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