Using Mark Wicks, Organ Making for Amateurs, 1887, I make a few organ pipes with paper as his book describes. I was amazed to learn that they sound reasonably fine.
Thank you for posting this. I've had the Wicks book for at least 20 years myself, and am only now slowly getting good enough at woodworking etc. to think about trying my hand at building a tiny organ. I've always been curious what the pipes Wicks described would sound like. And here's my answer! The way they wrote instructions sure was different back in 1887. I think I would need to read, and then re-read, and then "translate" the instructions into something I could follow more easily for each step.
Nice to see my favourite USA music making man still at it. It took me 30 years to find the Wicks book and sure enough the information was enough to start me on my 25 years of organ building for the world. One of my most special 20 note organs had 8 paper pipes as the accompaniment, these were modified from Wicks ideas. Happy Christmas Robert and many more to come.
Your comment about the USA man makes me happy! Given your world wide audience, that is really special. My last organ project was constructing your Universal, along with glockenspiel as you recommended. A truly wonderful project for all time. The Mark Wicks paper pipes were made about 30 years ago. I just wanted to demonstrate their sound quality. Given my age of 77 (your age too!) I really don't think I will attempt one of his organs. Yes, Christmas is a wonderful time as we remember our Savior's birth once again. This gives us the incentive to finish our journey. Take care John! bobh
Hello John, I'm thankful to have arrived at age 77. Given my family history, this did not seem possible. And so, we continue on until we are called Home. I'm glad we are friends.
Been There Done That, with IBM computer punch cards. One suggestion: build up layers thicker at the center of open pipes and the top of closed ones, where the antinodes of the oscillation are. I also built a 1 octave chest from cardboard, and used carbon paper for the pneumatics.
I read that book too and was fascinated by the paper pipes. Yours sound very good. Wicks said to use cartridge paper but I couldn't find any. I was born about a century too late it turns out. I bought lead & tin pipes for my organ from Belgium (a lot easier!).
You should do it. You could just make 4 octaves. Those pipes didn't sound bad, but a little stringy. It may be possible to voice them to sound more like principals. This is definitely interesting.
It's fascinating and less harsh sounding than plastic or tin.. But, it seems like even a little dampness could easily destroy your work. I wonder if the pipes could saturated with some kind of waterproofing.
Hello Robert, what a pleasure to stumble across your videos. Would you say it is easier to make paper pipes than wooden ones? Did you go any further with this and start building another instrument? Best wishes, Alex
Thanks for your interest! This was just a demo to indicate paper pipes work. It requires rolling and gluing paper to desired thickness. I'm thinking wood pipes are easier to construct. I never went any farther with paper. Just the fact that it works was interesting to me. I have constructed two street organs with wood pipes, and a calliope with aluminum pipes. Very enjoyable projects! My site has examples of all three. Thanks again for writing. Bob John 3:16
Robert Hammell would you know how to make an electric organ have that same Majestic sound that a pipe organ does? I'm currently playing a Thomas organ Paramount Deluxe, and have always enjoyed the sound of a cathedral pipe organ. Any help would be appreciated, thanks! By the way, I'll probably end up getting that book! Thanks for explaining it! Also, I liked and I'm going to subscribe as soon as I finish this comment!!
👍.... NO NO NO....DON"T blow into those paper pipes...The humidity in your breath will distort and hasten the deterioration of this precious pipes....Use a large balloon.....
@@bobeileen1 Hi Robert. Are you into computers. Look at and download Miditzer and you can play organ with your computer mouse. This will give you 3 x 61 note keyboards and 24 note pedals . Having said that, I can't think of anything more clever than making pipes from flat paper and voicing them and then tuning them to play a chord. Congratulations on your patients and skill.
Thank you for posting this. I've had the Wicks book for at least 20 years myself, and am only now slowly getting good enough at woodworking etc. to think about trying my hand at building a tiny organ. I've always been curious what the pipes Wicks described would sound like. And here's my answer!
The way they wrote instructions sure was different back in 1887. I think I would need to read, and then re-read, and then "translate" the instructions into something I could follow more easily for each step.
Oh my, I read that book a LONG Time ago. Terrific that you followed the instructions.
It is most interesting to read. Thanks!
Hello Robert, i must have missed this when you did it! Wonderful - hope you are well - best regards from Peter in Paris
only just saw this. how cool is that! we all have projects like that. sometimes they get made sometimes they dont..
Thanks. Yes we all have a running file in our imaginations of things to do! We give it our best shot.
I just had an idea for another material to use: Carbon fiber. Maybe I will try it some day.
That's pretty good. I took the challenge to build a full size and operational pipe organ which is made from paper.
PVC pipe is another material I commonly see used in home made instruments. It's also a low cost material.
YES. 😆👍
Nice to see my favourite USA music making man still at it. It took me 30 years to find the Wicks book and sure enough the information was enough to start me on my 25 years of organ building for the world. One of my most special 20 note organs had 8 paper pipes as the accompaniment, these were modified from Wicks ideas.
Happy Christmas Robert and many more to come.
Your comment about the USA man makes me happy! Given your world wide audience, that is really special. My last organ project was constructing your Universal, along with glockenspiel as you recommended. A truly wonderful project for all time. The Mark Wicks paper pipes were made about 30 years ago. I just wanted to demonstrate their sound quality. Given my age of 77 (your age too!) I really don't think I will attempt one of his organs. Yes, Christmas is a wonderful time as we remember our Savior's birth once again. This gives us the incentive to finish our journey. Take care John! bobh
Hello John, I'm thankful to have arrived at age 77. Given my family history, this did not seem possible. And so, we continue on until we are called Home. I'm glad we are friends.
I also have the book and made some pipes and they sounded pretty good.
The instrument that Mark Wicks built is still in existence. Each rank was of a different coloured paper. A very gentle sound but it worked well
Where is this organ?
Been There Done That, with IBM computer punch cards. One suggestion: build up layers thicker at the center of open pipes and the top of closed ones, where the antinodes of the oscillation are. I also built a 1 octave chest from cardboard, and used carbon paper for the pneumatics.
I read that book too and was fascinated by the paper pipes. Yours sound very good. Wicks said to use cartridge paper but I couldn't find any. I was born about a century too late it turns out. I bought lead & tin pipes for my organ from Belgium (a lot easier!).
I used good quality print shop white paper--just guessing around. I'm sure your lead and tin pipes sound wonderful!!
Where did you obtain your pipes from? I have long nurtured a dream of building a portative organ and the paper pipes have renewed my hope!
Dar wäre was für mich. Topp Handwerker!
You can download the book for free: archive.org/details/organbuildingfor00wick
Thanks for this link. Great to know about it!
How did you do the pipes? Can you make a tutorial please?
I'm sorry, can't provide a tutorial but you may find the book Online.
Robert Hammell ok thanks
You should do it. You could just make 4 octaves. Those pipes didn't sound bad, but a little stringy. It may be possible to voice them to sound more like principals. This is definitely interesting.
It's fascinating and less harsh sounding than plastic or tin.. But, it seems like even a little dampness could easily destroy your work. I wonder if the pipes could saturated with some kind of waterproofing.
Very good idea. I think painting them with shellac would work.
Hello Robert,
what a pleasure to stumble across your videos.
Would you say it is easier to make paper pipes than wooden ones? Did you go any further with this and start building another instrument?
Best wishes,
Alex
Thanks for your interest! This was just a demo to indicate paper pipes work. It requires rolling and gluing paper to desired thickness. I'm thinking wood pipes are easier to construct. I never went any farther with paper. Just the fact that it works was interesting to me. I have constructed two street organs with wood pipes, and a calliope with aluminum pipes. Very enjoyable projects! My site has examples of all three. Thanks again for writing. Bob John 3:16
@@bobeileen1 Thank you for your reply, Robert. And it is good to remember John 3.16.
Alex
WONDERFULL 😆👍
The actual details of making the pipes, esp the cutout bit, would be very appreciated, whoever might do that.
The A 440 is about 17 cents sharp.
I'm pleasantly surprised that the paper pipes sound as good as wooden ones!
Yes, I found that rather amazing!
Robert Hammell would you know how to make an electric organ have that same Majestic sound that a pipe organ does? I'm currently playing a Thomas organ Paramount Deluxe, and have always enjoyed the sound of a cathedral pipe organ. Any help would be appreciated, thanks! By the way, I'll probably end up getting that book! Thanks for explaining it! Also, I liked and I'm going to subscribe as soon as I finish this comment!!
Ace's Antics if you find something, please respond, I want to build an electric organ myself.
Electric
I don't have any knowledge about electric organs. Advancements in electronics have greatly improved and can come close to the sound of real pipes.
Como consigo los planos.
👍.... NO NO NO....DON"T blow into those paper pipes...The humidity in your breath will distort and hasten the deterioration of this precious pipes....Use a large balloon.....
After, make Organ Pipes with pencils
Flat paper
exactly
Genyous!)
Thanks for your fine comment. Really I'm not super smart, but I love pipe organs.
@@bobeileen1 Hi Robert. Are you into computers. Look at and download Miditzer and you can play organ with your computer mouse. This will give you 3 x 61 note keyboards and 24 note pedals . Having said that, I can't think of anything more clever than making pipes from flat paper and voicing them and then tuning them to play a chord. Congratulations on your patients and skill.
Why breathing so heavily
why do i do that