Marcus Tempus Workshop
Antique Musical Box Repair & Restoration
Specialist restoration of antique cylinder musical boxes, Polyphon and disc musical boxes, Swiss musical boxes and fine mechanical music mechanisms. Our work is carried out through the Marcus Tempus workshop in Barnet, serving collectors across London and the UK.
Specialist Mechanical Music
Restoration for serious antique musical boxes.
Antique musical boxes are precision mechanical instruments. Many are more than a century old and contain delicate components that can be permanently damaged by unsuitable repair.
We focus on sympathetic mechanical restoration, preserving original components, sound quality and historic character wherever practical.
Cylinder Musical Boxes
Pinned cylinders, steel combs, governors, spring barrels, gear trains and associated mechanisms.
Polyphon & Disc Boxes
Repair and servicing of Polyphon and other antique disc-playing musical box mechanisms.
Antique Mechanical Music
Specialist consideration for collectable mechanical music, clock-and-music mechanisms and suitable automata.
Cylinder Musical Box Restoration
Pinned cylinders, combs and traditional mechanical music.
Swiss cylinder musical boxes combine a precisely pinned rotating cylinder with a tuned steel comb. Wear, corrosion, damaged pins, broken teeth, governor faults and previous repairs can all affect performance.
Each mechanism is assessed individually before work begins. The aim is to restore reliable operation while retaining as much original material as the condition of the piece allows.
Polyphon & Disc Musical Boxes
Specialist repair for antique disc-playing musical boxes.
Polyphon and other disc musical boxes use interchangeable metal discs to operate the tuned comb through a complex mechanical drive.
These substantial antique mechanisms deserve very different treatment from modern novelty music boxes. We assess the drive system, comb, star wheels, governor and associated components before recommending restoration.
Workshop Services
Musical box servicing, repair and restoration.
No two antique musical boxes are exactly alike. Work is recommended only after the mechanism and condition have been assessed.
Mechanical Servicing
Careful cleaning, lubrication, adjustment and regulation of suitable original mechanisms.
Fault Diagnosis
Investigation of poor running, stopping, speed faults, weak drive and previous repair problems.
Comb & Cylinder Work
Assessment of combs, teeth, pinned cylinders and related components within antique cylinder boxes.
Governor & Drive Repairs
Attention to governors, spring-driven mechanisms, gear trains and other mechanical drive components.
Preserving Originality
The history is part of the musical box.
Original tune cards, labels, finishes, cabinet details and signs of age can be an important part of an antique musical box's character.
Restoration should not automatically mean making an antique object look new. We consider mechanical condition, originality, previous work and the owner's priorities before deciding what should be repaired, retained or left untouched.
“The aim is to restore the music without erasing the history.”
Other Mechanical Music
Singing birds, automata and unusual mechanisms.
Some antique musical mechanisms extend beyond the conventional cylinder or disc box. Suitable singing bird automata, clock-and-music mechanisms and other specialist mechanical pieces may also be considered.
Because these mechanisms vary considerably, acceptance is always subject to inspection, condition and the availability of suitable components.
Our Process
From assessment to careful testing.
Antique mechanical music restoration begins with understanding exactly what is present, what has happened previously and what can realistically be preserved.
Inspection
The mechanism, comb, cylinder or disc system, drive and cabinet are examined.
Recommendations
We explain the work we believe is appropriate before restoration begins.
Restoration
Approved cleaning, repair, adjustment and mechanical restoration are carried out.
Playback
Running, speed, sound and mechanical operation are checked after work.
Collection
The completed piece is prepared for collection or an agreed return method.
Before Contacting the Workshop
We specialise in antique and collectable mechanical musical boxes.
Our workshop is best suited to substantial antique cylinder musical boxes, Polyphon and other disc musical boxes, Swiss mechanical musical boxes and specialist collectable mechanisms.
Photographs of the complete musical box and its mechanism are extremely helpful when making an initial enquiry.
Modern Novelty Music Boxes
We do not generally undertake repairs to modern toy, novelty or inexpensive mass-produced music boxes where specialist antique restoration would not be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique Musical Box Restoration
Do you repair antique cylinder musical boxes?
Yes. Suitable antique cylinder musical boxes can be assessed for servicing and restoration, including faults involving the cylinder, comb, governor, spring and mechanical drive.
Do you repair Polyphon musical boxes?
We assess Polyphon and other antique disc-playing musical boxes for servicing and restoration, subject to condition and parts availability.
Can you repair a broken musical box comb?
Comb condition is assessed as part of the restoration. What can be achieved depends on the extent of damage, originality and the individual mechanism.
Do you restore the wooden cabinet as well?
Suitable cabinet work may be considered where appropriate, with the emphasis on preserving original character rather than unnecessarily removing signs of age.
Do you repair modern toy music boxes?
We do not generally undertake repairs to modern toy, novelty or inexpensive mass-produced music boxes. Our focus is antique and collectable mechanical music.
Can I send photographs before bringing the musical box in?
Yes. Please send clear photographs of the complete musical box and the mechanism where safely accessible. This can help us understand the type of piece before arranging an assessment.
Request an Assessment
Have an antique musical box to restore?
Send photographs and details of your cylinder musical box, Polyphon, disc musical box or other antique mechanical music piece to our workshop.