In MMD 990613, Mike Brooks asked about an inexpensive way to make a
custom music box tune. I would like to suggest 2 items to Mike.

Read the 981007 Digest article called "How to Build a Custom Music Box -
'Foreverbox'" which details the process someone who knew little about
music boxes used to make a custom cylinder. The complete URL is:

    http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/199810/1998.10.07.16.html

The other suggestion is to investigate a mechanism that is driven by
a heavyweight paper tape. I think they are made by Sankyo. Nancy Fratti
sells these, and they allow you to program your own music. If I recall
correctly, the scale it's tuned to is a simple major scale (despite the
pre-printed markings on the paper tape). Whatever it was, I remember
thinking it would be a challenge, depending on the song you're working
with, to get good harmony out of the comb it comes with. Perhaps
another comb could be used with it, or the comb could be retuned. One
other consideration: the mechanism is driven by a crank, so if you
aren't cranking, there's no music.  (Like a Jack-in-the-box.)

Nancy Fratti's contact information follows:

  Nancy Fratti
  Panchronia Antiquities
  PO BOX 210
  Whitehall, NY 12887-0210 USA

  Tel: 518-282-9770
  Fax: 518-282-9800
  E-Mail: musicbox@sover.net

Good luck with your project.

Bob Fitterman
bobf@ilx.com