Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
12
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE REVIEW'S TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.
Conducted and Edited by Win. B. White.
[Contributions are Invited for this department from members of the industry bearing strictly on the practical side
of the craft
Communications must be signed with the name and address of the sender—-—The editor ac-
cepts no responsibility for the opinions of correspondents.]
More than once we have had occasion to re-
mark that the inventive faculty, as applied to
the pianoforte industry, seemed to be somewhat
in a state of somnolence. It is not intended
now to withdraw the suggestion, nor even to im-
ply that it was formulated too hastily. Never-
theless, there is no reason to presume that such
a rule is of universal application; nor would it
he seemly to insist upon so strong an implication
of editorial infallibility. As if to illustrate the
proverbial falibility of human judgment, we are
in receipt of a printed description of a new
method of pianoforte construction, which eman-
ates from the inventor, J. W. Galloway, of Lin-
ton, Ind. So revolutionary, and yet so fascinat-
ing is the proposed construction, that the depart-
ment would fail of its duty to its constituents, if
it were to pass Mr. Galloway's ideas without
mention.
why the structure should not have the requisite
strength, provided that the kind of lumber used
and the method of construction are exactly right.
These two points are essential. Especially does
the latter hold good under all circumstances.
For it will easily be understood that careless-
ness or bad methods might quickly ruin and set
at naught the tension-bearing powers of the
wooden frame. To take a concrete example, the
"conducting rim" which is forced into the cir-
cular portion of the frame and upon which the
circular sound-board rests, would have to be con-
structed with the greatest care, and after the
most improved methods of bent-rim making. The
frame itself offers even tougher problems. On
the other hand, there is no reason to suppose
that the idea is essentially anything but good,
and it is to be regretted that actual experiment
is as yet out of the question. We commend to
the enterprising manufacturers this courageous
The fundamental idea of the Galloway inven- attempt to solve at one blow the three chief evils
tion (which we are informed is not yet manufac- of modern pianoforte construction, to wit, metal-
tured or on the market), involves the total lic tone-quality, liability of masses of metal to
abandonment of metal framing. In place of the excessive molecular changes from the influence
customary iron plate a complete structure of of temperature and climate and the distressing
wood is provided. The tension-bearing portion but perennial problem of the "break" at the be-
of the construction is composed of a vertical ginning of the overstringing. It is not proposed
rectangular frame, hollowed out so that it pre- to do more here than call attention to the novel
sents the general appearance of a circle in- and ingenious ideas of Mr. Galloway. As said
scribed in a square. The circle is of sufficient above, criticism is impossible without such data
size to admit within its diameter the sound- .s experiment alone can give. Nevertheless, the
board. The inventor proposes to make this idea is well worth such consideration as may be
frame of wooden veneers glued at cross-grain. given to it.
Thus it will be observed that the proposed
We have a letter from Mr. Geo. W. Miller, a
frame circular interiorly and rectangular ex-
teriorly. This structure is relied upon to pro- tuner, of Hamilton, 0., in which a rather ob-
vide the requisite resisting power to the strain of scure though important question of construction
is discussed with minuteness and lucidity. We
the strings.
print it here, together with certain editorial com-
The second novel provision is for a circular ment:
"conducting rim," made up in the same manner
"Hamilton, 0., Feb. 27, 1905.
as the bent rim of a grand pianoforte. This rim
"Having noticed the views and theories of an
is forced within the circular opening of the
frame, and forms a support for the circular expert on piano structure, in the technical de-
sound-board, which is glued upon it. Finally, the partment of The Music Trade Review, I have
belly-bridge is arranged upon the circular sound- wondered why something may not be said to
board in such a manner that it forms one contin- correct the world-wide mechanical error of
uous closed curve, following the general outline stringing pianofortes with taperless tuning-pins.
of a curvilinear pentagon, and including the This error causes the general public to suffer all
bass bridge within its perimeter. The bridge is, grades of discordance, as a result of the spiral
in fact, a self-contained conductor for all the twist and spring of straight pins, which are
strings, and avoids the usual necessity of separ- bound tightest at the point instead of near the
ation at the point where the overstringing be- winding. Such pins cannot be retightened after
gins. Thus the new construction contemplates a some years of use.
thoroughly homogeneous and self-contained reso-
"The inclined plane, utilized in the tapered tun-
nance-and tension-apparatus and depends upon ing-pin, is one of the standard vehicles of me-
the density and compactness of construction to chanical force, and should not be ignored on the
afford a support for the strings without the in- score of antiquity, any more than the sunlight.
terposition of metallic framing in any form. As The slight additional cost of the honest tapered
for the outer shape of the case, it is in no wise article has induced a good majority of those who
different from that of the ordinary upright in- seek to cheapen production, to use the penny-
strument, inasmuch as, after the sides have been wise and pound-foolish method of stringing with
glued on to the complete frame, the circular out- straight pins. The extremely tight setting of the
lines are concealed, except at the top, which is straight pin, as so often practiced in the factor-
curved to allow for the upper arc of the interior ies, is an effort to remedy the blunder; but it is
circle.
only another mistake, as it still further contrib-
utes to the spiral twist, and inflicts useless labor
It would, of course, be absurd to attempt any- upon the tuner, by compelling him to draw the
thing in the nature of decisive criticism in a strings above the required pitch, in order to turn
case like this. Not only is the whole idea entire- the pin at its bottom end or point and so set it
ly at variance with the accepted canons of piano- firmly.
forte building, but the absence of a completed
"Another objection: If a pin is to be extracted,
model makes actual tests impossible. We may fourteen revolutions backwards are required,
say, however, that there appears to be no reason which damages its future grip by milling out the
LESTER PIANO
wood. Many cheap pianos have their taperless
tuning-pins thrust in, to within one-sixteenth of
an inch of the string-coil, the other extremities
of the pins being driven up against the bottom
of the hole in the wrest-plank. When these be-
come too loose, as so often happens through the
action of modern heating appliances or of time,
the tuner can only stand and hold them. And
this requires too many hammers. Bushing is
often difficult, as the blunt point of the pin car-
ries and drives everything like bushing down to
destruction before it.
"Thanks to the efforts of a few manufacturers,
who know the mechanical points of the business,
as thoroughly as did the old makers, we are able
to view some splendid examples of right construc-
tion, that can be the objects of naught but admir-
ing research and commedation." Respectfully,
"GEOKOE W. MILLER."
One's first impression on reading this decided-
ly pessimistic expression of his views, is that
the writer has been having some severe tussles
with badly constructed as well as badly treated
instruments. We cannot doubt that such instru-
ments exist; nor can we entirely fail to sympa-
thize with Mr. Miller's woe in relation to the de-
lightful task of tuning pianofortes provided with
badly fitting and badly manipulated tuning-pins.
Poor workmanship in the stringing department
is undoubtedly responsible for much of the evil
to which the outside tuner is so frequently sub-
jected; but there can be no doubt that the best
instruments are amply protected in this regard.
Considerable experience has shown the editor of
this department that instruments strung accord-
ing to the most approved modern styles seem to
retain their stability and uniformity of stringing
for a very long time, in spite of the undoubtedly
injurious influences of temperature, climate and
time. On the other hand, mechanically speaking,
the tapered tuning-pin is a more correct device,
and in connection with the rotatory motion that
is given by the tuning-hammer,ought to produce
more stable and certain results. Nevertheless,
in practice there are mechanical difficulties of a
secondary but serious nature that must always
accompany the use of the inclined plane, when
applied to tuning-pins. These difficulties are con-
nected with the nature of the holes bored in the
wrest-plank and with the tapering with a due
degree of uniformity of the pins themselves. As
we have already indicated, the trouble is not so
much with the prevailing principle of stringing,
as with the usual low standard of workmanship,
and Mr. Miller would probably be the first
to confess that thoroughly good instruments,
whether they be new or old, give little difficulty
that a good tuner need fear.
It has been suggested by some kindly disposed
readers that the technical department, during
the whole of its existence, has seemed to show
far too little attention to the highly important
and interesting auxiliary industries that prop-
erly come within the scope of its legitimate activ-
ities. We are accused of being too cold to the
interests of the player industry, too neglectful
of the tool makers, too narrow and provincial
to include any notice of the works and
doings of these great branches within the
confines of this department. Our readers
are the best judges of the facts in the
case, and are best able to say whether such an
indictment lies against us on any or all of
its counts. Nevertheless, we protest that lack of
catholicity, as to taste at least, has never been
one of our self-confessed sins. Lest, however,
others rise up and denounce us for provincial-
ism—a term which is the more dreadful for its
vagueness of implication—we promise that such
criticism shall no longer justly lie against us.
The future conduct of this department shall
show the sincerity of its editor.
We are able to announce that a novel and im-
Upright and Grand.
High Grade, Great Durability, Fine T«nal Quality
The Price ii Right
Factorial LESTER, PA,
S3M CholMtf a u PHILADELPHIA, PA.