-- [ From: James J. Cullen, Ph.D. * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --

Hi Group:

I introduced myself a few weeks ago when Jody generously added my to
the mailing list.  As a result of my renewed interest, I dug out the
pieces/parts of an old Taylor & Farley (1884) Model 10 reed organ that
I have had sitting around in boxes for the last 12 years and began the
restoration.  The works are coming along quite nicely, but I have a few
neophyte questions for the group.  If you wouldn't mind, respond to me
personally at UYFA59A@Prodigy.Com.  If the answers would serve the
common good, I'll summarize them and post them to the group.

1.) Three of the reeds in the organ are broken -- about 1/8-inch of the
    tips of the vibrating element have snapped off.  Could you
    recommend someone who does reed repair work?  I would be
    particularly interested in knowing about companies with whom you
    have done business and with whom you have had good service.

2.) On a related note, I'm enjoying the rebuild so much that I am
    toying with the idea of designing and building my own reed organ.
    (Yeah, I know... my wife thinks I'm nuts, too).  the problem, of
    course, is obtaining the reeds.  I refuse to cannabalize an antique
    reed organ just for the sake of obtaining a set of reeds.  I'd
    rather find a company that is currently manufacturing reeds.  Do
    such companies exist?  Is it possible to buy a complete set of new
    reeds?  If so, tell me where to go...

3.) I noticed that Player Piano Co. sells a sponge neoprene foam for
    use in recovering the pallet valves.  Does anyone have any
    experience in working with this material.  Is it good, or should I
    go with felt and leather (and if so, which leather).  My own
    experience with neoprene (scuba wet suits) is that it takes a
    permanent set after a while.  Would this cause the pallet valves to
    leak?

4.) And now, a really wierd question.  Does anyone make a kit to build
    a residential pipe organ?  Not one of those WERSI electronic
    thing-a-ma-jigs -- a real pipe organ.

Enough for now.  Many thanks for your help.

Jim Cullen