Melodian help

[Robert Goodale]

I've rebuilt a couple of these.  Their history dates back to the 1700s onward.
The first one I did was W.W.II era military issue painted the traditional olive
drab.  This was sort of the same idea as the infamous military steinway
uprights.  The military melodeons were sent to field locations for army
chaplains to conduct services.  They folded up into a suitcase type box, very
compact.  If you didn't no better you would think it was luggage.  The other one
I rebuilt was from the civil war era.  It belonged to a lady who told me stories
that her great grandparents had passed down that the instrument was purchased
new by her family and literally lugged around on a cart that was used for
carrying cannon balls.  Odd that both melodeons I worked on were related to war.

Anyway they are basically very small read organs, typically a single rank about
3 1/2 octaves or so.  There really isn't too much to them. Just a pair of
pumping bellows, (sometimes just one large one operated by one foot), a
reservoir, and a combination read/valve chest.  The mechanics are simple.  It is
a pressure instrument so stiffeners are required in the pump.  The pump uses
ordinary player type flap valves.  Use basic light read organ pump cloth.  If
you decide you want to try and tune it, beware.  Many of these old instruments
have very brittle reeds and you risk breaking one.  Use hot glue only
throughout.  I wouldn't charge any less than you would to rebuild a player pump,
and possibly more if the valve chest needs work.  You may discover that the
valves, (typically pallet type), need new leather.  I would leave the price open
ended so that the customer knows that there could be some extra expenses.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV

BSimon999@AOL.COM wrote:

> A prospective customer called the other day, asking that I repair the bellows
> of an antique melodian. I was recommended to them because I used to do a lot
> of player piano rebuilding.
>
> I do not think I have ever seen a Melodian, and would like any information
> about how difficult it would be for a player technician to rebuild/recover
> the main bellows. ( customer's diagnosis)
>
> Anyone know anything about these instruments, or might have worked on them?
>
> This is a keyboard instrument, apparently with reeds,  at which someone sits
> and pumps pedals for vacuum /or pressure, NOT the hand operated
> accordian-like instrument.
>
> Thank you for any information.
>
> Bill Simon
> Phoenix