I have found two basic designs of xylophones used in automated
instruments.  Most American instruments have xylophones whose bars
have a flat top surface, slightly rounded edges, and a "curved cut" on
the underside of the bar.  This serves to flatten the pitch and create
more sustained rounded tone in the bar.

Now the xylophone bars in most German orchestrions are made a bit
different.  The top and bottom surface bar have an elliptical profile
and just a saw kerf in the middle of the underside for tuning.  These
have a more sharp chirping sound when struck -- ideal, I think for
reiterating  beaters.  I will be making some a couple of both types
next month.

I was at my local saw mill and bemoaning the fact that I had to pay
three-figure prices for barely enough African hardwood to make one
set of bars.  The owner suggested I'd try some local Yellow Locust.
He had about a dozen 1"x8"x10-foot boards he'd sell me for $10.00 each.

It is a very hard wood, with grain like teak, but not as heavy.  Very
*yellow*.   I bought one board and began serious experimentation and
found the Locust to have a slightly better tone than the Cocoaboloa,
at least on an American style bar.

I need to have a moulder head made to mill out the German type.
I just went back to the saw mill last week snagged up the rest of the
Locust.  Now to make a whole 25-note set and see how they work.  If
they turn out I will have a page about it.

Brian Thornton, Short Mtn. Music Works
109 N. Cannon St., Woodbury, TN 37190
615-563-5814
http://www.mindspring.com/~goatboy/smmw.htm