The rubber band issue keeps bouncing back ...

Well, I would much rather be playing rolls than spending time on what
seems to me a rather peripheral issue (no pun intended) but I think
I must take Larry Norman to task, but I will not take up as much time
and space as he has done.  Life's too short!

I think the implication from what you say, Larry, is that no one used
rubber bands on their rolls in the 1920s, '30s and so on.  Well, maybe
not, but the need for something was clearly felt.  The Aeolian company,
who certainly knew something about rolls, used cord ties which fastened
onto a fibre disc or a metal rivet on most of the piano, Orchestrelle
and organ rolls I have.  They would not have done this for no good
reason.

I would maintain that a careful person does not damage rolls with the
right sized bands, and that rolls so treated look neater, and store
better in their boxes.  I admit that some rubber bands do go bad, and
occasionally (very occasionally, in my experience) they leave a deposit
which can usually be removed.  Personally, I would argue that the whole
issue hardly needs commenting on, and just a little common sense is all
that is needed here.  Would like to see some of these rolls from the
1800s!

Paul Morris
Exeter, Devon, UK
http://www.paulmorrismusic.co.uk/