Mudfog Reed Organ--Restorations

REPAIRS

If a reed organ is functioning reasonably well (it makes music to the satisfaction of its owner), simple repairs may be all that is necessary.  This Weaver/J.F. Hughes & Son needed some grill cloth, a new treadle strap, and the reeds cleaned so that all sounded.

WHEN NOTHING CAN BE DONE...

Virtually any  reed organ in any  condition can be restored to playability if the owner is willing to spend enough time or money or both. 

Sometimes, a reed organ has been stored under adverse [usually = wet] conditions, and is so badly damaged that restoration to musical viability is impracticable.  When this is the case, the reeds can be pulled and saved, along with many other useful parts (high on this list are screws!)

...In every case, an attempt should be made to gather enough information to register the instrument with the Reed Organ Society Database (<reedsoc.org> .  It will "save" the instrument for future researchers.