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How to Choose Grandfather Clocks With Chimes

Grandfather clocks are tall pendulum clocks. The pendulum regulates the time; a series of weights provide power to the internal gears. Most grandfather clocks strike a gong, or bell, on the hour. The number of rings is equal to the time. Many also employ chimes to announce the hour, as well as the quarter, half, and three-quarter hours. The sound of the chimes is produced by either a group of rods, or hollow tubes, which hang in the clock case, near the pendulum. These are struck, in specific patterns, by small hammers. Grandfather clock chimes are available in a range of common melodies.

Things You'll Need

Grandfather clock with chimes

Instructions

- 1
  Look inside the clock case. This is the portion of the clock that is located directly beneath the clock face. The clock case is generally enclosed by a glass door that permits the viewer to look directly inside the case.
- 2
  Count the number of rods, or cylinders, inside the case. Most grandfather clocks with chimes contain either 12 or 16 rods, or tubes. The tubes are hollow, and provide a different tone from the much more common rods. Rods and tubes vary in size, with each length producing a different tone.
- 3
  Look on the clock dial. There should be a selector that shows the different chime choices. The most common melody is known as Westminster Chimes. If the clock has 12 rods, or tubes, and features a dial that says only, "chime silent," then the grandfather clock will only play Westminster Chimes.
- 4
  Choose a grandfather clock with chimes by selecting the model that plays your favorite melodies. Westminster Chimes plays four notes on the quarter hour, eight on the half, 12, on the three-quarters, and 16 on the hour. The selector switch on a clock with Westminster Chimes will also frequently offer a choice of Whittington and St. Michael's Chimes. These melodies also employ 12 rods, or tubes.
- 5
  Check the selector switch for more complex melodies if your grandfather clock has 16 rods, or tubes. Most clocks with 16 rods, or tubes, offer a triple chime version of the Westminster Chimes, together with Schubert's Ave Maria, and Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

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