Music boxes

[MusicBox]

Can anyone recommend a site to ask questions about an antique cylinder music box? Or is it ok to ask here ?

[schweg]

You might try

http://www.mbsi.org/

[FellowCollector]

I enjoy early music boxes as well although my interest in that realm is only with the disc music boxes (not cylinder boxes). You might also try posting your question here: http://www.mmdigest.com/

That site is primarily devoted to larger mechanical musical instruments (player pianos, orchestrions, etc.) but the editors also invite music box questions as well and there are quite a few members who are willing to help with those questions. If you had a disc music box I would try to help you offline but with cylinder music boxes I never had any interest so I can't help you much. Good luck. - Doug

[epigramophone]

I do not know your location, but in the UK www.mbsgb.org.uk should be your first port of call.

I am also interested in mechanical as well as recorded music.

[downsouth]

Google Nancy Fratti. She is great.

[mrphonograph]

collecting mechanical music instruments (cyl & disc musicboxes & automatons) is a tricky buisness if you buy the wrong machine repair & restoration can often cost more than the machine is worth
so here are some things you sould note when in search of a musicbox
cylinder M.B.
1 all the steel pins should be upright and intact
2 the cylinder should always play a even amount of tunes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and so on if it only plays 3, 5, 7, than the cylinder is bust and you shouln't buy it
1 if you hear sharp high pitch squeeks during playing than the dempers are bust and again you shouln't buy it (at least not above 175 u.s.if its a small box 400 for a large box)
3 always look at the regulator fan wilst playing if it flutters than the ruby of the regulator could be damaged again a costly reparation
4 the come should be complete this can be repaired but at a high cost
5 the machine works should never look rusty this is often a indication that there's a lot wrong with it

disc M.B.
a lot of the above also goes for disc musicboxes but there are things to look out for
1 never buy a mb with no discs it could be a rare one and the chance of finding the right discs is nil to none
2 always check the discs they should have upright spokes,spikes,or loops if any of those are pressed down or missing than its a unplayable disc
3 the works have star shaped wheels that press down and release the come tips when one of the portrusions under the disc comes by these sould all be there if you can move them from side to side than there are stars missing and the machine is worthless to play discs on
4 again the machine should sound good full of tone and bass if not don't buy it

types
the cylinder M.B. of the pre 1880s all have brass cylinders and in a lot of cases lack the extra's like bells, drums, and puppets but there are exeptions

the later cyl M.B. have nickel plated cylinders some rare types even gold or silver plated these are all post 1880s

the disc M.B. are mostly post 1900 there are some rare exeptions like some 1890s clocks with a fixed disc inside

automatons
with these you can't see the mb with smaller types there's just one tune with big automatons the even numer rule comes to play never buy a large automaton with 3 tunes it should play 4!
buying a bust looking automaton (clothes of doll ripped fingers missing)is ok as long as the mechanism works the outer aperance can be restored
if the music works but the doll or figure dousn't move or moves very shacky or stops at intervals or makes cracking sounds than don't buy the restoration of a automaton can sometimes reach impossible high figures ive seen the restoration of a atomaton conductor figure take about 9000 dollars of somebodies money it was well worth it but if you dont have that type of cash after buying such an expensive object than you have a problem and you probably should not have bought it in the first place

well thats all
greetings
tino

[FloridaClay]

If you are in the US, try the Musical Box Society http://www.mbsi.org/ as someone else suggested, and see if there is a local chapter near you and go to a meeting. In my experience you will likely find some very helpful people there who can answer your questions and can get yourself exposed to a wide variety of instruments. If you are in Great Britain, try http://www.mbsgb.org.uk/. MBSI also has chapters in Japan.

The field of music box collecting a quite broad and they range from trinkets worth a few dollars to magnificent machines worth many thousands and everything in between. Just as with phonographs much depends on condition and rarity and just as with phonographs taking the time to learn about them before jumping in can help you avoid big mistakes.

Clay