hello everyone, i am new here and hopeful to gain some insight. so thanks in advance
So, i acquired a Bell Piano and Organ Co. reed organ from 1888 the other day, seemed to be working somewhat at the place i got it from. got it home with the help of a friend and played for a while and inevitably discovered a few issues.
1. when all stops are disengaged i still have sound coming from the middle of the keyboard, not all keys.
2. when the two highest stops are engaged there is no change to the sound, also no change to the sound when the levers these stops connect to are manipulated.
3. not all keys make sound regardless of stop configuration, all of which are in the last octave of the treble
4. when no keys are pressed and i pump the bellows i am getting sound (also only from the treble)
of all these problems, no.4 is the one that is the biggest issue as it stops me from being able to play
so, yesterday afternoon i took the top off, took the keyboard out and had a look at the pitman rods, one seemed to be missing. I found it had fallen through the guide hole and was just leaning up against the one next to it, i managed to retrieve it with a small set of tweezers and realign it in its hole. but it wont stay there, just keeps falling through, the rest of the pitman rods seem to press onto springs beneath them but this one doesnt seem to have a spring under it.
i couldnt see any obvious way of accessing where that spring might be so i am stuck.
does anyone have any idea how i might be able to get in there without ruining anything, it was terrifying taking everything off to that point and i dont want to break anything.
i have zero experience with reed or pump organs other than playing them occasionally, i have however helped restore a similarly ages piano so i have a basic understanding of being very cautious around very old things...
please help me...
i will take some photos to accompany this post
So, i acquired a Bell Piano and Organ Co. reed organ from 1888 the other day, seemed to be working somewhat at the place i got it from. got it home with the help of a friend and played for a while and inevitably discovered a few issues.
1. when all stops are disengaged i still have sound coming from the middle of the keyboard, not all keys.
2. when the two highest stops are engaged there is no change to the sound, also no change to the sound when the levers these stops connect to are manipulated.
3. not all keys make sound regardless of stop configuration, all of which are in the last octave of the treble
4. when no keys are pressed and i pump the bellows i am getting sound (also only from the treble)
of all these problems, no.4 is the one that is the biggest issue as it stops me from being able to play
so, yesterday afternoon i took the top off, took the keyboard out and had a look at the pitman rods, one seemed to be missing. I found it had fallen through the guide hole and was just leaning up against the one next to it, i managed to retrieve it with a small set of tweezers and realign it in its hole. but it wont stay there, just keeps falling through, the rest of the pitman rods seem to press onto springs beneath them but this one doesnt seem to have a spring under it.
i couldnt see any obvious way of accessing where that spring might be so i am stuck.
does anyone have any idea how i might be able to get in there without ruining anything, it was terrifying taking everything off to that point and i dont want to break anything.
i have zero experience with reed or pump organs other than playing them occasionally, i have however helped restore a similarly ages piano so i have a basic understanding of being very cautious around very old things...
please help me...
i will take some photos to accompany this post
Comment