I thought our readers might be interested in following the progress of the restoration of a Wurlitzer style 105 basket case. This is a project Mike Kitner and I are working on every now and then. The work won't progress rapidly enough to provide an article each month, but rather an occasional update. The most difficult work is being done by Mike in his shop and some of the other parts in my workshop.

We are starting out with many of the major components present but in unrestored condition. We have the pressure pump (A), vacuum pump (B), windchest (C), spool box (D), cymbal beater (E), channel board, pump sticks, pipe parts, a box of unit valves and stack parts, crank shaft casting, snare drum beater mechanism, trumpet boots and reed assemblies, and other assorted small parts.

We are missing the organ case, drums and some of the pipe work. We have for reference many photographs of a previous restoration of a 105 done by Mike Kitner in his shop. Don Neilson also permitted me to take photographs of the 105 in his collection (picture shown) to also use for reference. We also have a copy of Bob Stanoszek's manual for building a 105 organ as a source of measurements.

Of course, the most important asset in the project is the many years of experience Mike Kitner has in band organ restoration.

Dr. Bill Black is one of the nation's most knowledgeble Wurlitzer band organ experts. He has made recordings of many band organs and other mechanical music machines which are available for purchase at CarouselStores.com.

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