Dear MMDers,  Yesterday Bea Robertson mentioned the two versions of the
Mr. Christmas disk music boxes that are available in stores this year.

I purchased one of the "deluxe" models at Sam's Club a few weeks ago
and have been looking to find (just for comparison) one of the models
in the other stores.  I have not yet found one in the usual places:
Sears, Penny's, Walmart, etc.  One difference, I understand, is that
the regular model comes only with Christmas music while the deluxe
model comes with 4 secular pieces.  Bea wonders about producing more
music for these and the material of the disks.

A few weeks ago, we were in Intercourse, PA, (no jokes, please) in
the heart of Amish country and went into a music box store.  Among
the range of music boxes were some disk boxes that used the same Sankyo
movement.  I inquired about disks for these boxes and they had quite
a selection of additional disks for sale.

They were made of two materials.  One was a thin plastic like the ones
included in the Mr. Christmas boxes.  The other was a stiff, polished
cardboard of a similar thickness.  The cardboard disks were $10 each of
which I bought two.  The plastic disks were, I think, about $20.  I did
not buy any of these because of the price.  The plastic is probably
more rugged, but the cardboard ought to last a long time with careful
use.

Considering that 16 disks plus the player are included in the Mr.
Christmas package for $69.99, there is quite a markup on the music
and the Mr. Christmas box is a good bargain.  The whole point of this
diatribe is that there is additional music already available for these
boxes if we seek it out.

Bob Conant
Currently languishing in Cortez, FL