[ Mike Cino wrote in 110815 MMDigest:

> ... which one would collectors consider more desirable?

Hi, Mike: Comparing disc musical boxes is like comparing different
varieties of apples (or different varieties of oranges) to each other.
It is quite subjective.

You don't say whether they are single or double comb.  For example,
I recently sold a single-comb Regina disc musical box to a woman
who liked it's clear tone over a double-comb model.  So a double comb
is not always "better" than a single comb.

Second, what diameter disc do they play?  Some smaller disc boxes
play nicely, loud and have decent tune arrangements on the discs than
do larger machines.  Mira made 4-1/2", 6-3/4", 8", 12", and 15-1/2"
diameter and a couple of larger machines.  Regina made 8-1/2", 11",
12-1/2", 15-1/2" diameter and also a couple of larger diameter
machines.  And some of the larger diameter boxes, despite having more
notes in their comb(s), don't sound as nice as some smaller diameter
boxes, even by the same maker; at least by some collector's judgment.
Again, it's very subjective.

A good selection of tunes (normally a dozen discs is plenty) will give
you a nice variety such as waltzes, marches, hymns, polkas, mazurkas,
serenades, and so on.  I have found that after playing through them
all, I gravitate to fewer tunes over the long term.

As for desirability by collectors, each brand has its own strengths,
so I don't know which one would be more desirable.  Mira may have
better tune arrangements on their larger discs, but again, that is
subjective.  Regina discs are perhaps more readily available and,
because there are more of them around, they may be slightly less
expensive.

However, having said all that, it really is a judgement call.  The
best advice I can offer you is to select the nicest sounding musical
box that you can afford.  Don't worry about re-sale value -- your
family should enjoy it for a few generations before the need for
re-sale should arise.

Musically yours,

Bill Wineburgh
http://antiquemusicbox.us/