Music Box Maker
william@musicboxmaker.com
Custom Hand Made Musical Boxes
Featuring Reuge Musical Movements
also selling New, Vintage, and Antique music boxes
I started making wooden music boxes in 1980. It all started as an idea for Holiday gift giving. My initial boxes were a bit primitive. Here is a picture of the early first editions.
As I made more boxes the designs and construction evolved into quality works of art. My original music boxes are made using exotic hardwoods. They are not stained or painted unless requested by custom order. My preferred finish is tung oil which offers a glossy sheen while maintaining the natural beautiful natural colors and textures of the different woods. Each corner mitered cut and doweled for strength. The unique wooden hinges are a special signature feature of my original music boxes. My artistic goal was to not use any screws, nails, or any other metal fasteners in the box construction By necessity the only metal used are machine or wood screws are used to hold the movement to the base of the box and metal on/off buttons/levers/plungers. Wherever possible the inlay designs or natural images in the wood grain will correlate to the music in the box. For example I made a mahogany box that had a beautiful "rainbow" pattern in the grain of the wood, so the music it played was "Over the Rainbow". Some inlay designs were created by my wife, Cynthia. Each box is sequentially numbered, dated and initialed or signed. There is limited edition numbering for those designed by Cynthia. My music boxes feature the finest quality Swiss made musical movements. Manufacturers include Reuge, Thorens, Brietler, Jaccard, and generic makers. There are occasions when I will use a previously owned or antique musical movement that has been fully serviced or reconditioned to achieve a theme. A recent example is box #117-2-4 with the Star inlay design. It has a vintage 1970s movement that plays "Good Morning Starshine" and "Aquarius" from the musical "Hair".
In 2005 I began repairing and restoring antique and vintage musics boxes for sale. I also began to convert various types of vintage boxes by installing both new and formerly owned movements.. I call these Vintage Customs.
I do not make the musical movements. Custom songs can be obtained but they are very expensive and take many weeks to obtain.
On 13 June 2010 I showcased some of my most recent original music boxes. There were several Vintage Customs and restored antiques also on display. The crowd enjoyed experiencing the unique styles, soft textures and sounds of all the different types... the biggest hit was the apricot chest (MBM#101). See all the new originals and limited editions for sale in the "MBM Originals" category.
I will consider "best offers" on some of my music boxes. Just email me and maybe we can strike a deal.
<<<< Click the various Categories on the left to
View and listen to the musical boxes for sale.
Here are a few Featured Items
Just completed July 5, 2011 SOLD!
Click on the photograph to hear it play!
Solid Walnut Music Box Maker signed original #124. Features the Elfen Lied Lilium theme song. $595
Now accepting orders for limited number Lilium boxes to be completed in the Summer 2011!
Music Box Maker Signed original #93. I call it "The Missing Slat".
Click on the photograph to review the complete description and to hear it play.
Wood types: Poplar, Purple Heart, Paduk, Ebony, Bass, Cedar
Features a Reuge 36 note musical movement plays "Somewhere Out There".
Restored
1940/50s Rare Steinbach musical coin bank with Thorens musical
movement. The car will roll along as the music plays. Song is Das
gibt's nur einmal (It's Only Once) made popular in 1932 in a recording
by Zarah Leander.
Click on the photo for a complete description and to see a video of it working.
Click on the photograph to hear it play!
Solid Walnut Music Box Maker signed original #125. Features the Elfen Lied Lilium theme song. $695
Now accepting orders for limited number Lilium boxes to be completed in the Summer 2011!