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MMD > Archives > December 1997 > 1997.12.31 > 11Prev  Next


My Views About Band Organs
By Marc Elbasani

Dear MMDians,  It has recently been brought to my attention that
there are certain biases which lie in the hearts of certain band-
organ enthusiasts when it comes to the originality of replicas and
restorations.  I feel I should take the time to disclose my opinions
in regards the traditional versus the modern building techniques
-- I have none.

Being completely inexperienced in this business it is very difficult to
state what valve action is superior to another, etc., etc., etc.

With college coming up I may very well not build my own band-organ for
years to come.  What I will be doing is building up a collection of 165
rolls and recording Wurlitzer 165s (and I don't mean replicas).  Now to
address the "purists" in the business...

Should I ever acquire an original band-organ, I will see to it that the
machine is restored and maintained without any alteration of any kind.
I recognize the brilliant construction of the genuine articles and
wouldn't dream of "chopping" those machines in any way, no matter how
insignificantly small (unless we're talking missing pipes n stuff.
Then you have to add new stuff).

However, if I am to build an organ that plays the 165 rolls or similar
scales, I will try to improve on the designs that supposedly cannot be
improved upon.  I may fail in my efforts, but at least I will have made
an effort to try something new.  There's marvelous music waiting to be
heard in those paper rolls.  All I have to do is decide upon how I want
it to be released.

For all those organ men out there who wish to share their technical
knowledge, I welcome and value your opinions, always.  But please
understand that my ideas aren't exactly traditional.  I'm opposed to
solenoid player actions and all the super modern stuff, but I will not
close my mind to that which has not been attempted.  I don't want to
have to explain my reasons for presenting different ideas.  I simply
want to know if you think they will work.

This post may be a bit potent, but I feel that all you MMDians deserve
to know my views on things.  Anyway, I'm going to grab some hot
chocolate.

Marc Elbasani


(Message sent Tue 30 Dec 1997, 21:33:50 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  About, Band, My, Organs, Views

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