The Mute Trombone

In early summer 2007 low C of the pedal 16' Trombone went dead. There were no mechanical issues with the trackers and action, and when the reed was re-tuned it still did not speak. We did know that air was reaching the pipe.

The Trombone has full-length wooden resonators and is by-and-large very easy to access EXCEPT FOR THE BOTTOM FEW PIPES on the C side, which is very difficult to get to. Knowing that the issue was within the pipe, likely a dirty reed and/or dead bird or bat, the next step would need to include lifting the resonator and block off of the boot. This would allow cleaning of the reed and removal of any dead animal or other debris blocking the air flow. This is easier said than done and after some months and numerous attempts, I gave up. The problem was not going to fix itself and I was not going to be able to do it myself even with the good advice I gathered from George Bozeman and Dave Wigton. In addition I brought some clever mechanical-type problem solvers in to see the logistical issues and although we had ideas, none was pursued. I finally called in Dave Wigton to do the deed.

Dave climbed up on the top of the 16' open wood and lifted the resonator from above while an assistant at the bottom helped guide and support it. Finally it broke free and was lifted up over the walk-board behind the Swell, turned upside down and after some poking and shaking, a long-dead bird fell out.

The reed was cleaned and put back in place and the resonator restored to its home (long to stay put I trust), tuned and regulated and we were back in low C Trombone land!

The Mighty Hook

I have the joy and responsibility of playing and tending the three-manual, 41-rank pipe organ originally built in 1861 by E. & G. G. Hook, Boston, as Opus 300 for St. John's Episcopal Church, Detroit, and rebuilt by Hook & Hastings in 1891.

In 1903 the organ was sold to Holy Cross Church, Marine City, for the new church building. It has served faithfully in this second home for over a century. The organ, which contains mostly unaltered Hook pipework, was rebuilt/restored in 1977 by George Bozeman who added some stops originally planned for, and who restored a suitable case as was present in the original installation, the original case being discarded in 1891.

I do virtually all of the tuning and day-to-day maintenance of this instrument (Dave Wigton is on call and does the tricky, specialized stuff). In the five years since my arrival at this place I have increased in awe and respect for the innate quality of the construction and beauty of the voicing. As most of the flue pipes are cone-tuned and exceedingly stable, I rarely touch them. The reeds take most of my tuning attention and I intend to log the ongoing process of tuning them, as well as the other occasional mechanical and maintenance issues that I attend to.

Stay tuned!