My husband has been searching - and he's very good at offline and
websearching but unsuccessful on this one so this is NOT an easy
request - for a high quality music box where he can either request
that the song be one specific song OR add a song to the box once the
box is received.  (The song is "Ask Me Again" by George and Ira
Gershwin, copyright 1983.) Can you find a source for a high quality
music box with these characteristics?

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Clarification of Question by patty6683-ga on 21 Dec 2003 17:45 PST

Bobbie your first comment re: finding a vendor who will make a full
production run of a custom song is not going to prove helpful/we had
already found this FAQ but making 2,000 music boxes is not an option -
he just wants to make one! If the paper tape solution really is
straightforward perhaps that would work - please do let us know.

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 21 Dec 2003 18:04 PST

Hello again Patty,

I am posting the information for you to review.

From the Musical Digest Archives:

 ?It's not easy to get a custom music box because of the initial cost
of setting up a new pinning and arranging the music.  But with a
little effort on your part, you could get pretty close to what you
want.?

?Buy one of those little 20-note Sankyo paper strip music boxes from
Nancy Fratti.  It comes with several nice tunes to listen to.  But you
also get a couple of blank strips and a punch.?

?So, lay out the music on the paper strip and punch away.  Then build or
buy a box and you have a nice music box with the tune you like for less
than $100.?

Musical Digest Archives
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/200110/2001.10.30.03.html


?A better idea might be to buy from Nancy Fratti (Panchronia
Antiquities) a little hand-cranked 20-notes musical movement which
plays from a paper strip into which you can punch tunes of your own
creation.  This might be fun to experiment with and would give you an
idea of the mechanics and techniques of music box operation and
arranging.  It sells for $55 (plus $4.50 postage).  You can contact
Nancy at musicbox@dreamscape.com
(phone 315-697-5881)
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/200206/2002.06.05.07.html

Contact Information:

Nancy Fratti - Panchronia Antiquities
PO Box 400
Canastota, NY 13032-0400  USA
Tel.: 315-697-5881;  
Fax: 315-697-5882
E-mail:  musicbox@dreamscape.com

Disc & Cylinder Musical Boxes
Musical Box Restoration Supplies 
Books - Audio/Video Recording

http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/Digests/200204/2002.04.28.01.html


If this information meets your needs, just let me know and I will post
my findings as the official answer.

Best regards,
Bobbie

Hi Patty6683,

Unfortunately I was not able to locate a music box that comes with
"Ask Me Again" by George and Ira Gershwin, however, I did find a music
box company that states in their FAQ:

I want to make up my own tune, or a tune not on your list.  Can I do that? 

?We usually do not make up custom tunes for the general public.  It is
a time consuming,  expensive and tedious process.  A minimum of 2,000
pieces is required.  It generally takes a year+, between the
arrangement process and delivery.   In addition, your order may
bebumped for larger orders.  All orders must be prepaid and there are
no refunds on custom tunes.?

?If you would like to order a custom tune, please send in a tape
recording of the tune played on a piano or similar, send in
arrangement of sheet music, usually 16 bars of music in 4/4 time, a
signed release form by the individual who owns the rights to the music
and a check for $6,000. (Preferably a bank check). This will cover the
cost of 2,000 pieces (which is the minimum) of tunes only. (approx.
$3.00 each). You will receive 2M,18 note Japanese mechanical wind up
movements only and does not include the cost of the box to put it in.
You would have to initiate development of that beginning with design,
cost ,etc. We could help you with that but you would need the musical
part first. There is absolutely no way to make up just one unit.?
 
Would this be of your interest?

Thanks,
Bobbie7

Hello again Patty6683,

You could also buy a little hand-cranked 20-note musical movement
which plays from a paper strip into which you can punch tunes of your
own creation. This would cost less than $60.00. Then you would just
have to buy the box and you would have a nice music box with the tune
you like.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

While not a true music box with a mechanical movement, it may be
possible to retrofit an existing music box with a circuit encoded with
the music you desire as a sound sample, triggered to play by the same
switch as the mechanical movement. Bending the play pins away from the
music "notes" on the mechanism would yield a silent but moving
mechanism. The effect of the two together may provide an approximation
of the music box you seek.