> From: Charles Macdonald <macmusic@compusmart.ab.ca>
> To: allmax@bright.net <allmax@bright.net>
> Date: Friday, February 12, 1999 2:11 AM
>
> Subject: Chein Melody Player
>
> I have exactly the same Chein melody player!  I do not know anything
> about it except that my mother has had it for a number of years, and
> can't remember how or when she got it.
>
> Mine is in need of repair.  It plays "Merrily we roll along"
> sometimes, when the crank doesn't skip.  I am afraid to open it myself
> or take it to someone because I don't want to damage it.  I do not
> have a box or other scrolls, but I am wondering if I could obtain
> other scrolls.
>
> It is in reasonably good condition, some scratching of the paint, but
> not much.  How much is it worth?  I am not interested in selling it,
> but I just wanted a general idea.
>
> I am a professional musician, and I have thought of trying to make
> scrolls myself, or finding someone in my city who has a knowledge of
> player pianos or barrel organs.  Is this a bad idea?
>
> You have no idea how excited I am to have found someone who might know
> something useful!  I tried a search a number of months ago, and came
> up with absolutely nothing.
>
> My name is Rosemarie and my email is:  macmusic@compusmart.ab.ca
>
> Thanks for your time.

Rosemarie, I sent a copy of your letter and my response to MMD (Mech-
anical Music  Digest), thinking that it may be of interest to others,
or that they might have other ideas.

The Chein Melody Player is a decent toy to own, so I hope you are able
to have it repaired.  There are two common problems: If by "skip" you
mean that the belts slip, the instructions below may be of help.  If,
on the other hand, you mean that the _gears_ are stripped, that is a
more serious problem, requiring someone who could reconstruct them.

_Assuming_ that yours is identical to mine:  The unit _can_ be opened
to a point, allowing access to the belts.  Remove the roll, and take
a good look at the top flat panel (mine's pink), the one that has the
two pulleys slightly protruding at the left, and an open square where
the spoolbox is.  Notice that there are tabs extending down into the
spoolbox, but that they are _not_ fastened.  This whole panel lifts up
from the case (and from the spoolbox).  It will require some force
(with your fingers), and perhaps working back and forth, but it really
just snaps into place, and can be removed likewise.

Once you're inside, you'll find a pulley and clutch system on the left,
with two belts.  One is probably rubber, and the other probably a
spring.  If so, the rubber is for the rewind, and the spring is for
the playing shaft.  You may then insert a roll, and watch to see what's
happening.  If the belts slip, they can be replaced with similar
materials (although I've seen some substitutes that worked okay).

If the gears are stripped, or there's some other more permanent problem,
It is possible that the player be disassembled, but only by bending the
metal tabs, which may only be done a few times before breakage.  The
entire inner mechanism can thereby be removed and repaired.  I cannot
recommend these types of repairs to an amateur.  And I'm not sure who
would do them for you.

As far as value, I'd think in working condition, with rolls, a Melody
player would sell for $100 to $200, perhaps more in mint condition with
the box.  Rolls, I'd guess at $10 to $20 each.  They do show up from
time to time.

Let me know if you have additional questions,

Todd Augsburger
allmax@bright.net
http://www.bright.net/~allmax/