Fixing an 1846 Prince & Co. Melodeon Pump Reed Organ

[@Lucius1958]

The 1846 date refers only to the Carhart patent on suction bellows; melodeons were popular up until about 1870. I hope you were able to get the instrument into better condition: besides recovering the bellows (both the feeder bellows and the windchest), you should replace the flap valves, check the pallets (recovering them if necessary), and of course clean the reeds. A small speck of dust can often silence a treble reed; and corrosion also takes its toll. If you haven't tried it, soaking the reeds in toilet bowl cleaner will often bring them up bright as new (remember to rinse them off thoroughly afterwards). Horton Presley's *Restoring & Collecting Antique Reed Organs* (TAB Books, 1977) has a very good section on melodeons; if you can find it, get a copy.

[@ohger1]

I don't know a lot about restoring these, but one of the things I learned is that Presley's book recommends white glue which is a NO-NO. While it works now, restoring the organ in another 100 years will leave it in a tough spot. Hot hide glue (as originally built) will allow a future restorer to apply heat and moisture to liquefy even 100 year old dried glue to allow easily disassembly. Animal hide glue is why 400 year old violins can be easily disassembled for repair.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I hope the new Reed Organ arrives.

[@ReedOrgans]

Awesome! "...because I'm an idiot" lol! Sorry to inform you, but it is because you are infected with the reed organ bug, it is rarely curable and you will likely get a larger one to restore next time.

[@isaacposselt7089]

Rodney Jantzi- But fixing reed organs with no idea what you're doing, is an irresistible challenge! That you just can't get your mind off of!

[@ChuckAndLucy]

I suppose I have been terribly infected with the "reed organ bug" as I am constantly looking for more reed organs to work on restoring. Shopping for ones on eBay that are 'only a few hundred miles away'. Or locally on Facebook Marketplace for ones that seem to have so much sentimental value to the owners I cannot contemplate why on earth they would like to sell it? All I can hope is that the reed organ bug isn't terminal!

[@ChuckAndLucy]

So I see you said it's been fixed, Paul, but when are you thinking you'll post an update? I'm dying of anticipation!

[@solaristicusdamano]

Howdy, I have the same instrument and wonder if you'd be willing to share an 'in-position' picture of the plank that has the paper glued to it instructing on how to properly remove reeds. I have the same plank but it is detached and I can't quite figure out where it goes. There's nothing to support it in the position I see you have yours in and I wonder if there are some support pieces missing on mine......Thanks!

[@PaulHerbig]

Mine is at my parent's house right now and I'm not sure when I'll be back so I can't take pictures right now. From what I remember the piece is beveled on each side at an angle. It slides into an opposite shaped cutout on the two wood pieces that are to the left and right of the highest and lowest piano keys. It's best seen at this timestamp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iF6ZiJedfK1mm8k You may be missing those pieces. I might....might have extra ones at my parents' because I pulled all the extra pieces thinking that one day I'd need them, but I think that those were more a part of the actual housing which my fiance used as a table for a while until she sold it. If I get back I'll check and see, or if I don't have them I can give precise measurements of those pieces. They wouldn't be hard to make with a jigsaw.

[@PainterInYou]

You are such a dork. I love it! :)

[@aroomofmIOwn]

This is adorable! How has the repair job gone?

[@ChristinedelaCreme]

Watched this thinking I was going to get actual info on how to fix one--that ending sums up my answer I guess 🤣

[@PaulHerbig]

I did fix it! I really need to make a follow-up.

[@ChristinedelaCreme]

@@PaulHerbig Yes please! For the rest of us trying to figure it out 🤣 I just saw one for sale online and was trying to see if I might be able to fix it. But then I looked up to hear what it sounds like and wished there was a piano version instead, because it's so pretty 🤩

[@isaacposselt7089]

A thirty dollar organ is somewhat worth working on, if you're a little handy with wood, the dowel would be easy enough to find. I'd probably just try to make a wooden pedal, unless it has to be authentic.

[@lindamaika4259]

I just bought an 1855 melodeon piano like yours. No foot petals.v

[@superfuzzymomma]

Hey Paul - Much respect, Sir, for doing the work yourself. I have a ca. 1849 melodeon needing a few minor repairs, and practically NO personal mechanical ability whatever. You think I should just dive in as you have done, kind of learn as i go? Did you have to address tuning issues at all? Glenn

[@picardkid]

Paul, I just bought the exact same one at an estate sale, including pedal. But like yours, mine's bellows are shot, like completely. How did you go about fixing them? Did you work off of some instruction? Aside from that I just have to repair some cracks in the legs.

[@PaulHerbig]

This was the best instruction I could find: www.harmoniumnet.nl/melodeon-01.html I worked off the pictures there. I need to post an update video. Mine works great now!

[@tigger6186]

@@PaulHerbig unfortunately that link isn't working for me. I just aquired my 94 year old grandpa's Reed organ. I do have the petals though but the baffle is shot and I'm missing the rods for the petals. I'd love more info on fixing this family heirloom, hopefully before my grandpa passes so he can hear it play once again.

[@sharonmcqueentorres2459]

Soooooo tell us part 2

[@nutmegct]

Did you ever get the melodeon working again? Spare parts from the second one? Thanks. Tom M.

[@PaulHerbig]

I did! It's funny, someone else just emailed me with questions last night. I do have extra parts too. What do you need?

[@nutmegct]

Hi Paul. Thanks for the quick reply. I'm actually looking at a small pre-Civil War Prince melodeon, so I may want to contact you about a few small parts. Tom M.