Church Organ Repair Help

[kschmidt2122]

Hello,

I'm new to this site, and was wondering if anybody could give me advice on fixing a few issues on a pipe organ.

First, there are 3 rattling/buzzing pipes that are insufferable. The first is a pedal principal (Offenbass), and the other two are pedal reed pipes with wooden resonators (Holzposaune). Does anybody know how to do a “quick fix” or what the underlying issue might be? I believe the principal rank has caps with felt rings around them (please forgive me as I'm not educated in organ building).

The second issue is with the coupling system. The 2 manuals (Great and Chor) don't couple down to low B and high G on the pedalboard. The key and coupler action is mechanical. Once in a while I'll get a little “cipher” when I couple something down and play those pedals, but most of the time it's just silence. I would assume something is just loose inside. The console opens from the back for service.

The organ is an unaltered Zimmer from 1980 if that is of any help.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[myorgan]

First, there are 3 rattling/buzzing pipes that are insufferable. The first is a pedal principal (Offenbass), and the other two are pedal reed pipes with wooden resonators (Holzposaune). Does anybody know how to do a “quick fix” or what the underlying issue might be? I believe the principal rank has caps with felt rings around them (please forgive me as I'm not educated in organ building).

My first question before you attempt any repairs, I would ask if anyone/anything has been inside the organ chambers since your last organ repair visit. If the answer is "Yes," you need to find out what (s)he did while inside the organ chambers.

If the answer is "No," on all fronts, I would recommend addressing the Pedal Principal pipe first. Check to see if it is still anchored at the top where it is secured to the wall or side of the chambers. If so, I'd check to see if any foreign matter (i.e. paint chips, debris) has fallen inside the pipe. If so, you will probably see it resting on the languid (tongue) if you look through the mouth of the pipe.

Regarding the Pedal Reed pipes, I would defer to a professional. In working with Reed pipes, there are many possible issues which can be caused by what you describe. For some Pedal Reed pipes, it is possibly normal to have some amount of "buzz" as they sound. If the organ is situated near the pipe, it will be much more prominent than out in the congregation. Barring that, it could be a tongue weight that has come partially unsoldered, a loose shallot, or even a loose tuning wire. Even minor changes in any of those things can cause a "buzz," or a well-intended repair can change a minor repair to a major one.

I hope this helps.

Michael

[myorgan]

P.S. Regarding the failing couplers, there are several types of mechanical couplers, and the answer depends on which type it is. What would help would be photos of the Pedal Coupler mechanism inside the console (if that's where it resides). If we can see the mechanism, we could probably advise better.

Michael

[toodles]

Rattling pipes are much like speaker systems that rattle--something, somewhere is loose. It is easiest to determine exactly what is loose by having two people--one to play the offending notes, and one at the pipes who can touch things to see what dampens the vibration.

The caps with felt rings are the means by which the pipes are tuned, and there are likely springs on the backs of the caps on the larger pipes. If one of those is rattling, perhaps it is loose. Also, look for stray items that shouldn't be where they are--pieces of paper, screws, etc.

As to the coupling system, if it is entirely mechanical, then all you can do is open the back and see what isn't making connection. Again, two people will be very helpful--one to operate the offending notes and one to see what the mechanism is doing. Mechanical action organs are very simple affairs, and operation should be obvious if observed. Looking at the operation of functioning adjacent notes will help diagnose what is wrong with the missing notes.

[voet]

I didn't think that Zimmer built trackers, so I would doubt that the coupling mechanism is mechanical.

[kschmidt2122]

Thanks for the replies! Other organists have told me that the rattling pedal principal has been that way since it was installed. I guess either the organ tuners have missed it 40+ times, or more likely there is just a larger issue that has been overlooked. All the pipes were removed and cleaned a few years ago, so there shouldn't be any debris or anything. I'll do my best to try to fix it. The reed pipes definitely have an issue, it's more of a harsh rattle than a buzz, but I'll leave them for the organ tuners. I'll also try to take a picture of the coupling system, and let you know if I have any luck fixing it. From other things I've read, I think it's kind of a Zimmer "signature" system wherein the keys don't physically move when divisions are coupled, I don't know if that narrows it down any.

The organ is definitely due for a renovation/update. Multiple things on the organ console are failing, including the combination action. I'm just trying to make it as usable as possible.

[Leisesturm]

Zimmer apparently has built tracker instruments in the past. However ... "keys don't physically move when divisions are coupled"; "combination action" ... I don't know, I'm having trouble relating those things to any kind of "mechanical action", "mechanical coupling" system that I know of. Also in the title it can be implied that individual pipes are anomalous. Reading further one gets the impression that three ranks in particular have qualities objectionable to the o.p. Which is it? Certain pedal notes on the digital I play excite the room in a way that made a prominent buzz. It took a while to track down and it wasn't even in the organ. It was a join in the structure of the Choir loft and was fixed with good old WD-40. First order of business I think is to become as knowledgeable about the construction and proper functioning of this organ as is possible. Even if you bring pros in to do the actual repair/renovation you will want to be able to communicate with them in their language

[kschmidt2122]

Sorry, I guess I should have been more clear. The key action is mechanical, and the stop action electro-pneumatic. The console is very similar to the one that you linked. I can post a picture of it if necessary, and I'll be in to practice tonight so I can take pictures of the coupling system.

I'll admit I'm ignorant when it comes to the inner workings of any type of organ, but I'm hoping to become more knowledgeable. This forum is helping with that.

[myorgan]

Zimmer apparently has built tracker instruments in the past. However ... "keys don't physically move when divisions are coupled"; "combination action" ... I don't know, I'm having trouble relating those things to any kind of "mechanical action", "mechanical coupling" system that I know of.

Zimmer has built both tracker and EP instruments. I have played both types of Zimmers. Believe me, I was as confused when I ran into Zimmer's coupler mechanism where the keys didn't move.

Evidently, the coupler mechanism works on the mechanics behind the scenes without actually moving the keys involved. It is actually mechanical, and works on EP organs as well, if the internal workings of the console are mechanical vs. electric.

Hope that helps.

Michael

[kschmidt2122]

Here's an update: The principal pipe was an easy fix. I didn't realize it was in the facade (I thought they were the Prestant), so I just moved it slightly and the rattling stopped for now. As for the couplers, we've decided to just contact the tuners and see what they can do, as I couldn't find anything abnormal when opening up the console.

Thanks again to everybody for your help!