Recent MMD postings inquired about cleaning rosin from the rosin tray 
and violin solo rolls.

The Violano is a wonderful machine with many carefully aligned and 
adjusted parts.  Before attempting any service, one should be thoroughly 
familiar with what is required.  Vestal Press reprinted various service 
manuals for the Violano and at a minimum these should be carefully 
reviewed prior to touching any part of the machine.  The late Mike 
Kitner wrote a book on servicing the Violano-Virtuoso but this has been 
out of print for decades and is costly when available.  

Using a solvent to clean the rosin tray would require removal of strings 
and bridge and protection placed over the physical violin.  Carefully 
consider what is needed before executing any service.

I am still using rosin cakes from Chuck Pheiffer, which tells you both 
how old I am and how long I have had my Violano-Virtuoso.  The rosin was 
gently heated until it was liquid then poured into molds to make the 
rosin cakes.  There are different types of rosin on the market today and 
it would require research to determine the qualities best suited for the 
Violano.

As for violin solo rolls, there was a string quartette roll which uses 
piano in part but does have solo sections.  I know of no issued rolls 
for which the violin is entirely solo.

Lastly, a tip for all Violano owners: the D and G strings have a finite 
life and should be replaced every couple years.  The E and A strings 
hold up well over time.

Mark Reinhart 
Charles Town, West Virginia