Restorations
Depending on the size of the instrument, there are several hundred to many thousands of moving leather pneumatics and parts inside a pipe organ. As with any natural perishable material, the life of leather components is limited. As the decades pass, the leather wears and eventually needs to be replaced. Just like a car, or any machine, the engine will not last forever and will at some point be rebuilt to keep the machine going for the foreseeable future.
Pouchboards, reservoirs, tremolos, and swell shade motors all contain leather that deteriorates over many years. They need to have the old leather removed, cleaned, refinished, and have new leather applied. Not only are the aesthetics of the components a factor, but the materials used are exponentially more important. No synthetic glues or materials are used in our restorations and repairs in keeping with our builders association standards.
Specializing in both church and theater instruments, we have the unique experience of restoration work on several high profile historic instruments. From the reservoirs of the E. M. Skinner organ at the Detroit Masonic Temple, to full restoration of regulators and chests on the Fisher Wurlitzer organ in Detroit.
We offer complete restorations on instruments, or just certain divisions or components as they need it. Reservoirs and pouchboards are the most common items needing restoration, but sometimes pipework will also require attention from sagging or bending. We offer our restoration service across the entire United States, not just Michigan.
See some of our Before and Afters below
Restoring a previous restoration of a 1926 E. M. Skinner reservoir for the historic Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.
a 1920's Swell Engine from an Aeolian Residence organ in Detroit before restoration.
The same Aeolian Swell Engine nearing completion.
A 1911 E. M. Skinner static reservoir before restoration for a church in Bay City, Michigan.
The same 1911 Skinner reservoir completed and ready for installation in Bay City, Michigan.
A Wurlitzer Winker regulator before restoration.
The restored winker, with a new bottom fabricated as the original had seen water damage and warped.
A neglected Wurlitzer reservoir.
The same reservoir, restored.
A Wurlitzer Air Control Board and valve bed before restoration.
The restored Wurlitzer Air Control Board with the restored reservoir for a client in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Two Wurlitzer Primary valve boxes, showing a restored unit next to an original.
Two reservoirs from the great E. M. Skinner organ at the Detroit Masonic Temple, with an unrestored unit next to one we recently completed.
A Very rare E. M. Skinner wedge bellows from Opus 266, circa 1916 before and after restoration
A restored E. M. Skinner double primary with all new leather, gaskets, valves, and lead tubing