In MMD 040410 the cost of custom-made music box movement was
discussed and it was stated, "That's very expensive!"

I would suggest a very good and cheap solution: Take a Sankyo 20-note
movement and punch your own paper strips with your music of choice.
This movement is sold in Germany for less than 40 euros (i.e., less
than 50 USD).

This movement is hand cranked, which I see as an advantage (in some
respects) because the player can express his personal interpretation
of the tune by varying the speed of cranking.  For those who don't
like hand cranking, it should not be too much a problem (for a skilled
amateur) to add a small spring-wound motor to the movement.

I personally enjoy composing the music (done by a friend of mine),
punching the strip (boring!) and playing "my own music" from a small
monkey organ wherein I mounted the Sankyo movement.  The organ kit for
this small model was sold from a Dutch company named "Authentic models,
Holland."  Don't know whether this model is still available from them.
See the attached pictures.

Greetings from Bavaria
Christian Greinacher

 [ In the photo of the front of the organ, above the painted pipes,
 [ is "Cocchi, Bacigalupo & Graffigna, Berlin".  More about the
 [ Sankyo 20-note paper strip movement is in the MMD Archive at
 [ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/S/sankyo.html
 [ Watch for Christian's photo at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/
 [ -- Robbie