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MMD > Archives > April 2004 > 2004.04.10 > 14Prev  Next


Repairing Book Music
By Jim Westcott

I have a Gasparini Dutch street organ beautifully restored by Stephen
Kent Goodman of Fresno.  It has some great music but the books are in
bad state.  Before I see what I can do with them, I would like some
advice from those who have been in the same situation.  My problems
are as follows:

1. Torn joints.  What is the best tape to rejoin them without creating
sticky joints?  Should one always tape the inside of a fold ?

2. Sticky pages.  My keyframe will not tolerate three pages going
through at the same time; the music either stalls or it tears the book
apart.  I suspect that adjacent pages stick due to adhesive migrating
out of taped joints.  Is there a solvent to clean this up or will
talcum powder do the trick?

3. Wide pages in a book.  Has anyone tried sanding a page or pages down
so they will run through the keyframe easier ?

4. Narrow pages in a book.  These pages will allow the "End of Book"
switch to occasionally activate.  Would running tape along the free edge
of the book help here ?

5. Torn Holes.  At this time it is a minor problem.  Would re-shellacing
the holes help to prevent future problems ?

6. Missing front or rear pages.  This is a big problem.  I could
always tape on blank pages and play what will play.  However, I suspect
the real solution is to find a musician/book puncher who would repunch
and complete the book.  Does anyone have a recommendation for such
a person?

I will appreciate any advice you can give me.
Jim Westcott


(Message sent Fri 9 Apr 2004, 20:42:06 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Book, Music, Repairing

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