[ Ref. 141115 MMD, Seek History of Wurlitzer 146-B Band Organ ]

Bruce Pier sent us images of a newspaper article about Ed Deibert's
Wurlitzer 146B band organ.  The article was published in The Lowell
Sun, Lowell, Massachusetts, Sunday, June 30, 1974, page 12.  The
caption says:

  CHELMSFORD 4TH OF JULY PARADE TO FEATURE CALLIOPE

  Among the entries in this year's Independence Day parade will
  be this restored merry-go-round type band organ, entered by Ed
  Deibert, owner of Clock Barn Antiques, who has spent nearly 2000
  hours in carefully putting the 1931 Wurlitzer into tip-top shape.
  It has 106 organ-like pipes, a base [sic] drum, a snare drum,
  symbols and a glockenspiel -- all operated automatically by a
  perforated paper roll mechanism similar to those in a player piano.
  It belts out completely different tunes continuously for two hours
  without changing rolls, powered by air pressure and vacuum.  The
  hand-carved figures adorning the calliope were restored by Richard
  Rebello of New Bedford.  It might also be noted that the clock dial
  (inset) on the Clock Barn on Boston Road was formerly located in
  the First Parish Church, Billerica, and was salvaged and restored
  by Deibert after the famous landmark was destroyed by fire in 1968.

Robbie Rhodes

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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/14/11/18/141118_194026_EdDeibert146B1.jpg
 
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 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/14/11/18/141118_194026_EdDeibert146B2.jpg