed data to the MIDI control system.
The keyboards aren't in bad shape, likely just needing some refurbishment due to age and more-so due to storage conditions and the fact that they are missing the key contacts. I imagine that most of these types of keyboards can be rebuilt with new felt, bushings, etc. I've found two options for contacts so far. OSI has a set of optical sensors, and Peterson has a traditional set of contact wires. I'm curious to get any feedback on either of these or other options that are available.
From what I've found so far, Peterson has both modern tilt tablets with magnets and mechanisms to convert the swell shoes.
A few years back, I was quoted $5000 to do a refurbishment (woodwork finishing, keyboards, and keyboard/pedalboard contact installation). I have limited income due to medical issues, so I didn't know if I arranged a bit more knowledge if I could save a bit on at least some of the refurbishment and do it a little bit at a time to at least make some progress on the instrument. I'm guessing I may need some help with the woodwork, but the rest seems approachable with some patience and knowledge.
Any input is greatly appreciated, as I am long overdue to finish this project!
This project has two major parts:
1. Refurbishment of the woodwork as the console was stored in an unheated garage where it was exposed to temperature extremes, moisture, and rodents.
2. Updating of the keying mechanisms for manuals and pedalboard. Updating of the swell shoes to feed data to the MIDI control system.
The keyboards aren't in bad shape, likely just needing some refurbishment due to age and more-so due to storage conditions and the fact that they are missing the key contacts. I imagine that most of these types of keyboards can be rebuilt with new felt, bushings, etc. I've found two options for contacts so far. OSI has a set of optical sensors, and Peterson has a traditional set of contact wires. I'm curious to get any feedback on either of these or other options that are available.
From what I've found so far, Peterson has both modern tilt tablets with magnets and mechanisms to convert the swell shoes.
A few years back, I was quoted $5000 to do a refurbishment (woodwork finishing, keyboards, and keyboard/pedalboard contact installation). I have limited income due to medical issues, so I didn't know if I arranged a bit more knowledge if I could save a bit on at least some of the refurbishment and do it a little bit at a time to at least make some progress on the instrument. I'm guessing I may need some help with the woodwork, but the rest seems approachable with some patience and knowledge.
Any input is greatly appreciated, as I am long overdue to finish this project!