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THE
AUGUST 10, 1918
EXCELLENT DEMAND FOR DRUMS
MUSIC TRADE
NO SECRET IN VIOLIN VARNISH
C. Bruno & Son, Inc., Report Activity in Mar- Writer Takes Exception to the General Belief
That the Varnish on the Old Violins Had
ket for Drums—A Popular Model
Much to Do With Their Wonderful Tone
C. Bruno & Son, Inc., musical merchandise
According to a writer in Jacobs' Orchestra
wholesalers and importers, report an unusually
active demand for regulation model drums which Monthly, there is no secret connected with the
are being used by organizations throughout the making of the varnish which the old masters
country. Since the start of the war the call used on their violins. The general opinion has
long been that the varnish used on
the old Stradivarius a n d Cremona
violins had much to do with the won-
derful tone those instruments pos-
sess. The writer referred to differs
from this opinion, saying in part:
Chemists and violin makers are in-
cessantly experimenting with varnish
solutions, and they have devoted
much time to analyzing the ingre-
dients of the Cremona varnishes as
applied by the famous luthiers. 1
think it can be stated, however, that
it is now a commonly known fact
that the varnish we so much admire
on the old instruments is in many re-
spects duplicated by our best makers
of to-day as regards the use of ingre-
dients, but they seem to fail in fixing
the exact proportions and do not ap-
ply it with quite the same skill.
Honest and competent investigators
tell us that there was no secret con-
nected with the composition of varnish in the
Bruno No. 5 Regulation Model Drum
for drums has steadily increased, and C. Bruno days of Stradivarius, excepting as concerning
& Son have left nothing undone to co-operate the little variations chosen by individuals. The
with their dealers and give them efficient serv- same gums, oils and coloring matter were com-
mon property. In all probability we should all
ice in filling their orders.
One of the most popular drums in the various be astonished could we now see any one of
lines handled by the house of Bruno is the No. those famous violins as it appeared when leav-
5 regulation model drum shown in the accom- ing the maker's hands, for it would look new,
panying illustration. This drum measures 15J/4 flashy, overbright and even crude in coloring.
bj 10 inches and has a mahogany shell, plain Our modern makers who use a fine, slow-drying
hoops, two calfskin heads, Italian hemp oil varnish are probably equaling the skill of
rope with metal bound leather ears, long shank the old masters, and when these violins have
snare strainer, waterproof silk snares and rose- aged sufficiently to allow the. colors to blend,
wood sticks. This model is also known as No. as they are known to do in an old oil painting,
10, which is constructed the same as No. 5, ex- we may rest assured that the present new in-
cept that it has a mahogany shell with fancy struments will take on a like beautiful appear-
inlaid star and fancy hoops.
ance as the old.
We cannot overestimate the marvelous work-
ing
power of age and usage upon a good varnish.
WARER00MS BEING REDECORATED
The unusual, subdued, velvety rich hues are due
The warerooms of Charles M. Stieff, Inc., not a little to the influences of light and atmos-
Baltimore, Md. T are being entirely redecorated, phere, but in this connection old Father "Time"
and when complete will be one of the most is the principal actor in maturing the tones and
attractive headquarters for musical instruments tints—as much so as he is instrumental in im-
in that city.
proving a good wine vintage. The slight differ-
ences in the varnish mixtures may be compared
to those obtaining to-day in the preparation of
I WILL BUY
FOR CASH
Sheet Music and Small Goods
Peate's Music House,
Utica, N. Y.
RUNQ
T H E OLDEST AND
LARGEST MUSICAL
OLIVER DITSON CO.
BOJTON, MASS.
INAMERICA
ESTABLISHED 1834
C.BRV.NO $
351-53FOURTH AYE. NEWYORKCICTC
Victor Distributors
the various brands of rosin for the violin bow.
The general supposition is that the Cremonese
makers all bought and used the same ingredients
for their varnish, which also is thought to be
that used in other communities—as in Brescia,
Rome, the Austrian Tyrol, etc. Mixtures which
were very like the violin varnish were also com-
monly used by painters and maker* of furniture.
In conclusion, it is the generally accepted belief
that the better grade of varnish now used by
our violin makers is quite as good as that found
on old Italian violins, and that it requires but
the magic touch of age to stain the wood and
bring out the color blend to a degree equaling
any example known to-day among the antiques.
After all that has been said, written and read
upon the importance of a good varnish, and the
credit given to the virtues of Cremona varnish in
particular, from certain well-known instrument
makers comes swiftly the statement that the
contention that varnish is in any wise respon-
sible for the tonal qualities of Stradivarius or
Guarnerius and other Italian instruments is a
distinct myth. Is not this enough to stagger
the beliefs, theories and most confirmed convic-
tions of varnish champions?
BRISTOL & BARBER INCORPORATED
A certificate of incorporation was issued this
week by the Secretary of State at Albany, N. Y.,
to the Bristol & Barber Co., Inc., of Manhattan.
The capitalization of the concern is $100,000,
the incorporators being C. L. Johnson, E. D.
Bristol, and N. G. Barber, of New York City.
The firm of Bristol & Barber has long been
familiar to the trade as one of the leaders in
the small goods line. The incorporation papers
permit the concern to engage in the manufac-
ture and sale of pianos and talking machines.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
rbLD&NEW
VIOLINS t ^ — 6 R « D PRIZES^
fBEST STRINGS^^™ 0 0 0 1 " 3 •*w*«o*i
JOHNFRIEDRICH&BRO.
SEND FOR ^ _ ? 279 FirTH AVE
OUR
£
NEW YOR*
TALOGUES
DURRO
AND
STEWART
Largest Wholesale
Musical Merchandise
HouMm in America
Buegeleisen & Jacob son
Manufacturer*
I m p o r t m and J*bb«n ol
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
Modern Service
ESTABLISHED ISM
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
Exclusively Wholesale
45
REVIEW
HEMMMir s=r=
Qua? Victor
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
Distributors
W 08 Chestnut Streat, Philadelphia, Pa.
Established OTM half a eaaturr
113 University Place
NEW
YORK
Black Diamond
Strings
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J.