Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JANUARY 9, 1926
37
SUPPLY BRANCHES OF THE INDUSTRY
Do Antiquated Methods Prevail in the
Present Piano Manufacturing Plants
A. K. Gutsohn, of the Standard Pneumatic Action Co., Analyzes the Present Manufacturing Sit-
uation in the Industry and Points Out Where Such Charges Have No Basis
T N connection with the discussion started by
*• a writer in "Veneers" as to the efficiency
of shop methods in piano factories and the ade-
quacy of the mill equipment being used, a letter
has been received by The Review from A. K.
Gutsohn, superintendent and secretary of the
Standard Pneumatic Action Co., New York. Mr.
Gutsohn, who, in addition is president of the
National Piano Technicians' Association, takes
a strong stand in the matter, stating that the
piano manufacturing industry is not lagging be-
hind in shop efficiency, and that, on the con-
trary, many of the largest plants compare favor-
ably with any other industry, woodworking or
otherwise. He writes:
"I have read with very much interest an
article about the future of the piano industry
in the December, 1925, issue of 'Veneers,' signed
by 'A. W. W.' I note that part of this article
was reprinted in The Music Trade Review of
December 26.
"I do not know who 'A. W. W.' is, or what
connections or relations he has with the piano
industry. His article is certainly not compli-
mentary to the piano business as a whole, and I
fear that our friend is in need of further infor-
mation pertaining to the equipment of the mod-
ern piano factories of our country, as well as
of the factories of accessories pertaining thereto.
"In his article he leads the layman to believe
that the 'piano business has to pack up its tents
and steal away, business having dwindled to
almost nothing'; that the piano business will
never again come gack to its former status. This
statement shows that the individual is not very
well acquainted with the piano industry, as we
are not anxious to come back again to the piano
business* former status, but we are making a
constant growth and the industry as a whole is
taking greater and greater dimensions in indus-
trial life and creating importance in social life.
"There need be no fear on the part of the
piano manufacturer that he has to 'pack up his
tent and steal away.' The piano has been, and
always will remain, the basic instrument of
musical interpretation.
The man who uses Behlen's Varnish
Crack Eradicator can afford to figure
lower, yet makes more profit on a re-
finishing job, than the man who does
not use it.
1
1
"He further speaks in his article of anti-
quated methods being adhered to in the manu-
facture of our instruments and believes the
piano out of the running unless the manufac-
turers can stage a comeback in a miraculous
manner. This, he believes, can be accomplished
by different methods of manufacturing so that
we could produce an instrument of decent
quality at a much lower price than we have been
obliged to ask in recent years.
"It is true that in piano construction the
trade at large has adhered to its perfect con-
struction. The reason why the trade has stuck
so closely to this construction is because it is
the most perfect, and there is neither any change
in its construction advisable, nor is it necessary,
nor can anyone recommend a change in its con-
struction with equal tone and result.
"The piano can easily be compared to another
fine instrument—the violin. We will find the
same construction adhered to as that used by
the grandfathers of violin construction.
"As to the matter of finish, a high-grade in-
strument is still manufactured the same as be-
fore, yet in certain commercial grades we find
different finishes—some may not be cheaper,
but they differ in appearance.
"If the writer of the article in 'Veneers' is
really desirous and anxious to know more about
the methods of manufacture in the piano indus-
try and to change his mind as to the anti-
quated methods used, I would suggest that if
convenient to him, not knowing where he Is
located, that he visit some of our modern fac-
tories as follows: In New York: Brambach
Piano Co., Kohler & Campbell, Premier Grand
Piano Corp., Jacob Doll & Sons, Paul G. Mehlin
& Sons, Steinway & Sons, Kranich & Bach,
Weber Piano Co., the Aeolian Co. and others;
in Philadelphia: Cunningham Piano Co., Lester
Piano Co.; in Buffalo: Kurtzman & Co.; in Bos-
ton: Vose & Sons, Hallet & Davis and others;
in Hammond, Ind.; Straube Piano Co.; in South
Haven, Mich.: Cable-Nelson Piano Co.; in La
Porte, Ind.: Hobert M. Cable; in New Castle,
Ind.: Jesse French & Sons; in Chicago: Gul-
bransen Co., Cable Company, Story & Clark
Piano Co., W. W. Kimball, M. Schultz Co.,
Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., and many others
throughout the country.
"I have just mentioned the above as they
came to my mind, and having visited them I
know that their methods and equipment are up
to date and the last word in efficiency. If one
realizes how keen the competition is in all in-
dustry, and particularly in the piano industry, it
ought to be significant that no important
Send for a sample can today and
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"San Domingo Mahogany King" Arrives With
Shipload of Fine Logs and Disposes of Them
Personally
BOSTON, MASS., January 4.—The local lumber
trade has been visited this month by Joseph
Singer Schwartz, known in trade circles as the
"San Domingo Mahogany King," who made the
trip to this country to dispose of a steamerload
of mahogany logs. The- cargo was unloaded
on the wharves of the Fuller-Thurber Co., 414
Albany street. Mr. Schwartz made his head-
quarters at the Copley Plaza Hotel and spent
several weeks selling to the trade in large and
small quantities. The Fuller-Thurber Co., which
recently installed a huge mahogany saw, haa
utilized it to advantage on this shipment, slicing
the original logs in lengths up to seventeen feet.
Competition Growing in West
MONTREAL, CAN., January 4.—The Eastern lum-
ber manufacturers have been seriously affected
the past year by the growing competition
of Oregon, Washington and British Colum-
bia producers, D. H. McLennan, retiring presi-
dent of the Montreal Lumber Association, stated
at the recent annual meeting of that body. Low
water rates via Panama had brought even keener
competition than in 1924. Eastern manufac-
turers had even to take loss in disposing of their
output. Forecasting a lower lumber cut than
in 1925, which would strengthen prices, Mr. Mc-
Lennan said the lumber trade would doubtless
share in the benefits from the prosperity of the
former.
Western production is showing a steady and
rapid increase which is reflected in this situa-
tion.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
One of the Popular
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ROLL CABINETS
Piano Wire
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Cargo of Mahogany
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American
The reason—he saves the time, trouble
and expense of scraping off the old var-
nish and shellac and the finished job is
just as satisfactory, too—if not more so.
1 H. BEHLEN & BRO.
changes have been made in recent years either
in construction or finish. 'A. W. W.' will also
note, if he cares to investigate, that the instru-
ments of to-day, though they might have im-
proved considerably in quality, have not in-
creased in cost in proportion to the materials
and labor entering into their manufacture. The
explanation of this can only be attributed to the
more modern and efficient methods under which
the piano is produced. 'A. W. W.' must remem-
ber that the piano is sold as a musical instru-
ment, and as such it cannot be cheapened—as
such it must stand and serve its purpose."
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