I have had a chance to see and hear several sets of shaker chimes.  I
would love to find a 4-octave set myself sometime.  The best source of
information I might give is the music department at De Pau University.
A couple of years ago the music department took a set of shaker chimes
to a handbell festival in northern Indiana and played a wonderful
program on them.

In playing them, the bass notes were usually pulled just once with a
sharp tug towards the player.  The trebles were shaken back and fourth
for a re-iteration effect.  With four musicians they were able to get
some great sounds from these chimes.

There is also a set at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
You should also check to see what they may have in their archives.

Happy Ringing!

Andy Struble

 [ Were shaker chimes sometimes also installed in theatre organs? 
 [ -- Robbie