The Mason & Hamlin Portable Organ Restoration
This is my next project, which is my first "non-Canadian" organ to be fully restored.
The organ was purchased from a friendly couple in Cambridge, Ontario Canada, who had taken care of it for the past few years. They also had a handsome piano cased Thomas organ, so this little organ was not needed anymore. Here was a good opportunity to add a small Mason & Hamlin to my collection.
It has 49 notes, 2 ranks and the patented Mason and Hamlin "Automatic Bellows Swell" . This will be a nice organ to have around, as it will fit in the back seat of my car and with a little straining I can load/unload it myself.
The organ did make a little sound when worked hard, but I could not engage both ranks as there was too much air loss somewhere.
Will a little organ with plenty of potential issues be less work than a large church organ? After the first week I am thinking that it is going to be more work!
Time will tell...
Restoration Pictures
Click the links below to see the story of this restoration, 252 pictures total.
