Hi Digesters,  I am well into the process of breathing life back
into a magnificent Hupfeld Animated Clavista machine which plays
snare drum and bass drum (the latter mounted on its side in the
cabinet) plus cymbal, castanets, mandolin, xylophone and of course
piano using the Hupfeld Animated "S" rolls.

The start and re-roll area has been modified for some reason with
a home-made pneumatic contraption which does not allow it to shut off
when re-rolling.  (It just plays in reverse -- which can be interesting,
I guess, but not what I want).  If I had pictures and descriptive text,
I could try to copy an original part, for instance.

What I'm seeking is any reference material that anyone may have that
I could borrow or pay for someone to scan and email to me in Australia.
It probably doesn't have to be totally specific to this machine as
I'm sure Hupfeld would have used the same principles in all of their
Clavistas.

The crank also seems to me to be rotating too quickly, which will be a
function of the electric motor/pulley used. I have the original motor
and have sent it away to be rewound and to see if I can use it again.
The electric motor that currently is on it has the same pulley as the
old one, but it may revolve much higher, so I am having it checked also
and if needs be a speed reducer applied.

I have gradually worked my way through the control areas and the upper
and lower stacks and have a reasonable understanding of what each part
does, but not what its original set-up/specifications might be.  Hence
the technical assistance sought from another kind mechanical music
madman!  I will be grateful for any help and it would be great to get
another one of these machines back to working order once more to
further our great preservation cause.

I would describe the cabinet as a compact model being just on 6 feet
high and around 5-1/2 feet wide, with two lovely Edwardian lights and
bevelled mirrors on the front panel with carving.  The top of the
cabinet has a carved head board on it that spans the full width of the
cabinet.  It would be much taller if the bass drum stood face on, but
as mentioned the bass drum lays on its side.  Thanks for any help.

Kind regards,
Don Taig
Australia