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MMD > Archives > February 2010 > 2010.02.25 > 03Prev  Next


Musical Box Sound Volume is Weak
By Nancy Fratti

> My Stella disc musical box sounds weak when compared to another
> box.  Can the volume this box produces be adjusted (in some manner
> or another)?

Many things can affect the sound of music box.  One of the major
things is the tightness of the case.  Cracks in the bottom soundboard
and loose corners are the biggest culprits.  In the Stellas and Miras,
there was usually a wooden sound post that went from center of the
bedplate to the bottom of the case.  This post was cut a little proud
so that when the sound board was screwed down, the post would make
a _slight_ downward bow of the bottom board.  This amplified the sound
a bit.

Wear on the tooth tips will shorten their stroke, producing less
vibration, hence less volume.  Combs can be shimmed in for more depth,
but I'd not recommend it, especially on a Stella.

I'd go with the sound post to see if that helps and satisfies your ear.
It's not really fair to compare one box with another as the comb
temper and general personality of some boxes is louder or softer than
others!

Nancy Fratti - Nancy Fratti Music Boxes
Canastota, New York
http://www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com/ 


(Message sent Thu 25 Feb 2010, 14:06:47 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Box, is, Musical, Sound, Volume, Weak

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