This picture was taken at the time of my first overhaul of the organ in 1983. That time the pipes and chest were removed after lifting the organ vertically, and pulling the trailer from under it, in true "showman" style.
This picture was taken at the time of my first overhaul of the organ in 1983.
That time the pipes and chest were removed after lifting the organ vertically,
and pulling the trailer from under it, in true "showman" style.
The chest opened up, showing its pallets and springs, beforte overhaul.
This and the next two pictures show the kind of treatment these pipes suffered
at its last overhaul in 1990, with the widespread use of cross-head self-tapping
screws and even a steel angle bracket.
One of the stopped pipes needed some TLC following its past treatment.
Tuning slides needed cleaning and straightening, and their runners cleaning
out.
This was the condition of several of the cello pipe feet.
The case upturned to gain access to the sixteen bass pipes and action chest,
mounted below the organ's floor. It just fitted inside the lorry with the shutters
down, as shown on the left. In the background can be seen one of the drum cases
and the blower.
The inscription "B Varetto Dec 5, 47" was found on the pallet surface
in the bass chest. Unfortunately, it has had to be planed off as the surface
was bowed in the centre, preventing the pallets seating correctly.
Seven of the stopped pipes in position on the chest during re-assembly.
All sixteen pipes and their chest, now re-fitted in their position in the case.
Below is a close-up showing the cellos' long feet to allow speaking room for
the stopped pipes. In the centre can be seen both pipes of the highest note
sharing a common foot, the cello being fed from the side of the other's block.
