Our new organ maintenance company is the Thompson Pipe Organ Co. of Seaford, Va. under the direction of Mark Thompson.
Their work is specialized in historic organs, such as our 1850 George Stevens organ. They were recommended by Bill McCoy of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Our George Stevens organ is one of 12 in the country and the only one in Va. They work on another Stevens organ in NC. We are fortunate to have a tracker organ, mechanical action organ that fits our worship space. They are preferred over the more modern electronic organs.
The following tasks are part of the work:
1. The tuning collars for the pipes were installed undersized and too tight for the pipes. The tension causes grooves to be cut in the pipes. This can slice the pipe or collapse it at top. He has to reshape a number of pipes which he describes here:
2. Setting the organ back to the original wind pressure and stabilizing the main double rise reservoir. Current the bellows which supply the air are opening only half way.
3. All pipes in the 8 foot reed section need repitching and regulation. Pipes need regulation so they will be smooth and even with the organ.
4. Some pipes are out of their holes and overspeaking providing too much sound in relation to others.
5. Bringing the blower bellows from attic. Mark will build a baffle box to house the blower below the left window in the gallery (when facing the gallery). It will be at window level so it won’t show. He will reconfigure the main wind line and build a wood cover the line.
The main reason for this last task is to avoid extreme hot or cold air which will cut the tuning to one time a year rather than four. In addition, the hot air and humidity is bad for the pipes.