[ Ref 020826 MMD, "Music Boxes For The Mass Market", by Julie Porter ]

Wow, Julie, what a long article.  I had to read it twice to get the
message.

Someone on this list called all musical boxes "tinkle boxes".  I'm
not sure what to make of this name, but I don't believe that it's fair
to make distinctions.  What is really a music box, and where does the
magic number of 1-1/2" come from?  Is that the cylinder diameter or
length?  I've never heard it myself.  I will agree to a distinction
between types of musical boxes: organ box, sectional tooth, modern,
keywound, etc.

While I personally have no interest in modern music boxes, it's not
because I can't appreciate them for what they are.  While waiting at
the Zurich airport, I came across a store selling modern music boxes
and some of them would compete with the antique boxes certainly (and
the prices represented that, as well).  I also have no interest in
band organs but I certainly believe that they have a place in this
symposium.

My plea is that we stop the snobbery and degradation of those who don't
have the most expensive or rare instruments.  I have a Concert Roller
Organ that is a (relative to this list) inexpensive instrument, and
I find it absolutely delightful.  Put it together with a music box
(except for a few rare examples by Bremond or Nicole) and you have
a combination that I personally do not appreciate, though you've now
elevated the price by several thousand dollars.

Currently you could say that my interest is centered around musical
boxes, chiefly in keywound boxes, however I simply boycotted them
for 15 years because of a snide comment that I received at an AMICA
meeting several years ago.  We were listening to a reproducing grand,
and this gentleman said it's nice but he prefers music boxes.  I (in
my innocence) said that I also have a music box.  He put me down by
saying that he wasn't talking about the commercial garbage sold today,
but about exquisite antiques.  If he had taken the time to explain
to me the beauty and joy of a box without insulting me I would have
had a totally different attitude.

To be honest, I don't care if you have a 9' Mason & Hamlin Ampico B
art-case or an upright foot-pumped standard player.  The important
thing about any of this is that you maintain and enjoy your instrument.

Eliyahu Shahar