Anatomy of a Music Box

Music boxes have a great number of mechanical or moving parts. Some music box owners enjoy the mystery of not knowing exactly how the sound is made, while others want to know every little detail. If you are the latter sort, here is a brief summary of music box anatomy.

Cylinder
The cylinder is the piece in cylinder music boxes that is programmed with the music. This programming is done through the use of numerous small pins spaced around the cylinder to strike the teeth of the comb at the proper time, thus producing a sound.

Disc
The disc is the piece in disc music boxes that is programmed with the music. Unlike cylinders, discs are interchangeable. Music is programmed onto these circular metal sheets using holes or projections extending from the disc's underside.

Comb
A music box comb is a flat piece of metal featuring a series of teeth of different lengths that are arranged in a musical scale. Music is produced when these teeth strike the pins or projections on the music box's disc or cylinder.

Bedplate
The bedplate is the metal base or foundation beneath a music box's comb and other mechanisms. These pieces are typically attached to the bedplate with screws.

Spring
The spring barrel is the brass, steel, or iron housing that holds a music box's main spring. The spring in a music box is wound up, providing the clockwork power for the music.

Ratchet
A music box ratchet is comprised of a gear and spring-loaded lever capable of movement in only one direction. Turning the ratchet winds the spring, putting the spring motor under tension. That tension is released by the spring's gradual unwinding, which powers the music box to create the music it was designed to play.

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