In July, 2009, the new Robert Morton Three Manual console was found in Columbus, Ohio and brought back to Downers Grove. This turned out to be a rather easy move because the console came apart in many peaces and loaded into the back of a pickup truck.
Console parts here, parts there, parts everywhere.
A new platform was built so that it can be moved around to work on. It's beginning to look like an organ console.
One of the first tasks in the refurbishing project were the key tops. The ivory was in really poor shape on all three keyboards. Cracked, chipped, discolored and a few missing ones too. After researching key top replacing on the internet, it was decided to tackle this myself. Three new sets of piano key tops were order along with a pint of PVC-E glue. Removing the old ivory required heating each key top with an old cloth iron to soften up the glue, than prying each top with a small putty knife. It proved to be an easy process, even with the keys mounted.
%20ofDSCF0154.jpg)
Shinny White Keys
The old key contact rails had a double row of eight wire contact blocks, plus a second rail with another row of eight wire blocks. This totaled to 24 wire for each key, which made for a rather large cable coming from each keyboard.
The Artisan Organ Midi system requires only one wire for each contact, new contact rail were made. along with a multi-function interface printed circuit card. This card has provisions for a 64 pin connector strip, two 34 pin ribbon connectors and 64 LED's or Light Emitting Diodes. The card with just the headers and connectors is mounted on the contact rail and using 26 gage wire wrap wire and a wire wrap gun, a wire is connected between each key contact and the corresponding terminal on the card.
A second card with the LED's installed can be connected to the contact rail card, allowing for a visual indication of proper contact shorting bar adjustment.
After the Artisan HV-64 Input cards are installed, ribbon cables will be made to complete the connection between the key contact and the input cards.
The new contact rail with the contacts installed, wired and installed in the Solo Manual. The contact bar is adjusted from the top of the keyboard and with the LED bar, adjusting can be made without turning the keyboard over to see the point of contact.
The Key contact rails for the Great and Accomp. manuals are ready for the contact blocks to be mounted and wired. Each rail has both First and Second Touch contacts.
This is the Input and Midi control circuit for the console and is a basic system that will enable the console to be connected to the pipe side and be playable. The three cards on the left are the input cards for the three manuals and two input card to the right are for the Stop Tabs. The three cards in the lower right are the Midi controllers for the Stop Keys, Manuals and Pedals. The smaller card in the center is a Midi to RS-422 converter that connects the console to the pipe controllers through a single CAT-5 cable. This will be mounted in the console and connected to the manuals and stop keys using 34 conductor ribbon cable.
Last Updated: 08/31/2010