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40
The Music Trade Review
MARCH 26, 1927
The Technical and Supply Department—(Continued from page 39)
"To go back to the tuning-pin question. \
am not so unpractical an idealist as to expect
that purchasers of pianos can be induced to buy
expensive hygrometers and stand over them
to watch every change of both humidity and
temperature. But when the public has been
brought to realize that our modern ways of
living, with regard to artificial heat, render it
impossible for any manufacturer to build an
article of wood, whether furniture, piano or
what not, which will withstand the conditions
in which it must be used, then at least we
shall have a chance of getting the question dis-
cussed openly and with a chance of favorable
action.
"I have checked atmospheric conditions my-
self this Winter, with a hygrometer, in houses
where I have tuned, and have found not un-
common readings of 23 per cent moisture
content indoors, with the average between 28
per cent and 30 per cent. Compare these with
the report of the United States Weather Bu-
reau, which gave during thirteen days of
August and September last year an average
of 90 per cent. These figures apply only, of
course, to my own neighborhood, but the
analogy is good for all Northern parts of the
country.
"And as a matter of fact, remedies are not
so difficult as they might appear to be. It is
mainly a question of narrowing the range of
moisture content to a width nearer to that
which prevailed thirty or forty years ago. This
can be brought about by public education and
then could be satisfactorily settled. But it
will take frankness, truth and education.—L.
M. Poarch, Indianapolis, Ind."
Comment
There will be no question, I think, as to the
importance of Mr. Poarch's contribution, nor
as to the essential truth of what he says. Many
years ago this very point was brought up
before the Tuners' Association by Chastain
O'Harrow, of Lima, Ohio, who had made a
study of the facts and arrived at precisely the
same conclusions, although he was dealing with
a range of conditions by no means so extreme
as that of to-day. It is difficult to escape the
conclusion that, as modern heating methods
become more efficient, furniture, pianos and
other wooden articles will be subjected to con-
tinually greater strains, to sustain which they
are now almost wholly unfitted.
It is certainly true that a great deal of the
present complaint about loose tuning pins has
its foundation in the facts which Mr. Poarch
sets forth. And if the question be asked, what
are we going to do about it, the answer is that
we must educate people to regard a fair con-
tent of moisture as absolutely essential to the
health of their pianos, and quite as much, of
themselves. It is all a question of range. An
average moisture content of 50 per cent main-
tained all Winter in the average home would
.keep the average piano in good shape for years.
I should much like to get more opinions,
and especially more facts, on this vital sub-
ject, and invite all concerned to submit their
findings so that we may do something to
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Piano Tuning, Pipe and Reed
Organ and Player Piano
YEAR BOOK FREE
27-29 Gainsboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Tuners and Repairers
Our new illustrated catalogue of Piano and
Player Hardware Felts and Tools is now
ready. If you haven't received your copy
please let us know.
OTTO R. TREFZ, JR.
2110 Fairmount Ave.
Phila., Pa.
secure that ventilation which the whole ques-
tion so badly needs.
as other subjects relative to the art of piano-
case making.
Correspondence
Denver Wants the
Piano Tuners' Convention
should be addressed to William Braid White,
5149 Agatite avenue, Chicago.
"Veneers and Plywood"
an Interesting Volume
New Book Has as One of Its Authors Meinrad
Wulpi, of the National Bench Manufacturers'
Association
The craftsmanship and artistry of veneers
and plywood, as well as modern production
methods and present-day utility, are treated in
detail in the new book entitled "Veneers and
Plywood," written by E. Vernon Knight and
Meinrad Wulpi. The latter is well known to
the trade as commissioner of the National
Association of Piano Bench & Stool Manu-
facturers.
The aim of the book is to set forth the facts,
both historical and technical, relating to the
origin and present-day production of veneers
and of plywood. A glance through the table
of contents indicates the broad treatment of
the subject, the practical helps offered to
craftsmen in woodwork and cabinetry, as well
as extensive and correct information of an
educational nature.
The importance of plywood in the production
of pianos and other musical instruments, good
furniture and panels is emphasized. The trade
will no doubt also be interested in the text
treating with marquetry and inlays, which gives
a historic description of the methods of early
decorative work.
The technic of cutting marquetry, the mak-
ing of inlaid borders and appliques or overlays,
subjects which are now occupying the atten-
tion of the trade, are also discussed, as well
DENVER, COL., March 12.—The Denver unit of
the National Association of Piano Tuners,
aided and abetted by music dealers and the
Chamber of Commerce, has started ways and
means to bring the 1928 convention of the
National Association to Denver. Francis E.
Tate, president of the Denver unit, addressing
a meeting of his associates and members of
the music dealers and the Chamber of Com-
merce, said he believed the National Associa-
tion would come if properly invited, and when
Frank D. Darrow, of the Darrow Music Co.,
and Will R. Owens, of the Chamber of Com-
merce, got through speaking, Mr. Tatc had
nothing left but to bring on the boys and
Denver will do the rest.
Tariff Classification
Imported machines, used in making and hard-
ening- woolen felt, were correctly classified as
textile machinery, with duty at the rate of 35
per cent ad valorem, under Paragraph 372, Act
of 1922, according to a decision given recently
by the Customs Court of New York denying
relief to the Western Felt Works, Chicago.
Claim was made for duty at but 30 per cent ad
valorem under said Paragraph 372 as machines
or parts thereof not specifically provided for.
With Montelius
Hugh Campbell has become affiliated with the
Montelius Music House, 220 Pine street, Seattle,
Wash., and the name of the company has been
changed to the Montelius-Campbell Music
House.
Tuners Carrying Case
LIGHT—COMPACT—SERVICEABLE
Weighs Only 6 Pounds
Outside measurements 15}4 inches long, 7
inches wide, 8 inches high.
No. 150—Covered with seal grain imitation
leather. Each $13.00
No. 200—Covered with genuine black cow-
hide leather. Each $20.00 F.O.B. New York.
When closed the aluminum
trays nest together over the large
compartment, which measures
13^g" x 6" x 4". The two left hand
trays measure 13^4" x 2 l / A " x iy 8 "
and the two right hand trays 13^g"
x &/{ x iy 8 ". The partitions in
right hand trays are adjustable or
may be removed. Case is fitted
with a very secure lock and solid
brass, highly nickel-plated hard-
ware.
We have a separate Department to take care of special requirements
of tuners and repairers. Mail orders for action parts, repair materials,
also tuning and regulating tools are given special attention.
Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.
Piano and Player Hardware, Felts and Tools
New York Since 1848
4th Ave. at 13th St-