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THE MUSIC TRADE
THE ART OF PIANO MAKING.
The Subject of a Detailed Story in the hands of
the Census Authorities.
REVIEW
NO REASON TO WORRY.
Manufacturers as a Whole Have Orders on
Hand to Keep Them Busy Well Into Christ-
mas, and Although There Is Some Slackening
In Orders Yet the Trade Is Clearly
Optimistic—A Leading Manufacturer Utters
Some Sensational Remarks on the Situation.
The Census Bulletin relating to musical in-
struments contains a rather interesting account
of the processes used in making pianos, as fol-
lows:
In making the rounds of the factories in the
In recording the various steps in the manu-
:
facture of a high grade piano the selection and Bronx and in the downtown section the informa-
season of the various kinds of wood is the first tion gleaned is to the effect that every manu-
and one of the most important. Only those facturer has orders enough on hand to keep their
grains and textures are used which have been plants humming all through November and the
found to possess the resonant quality necessary greater part of December, but that orders are
for the production of the desired tones. The not coming in so freely as a week ago. One
wood used is almost entirely of American manufacturer in passing judgment on this stand
growth, the only notable exceptions being the of certain manufacturers, said: "I have enough
expensive veneers for the case and the ebony orders to keep me busy all through November,
for the black keys. The seasoning of this lum- and I am sure the flurry will be all over in
ber requires several years, as the condition of December, and many of the manufacturers will
the wood is a very important consideration in be sorry that they 'crossed bridges before they
came to them.' I am surprised to hear the
obtaining the best results.
This seasoned wood is sawed into widths, and pessimistic rants of some of these manufacturers
the parts are usually made of a number of these and they seem to have got the habit bad. In-
widths fitted and glued together in order to stead of talking future prosperity and happiness
withstand the influence of atmospheric changes, they talk dull times so strong they give you the
to obtain the best tonal results and to add to the blues. Every manufacturer is ahead of a year
strength. Very few metal bolts or screws are ago, and although he may fall a little behind
used in the manufacture of a piano, even the this month the fall business record will be found
timbers of the framework being glued together on a par with last year."
under heavy pressure. It is found that better
results are thus obtained, as the glue properly
WILL MAKE CHRISTIE PIANOS.
applied makes a permanent joint, whereas bolts
or screws are liable to work loose.
Bogart Will Continue the Name in Connection
With Piano Making.
The heavy wooden framework of a grand piano
and that of an upright are necessarily different
One of our western contemporaries, the Presto,
in form and construction, but the principles used
are the same, for the solid, massive construction in noting the death of "Jake" Christie, in a re-
of the frame must assist the metal plate in bear- cent issue, states that his name dies with him
and that the market is soon to "be loaded with
ing the strain of the strings.
The plate is a casting of metal, principally Christie stencils." This statement is erroneous,
iron, and is made to fit over the frame. This according to E. B. Bogart, of E. B. Bogart & Co.,
portion of the piano is very generally manufac- of 283 East One Hundred and Thirty-seventh
tured by foundry and machine shops which make street, as that firm controls the name, further-
a specialty of piano plates and piano hardware. more has been manufacturing "Christie" pianos
The smoothing down, machine drilling, and for over five years.
Mr. Christie was for several years a member
finally the bronzing and Japanning of the plate
are the important operations in the preparation of the firm of E. B. Bogart & Co., and this firm
is to-day making "Christie" pianos. In the Pres-
of this casting.
The spruce pine used in the sounding board to Buyer's Guide, the following paragraph ap-
is the subject of most careful selection, and the pears:
" 'Christie,' named for Jacob Christie, formerly
building of this slightly convex and highly sensi-
tive wooden surface and the arrangement of the with E. B. Bogart & Co., of New York."
The paragraph in the column of our esteemed
bridges may be considered among the delicate
contemporary, to which Mr. Bogart called atten-
features of piano manufacture.
The sound production is caused by string tion, reads:
"Unlike most of the other old-time piano mak-
vibration, and the wire used, necessarily of great
elasticity and of highest grade, is in some in- ers, Christie's name dies with him. It Is not a
stances purchased abroad. The laying out of the bad name for a piano either—on the contrary
scale, arranging the length and weight of wire quite a good one. It is a name associated with
according to absolute rule, requires expert abil- song and minstrelsy. Why is it that no piano
ity as well as genius. The action or striking maker seems to have cared for it? And now that
mechanism, the carefully balanced key, the felt 'Jake' is no more, how long will it be before the
covered hammers and dampers, and many other piano trade will be loaded with 'Christie' sten-
delicately adjusted parts include numerous per- cils?"
fected contrivances. Toning or voicing the
Mr. Bogart most naturally wishes to notify the
piano to produce tone shadings is done by soft- trade that the above is incorrect and that he ex-
ening the felt of the hammers with needles.
pects to manufacture Christie pianos for several
The setting up or assembling of the instru- years to come.
ment and the regulating of the many parts to
make a harmonious whole is the next step in ESTEY PLANT WORKING OVERTIME.
piano manufacture. The sounding board and
plate are attached to the framework, the wires Among the Busiest Manufacturers in the Bronx
—Compelled to Work Holidays—No Pessi-
are properly strung and chipped or tuned in a
mism Here.
preliminary manner, the keyboard and action
are then set in and adjusted, the final tuning of
The. Estey Piano Co. are among the busiest
the strings is gone over by experts, and the
manufacturers
in the Bronx, and overtime is the
combined results are most carefully tested.
rule in many departments, with a view of catch-
Great care is expended in the finish of the
case, inasmuch as the instrument is designed to ing up with the many orders on hand. On Elec-
please the eye as well as the ear. It is var- tion Day the plant was operated for a half day,
nished, sandpapered and rubbed until a highly and since then many departments have worked
polished surface is obtained. Foreign taste pre- up to six o'clock. Seventeen pianos were shipped
fers the dull finish, and by many this is con- out on Tuesday last, and this proves that there
are no dull moments in the Estey camp, and
sidered more artistic.
from latest advices this holds good at the factory
in Brattleboro, Vt.
; M. G. Demarest has opened a store in Santa
Paula, Cal., for the sale of pianos and Other
musical goods,
11
SomeTradC'Straws"
Here are some excerpts taken at random
from the many letters which we have re-
ceived from dealers, tuners and salesmen
who enthusiastically endorse "Theory and
Practice of Pianoforte Building."
Here is what tke Phillips & Crew Co.,
Savannah, Ga. f one of the leading firms in the
South, say regarding "Theory and Practice of
Pianoforte Building":
"We beg to hand you herewith our check
for $2 to cover cost of one copy of "Theory
and Practice of Pianoforte Building," which
has been received with thanks. The book is all
that you claim it to be and should find a ready
place with all those connected with the trade.
With our very best wishes, we beg to remain,"
etc.
George Rose, of the great English house
of Broadwood & Sons, and one of the lead-
ing piano makers of Europe, writes:
"I have perused the book with much pleas-
ure, and 'Theory and Practice of Pianoforte
Building' should be in the hands of every prac-
tical and interested man in the trade."
H. A. Brueggemann, a dealer in Fort
Wayne, Ind., writes: "I have one of your
books, 'Theory and Practice of Pianoforte
Building,' and will say that it is just the kind
of a book I have been looking for for many
years. I have been tuning pianos for fourteen
years, and from studying the book, 'Theory and
Practice of Pianoforte Building/ I have
learned something that I never knew before."
John G. Erck, for many years manager of
the Mathushek & Son retail piano business,
and now manager of the piano department of
a big store in Cleveland, writes: "You cer-
tainly deserve strong commendation, for your
latest effort; 'Theory and Practice of Piano-
forte Building' is a book written in such an
instructive and concise form that certainly no
piano player or piano professional enthusiast
should lack it in his or her library. It gives
to the salesman the highest knowledge of in-
struments and is invaluable."
Henry Keeler, of Grafton, W. Va., says: "I
most heartily congratulate you for launching
such a worthy book. I consider it the best
work ever written upon the subject, and I
hope that its ready sale will cause the reprint
of many editions."
George A. Witney, head of the Brockport
Piano Mfg. Co., himself being a scale draughts-
man of national repute, writes: "'Theory and
Practice of Pianoforte Building* is a valuable
book for those interested in piano construc-
tion."
Every man, whether manufacturer,
scale draughtsman,superintendent,
dealer, or salesman, should own
a copy of the first work of its kind
in the English language.
The price for single copies delivered to
any part of the United States, Canada
and Mexico is $z. All other countries,
on account of increased postage, $2.20.
If the book is not desired after examination, money
will be refunded.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
1 MADISON AVE., NEW YORK CITY
The Story & Clark Piano Co., h&Y9 opened,
agency in-Bataria. N. Y*