Cornish reed organ to be moved

[blewettjl]

Hello,

I'm a piano technician and mover. I have been contacted by a client wanting to move a Cornish reed organ supposedly dating back to 1894. This is my first reed organ to have to move. The problem is the organ is 72 in tall and my trailer only has 66 in of clearance. The owner does not think that the top of this organ will come off, however from the pictures it looks like it may. I have two questions. First, is it all right to transport this organ on its back? I know some reed organs have containers of oil in them and I'm not sure if this one is one of those. Secondly, do you think this organ's top can come off?

Thanks for your help,
J. Logan Blewett
Piano Technician and Mover
Blewett Music Studio
Paducah, Kentucky

[Silken Path]

Hi, Logan - We may have somebody else with experience with this series here at the forum, but I suspect that it comes apart with a single (slotted) screw near the front of the outside arms, near the lanterns, and possibly a couple in the back. It can also be just *sitting* atop the base. You can transport a reed organ on it's back, but hopefully you'll have that top off and keep it standing up. Reed organ bottoms are mostly air, and they have convenient handles as well as roller feet, so they are easy to scoot across floor or even carpet, if you have two people. I think it's better to keep them upright so in case anything falls out during transport, it'll hopefully fall out near where it goes inside the organ. (There's a divider between the top (mechanism) and the bottom (bellows), so things that go sproing will likely be in the top.) Also, the glue holding the boards together in these things may have given up the ghost long, long ago. Don't provoke a collapse, and do try to lift that top off as a unit. Good luck with it!

[myorgan]

Blewettjl,

The top will come off. There will probably be two standard (aka slotted) screws where the top meets the bottom section of the organ, in the back at either end. There will probably also be one located at the front of the legs on either side of the top piece. When you lift it off, make sure you lift backward before lifting up. The two screws in the front will probably be brass, pan-head screws. The ones in the back will most likely be counter-sunk wood screws.

There is no oil in this organ. You're probably thinking of a Hammond electronic organ, and for those organs it is very important preparation is done well.

You should be able to transport the organ on its back, but you'll probably want to be sure there is nothing loose inside which will cause damage. Also, the keyboard cover will slam open once you place it on its back. I'd recommend separating it and transporting the bottom upright, and the top laying on its back (both wrapped, of course).

Best on the move.

Michael

[Organfella]

Hello and yes, the top does come off. Mine has only two slotted screws driven in from the top at the back. However, the front may either be a slide-in (from the back with screws removed) or have some other way of securing the front part. Have a good look, wiggling the top assembly as you go. You will soon discover any concealed fastening method. The top is precious as it contains a lot of ornate woodwork. Mine contains a bevelled scrolled mirror but the assembly is possible for one-man handling. Your one appears to have a square mirror mounted in a diamond fashion - protect that - make sure it is securely mounted so that it will not dislodge and fall out while removing and transporting the top portion. Another word of advice: Remove the candle plates before moving. They break easily. Fastened with a single screw driven from the top in the center. Also close all the stops - push them in to prevent as far as possible any debris falling into crevices and openings where it does not belong. Watch out for the keyboard lid if it does not have a key to hold it closed. When the organ is laid on its back, the lid could easily flap open and cause dings. Two muscled men could probably manage the lower organ.
Good luck!
Nico

[blewettjl]

Thanks everyone,

I have shared these tips with the client. She still prefers that the organ remain in one piece for transport as the organ is still in working order. If it was not, then it would not be as big of an issue.

Thanks again. Now for another post for a pipe organ, but that goes else where.

J. Logan Blewett
Piano Technician and Mover
Blewett Music Studio
Paducah, Kentucky

[myorgan]

Just FYI, the top has nothing to do with the sound or function of the organ-it is purely decorative. It is advisable to take the top off. Personally, I don't know how much lateral sway or pressure the top can taken when transported. Obviously, it's your call, but that's my 2¢ worth.

Michael

[Organfella]

I agree with Michael and Silken Path. Imagine the old organ sitting upright on the back of something and that something hits a pothole or another obstacle and the sway rips the top right off. She will cry for a loooong time afterward besides perhaps blaming you for the damage...
I can imagine the organ means a lot to her but she is not fully informed regarding the function of the instrument. The top was made removable for a purpose - and that is to facilitate transportation. If we consider that when it was built, likely there were no automobiles running around yet and these and other furniture had to be transported by mule carts or similar. The roads would have been fairly uneven as well .... no need to explain further.
If the client is a good one (meaning she supports your business ventures) you might consider keeping the top intact but try and securing it in some way by strapping it down to the base. Then it may be possible but more risky, to fit into the back of a van or something lying flat on its back - perhaps with the base towards the back. But this would mean more arms attached to strong and steady hands to lift and shift.
Good luck!
Nico

[Silken Path]

The top has nothing to do with the functioning of the organ... She's being difficult. (Imagine that.)