Below are over 100 points of information that I've done on the reed organ. It's basically a "soup
to nuts" compilation. My guess is that you, like so many other people that own reed organs, don't know a
whole lot about what makes them tick.
- Do You Have Questions About Your Pump Organ?
This document describes how you can contact Rod Fudge of Pump Organ Restorations to get answers to your questions about pump organs or reed organs.
- Can't Find Information About YOUR Reed Organ?
Are you looking for more information about YOUR reed organ? Rod can probably help; he's got quite a bit of information on most of the 600+ manufacturers available. Just email for assistance!
- How Do I Find My Organ's Serial Number?
If you're not sure where to locate the serial number on your antique reed organ, this article will help you find it.
- Missing Manufacture's Name
This can be a problem. Unfortunately, some pump organs today no longer show the name of the manufacturer which always appears along the front of the organ's stop board.
- Who Really Built My organ?
Although the overwhelming number of pump organs built in this country bore the real manufacturer’s name, many did not.
- Reed Organ Materials
If you would like to try your hand at just repairing your reed organ, Rod can help. This article includes contact information for a business that carries a variety of materials to repair your pump organ.
- My Pump Organ Won't Make a Sound!
Many people have no idea how to get any sound out of their reed organ. Is that you? In this quick article, Rod reveals the solution.
- Leading Reed Organ Manufacturers
As in almost any industry there are always a handful of companies that are recognized as "Industry Leaders." On this page, you'll find a list of the two dozen or so best-known Reed Organ manufacturers
- America's 653 Pump Organ Companies
In the United States alone, there were approximately 653 names of pump organ companies! Rod presents the counts broken down by state.
- Pump Organ Manufacturers
At one time or another (generally between 1840 and 1930) there were 653 pump organ manufacturers in the United States.
- The Institute of Musical Instrument Technology
One of their goals is vintage or antique musical instrument restoration, which includes pump organs.
- Too Much for a Reed Organ
Don't pay too much for a reed organ! In this article, Rod arms you with some important information about the market for used pump organs and how much you should expect to pay for an antique reed organ.
- Proper Way to Operate the Foot Pedals
Rod explains how to properly operate the foot pedals on an antique pump organ.
- The Customer's Restoration Photo Album CD
One of the products of a pump organ restoration done by Rod Fudge is a photo album showing all aspects of the restoration process.
- Dealing With Damaged Hutch Mirrors
A quick fix for a hutch mirror that has lost some of its "silvering" over the years.
- Abolitionist John Brown's Wedding Present to his Daughter
Abolitionist John Brown gave his daughter a beautiful melodeon as a wedding present. This short article includes a photo of the instrument.
- Where Can I Buy A Reed Organ?
Curious about where you can find a reed organ to buy? Rod's got some suggestions.
- Estey & Co. Was The Biggest
More than 600 companies manufactured pump organs in the United States, but no one built more organs than Estey & Co of Brattleboro, Vermont.
- Why Reed Organs Were Made From Hard Woods
Curious about the wood that was used to build your antique reed organ? This article explores what kinds of woods were traditionally used to build these magnificent instruments.
- The Restoration of Antique Musical Instruments
The restoration of old, vintage antique musical instruments is a complex and difficult process requiring various techniques and knowledge.
- Does My Organ Have Ivory Keys?
Many pump organ owners are interested in knowing if their organ has ivory keys. In this article, Rod explains how to find out.
- What Are The Folding Knee Levers For?
Ever wonder what the folding levers located above the foot pedals are used for? Rod sheds a little light on the mystery...
- Is It Pump Organ, or Reed Organ?
The answer to a question that comes up a lot in my line of work: Is it a pump organ, or a reed organ?
- Estey Philharmonic Organ
A great article about The Estey Philharmonic Organ; not your typical, garden variety antique parlor reed organ!
- Video Music Clips
Links to some very interesting clips on YouTube of Pump Organ music. This is a great opportunity to hear what these fantastic instruments sound like!
- The Physics of the Pump Organ
An interesting research piece into the physics of the Pump Organ by Kristina Knupp.
- How Can My Reed Organ Be In Tune and Yet Out of Tune?
How can my reed organ be in tune (relative to the notes on the organ itself) and yet out of tune (relative to other instruments)? This article looks at the specifics of reed organ tuning, and why some organs aren't in tune with other instruments.
- Visit A Pump Organ
A list of museums (and other locations) where you can visit an antique reed (pump) organs.
- No More Foot Pumping
An electric bellows unit can be retrofitted to your antique pump orgran so that you can have an option of whether or not to manually pump the organ by foot.
- Eliminating Musty Antique Smells
Some informational tips for caring for your antique reed organ, including how to get rid of musty antique smells, hide light scratches, and more!
- The University of Connecticut -- Antique Musical Instruments.
Researchers at the UConn are using 3D printing medical technology to bring new life into some old antique musical instruments. This kind of technology could help the study of delicate vintage musical instrument restoration.
- Why Children Stop Playing the Piano
An interesting article explaining the five reasons that children stop playing the piano. It doesn't pertain directly to pump organs, but is interesting nonetheless.
- Family Heirloom Considered Priceless
Heirlooms take on a special significance in some families, such as the one described in this article, who wanted the foot peddles on their antique reed organ left undisturbed in the restoration process.
- Pump Organ Diagram
A fascinating look at the inner workings of an antique pump organ.
- Finding Reed Organ Sheet Music
Information about finding sheet music suitable for your antique reed organ.
- The Rollerplayer Organs
You generally don’t run across them all that often, but they’re still out there. Here are a few photos and model names of what you might see. Some black and white photos aren’t the best because they’re taken from original company catalogues.
- Products for your Reed Organ
Some products that Rod recommends for those who would like to keep their reed organ looking its best.
- Meet the Brass Reed
Meet the all-important brass reed. It's the brass reed that makes the sound we hear when playing a pump organ.
- A Selected Bibliography on Reed Organs
Resources for information regarding reed organs, as compiled by the Smithsonian Institution.
- Canadian Reed Organ Manufacturers
This page contains an excellent list of Canadian Reed Organ Manufacturers
- Number Of Stops
Is it important how many stops my pump organ has? Does more stops mean it's a better pump organ? This article from Pump Organ Repair and Restoration Services answers just that question!
- Common Stop Face Names
American pump organ manufacturers used approximately ninety different names to identify a wide variety of different musical tones and pitches. This page, provided by Pump Organ Restorations, lists about 40 commonly used "stop face names"
- Reed Organ Seats
Piano Stools are NEVER Reed Organ Seats! Here, we look at what a proper reed organ stool (or seat) really looked like, along with a variety of pictures for illustration.
- Learning to Play The Pump Organ
A great resource for those who may be interested in learning how to play the pump organ.
- You May Want These Books
Information on how to order Robert F. Gellerman's "The American Reed Organ and Harmonium" as well as "Gellerman's International Reed Organ Atlas"
- What's The Upper Section of a Pump Organ Called?
It was very common for pump organs to have an upper section called a hutch or canopy. Learn more about it in this article.
- Insects in my Reed Organ!
Avoid nastry surprises when you bring home an antique reed organ...clean it thoroughly before you bring it inside because of the possibility of everything from mice and snakes to moth infestations!
- They Were Called Melodeons
Articles and information about Melodeons; small reed organs with a five- or six-octave keyboard, most often housed in a piano-like case.
- Walt Disney's Pump Organ
In Disney's 1939 classic motion picture, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, we get to see the only pump organ that Disney Studios ever made.
- Home Delivery Way Back When
A picture showing how home delivery of pump organs was accomplished in the 1800's.
- The Men That Built The Reed Organs
Who exactly built all of those old reed organs? Here's a picture that answers the question!
- Turn Yellow Keys into White Keys
If you have an antique keyboard instrument with keys that have yellowed over the years, here are some techniques for turning them white again.
- A Reed Organ Liquor Bar?
Found on eBay: An antique reed organ converted into a bar!
- Reed Organ Drawings
Parlor organs were often known for the exuberence and detail of their cases. This article includes a link to a wonderful collection of sketches that were intended as design ideas for future instruments.
- History of the Player Organ
A fascinating history of the player organ -- or Pianola -- is available from the Pianola Institute's website.
- Why People Turned Away From Pump Organs
The pump organ was wildly popular in the late 1800's. What happened?
- Oil Lamps & Candles for Reed Organs
Many antique reed organs were built with round, wooden candle holders. In this article, Rod talks a little bit about how these were used.
- Types of Reed Organs
In this article, Rod outlines the 12 different categories of reed organs, complete with pictures.
- Tuning the Reeds
Some insight into the process Rod uses to tune an antique reed organ.
- Pump Organs at War
Pump organs were used throughout all branches of the armed forces during both World Wars, as well as the Spanish American and Korean conflicts.
- Common Pump Organ Problems
Rod provides a list of common problems with pump organs and their causes. Useful in troubleshooting issues with your reed organ.
- Reed Organ Manufacturers By Country
An interesting chart showing the count of reed organ manufacturers by country. It's fascinating to see all of the places from which reed organs and pump organs originated!
- Dollhouse Pump Organ
Pictures of a dollhouse hobby model pump organ that Rod put together.
- On The Lighter Side
A humorous letter from a colleague working on restoring a large Estey reed organ.
- The ORGAVAC
The "ORGAVAC" - Reed Organ Vacuum Pumps - Completely eliminate foot pumping and improve the performance of any reed organ!
- A Reed Organ Music Box
A "not so antique" reed organ music box.
- Landfill - Final resting place of Many a Pump Organ
Sadly, every year pump organs of every kind are turned into municipal landfill.
- WARNING -- To Pump Organ Buyers
Beware of people on line that sound like circus barkers trying to sell pump organs
- Do I Own a Stencil Organ?
Although the overwhelming number of pump organs built in this country bore the real manufacturer’s name, some did not. It was common for pump organ manufacturers to build organs for other pump organ companies.
- The Monster Pump Organs
The pump organ company Gilbert & Co., located on King’s Road, London, England sold a three manual organ that came with 40 stops and 1,365 reeds.
- Hollywood and the Pump Organ
Although it’s not uncommon to see an actor playing a piano in a Hollywood movie, it is uncommon to see one playing a pump organ.
- Reed Organ Publications
Here’s probably the best collection of reed organ related publications that I’m aware of that can still be purchased. The fellow that sells them is also a Reed Organ Society member.
- A. B. Chase Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the A. B. Chase Company.
- Adler Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Adler Organ Company.
- Beckwith Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Beckwith Company.
- Bell Pump Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Bell Pump Organ Company.
- Burdett Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Burdett Organ Company
- Cable Hobart Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Cable Hobart organ Company.
- Carhart & Needham Organ Company
The following is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Carhart & Needham Organ Company.
- Chicago Cottage Organ Company
This is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Chicago Cottage Organ Company.
- Clough & Warren Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Clough & Warren Organ Company
- Cornish Pump Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Cornish Pump Organ Company.
- Dominion Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Wilcox & White Company.
- E. P. Carpenter & Company
The following is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the E. P. Carpenter & Company.
- Farrand & Votey Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Farrand & Votey Organ Company.
- Geo. P. Bent Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Geo. P. Bent Company.
- George A. Prince & Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Prince Company.
- Hamilton Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Hamilton Organ Company.
- J. Estey Organ Company
J. Estey Organ Co. “The largest pump organ company in America”
- D. W. Karn Organ Co. Ltd
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the D. W. Karn Organ Co. Ltd.
- W. W. Kimball Organ Company
This is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Kimball company.
- Lyon & Healy Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Lyon & Healy organ Company.
- Mason & Hamlin Organ Company
This is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Mason & Hamlin Organ Company
- Miller Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Miller Organ Company.
- Moline Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Moline Organ Company.
- Newman Brothers Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Newman Company
- Packard Brothers Organ Company
This is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Packard Brothers Organ Company.
- Prescott Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Prescott organ Company.
- W. W. Putnam Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Putnam Company.
- Shipman Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Shipman Organ Company.
- The Aeolian Company
The company started out in Meriden, CT., 18 W. 23rd St., New York, NY. Established 1891, and later were known as Æolian Organ and Music Company.
- The Cable Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Cable Organ Company.
- Vocalion Organ Company
The company was located in Meriden, CT; 18 W. 23rd St., and New York, NY 1900.
- W. Doherty & Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the W. Doherty & Company.
- Weaver Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Weaver Company.
- Western Cottage Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Western Cottage Organ Company.
- Wilcox & White Organ Company
Unfortunately, this is just about all the information that’s survived the passing of time on the Wilcox & White Company.
- The World’s Premier Collection of Vintage Antique Musical Instruments
On the campus of University of South Dakota, located at 14 East Clark Street, Vermillion, South Dakota, is the Nation Music Museum.
