F.A.Q. & Help

Is DeBence Antique Music World a non-profit?

DeBence Antique Music World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do our best to utilize time, staff, and volunteers in a cost-effective and profitable manner.

Do you buy, sell, or appraise used instruments?

We do not buy or sell instruments and are NOT a source for determining the retail or fair-market values of musical instruments. There are many websites you may check for assistance with your questions about instruments that you need appraised, restored or repaired.

Do you accept donations of used instruments?

If you have mechanical musical instruments that you would like to donate to the museum, please give us a call. We are unable to accept standard pianos and, unless your player piano is highly unusual, we will not be able to accept it either. When you call regarding a music box, phonograph, musical toy or other item, please have as much information as possible. Take a good look to see if you can determine the manufacturer’s name, serial numbers, and any dates stamped or written on the item. This will help us evaluate the item to see if it meets the criteria for inclusion in the collection.

Do you repair instruments?

If you live close by and have an instrument that needs repair, our volunteer restoration staff will be glad to evaluate the item for you to determine the work needed. We will either recommend someone to do the work for you or do the work in our restoration shop. Cost of an evaluation is $30.

Helpful Links

Restoration & Repair Services

www.bluebookofpianos.com – Get an appraisal of your piano or player piano

Antique Radio Repair – repairs of radios, record players and TV’s

www.player-care.com – restoration of player pianos

www.victor-victrola.com/index.html –The Victor Victrola Page

www.antiquephono.com – restoration and parts for Victrola

www.vintagehammond.com – all about Hammond Organs – find out what yours is worth

www.pianoworld.com – all about pianos, music rolls, restorers and more

www.finest1.com/meekins/ – Al Meekins restorer

www.themusicboxshop.com – buy, sell or repair

www.musicbox.hamiltonsquare.com – buy, sell or repair

www.portmansmusic.com – music boxes

www.organetterepair.com – roller organ repair

www.concertina.net – concertina and accordian information

www.musicboxrestorations.com – Antique Music Box Restorations

www.midcoastclock.com – Midcoast Clock & Music Box Company, LLC

Barry Johnson – maker of new discs for music boxes

Barry Johnson Music Box Company
1305 Hoover St
Menlo Park CA 94025
(650-323-5268)

Clubs & Organizations

www.amica.org – Automated Musical Instrument Collectors Association

www.mbsi.org – Musical Box Society International

Places to See & Visit

www.musicamecanica.org – listing of museums and collections throughout the world

www.musichouse.org – Music House Museum in Acme, Michigan

www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/ – The Musical Museum in the U.K.

www.musicalwonderhouse.com – Musical Wonder House (private museum in Maine)

www.bayernhofmuseum.com – Bayernhof Museum, Pittsburgh, PA

www.automates-anciens.com – TIL PRODUCTIONS

www.franklinsilvercornetband.com – Franklin Silver Cornet Band

www.intertique.com – Annual antique shows for talking machines, music boxes, 78rpm and cylinder records, and everything mechanically musical. Free classified, newsletter archives, online show and many items for sale.

www.planetware.com/pennsylvania-tourism-vacations-uspa.htm – Pennsylvania Tourism

Carousels and other music related sites