George,  This is a topic that has long been perplexing to me and
perhaps your effort may prove to be a major factor in resolving this
unique problem.

I have in excess of two hundred and fifty "A" rolls in my collection.
I would guess that originals and recuts number the same.  For many
years, the only "A" Roll instruments I owned were a "Coinola Model
C-X." from the Operators Piano Company and a Peerless National Electric
piano with mandolin and pipes, from St. Johnsville New York.

The set up for roll speed in both pianos was most basic, with a step
pulley giving you a choice of slow, medium or fast.  Affecting this
outcome greatly was the electric motor.  All "piano" motors are _not_
equal.  I have found everything from 1025 to 1250 rpm marked on piano
motor plates.

I have never been certain that the motor in my Coinola was the one
originally installed, so for many many years, I had a lot of "A" Rolls
that just didn't sound right no matter what combination of steps were
used on the drive pulley.

I found that the 15-tune rolls were very hard to listen to even though
they were originals.  I found most recuts, including those done by Ed
Freyer, Play-Rite, and a few other independents, sounded the worst.
I basically only played original rolls to get music that sounded right
to my ear.

Most recently, I added a Seeburg "L" (thanks again, Don) to my group of
instruments.  All Seeburg pianos that I have experienced have a totally
adjustable speed control.  All the "A" Rolls in my library that I had
marked "Do Not Play" sound wonderful now because of the fine speed
adjustment available on Seeburg pianos.

The question that needs to be asked is what makers of "A"-roll pianos
had speed adjustments that were infinite and which were a fixed speed
or speeds that were entirely dependant on original electric motor speed
and a belt drive on step pulleys.

Your other roll type, type "O", was also intended for a Coinola system
which was also the Operators Piano Company.  This company also built
the Reproduco which uses the "O.S." and "N.O.S." roll, but again, the
instrument has _no_ roll speed control except for a two-step pulley used
only to change speeds from OS (organ series) to NOS (new organ series).
OS rolls travel at twice the speed as NOS rolls.

Because my original rolls play well and most recuts do not, I must
think that there was a factory standard speed of paper travel at one
time and this was very important.

While my input may not give you the statistics you requested, I do
side with those who own fixed speed pianos and find they have problems
playing recut and newly made coin piano rolls.

Regards, Ken Vinen