Eli Shahar is correct, but so are the other folks.  Ninety percent
of problems of roll shredding on players is indeed the problems of an
unregulated tracker.

I was told early on that if I disconnected the take-up spool brake,
I would not tear rolls.  Originally these pianos had a very firm brake
on that spool.  When I disconnect it, the rolls rewind just fine, but
there is lots and lots of required tapping down of rolls every single
time they are played.  The rolls rewind unevenly.

What I have found is to regulate the tracker and lighten the brake.
With the transmission in reroll position, spin the take-up spool and
see how many times it spins after your hand leaves it.  If it spins
six or more times it has no brake.  If it has the full brake, it stops
immediately when your hand leaves it.  I try for one or two spins and
that will mean the brake is not strong enough to shred rolls, but will
allow the roll to reroll without spooling unevenly.

This is especially true on nickelodeons.  Since they have no tracker
system they must have an almost non-existent brake on the take-up spool
or they will tear.  If there is no brake at all, they will often stop
in the middle of the roll and begin playing.

On Duo-Arts you must retube the tracker to be fed from the stack or
anything else that shuts off on reroll.  If you have a Duo-Art roll
that tracks the whole way to one side, the tracker will keep it on
track, but when the piano goes into reroll, the tracker will normally
center the roll and shred one whole side.  This is because of the
little cutout block on top of the tracker box that cuts off both
tracking ears and since the tracker system is normally winded
constantly.  Shredded Duo-Art rolls are not uncommon.

Lets save all our old rolls for another generation to enjoy as long
as the acid in the paper does not get them first.

D.L. Bullock    St. Louis
www.thepianoworld.com