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MMD > Archives > November 1999 > 1999.11.22 > 05Prev  Next


Repairing Old Piano Rolls
By Craig Brougher

I watched Larry Norman demonstrate his archival tape at Charlotte
NC and thought that it was a really great product.  I'm personally
happy to know about it, and would recommend it to all the aficionados
of classic players.

However, I have to see QRS's point, and don't think that it's
irresponsible to recommend Scotch tape for most repairs whatever.  Most
people can still play their rolls if they have something handy to fix
them with.  Scotch tape has adhesive which sometimes gets on the smooth
side of the tape and sticks out the edges too, but you can feel it and
see it, and it rolls right off.  The only thing I would add to their
suggestion is that after you use tape, put some talcum powder on it.

Scotch tape is permanent and has a very good adhesive, and it has
lasted me, in some cases, over 30 years.  I can still play the rolls
I fixed in the 1970's.  The acid in the roll paper is what causes the
roll to disintegrate in moist climates, by the way.  The tape doesn't
get hard, brittle, or dry to my knowledge.  And I almost never use tape
in the width that it comes on the roll.  I slit it very thin first, and
use as little as possible.  I really can't find much wrong with frosty
Scotch tape when it is used right.

Craig Brougher


(Message sent Mon 22 Nov 1999, 13:35:44 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

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

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