Loring & Blake reed organ

[LearnEveryDay]

A good person is giving me her late mother's reed organ. The manufacturer was Loring & Blake Organ Company. She said it was of circa 1880's, but not sure of exact year. The organ is in unbelievably good shape, with wood cabinet still shining in its polish and all keys are in tact and work! The sound is uplifting and divine! It does, however, have a lot of dust inside. The lady says she has hesitated to vacuum clean the internal areas because she is concerned that the reeds would move and won't make sound again. She also told me that this instrument must be always in an upright (vertical) position, even when moving, or else, again, the reeds would move and won't work again! From her words, it seems to be very delicate, not only because of its age but also because of its type - a reed instrument. I know a tiny bit about pianos, but I know nothing about organs. However, I can easily get mesmerized by the sounds of both a piano and a reed organ! As such, I accepted the organ and will be paying someone to move it to my place TODAY. I'm both excited and worried:

1) Does anyone here know anything about a Loring & Blake reed organ? I could not find anything in this forum about that manufacturer. Is (was) it a good manufacturer? In other words, is it worth the troubles to pay for the moving of this very ancient and delicate instrument into my home?

2) I really want / need to vacuum the inside areas of the organ after it gets into my house. I can't stand all the dust ! It is very filthy inside. Will I destroy its reeds if I vacuum inside it?

3) Does it need to be moved in an upright position all the time? That will cost me quite a bit of money as the movers will charge more if they cannot lay it down on their truck.

I'd appreciate any advice, info, that any of you here can share with me. I'm a very newbie. If any of you can share info today, you will be extraordinarily appreciated since I must move it today!

[SubBase]

It's safe to move an unrestored parlor organ on its back. Organs with finished decorative backs, and organs that have been restored should be moved upright.
It's certain that moving is going to dislodge dust and detritus and make it play worse. But after decades without a cleaning, it's going to need a full cleaning anyway, including each reed, before it can give enjoyment.

[Organfella]

Hello and welcome to the Forum. Please post us some pictures of the organ when you can, also search for the Loring & Blake on the Reed Organ Society Data Base. You might find other examples of the organ together with some information.
Cleaning the insides of old pump organs is necessary because often unwanted visitors and residents such as rodents, spiders and other insects can leave a mess but even without those, years of accumulated dust can settle in the old gals guts. There are many nooks and crannies in there and if all the stops are closed, the reeds are kind of sealed off and one can use a soft paint brush or similar to sweep out most of the dust. A vacuum cleaner should be used carefully and not anywhere near the reed cells. Wear gloves and a breathing mask while working, especially if there is evidence of rodent presence.
Whatever happens, if you have the space and the necessary transport, do get the organ and enjoy it. Old organs that are still capable of making sound are always worth having, providing one plays on them, even occasionally. The woodwork alone can be something to admire if one is into that sort of thing.

Whatever, get it and enjoy it.

Nico

[LearnEveryDay]

I enclose here 2 pictures and a link for the test of how the organ sounds. I just played a quick Sonatina on it. Truly love it! Hopefully, I will enjoy years of learning / playing on it ! https://soundcloud.com/user-72366635...a-in-gmoderato

[myorgan]

WOW! What a nice find. That organ stool/chair is also unusual-I've never seen one like it.

My guess is the original owner at one time was told the reeds were loose in their cells and were prone to coming out. That observation is only as accurate as the person who provided that information, who could have been a family friend or a professional. Reeds are lay horizontally in their cells toward the front and rear of the organ, so it is conceivable they could come loose (or out) if the organ is placed on its back. However, that is a rare occurrence, and if a reed or two comes out, it should be relatively easy to find the empty cell and replace it.

Enjoy your new acquisition!

Michael

[LearnEveryDay]

Thanks! :)

[Organfella]

Thank you for the pictures. It is not possible to see if the upper portion can be removed but it would seem not to be the case. I suspect that in that cavity there may be hidden some interesting mechanisms, perhaps chimes or even pipes. When you get around to it please let us see what is inside there. Meanwhile, enjoy the sounds and the new treasure.

Nico

[myorgan]

Nico,

There is probably nothing behind there. Behind the music rack (when pivoted up) there is storage space for the music, but on either side, there is most likely empty space.

Michael

[LearnEveryDay]

Michael is correct. It's mostly empty space behind the music rack. No chime or (fake) pipes. I believe once upon a time it probably had another higher decorative top parlor because there are old nail marks, but probably such top had been removed by the previous owner, perhaps for the practicality of transporting the Organ. I think it looks just fine without that high parlor top. It looks a tad more modern this way (without the parlor top).

[Organfella]

Thanks for the clarification - and Michael for the wisdom and explanation. On my old Mannborg two-manual there is a lot of mechanical linkages and goodies hidden behind the high facade. It stands nearly two meters tall and is the one in my avatar picture. On organs where its empty, the cavity probably serves as an amplifying box as well. My little Storey & Clarke sports a neat little cabinet behind the music rack, as Michael points out, also the Cornish has this handy little compartment from which I delved an antique tick-tock wind-up metronome (my daughter calls it a little tapper).

Sweet looking organ the Loring & Blake, more elaborate than many I have seen with that stop compliment. Enjoy!

Nico

[LearnEveryDay]

Yes :) I truly enjoy it. I feel thankful for this opportunity to own it and (learn to) play on it !