Mike Knudsen wrote:

> 3. 70-note boxes about the size of a cigar box, 2 or 3 tunes.  Some
> in glass cases.  These can be had by mail order in the USA (as can the
> others above).

72 notes.  Nancy Fratti can order the movements without any boxes if you
want to make your own.

> 4. Sublime Harmonie boxes with two combs and 3 tunes, somewhat larger
> than (3).  These sound very warm full, and the arrangements are good.
> These have a tune indicator dial, and cost around US$ 2500.  Antique
> sublime harmonie boxes cost at least this much (though with more tunes).
> Haven't seen these offered anywhere in the States.  I was impressed.

These used to be offered as part of the "Heritage Collection" through
San Francisco Music Box, but they have been discontinued.  Lack of
interest.  SFMB stores may still have them, but see below.  I believe
Nancy Fratti can still order them for you.

> 5. A box similar to (3) but with interchangeable cylinders (re'change)!
> Includes a lower drawer for the other 4 cylinders, which are supplied as
> part of the package.  I seem to recall about $5000 for this one.  I was
> impressed that such a thing is still being produced.  The program
> included opera, piano classics, light classics, and folk songs -- just
> like the antique boxes.  Each cylinder had at least 4 or 5 tunes.

Got one.  Each cylinder plays three tunes.  The list price when SFMB had
them was $4000.  They are 20% off if right now if you can still find
them.  You can add that to your 25% birthday month discount, if you are
registered in their club.  Makes for a _very_ nice price.

Reuge also made a special collectors edition of this model in a
serpentine case with fifteen cylinders.  Wanted about $15,000 for it,
as I recall.

 __        _____  ____  _   _ ___ _   _  ____ _ _ _
 \ \      / / _ \|  _ \| \ | |_ _| \ | |/ ___| | | |
  \ \ /\ / / |_| | |_) |  \| || ||  \| | |  _| | | |
   \ V  V /|  _  |  _ <| |\  || || |\  | |_| |_|_|_|
    \_/\_/ |_| |_|_| \_\_| \_|___|_| \_|\____(_|_|_)  [Warning!!!]


If you contemplate purchasing either the cartel box or the interchangeable
listed above, be aware that Reuge has, in my experience, very, very, bad
quality control.  I listened to no less than five of the interchangeable
boxes at one SFMB store to find one with the dampers properly adjusted.
The others _all_ needed work to fix damper chirps, as did the only cartel
box I found.  If you get one mail-order, expect to have to redo the
dampers.  If you order one through Nancy I think she can fix them for
you, but, of course, at her usual repair rates and her usual schedule.

I've only heard one 72 note non-interchangeable with damper problems, but
nearly all interchangeable and larger seem to have them.  The 72 note and
smaller movements are all built by machines.  The interchangeables and
cartel movements all require a lot of hand work, and that seems to be
the problem.  Since most purchasers of these movements don't have ears
trained to catch damper problems, this doesn't seem to affect their sales
to anyone but music box aficionados, so Reuge doesn't seem to care.  But
it's really sad to hear a beautiful new box chirping and grunting in the
store.

By the way, it's _really_ hard to hear these problems in a mall.  MUCH
harder than it will be at home, I assure you.  You need to put your ear
right up to the box and listen _closely_ to avoid having the chirps and
grunts being lost in the extraordinary background din of the average
mall.  But DO it.  I guarantee that in the quiet of your library, study,
or bedroom, you will hear nothing _but_ chirps and grunts when you get it
home, if they are there.

regards,

Larry Smith