Hi and a happy post-Thanksgiving to all.  I just followed Jody's advice
and visited the Mills Novelty page -- really nice pictures and some
good information.

 [ reminder:   http://www.millsnovelty.com

On seeing the picture of the MIDI controller in the bottom of the
Mills Violano I was reminded that I have a number of similar solid
state relays and boards that I'd like to sell.  They are Model PB16P1
boards with 16 model ODC5 relays.  Plus I have some other modules too.
I think there are 2 or 3 dozen boards.

If someone is interested, please call evenings or weekends or drop
an E-mail.

Craig Smith

 [ Craig's relays are certainly good hobby material for a project.
 [ However I want to caution our readers that a tremendous amount
 [ of engineering and testing goes into a custom board like Mike
 [ Ames has made for the Violano, tunes have been recorded and
 [ edited for optimum playback, etc.  Even if the voltage ratings
 [ of ODC5 relays is correct (I don't think it is) this is a very
 [ involved project with many pitfalls.  I think those interested
 [ in do-it-yourself electronics project involving a mechanical musical
 [ instrument might be better served to start with a less expensive
 [ instrument!  In addition, an instrument which could play standard
 [ MIDI files when you were done with the project would be good.  The
 [ Violin of the Violano will not play a standard MIDI file.  Perhaps
 [ David Wasson will write some time about creating music for this
 [ instrument.
 [
 [ Jody