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MMD > Archives > November 1999 > 1999.11.24 > 09Prev  Next


Repairing Old Piano Rolls
By Don Elbers

I have been following the discussion about roll repairs.  Years ago
we spent hours removing old yellow tape and associated residue from
precious rolls.  At that time, we used the best thing that we were
aware of, Scotch Magic Transparent tape (the frosty finished clear
tape).

Although we now know better materials are available, it is hard to
dispute the facts.  Some of these repairs are now thirty or forty years
old.  Yes, I was in my teens then.  (I never thought that I would have
to replace pouch leather and pneumatic cloth that I had installed.)  In
spite of the ravages of time, the splices and repairs made with "good"
Scotch tape look perfect.

Don Elbers

 [ Don, is your fact simply that it looks good?  What about the other
 [ criteria such as repairability and dimensional stability?  Will
 [ the next owner of the piano rolls be able to make repairs as easily
 [ as you did 40 years ago?  It seems that music rolls and player piano
 [ actions deserve the same consideration, i.e., make the repairs so
 [ that the next rebuilder has an easier task.  -- Robbie


(Message sent Wed 24 Nov 1999, 05:47:29 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Old, Piano, Repairing, Rolls

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