Wurlitzer Model 44 (1950's?)

[zachg]

I just recently puchased a Wurlitzer Model 44 electrostatic reed organ at a local auction...Hated to see it go to the landfill, so got it for $7.91🙂. I didn't know what I had gotten until I got it home, after realizing it was extremely heavy for its size being a spinet. It had a blown fuse and the motor that blows the air over the reeds to keep them vibrating in the reed chest was seized. I was able to get all that rectified and lo and behold...it works! Needs a little TLC, has a little distortion (caps?), some keys squeak, one pedal is unresponsive, a few reeds seem to not be operating, and a few seem to need the pickups adjusted or something (i.e. too loud, too quiet, etc.). Anyway, are any of you familiar with this type of organ? I was fairly impressed with the sound, rivals my Hammond E133 (which admitted needs a lot of caps replaced). Is it worth my time to try to "tune up", are parts even available? I was not aware there were organs out there that generated their tones in this manner and was rather intrigued by it once I read the service manual I found in the bench. I just wish it had a nice pedal board like my E133...

[you795a]

I would try to contact Morelock's Organ Parts and Services in Rienzi, Mississippi. I seem to recall reading somewhere that they made replacement reeds. I am not sure where I read that anymore but I think it would be worth a try. They have the parts for the Wurlitzer organs.