I purchased a new Flex-A-Tone like the one shown on the web site [LP
Music Group] mentioned on yesterday's MMD.  The new one just does not
have it!  It is only about 30% as musical as the original Flex-A-tone,
shown in the attached advertisement by Playatone Company.

First, the tempered steel is thinner; second, the springs which hold
the wood balls are too thin and flimsy, causing the balls to flail
about too much when the tremolo stirring motion is performed.  Third,
the tempered steel is anchored by rivets to the bent metal rod frame
handle and not inserted into a wooden bar as the original.  Also the
wooden balls on the new one are not softened by inserted rubberized
cork, causing the new one to clang in a bothersome way.

Unfortunately the new Flex-A-Tone is just an inexpensive imitation
that I found disappointing.  Oh, by the way, on a historical note:
in its effort to crack down on jazz, Hitler's Third Reich banned the
use of the Flex-A-Tone with dance orchestras in Germany!

Tim Trager
Trager@idt.net

 [ I'll place the advert in Tim's article at MMD Pictures site.
 [ -- Robbie