This is a newly made Bass Drum Beater for a Wurlitzer 104/105 Band Organ. (may fit other models)

          The bass drum beater mechanism uses a combination of both vacuum and pressure to operate it. It is basically a large vacuum pneumatic operated by a valve which collapses the pneumatic and the beater strikes the drum. To produce a healthy strike on the bass drum, this large pneumatic is needed. This pneumatic is inflated by wind pressure (tested at 5”) via a 1 1/4” inlet tube. This pneumatic is spring loaded with the springs arranged to try to force it closed and the beater to the drum head. This spring pressure is adjusted to be overcome by the wind pressure and the beater is held in the position away from the drum head ready for a strike. When the air pressure is exhausted from the pneumatic using a vacuum actuator (not included) it collapses the valve pneumatic and presses the internal valve to release the spring pressure and the beater which is connected to the pneumatic is forced forward to strike the drum head.

    This unit has a 1 ¼” pressure inlet and a 3/8” vacuum tube that usually connects to a vacuum actuator (not included, but available). The beater is designed to be used with a 19”-24” Bass Drum. Has a 2” striking ball and is 12” from the top of the pneumatic. Has a 7”x7” mounting surface. Striking pneumatic is 6”x9”.

NOTE: In the pictures there is a 14” Snare Drum (Not Included) Not a Bass Drum. I just used it to give somewhat of a visual. Sorry I didn’t have a bass drum available at the time. Its also connected to a board (not included).

     I spend a great amount of time trying to build these units with as much detail as possible. The main draw in my opinion that attracts people to Band Organs, Nickelodeons or any other Pneumatically ran musical instrument is watching the moving parts as it plays and the Bass and Snare Drum Beaters are usually the main instrument in view and are the most interesting ones to look at in action. Keeping that in mind I build ALL my instruments as if they where going to be my own. Using and finding the best materials possible.90% of the lumber I use is hand picked Maple and all glue joints are done with Hide Glue.