Recently I was out at local antique shops 'beating the bushes' for
piano rolls (or whatever).  Upon learning that I looked for anything
that was mechanical and made music, the owner of one of the shops asked
if I might be interested in an item that she had just obtained.  She
took me back into her office and sitting on a low shelf was, what I was
to discover, a beautiful walnut-cased 20-reed "Mandolina" made by the
Mechanical Orguinette Company.

To make a long story short, I purchased the item (probably paid too
much) even though the only thing that happened when you turned the
crank was that the roll advanced, the instrument making no sound at
all.

I have since carefully dismantled the item and found that it needs a
complete rebuild.  All of the valves and other normal items that need
to be recovered will not be a problem, but I am concerned that there
are several brass reeds (easily removed) that don't seem to vibrate at
all.  Does anyone know of replacements that might be available or is
there some way that these can be repaired?  Since this item does not
fall within my expertise - Help!!

My wife always says that if I didn't waste our money on these things
I wouldn't have these problems.

Lovin' Life,

Dean Moore