John Smith Organs

The Senior 20 - a more comprehensive version of the Busker


The Senior 20 is slightly larger than the Busker, and has bigger bellows, a fast rewind system for the paper rolls, and a multifunction 'conductor' standing in front of the pipes.   It is intended to be used on a cart, or on a table top.

Any reasonably practical person can build the Senior 20, and the package supplied includes instructions, drawings, and a link to a downloadable video.   A minimum of machinery is needed - although a small bandsaw and pillar drill would be advantageous - and the methods used are fairly basic.   Some previous experience at making things (ideally working models)  basic woodwork skills, and the patience to cut out all the little bits that have to be stuck together, does help.  You need to be prepared to read and follow the instructions, and to watch the Video to get the final details. You also need to be able to work from basic drawings - if you need full engineers drawings with every small detail shown, then this package is not for you! There are lots of A4 pages of instructions and drawings. Along with the Video, there is a paper test roll.

The only aspect of the construction that might cause a problem to someone without metal workshop facilities is the fabrication of the crank used to operate the bellows.   If needed, help with this can often be supplied by the local model engineers club, or the metalwork department of a local school or college.   Alternatively, there are companies who offer various parts used in the construction of the Senior 20, as ready-made items - such as Roll Cutter - and these are listed on the Links page.



No details are given for front panel or case finishing, as this is left to the individual builder.  You will see in the Video that the organs can be made successfully using cheap, easy to work materials, but there is much scope for the advanced hobbyist to incorporate more refined engineering or exotic woods.   Pictures of some Senior 20 organs, and others designed by John, can be viewed in the John Smith Photo Gallery on Melvyn Wright's site.   Melvyn is a music arranger who gets the best out of a restricted range of notes, and who supplies punched paper rolls suitable for John's organs - see the Links page. He also has a page devoted to Articles about the John Smith Organs, which contains lots of useful tips and hints from other people who have made John's organs.