[HAM] Key Contacts

[John Freund]

> The key combs are squeeky clean.  Let me add an important detail:  The
> highest Ab key on the upper manual sticks on the first drawbar.  When the
> key is up, the first drawbar sings loud and clear...if I depress the key,
> it goes away.  The key works backwards of it norm.  All other drawbars
> work fine on that note.  I am wondering if a key contact is bent.  Can you
> remove the contact?
> 
> P.S. I have shifted the busbars and repeatedly played the key...I don't
> think this is a gunk/debris issue.

Jordan, 

Sounds like the contact has somehow gotten pushed PASSED the bussbar, hence
it's working in reverse.  I've heard that this can happen but I've never
seen it.  Actually, I take that back, I think a house organ I played was
suffering from this exquisite little inconvenience.

At any rate, before you go pulling out your hair and the manuals, try this -
don't know if it'll work but try it....In normal operation, the contact is
close to it's bussbar (below) when at rest but a significant distance from
the one above so you shouldn't foul up any other contacts by doing this.  

Take the offending key out.  Turn the organ on and gently and slowly pull UP
on the actuator.  You might be able to return the contact to it's proper
position.  I suppose it is possible to bend the contact doing this if you
haven't already, but if that's the case you're almost as screwed as you are
now and you still have to open the manual and replace the contact.  Contacts
are easy enough to get, they're just a bitch to get out.

I can't remember if the GSM has the procedure for this or not.

Good luck.  Seriously.

/John