Sources for Rolls
By Robbie Rhodes
Responding to the request from John Grant, 2 July 1995. In most cases the folks with the perforating equipment are different from the folks that offer the finished rolls and deal with the customer.
When you write requesting catalogs/bulletins/information it would be kind to enclose a large self-addressed stamped envelope; most of these people operate on a skimpy budget just as you and me!
The date code in parentheses is my most recent contact with the person. The gentle observations herein are from my own experience, and are intended as just that! "Let the buyer beware."
----- STOCKING RETAILERS -----
These companies are full-time businesses selling directly to the public at retail.
PlayRite Music Rolls, Inc.
P.O. Box 1024
Turlock, CA 95380
tel: 209-667-1996 Catalog offers "PlayRite" brand 88-note rolls performed by staff and visiting artists, also large stock of re-cuts of 88-note and reproducing piano rolls, many with lyrics stencilled. I believe that owner John Malone also purchased the music roll inventory of Ray Siou, which is a large selection of recuts for practically every roll-operated machine in existence.
Keystone Music Rolls
Bob Groman
(current address needed)
Bethlehem, PA
tel: 1-800-367-8259 or 215-434-5611 Catalog and periodic bulletins offer recuts of 88-note and reproducing rolls, with lyrics stencilled. Current situation uncertain. (They dropped me from the mailing list.)
QRS Music Rolls, Inc.
Buffalo, NY
(current info needed.) Catalog of new and re-cut rolls, including recuts of pre-war classics.
Clark Music Rolls/Collector's Classics
Don Rand
163 Main Street
Thomaston, ME 04861
tel: 207-354-8033 Offers recuts of nickleodeon rolls under "Clark" label, also occasional issues of good and rare 88-note rolls as "Collector's Classics". If you telephone Don be prepared for a long conversation!
Artcraft Music Rolls
L. Douglas Henderson
P.O. Box 295
Wiscasset, ME 04578
tel: 207-882-7420 New music rolls for reproducing pianos, performed by Henderson.
----- ROLL-COPYING SERVICES ----- These businesses do not themselves offer any product for sale.
Richard Tonnesen (7/95)
Custom Music Rolls
903 Sandalwood Avenue
Richardson, TX 75080
tel 214-235-4497
e-mail: VUGU75A@prodigy.com Roll copying, 9 ch/inch only; incl. labels & boxes. No lyric printing capability.
John Malone
PlayRite Music Rolls, Inc.
P.O. Box 1024
Turlock, CA 95380
tel: 209-667-1996 Roll copying of many tracker-bar formats; incl. labels, boxes, lyric stencilling. Expect delays.
Michael L. Kitner
162 D Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
tel: 717-249-3851 Can duplicate many formats using hand perforator. (Book music, too??)
----- CYLINDERS, DISKS AND BOOK MUSIC ----- This category includes copying and new music production.
Frederic Keller, Orgelbau (1/95)
Haus #2, Finsterlingen
79875 Dachsberg
GERMANY
tel: 011-4979875 (fluent French & German, limited English) Punches new book music for Bruder, Ruth, Gavioli, Limonaire organs from the original masters of Carl Frei, Sr. & Jr. Can copy and reformat book music for any organ.
John Verbeeck, Orgelbau
Eikenlei 179
2960 St.-Job-in't-Goor
BELGIUM
tel: 011-32-36-63-4203 (best between 7-8 AM local; good English)
or 011-32-36-63-0411
fax: 011-32-36-63-0958 Maker and restorer of variety of barrel, carousel, dance and concert organs. Can provide new music and copy and reformat book music for any organ.
Tom Meijer (1/95)
De Spinne 15-18
4463 CL Goes
NETHERLANDS
tel: 01100-33539 (good English) Talented arrangeur-noteur, actual punching of book or roll by Verbeeck or others. (Ref CD of WurliTzer 146, "Good Old USA Carousel Music", publ. by Marion Roehl.)
Tony DeCap, Belgium
(contact via J. Verbeeck) Has book music punch controlled by computer. Details unknown.
** Who duplicates music box cylinders and disks?? Info needed.
----- NON-STOCKING RETAILERS -----
This category includes piano roll auctions, dealers in primarily used rolls, and offerers of re-cuts and new performances. All offer a bulletin or list of their wares.
Piano Roll Center (7/95)
Paul Johnson
17738 Suquamish Way
Suquamish, WA 98392
tel: 360-697-2422
fax: 360-697-2522
e-mail: This is probably the longest-running roll auction around, with all brands of 65-note and 88-note and reproducing rolls. Mike Schwimmer started it over 20 years ago (when you could still find good rolls at the flea markets) and new owners Paul and Cindy Johnson are continuing the action for pleased customers. Write for their monthly list. They also offer "Hot Piano Classics": new arrangements performed by John Farrell and others. (Cindy is a sharp computer girl, and I'm sure has e-mail.)
Bluestone Music Rolls (7/95)
Rob DeLand
485 Gatewood Lane
Greyslake, IL 60030
tel: 708-548-6416
e-mail: Deland_Robert@macmail1.csg.mot.com High-quality recuts of rare and good 88-note rolls, especially ragtime and blues; lyrics always included on printed sheet. Also the "Front Porch" series of live recordings performed by contemporary ragtime and blues artists. Send for periodic bulletin.
Upright & Grand (1/95)
Eric Bernhoft
P.O. Box 421101
San Fransisco, CA 94142
tel: 415-885-3335
e-mail: New ragtime performances by Bernhoft, also (forthcoming?) reproducing rolls featuring San Fransisco pianist Peter Mintun, continuing the stylings of Dana Suesse. Write for details.
Ed Sprankle (7/95)
1768 Leimert Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94602-1930
tel: 510-531-7867 Buys and sells nickleodeon rolls, esp. blues and ragtime. Occasional auction and/or recut offerings. Write or phone for info.
Magic Melodies
Shelby & Laura Lee Kennard
1356 Versailles Road
Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
tel: The Kennards buy and sell 88n and repro rolls, and do a fine job with repairs, new boxes, etc. They currently offer a sales list at fixed prices; if more than one request is received for a title then they will draw names from a hat! "Top-notch quality," says Ed Sprankle.
Mike Schwimmer
325 East Blodgett
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
tel: 708-295-1901 Offering recuts of Welte rolls. (He knows the good ones, too!) Write or phone for info.
And I'm sure there are lots more folks out there too, that I don't know about.
-- Robbie Rhodes, 2 July 1995
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(Message sent Sun 2 Jul 1995, 23:35:57 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.) |
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