Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1912 Vol. 54 N. 15

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW/
THE LYRACHORD-SYMPHONIA A REMARKABLE PRODUCT.
Interesting New Instrument to Be Turned Out by the Lyrachord Co. Organized This Week in
New York with C. Alfred Wagner as President—Really Four Instruments in One—Elec-
tricity Utilized to Produce in a Piano, Orchestral, Pipe Organ and Vox Humana Effects—
Surprising Musical Results Possible—Those at the Head of the New Company.
prolonging the tones and swelling them collectively
or individually at will.
Four Instruments in One.
In conjunction with the player-piano the Lyra-
chord demonstrates its most wonderful and in-
teresting capabilities. With the aid of the player
orchestral and solo effects are. not only possible
to the novice but can be rendered to satisfy the
most critical musical ear. The Lyrachord in-
stalled in the player-piano combines four instru-
ments into one: (a) . Manual piano, (b) manual
Lyrachord-Symphonia,
(c) player-piano (d)
Lyrachord-Symphonia player.
Think of being able to play Dvorak's
'Humoresque" with the player and realize the
tone of the violin, or play an operatic overture
and get the orchestral effect of strings, wood
winds, etc.!
Musicians who have heard the Lyrachord-Sym-
phonia, or rather have heard the piano amplified
by this wonderful apparatus, declare that mar-
velous possibilities are apparent which will tre-
mendously advance the position of the piano as
a musical instrument.
C. Alfred Wagner's Career.
C. Alfred Wagner, president and general mana-
ger of the new company, has been identified with
the piano industry all his life. He started his
business career with the Aeolian Co. in 1896, in
the retail department of this company, at 18 West
2:kl street, and was subsequently connected with
the Brooklyn, Cincinnati and Indianapolis branches
of that company. He was in charge of the latter
branch before becoming connected with the whole-
sale department of the Aeolian Co., which he rep-
resented in the middle west and southern territory.
Leaving the Aeolian Co., he was placed in charge
of the player business in the branch stores of M.
Steinert & Sons Co., Boston, where he remained
until the Henry F. Miller & Sons Piano Co.
C. ALFRED WAGNER, PRESIDENT LYRACHORD CO.
started to build its own player actions. He was
then given charge of its player-piano business,
ciple which is somewhat new in music. Electricity wholesale and retail. This important position he
is introduced to vibrate the strings of the piano. managed for three years with conspicuous ability.
Orchestral, pipe organ and vox humana effects, On February 1, 1911, Mr. Wagner became vice-
and the tone of strings and wood winds can be
president and general traveling representative of
produced. To appreciate the musical effects of
the Autopiano Co., and is perhaps best known in
this instrument it must be heard. The mere ex- the industry through his latter connection. He has
pression of words does not do justice to its visited in this capacity every State in the Union
musical value. With the Lyrachord, as long as
one or more keys are depressed, prolonged singing
tones are reproduced. Not only is it possible to
produce these wonderful tones and to modulate
them at will, but the general effect is to give to the
music of the piano and player-piano greater body,
sharpness and carrying power.
The Lyrachord Co. was incorporated this week
under the laws of the State of New York, with
a capital of $150,000 fully paid in. The officers of
the new company are C. Alfred Wagner, president
and general manager; George Breed, vice-presi-
dent ; and F. A. Decker, secretary. The company
has been formed to manufacture for the trade the
Lyrachord-Symphonia, which is the latest innova-
tion in the piano industry. It has taken a long
lease on the large factory building, 635-637 W.
49th Street, where it will occupy six floors.
The Lyrachord-Symphonia is founded on a prin-
9
several times and his many friends in the trade
will be glad indeed to know of his new responsibil-
ities. He is an all around piano and player-piano
man; he is thoroughly familiar with constructional
details; is an expert on recital work, and is
thoroughly familiar with retail and wholesale prob-
lems.
F. A. Decker, secretary of the company, is an ex-
pert technical engineer. He will be general
superintendent of the factory. Mr. Decker is
prominently known in scientific circles. He was
awarded the John Scott Legacy Medal for scien-
tific research and has obtained over one hundred
patents on various articles, many of which are in
practical use to-day. Prior to his active connection
with the Lyrachord Co. Mr. Decker was a de-
signing engineer with the Western Electric Co.
He has been closely associated with Mr. Breed, the
inventor of the Lyrachord, for the past fifteen
years and has assisted in carrying out many of
Mr. Breed's ideas in connection with this wonder-
ful invention. As secretary and technical engineer
of the new Lyrachord Co. he will be filling a posi-
tion for which he is abundantly equipped by his
past experience.
Much Money Spent Toward Perfection.
Thus after more than a century of development
when the pianoforte was thought to have reached
a stage where little further improvement was to be
looked for, a new way to the development ot
greater powers has been opened.
Men have labored for more than three quarters
of a century, and have probably spent more than a
million dollars, to produce tone in a pianoforte
other than realized by blows of cushioned hammers
upon steel strings. This system of producing tone
developed in the pianoforte a distinctly staccato
quality, with only limited possibilities for a
sustained tone, and always falling short of the
ideal legato, which could be increased or dimin-
ished in volume as in the violin, 'cello, organ or
voice.
GOGGAN VERDICT SET ASIDE.
The verdict for $51,316 recently won by Mike
Goggan against Thos. Goggan & Bro., in the
Thirty-seventh District Court in San Antonio,
Tex., has been set aside by Chief Justice James
in the Fourth Court of Appeals, who holds that
the trial judge's charge was erroneous. The suit
followed the withdrawal of Mike Goggan from the
old-established Goggan business and his subsequent
entrance into the retail piano business on his own
account.
Simplicity of Construction.
The perfecting of this instrument has been ac-
complished by George Breed, the vice-president
of the company, who is a recognized scientist
hailing from Philadelphia, and a well known elec-
trical engineer. The mechanism is simple in con-
struction. In front of each string corresponding
to a note of the piano is fixed a small magnet,
causing the string to vibrate, which creates a sus-
tained tone of astonishing force and exquisite
quality under absolute control of the performer.
Many attempts have been made t~> i>roduce an in-
strument similar to the Lyrachord-Symphonia.
Few, however, have gotten beyond the laboratory
stage and been placed on the market. Those
which have, have not been sold at a price that
would make them a commercial product.
No Alteration of Piano Case.
The electrical apparatus has been so well planned
and so compactly designed that no alteration in
the case, the action or any other part of the piano
is necessary. The Lyrachord device does not in
any way interfere with the playing of the piano
through the medium of the hammers when the
electrical current is not connected, but the per-
former can instantly call the Lyrachord into play,
THE PLANT OF T E E LYRACHORD CO., NEW
YORK.
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10
THE
BIG ADDITION TO BACON PLANT
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PIANO TRADE GOLF TOURNAMENT
CELEBRATE FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
Now Being Planned to Meet the Growing De-
mands of'the Business—Will Nearly Double
Capacity—Quality Values the Basis of Ad-
vance Says President Tremaine.
To Be Held at Atlantic City Links on Thurs-
day and Friday, May 16, 17, Just Preceding
the Manufacturers' Convention—A Reminder
from Secretary DeMoll Worth Noting.
Starr Piano Co.'s Twelve Months of Progress—
Cutting Its Own Music Rolls—I. L. Grin-
nell Returns—Next Meeting of Association.
That the Bacon Piano Co., 138th street and
Walton avenue, New York, is winning a large
measure of success is evident in the fact that
plans are under way for a five-story addition to its
present plant. This will be of brick construction
and of sufficient size to give nearly a double
capacity. It is expected that this addition will
be ready for installing machinery during the lat-
ter part of June and that it will be of assistance
to the company in caring for its rapidly grow-
ing business.
In a chat with C. M. Tremaine, president, he
said that this whole growth was the result of
quality. He believes that in this age there is
too much striving for "how cheap" when it should
be "how good." '"How good 1 is the Bacon policy,"
he commented, "and we aim to please the musi-
cian, knowing if that class of people are pleased,
it will be an easy matter to satisfy the average
buyer. Instances where the Bacon piano was
purchased in competition with many others are
common, it possessing a clear, sharp, sparkling
tone—a tone wanted by every musician." "The
piano with the musician's tone" might be a fitting
slogan for the Bacon.
The Bacon Piano Co. is advertising to ex-
change a brand new Bacon piano for an old
Bacon, which must be seventy-five years old or
older. It is receiving a lot of answers, showing
possessors of Bacon pianos of ages from sixty
years old and above, and these letters will be com-
piled and published in booklet form.
O. J. DeMoll, Washington, D. C, secretary of
the Piano Trade Golf Association, has sent out
a notice to members that all arrangements have
been made at Atlantic City to hold the annual
golf tournament during the two full days, May
16 and 17 (Thursday and Friday). In this con-
nection he says:
"Members wishing to enter this tournament
should arrive in Atlantic City not later than May
15, as we are scheduled to start early in the
morning of the 16th. If you have not already ob-
tained hotel accommodations, would advise that
you do so at once, because there is going to be
a scarcity of rooms around May 15.
"No new members will be taken into the Piano
Trade Golf Association after May 1. We cannot
accept members after this date, as it will be im-
possible to properly handicap them, and it breaks
up all our arrangements regarding prizes, etc.
The manufacturers convention will start the day
after the tournament is over, and we hope to
have all of the golfers of that association join
us, as well as the dealers."
LOESER PIANO PUBLICITY.
Ernest P. Hamilton, manager of the piano de-
partment of the Frederick Loeser Co., Brooklyn,
stated this week that the sale which was held last
week by this department was a great success. Mr.
Hamilton has just started a novel campaign of ad-
vertising, displaying in the trolley cars and those
on the elevated and subway cards which read:
"Register your name at once for a used piano. A
special plan to supply good pianos of any preferred
make at very low prices. We got them in ipart
payment for our famous player-pianos, Kranich &
Bach, Bjur Bros., Estey, Gordon & Son and Fran-
cis Bacon. Ask about our used piano plan."
Mr. Hamilton said that he thought that this plan
would work out very well owing to there being so
many people who would buy used pianos if they
could get the (particular make they desired. In a
short time a summer sale will be held.
The engagement is announced of William E.
Wheelock, treasurer of the Aeolian Co., and Miss
Esther Giese, daughter of the Rev. E. F. Giese, of
Brooklyn.
Carlock's Furniture & Piano Co., Gibson City,
111., is holding a retiring sale.
Every Packard owner is a
Packard booster — that's the
reason every Packard dealer de-
lights to sell Packard Pianos. We are
making plans to make the Packard the
best known piano as well as the best
piano in America. A few new dealers
in new territory—are going to help reap
the harvest. Write The Packard Com-
pany, Fort Wayne, Ind.—to-day.
A HANDSOME VOLUME
Is That Just Issued by the Davenport-Treacy
Co. Bearing on Its New Styles.
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Mich., April 8, 1912.
The Starr Piano Co. is celebrating the first an-
niversary of the establishment of its big retail
store here this week, and it was a most active
and profitable twelve months. The business was
good in all lines, Starr. Richmond, Remington and
Trayser, but especially large in the Starrs, the
highest grade member of the Starr family.
Work on the alterations on the third floor of
the big store is nearing completion. The rooms
on this floor are to be for the Remington, Rich-
mond and Trayser pianos and player-pianos, the
swell second floor being reserved for Starrs and
players.
The player business of the Starr Co. is steadily
increasing in proportion to the sales of old line
pianos. Every dealer in town reports the same
thing in regard to his lines.
Manager Hannon, of the Detroit branch of the
Starr Co., spent several days at the factory in
Richmond this week. He was particularly inter-
ested in the new device installed by the Starr Co.,
with which it cuts its own music rolls for its
players. He reports that all departments of the
plant are running full force.
Fred Coryell, traveling representative of the
Connerized Music Co., is home from a long trip
and is taking a few days' rest.
I. L. Grinnell has returned from Colorado, where
he has been since last autumn, following the illness
which took him from business last August. He. is
completely restored in health.
The next meeting of the Detroit Music Trades
Association will be held April 16. The speaker
will be Wade Millis, former president of the
Detroit Credit Men's Association, and his subject
will be collections.
The new 1912 catalog of the Davenport-Treacy
Piano Co., 1907 Park avenue, New York, is being
sent to the trade, as announced in a preliminary
news item herein last week, and ranks as the
best volume ever issued by the house. As in
previous books, a portfolio of samples is attached
to the back cover, thus permitting the reader to
spread them before his gaze and be able to
compare the different Davenport-Treacy styles to
We propose to give five dollars a week for a
his heart's content.
short, chatty expression of views upon interesting
Light olive is the color of the cover, which, topics. Consult our special announcement elsewhere.
with the colors of types and engravings used—
white, black and gold—presents a very creditable
appearance. Two-color work—black and green—
is the color scheme for the text and illustrative
pages, showing illustrations of the Davenport-
Treacy features. For instance, there is the spe-
cial D-T piano back; the plate alone and set in the
back, pin block, sounding board and the interior of
the Davenport-Treacy pianos.
The portfolio contains illustrations of the fol-
lowing Davenport-Treacy styles; S, H, J, L, T,
Mission player-piano (a dandy), regular style
Davenport-Treacy player-piano, A, B, C, D and F.
This catalog does not attempt to go into an ex-
haustive study of pianos, but tells what the reader
wants to know and tells it promptly. The little
introduction given below, shows what the writer
intended to do and a glance at the volume shows
that he did it:
"In preparing this description of our instru-
ment we intend departing from the usual form
used in catalogs, which is composed chiefly of the
history of music and progression of the piano-
WITH A GROWING
forte industry. We will speak of and show by
descriptive cuts, the various parts of a piano, and
REPUTATION
what constitutes a first class instrument. When
one is about to invest in a piano, it ought to be
a subject of great importance to them, for it is
Demand it. The only one that
generally a lifetime contract. Therefore in the
meets all player requirements.
simplest and plainest way possible, we intend to
The best hammer for all pianos.
describe the merits of the Davenport-Treacy piano."
OCCUPY NEW BUILDING.
E. G. Sprow & Sons, piano dealers of Carlisle,
Pa., have moved to the new building they have
purchased on Hanover street, that city.
PURCHASE THE STOCK.
The Consolidated Music Co., Salt Lake City,
Utah, has purchased the stock of the Idaho Music
Co., Boise, Idaho, and is closing out the line in
the Boise store.
SUPERIOR
GERMAN FELT
401-424 E. 163d St., New York
Chicago Office: Republic Bldg.

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