Manda Clair Jost asks, in 000110 MMDigest, "Is there any acoustic or
practical reason that the fronts of pipes are supposed to be made of
hardwood?  Should I cut extra wood for the bass pipes so that the
hardwood face will be continuous all the way around the pipe?"

In my opinion the type of wood used for the faces of the pipes will
not make any difference in the acoustics.  There is however probably
a practical reason.  I am not familiar with the design of the pipes in
the Smith organ, but usually the face is mitered above the mouth and
the edge just above the mouth is rather thin.  This thin edge would
more difficult to attain in a soft wood and would also be more
vulnerable to damage.

In the Wurlitzer 105 that I just completed I used clear pine for
all sides of the pipes with not problems.  I am thinking, however,
of building a new set of flageolets with faces of some attractive
hardwood since these pipes are visible.

Howard Wyman