Pipework & Electrical Power for the
Nidd Hall Welte Style 6 Orchestrion

(Photograph courtesy of Ken Goldman)

Some of the tiny treble range pipes seem dwarfed amongst the towering bass Wald flutes and tall Posaune reed-pipe toes and boots.

(Photograph courtesy of Ken Goldman)

The backside of the central sunburst arrangement of Trumpet pipes is in the center, with a section of tall metal flutes just behind. The boots and one resonator for the Posaune rank can be seen to the left of the central sunburst, with more Posaune pipes behind, in front of some large wooden flutes.

(Photograph courtesy of Ken Goldman)

The Posaune pipes that were barely visible at the left side of the photograph just above this one are clearly visible here. Note also that the enclosure for the Welte has no front or ceiling provision for any kind of grillwork or opening, which would have allowed the musical tones to easily escape the hard surfaced, plastered enclosure. Thus, the Welte must have been very subdued musically, and enjoyable, if audible, in only a few nearby rooms.

(Photograph courtesy of Ken Goldman)

The metal flutes (near the front of the instrument) are just behind the rank of Clarinet pipes. The large wooden boots contain the shallot, which supports an adjustable free reed. The short conical resonators protruding out the top of each boot helps to produce a full bodied sound, much like that of a real clarinet.

(Photograph courtesy of Ken Goldman)

The original direct-current electric motor for the Welte Orchestrion is alongside a more modern alternating-current power supply/rectifier.