New Organ Build Topsy 3

[Marc Dannecker]

Ted,
One of my first projects of the summer was to try and make an Orchestrion I purchased last summer (bargain price, horrible sound) sound decent. A key to this was tuning a set of open flute pipes. I used the same approach Jay describes of cutting bit by bit until very close to the note and then sanding until there. This worked, except once where I went too far. I was prepared with thin sheets of brass to partially close the top to flatten the pitch(similar to what John shows on page 14 of the Topsy 3 construction drawings) but was amazed at how little of a change was needed to correct the pitch. Ultimately I ended up using a small bit of wood added to the top of the pipe in back and the problem was solved. My fix looks much like that in the lower left portion of page 13 in the topsy3 construction drawings. So, an errant over shortening of a pipe will likely not require a rebuild of the pipe as long as one of these corrections can be achieved without disturbing the visual aesthetic of the instrument (which must be why in most pipe organs few of the pipes are actually visible. . .)
Congratulations, you seem to be flying through this project. (I am slowly working on the much less complicated Busker)
Marc

[Daniel Wright]

Remember, using 'shades' at the top of the pipe for tuning are useful only on open pipes. For stopped pipes, I've used 'ears' ( made of cardboard or wood ) on the sides of the pipe mouth to lower ( flatten ) the note. This wouldn't look so great on the facade pipes, but for hidden inner ones works fine.

dan

[ted heid]

on page 13 construction drawings it shows a different top height for the inner lip for different pipes but is the lower end the same for all as shown in the d# full size drawing?

[ted heid]

the top of the inner lip is 2 1/4 inch from the bottom on 5 pipes and 1 3/4 from the bottom on the rest, thus the angle changes if the bottom of the plate stays the same distance ( left side of D# full size drawing) or the bottom distance must change if the angle is to remain the same on the remaining pipes. Make sense?

[Kenny Heermann]

Hello All, hows work going on the Topsy 3?

[Jay Caughron]

Hi Kenny I am working on voicing pipes and finishing up the counter melody and then on to the octave melody pipes. Im getting there but not the fastest.
Trying to get it done in time for the COAA rally in Weston MO

[ted heid]

pipes and windchests made, working on wiring and electronics. perusing why manual says to voice open pipes after painting or finishing. does finishing really affect tuning? Also future builders beware that unlike the other pipes melody octave pipe dimentions give speaking length not cutting length. Don't ask how I know.

[Jay Caughron]

I'm running a special on the compact reg board right now if anyone is interested and also have some SD players available too. Check my site

Jay

[Kenny Heermann]

Hi All, Jay, wife and I are planing on making a run to Weston on Sunday, looking forward to seeing you.

[Jay Caughron]

Hi All, Jay, wife and I are planing on making a run to Weston on Sunday, looking forward to seeing you.

Hope I can get it done in time.