I had an E-mail concerning the operation of original nickelodeons.
Seeburg, for example, had small pneumatics operate a pallet valve for
their pipes.  Each pipe had a pneumatic and pallet valve.  The pneumatic
is basically teed into the vacuum that operates each playing note.  The
pressure to each set of pipes is turned on or off from the music roll
commands.

In the case of the xylophone the valves are known as outside
valves with the vacuum signal from each playing note on the piano going
to the pouch for each xylophone note.  The vacuum is turned on or off by
roll commands to the xylophone.

Coinola pianos also controlled the pipes by turning on or off the
pressure but the pallets valves are operated by a small pneumatic inside
the pipe chest that also acts as the pallet valve.  Coinola xylophones
were made in at least three different variations that I have seen.

Wurlitzer pianos also used small pneumatics on the outside of the pipe
chest for the pallet valves as did Cremona and Capital.  Most of these
pianos get the vacuum for the extra instrument right in the valve well.
All these systems need to be airtight and shellac was the choice of these
manufacturers for all their wooden parts.  See the top right photograph
on page 679 of Bowers Encyclopedia of Automated Musical Instruments for a
view of a Wurlitzer pipe chest.

In response to availability of xylophone bars or bells for the do-it-
yourselfer, I can only tell you to go to your local music store.  Ask
them for a small xylophone and when they give you some ridiculous answer
then inquire if you may look at the Kaman catalog or MIDCO catalog or
Davitt and Hansuer catalog.  Most music stores that carry guitars or band
instruments such as trumpets have one or all of the above catalogs.
Since it is a special order you should be able to get at least a twenty
percent discount off the published price or go to the next store.  After
all, the merchant does not have any money tied up and it should be an
easy sale for him.

Speaking of discounts (I operate a guitar store), it is customary in this
business to offer huge discounts such as forty percent off retail on drum
heads.  Go to the store that most of your professional musicians shop.
In the guitar business these are usually stores that offer Gibson and
Fender and Martin guitars not just one of the above but all three.  Need
any help let me know.  I also sell a popular brand of mechanical played
piano but my franchise agreement prohibits my mentioning it on the
Internet or selling it on a toll free number.

There had been some discussion on MMD about minimum advertised prices
which by the way have been ruled illegal.  Trust me, the music business
is full of greedy merchants that will do about anything to make a deal.

Don Teach
Shreveport Music Co
1610 E. Bert Kouns
Shreveport, LA  71105
dat-smc@juno.com