Revised 10/13/08

We love music boxes and people. We know you want your music box to perform as well as it possibly can. We want that too, because we know your joy will be greater.

For this reason, I personally listen to every movement we receive to make sure it's performing as it should. We are able to make most of the adjustments needed to assure the best possible sound. Once in a while we have to return movements to Sankyo that we cannot bring up to our standards. As far as we know, we are the only one in the industry that goes to these great lengths to make sure you'll love your music box.

A music box comb can be adjusted in an infinite number of slightly different positions, each of which will produce slightly different sound. It is hard to find anyone who can do this kind of adjustment well. I am a trained and active musician, have been avidly collecting music boxes for at least 40 years, and have been adjusting combs since 1970. Therefore, I can hear whether a comb is adjusted just right or not. When you buy a musical movement from us, be assured that this adjustment of the comb will be right.

I make sure the pins are in proper contact with the comb and that all the notes of a chord are struck at precisely the same moment (unless the arranger had other intentions). I also adjust the tempo if I feel it is playing too fast or too slow - or if a customer wants it a special tempo. Once in a while I find unwanted sounds that we can eliminate by adjusting or re-dampering a comb. The result is that our average movement has timing that is more precise, plays louder and brighter, and has fewer unwanted sounds.

Although not every movement from Sankyo needs this, by purchasing from us you substantially increase your chances that your movement will be in top condition. We normally charge reasonable prices of $30 to precisely adjust a comb and $60 to properly redamper a 50 or 72-Note movement. This adds up to a $90 value that you get FREE OF CHARGE whenever needed. If you buy a 100-Note movement, that value is $180.

We also visually inspect each movement after adjustments are made, and have a discount section for any movement with an unusual blemish. In addition to this we use special tools to clean each movement just prior to shipping it to you.

We care that your movement is in top condition. This is one example of what is Better about BetterMusicBoxes.com. We look forward to serving you.

Rick Epperly
Founder, BetterMusicBoxes.com