Many thanks to Larry Smith for commenting on the new boxes.  I once got
a San Fransisco Music Box catalog in the mail, but it was almost all
treacly novelty items, with part of the last page devoted to "real" boxes.
I don't recall any sublime harmonie boxes there -- or maybe the prices
erased my memory.  :-)

The prices I quoted were from memory and mentally converted from Swiss
francs, which are worth almost one US $ apiece these days.  Not much
different from the SFMB prices.

The "Trout" box I bought has one defect: the bottom bass note is voiced
too loud and really "booms" whenever it's played, implying its tooth tip
is too close to the cylinder.  I have yet to play it in a quiet room, as
I'm sandbagging it as a possible birthday present for my wife (after she
sees the VISA bill, right?  :-)

BTW, does everyone know that a small box can be quadrupled in acoustic
"size" by holding it against a modern cheap hollow-core door?  And this
soundboard does not amplify the damper squeaks.

As for Larry's warning on auditioning boxes in shopping malls --
substitute "Union, IL" or "any MBSI swap mart", or whatever, and any age
or quality of music box.  It's shocking how many damper and intonation
problems develop during the ride home with a new treasure.  :-)  I really
appreciate the mart vendors who have invited me to take a box outside for
a close listening test before purchase.

Mike Knudsen