On Music Boxes, Music Box Mechanisms & Tunes

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Musical Boxes & Mechanical Music

The History of Music Boxes
Musical Movements in Music Boxes
Music Box Color Chart
Music Box Inlays
Customizing a Music Box
Your Own Custom Tune
Care of Music Boxes
Music Box Repair Service

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about shopping with The Music House? We’re here to help! Since 1965, The Music House has been helping musicians, collectors, gift-givers and music lovers find unique musical treasures. Below you’ll find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What kinds of products does The Music House sell?

The Music House specializes in music boxes, musical gifts and unique items for musicians and music lovers. Our selection includes music boxes, miniature instruments, wind chimes, whistles, musical jewelry, sculptures and figurines, children’s musical gifts, music stands, lamps, conductor’s batons, novelty instruments, home décor and much more.

Whether you’re shopping for a musician, teacher, student, collector or simply someone who loves music, there’s plenty to discover.

Do you sell more than music boxes?

Absolutely! While music boxes are one of our specialties, The Music House carries a wide variety of music-inspired gifts and accessories.

You can shop for musical art and décor, miniature instruments, wind chimes and bells, whistles, jewelry, children’s toys and instruments, puzzles, music stands, musician accessories, sculptures, clocks, apparel and many other unique musical gifts.

Can you help me find a specific musical gift?

Yes! If you’re searching for something special and don’t see it in our online store, please contact us. We’ll be happy to help you locate the item or suggest something similar.

Our extensive selection makes The Music House a great place to shop for unusual and hard-to-find gifts for musicians and music lovers. Or you can also put in your query in the search bar on the top right of the page.

Do you offer customized music boxes?

Yes. Custom music boxes are one of our specialties.

Depending on the music box, you may be able to select a preferred tune and have the appropriate musical movement installed. Certain boxes may also be personalized with an engraved plate featuring initials, a name, date or special message.

Because customization options vary by item, please contact us if you have a particular music box, melody or personalization idea in mind.

Can I choose the tune for my music box?

Many of our music boxes can be paired with a tune from our available selection. However, not every movement or melody will fit every music box.

If you have a particular song in mind, contact us and we’ll help determine which options are available and which music boxes are compatible with your chosen tune.

Can you create a music box that plays my own song or composition?

Custom musical arrangements may be possible for certain types of music boxes and disc-playing mechanisms.

If you have an original composition or another special piece of music you would like to use, contact us with the details of your project. We can help you determine what options may be available.

Do you repair or restore music boxes?

Yes. The Music House offers music box repair and restoration services for many types of music boxes, including antique, vintage and modern pieces.

Because every music box is different, the repair process and available parts can vary considerably. Please contact us with information about your music box and the problem you’re experiencing so we can advise you on the next steps.

Do you sell music box movements and replacement parts?

Yes. We carry musical movements, mechanisms, discs and various music box repair and replacement parts.

If you’re unsure which movement or component you need, contact us before ordering. Providing as much information as possible about your music box and existing mechanism will help us assist you.

Do you sell miniature musical instruments?

Yes! Miniature musical instruments are one of our specialties. Our collection includes decorative replicas of many string, brass, woodwind, percussion and keyboard instruments.

Most miniature instruments are decorative collectibles rather than playable instruments, although some items may incorporate a musical movement.

They make wonderful gifts for musicians, teachers, students, collectors and anyone with a favorite instrument.

Do you have gifts for specific types of musicians?

Yes. Our selection includes gifts for pianists, guitarists, violinists, saxophonists and many other musicians.

You can also browse gifts such as miniature instruments, jewelry, sculptures, accessories, ornaments, music boxes and decorative pieces inspired by particular instruments.

If you’re having trouble finding a gift for a specific musician, contact us and we’ll be happy to offer suggestions.

Do you have gifts for children?

Yes. We offer a variety of music-themed gifts for children, including musical toys, children’s instruments, books, plush animals, music boxes, rhythm instruments, puzzles and other educational and entertaining items.

Product recommendations may vary depending on the child’s age, so please review the individual product information before purchasing.

Can I shop for gifts by occasion?

Yes. The Music House carries musical gifts suitable for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and many other holidays and special occasions.

Musical gifts can also be a wonderful way to recognize music teachers, performers, students and graduates.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes. Gift certificates are available for those occasions when you’d rather let the recipient choose their own musical treasure.

They’re especially useful when shopping for musicians or collectors who may have very specific tastes.

Do you offer gift wrapping or engraving?

Gift wrapping and engraving services are available for select items.

Engraving options depend on the product and may include adding an engraved plate with a name, initials, date or short personal message. Please contact us if you would like to personalize a gift and need help determining what is possible.

Do you offer discounts for schools, groups or larger orders?

Quantity, school and group discounts may be available for certain products.

If you’re purchasing items for a school, music program, ensemble, organization, event or other group, please contact us with the product and quantity you need so we can discuss available options.

Do you ship throughout the United States?

Yes. We ship orders throughout the United States.

Shipping options, costs and delivery times can vary depending on the item, destination and shipping method. Please review the available shipping information when ordering or contact us if you need assistance with a time-sensitive purchase.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. The Music House ships internationally, including to customers in Canada and other countries around the world.

International shipping costs and delivery times vary based on the destination, package and shipping method. Additional customs duties, taxes or import fees may also apply depending on the destination country.

How long will my order take to arrive?

Delivery times depend on product availability, your location, the shipping method selected and whether your order requires customization or special handling.

If you need an item by a particular date—for a birthday, wedding, graduation, holiday or other special occasion—we recommend contacting us before ordering so we can help determine the best available option.

What if I’m not sure which product to order?

Just ask us!

Personal service has always been an important part of The Music House. Whether you need help choosing a music box, finding a particular melody, selecting a gift or locating an unusual musical item, our team will be happy to assist you.

What if I can’t find what I’m looking for on the website?

Please contact us. Our inventory includes an extensive variety of musical gifts, collectibles and accessories, and we may be able to help you find the item you’re searching for or recommend a suitable alternative.

How can I contact The Music House?

We welcome your questions and are happy to provide personalized assistance.

Toll-Free: 888-884-2533
Email: info@themusichouse.com

Customer assistance is available Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

If you have a question about a particular product, including the product name or item information in your message can help us assist you more quickly.

Why shop with The Music House?

The Music House has been serving musicians and music lovers since 1965. We specialize in distinctive musical gifts, music boxes, collectibles and accessories that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

More importantly, we believe in personal service. Whether you’re searching for a memorable gift, a special music box, a hard-to-find musical item or help with a custom project, we’re here to help you find something worth treasuring.

 

Over the next few centuries, marquetry schools were established in France, Germany and Holland.  During the 16th to 18th centuries much exquisite work was produced focused primarily on decorating furniture, especially for royalty.  By the early 17th century, marquetry largely replaced inlaid decoration in furniture. Floral designs and “seaweed” marquetry (having the form of symmetrical, foliate scrolls) became quite popular design elements in furniture of the period. 

Geometric patterns (often referred to as “parquetry”) were also quite popular. Eventually, marquetry extended westward from Europe to America and beyond.  Today there is slightly more than a handful of professional marquetarians. [End Quote]

Some we (at TheMusicHouse.Com) know, reside in Sorrento and Ercolano Italy. They are the skillful masters responsible for most of our beautiful inlaid music box cabinets that we lovingly offer for sale. Sorrento music boxes are well known for their intricate detail and high-quality craftsmanship.

For more in-depth information and images, please visit The American Marquetry Association at their website http://www.americanmarquetrysociety.com/Marquetry.html

TheMusicHouse.Com offers a very extensive range of musical movements.
Notable Swiss manufacturers included Cundet, Lador, Jobin, Thorens and Reuge. Today only Reuge and Jobin survive, joined by some newer (mid 20th century), Asian companies, Sankyo's Orpheus is the most important.
Click HERE for more information about Orpheus and Sankyo

This may be the best time to explain the Swiss Romance mechanism. Click HERE for that particular information.

Musical Movements:
Basic movements you are likely to find in our inventory.:
1.12  (1 tune, 12 notes)  
1.18  (1 tune, 18 notes)
1.22  (1 tune, 22 notes)
These tunes play from 4 bars to 8 bars of music in 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time depending upon the diameter of the cylinder. (The older mechanism have wider cylinders. A movement can last three minutes or so when fully wound. All tunes repeat after the cylinder has made one full revolution.

1.28   (1 tune 28 notes)  
2.28   (2 tunes 28 notes) older Swiss Mechanisms

1.30   (1 tune 30 notes)  currently being made, Asian only
2.30   (2 tunes 30 notes) currently being made, Asian only 
3.30   (3 tunes 30 notes) currently being made, Asian only

1.36   (36 notes,  1 tunes) Swiss
2.36   (36 notes,  2 tunes) Swiss 

1.50 (1 Tune 50 notes) New Asian  and older Swiss
2.50 (2 Tunes 50 notes) Asian and older Swiss 
3.50  (3 tunes 50 notes) Asian and older Swiss

    

Changing movements:
3.50   (50 notes, 3 tunes) Older Swiss and Asian
3.72   (72 notes, 3 tunes) Swiss and Asian
3.100  (3 tunes 100 notes) Asian
3.144  (3 tunes 144 notes) Swiss

Cartels:
4 tunes 60 notes
4 tunes 144 notes

Interchangeables:
50 note, 5 cylinders, 10 tunes
72 note, 5 cylinders, 15 tunes
144 note, 5 cylinders, 20 tunes

Specialty items:
17 note, 1 tune (for lockets and watches)
144 notes, 4 tunes with special drum and bells movement

Disc movements:  This invention dates back to the end of the 19th century and heralded the advent of the phonograph.  The disc movements are very easy to use and allow the collector to build up a library of tunes.  This new type of musical movement led to the first real crisis among manufacturers of cylinder movements.  Today quite a number of American and Japanese collectors share a passion for this specific type of mechanical musical instrument.  

30 note, 4.5" Swiss
28 note, 4.75 sometimes called 5" Asian
41 note, 11"

Musical Movements and  Available Tunes

Example:  1.18   represents 1 tune played by an 18 note movement.   To select a specific tune, please see our TUNE SELECTOR for 1.18 movements.  Available Mechanisms, Discs (Tunes)  are on a separate page from our Music Box Section.

Some of the music boxes are available with a choice of movement size.  For example: 1.18, 1.30 or 1.36

In some cases an item is supplied with a fixed tune or with a restricted set of tunes.

We have listed some "suggested tunes" for some specific theme boxes, such as the golf inlay boxes, but if you see a "TUNE SELECTOR" you may select your tune from one of the appropriate sizes, 18, 30, 36, or 50 note tune list that will fit your desired box.

These days most of our boxes, unless otherwise noted, are priced with an Asian movement.  The Swiss movements are more expensive.  We always try to fill our customers' requests with the Sankyo (Japanese) movements but sometimes the tune is only available as a Swiss mechanism. Should that be the case we will notify you .  You may request a Swiss movement, if you wish.  Please note: Because Reuge ceased production of their 18 note mechanisms some years ago, certain tunes have become scarce.

Music Box Color Chart

Natural woods NO: Burl walnut OL: Burl elm PA: Rosewood BL: Blonde (bird's eye maple) Colors PI: Pink WR: Wine Red DB: Dark Blue LB: Light Blue PU: Purple GR: Green LI: Lilac WH: White RE: Coral Red BK: Black

*Please use for personal reference only - not all available for purchase*

Inlay Pattern Chart

Inlay Pattems and other codes AN: Anchor inlay ANG: Angel/cherub inlay BP: Brass and pewter CBA: Ballerina inlay CF: Floral inlay CH: Heart inlay Cj: With ring slide/section CM: Musical instrument inlay CR or RO: Rose inlay CO#O: Framed effect, with plain center panel CO#4: Frame within a frame CS: Star of David inlay CV-. Violin inlay CWB: Wedding bells inlay CX: Cross inlay GF: Golf inlay (ball and tee) GM: Golf inlay (man) GW.- Golf inlay (woman) HB: Hummingbird inlay IN: Instruments inlay L: Large size LX: Lined, deluxe version MN: Menorah inlay MP: Mother-of-pearl O: Matte finish" CXMAS: Christmas inlay Absence of "O" at end of inlay code indicates a high gloss finish. *Please use for personal reference only - not all available for purchase*

Customizing a Music Box:  Select a music box and a tune from our TUNE SELECTOR in our Music Box Department and we'll put them together (some music boxes are not suitable for change).  Initials, names or inscriptions cans be engraved on brass or silver plates and applied to the box. Engraving is available when you add to cart. 

Your Own Custom Tune:  We can custom produce your own tune or a tune that is not on any of our tune lists (though copyright/permission must be obtained) You will have several options. We've tried to cover everything on our Custom Page.  To learn more, click on this link:http://www.musichouseshop.com/store/CustomMusicBoxes.html  Feel free to call us if you have any questions.

Care of Music Boxes: Music boxes are precious objects which have taken weeks and sometimes months of painstaking labor to create.  Played and treated gently and given a bit of care,  they will delight your children and grandchildren forever and become a true family hierloom.

When you wind the movement, stop as soon as you feel the slightest resistance, never force it. Protect the movement from dust by keeping the box closed or by keeping the protective glass cover lowered as much as possible.  Never expose your box to sunlight or extreme temperatures.  In hot and humid countries, keep your box closed and in an air-conditioned room.  Do not touch the movement; however,  if it should be touched in error, take care to remove the fingerprints immediately using a lint free cloth.  Be sure to play it from time to time.  Contact us for further information.

Music Box Restoration:  Skilled technicians are available to repair your music box.  Most repairs are handled here, on the premises.  Sometimes we can talk you through an adjustment. Don't hesitate to contact us with your problem.

If you would like to hear other soundbites select from the following libraries:

	72 note Soundbite Library
	50 note Soundbite Library
	36 note Soundbite Library
	30 note Soundbite Library
	18 note Soundbite Library

 

Other Resources for Music Box Information
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Musical Box
Description and history of music boxes

Musical Box Society
http://www.mbsi.org/
The Musical Box Society International is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment, study and preservation of all automatic musical instruments.

If you're looking to buy a music box or music box movement or mechanism (the internal works of a music box)
Start at our Music Box Directory where our extraordinary inventory is listed by catagories
CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR MUSIC BOX DIRECTORY

 

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