Here are a few pics of my custom built band organ based on the Wurlitzer 125 scale. I started out with a 1950's version of a home-built Roy Norman organ that I rescued from a flooded basement in Council Bluffs, IA. Original organ played book music (4 tunes came with the organ) of indeterminate scale.Original organ had 5 bass notes, 9 accompaniment notes, 14 melody notes, no trumpets. After repairing water damage, Iadded Kimber-Allen (from UK) solenoids in place of the tracker bar. The K-A solenoids are the only ones I could find that would close against the 10" wp.
Found a termite damaged Wurlitzer glockenspiel on E-Bay, was able to save enough for 14 notes. Have 13 now playing the trumpet (counter melody) part. With 14 possibilities, if desired, I can change the bars and move to the melody section.
I have also added a rank of trumpets that the grandchildren love: Each time a trumpet note plays, a rubber duckie pops up! Have also added bass drum and snare drum using left-over Wurlitzer glockenspiel valves.
I operate it from a used laptop computer, running Voyetra Record Producer software. MIDI driver board was obtained from Sound Research in Newcastle, CA.
Doesn't compare to an original organ, but it makes lots of happy music !
Final pic is a photo of the valve installation in the little band organ. I did not have space to leave the tracker bar in the cabinet so it was removed. It can be put back anytime, but I have only 4 songs on book music.
For further information, I may be contacted at removed
