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Hi all!  My hobby adventure in mechanical music started recently after
a past of self construction of electronic organs, drum machines, synths
and different MIDI devices.

The first pipe organ I proudly built is the John Smith Busker which
I documented in an article published by AMMI, the Italian Mechanic
Music Association.  After that my interest has been rising towards
street and band organs and, as some Italian members of AMMI are seeking
general advice on how to build crank organs, I decided to open a web
site dedicated to the do-it-yourselfer :  http://www.musicaldo.com/ 

Besides describing the experience of construction of the J.S. 20-note
busker organ, the site addresses guidelines for DIY hobbyists wishing
to build their mechanical organ.  Primarily dedicated to the Italian
visitors, there is a complete English version of the content dedicated
to the international visitors.

The aim of the site is to create a bridge between Italian crank organ
amateurs and those of other countries.  It is also a means to diffuse
the knowledge of the Italian Association of Mechanical Music.  In this
respect I am cooperating with them in the realization of the English
version of their site, and some interesting sections are already on-line.
You may reach AMMI site from my site links or directly at
http://www.ammi-italia.com/ 

I wish to thank all the international friends that by sending me tips
and suggestions that allowed me to pass from the beta version to the
actual release version of the site.

Aldo Laus
Carnate, Milano, Italy
http://www.musicaldo.com/ 

 [ At his web site Aldo says he has built many musical instruments,
 [ "from electronic drum machines to digital pianos, MIDI masterkeyboards
 [ and then washtub bass, and a W.C. waterbox MIDI interface (Cessofono
 [ MIDI in Italian)!"  ;-)  - Robbie