Hi all!  What is the proper side to repair music rolls?  I have
discovered that some rolls play with the back side of the paper
touching the trackerbar and I have found machines where the front
side of the paper contacts the trackerbar.

The answer is very simple: Never, ever, ever put tape on the side
of the paper that _contacts the trackerbar_, whether it is of wood
(especially wood!) or metal.  Put the tape on the other side of the
paper that does not contact the trackerbar.

In 95% of all player pianos, particularly the 88-note versions, whether
they are reproducing, expression or non-expressive pianos, the back
side of the paper contacts the trackerbar and you will want to put the
tape on the front side.

Why put the tape on the side that does _not_ contact the tracker bar?
One good reason is that for those who use the wrong kind of tape (that
plastic or cellophane stuff), and put it on the back side of the paper
where it contacts the tracker bar, usually they find a bunch of gooey
stuff left on the tracker bar.  It is a mess and it causes drag on the
rolls and it also may wipe off onto the next clean roll that is played.

When that clean roll, with the gooey stuff is put away for a period of
time and then replayed sometime later, it usually tears where that
gooey glue stuck the roll together.  So, do not put tape of any kind on
the side of the roll that contacts the tracker bar.  Never!

The only kind of tape you should use for mending rolls is acid free
archival tape, such as Filmoplast or Lineco.  No other kinds of tape
should be used at all.  Do not use any "Magic Mending Tape", duct tape,
plastic tape, cellophane tape, plaster wall board tape or anything
else -- use the appropriate tape.

If you send me one dollar ($1) and a self-addressed stamped envelope
(SASE), I will send you a sample of the archival tape and also a copy
of my "Guide to Repairing rolls" and how to use the tape.  It also
tells you how to adjust your player piano so it does not tear rolls and
how to make your rolls safer and last longer.

Send the $1 and SASE to: Larry Norman, 340 Tracy Drive, Moneta, VA
24121-3416.

I stock and sell this tape.  You may also read about the archival tape
on my web site at http://home.earthlink.net/~rollertunes 

Musically,
Larry Norman, from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,
at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake.