Music Trade Review

Issue: 1954 Vol. 113 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
PRACTICAL PIANO TUNING
By ALEXANDER HART
Formerly with Steinway & Sons Tuning Department, Instructor in
Piano Tuning, Teachers College, Columbia University, N. Y.
Registered Member of the
National Association of Piano Tuners
Notes of Interest on Tuning
of the readers of THE KE-
M OST
VIEW have a practical acquaint-
ance with the diagram herewith pre-
sented.
Recently one of my former students
The trouble often happens when the
action is returned to rest.
Thoughtlessly, more so than not, one
does not (1) look at the bridels before
the action is taken out, to repair per-
railed me on the long-distance tele-
phone for the answer to a question
which fits in with our diagram.
Although we have reviewed the
whole situation many times in respect
to what might happen when the up-
right action is removed and replaced,
not all of us are blessed with the pow-
er of retention.
Hence the diagram will help those
unfamiliar with minor repairs.
The main question boiled down is
how and what to do when the ham-
mers stay up against the strings, and
cannot be released.
chance a butt flange. (2) Without fur-
ther thought, the action is seemingly
put back only to find about half a
dozen bridles have given way (being
so old). Consequently (and if you will
give close attention to the diagram), the
extension guides have given way. having
nothing to hold them in position. (H)
What is the result—and a practical
answer to the question? (a) Whenever
you work on an old piano, let us say
an upright, first examine the straps,
since they may have been on for
years and never renewed, (b) Examine
closely because when lifting the ac-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1954
tion out. the weight of the whippens
and exterior guides allow some straps
to fall (Note: the whippens marked
"X" are those to watch out for. (c)
Before placing the action in its place,
remove all the keys, then you have
clear sailing, no worry that the ham-
mers will not return to normal.
Note 2. It is always an excellent
plan after the action is in place to test
one key at a time to see that they are
where they belong, or start at treble
end and if you have not renewed the
straps, then be sure that you release
each jack under the butt for proper
functioning.
Another fault in returning the action
(note the long black marks on the
extension guide indicates where they
break off) when the jack is caught un-
der the hammer butt. This can be
avoided with caution.
Once the jack is jammed under the
butt, with the action, if tilted towards
you it can be released.
Of course, if hammers block, i.e..
will not return after striking the
strings, do not attribute this tendency
to what has just been said. The other
side of the picture narrows down to
knowing and understanding the whys
and wherefores of the action move-
ment.
The principle involved is to try to
retain what you have learned, practice
it. diligently, then you will find that
action regulating involves the idea of
touch and tone. Its practice is touch
and *'eye", not beats, when you listen
by using the "ear".
Try retaining a few principles of
action regulating.
Wildemuth Dogs Win Again
Henry Wildemuth of Toledo. Ohio.
piano merchant and dog fancier, en-
tered his dogs in the National Kennel
Association's show at Madison Square
Garden in New York City last month,
his dog's winning the second prize in
their class.
53
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Manual Arts Furniture Co. Has Narrow
Escape from Fire But No Damage
Story & Clark Grand Piano
in New Grand Haven H. S.
During the latter part of January,
a new senior high school was dedicated
in Grand Haven, Mich.
The new school is one of the most
modern in the country and has a total
cubic feet of 2.H 18,000, with a capacity
of approximately 1,000 students. One
of the features of the school is an au-
ditorium which seats 1100 persons and
it is here that there is a new Story &
Clark concert grand manufactured by
Story & Clark Piano Co.. whose fac-
tories are located in Grand Haven.
The entire project cost $2,250,000
which was authorized by the people of
Grand Haven through the issuance of
two bond issues, one for $1,600,000
and the other for $150,000. The stage
in the auditorium in which the Story
& Clark piano is used is 30 by 100
feet.
JOHIS J. JANSEIS
FIREMAN START TO BREAK DOWN MANUAL ARTS FACTORY DOOR JUST
John J. Jansen, father of Paul L.
AS CREDIT MANAGER LOWENSTINE ARRIVES.
Jansen, and the grandfather of Paul L.
Jansen, Jr., who represent the Manual
plant in order to get up to the roof,
January 30th will be a day that is
Arts Furniture Co., Cincinnati, 0.,
long remembered by the officials of the but E. R. Loewenstine. Manual Arts
passed away on February 27th, in Tem-
Credit Manager, arrived on the scene
Manual Arts Furniture Co., Cincinnati,
ple City, Calif., which had been his
just in time to escort the firemen to
Ohio. It was on that day that a folding
residence for about the last 20 years.
the ladder and the skylight to the roof.
box factory directly across the street
Mr. Jansen was best known in the
In
relating
the
experience,
Hubert
from the Manual Arts plant was com-
trade for having represented the old
S. Shearin, Secretary and Treasurer of
pletely destroyed by fire, including an
Tonk Brothers Co. for about 15 years
the company, stated: "Fortunately, no
office and a warehouse. The sparks
damage at all was done but we had before its sale to the Continental Mu-
from that fire set a small deposit of
sic Co. He traveled the state of Cali-
some mighty anxious moments and
sawdust on fire on the Manual Arts
fornia. He represented Manual Arts
thought
that
we
might
have
to
pitch
a
roof but the speedy action of the Fire
for about 2 years following Tonk's go-
Department extinguished this and the tent to fill in on bench production from
ing out of business. Mr. Jansen was
Manual Arts factory suffered no dam- that worried moment until such time
pre-deceased by Mrs. Jansen by only
as
our
new
plant
is
ready
for
occu-
age at all.
two weeks, as she passed away quite
pancy early in May. We were fortu-
In the accompanying photogrpah, the
suddenly on February 14th.
nate that no damage at all was done
firemen are shown endeavoring to bat-
to our plant, so that our production
Mr. Jansen would have celebrated
continued as usual."
ter down the door of the Manual Arts
his 80th birthday the day following
his drrlh.
HENRY WICKHAM.
Founder
ESTABLISHED 1885
INCORPORATED 1903
GRAND LEGS
always in stock with
top piece* bored for
metal fitting! — all ex-
pertlv sandpapered. AUo
furnished with casters,
ferrules and plates on
orders.
Kiln-Dried Lumber used exclusive
ly. Write for details. Best prices
and immediate shipment.
Round, Square, Octagon, or spe-
cial designed legs made to order
from your sketch, or sample, fot
spinet or upright pianos.
Paragon Woodturnsng Co., Inc.
431 W. 28th St., N. V. I, N- Y-
"KEYS THAT SATISFY SINCE 1890"
PIANO KEYS
CELEBRATED WICKHAM P L A T E S .
RECOVERED
WITH
I V O R I N E
Regular type
Waterfall type
Plastic Sharps
$ 9.50 set
913.50 set
% 4.50 set
IVORINE PIANO KEY CO.
1201 Stirling St. Tel. 1241
54
Coatesville, Pa.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, I954

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