Repairing Wandering Holes in a Music Roll
By Joyce Brite
I recently acquired a number of 1960's QRS and Aeolian piano rolls
at an auction. In the lot there were many good rolls which rarely
show up in the second-hand market.
One of the Aeolian rolls is a cute children's tune with pictures
stamped on it. I played it a few times and noticed that I always
had to adjust the trackerbar while playing. The music drifts off-track
then returns a few bars later. After making sure the roll was wound
evenly, I discovered that the problem was actually shifting or uneven
perforations. Evidence of this was seen more clearly in another place
in the roll. I have scanned part of the roll and sent it as a separate
file.
Aeolian should have found this flaw in the 1960's. Since the company
is no longer in business, I cannot return it to them as defective and
ask for a replacement.
My pumper piano does not have an automatic tracking system. Is there
an easy <grin> way to repair this roll so that it tracks properly
without splicing and realigning it? One would need a microscope and
the skills of a surgeon to adjust the mis-cut section one or two
millimeters. Suggestions?
Thank you,
Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/
[ See the image at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/ -- Robbie
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(Message sent Sat 25 May 2002, 00:47:49 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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