Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 5

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
TH
THE OUTLOOK IN DETROIT.
C. A. Grinnell Offers Some Original Views Re-
garding the Effect of the Automobile Craze
on the Piano Business—Local Piano Men
do Not Look for Heavy Fall Business, but
Expect
Considerable
Improvement—New
Grinnell Factory in Windsor Ready Soon—
What the Various Dealers Have to Say Re-
garding Conditions.
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Aug. 1. 1011.
There was more talk of prospects for tlie fall
and winter this week, not all so optimistic as
thafc heard last week. A semi-hurricane which
scurried through the fruit belt a week ago is go-
ing to make considerabte difference to the piano
trade in Michigan. In the fruit belt, fruit is about
alt there is to prosperity. Fruit pays so well the
farmers are tempted to tote all their eggs in one
basket. The wind blew down considerable of the
fruit, and consequently the growers are going io
be hard up, which is bound to lessen piano sales,
for agents depend on the fruit growers for their
patronage.
Also, some of the merchants insist they see the
blighting hand of presidential politics depressing
what otherwise are good conditions. '"Year after
next, before we get a real boom again," is their
word. But at that they don't expect to be reduced
to selling pencils on a corner. Crops in general
are the best Michigan has had in her entire his-
tory, and may be good enough to offset the losses
in the fruit belt.
Manager Hannon, of the Starr Piano. Co
branch, is one of the optimists. "J'm not talking
on guesswork," he said. "I'm getting orders for
fall trade already, which is pretty good proof.
We are still adding new agencies up-state, which
is some more proof."
J. Henry Ling is on the bull side, predicting a
strong revival as soon as the hot days are gone,
though he does not expect an unusual boom.
"Conditions are not exactly right for a boom,"
he said. "There is too much talk of depression in
other lines of business than ours, and even if
those conditions themselves do not affect our busi-
ness, they create other conditions which will. For
ourselves, we are feeling pretty good just now. I
sold four players and three grands last week, which
is not so bad."
C. A. Grinnell, who has a reputation for far
sightedness, is inclined to be cautions. "] don't
see anything ahead that is likely to lend any
great impetus to trade," he said. "We are hav-
ing a dull summer—every summer is duller than
the preceding one here, for more people are leav-
ing the city to spend their vacations than for-
merly. There is bound to be a quickening in the
fall, but I don't quite like the effect of this auto-
mobile business on the piano trade in Michigan.
I. have seen the argument that the automobile
business aids the piano business by creating so
much more population able to buy pianos, but it
strikes me there are two sides to it. Isn't a man
as likely to buy an automobile first for cash, then
buy a piano on contract, thus making the dealer
furnish him with capital, as he is to buy a piano
first because it is cheaper, and let the automobile
come afterwards, as I have heard'argued? That
condition pertains in Michigan more than any-
where else."
The new piano factory of Grinnell Bros., in
Windsor, Can., will be ready for occupancy in
about two weeks. They will make player-pianos
in the new plant as well as pianos.
J. A. Honea, formerly sales manager of the
Jesse French Piano Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is in
Detroit on a vacation. He will remain here until
fall.. His plans for the future are not definitely
fixed.
I. L. Grinnell, one of the firm of Grinnell
Brothers, who has been ill for two months with
pleurisy, is now improving. His condition was
at one time serious.
A. J. Mack, in charge of the tuning and repair
department of the Detroit branch of the Melville
Clark Piano Co., is absent from business because
of illness.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The foreclosure decree which gives Grinnell
Bros, complete control of the Charlevoix Hotel,
has been handed down, and the big piano firm
now owns the real estate and the hotel building.
S. E. Clark, manager of the branch stores of
Grinnell Bros., will spend nearly all of August
at Rye Beach, X. H.
A. H. Howes, of the same house, is spending
his vacation on Mackinac Island.
DEATH OF ABRAHAM H. MILLER.
The President of the Miller Organ & Piano
Co.
Passed Away Saturday—Death Re-
sulted from Accident Last December.
13
Talking Points
on
Piano Actions
(Special to The Review.)
Lebanon, Pa., July 'M, 1911.
Abraham 11. Miller, president of the Miller
Organ & Piano Co., and president of the People's
National Hank, died on Saturday at his home in
this city from an accident which occurred in the
company's factory last December when Mr. Miller
fell down an elevator shaft. For a time it was
thought that his recovery was certain, but it later
was learned that his spine was injured and he had
been confined to his bed practically ever since the
accident. The deceased was prominent in local
affairs and highly esteemed by a host of friends.
The company of which he was president was in-
corporated in 1 !!<>:'. with a capital of $100,000, all
paid in, succeeding the old established Miller
Organ Co., which business was started in 187:5.
THREE TRUSTEES IN MAIN CASE.
Creditors Vote at Recent Meeting to Have
Three Men Settle Estate—M. L. Ferson
Chosen First—Indebtedness $86 000.
(Special to the Review.)
Iowa City, la., July 31, 1911.
Creditors of W. F. Main, the piano dealer who
recently failed, voted on Thursday last to have
three trustees instead of one. The first ballot re-
sulted in the election of Morton L. Ferson. Bal-
lots were then commenced to choose the other two.
The trustees are Grover Krouth and O. A. Bying-
ton. The trustees will start at once to settle the
estate of Mr. Main, who has been adjudged a bank-
rupt.
The indebtedness is a little over $8(),0<>0, while
the assets consist of stock in the Boston Piano
Co., office furniture, equities in real estate, etc.
The valuation of the assets is hard to determine,
but if carefully handled and the real estate can be
sold to advantage, there will be considerable money
realized. A majority of the creditors were willing
to compromise on a 10 per cent, basis, but as the
costs and fees amounted to considerable, Mr. Main
was unable to realize upon his assets in so short
a time, and he decided to let the proceedings
take their course. It is understood that Mr. Main
will turn over to the trustees all the stock in the
Boston Piano Co., including the portion held by
relatives, and this will enable the sale of the con-
cern in bulk, which if done soon, may bring in
considerable money, as the business was profitable,
it is said, when bankruptcy proceedings began.
WM. SCHMER IN TAXICAB WRECK.
On Saturday last while State Comptroller Solimer
and his two young sons were on their way to the
dock where lay the "President Lincoln" of the
Hamburg-American line which was to take them to
Europe, a northbound Sixth avenue car ran into
the taxicab which they occupied and crushed it
beyond recognition. For a time it was thought that
Mr. Solimer and his sons were either killed or
seriously hurt, but when pried from the wreckage
it was found that the injuries were comparatively
slight. They continued on their way to the pier
stating that they would have the ship's surgeon look
them over. William Sohmer is the brother of
Hugo Sohmer, the popular piano manufacturer of
Xew York.
A. D, Chatelle has leased a nev» piano store in
Darlington, Wis.
It
G a far cry from the crude
piano action of days gone by to
the improved product of to-day,
and
music
in no department
trade
of
the
has the inventive
ability of man been more clearly
demonstrated
than in the piano
action industry.
There has been an obvious desire
on the part of action manufacturers
to progress.
They have never been satisfied
that the point has been reached
from
which
it is impossible to
make further advance.
Take for instance Strauch Bros.,
New Ycrk, the eminent action, key
and hammer manufacturers.
The records of the Patent Office
at Washington for many years past
will show that this concern has
ever been seeking for action ad-
vance, and it must be admitted that
this ceaseless investigation and re-
search on the part of Strauch Bros,
has placed their product in the van
of action progress.
There is no doubt about that.
Take the Lost Motion Device for
upright actions created by Strauch.
There is but one opinion regard-
ing it in the trade, and that is that
it is a creation of the highest pos-
sible value.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
14
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
OuTTECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
A WOODEN PLATE PIANO.
consist of screws with large, Hat heads, driven
pecialiy with a view to bringing out the third and
into the string-frame in appropriate positions.
fourth partials, and it is interesting to report that
I propose this week to give my readers some There is, of course, no break in the scale, except
these two partials particularly were very easily pro-
description of the so-called wooden plate piano at the point where the overstringing begins.
duced through sympathetic impression of vibra-
which has been designed and constructed by Will-
I do not propose here to venture any direct pre- tions from strings whose fundamentals corre-
iam Bauer, of Julius Bauer & Co. It is not my diction as to the standing qualities of this con-
sponded to them. I have spoken before of the
intention to discuss this very interesting instru-
comparatively complete elimination of the seventh
struction. It is enough to say that one of these
ment from the point of view of its commercial
partial but, unfortunately, was unable to take suf-
instruments has been now in existence for three
possibilities, for such matters have nothing to do months, and so far as I was able to see there is ficient time to find out whether the striking points
with the technical department. What I have to nothing to show that the wooden plate is incapable
of the hammers were arranged for this purpose
say, therefore, will have to do entirely with the of standing just as much strain, and just as well,
especially.
mechanical, accoustical and artistic properties, in- as any metal construction. Certainly there is a
In making this somewhat lengthy description, I
herent and exhibited by, this novel system of con- great deal to be said for a method which makes
have felt that the scientific interest of the new con-
struction.
the whole tension supporting structure of the piano
struction warrants the close attention of careful
First of all, it should be understood that the
practically an unit. The back and the wooden
observers. The instrument itself is, truly speaking,
new instrument contains nothing in the shape of
string frame are glued and screwed together in
quite non-competitive in its nature. It is an in-
an iron plate, nor even has it iron braces or sim-
such a manner that it is difficult to see how there teresting scientific experiment, and I have consid-
ilar metallic supports of any kind whatsoever. The
can be very much in the way of structural weak- ered it precisely in that light. What may be its
construction is is follows:
ness. The string-frame, it will be noticed, is built
future is quite another matter. It is, however,
The usual wooden back, common to all upright
up of cross-banded veneers. Such construction, if
more than probable that pianos built according
pianos, is employed and also the usual sound board. carefully and skilfully done, is exceedingly strong.
to this system will be found from time to time in
The difference begins at the wrestplank. This
Time alone can tell, of course, how this instrument
various places, and it is, therefore, well that as
part of the piano is not made flush, or almost flush,
will stand in tune. It is sufficient to say that there
many tuners as possible should become acquainted
with the ordinary soundboard bridge, but is car-
seems to be absolutely no reason for predicting
with the structure of this instrument, to the end
ried forward so that it projects more than one any trouble in this respect.
that if they ever do run across a specimen they
inch further forward than is usual. The outer
may feel themselves familiar with it.
The tone quality of this new piano is very in-
portion of the wrestplank, the part, that is to say,
In any case, no one need be afraid that the
teresting from a good many points of view. Con-
which is nearest to the front of the piano, is built
tuning of these pianos will be found to be either
trary to what were my own preconceived expecta-
up of five-quarter inch, cross-banded, quarter
difficult or peculiar, while it is certain that they
tions, the most striking feature was the very
sawed maple veneers. So far there is nothing
will always present a most interesting scientific
marked "cantabile." One would naturally suppose
particularly unusual.
that an instrument lacking the metallic string sup- and mechanical study.
The difference begins, however, with the fact
port would also be lacking in that sostenuto quality
that this projecting wrestplank is carried on down- which we associate with the free production of dis-
Communications for this department should be
wards so that it covers the entire front of the sonant partial tones, and which, from all experi-
addressed to The Editor, Technical Department,
soundboard right down to the bottom board of
ence, would appear to be particularly favored when
The Music Trade Review. W. B. W.
the piano. In other words, a wooden plate or
large masses of metal are in immediate contact
string frame is used instead of the ordinary iron
with the bearing bridges of the scale. I think,
SOME RECENT DEVICES.
plate, constructed in the same way as a built-up however, that in the present case it is true enough
wrestplank, being, in fact, a continuation of it, to say that no partial tones about the eighth are
Made by the Tuners' Supply Co. Are Interest-
made in one solid series of cross-banded lamina- perceptible, and the strikingly sustained tone qual-
ing Tuners Throughout the Country.
tions from top to bottom of the piano.
ity of this instrument is to be attributed almost
Keeping this picture in mind, we see that it
entirely to the very free and powerful production
(Special to the Review.)
becomes necessary to find some way of conveying
of the second, third and fourth partials. The
Boston, Mass., July 31, 1911.
the vibrations of the strings which are stretched
seventh partial seems to be almost entirely elimi-
Frank W. Hale, head of the Tuners Supply
in front of this wooden string frame to the sound-
nated, although I was not able to determine
Co. (Winter Hill station), the big manufacturers
board concealed behind it. The ordinary bridge,
whether this is or is not due to the arrangement of tuners, tools and supplies, remarked to the
common to soundboards, is used on the board, of striking points for the hammers.
writer to-day that the reason for the delay in
while metal bolts are driven through holes in
In addition to this matter of an unusually fine the issuing of their catalog was that there have
the wooden string frame somewhat larger than
sostenuto, the general tone quality is most com- been so many improvements in tools during the
the bolts into the soundboard bridge. Their outer
mendable since, for the reasons outlined above, it
past few weeks that a new catalog would soon
ends consist of agraffe studs, through which the
partakes of what may be termed a "diapason" be out of date. Consequently, they will issue an
strings pass and which, therefore, project in front
quality, and is, therefore, pure and noble. It lacks, eight or twelve page folder, covering some of
of the wooden string frame. In order to facili-
perhaps, somewhat in what is called brilliancy, but
their latest devices, and the trade will receive
tate the emission of sound waves, several rows of I confess that I cannot feel any regret for that.
these in a week or ten days.
inch and a half holes are bored through the
It was, of course, to be expected that the elim-
"Tuners are more alert nowadays," adds Mr.
wooden string frame. The upper bearing bridge
ination of metallic braces from the scale would
Hale, "and there is a better class of men among
for the strings is in the usual place near the
tend to abolish what are known as "registers," the profession. They must have tools that will
tuning pins and consists of a metal bed with a
those very unpleasant variations in tone quality work accurately and quickly, and I am constantly
pressure bar fastened securely into the string
which are seen to exist so often in pianos con- studying their requirements with a view of creat-
frame. The bass upper bearing bridge is of agraffe
structed in the usual manner, and which, therefore,
(Continucd on page lfi.)
construction but otherwise similar. The hitch-pins
give the effect, when one runs over the whole scale,
of playing successively on several pianos, each with
a different and characteristic voice. I am not at
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
all sure but that the absence of metal has much
to do with this evenness of tone, but that must,
We have in easily assimilated form,
for the present at least, be a matter of conjecture.
right here in this school, accumulated ex-
I have spoken briefly of certain accoustical char-
perience that it would take years to gain
acteristics of the instrument, but there are one
via the route we traveled. We give you the
or two others concerning which some remarks are
advantage of it in a few weeks. Private,
in order. I was very much interested in testing
personal instruction.
We specialize on
the partial tone emission of various strings, es-
player-piano repairing and regulation
Hammer Head
and
Butt Borer
POLKS SCHOOL OF TUNING,
Valparaiso, Ind.
Pianoforte, Flayer-Piano, Pipe and Iced Organ Toning
T U N E R S B U Y ON S I ^ H T
BrMle Ribbon Inserter
• Patent applied for.
No other tool will BO
maoMrfully or quick-
ly Uueit bridle rib-
bon* without remov-
ing the hammer heel
or bott. Our oatalof
will ahow yoa many
n e k lnveiitUeia anil
o n prices will ta-
tarea. j - . 4 ,
FAUST SCHOOL OF TUNING
DOLAN'S BOSTON
TUNERS' OUTFIT CO.
D e p t . M. R.
Common 41 Washington
Streets. Boston. Hass.
The Faust School ha* recently taken orer the Tuning
Department of the New England Conservatory of Music.
The principal. Oliver C Faust, has been in charge of that
department at the Conservatory for twenty rears. Tfce course
includes the Tuning, Repairing, Regulating, Voicing. Var-
nishing and Polishing of Pianofortes, Pipe and Reed Organs
snd Player-Pianos.
Pupils kav* daily practis* im CMckeriag * Sons'
factory.
Year back sat* fras «awa wa.«—t
S7-2f GAINSBOROUGH ST.. BOSTON. MASS.
Send for d—mtptfn
catalog. Frt.
TUNERS SUPPLY CO.
Winter « U District, BOSTON

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