The Recent Revolution in Organ Building: Being an Account of Modern Developments — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building: Being an Account of Modern Developments
John Stuart Mill · en
Now, if the reeds be left in this state and the organ be used for any
length of time, it will be found that point B of the tuning wire will
have risen upward until the abnormal strain upon the tuning-wire spring
has been satisfied. In consequence of this, this particular note will
be sounding flatter in pitch than it ought to do.
Conversely, if the portion of the tuning wire lettered C be slightly
driven down, as in Figure 33, the retarding effect of the friction of
repose at point B will cause the lower portion of the tuning wire to
approach nearer the tongue than it should do.
If now this reed be left in this state, after the pipe has been used
for some time and the tongue has been vibrating, it will be found that
point B on this tuning wire will have traveled nearer to the tip of the
tongue, in order to relieve the abnormal strain upon the lower portion
of the tuning wire. Point A will then have resumed its normal position.
In Figures 32 and 33, the defective action of the lower portion of the
tuning spring has been purposely exaggerated in order to make the point
clear. This bending of the tuning wires, however, takes place to a
much larger extent than most organ builders imagine. It is the chief
reason why reeds fail to stand in tune.
When point A on the reed tuning wires is rigidly supported and held by
force in its normal position, reeds can be made to stand in tune almost
as well as flue pipes.
Figure 34 represents the Hope-Jones method of supporting the tuning
wire at point A. It consists of having a brass tube T inserted in the
block moulds before the block is cast. This tube T therefore becoming
an integral part of the block itself. The inside bore of tube T is of
such diameter that the tuning wire fits snugly therein.
In Figure 35 another method used by him for accomplishing the same
purpose is shown. In this case a lug L is cast upon the block,
forming, indeed, a portion of said block. The lower end of lug L is
formed into a V, which partly embraces a tuning wire and supports it in
such manner as to prevent improper movement of said tuning wire at
point A.
When this method of construction is employed, the reeds are very much
easier to tune, and, when once tuned, will stand infinitely better than
reeds made in the ordinary way.
[1] Some organs have been made (notably that in Temple Church, London)
with separate keys for the flats and sharps.
CHAPTER XII.
PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.