MARXOCHIME

Subject: MARXOCHIME
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 26 May 99 - 04:49 PM

Hello; I have a librry patron who has an old "marxochime" instrument, which he describes as having a rectangular sound box with about 16 strings, about lap size. His was made in New Troy, Michigan and "sold only through our advertisings." no date, but he guesstimates it is thirties. Box has instructions for tuning with a key (which has been lost) and compares it to tuning a piano. main set of strings parallel across the middle, with small sets angled acros two corners.

He is hoping for more information on date of manufacture, how it was used musically, and whether it might have any value to a collector.

TIA,

Mary Ann

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 26 May 99 - 06:33 PM

Welcome, Mary Ann,

I am ignorant about Marxochimes, but I look forward to a response from some Mudcatter. Keep checking back, it may take a little time. I will try to keep your request on top so it won't get lost. I am curious.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 99 - 07:48 PM

With a quick search in Yahoo, I managed to find a link to the history of the company and inventor. To go there just click here

good luck,

katlaughing

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 99 - 08:05 PM

Mag, this was fun to look for. Thanks. With a little more diligence in searching "dogpile.com" I found a couple of more interesting sites.

This one has an excellent picture of a Marxochime and other instruments pictures here

This one has an actual recording of a Marxophone audio here

And, this one look like a great all around link to the American Shrine to Music Museum here

For those who want the address for later:

1- http://users.desupernet.com/williams/marx.htm

2- http://www2.netdoor.com/~rlang/marxop.htm

3- http://www.usd.edu/smm/FAQ.html

Hope I go those all right. If not, I'll be back!

kat

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: Mark Clark
Date: 26 May 99 - 10:14 PM

I used to own a "ukeolin" with a label that said Marxochime Colony, New Troy, MI. It was a small bowed psaltry, very cheaply made, with bowed melody strings along each outside edge and four or five chords up the middle. The music notation looked very much like the number chart at katlaughing's reference site. It didn't look like the pictures though. It was painted gold with some kind of air-brushed contrast like a cheap sunburst or something. The original bow was with it but it looked like it wasn't too far removed from the orange crate it was made from. Ah, but the sound; possibly the most disagreable sound ever to come from a device designed to make music.

- Mark

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 27 May 99 - 06:29 AM

..and I thought it was a set of bells to accompany Harpo!
..or a set of bells made from all those melted down staues of Karl
or...(stop it, Roger, that's enough!)

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: Allan C.
Date: 27 May 99 - 07:18 AM

I was thinking that the description sounded quite a bit like a ukeolin. Now that Kat has supplied a picture, I don't see any real difference. Mark, we had a thread about the ukeolin sometime last fall but I was unable to search it out. Perhaps someone more skilled than I can find it and create a "blue-clicky-thing". For months there has been one for sale at the local Salvation Army thrift store (where I have gotten nearly everything I own!) but I can't find a way to justify spending $150 for it. The current standard price in antique stores is anywhere from about $70 to $300. The original retail price was about $30.

The novelty of owning one does tempt me, though...

Subject: RE: MARXOCHIME
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 27 May 99 - 01:56 PM

Thanks Everybody; you made my patron's day! what a great group! -- Mary Ann