Dear MMDians,  It has recently been brought to my attention that
there are certain biases which lie in the hearts of certain band-
organ enthusiasts when it comes to the originality of replicas and
restorations.  I feel I should take the time to disclose my opinions
in regards the traditional versus the modern building techniques
-- I have none.

Being completely inexperienced in this business it is very difficult to
state what valve action is superior to another, etc., etc., etc.

With college coming up I may very well not build my own band-organ for
years to come.  What I will be doing is building up a collection of 165
rolls and recording Wurlitzer 165s (and I don't mean replicas).  Now to
address the "purists" in the business...

Should I ever acquire an original band-organ, I will see to it that the
machine is restored and maintained without any alteration of any kind.
I recognize the brilliant construction of the genuine articles and
wouldn't dream of "chopping" those machines in any way, no matter how
insignificantly small (unless we're talking missing pipes n stuff.
Then you have to add new stuff).

However, if I am to build an organ that plays the 165 rolls or similar
scales, I will try to improve on the designs that supposedly cannot be
improved upon.  I may fail in my efforts, but at least I will have made
an effort to try something new.  There's marvelous music waiting to be
heard in those paper rolls.  All I have to do is decide upon how I want
it to be released.

For all those organ men out there who wish to share their technical
knowledge, I welcome and value your opinions, always.  But please
understand that my ideas aren't exactly traditional.  I'm opposed to
solenoid player actions and all the super modern stuff, but I will not
close my mind to that which has not been attempted.  I don't want to
have to explain my reasons for presenting different ideas.  I simply
want to know if you think they will work.

This post may be a bit potent, but I feel that all you MMDians deserve
to know my views on things.  Anyway, I'm going to grab some hot
chocolate.

Marc Elbasani