Materials

Choosing the best and most durable materials is crucial for a pipe organ. For such a complex and costly instrument that should last for centuries, investing in quality materials is a must.

The pipe organ is subject to wear, the effect of climatic changes, and air pollution. Only high quality materials can guarantee durability and long-term reliability.

Wood:

The most used and most critical material in pipe organ construction is wood. It is used for all of the major internal parts: the windchests, which house the mechanisms necessary to control the pipes, the bellows, and the wooden pipes.

Wood is always affected by humidity changes in the atmosphere, and this can potentially create severe damage to its structure, both aesthetically and regarding functionality: pipes can stop playing, or can play continuously, out of control. The risk of potential damage can be largely reduced by the proper choice and the proper treatment of woods.

All of the functional internal parts of a Fratelli Ruffatti organ are made from Sipo mahogany. Its contraction and expansion rate is less than half that of other woods commonly used in organbuilding, specifically oak. This means that Sipo is a more stable and reliable material. Also, its natural properties are emphasized by the way it is cut and seasoned.

Fratelli Ruffatti selects the Sipo mahogany logs as they come off the boat from Africa. It is the best among the several varieties of mahogany, and its origin is certified according to the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) rules and regulations, ensuring sustainable forestry. The wood is then cut with the “quarter sawing” or radial technique, and subsequently seasoned at our shop for five years.

Pipe Metal:

Tin and lead are the traditional components of metal organ pipes. Ruffatti prepares its own alloys according to the structural and tonal needs of each organ stop. The starting point is always Malaysian tin and 99.99% pure lead. No better material can be found on the market.

Tin and lead, combined in a variety of ratios, are the ingredients of our metal pipes. Varying the proportions of tin and lead in the alloy allows us to customize the sound quality of each stop. More tin in the alloy provides better structural resistance, a shinier appearance, and favors the development of upper harmonics in the sound. This is the reason our façade pipes are manufactured with an extremely high percentage of tin: 95%.

Leather:

Leather, extensively used in pipe organs, is a perishable material. Its durability has always been a matter of concern because it must be periodically replaced at great expense. It is a common belief that an organ needs to be re-leathered after 25 years or so.

Our experience is quite different. At Fratelli Ruffatti we only use leather which is tanned utilizing traditional methods, costly and difficult to find, but which has great long-term advantages. By tanning with the traditional methods, the leather retains its natural oils, which keep the material supple. Rather than drying out and cracking when it is used as a hinge, or when it needs to inflate and deflate, the leather stays soft and flexible for a surprisingly long time. This is a lesson that we have learned from restoring ancient organs. In many cases we find leather in almost pristine condition, after well over half a century of use.

The manufacturers we represent build not only the finest products available, they are also safe for you and the environment.  Our manufacturers conform to the many safety, sustainability and environmental standards that our customers expect and deserve.

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