Taking Good Care of your Piano Rolls

Although piano rolls are generally made of high quality paper, many of those you run across
will be approaching 100 years old or more! Time takes it's toll on all things. A few steps
taken when playing your rolls will help to ensure they last a little longer.

I will preface this with saying that not everyone will agree with all that I have to say. There
are differing opinions of this. All I can say in response is this: When I first started to
"collect" piano rolls, I found that very often, upon first playing an old roll, that I would get
exactly one listen to it - the roll would self destruct upon playing or upon rewind. The
following steps are ones I follow for ALL rolls I play, especially if it is a 'new' old roll.
Since I implemented these steps, I have not had any roll self destruct!

1: After removing the roll from the box, "Slightly tighten" the roll. Firmly grasp the right flange-
Hold the paper "loosely" in your left hand - slightly tighten the paper. Place a rubber band around
the roll. (If the roll has been stored properly and secured with a rubber band or by other
means, skip this step)

2: Holding onto the paper loosely,
drop the roll several times onto a
hard surface or against your right
hand. The purpose of this is to force
the paper against the right flange.
This will help to ensure proper
'tracking' of the roll over the 'tracker
bar' (the part on your piano that
"reads" the holes on the roll.

You should know that that on the
majority rolls, the right flange is
glued to the cardboard tube which
runs through the center of the roll.
Sometimes, the left flange is glued to
the tube, but usually not.

3: Grasping the right flange firmly,
attempt to loosen the left flange- move
the flange out slightly from the roll
to leave a small space between the flange
and the paper

The picture exaggerates the space. It is
hard to give an exact estimate, but I'd
say something about the thickness of
a normal kitchen knife is about right..

If the left flange is loose, you should remove it entirely
and place a piece of tape around the section that goes
into the cardboard tube. Repeat this as necessary until
the left flange is fairly tight, and can be kept slightly away
from the edge of the roll.

4: Remove the rubber band and mount the roll on your piano.
To keep the paper from shifting to the left, hold the paper
only loosely. Using your right hand, force the roll to the
left by pushing on the right flange, not the paper. If the paper
should move to the left, remove the roll and repeat step 3.

5: Before starting to play the roll
    a) Check the condition of the end tab - replace if in poor condition.
    b) Inspect the leader for any small tears. Tape any tears at this time,
        using Archival Quality Document Repair Tape, or at the very least
        Scotch brand Magic Tape.
        Do NOT EVER use masking tape or cheap cellophane tape .

6: While playing the roll:
    Especially if this is your first time playing a roll, it is very important
    to pay attention to the roll as it is playing. Take note as to whether
    or not the flanges are warped (if so, they should be replaced). If
    you come across any substantial tears, immediately stop playing
    the roll

7: Rewind the roll SLOWLY. If your player is a pumper which has
been converted to play by electricity, you should consider pumping
for the rewind - this will allow you to rewind it slowly.

8. After rewinding, again 'tighten the roll' (as above), place a new
    rubber band around the roll, and tap it to force the paper against
    the right flange. Always place the rolls back in their boxes!
    Doing these thing now will reduce the need to do them the next
    time you play the roll and will help increase the longevity of your
    rolls.