Replacement exhausters (from a parlor organ) on Estey 2MP?

[Mr. Polecat]

Hi everyone!

I have a line on an Estey 2MP (not sure exactly what model) somewhat locally.

However the foot exhausters and side delivery have been removed, and it's been fitted with an electric blower.

I'm not too worried about the side delivery, with the electric blower fitted. However, I'd like to have the option of using the foot exhausters.

My thought is that it wouldn't be impossible to take the pedals and exhauster billows and springs off one of the ubiquitous craigslist basketcase Estey parlor organs that are free for the taking and not worth trying to fix, and fit them to the 2MP (assuming the electric blower isn't in the way, or can be moved).

However, I am worried that the church organs used larger exhausters than the parlor organs, and they won't be able to keep the main bellows evacuated adequately without pumping stupidly fast....

Thoughts?

Thanks! :D

[myorgan]

Mr. Polecat,

I have a 2MP Estey which has the blower intact. I also have an old Estey regular pump organ. The blowers on the two instruments are nothing alike in size. The blower is longer and larger on the 2MP than on the 1 manual. Sorry I couldn't deliver better news.

Michael

[Mr. Polecat]

Hmmm. That is unfortunate.

Perhaps I could get some billows cloth and make my own exhausters of the correct size, and then just use the pedals and associated hardware off a basket case organ (for exterior appearance)........

Although the springs still wouldn't be the right size. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.......

[SubBase]

When estey went to the side-crank system on the T and G styles, (in the 1910's) they did away with the ability to foot-pump it, because the 4 exhausters were linked by a steel crankshaft and wood arms. The earlier type or hand-pump bellows did allow for the foot treadles. It is not possible for foot pumping to provide all the wind necessary to create a full organ on these T's and G's.
Not being an Estey person, I can't say what the treadles were working; a separate set not under control of the side lever, or part of the entire system.

[Mr. Polecat]

Hmmmm, this instrument is a 1901 model, so I guess it would have originally had the foot treadles.

So it sounds like if I wanted to sometimes use the foot pumping for expression on such an instrument, I'd have to adjust the blower to provide a minimal vacuum assist, to supplement the treadles....

I guess it just seems to me that, without treadles, I might as well be playing a VPO. I mean, obviously one can't use them and the pedal board at the same time, but that's where the blower comes in, eh?

I may not be able to get the thing, anyway. Apparently a church contacted him before I did, and they're getting first dibs. So I may still end up holding out for one with the original exhausters intact.