Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
example, at right of the action, note
letter "E," which is the bridle tip torn
from its wire that holds it in place, like-
wise keeps whippen X in position.
Ofttimes, and without thinking, one
is apt to replace the action, then the ex-
tension guides marked over he lower
part of the guide, and as you can see
where they have fallen from and where
they should rest upon the capston, its
function being to take up lost motion
between the jack and hamer butt.
(c) To avoid any trouble the problem
can be solved by removing all the keys.
That takes very little time, then in case
some more bridles break and the whip-
pens fall away, you are safe to return
the action free from worry that you will
break off some part or parts, (d) There
is a piece of felt, under the abstract,
that falls upon the capston—for elimi-
nating noise—now and then these pieces
of felt come unglued and cause an awful
rattle. It is easy to reglue a piece of
felt where it came off.
Noticeable is the black stain on the
side of the keys. This can be fine sand-
papered, contributing a finer appearance
to the keys as a whole.
No. 41
In case you want to put the action
back first, take one key at a time, lift
up whippen and at the same time bring
jack forward releasing strain from under
butt. The key can be replaced with ease.
Remarks on No. 41.
Extension guides come in a few sizes,
in case one is broken. Should you be
caught in a predicament of this kind,
use the art of substitution, until you can
return and replace a new one, or as
many that are in need of replacement.
We now return to the art of regulat-
ing. There is no need for discourage-
ment because we are not competent pi-
ano action regulators, no more than one
can aspire to be a musician of the high-
est musical attainments. "Many are
called, but few are chosen."
This is one branch of the industry that
requires continual practice until one is
skilled in the art of finer touch. The
ear, eye and touch—all three call for
special training, and are not picked up
by talking about the subject or watching
an action regulator at work. This must
be practiced at the bench in a factory,
under the guidance of a practical ex-
perienced foreman on regulating.
(To Be Continued in January.)
JOHN FOSTER
John Foster, who has perhaps sold as
many pianos in his life as any man in
America, died in Los Angeles September
8 at the age of 82 as the result of a
traffic accident which occurred in March.
At the time of the accident he was ac-
tively engaged in managing the used
piano department of the Birkel-Richard-
son Co.. Los Angeles.
Mr. Foster attended Fordham Col-
lege and majored in music. He followed
his family to Baltimore. Maryland, and
began work at the Knabe factory as a
"chipper" about 1886. He left the Knabe
Company to join the Chas. M. Stieff Co.
as head wearroom tuner. Later he be-
came manager of the Norfolk Stieff Co.
branch. In 1910 he and his wife moved
to Portland, Oregon, and he took charge
of the warehouse for the Eilers Music
Co. chain stores, where he was retail
sales manager for several years. In 1913
he moved to Los Angeles, was connected
with the Birkel Music Company for a
while, then became manager for Platt
Music Co. from 1918 to 1923. In 1936
he took charge of the warehouse for the
Birkel-Richardson Co.
Has 35 Self-playing Pianos
Collector Wants More
In a recent issue of the REVIEW
there appeared a letter from a corporal
in the Marines, who was interested in
securing a 65-note player. This storv
was read by L. Kerstein, 32 South
Street, Freehold, N. J.. who has written
to the corporal, and writes to the RE-
VIEW as follows: "I want to thank you
lor thinking of me and sending me a
copy of the Music Trade REVIEW. I
had received a copy earlier from a sub-
scriber in Brooklyn and sent a letter to
the corporal who wanted a 65-note
player piano.
"I would like to know if you know of
any other old piano collector like my-
self. I have over 35 self-playing pianos,
mostly Seeburg. Thompson Wiggins,
Wurlitzer. Capitol, Western Electric, etc.
Some play as much as 14 different in-
struments. I also have 7 self-playing
virtuosos, 1 self-playing banjo and I
expect to obtain in the future a self-
playing accordion. If you know of or
can find another old piano collector for
me, I sure would appreciate it, as I am
sure that we can have a wonderful time."
(If any of our readers know of such
a collector. I suggest that he write to
Mr. Kerstein—Editor's Note.)
"The TUnet Alorve^
Preser\
The To
HENRY WICKHAM.
Ftunder
ESTABLISHED J885
INCORPORATED 1903
J O I N
THE
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
of
PIANO TUNERS
Organized To Maintain The Highest Tech-
nical And Professional Standards In The
Practice Of Piano Service.
Originators of a Nation-Wide System of
Qualified Piano Service Identified by a
Membership Certificate of "REGISTERED
TUNER and REBUILDER of Pianos." This
certificate is issued each year for the pro-
tection of the Tuner and his Clientele.
Read the
TUNERS JOURNAL
For particulars address the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
PIANO TUNERS
42
430 OGLETHORPE ST., N.W.
WASHINGTON 11, D. C.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, DECEM&ER, 1950