[ Bob Baker wrote in 020723 MMDigest: ]

> Also, I had thought that one might use band organ transcriptions, but
> such Wurlitzer music is not chromatic and the tonal resources of a
> harmonium are not similar to those of an actual military band organ.
> So, that music resource is not practical.

Actually, back when I owned a Mason-Hamlin reed organ, my housemate and
I used to play the Tom Lehrer Song Book on it.  "So Long Mom, I'm Off
To Drop the Bomb" sounded just like a band organ, at least to our
untrained ears back then.  This organ had the sub-bass reed box, and
the 2' Aeolian Harp (Celeste) in the bass, so you could get all sorts
of useful effects.  Properly arranged MIDI on this would be a blast.

But I must agree that there's no place to mount solenoids under the
keyboard, as the pallets are there.  And mounting them over the keys
in a Vorsetzer/Ubersetzer scheme would block your access to the stop
knobs.  Changing stops during the performance is a must if you expect
any fun or good musical effect.

Best approach might be to forget completely the organ's appearance
and hand playability, and automate the stops as well (with *large*
solenoids).  You could start with an organ whose innards are restorable
but whose case finish is damaged.

Sad to say, there are more old reed organs than anyone wants, and
rebuilding one in this way (adding electric suction too) may be viewed
not as a travesty, but as saving it from the kindling box.

Mike Knudsen