I am a carousel operator in Burnaby, British Columbia.  We have a
Wurlitzer 146b organ that only plays when the ride is going.  The
carousel is inside an air-conditioned building.  In order to protect
our hearing, we have agreed to turn off the piercing trumpet pipes.
As a result, the organ isn't as loud.  In addition, we have placed
Plexiglas in front of the facade, but have drilled holes in it in
order to have the bells and pipes sound as "authentic" as possible.

All of the operators are okay with the trumpets being turned off.
True, the low notes are sacrificed, but at least we have the organ
playing while the ride is spinning around.

It is most unfortunate that the trend in the United States is toward
placing band organs behind windows, such as can be seen at Santa Cruz,
but I suppose it's better than having taped music substitute for the
band organ.

Whenever we have trouble with the organ, we turn on the loudspeaker
system that plays CDs and invariably the riding public asks "Why isn't
the Wurlitzer playing?"  I hope that Canada will not see the same fate
as occurred with carousels in the U.S.A.

As a former resident of Coney Island in the 1960s, I can recall hearing
the B&B Bruder organ playing until 3 A.M. on a busy week-end.  I was
able to hear the organ from my bedroom window where I lived in Luna Park,
just one block from the rides.  As far as I know, nobody ever complained
about the "noise" even at 3 A.M.  I guess because, if you lived in Coney
Island, it was expected.  Anyway, those days are long gone.  I look
forward to returning to Coney Island when the B&B Carousel and organ
once again play for the enjoyment of everyone.

George Karpel,
Burnaby Village Museum,
Burnaby, B.C., Canada

 [ See  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnaby_Village_Museum  -- Robbie