- Details
- Last Updated: 17 April 2015 17 April 2015
This is a Link Orchestration Style A. It has 49 playing notes, plus 12 octave coupled bass notes and 12 coupled treble. 28 flute
pipes and 28 metal Violin pipes, Triangle, tambourine, Tom Tom (tambourine beater), snare drum, 2 wood blocks, mandolin rail and will be adding a bass drum. Also will be adding a custom wireless midi system.This is one of the rarest and largest Link Orchestrations built. Only a hand full known to exist. I'm proud to have the opportunity to bring this magnificent instrument back to life.
https://www.robertsmusicalrestorations.com/index.php/restoration-projects/completed/10-link-orchestrion-style-a#sigProId6815c281e9
*****THE RESTORATION*****
Items are listed in no particular order. If you have any questions or comments about this restoration please click HERE.
Plate and Soundboard
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Roll frame Roller
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The Rubber roller gets hard with age and paper will start to slip. You can see someone sanded it for more traction. The Rubber roller gets hard with age and paper will start to slip. You can see someone sanded it for more traction.
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Here, Roller had been re-surfaced. Better than new! Here, Roller had been re-surfaced. Better than new!
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Valves & Pneumatics
When doing a restoration I always do everything I can to keep things as original as possible but if there are small things that can be done to increase the performance then I will make an exception. In this case a midi system is being installed so the valve system has to be 100%. The original valves have 2 negative things about them. For one, they have a “floating” top disk that basically sits loose in the well. Most actions they are connected to the stem in some way. Secondly, the stem is too small on the bottom of the valve and allows the valve to move around too much, even hitting the sides of the well (picture 1)in some cases. We took care of this and built new adjustable valves somewhat like a Wurlitzer valve that would sit in the middle of the well and can adjust the valve travel when the unit is all together.
As for the pouches, originally Link used “silk” backed pneumatic cloth for the pouches and regular cotton backed pneumatic to cover them. The problem is that although Silk backed pneumatic cloth is still available and is used for very small pneumatics, the rubber is stiffer than they used back in the day therefore doesn’t react the same. So, tested and rebuilt a couple of units using the silk backed cloth, Morton’s leather (maroon color) and zephyr skin. Being that the tubes coming from tracker in this Link are longer than normal. After testing for the best reiteration and response, Zephyr beat hands down. So that’s what was used.
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You can see how the valve seated off center and close to the edge. You can see how the valve seated off center and close to the edge.
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Pouch and top half. Pouch and top half.
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New valve on left, old on right New valve on left, old on right
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Setting valve travel under vacuum Setting valve travel under vacuum
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Completed unit Completed unit
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Pipe Chest
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New leather covered valves New leather covered valves
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Silk backed pneumatic was used like original in the chest. Silk backed pneumatic was used like original in the chest.
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All pouches installed All pouches installed
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COMPLETED COMPLETED
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Piano Action
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Replaced felt in damper rods. Replaced felt in damper rods.
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Metal rods are glass beaded and lacquered and backchecks are also finished. After the old checks are removed and replaced. Metal rods are glass beaded and lacquered and backchecks are also finished. After the old checks are removed and replaced.
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New Butts. Everything together New Butts. Everything together
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dampers installed and regulated dampers installed and regulated
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Hammers installed to laser straight precision Hammers installed to laser straight precision
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Miscellaneous Items Completed
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PUMP PUMP
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Top of pump Top of pump
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Pressure reservoir Pressure reservoir
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Bass Drum (custom made) Bass Drum (custom made)
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Bass Drum Pneumatic Bass Drum Pneumatic
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Back of piano. Vacuum reservoir and bass drum Back of piano. Vacuum reservoir and bass drum
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Registers Registers
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Coin box. New door was fabracated Coin box. New door was fabracated
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Coin box Coin box
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Pipe supply on and off switch Pipe supply on and off switch
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Snare drum Snare drum
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Snare drum Snare drum
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Snare Drum Snare Drum
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Snare Drum Snare Drum
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Bottom
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Bottom piano board was split in many places. A new board had to be made. Bottom piano board was split in many places. A new board had to be made.
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Installing a spline for stength when gluing the seams. Installing a spline for stength when gluing the seams.
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Strong joint! Solid oak Strong joint! Solid oak
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Before Before
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After. Notice all hardware are nickel plated. After. Notice all hardware are nickel plated.
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MIDI System
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Brackets for solenoids Brackets for solenoids
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Installing and wiring the solenoids. I have these custom made in China. Installing and wiring the solenoids. I have these custom made in China.
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Complete Complete
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Solenoids installed Solenoids installed
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Midi board, supply etc. Midi board, supply etc.
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************COMPLETED**********
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**********Videos**********