Directions for Music Boxes with Mechanical Movements

1. Description:
The Richard Glaesser Company in Seiffen was instrumental in the development of the Erzgebirge music box which today represents an essential part of sought-after typical folk art. The designs are based on old stories or customs and you will recognize our unmistakable signature on the hand-crafted music boxes. The figures are made of local wood, and as is typical for folk art from Seiffen, the figures are turned on a lathe, then assembled and painted. A mechanical musical movement is built into the hand-turned music box base. The resonance of the music box is influenced by construction, material and growth of the wood. An axle connects the musical movement to the base, allowing the base to turn on the same principles as a watch movement. The music boxes tell stories such as the nativity, choral singing by the Seiffen carolers, or fairy tales.

2. Information to consider when purchasing a music box:
We use "ROMANCE" mechanical Swiss musical movements in our high quality music boxes. Musical movements of this type are precision tuned. A spring drives the cylinder. The cylinder has pins that are arranged to impart the tone of the melody by striking the ridges. The musical movement has many gears and settings that allow for intrinsic sounds. The musical movement is subject to wear and tear with normal use which may affect the quality of the tone. Mechanical musical movements can develop a tinny tone. Even strict production and quality controls cannot rule out that each musical movement has characteristics of its own, as do musical instruments. The decision to purchase a music box with a mechanical musical movement rules out the expectation of clarity of sound produced by modern technology.

3. Care and Maintenance:
The type of mechanical musical movements that we use are basically maintenance-free. The movements shouldn't be over-wound and not be turned off or stored when tightly-wound. In order to avoid the danger of warping the axle, the turning platform should not be subject to any outside forces. When the musical movement is wound-up, the turning platform will turn backwards. Please do not hold the turning platform in place as this will cause the platform to loosen itself from the axle. If this should happen, wind the musical movement fully and then turn the platform back. This action will cause the spring in the movement to loosen. If the music should slow down after a considerable amount of time, add a drop of fine mechanical oil to the drive. Please keep your sales receipt and packing slip and present these to your retailer in the event of a warranty claim. The mechanics of the musical movement are covered by statutory warranty if the music box has not been misused. The warranty of the manufacturer of the musical movement does not include the tone or reproduction of the melody.

4. Further information regarding musical movements:
Musical movements in many variations have been made in Switzerland since 1865. One defining characteristic of these movements is the breadth of the pitch. Currently 18, 28 or 36 pitch musical movements are used although 22 and 50 pitch and higher are available. 18 pitch movements turn clockwise; 28 pitch movements counter-clockwise. Some movements are made only to reproduce a tone. It is possible to stop the movement on some music boxes by pushing in the metal or wooden stopper.

We thank you for your interest.
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Richard Glässer GmbH
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