Hi Jody,  This is Myron Duffield in Ohio.  I just saw your comment
regarding your visit to Al Svoboda's Tavern in Chicago.  It reminded
me of an experience, also probably back in the 1970s.  We were buying
unusual musical things, stuff, etc.  We had been to Al's place earlier
and had an idea what was there.

Al had passed away so Dave Ramey called us and advised us there were
things for sale, so we made the trip to Al's place.  We were looking
for a Deagan Unifon at the time to put into our calliope, but Dave
said they had a J.C. Deagan Class A Electric Bell Unit.

On arriving Dave showed us the bells and explained that they had been
mounted over the bar for many years.  There was a trough or opening
above the bar where customers could throw their spare change.  When
the coins went into the catcher the bells would play the tune,
"How Dry I Am".

It was a home-made mechanical musical device that Dave Ramey had put
together for Al.  They had taken a round cardboard tube and turned it
into a rough music box assembly and programmed it to play the tune
electrically.  Even though it wasn't what we went there for we did
buy the unit and took it back to Ohio.  We kept it for many years then
around 2010 we sold it to a fellow on the West Coast.  I still see it
on his website today as we speak.  I am not sure I told him the Svoboda
story behind it.

We also bought one of Al's Zing-A-Booms [an entire percussion
section mounted on a pogo stick!].  Al's signature is on the drum head.
I have used it in a musical program called "Professor Myroni and his
Magnificent, Marvelous, Menagerie".  I have demonstrated Al's Zing-A-Boom
all over the country for many years.

Sorry to have bored you with this long story but your comment brought
back memories of the early years.

Best Regards,
Myron Duffield
Ohio

 [ Art Reblitz wrote about the Deagan bells at Al Svoboda's tavern in
 [ Journal of Mechanical Music, Winter 1989, page 13:  "A red funnel
 [ was mounted near the ceiling in one corner, and anyone who pitched
 [ a coin into it was rewarded with a noisy version of "How Dry I Am"
 [ played on a set of electric saucer bells tripped by contacts on a
 [ rotating wooden cylinder, accompanied by a rotating police car light."
 [ -- Robbie