After some 40 years restoring reed organs as a hobby, Jim Tyler has, in early retirement, opened a 2500-square-foot facility devoted to the repair and refurbishment of reed organs, melodeons and harmoniums.

Ever a “Mr. Fixit,” Jim takes particular pleasure in converting what many might consider “a piece of junque” into the musical instrument it was intended to be when built. This often requires fabricating new parts, since there is NO “supply” of materials for repairing reed organs beyond the basic leather and felt.

The Reed Organ Man was recently featured in an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. He is a past President of the Reed Organ Society and is currently editor of the Reed Organ Society Quarterly.

The Restoration Gallery shows a few examples of Jim’s recent work, and the For Sale section shows some instruments that have been refurbished and are in need of new homes and owners to cherish and play them.

What makes The Reed Organ Man tick? Here are a few of his pet diversions.

Evidence of an early interest in reed organs: Jim watches Trudi Dickson play a much-abused Estey at Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, when he was about 8 years old.