Reed Organs Ireland

Peloubet and Pelton

This Peloubet and Pelton reed organ dating from the 1880’s is from the Dernakesh Church of Ireland Chapel of Ease near Cootehill in Co. Cavan. It was restored in 2019. The case was stripped by Brian Connolly and the case repaired and French polished by John Kenny of Breffni Restorations,

The organ was in significantly bad condition. The case needed repairs and in general the organ had been worked on over the years in a less than sensitive way but at least in such a way that it was kept alive.

The keyboard was the worst I’ve ever dealt with. Some keys needed to be replaced. The pedals were also beyond repair and had to be replaced. Below are some before and after photos with some captions describing the work involved.

All key fronts were detached and many were missing

All key fronts were detached and many were missing

The pedals were not entirely original, were worm eaten and beyond repair

The pedals were not entirely original, were worm eaten and beyond repair

The music desk was badly worm eaten

The music desk was badly worm eaten

A piece was broken off the case and was repaired by John Kenny

A piece was broken off the case and was repaired by John Kenny

The right side lamp stand was entirely missing

The right side lamp stand was entirely missing

All key fronts were detached and many were missing

The pedals were not entirely original, were worm eaten and beyond repair

The music desk was badly worm eaten

A piece was broken off the case and was repaired by John Kenny

The right side lamp stand was entirely missing

A sanding of the reed pan prepare it for a coat of shellac based sanding sealer

A sanding of the reed pan prepare it for a coat of shellac based sanding sealer

New reed bed felt applied

New reed bed felt applied

Reeds prepared for the ultrasonic cleaner

Reeds prepared for the ultrasonic cleaner

Reeds back in situ. Notice some non original replacements in there

Reeds back in situ. Notice some non original replacements in there

Felt cut for the pallet valves

Felt cut for the pallet valves

3-4 keys were so far worm eaten that even with wood hardener applied it was not salvageable

3-4 keys were so far worm eaten that even with wood hardener applied it was not salvageable

A new key was fashioned out of old keys from scrapped organs

A new key was fashioned out of old keys from scrapped organs

All key tops were glued back on

All key tops were glued back on

All keys were re-bushed.

All keys were re-bushed.

A sanding of the reed pan prepare it for a coat of shellac based sanding sealer

New reed bed felt applied

Reeds prepared for the ultrasonic cleaner

Reeds back in situ. Notice some non original replacements in there

Felt cut for the pallet valves

3-4 keys were so far worm eaten that even with wood hardener applied it was not salvageable

A new key was fashioned out of old keys from scrapped organs

All key tops were glued back on

All keys were re-bushed.

New stop faces, original Peloubet and Pelton, from Germany

New stop faces, original Peloubet and Pelton, from Germany

New maple roller for the lid to slide over

New maple roller for the lid to slide over

New brackets for the entire music desk to attach very securely to

New brackets for the entire music desk to attach very securely to

New stop faces, original Peloubet and Pelton, from Germany

New maple roller for the lid to slide over

New brackets for the entire music desk to attach very securely to

This rather agricultural looking screw was not original and was replaced with a maple roller

This rather agricultural looking screw was not original and was replaced with a maple roller

Two stop faces were missing. Replacements were sourced in Germany

Two stop faces were missing. Replacements were sourced in Germany

The end of the treble 4’ mute had been butchered in the past to receive a spring. This was repaired

The end of the treble 4’ mute had been butchered in the past to receive a spring. This was repaired

This rather agricultural looking screw was not original and was replaced with a maple roller

Two stop faces were missing. Replacements were sourced in Germany

The end of the treble 4’ mute had been butchered in the past to receive a spring. This was repaired

The bellows with integrated bellows platform was sanded and re-sealed with sanding sealer

The bellows with integrated bellows platform was sanded and re-sealed with sanding sealer

New leather inner valves

New leather inner valves

New bellows cloth applied. The last of my Schaff cloth supply

New bellows cloth applied. The last of my Schaff cloth supply

Bellows installed. The underside of the new pedals is just visible

Bellows installed. The underside of the new pedals is just visible

The bellows with integrated bellows platform was sanded and re-sealed with sanding sealer

New leather inner valves

New bellows cloth applied. The last of my Schaff cloth supply

Bellows installed. The underside of the new pedals is just visible

New pedals installed!

New pedals installed!

The black bar of the music desk was worm treated, holes filled and painted

The black bar of the music desk was worm treated, holes filled and painted

Brand new lamp stand thanks to wood turner Paul Toolan and restorer John Kenny

New pedals installed!

The black bar of the music desk was worm treated, holes filled and painted