Just do it

Organ builders are funny.

There is only one good organ builder in the world. Fortunately, you never have to look very far to find him/her, because it's always the one who is talking to you at the time. Everyone else is a raving lunatic or just an idiot.

You point out an issue that needs fixing and you get back, "Yeah, that's how [that builder] did things in those days." [And...?]

You point out an issue that needs fixing and you get back, "Yeah, I noticed that." [Might you be inclined to fix it while you're here and being paid for it?]

You point out an issue that needs fixing and you get back, "Yeah, they tend to do that." [And...?]

The tuning of reeds is perhaps the most contentious issue among organ builders. One swears by tuning on the scroll, one swears by tuning on the wire, and one swears by using both in a prescribed ratio that should not be changed. It is all a very handy argument that gets the builder off the hook for recalcitrant reeds and conveniently keeps you caught in the middle and spinning around helplessly with an organ that doesn't do what it's supposed to do. I can usually make the reed tuning argument go away, while giving the organ builder(s) an easy choice. I tell them, "Do whatever keeps the reeds in tune AND in regulation, or I will fire you and tell everyone that you don't know what you're doing. Just do it."

Of course, then that starts up again with, "Well you know, those reeds by [that builder during that era] just won't stay in tune unless you blah blah blither blather dither yada rattle yip yip yap yap jibber jabber whatever."

Dear organist: organs are machines. They are absolutely stupid, and they will do as they are made to do. Insist on a serviceman who knows how to make that happen. Reclaim your God-given right to play an organ that actually works, with stops that are actually in tune and in regulation. Hire service personnel who are good mechanics AND have good ears. Just do it.