PowerRoll should not be considered as "versus" paper rolls.  Regarding
Bob Taylor's comments about the fascination and importance of paper
rolls:

It is true that a perfectly restored reproducing piano using paper
rolls can perform stunningly, and I have no concrete evidence at the
present date, that perfect examples of this type of automatic
expression reproducing system using paper rolls in perfect condition
can't equal the performance of the PowerRoll.  However, most rolls on
most instruments do not play optimally, and at a minimum, the PowerRoll
affords a rare and exciting window into the intention of the
manufacturer of these instruments as regards performance capabilities.

We don't approve of ever using this ability as an excuse not to
complete the restoration of any instrument, in the area of paper roll
operation or otherwise; to do so is the responsibility of the owner and
the restorer.  On the other hand, the reputation of reproducing pianos
stands to gain when instruments can be heard playing at their best,
more frequently.

The two methods of playing the reproducing or player piano, i. e., by
paper roll or by PowerRoll, should not be considered exclusive.  Anyone
who owns a PowerRoll can play paper rolls just as easily as he or she
could before the PowerRoll was added.  As anyone who has seen it
demonstrated by me can attest, it takes only seconds to remove the
PowerRoll for paper roll operation, about the same amount of time as it
takes to remove a paper roll from the spoolbox.  Once so removed, there
is no trace that the PowerRoll had ever been installed.

The same is true for teed-in installation; the device is passive and
rolls can be played the same way as ever.  No modification either of
the instrument or of the player mechanism is necessary with either
configuration of the PowerRoll.

Larry Broadmoore, Broadmoore Research Corporation
1709 First Street, Unit "C", San Fernando, CA 91340
tel: (800) 497-4266 ; (818) 365-6231 ; fax: (818) 361-0911