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THE:
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
9
We have continued to receive letters similar in
content to that which we published last week
from the modest gentleman of Philadelphia,
wherein tuners of every degree express their very
hearty approval of the statements made by the
Conducted and Edited by Wm. B. White.
worthy brother from the Pennsylvania metropolis.
We had no idea that so many tuners felt strongly
on this subject, but it appears that a whole lot
As promised last week, we take up herewith
The cut which appears with this description of them have been subjected to the unpleasant
consideration of the patented tuning-hammer of will assist the reader in elucidating the general necessity of redeeming rash promises made by
Bediant and Ellsworth. It may be noted in ad- details. For further information we append this salesmen in closing deals with reluctant or igno-
vance that improvements in tuning hammers, hav- slightly modified statement of the inventors' rant customers. Of course, this sort of thing is
very sad, but we suppose that the remedy must
ing as their object the abolition of the star head, claims:
have been quite numerous of late. All of the de-
"In a tuning-hammer, the combination of a lie chiefly in the increasing intelligence of the
vices that have come under our notice have made hollow stock (shaft) (1), bifurcated at one end, public and a progressively more comprehending
use of the ratchet in some form or another for a pinion (5) mounted in the bifurcate portions of attitude on their part toward pianos in general,
the purpose of imparting a rotary motion to the the stock, a sleeve (6) mounted in bearings in and their own instruments in particular. There
head of the tool, so that the solid grip of the the bifurcate portions of the stock and carrying are altogether too many people of the type that
square head upon the pin might be combined with the pinion, the socket member (head) (7) pro- speaks of a harsh and badly hammered and
the adaptability of the star form. The well- vided with transverse openings (10), and mount- voiced instrument as a "piano with a hard ac-
known firm of Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co. ed in the sleeve aforesaid, the pin (9) adapted tion.'" We have heard substantially the same
were lately experimenting with such a device, and to be passed through a selected one of the open- words from innumerable customers, and it can-
a ratchet T-hammer was patented a short while ings (10), admitting of adjustment of the socket not be denied that the ignorance displayed ia
ago by George Brauer, a tuner of Stockton, Cal. member, and the sliding dog (11) mounted in the pitiable.
The patent of Bediant and Ellsworth, however, hollow portion of the stock, and having one end
Perhaps we are unduly affected by adora-
exhibits some novel features, which are evidently co-operating with the pinion, said dog having an
intended to do away with the clumsiness that has extremity thereof projected through an end of tion of the "imagines fori," as the old phi-
characterized most other efforts in this direction. the stock, and provided with a finger-loop for losopher Bacon used to call them, by the "idols of
the market-place," those obstacles to clear thought
The reader may judge just how far the inventors manipulation thereof."
that come from the enormous influence that a
have accomplished their aim.
The new hammer consists of the usual handle,
It would seem that the general use of such a man's profession works upon his manner of liv-
having within it a stock or shaft. Within this device as this would tend to produce a greater ing and thinking, and even upon his appearance.
latter is a sliding dog, which engages with a uniformity of operation of the tuning hammer. Rightly or wrongly, however, we could never see
pinion at the end of the shaft where the head of Nor would this be aught but a blessing. For no how a man or woman could have a musical instru-
the hammer is attached. The other extremity of tuner of an inquiring turn of mind can fail to ob- ment in his or her possession for years without
the dog passes clear through the handle and serve the exceedingly faulty method of using the ever feeling the slightest curiosity as to its in-
emerges at the butt end into a finger loop that hammer indulged in by so many. We have often terior make-up. We are aware that many tuners
may be grasped by the finger or thumb of the observed tuners who fail to take sufficient care in quite approve of keeping the dear public in igno-
tuner. There is also a sliding finger-piece on .holding the hammer in a proper vertical position, rance as to these matters, but we have always
the side of the handle, which also is used in the but slant it, for the sake of convenience, or felt that this was a very short-sighted way of
operation of the dog, either of the finger-pieces through carelessness, so that the angle formed by looking at things.
being equally efficient.
the hammer with the plane of the strings is very
When a person understands something of the
The shaft of the hammer terminates in a fork, nearly a right angle on the side of the operating
between the prongs of which the pinion is se- force, and subtends nearly an obtuse angle on the construction and building of an instrument, he
cured, with suitable bearings to hold it in place. side remote from that force. This fault is some- or she will be less likely to make unreasonable
times next to impossible to avoid where the tuner complaints, whereas, ignorance is always think-
uses the ordinary square head, for the different ing wrong of some one or something. Has it
angles formed by the tuning-pin heads with the never struck one that it is always the densely
plane of the plate cause the head to assume cor- ignorant person, the exponent of brute force, who
responding inconvenient angular positions. Here imagines that every one is against him, and that
the star head has an advantage, which has carried every one is trying to "do" him or "has it in for
it to popularity in spite of its obvious and in- him." A reflex of this is surely to be found in
herent faults. These latter are chiefly to be found the petulant and peevish complaints that are al-
in the loss of stability involved, in the liability to- ways pouring in from piano owners who neither
ward damage to the ends of the pins from the know nor care anything about their instruments;
sharp corners of the head, and in the shorter who are content to have the "man come to fix it"
length of time during which this form remains whenever any real or fancied trouble arrives.
efficient.
Educate the public, and they will realize much
Most other ratchet hammers have merely en- more clearly the true intellectual and artistic
deavored to add the adaptability of the star to worth of your labor; will come to place at its
the stability of the square head. But the new true appraisal the cost of that in which they have
invention does all this apparently, and more too. invested their money; and will learn better to ap-
For it encourages the adoption of the only true preciate the manner of man with whom they
method of setting the pin, and this in a manner deal, and whom they are too ready contemptu-
that makes it hard not to do the right thing ously to dismiss as the "man who comes to tune
automatically. For the position of the finger- the piano," the principal verb of this sentence,
The head of the hammer is placed within the pieces is such as to make it difficult to ignore comprehending within its sheltering arms any
pinion and secured tightly by means of a sleeve, them, while their intelligent use will render the and every ill to which piano flesh is heir.
through which and the head a pin passes, so as maintenance of a proper upright position of the
to interlock the two firmly. The head may be handle quite easy. As for the setting of the pin
Communications for the department should be
secured at different points in its surface by means by the "method of intermittent shocks"—a method addressed to the Editor, Technical Department,
of the pin, so that its operating length may be that we have constantly advocated—there is no The Music Trade Review.
shortened or lengthened, at the discretion of the question that there we have the only scientific
system that has yet been evolved out of the ex-
tuner.
W. B. PRICE VICTIM OF THUGS.
The operation of the device appears not to be perience of tuners. Mechanically, artistically,
unduly complicated. It will be understood that and in every other way it stands alone; the ex-
Lately there have been a number of highway
when it is desired to .turn the tuning-pin in either perience of the best tuners in. the world forms the
direction, the handle is rotated in the usual man- most efficient testimonial for it that could pos- robberies in the region of Morningside Park. One
of the latest victims was W. Bebee Price, of 416
ner, and if it then be moved slightly in the re- sibly be brought into court.
It will be understood, therefore, that, with nec- West 118th street, manager of the Jacot Music
verse direction, with a concomitant motion of the
finger-pieces, the dog will be disengaged from the essary reservations, we approve the spirit and Box Co., 39 Union Square, who reported to Ser-
pinion and re-engaged at another point, so that form of the new invention. It is true that much geant Liebers at the West 125th street police sta-
the operating position of the handle remains al- better conclusions could be arrived at by aid of a tion on Sunday that he had been held up by a
ways the same, while the head of the hammer is working model. It is equally true that the prin- number of people in Morningside Park at mid-
gradually rotated, continuously and in the de- ciple is here most clearly exhibited, and to that night, and robbed of sixty dollars. He was on
sired direction. It is obvious that practice will principle, to its general validity, we give our his way home from the 116th street elevated sta-
enable the tuner to operate the device in such a hearty assent. Messrs. Bediant and Ellsworth tion, and had just reached the steps leading to
manner as to maintain the stability of the han- have our congratulations for their ingenuity, and Morningside Heights when he was assaulted.
dle, while pushing the tuning-pin in the required we sincerely hope that they may find a full re- Within a month or two there have been four
hold-ups in that section.
ward for their labors in behalf of tuners.
direction, .with surety and ease.
THE REVIEW'S TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.