Wurlitzer Style 33
Mandolin PianOrchestra
Philipps Pianella Model Silvana-Xylophon
(Krughoff collection; Tim Westman restoration)
View of the early style belt driven crankshaft operated feeder bellows (or pump) using an intermediate speed reducing pulley. in feeder bellows produce both wind-pressure (to blow the pipework) and a vacuum (to operate the valve chests and other pneumatically motivated mechanical devices). |
The orchestra bells (or "chimes," if you go by Wurlitzer catalogue description) provide a beautiful accent to the music. This striker action has been modified to conform with the later style Philipps bell actions, with a set of internal control valves, which provide a very precise and quick acting response. Originally the bells were silenced by a thick felt curtain that dropped down between the actual bells and the row of pneumatically operated strikers. This clumsy arrangement was soon dropped in favor of a more effective design. |
 The pipe toes (for each individual pipe) in this 3-rank pipe chest fit into one of the holes bored into the top of the valve blocks. In the high treble range, where the pipes are physically quite small, two adjacent notes for each voice fit into the same block, using a back to back arrangement, which allows the two pipes to be very close to each other, while not "shading" each other. (Shading is the effect that one pipe has on another due to its physical proximity.) In the bass range, where the pipes are large, only one pipe for each voice fits into a block. The wooden blocks screwed down crosswise on the chest contain pouch valves, which are in turn operated by small primary valves located underneath the pipe chest assembly. A primary valve actuates the same musical note for all pipe voices. Running the length of the bottom board are three enclosed wind channels, one for each pipe voice. These channels are pressured or vented by a "ventil," a large capacity valve located in the box-like enclosure at the right. Whenever a particular pipe voice is to be activated, the appropriate ventil opens, supplying wind pressure to its channel. Whether a particular pipe then plays, or not, depends upon the pouch valve located under the pipe's toe. |
A flat leather belt, which is not yet installed, goes between the two cones. A pair of metal loops or guides (painted black) positions the belt laterally to maintain the desired music roll tempo speed. |
Pictured outside Tim Westman's restoration shop in New Hampshire, the casework for the Style 33 PianOrchestra is ready for its interior supporting shelves and mechanical components to be re-installed. Standing at left, admiring the size and beauty of the casework, is Herb Nutter, the clever cabinet maker who restored the case. At right is his wife, Martha, who did all the stripping and refinishing work. |
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