Hello all,  I am just about to start repairs on a Otto Accordion with
xylophone and drums.  It plays G-Rolls and it was made in the 1990s.
I am suprised that the pneumatic cloth has completely perished, similar
to the players from the 1920s.  The cloth is rock hard and cracks when
moved.

The machine has a valve chest made up of unit valves.  These are a made
of a dark grey plastic.  I would like to know what I should replace them
with if the need should arise.  Maybe these can be opened somehow and
rebuilt?

I also find it interesting that there is a nice plaque screwed near
the top front, stating the serial number and the Miner Company, etc.,
but by looking at the finish on the case, it appears that there could
have been a much wider plaque originally in the same place.  I wonder
if this instrument was actually made by another company and then
re-badged by the Miner company?

So far, I have had no reply from the Miner Company.  I am still hopeful.

Kind regards,
Bernt Damm
Sydney

 [ I spoke today with proprietor Dan Dohman at Miner Company, who had
 [ just returned to the shop from a road trip.  Your email arrived
 [ while he was traveling.
 [
 [ Dan said the Otto Accordion was developed by Mike Hanchett and the
 [ product was subsequently purchased by Dave Miner.  Possibly the
 [ instrument case was built by Hanchett and the plaque was changed
 [ later when Miner completed instrument.  Dan says Hanchett used
 [ the dark plastic unit valves manufactured by Doyle Lane.  Visit
 [ http://www.minercompany.com/Products%20Page.html  -- Robbie