Hello,  I've been searching the MMD Archives for some time (often
with success) and have recently subscribed.  I thought it was time
to introduce myself -- and I have a couple of questions to pose.

I spent quite some years maintaining organs and developed a keen
interest in the player systems of Aeolian, E. M. Skinner and,
especially, Welte.  I rebuilt or restored several of the latter and
so am not new to mechanical music.  About a year ago I decided to
explore a truly life-long interest in cylinder musical boxes.  I got
and studied every book I could find on the subject and decided to have
a go at it.  I have a workshop and, I think, the necessary skills
(which I admit need adaptation to this endeavor).

So off I went to eBay auction and purchased what I hoped would be
a suitable "learning box".  It turned out to be Bremond No. 14555 and,
after re-setting the comb to the correct tune tracks, I knew this was
not to be my "learning box" -- it's way to good!  So back to eBay
I went and this time found a more suitable box: no tune card, unknown
maker and, while the bedplate is in pretty good shape, virtually every
component needs some attention -- some quite a lot of attention!  And
I'm working my way through it with great interest.  So that's my story.

Now I have a couple of questions.  Can anyone tell me the purpose of
a single screw, threaded up through the bedplate and lining up with
a notch ground in the front edge (cylinder side) of the brass comb
base?  Mr. Ord-Hume mentions early boxes with two such screws (bass and
treble ends of the comb) used for initially setting the comb position.
But this is not an early box and there is only the one, central screw.

Also I have recently heard that there is an "accepted" definition of
an "Overture Box" that states that the cylinder must be at least three
inches in diameter and there may be no more than four musical
selections.  I've not seen this in print anywhere and wonder if these
specifications are generally accepted by the musical box community.
One often sees "Six Overture Musical Box" in descriptions of available
machines.

I look forward to my continuing contact with MMD.

Ken Clark

 [ Glad to have you aboard now, Ken.  Those are intriguing questions,
 [ I hope we learn the answers.  Do tell us your organ experiences too.
 [ -- Robbie