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30
Musical Merchandise Section of The Music Trade Review
Western Branch of Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co.
in Chicago, Now in Full Operation
*T* HE new Western branch of the Fred Gretsch
-*• Manufacturing Co., recently opened in Chi-
cago under the management of Vice-President
Philip D. Nash, lias now been completely out-
fine trade bringer. The new Chicago
quarters at 226 S. Wabash avenue fill the
six floors of that building with warehouse
another building and the sample and
head-
entire
space
stock
I received a letter from a York agent, who be-
lieves in selling at a profit rather than giving
away. He was up against some tough compe-
tition, but stood pat in the matter of price. He
stressed performance and quality and got the
sale away from some price cutters.
"He wrote us as follows: 'We ha,ve sold the
York Sousaphone recently shipped us. Compe-
tition in this deal was very keen. Several
other local houses were offering tremendous
discounts on standard advertised lines. How-
ever, the York bass had something that the
rest of them didn't have and, as a result, this
customer bought the York bass at the list price.
So thoroughly pleased is the customer that we
expect this bass to help us make the sale of
two or three like it'."
Living Music Day" Is
Observed in San Francisco
Western
Branch,
Fred Gretsch
Mfg. Co.
1—Typical
cases.
sample
2—The offices; Vice-
President
Philip
D. Nash in rear;
Field Representa-
tive Fred J. Base
at left; William
Gretsch at right.
3—A section of
stockrooms.
the
SAN FRANCISCO, CAI..—In view of the attention
given in the trade and in music circles gener-
ally to the promotion of personal performance
of music, the celebration of "Living Music
Day" in this city on May 26 should be of spe-
cial interest throughout the country and lead
to similar observances in other cities. As a
result of a well-organized campaign, business
houses in all lines participated in the celebra-
tion and twenty-six of the best local orchestras
gave concerts in the leading stores during the
day. The stores giving the concerts carried
large newspaper advertisements announcing the
fact and the San Francisco Chronicle as well
as one of the evening papers, carried special
sections devoted to pictures and biographies of
prominent conductors and other musical news.
Sherman, Clay & Co., the Baldwin Piano Co.,
and the Wurlitzer Co., were among the music
houses that lied up prominently with the event.
The idea was to educate the public to an
appreciation of Living Music and if possible,
to arouse a. desire for it instead of sinking en-
tirely into the position of being merely listen-
ers to "canned music." No comparisons, how-
ever, were made in the publicity of Living
Music Day. Splendid orchestral concerts were
given and the listeners were left to form their
own conclusions. Bill Ringen, one of the well-
known band and orchestra instrument salesmen
of the city, was chairman of the Living Music
Day committee.
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fitted with a large stock not only of the Gretsch
manufactured goods, but with a full line of
other musical instrument accessories and small
goods. From the Chicago office the company
maintains a traveling staff which covers the
.Central West and Central South. By the es-
tablishment of this Western house, carrying a
complete line, the Gretsch customers are en-
abled to get fast delivery, and business is
steadily growing.
In addition to Vice-President Nash, who is in
charge, William Gretsch is also an office execu-
tive. The field men include Fred J. Base, who
for years has covered the Chicago area for this
house and is their general field representative,
assisted by Billy Reed, Jr., in the middle South-
west; Emil Dahlen in Ohio, Val Kistner, who
covers the Chicago local trade, and M. J. Ross,
who covers the Southern states between the
Atlantic seaboard and the Mississippi River.
The Gretsch line of their own manufactures
includes drums, saxophones, band instruments,
banjos and guitars, and they are also American
sales representatives for A. Robert and M.
Lacroix wood winds, Buffet saxophones, Kruspe
French horns, Wm. Heckcl bassoons, violins
by O. H. Seidel, Johann Glass, Antonio Saleri
and Wm. Th. Heberlein, Jr., A. Nurnberger
bows, La Tosca accordions, Ajaha and Gildjiau
cymbals, and La Tosca artist strings.
The Broadcaster tenor banjo recently put out
by the Gretsch house is proving an unusually
rooms attached to the office contain 4,400 square
feet.
York Instruments for
School and College Bands
The York Band Instrument Co. of Grand
Rapids, Mich., continues to make fine progress
in sales, and their weekly shipments to fill or-
ders from various dealers throughout the coun-
try are proving highly gratifying to Vice-Pres-
ident Karl B. Shinkman and the other members
of the company. Recent sales to dealers were
for various organizations in the public schools
of Milwaukee, Wis., and for various classes in
Girard University, Philadelphia, New York Uni-
versity, Michigan State College, Claflin Uni-
versity, the Grand Trunk Railway, and other
big institutions.
Mr. Shinkman phrases his comments on these
orders as follows: "These large buyers are not
influenced by 'hoop-la.' They are judges of
values and are analytical and conservative. In
everyone of the instances I have quoted, other
instruments could have been bought for less
money but the decisions were given to York
on the strength of quality and performance.
"Also we continue to be proud of the fact
that we stand back of the dealer and protect
him in every possible way. Just this morning
Nick Lucas Method Popular
The Nicomede Music Co., publishers in
Altoona, Pa., report that the Nick Lucas Guitar
Method and Premier Folio of Guitar Solos for
pick-style playing, written by Nick Lucas, cele-
brated soloist, were exhibited at both conven-
tions of the teachers and dealers recently held
at Providence, R. I., and New York City,
respectively. The books have been favorably
accepted and highly recommended by many of
the leading teachers and dealers.
Newest Clarola Rolls
Co.
The latest Clarola rolls issued by the Q.R.S.
include:
Irish Washerwoman (Jig).
Let Me Call You Sweetheart.
Sidewalks of New York.
Sweet Adeline.
On Wisconsin.
Pagan Love Song (from 'The Pagan").
Smiles.
Sweethearts on Parade.
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.
I'm lust a Vagabond Lover.
If I "Had a Talking Picture of You.
(From "Sunny Side Up").
You're Always in My Arms.
Painting the Clouds With Sunshine.
Aren't We All.
Kansas City Blues.
Twelfth Street Kag.
St. Louis Blues.
Wabash Blues.
Cryin' for the Caroline.
Should 1?
Happy Days Are Here Again.
Stein Song.
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