Wurlitzer Style 29C Mandolin PianOrchestra
Philipps Pianella Model 29 (Mandolino)
On Location at Knott's Berry Farm's Ghost Town Museum

(Photograph courtesy of Brian Smith)

The historic Wurlitzer Style 29-C PianOrchestra as it appeared in the Ghost Town Museum as of July, 1982. The large coin box attached to the front left side of the machine required two quarters (or 50 cents) to play one tune. The PianOrchestra is known to have been located in the museum building as late as 1989, but was probably removed and warehoused when the Jeffries Barn was converted into the "Wilderness Dance Hall," circa 1990."

(Photograph courtesy of Art Reblitz)

In this photograph, taken circa 1989, the large Wurlitzer 29-C Mandolin PianOrchestra is shown in what appears to be the Ghost Town Museum building at Knott's Berry Farm, although its position in the museum seems to have changed as compared to the photograph above. Removing the lower front case panel is (from left to right) Bob Rebensdorf of Knott's Berry Farm, while John Hovancak, a Wisconsin restorer, observes.

(Photograph courtesy of Art Reblitz)

Located directly behind the 6-station automatic roll changer is the piano with a mandolin attachment. Directly below the roll changer and its supporting shelf is the main valve chest or stack. The original Philipps stack was thrown out a long time ago, and in its place sits a makeshift replacement, which is partially visible. At the far left of the roll changes is a musical wood block, which has been added and is not original to a Mandolin PianOrchestra. The wood block may have been tubed to operate with the castanet perforation in the music roll.

(Photograph courtesy of Art Reblitz)

This view into the right side of the PianOrchestra (with the lower access panel removed) vividly shows the relationship of the roll changer, stack, and piano. To the front of the picture is the two-throw crankshaft, with a stepped wooden pulley and round leather belt leading up to the adjustable friction drive (or tempo control) on the automatic roll changer.

(Photograph courtesy of Art Reblitz)

Looking upward into the top section of the instrument the xylophone is at the front, and it appears to be missing at least two beaters, which probably broke off due to metal fatigue. To the right is the snare drum, bass drum, and cymbal. The two drums could easily be original to this instrument and installed by Wurlitzer before the PianOrchestra shipped from the North Tonawanda factory. The reiterating triangle action is in line with the xylophone and in front of the snare drum. The wooden pipework and the front rank of metal violins is somewhat visible behind the xylophone. The bass drum, tympani, and cymbal actions are not original to this instrument, and were added by Bob Huish when he owned the instrument, all of which appear to be parts taken out of a Wurlitzer photoplayer.

This is how the Jeffries barn attraction in the Ghost Town at Knott's Berry Farm looked circa 1978, when the Wurlitzer Style 29-C PianOrchestra was part of the Ghost Town Museum display.