Antique pump organs (also called reed organs)
are wonderful musical instruments. Much like a cross
between a piano and an accordion, they use foot-operated pumps
to generate the necessary air flow to make noise. Pump
organs often look quite a bit like pianos -- they have a
keyboard and typically are shaped much like an upright or
studio piano -- but they are really quite different
inside. A piano uses felt-covered hammers to strike steel
strings, whereas a pump organ uses air passing through a brass
reed to make its sound.
Below are several articles that I've put together that have
to do with the pump organ. It's basically a "soup to
nuts" compilation. My guess is that you, like so many
other people that own pump organs, don't know a whole lot about
what makes them tick.
I think you're going to find it hard not to find at least
one article that catches your interest. And if you have
any questions, as most people do, give me a call.
- 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.
- Pump Organ Refinishing
Discovering the natural beauty of your reed organ's finish can be nothing short of stunning. This page includes several pictures of a refinished pump organ that was left in its natural color.
- Parts for Pump Organs
A comprehensive list of suppliers of parts for old pump organs. If you need a piece for a repair, this is definitely the place to start.
- The Customer's Restoration Photo CD-ROM
One of the products of a pump organ restoration done by Rod Fudge is a photo CD-ROM showing all aspects of the restoration process.
- Certificate of Restoration
An overview of the documentation and certifications that are provided to customers of Pump Organ Restorations when we restore your antique pump organ or reed organ, including a certificate of restoration, letter of appraisal, and more.
- Restoration Areas
This page includes a partial list of areas on your antique pump organ that are replaced or refurbished during a restoration by Rod Fudge in Acworth, Georgia.
- Bringing To Life Your Organ's Finish
How to bring the finish on your antique pump organ to life, without stripping!
- 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 Pump Organ?
Curious about where you can find a pump 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 Pump Organs Were Made From Hard Woods
Curious about the wood that was used to build your antique pump organ? This article explores what kinds of woods were traditionally used to build these magnificent instruments.
- 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 Pump Organ Be In Tune and Yet Out of Tune?
How can my pump 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 pump organ tuning, and why some organs aren't in tune with other instruments.
- Rescue Shelter for Unwanted Pump Organs
If you have a pump organ or reed organ that you need to get rid of, Rod has some ideas for you on this page, including donating it to an historical society or nursing home.
- 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!
- 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 Pump Organ Sheet Music
Information about finding sheet music suitable for your antique pump organ.
- Products for your Pump Organ
Some products that Rod recommends for those who would like to keep their pump 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
A 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"
- Pump Organ Seats
Piano Stools are NEVER Pump Organ Seats! Here, we look at what a proper pump 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 Pump Organ!
Avoid nastry surprises when you bring home an antique pump 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.
- Pump Organ Manufacturers
At one time or another (generally between 1840 and 1930) there were approximately 600 pump organ manufacturers in the United States.
- 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 Pump Organs
Who exactly built all of those old pump 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.
