Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1940 Vol. 99 N. 11

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, NOVEMBER, 19U0
18
Krakauer Electone One of the First
Magnatone
(Continued from Page 13)
While the tone created in the amplified Mag-
natone has the full power and volume of the
amplification unit, the electronic or radio speaker
type of tone is not accentuated. Thus a very
life-like, deep and sparkling quality is the re-
sult, inasmuch as the speaker is not depended
upon entirely to create the complex tonal pat-
tern of which organ sounds are made up.
Another unusual feature about the Magna-
tone is the fact that even though it is a one-
manual instrument, many effects assimilating
the two-manual and pedal instrument can be
obtained.
The Magnatone has gone through an evolu-
tion of three different models; the early model
using a regular pipe organ magnet, having 12
stops (see photograph Page 14). Secondly, an im-
proved magnet, tonal scale and stop action was
developed for a new 14-stop instrument which
included a full-organ stop and other features.
The third and latest model was designed with
a more organ-like case to appeal more to the
organ-buying public (see photograph Page 14).
The latter has a newly designed mechanism
which completely eliminates the stop action, and
incorporates a new magnet quite different than
anything ever used in an organ before. This
mechanism gives maximum efficiency and yet
because of its simplicity makes possible the
manufacture of the Magnatone at a lower price
than before, even though more real organ quality
is available.
A further interesting development in connec-
tion with the Magnatone is that provision is
made for addition of amplification on every in-
strument, wherein this equipment can be added
with a minimum of effort at a later date, when
it is desired to keep down first cost or invest-
ment by the purchaser.
Recently Mr. Walter Flandorf, well known
The Electone was one of the first electronic
pianos to be produced. It is manufactured by
Krakauer Bros., New York and was first displayed
at the Convention in New York in 1937. It is built
on the electro static principle and produced in
an attractive console design. It also combines
the radio and radio phonograph the latter being
installed in a bench which goes with the piano.
Minipiano Electronic Heard on Stage;
Widely Exploited
Another electronic piano which has attracted
much attention since its introduction in April
1938 is the Minipiano Electronic manufactured
by Hardman Peck & Co., New York. The Mini-
piano itself which was introduced in 1935 had
won a wide popularity and when the electronic
Minipiano was announced it also created un-
usual interest and has been used in many
orchestras, large assembly halls, skating rinks
and theaters as well as in numerous homes. The
volume of tone which can be produced on this
diminutive instrument through the use of ampli-
fication has been particularly emphasized in such
places as the Music Hall in Radio City, New York,
the Chicago Theater in Chicago and other large
theaters where it has been used as a solo in-
strument on various occasions. This instrument
is also not only an electronic piano but contains
the radio and radio phonograph which is in-
stalled in the bench delivered with the piano.
Storytone Promoted Through Recitals
In May 1939 the Story announced the Storytone "Voiced by RCA Vic-
tor" and since that time has been devoting much
time and effort to its merchandising. The in-
strument is an electro magnetic type and has
been manufactured in two most attracive models.
It has been widely publicized over the radio
and was displayed at the New York World's
Fair at the exhibit of the RCA Mfg. Co. where
it was demonstrated daily. Besides this, recitals
have been held throughout the country by the
large number of dealer handling Story & Clark
pianos in which the piano and its principle have
been explained to the public by Miss Martha
Sherman who has traveled from dealer to dealer
for the purpose of not only educating the dealer
and his staff to the importance of this develop-
ment but also to acquaint the public with its
possibilities.
organist and concert artist, prepared a book of
instructions for the Magnatone. It is so written
that the reader will have little difficulty in fol-
lowing instructions for playing the Magnatone
and obtaining the varied two-manual and pedal
effects.
The Storytone was developed jointly by the
Story & Clark Piano Co., Chicago, and the RCA
Manufacturing Co., Camden, N. J.
ucmms&i
MAGNATONE ORGAN
opens a new
world of
The Storytone is designed for high-fidelity
amplification. It has no sounding board. Beneath
each string is an electromagnetic pick-up which
gathers the voice of that particular string and
carries it, intact with every overtone and every
harmonic to specially-designed amplifying equip-
ment. The result is a new clarity of tone that
can be controlled from a mere whisper to full
concert volume. This, together with the use of
the Storytone's three pedals—soft, sustaining and
swell—increases the pianist's powers of ex-
pression. A pianist may also achieve organ-like
effects and can simulate the harpischord, the old-
fashioned music box, chimes—can easily secure
a tremolo effect, or can switch off the volume
entirely, to make a practice piano whose voice
can hardly be heard in the next rooml
Many Story & Clark dealers throughout the
country, have reported a lively interest in the
Storytone .both for orchestration work and in
the home.
music
Ansley Dynatone
Publicized
and a new vista of profit . . .
Magnificence of appearance and magnificence of tone are ,
firmly interwoven in this new all electric Magnatone Organ
/
l>y Gulhransen. Ft is so versatile in tonal effects it enriches /
the church, mortuary, radio station or school; so adaptahlc /
it fits into any modern home; yet so modestly priced it opens /
a new world of heautifid organ music to everyone and a new / r
vista of profit for you.
/
GULBRANSEN COMPANY 816 N. Kedzic Avc, Chicago
In 1938 Arthur Ansley founder and president
of the Ansley Radio Corp., New York who had
built up a splendid reputation with the Dyna-
phone announced the Ansley DynaTone an elec-
tronic piano which is built in its entirety in the
Ansley plant. This instrument was first displayed
at the Convention in Chicago in 1938. Instead
of having the radio phonograph in the bench it
is built into the case of piano the radio controls
being at the right of the keybed and the phono-
graph at the left in a drawer. This instrument
is furnished in two models with special finish.
Since its inception the DynaTone has received
a large amount of publicity in such mediums as
"Business Week," "Retailing," "Popular Science."
and Fortune Magazine. The latter included it
in their selection of outstanding developments
for the year 1939.
In Washington, D. C. a young Finnish pianist
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, NOVEMBER, 1W0
gave a recital of famous classics on the Dyna-
Tone. This concert was reviewed for the Wash-
ington Herald, by the eminent music critic. Dr.
Glenn Dillard Gunn. In his review Dr. Gunn
stated "The Ansley DynaTone . . . proved to
be the most interesting and practical develop-
ment in the piano since Jonas Chickering pro-
duced the all-metal frame and the sostenuto
pedal in the first half of the last century."
Then followed still other articles in outstand-
ing publications, daily papers and papers in
other cities and a double page editorial presenta-
tion in Life Magazine.
When the DynaTone first made its bow in
Chicago, it was built only in a modern design.
A year later a companion design in 18th Cen-
tury period style made its debut. Both models
are distinctive in appearance and built of fine
mahogany or walnut. The Ansleys have made
special cabinet finishes a feature of the Dyna-
Tone. They also offer benches to match, either
period or modem design.
Special attention has always been given to
faithful reproduction of unexcelled tone-quality.
This has led to the construction of a new type
high-fidelity amplifier of fine qualities.
The piano is a full 88-note instrument with
regular frame, strings, action, pedals and tuning.
In place of the mechanical amplification of the
string tones, such as produced in ordinary pianos
by the soundboard, the DynaTone amplifies the
tone of the strings by means of an electric
amplifier.
The player may also adjust the volume of the
instrument to the size of the room, or play the
DynaTone without amplification for practice
purposes. When played in this manner, the
strings give forth a soft harpsichord-like tone
quality. The recent addition of a swell pedal to
the DynaTone has placed new tone colors and
interpretive effects at the command of the
artist.
Combined with this fine keyboard instrument,
and built into the DynaTone as integral parts.
19
there is a 13-tube high-fidelity radio, and a
record player.
Three of the DynaTones were used by Radio
Station WNYC. the Municipal Broadcasting
Station of the City of New York, at their World's
Fair Studios, where it was the official piano of
the station throughout the entire duration of
the Fair. Here an interesting experiment was
tried which proved so successful that it has been
adopted by other broadcasters and recording
studios. This consisted of feeding the output
of the strings pickups directly into the station
amplifier without using the microphone in the
studio. This makes possible a purity of tone
that has been almost impossible to obtain from
conventional methods of piano broadcasting
where the studio accoustics have proved such
a problem.
Trio-Art Piano Embodies 8 Features
The latest electronic instrument to be shown
is the Trio-Art piano which was displayed by
Louis Luberoff of Wyncote, Pa. at the Convention
this year in Chicago.
The "Trio-Art" resembles any other 5' 2" grand
piano, with the exception that it is a spinet to
which has been added the tail of a grand.
It embodies eight features which are namely,
natural piano, electronic piano, automatic turn
table, recorder, radio public address system, and
two knee levers. On the fall-board, or panel
board, are eleven switches and an automatic
tuner or radio. In brief, the "Trio-Art" contains
all the musical arts known to man, in one case.
The "Trio-Art" primarily is a piano, just as any
other, of fine quality and lasting durability. By
pressing a switch which admits the electrical
A. C. line into the instrument, it becomes an
electronic piano. With the electronic piano it
is possible to expand the tone in its natural
quality, thereby giving the pianist the added
volume he desires and at the same time pre-
serving the quality. The quality, whether natural
or electronic, is always pure piano tone. One
of the reasons for this, is that the sounding board,
which is so vital to any instrument, has not been
removed or altered.
The left knee lever which is located under
the key bed, directly over the damper pedal is
operated by the left knee and leaves the foot
free for pedaling normally. This lever gives the
performer a swell in tone dynamically, from
the very softest, to the loudest and all degrees
between. The corresponding lever for the right
knee controls dynamically any recording that
has ever been made, the result being a perfect
blend of piano and record when played together.
This lever is located under the key bed, directly
over the sustaining pedal and allows foot free-
dom for natural pedaling.
The automatic turn-table plays and changes
ten records so that a complete program may be
arranged before performance.
The radio is of high fidelity with automatic
tuning or dial if preferred. Again, the right
knee lever controls any radio program dynam-
ically, making possible the same arrangements
as with piano and recording.
New Association Bulletin
The National Music Merchants "News"
published by the National Association of
Music Merchants made its appearance in
October. It is a double fold 8 page bulle-
tin full of news, ideas and suggestions to
members of the Association with refer-
ences to all branches of the industry.
Feature article gives suggestions for "get-
ting school business.
0 ne
lYlobel
SPECIFICATIONS
Direct-Blow Key and Action Combination
Violin-Bridge
Full 88 Note Scale
Ivory Keys (Excellent Grade)
Imported Felt Hammers
Specially Selected Mahogany Veneer
Heavy Five Post Back
Adirondack Spruce Sounding Board
Moth-proofed and Damp-proofed Felts
Full Heavy Plate—well finished
Copper Wound Bass Strings
Three Pedals
Solid Brass Hardware
Trusses and all Moulding Solid Mahogany
Hand Rubbed Duco Finish
Height 37"
Width 57"
Depth 231/2"
PRICE FURNISHED ON REQUEST
Chippendale
ESTEY PIANO CORP.
B.
K. SETTERGREN
President
R. W. STEVENS
Vice-President
Factory and Executive Offices
BLUFFTON, INDIANA

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