Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 2, 1927
Small Uprights in Kohler Industries
Line Featured at the Convention
"Junior" Uprights, in Wide Variety of Finishes and Case Designs, Attract Much
Attention When Exhibited by Kohler Industries at Hotel Stevens
A T the convention in Chicago were many
unique exhibits but none attracted more at-
tention, according to the officials of the Kohler
Industries, New York, than the display of small
pianos shown by this group in the Hotel Stev-
ens. It was usual to find a large number of
people in the exhibit room and standing around
the door every day and the piano's attractive
appearance tempted many who could play to sit
at one of these little pianos to try them. One per-
son who was particularly interested and com-
mented on their tonal qualities was Dorothy
Miller Duckwitz, concert pianist and Welte
Mignon (Licensee) recording artist, who re-
galed the crowd with an unsolicited rendition
which was applauded with enthusiasm.
W. Otto Miessner, author of the Melody Way
"Junior" Pianos at Melody Way Demonstration
Plan of piano playing instruction, asked for the
use of four of them in conducting his group
piano instruction demonstration for the dele-
gates to the convention.
In the accompanying illustration these pianos
are shown at this demonstration.
The Kohler Industries call these pianos
"Juniors." They are only forty and one-half
inches high, twenty-two inches deep and thirty-
two and one-half inches wide. In case design
they are most attractive, done in a variety of
colors, conforming with the present-day vogue
in furniture color schemes. One is an ivory
decorated with roses and green stripe, another
in ivory shows a cluster of flowers and has an
orange stripe, while another ivory model has the
orange stripe but is decorated with a center
panel of green crackle. Still another has a cen-
ter panel of rich red crackle, and another is
in green jade with a center panel in ivory
crackle and a gold stripe. One that received
particular praise is done in buff with a shaded
green center and rose decoration. Two that
had the strongest eye appeal were done in apple
green with a veiled shaded center and in
Chinese red lacquer decorated in gold and black
in the famous Japanese scene of Fujiyama. One
of the most artistic models, particularly refined
in case design, was in mahogany in a shaded
art finish.
Aside from the attractiveness of case design
and finish much favorable comment was heard
regarding the tone quality of these small instru-
ments. Because of the special construction, al-
though much smaller than the ordinary upright
piano, the Kohler Industries were complimented
7
The Music Trade Review
on all sides for the tone quality and the volume
produced by these "Junior" instruments. One
connoisseur observed that the abbreviated
sounding board had actually enhanced the vol-
ume of the treble.
The interior of these pianos is constructed in
the same manner as the larger instruments, a
copper-wound base string being used as well
as a metal back and a sounding board of White
Mountain spruce.
An interesting comment on these instruments
appeared on the second day of the convention
in the Chicago Tribune under the title of "Two
by Four Pianos on Display for Cramped Flat
Renters."
"The 'two-by-four' piano, little brother of the
old upright, is the newest answer of the music
industry to the increasing number of kitchenette
apartments in cities and the competition of radio
sets that fit into small corners. Various types of
the newest innovation in the world of piano
fashion were on display to-day at the Hotel
Stevens, as the week-long convention of the
Music Industries' Chamber of Commerce got
under way, with the Piano Club of Chicago
playing host. Eighty-eight-note keyboards and
full tone are retained in the tiny pianos, which
are described as 'about twice the size of a type-
writer,' according to the manufacturers. And
with the 'condensed' pianos on the market, they
claim, there is no reason for leaving pianos out
of the home. The 'vest-pocket' instruments are
also heralded as a boon to school teachers of
music. Whereas the schoolmarm formerly could
get little discipline while she was seated before
the ivory keys, the manufacturers say, she is
now able to look over the top."
Several of the divisions of the Kohler Indus-
tries are now planning production on the new
"Junior" line and are already filling the many
orders taken at the Convention. These small
instruments are going to be much in demand
this fall and will undoubtedly greatly stimulate
Christmas business. For that reason every
effort is being made to take care of orders as
fast as they come in. The advertising depart-
ment is shaping up promotional literature so
that the beauty and convenience of these small
pianos may be presented as they should be, in a
colorful and interesting manner.
Zenith Radio Corp. Sets
Forth Its Attitude on Law
Chicago Concern Denies Reports That Have
Been Circulated Regarding Its Attitude To-
ward Radio Control Legislation
CHICAGO, III., June 27.—Paul B. Klugh, vice-
president and general manager of the Zenith
Radio Corp., this city, has made public a letter
denying reports that have been sent out re-
garding the attitude of the company towards
the Federal Radio Law and emphasizing the
fact that the Zenith Radio Corp. is thoroughly
in accord with the law and strongly in favor
of its maintenance. The company's recent ap-
pearance before the Federal Radio Commission
was in an effort to secure a more desirable
wave length and not in opposition to the radio
legislation.
secured from A. C. Erkander, president of the
Adirondack Piano Co., representative for the
Davenport-Treacy Piano Co., New York, at
Saranac Lake, and has been the center of many
group "sings" since its delivery. A letter of
praise for the full, rich tones of the Davenport-
Treacy instrument has been received by the
company from I. J. Neubauer, First Lieutenant
of the 105th Infantry, who expresses the pleas-
ure of his men and himself in possessing such a
splendid piano.
Change in Stieff Managers
NORFOLK, VA., June 28.—Guy R. Smith, for sev-
eral years manager of the local store of Charles
M. Stieff, Inc., has been transferred to the
company's Pittsburgh store. He has been suc-
ceeded by Glenn E. Sifrit, of Ohio, as manager
of the Norfolk store. Mr. Sifrit has announced
his intention of paying particular attention to
the development of the Brunswick Panatrope
department, recently installed here by his prede-
cessor.
New Store for Des Moines
DES MOINES, IA., June 28.—The Standard Piano
Co., a newly organized local concern, will open its
warerooms this week at 916 Walnut street,
handling a full line of pianos and other musi-
cal instruments. The company has just been
incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000 and
will include a personnel of ten persons. The
store has been attractively decorated and com-
prises an establishment 22 feet wide with a
depth of 132 feet and basement.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
Tho Review.
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Davenport-Treacy Piano
Selected for State Armory
PRATT, READ & CO.
The State Armory at Saranac Lake, N. Y., has
been equipped recently with a Davenport-Treacy
piano, which has been installed in the assembly
hall of that large building. The piano was
The Pratt Read Player Action Co.
Established 1806
Deep River, Conn.