[Harp-L] chromatic query

["Rick Tabler" <badtabes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

O.K.-I started in the late 60's w/a "C" marine band, Tony Glovers book, and every LP by the usual suspects I could get my hands on. About '71, since I was still struggling mightily on the diatonic, naturaly, I decided to buy a bunch of strange harps I knew even less about. One of those was a "chromonica"-(I'm assuming this is the 260?? 10 square holes) Altho I SOO wanted to play the thing, the only good that came of it was making me feel somewhat better about my diatonc "ability". Thru the years, I've hauled it out once in a great while, as an alternative to laying down on the tracks and praying for a train, with roughly the same results (the train making slighly more pleasing noise). At 61, I've got the bug again ("just let me hit one tune on the chromatic on stage before ya takes me") kinda thing. My question--while the slide on the chromonica seems to work well, without doubt the "guts" are dried out. Given these circumstances, is this instrument worth sending to someone !
 for rehab as a beginner instrument, or would my wampum be better wasted on a new tormenter? Of course, since we go back to 1971 together, it has tremendous sentimental value---which ends at my wallet. I've got books, I,ve got time--I can do this thing! Thanks in advance!
Rick