CustoM Hand Made Musical Boxes

Featuring Reuge Musical Movements

also selling New, Vintage, and Antique music boxes

I started making wooden music boxes in 1980.  It all started as an idea for Holiday gift giving.  My initial boxes were a bit primitive.  Here is a picture of the early first editions.

As I made more boxes the designs and construction evolved into true craftsmanship quality works of art.  All of my custom music boxes are made out of natural woods selected to enhance the sound from the musical movements, and are not stained or painted unless requested by custom order .  The preferred finish is tung oil which offers a glossy sheen while maintaining the truely beautiful natural colors and textures of the different woods.    Each corner mitered cut and doweled for strength.  The hinges are wooden as my artistic goal was to not use any screws, nails, or any other metal fasteners in the box construction (machine or wood screws are used to hold the movement to the base of the box and metal on/off buttons/levers).  Wherever possible the inlay designs or natural wood grain designs will correlate to the music in the box.  For example one box made of mahogany had a beautiful rainbow pattern naturally in the grain of the wood, so the music - "Over the Rainbow".  Many boxes have wood inlays.  Some of the inlays were designed by my wife Cynthia.  Each box is numbered dated and initialed or signed with special numbering for those designed by Cynthia.  My music boxes feature the finest quality Swiss made musical movements manufactured by "Reuge". 

In 2005 I began repairing and restoring antique and vintage musics boxes for sale. I also began to install vintage musical movements into various types of boxes.  I call these Vintage Customs.

On 13 June 2010 I showcased my most recent original music boxes.  Several Vintage Customs, and restored antiques were also on display.  The crowd enjoyed experiencing the unique style and sounds of all the different types... the biggest hit was the apricot chest (MBM#101).  See all the new originals and limited editions for sale in the "MBM Originals" category.

Featured Items

NEW! Music Box Maker signed original #88-3-5 limited edition

Featuring a Reuge changing 50 note movement playing four parts

"The Entertainer" (Scott Joplin)

Price:  $1,430

Click on the photograph below to review the complete description and hear it play.

Restored 1940/50s Rare Steinbach musical coin bank with Thorens musical movement. The car will roll along as the music plays. Song is Das gibt's nur einmal (It's Only Once) made popular in 1932 in a recording by Zarah Leander. Price $525 or best offer.
 Click on the photo for a complete description and to see a video of it working.

Reuge Musical Charles X reproduction Mantle Clock

Price $1,700.00 or best offer

Click on the picture for full details

Featured Item

I am now accepting orders for custom music boxes - please allow 8 weeks for delivery on custom orders.  For December holiday gift orders allow 12 weeks.  Please feel free to check out some of Cynthia's limited (200) edition designs.  Email your specific custom music box request to william@musicboxmaker.com .

 8/19/2010:14:17