Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

Spring Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > January 2008 > 2008.01.26 > 07Prev  Next


Ken Smith & Steve Lanick - Master Craftsmen
By Bill Luca

Wurlitzer Tracker Bar Dimensions

Matthew Caulfield recently posted information about Wurlitzer
tracker bars and mentioned the Wurlitzer-style bars made by the
late Steve Lanick.  That put me in mind of the day in the mid-70s
in Fremont, Ohio, that Steve was explaining the components of his
replica Wurlitzer 105 to me.

Looking over the tracker bar, I remarked that surely this must be
an original Wurlitzer factory piece that Steve had gotten hold of,
for such a perfect-in-every-way, broached-hole example could not
have been home-made.  "Nope, I made it", said Steve.

I think it might have been the same day that I was marveling at
the Ruth replica that the late Ken Smith had built.  "Don't go
comparing me to the classic organ builders, I'm just a machinist",
Ken told me.  Likewise, Steve said something like: "Oh, I repair
clocks", when asked about his background.

These two didn't seem to use plans or blueprints.  They'd pull out
a tape measure and set to work.  There are many exceptional craftsmen
afoot in this field, but I don't expect to ever again encounter
wizards the likes of Ken Smith and Steve Lanick.

Bill Luca
Salem, Massachusetts


(Message sent Sat 26 Jan 2008, 14:03:29 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Craftsmen, Ken, Lanick, Master, Smith, Steve

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page