Is the instrument built from a kit? Can I put one together like “hurdy-gurdies” I've seen?

Our instruments are custom-built to order, and not kits. The Musical Clocks are built by pipe organ builders with many years experience, and require the same skills as any pipe organ, church or concert organ. The large amount of “finishing” required with a pipe organ precludes a “kit” format, except in the hands of a master organ builder.

How is the music produced? Is it recorded and played through speakers or are there reeds?

Just like a regualar pipe organ – music from Holmberg Musical Clocks is produced by actual organ pipes, properly scaled and voiced for this purpose. The organ pipes are of the flute family, and are stopped pipes with a compass corresponding to the musical notes specified by the composers’ manuscripts.

I have furniture in my house that is neither walnut or mahogany. Can I get my instrument made to match?

Our Musical Clocks are normally custom built of mahogany or walnut. These are common and popular woods in American homes and in addition, they are of exceptional value in their contribution to the tonal resources on the instruments. When there is a special need for another wood, if that wood is complimentary to the tone and function of the Musical Clock, we will be happy to quote the price for an instrument in that wood if additional cost is necessary.

I would like my instrument to be special and unique. What kind of options and customization are possible?

Standard options with the order of a Holmberg Musical Clock in addition to the mahogany and/or walnut construction, include the use of Arabic or Roman dials, and approval of a color sample for the finish that we can furnish when needed.
The most important option, is the selection of the music from our Music Library List that is in addition to the basic Haydn and Handel furnished with every instrument. For example, with the 27 note models, we furnish 100 compositions. The Haydn and Handel total 43, and the balance may be selected by the Owner. Many more compositions are available as well, and more music may be purchased at any time.

Can I use the instrument for weddings and other special occasions? Do you have other music selections to add?

An organ with a compass of 27 pipes would probably not be a good choice for a wedding, or a special occasion requiring greater volume and/or variety. However, for any music that is written within the compass of these 27 notes, if the Owner will furnish the music (manuscript), we can usually put it into our software, and furnish a disk for the Musical Clock. A quotation can be provided for this service on request.

How about a pipe organ, (not a clock)?

Of course! We are committed to automatic, but…

Holmberg Clockworks has made a considerable investment in digital technology and design to automatically play our Musical Clocks. An investment necessary to bring these beautiful instruments from eighteenth century "wind up," to contemporary automatic performance.

The second consideration to play this special music is a pipe organ mechanism to match. This is not a problem for traditional experienced pipe organ builders. Since before the turn of the last century, pneumatic, and then electro-pneumatic chestwork has become the standard of the world, evolving naturally from the old tracker, mechanical organs. These newer mechanisms are very fast, very quiet and very dependable. They are designed for any reasonable wind pressure and performance parameters required by the organ architect and voicer for the tonal excellence that their discipline demands.

Our digital mechanisms and low pressure electro-pneumatic chestwork designs are the optimum basis for our Musical Clocks, and when combined with a proper traditional organ case design, the finest organ pipes and tonal finishing, a very special instrument is created.

This package is also available for complete pipe organs. If you have need of a small to medium size organ,with automatic playing of all of your music,with or without optional manual and pedal keyboards, please inquire. We can do that!