Violano Rolls and Parts
By Ed Gloeggler
Permit me to echo yesterday's Digest notes on Violano roll recuts. Dick Hack's rolls are excellent and he is a gentleman to deal with.
If you are new to the Violano, you should also note that many of the machines have flanges on the feeder take-up roll that are a bit to tight for many original rolls. This results in the edges of some original rolls fraying. Virtually all the rolls I now play are Dick Hack's recuts, and I think you will find that they play very well and fit the take-up roll perfectly.
Dick's office number is 410 841-6688. The rolls are between $75 and $100 each depending on the quanity.
The Violano contains many white metal castings (the inventor Sandell's patent, along with lead dental metal) that may have deteriorated through the years. The worst seem to be those for the weight (tuning) arms, the bow bracket and the bow motor clutches. Many replacement parts are available from Mr. Terry Haughawout in Bloomdale, Ohio. His number is 419 454-3671. He has been most helpful in providing parts at a very reasonable price. Replacement bow wheels, rosin and strings are also available.
If I may add some advice for the new Violano owner:
An electronic tuner can do wonders for tuning the violin. Get a copy of Art Reblitz' Violano book and read it cover to cover. Art has several copies remaining. It is worth the price. If the machine is in a damp environment, consider keeping the light bulb above the violin illuminated with a low wattage bulb. Try lowering the bow motor speed. Most Violanos bows run too fast and lose the delicate shading of music they can produce. Clean the rosin off the strings occassionally. Be prepared to spend a day adjusting the thing each time you meddle with it.
And most importantly: Once you get it playing right, just leave it alone and stop messing with it. The more it plays, the better it sounds. If not played for a few days, it may sound downright awful the first time it is turned on.
If I can further help, just ask. I've had my Violano for two years now and still find it to be a true American wonder that can produce very fine music.
Ed Gloeggler, Long Beach, NY
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(Message sent Tue 21 Jan 1997, 14:20:46 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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