Antique pump organs (also called reed organs)
are wonderful musical instruments and use two foot-operated
pumps to generate the necessary air flow to produce their
sound.
Reed organs look quite a bit like pianos --
they have a keyboard and typically are shaped much like an
upright or studio piano. However they are really quite
different inside. A piano uses felt-covered hammers to
strike steel strings, whereas pump organs use air passing
through brass reeds to make their 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 reed 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Adopt This Organ
Looking for a pump organ? This one you may want to consider. It's from Rod's pump organ orphanage. These are pump organs that people have donated in the hope that some one will restore it and provide it with a new home.
- 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.
- Reed 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 reed organ that was left in its natural color.
- Parts for Pump Organs
The "go to guys" when it comes to finding 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Reed Organ Sheet Music
Information about finding sheet music suitable for your antique reed organ.
- 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
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"
- 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.
- 100 Pictures of Restored Reed Organs
A link to a website with dozens of pictures of restored reed organs.
- 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.
- Refinishing (Optional)
Although Rod generally doesn't recommend refinishing antique pump organs, he understands there are times when it can't be avoided.
- 12 Different Types of Pump 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.
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