Ian Sanderson writes that he has found a box of Phonola rolls. Were
they pin-end rolls, Ian? If so I reckon they would be 73-note Phonola
rolls, often called Claviola rolls, in Australia at any rate.
Some of these rolls will be accented, with the bass and treble accent
perforations being near the centre of the music sheet, rather than
along the edges as in Themodist or Duo-Art rolls. This adds to the
difficulty of trying to anticipate a melody by watching the perfora-
tions as they approach the tracker bar.
Hupfeld made 88-note Phonola rolls too, and these have their theme
perforations along the edges, just like Aeolian Themodist rolls.
They too have "Phonola" watermarked at intervals along the roll.
I have a Claviola push-up, as yet unrestored, and about 60 Claviola
rolls to go with it. It is beautifully made but because of all the
lead tubing inside it it's as heavy as, er, well, lead. Moving it
by oneself is a grave hernia risk.
John Phillips in Hobart, Tasmania
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