Hi Jody,

Here are some of my observations on 65n rolls.

First, they are not all that different from any others as to what's
"good" or not.  Some are excellent and some are just plain 'blah'

Second, for the most part they and the early 88n rolls were 'arranged' by
the same people thus the music sounded very similar.

Third, by direct comparison I have seen a number of 88n rolls that were
the exact same arrangement as the same tune on the 65n roll but with
octaves added, usually in the bass but often in the treble.

Fourth, many of the 65n rolls seems to have been made of better paper but
that doesn't really have to do with the format as much as the increase of
paper usage after the 88n players became available.  At least that's how
it appeared to me.

I did have a collection of about 500 65n rolls and about ten times that
many 88n rolls so was able to give what I thought was a fair comparison.
Over the years I have sold most of the 65n rolls but still have some left
that I will probably sell when I sell my players.

I do have a 1906 65n AutoPiano to sell.  The player action needs the
usual rebuild.  The piano is above average condition.  I also have a 1910
Weber Style S, 65/88 n player piano that also needs the same work as the
AutoPiano.  it is a Themodist-MetroStyle and yes, I do have the pointer
and I do have the roll adapters that were originally supplied with it.
It there is someone out there that is interested in either of these they
can contact me by e-mail w8zo@juno.com.  I'm located in Southern Michigan
near Jackson.

i was interested in the comments about listening to nickelodeon rolls on
the player piano.  I used to do just the opposite.  I would wind the 65
note rolls up and play them on a nickelodeon.  I would use my
Nelson-Wiggen.  I got to where I could change the tubing from 4-X to 65n
or A roll format in just a few minutes.

While discussing 65n rolls, I might add that I did keep a couple hundred
of the Cecilian 65n rolls that were for a Cecilian Push-up player that I
used to have.  The rest of them went with the unit when it was sold.  It
is my plan to some time in the future cut them over to either 88n or
Wurlitzer format.  Since I have become a Wurlitzer music devotee over the
past ten to fifteen years I have made plans to reproduce the several
hundred Wurlitzer rolls that I have.  With luck and if I can clear out
some space in my shop it could be within a couple of years.

More about the Cecilian Rolls next time.

Musically yours,

Hal Davis