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REVIEW
II
WILL REVOLUTIONIZE IDEAS
WHAT IS THE LIFE OF A PIANO?
NEW YORK ASSOCIATION APPOINTS
Regarding Tone and Quality in Pianos—The Simple
But Clever Device Invented by C. A. Ahl-
strom, Shown in a Very Fine Piano of His
Own Manufacture.
Some Interesting Observations by Practical Piano
Men on This Subject—The Grade of Piano,
its Use, and Other Considerations Govern the
Matter—What The Review Gleaned.
Committee to Fight the Bill Introduced by Assem-
blyman Ulmann at Albany—A Delegation Will
be Sent to the State Capital if Necessary.
The New York Piano Manufacturers' As-
What is the life of a piano? A question sociation held a special meeting on Mondav
C. A. Ahlstrom, manufacturer of the
Ahlstrom piano at Jamestown, N. Y., has that naturally opens up what the layman afternoon to map out a plan of campaign
been at the Victoria Hotel in this city for might believe a great field for speculation. with reference to the various Ulmann bills,
a few days this week showing a new device Piano manufacturers, however, have no an- now in the hands of the Judiciary Committee
in upright actions, which has interested a swer; that is, beyond hazarding an opinion, at Albany. H. Paul Mehlin, president of the
number of experts upon actions and the me- because none will admit other than practi- New York Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
chanical side of the piano. Mr. Ahlstrom's cally indestructible qualities in connection tion, took the chair. It was decided to ap-
invention, if it carries out his intention, how- with their special product, and the matter of point a committee to fight the Ulmann bill
ever, will reach further than the mechanical; longevity is one of those things which no sending a delegation to Albany if necessary
it will and must appeal to the artistic and fellow has yet found out. Certainly no sta- for that purpose. The following resolution
thereby to the commercial element.
tistics are at hand, and such information as was adopted: "That the subject of the Ul-
It is apparently a very small matter, but is attainable is of a fugitive character.
mann bill be referred back to the committee
For instance, the question was put to a in whose hands it was originally placed for
before now there have been cases where it
took but the smallest things to revolutionize veteran piano maker, one who gives his fac- appropriate action." The resolution, worded
ideas that have stood for years, perhaps ages. tory daily supervision in every department in effect as above, was passed unanimously.
Mr. Ahlstrom's improvement deals with and knows every mechanical part theoret- The committee selected included Messrs. C.
the back-check action and through the means ically and practically. He was surprised at C. Parsons, chairman, J. D. Pease, C. B.
of a protective bar or rail it makes the block- The Review's inquiry, and immediately an- Lawson, W. Dalliba Dutton and H . Paul
ing or sticking of the hammers impossible. swered: "Oh, about twenty-five years, I Mehlin.
This, however, Mr. Ahlstrom claims is the suppose. I never saw a piano literally de-
The members of the Association present at
least part of its service to the artist, but not stroyed—cut up with an axe, did you? I the meeting included Frank C. Decker, of
by any means insignificant to the dealer, who have a piano in my house—a Behning— Decker & Son ; Otto Doll; Witt. Dalliba Dut-
well knows that from this point he has con- twenty-five years old, and it is as good to- ton, with Hardman, Peck & Co; J. D. Evans,
stantly to experience annoyance through day—in tone and general excellence I mean— of Newby & Evans; Halsey Hazelton, of
dampness, and therefore Mr. Ahlstrom seems as when I bought it. The Behnings made a Hazelton Bros.; Mr. Hubbard, of the Weber
quite justified in expecting overwhelming re- good piano then, and they do yet, and my Co.; H. Paul Mehlin, of Paul G. Mehlin &
sults.
children are none too careful, just as many Sons; Chas. H . Parsons, of the Needham
From the side of art, indeed, it must be others; yet beyond an occasional tuning, Piano & Organ Co.; J. D. Pease, of the Pease
conceded that the refinement of tone is most the instrument is as sound and musical as Piano Co., and W. E. Wheelock, of the
pronounced especially under the soft pedal ever, and is practically good for twenty-five Weber Co.
which still leaves the tone pure, musical and years more. I don't believe a piano has a
WHITE-SMITH VS. APOLLO CO.
resonant. There is not a sense of dullness 'life,' in a measure; that is, no average period
at any time or under any condition.
of existence. True, one can bang the best The Defense Have Not Yet Elected to Open up
Their Side of the Case, Notwithstanding a Mis-
Especially for the purpose of exporting one ever made to pieces in no time, but that
leading Report Published by a Local PapeJ
pianos does Mr. Ahlstrom feel that his action would be an extreme example and should
Last Week—They Have Two Months Time.
improvement will be appreciated, for the not be considered in the piano law of aver-
swelling due to atmospheric changes which ages. Then, again, if actions are adjusted
With three months at their disposal from
under ordinary conditions is fatal will be ob- as in the cheapest grade of commercials or Jan. 10, when the plaintiffs closed the prima
viated entirely.
stencils, its span of so-called musical useful- facie case in the suit of the White-Smith
Mr. Ahlstrom has embodied the improve- ness is exceedingly short lived."
Music Publishing Co. against the Apollo Co.
ment in his own instruments, and he will
An experienced tuner and repairer, whose for alleged violation of the copyright law,
then take steps to introduce it to the trade activity has spread over thirty years, replied the attorneys for the defense have been in no
in general, expecting its adoption to be con- to the interrogation in a different vein: "The hurry to resume the hearing. Neither Dick-
fined to the highest grade pianos only in so life of a piano depends on not how often it erson, Brown, Raegener & Binney, counsel
far as the feature will appeal entirely to the is used, but the manner in which it is played. for complainants, nor Wilson & Brodek, the
musician. He is amply protected by patents The frictional parts of an instrument is where New York associates of Burton & Evarts, of
and all.who have had the pleasure of exam- the wear comes in. Some of the hammers Chicago, attorneys of record for the defend-
ining his device admit he has "a good thing," may have to be replaced once in a while, and ants, have been notified, under the rule, as
to use the vernacular.
occasionally an entire overhauling may be to when and where witnesses for the de-
The action was shown in an Ahlstrom necessary, but that does not exhaust its func- fense will be examined, although word to that
piano and gave an opportunity to The Review tion of usefulness. Mills, when he practiced effect is daily expected. From the fact that
to form the acquaintance with the instrument. seven hours daily, wore a Steinway grand out part of the defense's exhibit remained in New
It is certainly a first-class and well-made in three years; but the same pianos, under York after the close of the examination last
piano and one which upon better acquaint- ordinary usage, would be in good condition month, it was inferred the case would again
ance must win its way into the favor of con- for twenty-five to thirty years. Nothing par- come before Commissioner Shields, special
noisseurs and admirers of musical qualities ticularly affects the case, the sounding board examiner for the United States Circuit
in a piano. The new invention cannot help or the strings. The action is the heart of a Court, Southern District of Illinois; its reg-
putting the Ahlstrom piano into the promi- piano, and whatever abuse is inflicted is felt ular course. But the published announce-
nent position in the artistic world which it at this vital point most severely. But as to ment by a local contemporary that the hear-
deserves.
any fixed period of 'life,' there is no such ing would be resumed this week under these
thing known to the trade or to experts. It auspices is a misstatement.
A departure from the usual finish of their is a question of how much usage a piano can
The Chase & Baker Co., of Buffalo, con-
plates is made by Ernest A. Tonk, New York, stand, and it is surprising what ordeals they
tinue
to make some big shipments of their
who uses a dark green, picked out in gold. undergo and still survive. Still, they are not
piano players to European points.
A new plate, embodving several improve- made to last forever, because when they are
ments, has been patterned for the foundry. out of style their time for retirement has
Its adoption will follow.
arrived."
A young man of experience has some capital
Geo. W. Maxwell is handling the harmon-
to
Invest in piano manufacturing. Address
R. P. Becht, president of the Becht Piano
ist piano player at 526-528 Massachusetts Co., Atlanta, Ga., is arranging to open a Practical, care "The Review," 1 Jladlson Ave.,
avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.
New York City.
branch store on a big scale in Cordele, Ga.