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MMD > Archives > August 2019 > 2019.08.08 > 01Prev  Next


Restoring a Bijou Orchestrone
By Owen Christiansen

I am restoring a Bijou Orchestrone and have two problems.  One is
the required vacuum amount in inches of water.  After remaking the
bellows and valves, I end up with 6" of water vacuum, and it doesn't
seem to be enough to activate all the valves (which are untouched).

I added two leaf springs to the reservoir bellows and I now have 10"
of water which activates the valves, but some valves refuse to reset
to end the note.

The second problem is the reed arrangement.  In Bower's latest book
is listed the note arrangement, which does not match the order in the
organ as I got it.  It's a 20-note organ and the reeds are arranged
in ascending order to the middle of the range, and descending order
for the balance.  The roll is marked G. W. Bates Organ as well as
M. Galley's patent.

Does anyone have the correct order and/or some advice on the valves?

Thank you,
Owen Christiansen
Nashua, New Hampshire
gingchrist@aol.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]


(Message sent Fri 9 Aug 2019, 00:44:43 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bijou, Orchestrone, Restoring

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