I was surprised to see some of the wood used in European street and fair
organs. The fronts are usually what I'd consider "good" wood (straight
grain, quarter sawn), but the sides and back are often straight sawn with
defects, including loose knots.  Even more disconcerting, these pipes
sound great!  All a pipe really has to be is airtight, I suppose. The
shape and voicing determine it's tone.

Philip Jamison
PA