Different Types of Music Boxes | Music Box Types

Musical boxes were rare a decade ago, but now these vintage pieces are making a comeback. They make ideal gifts and memorabilia that can be treasured and passed down as heirlooms. The first music box was invented in Switzerland, starting as pocket watch-sized and growing in size over time. It’s no surprise that renowned Swiss watchmakers were the innovators of this wonderful automata. Since its inception, the music box has evolved in shape, size, and technology.

Also Read: Best Speakers for Classical Music

Here are a few different types of music boxes:

Reuge Music Box

Reuge boxes are named after their inventor, Charles Reuge, who crafted the first of its kind in 1865. These beauties are made of the finest wood and come in three variations: lounge, studio, and pocket-sized. The Reuge boxes have truly mastered the art of mechanical music, making them highly decorative and considered furniture-sized.

Cylinder Music Box

This model is the most popular among music boxes and was a common sight during the late nineteenth century. The music was created by pins on a rotating cylinder plucking the prongs of a steel comb. The cylinder rotated due to a spring motor wound by a ratchet lever. It could play music for a few seconds to almost an hour. However, these boxes could only play one melody, programmed at the time of manufacture.

Thomas Kinkade Music Box

Thomas Kinkade, “Painter of Light,” was an American painter who depicted idyllic and pastoral scenes in his paintings. He was also keen on music boxes and designed a type of his own. The Thomas Kinkade box is beautifully adorned and takes you to a snowy wonderland. They are elegant and will be tempting to showcase to guests.

Disc Music Box

Reuge music boxes were made of fine wood with many decorations in Switzerland. In Germany, a similar invention was being made of cheaper materials. The Disc Music Box could play different melodies and kinds of music, unlike the Cylinder music box and its pre-programmed tune. These boxes were dexterous and could play different music if the owner bought a new disc. The disc and music box production boomed after this invention but ended when pianos, phonographs, and nickelodeons began mass production.

Sankyo Seiki Music Box

Sankyo Seiki has dominated the music industry since World War II, with more than 50% of the market share in the digital age. They are well-crafted and can be used as jewelry boxes and toys. Above all else, they have very exclusive tunes that add to their allure, with different figurines that can also be attached to them. You can customize your musical box.

Modern Music Boxes

Though nothing beats a classical music box, an heirloom passed down through generations, modern music boxes have their perks. Their sound quality is exceptional, thanks to technological advancements made after World War II. Custom musical boxes like these can be found online, having more features and utility than traditional boxes. If you keep one and pass it down to your children, it will one day be cherished like an original Reuge box is revered today.

Bandstand Music Box

Bandstand music boxes are unique in that they contain tiny figurines that perform and dance to the music. They were first introduced in the 1890s and gained popularity in the early 20th century. They were often used in parlors for entertainment purposes.

Symphonion Music Box

Symphonion music boxes were manufactured in Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were designed with a disc format, much like the disc music box. However, Symphonion boxes were renowned for their superior sound quality, and some could play up to six tunes.

Orpheus Music Box

Orpheus music boxes were invented in the late 19th century and were named after the famous Greek musician, Orpheus. These boxes were unique in that they featured a metal disc that had pins that could be adjusted to change the tune played. The Orpheus music box gained popularity because it allowed the owner to customize the music played.

Grand Piano Music Box

Grand piano music boxes were designed to look like grand pianos, complete with a miniature keyboard and hinged top. They were popular in the early 20th century and were often used as decorative pieces in homes.

Jukebox Music Box

Jukebox music boxes were designed to look like vintage jukeboxes from the 1950s and 1960s. They were usually battery-operated and could play multiple tunes. These music boxes were popular among collectors and enthusiasts of retro culture.

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