Robbie and I and a few others have been having an interesting email
exchange on replicating Wurlitzer Roll frames.  There are three options:

1. Replicate the original, including the squeaks;

2. Build a new spool frame using the best ideas of the last 80 years;

3. Forget the frame and control the instrument with MIDI.

I favor choices 1 and 3, Robbie favors choice 2.

I have done some investigative work on choice #1.  This option is
actually somewhat impossible, because:

 - A person who can afford an exactly replicated frame can afford
an original.

 - Patterns for the castings are lost and will be expensive to
replicate.  Even if they are found someday, the old patterns could
be worn out.

 - The original frames were made of cast iron.  This fine grain
casting metal is not available.

I personally have no trouble substituting aluminum.  Some of the
casting reproductions I am using on the Caliola are aluminum.

Eventually I want a duplex frame for a Wurlitzer 165.  I currently
have about 5 percent of the parts.  I took what I have to a founder
and pattern maker to get an estimate to duplicate what I have and
create the missing pieces.  Most of the cost here is labor.

The patterns alone for the basic frame will cost 3000 dollars!  It
is all labor.  To break this down, this would be casting patterns for
the take-up spool, side plates and rewind axle bracket.  The cost for
each set of castings would be about $120 per set, over and above the
pattern cost.  The cost of the gears would be about $300 per frame.

Working this out for 5 sets of parts for 5 duplexers, a ballpark
estimate is about $1500 each.  Add in the labor to finish the castings
we are looking at $2000 each to make 5 sets of duplexer frames.

Does anyone think there is a market for aluminum duplex frames?  Is
there anyone who would be willing to assist me financially to get the
patterns made?

I was wanting to complete the set I have.  Now I am really thinking
MIDI is a more practical way to go.

For choice 2 and 3 Spencer Chase wrote a nice summery to the
Rollscanners discussion group on Yahoo.  There is a movement on that
list to make a standardized frame for scanning rolls.

Matthew Caulfield feels there is a need for a good workhorse roll
frame.  I am questioning: Is there is a market to develop such?

Julie Porter

 [ Dave Ramey's new Banjo Orchestra instrument could have been MIDI
 [ controlled, but I think Dave accurately predicted that his buyers
 [ would much prefer the paper roll scrolling in a nice rugged spool
 [ frame.
 [
 [ I also hear rumors that Stinson Organ Co. is planning to change
 [ from music rolls to MIDI control, possibly because of music roll
 [ reliability problems, possibly because new music is more readily
 [ available as a MIDI file.
 [
 [ Which option will a collector choose if he acquires a nice
 [ orchestrion that is missing the spool frame assembly?  Which
 [ option will be chosen by an amusement park manager?  Will their
 [ choices be influenced by the price?  -- Robbie