To anyone looking to replace a comb, I've got good news and bad news:
The good news: A disc playing machine often can have the comb replaced.
A single comb is relatively easy to replace, a double comb may need
tuning to match the combs, but in general it is possible.
The bad news: Cylinder musical boxes are not standardized. The chances
of finding a replacement comb is like trying to find a missing piece of
a jigsaw puzzle from a different box -- it might fit, but the picture
would be wrong.
Do not despair, there is good news: A combs is repairable; if it is
economically feasible is another question. You can replace individual
teeth, blocks of teeth and, if only the thin tip of the tooth is
missing, that's not a difficult thing to replace. What's the catch?
It all needs tuning afterwards and it's very expensive.
Additionally, a comb that has had that much damage likely also needs to
have the cylinder re-pinned -- another major expense. Without measuring
the comb and cylinder, it looks as if your customer's musical box needs
around $1500 to $2000 worth of repairs. Is it worthwhile to them for
sentimental reasons? Let them decide what to do.
I will not go into the details of replacing teeth here, but if you would
like a description, look in Ord-Hume's works on the subject or contact
me personally; I will be happy to describe what is done.
Best regards,
Eliyahu Shahar
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