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MMD > Archives > June 2011 > 2011.06.22 > 06Prev  Next


Stinson Organ at Cooperstown Farmer's Museum
By Dale F. Rowe

Dear Matthew,  Greetings from The Bronx!  The approximate dimensions
of the organ were told to me by the carver of the band organ figures.
The percussions, except for the woodpecker, woodblock and glockenspiel,
are concealed on the inside of the organ, hence no drum wings.

The organ was delivered sans facade. The facade was fabricated by
the carvers of the carrousel.  These gifted craftsmen were apparently
unaware that the facade should be removable, as they had attached it
to the organ cabinet with some permanency -- it was screwed and bolted
in place, and the electrical wires for the lighting effects had no
quick disconnects.  Until we could remove the facade, I had a bugger
of a time trying to tune the bass pipes.

As for the total number of pipe ranks, you could ask Bob Stuhmer who
was also on hand as we trouble-shot a few annoying problems, such as
mis-tubed percussions and electric rank cut-outs that were installed by
Stinson -- small toggle switches that toned down the instrument by
shutting off the Trumpets and Trombones.  This was solved by bypassing
the electric valves with straight nipples.  The power adapter that
supplied current to the electric valves had failed, possibly from the
high temperatures being exhausted from the electric blower(s) winding
the organ.

This is probably why Stinson said he would not build another organ this
small, as I assume he meant a full "165" crammed into a small cabinet,
and no drum wings.

I did have complimentary tickets to the dedication out in Long Island,
but could not make it.  (Besides misplacing the tickets, I couldn't
get a ride out there -- I don't drive.  It's a bit ironic that I don't
drive a car, but yet I drive (operate) subway trains and diesel
locomotives.  Go figure!)

Hope this helps, Sincerely,
Dale F. Rowe
Bronx, New York


(Message sent Wed 22 Jun 2011, 06:58:26 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cooperstown, Farmer's, Museum, Organ, Stinson

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