Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > April 2004 > 2004.04.10 > 03Prev  Next


Cost of Custom-Made Music Box Movement
By Robbie Rhodes

Jody received this inquiry recently:

> Hello, I'm interested in those "old fashioned" musical movements like
> the one in traditional music boxes.  The music box that I think about
> is supposed to be a gift for people who are very important to me and
> the tune is the most important matter.  I'm looking for someone who
> is able to create for me just one 36-note (or less) musical movement
> which plays "Feels Like Home", the tune by Chantal Kreviazuk [CD
> "Songs From Dawson's Creek"].
>
> Would you be able to make that musical movement for me?  If yes, then
> how long would it take and how much would it cost?  If not, then
> maybe you know someone who does that things?  Sincerely Yours, ...

Jody replied:

> I have forwarded your inquiry to the MMD editor, Robbie Rhodes.
> You should hear from him in a day or two.  I'm not sure he's going
> to have good news for you, though.
>
> I keep thinking this is a business someone should to be in.  36-note
> movements are not inexpensive to begin with.  Out of curiosity,
> what do you feel a music box with a custom tune is worth?

I sent the writer an email telling of the web sites of the
manufacturers of musical box movements, and of these MMD web pages:

  http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/C/custom.html
  http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/C/custom_made.html

Then Jody received this reply:

> Hi, for now I've found two persons who are able to create the musical
> movement with my tune, but they are quite expensive for me.  One of
> them wants from 950$ to 1200$.  That's very expensive!  The other
> wants 440$.  I really have no idea how hard it is to make that thing,
> so it's hard for me to tell how much it should cost.  All I can tell
> is that in e-stores musical movements prices begins from 3$...

How do experienced firms like Reuge and Sankyo make a pinned-cylinder
musical box movement?  What are the one-time costs and the recurring
costs to produce movements of 18 teeth and more?  What are the
marketing and advertising costs?

Robbie Rhodes


(Message sent Sat 10 Apr 2004, 02:13:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Box, Cost, Custom-Made, Movement, Music

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page