> Yeah, Larry Smith:   I talked with some West Coast music-boxers, whose
> reaction to your project ranged from "Why bother?" to "Why not!"  Well,

I get a lot of different reactions.  "Why bother?" is a popular one,
the logic being that there are lots of antiques around, so why not
restore a classic instead of trying to cobble together a reproduction.
Just this weekend I ran across a Regina table model - the one that is
_in_ a round table.  Beautiful.  Needed restoration, of course.  And
_without_ restoration, it cost $20,000.  When it comes to a choice of
playing it or driving it, it becomes too expensive for me.  I expect
I can build them _much_ cheaper.  Though I do intend to take Nancy
Fratti's course next year.

> I'm with you:  I think it's a grand idea, and I want to help with using
> Midi files for the arranging.

Terrific!  I'm hoping to get my workshop set up this winter, and I've
been collecting lots of information that will help.  I intend to get
my feet wet with a couple of smaller projects just to get the "touch"
back after an almost two-year hiatus - maybe just a box with a Reuge
modern movement, for fun.  I also promised my wife a grandfather clock,
but I intend to _buy_ the movement for that.

> Do give us a summary report from the Orlando MBSI Convention, and see
> if anyone there knows details of how the modern music boxes are produced
> today in Switzerland.  The naysayers I spoke with couldn't answer that!

Not just in Switzerland.  A fellow by the name of Charles Hind will be
giving a workshop at the convention this year that talks about how he
is producing modern replicas of classic old cylinder boxes.  Sadly, it
now looks like I won't get to go to the convention - MBSI hasn't gotten
my membership yet, and my wife, keeper of the finances, is now trying to
find the check or prove it was never cashed, before I can try again, and
they'll need to send another application.  Myself, I think it was lost in
the mail - it seems to happen to me a _lot_, to the point that this is
the first thing I've tried to do by mail instead of by phone and credit
card in over five years, and I had a hunch it would be messed up.  We've
all but given up Christmas cards because so many of them go astray.  The
local post offices "know notting" about what's happening, but I'm sure
"the curse" has struck again.  I'm trying to get a-hold of AMICO now, to
see if that (which went out in the same mailing) is messed up as well.

However, on the bright side, next year's convention will be hosted in
Wiscasset, Maine, by Mr. Konvalinka at the Musical Wonder House.  Since
that's just a three hour drive from my front door - and I'll have a year
to get joined up - I'll definitely be at next years.  I do intend to try
to make the convention this year, but since I can't register until I join,
the window is closing rapidly.  I will still be in the area, though, so
I might get down to any event open to the public!

Jody, while were on the topic of midi, could you post a few details
about your midi to roll template converter program?  Is the source
available, what does it need to run, the usual details?  Much appreciated.

regards,¶
Larry