Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > September 2005 > 2005.09.12 > 08Prev  Next


Paper Seal to Secure Piano Roll
By Larry Norman

Hi all,  Rubber bands should have been banned years ago from being used
anywhere around music rolls, Period!

In the early days of music rolls labor was cheap, and to keep the rolls
tightly wound for shipping from the factory, someone came up with the
novel idea of placing a metal button on the end tab and tying a string
around the roll and wrapping the end around the button.  It was neat;
it kept the roll tightly wound.  But labor costs increased to over a
dollar a day, and the companies could not afford to pay someone to tie
a string on each roll's end tab.

Many companies solved the problem with a wrapper or seal; the Ampico
company had paper seals printed with the words, "pull here to break
seal".  The QRS Co. would wrap a tissue paper around the roll and put
a very nice QRS seal on the roll.  They looked very nice and attractive
and solved two problems: one, of the roll unraveling, and two, of
people complaining of paying for a new roll and getting a used roll.

Then one day, someone invented the rubber band and it was cheaper and
quicker to put around the roll than the seals.  Of course, rubber bands
deteriorate and become gummy and then hard and make a mess out of the
rolls.  I hate rubber bands with a passion, and they should never be
put around a music roll.

Joyce Brite said, "When shipping or transporting rolls, something is
needed to keep the roll in place.  A loose roll shifting in the box can
become damaged."

I hate to see rubber bands used around music rolls at all.  Some of
them get gooey, gummy, and hard and damage the rolls.  How many times
have you reached to pull a rubber band off a roll and took the end tab
off as well?  Or how many times did you miss seeing the rubber band and
tore the roll when unspooling the end to put on the piano?

My suggestion is to take a sheet of paper and cut long strips, and wrap
around the roll and glue the end of the strip, like the seals.  I reprint
the seals like you find on AMPICO rolls and that is what I use to put
around rolls that I ship out.  Please don't use rubber bands.

Another choice is those Velcro straps that are made, or the twist ties.
Another idea, might be to go to a restaurant supply store and get some
of the gummed paper strips they put around napkins.  They would be
perfect.  Please don't use rubber bands!

Musically,
Larry Norman


(Message sent Mon 12 Sep 2005, 17:53:40 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Paper, Piano, Roll, Seal, Secure

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page