Hi all, and Happy new year.

I have begun transcribing my 98-note Wurlitzer Concert Rolls (110
10-tune rolls) and my Wurlitzer 165 Band Organ rolls (84 10-tune rolls)
to MIDI and our UniFlex Organ Relay System disk format.  I also intend
to transcribe the entire Moller Artiste, Wurlitzer R rolls, Aeolian,
Estey and many other roll collections to disk, but that's another
subject.  Right now, the concern is the roll frames for the Concert
Rolls and 165 rolls.

Here is the problem.  My roll frames were manufactured by Noble Stidham,
of Lubbock TX, and he seems to be out of business.  He used (ugh!) round
rubber belting to drive the take up spool -- why he didn't use a chain
drive, I'll never know.  The round belting material he used has turned
hard and brittle, and I need to replace this material on two roll
frames.

The belting is split, or cut, so you can install a new belt around the
shafts without having to take the frame apart, and it has a little
double-ended gripper gizmo that goes inside the hollow belt to join the
belt back together, once installed.

It sort of looks like this:   <-|->.   The sharp pointed little <->
"tits" on the end are pointed and are supposed to penetrate and lock the
rubber belt together once the two pieces are forced together.  The
round belts have a brand or label "O-THANE" printed on them.  The
belt is about 5/16" OD and 1/8" ID.  The gripper gizmo goes in the inner
portion of the round belt.

Help!!  Does anyone have a source for this type of belt that I can use
as a replacement.  I tried PPCo. for their leather belting, but it seems
that's been discontinued.  Any other sources for round leather belts?
Does anyone know where to get O-THANE?

Suggestions on other materials to use? and a way to keep it joined
together under tension when installed?


Something to keep in the back of your mind this year:

If anyone is interested in Rolls and Players, once I get through
transcribing them I will have the following for disposition later this
year:

  Wurlitzer 98 note Concert Organ rolls (about 110 10 tune rolls,
    about 22 minutes ea.)
  Wurlitzer 165 band organ rolls (84 10 tune rolls)
  Wurlitzer APP rolls (35 or so 10 tune rolls)
  BAB rolls (a few.  Can't find them right now)
  Moller Artiste rolls and player (about 300 rolls)

I also have 2 Welte drawers (1 complete) and an Ampico A drawer,
missing the spool-motor, for parts.

All F.O.B. Reno NV.  Please e-mail me if you would be interested,
I'll let you know when available.

Any help or suggestions on the belts would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

Tim Rickman