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San Francisco Music Box Company vs The Bradford Exchange

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Music Box Store Reviews

San Francisco Music Box Company Review 4 Star Rating

San Francisco Music Box Company

4 Star Rating
  • From $19.99 to $109.99
  • Fewer than 100 music boxes, additional musical options
  • Over 40 years in business
  • Their own brand of keepsakes
  • Collectibles including Phantom of the Opera
  • Reasonably priced

San Francisco Music Box Company offers music boxes, figurines, and water globes that are unique to them, so your keepsake won't be run of the mill. Their prices are reasonable and their reputation is quite good. You won't find as many options for customization or as many designs in the inventory as you'll see with some rival retailers, but this is still a company you can trust for high-quality, special music boxes.

The Bradford Exchange Review 3 Star Rating

The Bradford Exchange

3 Star Rating
  • From $59.99 to $139.99
  • About 160 designs to choose from
  • Lovely messages on most
  • For the older consumer
  • Many musical choices other than in music box form
  • 365-day money-back guarantee

The Bradford Exchange's music boxes are pretty and well made, and lovely for an older person, perhaps one who collects trinkets and music boxes, wishing to pass them down to the next generation of family members. They are unique and one of a kind, and have a one full year guarantee. The Bradford Exchange is just not going to be the right choice if you want something novel, modern, or customized.

Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Music Boxes?

Music boxes have captivated people's hearts for centuries. Even the mention of music boxes can bring back memories of a grandmother, or the tune that lulled you to sleep as a child, or simply relaxation. Their enduring popularity can be attributed to a combination of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enchanting magic they bring into our lives.

It almost goes without saying that music boxes, with their whimsical style and delicate melodies, have a timeless appeal that transcends generations. But shopping for a music box from a local store can be a frustrating challenge. Thankfully, a number of online shops have emerged to meet the demand of music box lovers everywhere.

The Best Music Box Stores Compare Music Box Stores Compare Music Box Store Reviews What are the best Music Box Stores Best Music Box Store Reviews

Music Box Store FAQ

Music boxes first appeared in the late 18th Century in Switzerland. They became so popular within the next 100 years that music boxes were 10% of the nation's total exports! Music boxes' appeal declined for a while but surged once more when American soldiers in Europe during WWII brought them home as souvenirs.
There's a lot of variety within the different types of music boxes. They can play anywhere from four to eight bars of music, depending on the size of the cylinder that produces the notes.
Given their origins in the 18th Century, music boxes even now feature many classical pieces like Beethoven's 9th Symphony or Fur Elise. Musicals are also popular, from Phantom of the Opera's "Music of the Night" to "Memory" from Cats. Believe it or not, you can find contemporary music - even TV show theme songs and tunes from Disney movies!
Yes, definitely. If there's a piece of music that has special meaning, a figurine to commemorate an important occasion, or a type of wood that would complement your decor, there are specialty music box stores that are happy to provide you with a bespoke creation.
Yes and no. You can have jewelry boxes that don't play music, of course, and you can have music boxes that don't have any storage space. But, if you have a music box with compartments or hollowed-out areas where you can keep rings, necklaces, and so on, you could call it a music box or a jewelry box - or even a music jewelry box! You get the idea.
Only if you want them to be. You can get a very simple music box for less than $15, a one-of-a-kind luxury purchase for over $100,000, and everything in between. Most music boxes, however, fall in a price range between $50 and $150.
Yes. Not every retailer of music boxes offers a repair service, however. The more specialized (and, perhaps, high-end) the music box store, the more likely it is that they can fix a music box you already have.
Many retailers of music boxes allow returns on non-customized items only. You may be charged a restocking fee and have to pay any costs for the return shipping.
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Continued from above...

In a fast-paced world, where technological advancements dominate, the music box offers a tangible link to the past. The basic mechanism of a music box, which relies on a simple set of gears and pins, is truly a source of fascination. The mechanical nature of these devices, devoid of digital complexities, offers a refreshing and tactile experience. Turning the key and watching the delicate dance of the internal components creates a sense of wonder and connection with the inner workings of a timeless piece of machinery.

There's a lovely variety of music box styles to choose from and choices you can make when selecting the perfect music box gift. Music boxes are often thought of being a wood or metal box to hold jewelry or watches, but some are whimsical and look like an old-fashioned wooden toy. Music boxes can be gifts for a wedding, for the birth of a child, a birthday, or any holiday.

The tune is important to music boxes, too. They may play one song or up to four songs, and sometimes you can choose the song for your special music box gift. You can even find music boxes with a round disc or one that plays digital music. Would you like to record your own music or your spoken voice to be heard and remembered by your loved ones for generations to come? Today, that's possible with music boxes, too.

Whatever music box you're looking for, you can help the receiver to create or recreate some beautiful memories. So, where should you shop for your next treasured keepsake? There are literally thousands of music boxes to choose from, and dozens of stores that carry them.

Here are some criteria for you to keep in mind as you begin your music box shopping:

  • Style. There are music boxes that have a lovely design and just play music. There are boxes with lids that lift to store jewelry, watches, or other trinkets. You can choose a music box and see the tune that has been carefully selected for it, or you can design your own music box, choose from hundreds of tunes, or record your own music or your own voice to be played. You can even DIY your own box with materials sent to you. If you're a collector, there are vintage and rare music boxes to be found, admired, and purchased.
  • Price. Music boxes can run anywhere from $25 to $25,000. Just because a music box may carry a lower price doesn't mean it's not well made. There are very well made music boxes in a variety of styles and materials for a lower price point. The highest price points are usually for vintage, rare, or antique reproductions which are quite beautiful.
  • Warranty. The return policy can range greatly from company to company. Some have a 365-day money-back guarantee with a lifetime warranty. Others may have a 15-day or even basically no warranty.
  • Retailer reputation. There are more music box stores than you might think, and they vary in reputation. You'll want to look at how long they've been in business, quality of product, variety of style, and customer satisfaction.

To help you make your best selection in music boxes, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked several music box retailers. We're sure this will help you find that special music box that will bring memories for years or generations to come.

Compare Music Box Stores

Select any 2 Music Box Stores to compare them head to head

best-music-box-stores
  • Music Box Attic
  • The Music House
  • The Music Box Store
  • San Francisco Music Box Company
  • Music Boxes Etc.
  • Wooderful Life
  • The Bradford Exchange
  • The Music Box Shop
  • The Music Box Company
  • Wrapboxx
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