Sources for Rolls
By Robin Pratt
For those looking for music rolls, let me just insert a copy of my announcement for the rolls that I issue under my label:
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS
PREMIUM QUALITY RE-CUTS OF: AMPICO-WELTE-MIGNON-88-NOTE
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS limited edition selection of music rolls is based on musical and historical value as well as the ability of our music rolls to "Show Off" the instruments upon which they are played. Our music rolls are chosen from private collections that are not generally available to the public. These desirable music rolls, selected from AMPICO, WELTE-MIGNON and 88-NOTE collections are what can often be called "Sleepers" of the roll libraries. Beautiful, thrilling or forgotten selections that will add new excitement to your roll collections and pianos.
Send for list of limited edition music rolls from:
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS
Robin Pratt * 515 Scott Street*Sandusky, OH
44870-3736
Phone: 419-626-1903 fax: 419-626-4807
(2nd list now in preparation including Welte-Mignon, AMPICO and 88's.)
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS are perforated by Custom Music rolls in Richardson, TX by Janet and Richard Tonnesen. Boxes are simple black enameled units, labels are first quality off-set printed in 2 colors and tempo stamps are custom made as to be easily read from 4 feet away. When I entered into this arena, I decided that I would only try so as a first class project. I have found little compromise and have been VERY pleased with the final product as have my customers. I have tried to encourage EVERYONE and ANYONE who wishes to become involved in this field because if no one makes the software (AND IF no one BUYS the software) then the instruments are essentially WORTHLESS. Due to many problems over the years, people who have been involved in re-cutting get out of it because so many "complainers" who never buy anything and just collect catalogues simply just "wear them out".
Point being, if you don't support all of the people doing the work, there won't be anyone doing the work and there won't be any software (rolls, in this case) and the whole thing will die on the vine. Even in the '20's the
companies knew that if the owners of the instruments didn't keep buying music for their instruments, the instruments would end up turning into an end table. How many have YOU seen used in that capacity? I thought so.
The worst case scenario is when you go to a collector's home and there is an art case Steinway Duo-Art with a music roll in the spool box. There is no box in sight and they turn on the piano, the roll "plays", usually with a minimum intensity of 10" on original hammers, ends and then slams into rewind, gasps and shuts off. The tone at that moment is usually, "Well, that's enough of that." and you move on to more important topics and spend
the rest of the evening listening to bird boxes or the like.
On a personal note, I try to buy from just about everyone who produces music rolls. I even buy them when I don't own an instrument that can play themif I even THINK I might one day buy one. Point being my A roll collection (all re-cuts). I didn't even have a piano to play them one but knew that one day one would appear and it did. Long ago when I was buying rolls and had no Ampico to play them on the President (Molly Yeckley) of AMICA said I was putting the cart before the horse. I said no , you are wrong. I can AFFORD the rolls...I can't afford the piano. However, one came along and I wasn't stuck with 3 rolls that are usually included with the pianos when you buy them. The Rosary, Souvenir and Prelude in C# Minor (Green Box issues of course.) So BUY the rolls. As many of my piano customers have found out when they hesitated and decided to wait till later, and as Dolly Parton used to say in the old Breeze Detergent commercials, "You cain't buy 'em. Happy Fourth of July! This is the day you can play the AMPICO roll of "Stars and Stripes Forever" without being embarassed! Get it out and crank it up!
Robin Pratt
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(Message sent Mon 3 Jul 1995, 14:55:27 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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