I have a really rough organ from a friend who thought it a shame to throw it out and somehow I ended up with it. In the past someone has robbed the W. Bell and Guelph Canada decals off it. I pulled the front piece just under the keys off, and on the right hand side of the reed pan is hand-written 'Gem 2'. Is there such a model?
Try searching the Reed Organ Society Database at: https://www.reedsoc.org/index.php/rosdb. I couldn't find a reference to a Gem organ, but it made me wonder if perhaps you're not seeing part of a stop name.
None of the organs I saw on the ROS Database had the same type of front grille, so I'm not sure if that means your item is unique, or if someone transplanted that piece from another organ. In looking at your photos, it looks like the screw holes are in a different location now than they were before on that piece.
Michael
Way too many organs to list, but I do have 5 Allens:
Try searching the Reed Organ Society Database at: https://www.reedsoc.org/index.php/rosdb. I couldn't find a reference to a Gem organ, but it made me wonder if perhaps you're not seeing part of a stop name.
None of the organs I saw on the ROS Database had the same type of front grille, so I'm not sure if that means your item is unique, or if someone transplanted that piece from another organ. In looking at your photos, it looks like the screw holes are in a different location now than they were before on that piece.
Michael
Thanks for that.
Nearly all of the stop labels are legible, and they do what they say.
If you look carefully, you will see that the fretwork is actually matching, one is inset, the other is outset. It appears that the front piece holds the organ together partly.
That looks like a lovely organ! I have opened up the W. Bell and the bellows are a mess...no wonder I could barely get sound of it...the feeders are fine though!
I was lucky with mine as rhe bellows are still tight so must have been repaired at some time. Yours equally looks like a nice one and worth fixing. The fewer stops makes it somewhat more simple to dismantle from the top. I would say get at it and do those bellows. Use the correct material to refurbish the bellows in order to get the most from the hard work. There are a good many discussions on this Forum about bellows cloth which will come in handy. I got mine from the Netherlands and paid a premium but if you live in the US you may be luckier to find local suppliers.
Good luck!
Nico
"Don't make war, make music!" Hammonds, Lowreys, Yamaha's, Gulbransens, Baldwin, Technics, Johannus. Reed organs. Details on request... B-)
That's always nice...we have a Dominion that I thought needed a total bellows restoration, but over time it actually is fine!
I'm in NZ, so ordering bellows cloth is terribly expensive! But a local organ tuner gave me some, so I haven't had to buy any yet.
This is actually the worst organ I have dealt with. The case is falling apart somewhat...
I don't recall ever seeing a W. Bell in that style before, it doesn't seem to fit their designs. It looks too new for a W. Bell, perhaps a Bell Piano & Organ Co? I couldn't find a Gem model listed for Bell either, the smaller organs were called the "Diadem" model. Dominion did have Gem models, but they were quite decorated.
Do you have any pictures of the insides?
Thanks!
Rodney
To play a reed organ or harmonium, it helps to disconnect your feet from your brain and connect them to your emotions.
Most of all, be creative, make music and have fun...
Hi Rodney,
Here are a few pictures of the insides, and a recording (provided they upload fine!)
If you look very carefully on the pictures of the stop-board, on one you can see W. B... and the other one has (indistinctly) Guelph Ca...….
I would be happy for some confirmation, but I believe that this is all original.
You may only view thumbnails in this gallery.
This gallery has 5 photos.
Thanks for the extra pictures! I love it when I learn something new about these instruments, I would have never guessed it was a Bell :) If the videos are small enough, feel reed to email them to me, rodneyjantzi at gmail
Rodney
To play a reed organ or harmonium, it helps to disconnect your feet from your brain and connect them to your emotions.
Most of all, be creative, make music and have fun...
Just sent it through. Can you let me know if you haven't got it as some emails haven't been getting through.
I was surprised to find out that it is a W. Bell too!
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