Carousels with "real" organ music?

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Black 7 said:
Knoebels actually has five organs that play in the park, though not all at once. There are three organs with the Grand Carousel that they switch between. The park actually owns ten different band organs, five are under restoration right now.

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I didn't hear about 10, but I know they have 3 that rotate in the Grand Carousel (MGR), 1 at the kiddie carousel (S&G), 1 near the Phoinex, and one that usually sits in storage near the Flume. I will have to check on the others, but I know it wouldn't suprise me. David Wynn is the man when it comes to carousel organs. If anyone ever wants to know the manufactuers, I have a Knoebels history book that lists some of them.

Black 7, do you work at the park?

I would work there, but the three hour commute would be a killer ;)

It is listed in the history book, page 67. David Wynn is probably tops in the business, as he has rebuilt several of the park's organs from almost the ground up.

I, for one, am glad to hear so many voices in favor of carrousel organs! It is trulya shame that CP has chosen to stop using their organs, although that is the trend at many
parks. Probably the largest reason is maintenance. For these old gals to play 12 hoursa day all summer long, requires some skilled maintenance and a bit of TLC. Bear in mind that most
of these organs (with the exception of the Stinson's) were built prior to 1930, and the numberof "technicians" with the ability to work on them is dwindling. It's much easier to plop
down a CD player, an amp and a couple of speakers than to have to fuss with changing rolls,cleaning tracker bars and tuning.

Hersheypark is committed to maintaining it's WurliTzer 153 in playing condition, and will continue to do so as long as I work there. Dr. Bill Black has taken the place of Mike Kitner in the specific
maintenance as needed. Bill is an authority on many types of band organs and learned his skills fromMike before his untimely death. (btw--we have the "modern tunes" roll at Hershey--I just don't care for it--after all, who wants to hear Welcome Back Kotter on a carrousel?)

If you enjoy band organ music on carrousels, make your voice heard to the parks that still have them,
operating or not. *** Edited 4/27/2004 10:43:53 PM UTC by Comet Rider***

As far as the people who work on organs, we're out here.Yes it's not cheap, but realize it's a skilled profession. The bean counters feel that you don't have top a working organ on a carousel (regardless of it's age), a CD changer, an amp and four speakers do the same thing at a fraction of the cost. Sure it does. Just watch somebody who realizes that the music eminating from that large box is live, not a recording. It leaves a permanent impression.

just curious, thought that the MB Pavalion's still did, but just a thought, am I right?

The Welcome back Kotter song would be pretty lame but the Sanford and Son theme would be awsome!

Actually GLs organ is played by a little old lady in the center. Shes so cute and nice and bakes us cookies everynight. j/k. But yes GLs still runs great and the organ was actually rehabbed two or three seasons ago. It can actually play 20 different songs, but its usually just stuck on the most annoying one.

Who's the manufactures of the carousels that use real organ music?

Are they all the classic carousels or do modern ones use real organ music?

Most band organs I have seen use a dual pneumatic system...a vacuum system reads the paper music roll, and the vacuum is used to operate pneumatic relays so that the pressure system can drive the pipes to make the music.

While that's a neat system, it's also complicated. Nowadays, there are conversions and new organs that have only one pneumatic system, just the pressure system to drive the pipes. Instead of a vacuum system for control, these organs use electrical controls and a little computer that can play MIDI files. I guess the Knoebels organ across from the Phoenix has been modified in that way. Instead of being able to play, say, 20 songs, a MIDI controlled organ could play hundreds of songs, could play all day without repeating.....

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

...and in answer to the manufacturer question...

Band organs are not manufactured by carousel manufacturers. The exception is that Allan Herschell used to sell a little box containing a record player and a big speaker for its carousels, and some modern units may now come with sound systems. There were many band organ manufacturers, but it seems that 'the industry' has converted most of them over so that they can play Wurlitzer music rolls. Today, Stinson still makes band organs, both roll fed (Wurlitzer-compatible) and MIDI-driven.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

There are quite a number of organ builders inGreat Britain and in Europe. There are several firms in Belgium still in the business, the most notable being Johnny Verbeeck. He built the replacement organ for Seabreeze. I'v seen the work he's done for several private collectors in this country, and it's first rate.There are builders in Holland and Germany as well. In the US there is still two commercial builders of band organs. Stinson, as was mentioned, and the Johnson Organ Co.

Midi systems are great for a commercial appplication. It greatly reduces the number of moving parts, and increases the play time before repeating the cycle. Midi files tend to be more expensive than Wurlitzer recut rolls, but much cheaper than cardboard books.A new organ with MIDI is darn near foolproof, and other than tuning it at the beginning of the season needs little if any attention. *** Edited 4/28/2004 5:51:58 PM UTC by Dutchman***

I don't think anyone else mentioned it, but Dorney Park has a working organ on their Grand Carousel don't they? Unless I'm totally missing something, it sure sounds like the real thing to me.

They also have one by the little Carousel by the Ferris Wheel, but that one isn't always on. Don't know what the deal is with that one actually. Was that left over from the Carousel that burned, or did they buy that one just to go w/ the new MGR in 86? I beileve that was the year they got it.

The Dorney Grand Carousel (and organ) is the former Frontier Carousel from Cedar Point. It was originally from Lake Lansing Park. It has what I considered at one time the best sounding Wurlitzer Style 153 I have ever worked with. Don Stinson did himself proud on that one, and I have told him that several times. I haven't heard it in years, although I do know that somebody is servicing it from what I have been told. As far aas the second organ I have no idea. The Chance machine that the park bought after the fire didn't come with one. Unless they brought the little style 103 that was in the Town Hall Museum. That one used to be on the Herschell kiddie machine that went to Valley Fair.

I don't know any technical information about carousel band organs, how they work, who makes them, etc. However, I know what I like and don't like in life, and I know that a carousel with a live band organ is a treasure to behold and experience. I have ridden carousels with awesome recorded organ music and they are great, but still they don't compare to the experience of riding an antique carousel with a live band organ. That is truly delightful.

Then there are the carousels with very poor sound systems, and they are the worst excuse for a carousel and are almost an insult when recorded music with poor sound systems are employed on a beautiful antique carousel ie. SFNE.