•I speak from total ignorance, but how can a brass reed break, unless someone maybe hooked it with a cleaning cloth or something? Do they fatigue? Mark Kinsler

•Brass reeds can grow old and the metal crystallizes. A new reed can be hand made by removing the rivets holding the reed in place and obtaining the same thickness of brass, cutting it to slightly larger in size and filing it to fit the slot in the reed base. Once the tongue fits the base, the reed ...

•For replacement reeds, measure the frame exactly and try Robert Linnstaedt at or http://members.aol.com/linnstaedt/organ.html Note that it's not enough to just find a reed with the same frame size, (even if it's stamped with the same note designation); it must be tuned exactly to match your existin...

•Yes, organ reeds break. They do not fatigue, but brass is an alloy of zinc and copper. As you have seen in a zinc organ pipe, after some years the solid gray color of the zinc turns into a multifaceted crystallized look found on pipes older than a few decades, and if you crease the zinc it will bre...

•Brass reeds don't usually break (at least not the kind you see in regular organs). They use brass because it is easily workable, and can be manipulated to have the correct curve, which is important in voicing reeds of the kind I mentioned. However, if you work the reed back and forth at an extreme ...

•By far the best solution is to try and find a replacement reed. I have quite a selection of brass reeds but (a) I'm in the UK, and (b) I haven't seen Melodia reeds, so I couldn't be sure of a replacement without some additional information. Greg, if you want me to try and find a replacement, e-mail...

•In the 06.08.12 MMD I made reference to Gary Stevenson's article on tuning and repairing organette reeds. I just heard from Gary, and he kindly provides a PDF version of the article I referenced, on his web site, available for your use. See http://www.studio801.com/Article04.pdf Since Gary has pers...

•Thanks to all who have offered suggestions. Luckily, Harold Draper responded to me directly and has the exact reed that I need, along with instructions for how I can tune it to the pitch of my organette. Greg Farmer

•In MMD 060908 Arnim Whisler asked how to replace rubber rollers of Piano Melodico. Arnim, I could give you precise answers how to do it for the smaller (30 notes) Piano Melodico as well as for the larger ones (48 and 73 notes). But you should wait for my answer until about October 10 because I will...

•I also have a 30-note Melodico whose rollers need fresh rubber and I would appreciate any hints. This must be a common problem with book-operated organs as well. I had thought of buying some rubber tubing of the largest diameter that would fit over the metal core of the rollers, but I haven't pursu...

•The rubber rollers in fairground organ keyframes can be recovered by a firm that restores rubber rollers in printing presses. There are a number of these firms around the world. They will ask for the diameter and hardness required. Remember that the original rubber has probably hardened, so don't g...

•Hello MMD, I have a bit of a predicament. I removed the front board on the second tier of striker pneumatics to check for debris and clean the nickel tubing, when one of the nickel-plated copper (brass?) tubes broke off of its base 'nipple connector'. Is there anyway that I can reattach it? Can I g...

•I have had unbelievable success with a product available from The Rust Store at https://www.theruststore.com/ It's cataloged as SKU T90012, Boeshield T-9, 12 oz. Aerosol, $12.99 + $6.95 S&H. If you have a marine supplier near you, more than likely you will be able to get it there and save the shipp...

•Hi, A close friend of mine has a Mason & Hamlin upright T-100 Welte upright. Unfortunately it has stopped playing and it has been suggested that the cut-off valve is stuck. Unfortunately he doesn't know where to find the cutoff valve or where to start looking. If anyone has an upright T-100 and cou...

•Hello MMD, I just have a quick question in regards to the nickel-plated tubing that is welded into the nipples that stick out of the stack front board tiers. A few of them are a little loose and can be twisted slightly in the wood. I heard that I should be using epoxy to glue these back in. But, I'...

•Hi Folk, I would like to introduce myself: Andy (or re-introduce myself as I was a MMD subscriber back in 1996(!) until a complicated house move down to Devon in 1997 when I unsubscribed). I remember communicating with Jody and Robbie back then. Then I had two Aeolian player pianos (not Duo-Art) bo...

•Hello MMD, I was wondering if anyone can tell me the type of metal that a transmission frame is made of? In my dismantling process, I have broken off a piece, and I'm going to need to get it welded back on. I don't think it's cast aluminum, but I can't be sure. The player is a Otto Higel from 1915...

•I have used J-B Weld, sold at auto supply stores, on some broken castings with success. Welding the pot metal, that old metal parts in a player piano are usually made with, takes a _really_ expert welder and you need a spare part because it will probably be ruined with a "I did the best I could" ex...

•Repairing zinc die-castings (Zamak, or more commonly pot metal) can be a major problem. I have had some success using industrial epoxy and a brass or aluminum plate bolted on each side. The only other option would be to use the old piece as a plug and make a mold. A home made gas fired furnace will...

•Hi! I have seen repeatedly on the television a half-hour commercial for something called "Alumiloy". It is designed to be used with a common propane torch and really seems to be the ticket for damaged aluminum or pot metal fabrications. It comes in rods. The ad really is impressive in what is shown...