I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has one of these
instruments.  The Simplex Harmonika is a German accordion similar
to a Tanzbär but it plays on discs instead of paper rolls.  There is
a similar instrument listed in Kevin McElhone's book on organettes,
page 51, called a Bandoniphone.

I have a Simplex Harmonika with a number of discs.  The problem I have
is that the handle that turns the disc to play the accordion is missing
and I would like to make another one.  I am also a little uncertain as
to how this works.

On the Tanzbär the roll is turned by a lever being thumbed up and down
while you play the accordion.  This would be a lot simpler than turning
a handle, if that is what went on the screw fitting on the side of the
instrument to activate the disc.  It may not be a handle.

Surprisingly, enough another one of the instruments has just turned up
in New Zealand but it has the top lid missing so that is not much help.
A friend is now restoring both instruments so anyone that can give us
help would be most appreciated.

Rod Cornelius
rodcorn@ihug.co.nz.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]