Hello Bruce and group,

I agree with Larry that the comb leads are likely stuck together in some
manner.  However, you mentioned that when you looked into the comb, it
appeared to be a brown varnish like substance.  This might, in fact, be
exactly what it is.  In the interest of preventing lead corrosion, at
some time in the past, someone must have recommended painting the leads
with varnish.  I have encountered this practice a few times.

The problem is that if it is not done very carefully, and then the music
box is not kept in a pretty clean environment, the stuff gets sticky,
dust and dirt are added to the mix and you get glue!  If this is the case,
paint remover and a good cleaning may solve the problem.  However, there
is no way to really know this without removing the comb.  Removing is no
problem.  Replacing can be -- dampers are tricky little mechanisms on a
Regina (on most music boxes for that matter!)

Your best bet is to hang in until Nancy Fratti gets back from New Jersey
and check with her.  I think she can tell you very quickly what to look
at and for.  She should be back in the next few days.

Good luck.
Beatrice Robertson