MMD > Archives > July 1996 > 1996.07.26 > 04Prev  Next


DeKleist and Wurlitzer
By Robbie Rhodes

Marty, in your note in Digest 960724, you say you are seeking DeKleist
brass pipes for restoration of the Wurlitzer "Mammoth".

1. What is this instrument? Is it the Wurlitzer Style 180?  Matthew
   Caulfield has shared much information with me, but I don't recall
   this model.  What's the history of the instrument?

2. In the event new brass trombones must be made, I'll be happy to put
   you in contact with Mr. Rob Stewart, who is acknowledged as the
   finest brass instrument maker on the West Coast.  He will know the
   skilled guys in your region.  Stewart, for fun, makes replicas of
   antique brass horns; his Keyed Trumpet is absolutely beautiful (if
   you can visualize an archaic straight soprano saxophone with a
   trumpet mouthpiece.)  I mention him because I imagine that not many
   folks have fabricated giant brass pipes, and the instrument artisans
   could offer basic advice on forming, etc.  Many of them, of course,
   are in Elkhart, Indiana.

3. Somewhere I heard a cassette tape playing familiar W165 music on a
   *really good* instrument, and I was told the recording was from a
   very early surviving DeKleist organ.  It wasn't clear if the
   DeKleist had been converted for W165 music rolls, or if it was an
   original Style 165 organ made by DeKleist for Wurlitzer.  I'd love
   to buy the available recordings of this particular machine.  Can you
   tell me who produced this recording?  It sounds as good, if not
   better, than my treasured cassette of the "Ross Davis" W165 organ at
   Griffith Park in 1983 at Griffith Park, with tunes selected by Don
   Rand.

Betcha can't guess the origin of the name of my village, Etiwanda.
... Well, I betcha can, too -- You get 1 guess!   Hint: it's an
Indian name, all right, but not a California Indian!

Best wishes,
Robbie Rhodes



(Message sent Fri, 26 Jul 96 20:58:58 PDT , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  DeKleist, Wurlitzer