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40
The Music Trade Review
SEPTEMBER 18, 1926
The Technical and Supply Department—(Continued from page 39)
emit the first eight partials so clearly and pow-
erfully as to be audible twenty-feet away in a
large room. One make of concert grand that I
know, on the other hand, is so "bound" and
feeble in its tone production that it does not
bring out even the third partial well, while the
higher ones hardly come out at all. This is not
a good concert grand.
Likewise analysis of the best makes of pianos
shows that makers are almost unanimous in
agreeing upon the one-eighth striking point for
the body of the instrument. On the other hand,
there are certain exceptions to the rule to be
noted.
The Bass Question
Thus the low bass strings need comparatively
little partial tone stimulation. They are never
too rigid and their ability to subdivide and re-
main subdivided is notorious. They need fun-
damental stimulation more than anything else
and it is my opinion that one gets better re-
sults in this respect by putting the striking point
nearer to the middle of the string. In fact, at
the lower bass end, I like to place the strik-
ing point so that it just escapes the seventh
node. I have, in fact, experimented on both
sides of the seventh node, and am inclined to
think that there is a good deal to be said for
a position on the long side of the seventh, where
the strings themselves are sufficiently long.
This, however, is a controversial point and I
should not wish to pronounce an opinion at this
moment, or until I shall have made some other
experiments.
I will say, however, that I stand for a scaling
of the striking distances lower than the eighth
node for all strings lower than an octave below
middle C.
Advancing Strike Point
Now, when we come to the high treble strings
we have to begin making higher striking points
just as soon as the sound quality produced
begins to become noticeably weak and dull. It
is, of course, a matter for some experiment in
each scale, but generally speaking it has to be
said that the smaller the piano, the sooner must
we begin to move upwards from the one-eighth
position. Thus, in a small grand piano of the
type I am discussing, I find by my own ex-
perience that I can do pretty well when I start
from one-eighth upward to one-ninth and so
on, at unison No. 57 or thereabouts. The pre-
cise determination depends to a large extent
upon the question of tension. Using lengths
scaled on a two-inch basis for No. 88, and ac-
cording to the ratio 1: 1.875 for the octave span,
at a tension averaging 160 pounds, I find that I
can preserve the partial tone succession of one
to eight, by sticking to the one-eighth position
until I reach unison No. 57 or 58. Thence I be-
gin going up gradually four or five unisons at a
time, rising to one-ninth, one-tenth, one-
eleventh, one-twelfth, one-thirteenth, one four-
WHY SACRIFICE
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teenth, one-fifteenth and one-sixteenth, the lat-
ter being fully realized only on unison No. 88.
The object of this raising, as I said, is to
secure the necessary stimulation of partial tones
for the stiffer and shorter strings and so obtain
that "ring" in the sound which is necessary to
provide a well-balanced tone quality from end
to end.
One last point will enable us to conclude our
survey of this element in the work. It should
be remembered that the general aim, in build-
ing tone quality, is to provide a strongly funda-
mental bass and to enrich this by partial tone
additions as we leave the regions where the
roots of chords are placed and go upward into
those regions where the higher elements of
chords are to be found and where enrichment is
most needed on account of the naturally feeble
quality of the sound, due to short, rigid and
poorly vibrating strings.
(To be continued')
Correspondence
is solicited and should be addressed to William
Braid White, 5149 Agatite avenue, Chicago.
Fine Veneer Stock
One of the largest stocks of high-grade
mottled mahogany veneer ever accumulated in
its history has been secured lately by the Ohio
Veneer Co., Cincinnati, O., according to G. H.
Vaughan, Eastern sales representative in New
York. Mr. Vaughan stated that the company
has come to be regarded as specialists in the
more beautiful grades of veneers of all woods.
"The display in our showrooms at 405 Lexing-
ton avenue, opposite the Hotel Commodore,
during the convention last June proved our con-
tentions along this score," Mr. Vaughan stated,
"and won much interest from the small grand
manufacturers who stepped over to see it. We
have consequently made special efforts to get
the best veneers available in mahogany, wal-
nut and rosewood and will have what the trade
wants, when it wants it. Furthermore, we have
already started to get substantial orders."
Our Lumber Resources
WASHINGTON, D. C, September 11.—The esti-
mated value of the standing saw timber in the
country has been given in the recent report
of the Federal Trade Commission on national
wealth and income as $7,387,650,000. This figure
has been declared to be too low, according to
the National Lumber Manufacturers' Associa-
tion. In a statement issued to-day the associa-
tion points out that the response of the timber-
owning companies to inquiries was so limited—
only 330 companies reporting volume of timber
and 215 giving valuations—the resulting sample
is not representative. Using it as a base, how-
ever, this total was obtained, the association
added.
This compares with an estimate of $6,000,-
000,000 made by the Bureau of Corporations in
1910 when the standing saw timber was cal-
culated to be 2,800,000,000 feet as against 2,200,-
000,000 feet in 1922, according to the Forest
Service.
Wood Oil Exports
WASHINGTON, D. C, September 11.—Exports of
wood oil from Hankow, China, during August
totaled 8,843,100 pounds, of which 7,106,500
pounds were shipped to the United States, ac-
cording to a report to the Department of Com-
merce. Market advices indicate that the de-
mand for China wood oil continues to show a
firmer tone as the result of light offerings and
a more active inquiry from the woodworking
industry. For September shipment from the
coast 15>4 to 16 cents a pound in sellers' tanks
is asked, and for January forward 15 cents can
be done.
TUNERS
AND
REPAIRERS
Our new catalogue of piano and
Player Hardware, Felts and
Tools is now ready. If you
haven't received your copy
please let us know.
Kansas City, Mo.
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Piano Taunt, Pipe and R«nd On«n
aid Player Piaao. Tear Book Free.
27-29 Cainsboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.
New York, Since 1848
4th Ave. and 13th St.