WURLITZER STYLE 146 BAND ORGAN RESTORATION PROJECT (Part 2)
by Dr. Bill Black

In November of 2001 Dr. Floyd Moreland and I wrote an article describing an overall view of the restoration of the Wurlitzer Style 146 band organ located on the carousel at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ. This new series of articles will expand on that article with more photos of the project. To provide some context to this new series, readers should first visit that article in the archive section of this web site at www.carouselsonline.com/bblack/cpier_restoration.php.

The restoration project began in October of 2000. This series will mostly be a presentation of the photos that were taken during the restoration process. We wonąt go into great detail in descriptions since the basic restoration process is similar to that described in the 105 restoration series.

PHOTO A - The bottom pipework has been restored. Over the years, some of the pipe mouths had opened up to the point where there is too much opening. This causes the pipe to use a lot more air than necessary. A lot of pipes with this problem can result in some instability in pitch when large chords are played. New fronts were made for a few pipes. The pipes were cleaned and new shellac finish applied. The stoppers have been releathered.

PHOTO B - The bottom pipes have been installed on the bottom board. The wind inlet on the back of the pipe is glued over the appropriate hole in the channel board by means of a leather gasket. The other end of the back of the pipe is also glued to the bottom board with a piece of leather. It is necessary to use the leather for the attachment. The bottom board flexes as the pressure pump operates. If the pipe was glued directly to the board, this flexing will break the glue joint.

PHOTO C - The bottom board with the pipework attached and the channel board are screwed onto the case. The case is upside down in the photo.

PHOTO D - The repaired lower portion of the case is screwed into position on the case.

PHOTO E - The case is now placed in an upright position.

PHOTO F - This is the under side of the top of the case. Over the years, oil from the counter shaft and motor on top of the organ has seeped through the top and softened the wood. A new top was made.

PHOTO G - White paint is applied to the case and the inside received a varnish finish.

For more information on the Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Carousel at Casino Pier, visit: www.casinopiernj.com/index.html

Dr. Bill Black is one of the nation's most knowledgeble Wurlitzer band organ experts. He has made recordings of many band organs and other mechanical music machines which are available for purchase in our Gift Shop .