THE PRESTO BUYERS'
GUIDE CLASSIFIES ALL
PIANOS AND PLAYERS
AND THEIR MAKERS
PRESTO
E,tabiuhed ii84
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
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STANDARDIZATION AS SEEN BY THE SUPPLY MEN
Subject Introduced and Discussed in Presto by Theodore R. Lyons Years Ago Was the Out
standing Topic at the Recent Convention of Supply Men's
Association in New York.
All automobiles are STANDARDIZED,
largely ^ by
their makers, and the different makes naturally fall into
groups. And it is admitted that when you are discuss-
ing any of the different makes in any group it is largely
a question of small talking points, or of personal prefer-
ence. But nobody ever heard of a man talking up a
Ford to sell for a $1,250 "Machine," because advertis-
ing has taught the public that there are these groups,
these Standards of Value. Should a new $500 car
come out today it must measure up, point by point, ac-
cessory with accessory, wheel base with tvheel base,
n'cight with weight, tire with tire, H. P. and R. P. M.,
with the same things on the other "machine." In this
way competition is between classes, or groups, and no
one ever heard of a Ford being in competition, at the
same price, with a $1,000 car. Is this not equally pos-
sible in the piano industry?—Theodore R. Lyons, Aug.
PROPOSITION PUT BY FRANK E. MOR-
TON.
(Convention of Music Supply Asociation, New York,
May 22.)
Now is the time for real concerted action in the
matter of standardization. We can use our experi-
ences or be used by them. The supply trade can
either use its past experiences as a basis for progress
or settle back in the old way.
In the past, the production methods of the supply
trade—with particular reference to the types and
number of styles of products made—have been de-
termined chiefly by piano manufacturers. The sup-
ply man has been too tolerant of the people who
have been using him.
The function of this session is to clarify the ideas
of the trade to some extent and bring out the possi-
bilities of the results of standardization. The sup-
ply man is absolutely dependent on the piano manu-
facturer on such matters as these, and he, in turn,
is dependent on the merchant.
This discussion should be brought down to a "red-
and-black-ink basis," for the results of any move-
ment of this kind are not worth while unless they
can be shown in the profit account. If there can be
effected a saving by standardiaztion, part of the sav-
ing should be given to the customer, especially if the
customer co-operates in bringing about standardiza-
tion.
Standardization of mechanical parts will, in the
end, give more opportunity for individuality in those
ways which really promote the distinctiveness of the
product, and at the same time will produce a better
instrument mechanically, at less cost and with
greater possible speed of production.
SUMMARIES OF OPINIONS.
E. B. RICHARDSON—Upright Cases: Three
sizes of uprights or thereabouts, would mean in-
creased production. The decrease in styles is al-
ready coming. Odd sizes are being eliminated. The
difference in the height of key bottoms and many
other things are not essential. In many cases, backs
vary in length to such a slight extent as to make no
material difference.
There are piano manufacturers with seven styles
and sizes of cases, although they make less than
1,000 pianos a year. The manufacture of products
under such conditions partakes of the nature of spe-
cialties and are more expensive than the production
of a few standard sizes. The speaker makes 150
styles. If standard sizes could be brought down to
a few, a conservative estimate of the saving would
be 10 per cent, a part of which would go to the
manufacturer for his co-operation.
PETER SCHWAMB, The Theodore Schwamb
Co. Grand Cases: The most troublesome problem
is to get proper shapes and forms. The speaker has
35 forms, etc., all of which are about alike. They
could be decreased to five and make no material dif-
ference; even then plates of various forms could be
used without changing the appearance. Such a
standardization would mean less stock in process,
and production would increase much more than 10
per cent, probably as much as 20 per cent. The in-
crease in profit would be at least 10 per cent.
BACKS AND SOUNDING BOARDS.
WILLIAM BRECKWOLDT, Julius Breckwoldt
& Co.: The speaker spoke of an order for 75 spe-
cial backs which decreased production in the plant
from 100 or 125 per day to 75 in \i/ 2 days, and at
the same time necessitated changes in processes, re-
sulted in annoyance to the entire organization, and
extra pay. This shows the high cost of producing
special supplies. Ten per cent cost on special work
is very conservative.
The effect in sounding boards is not so great as in
backs, although considerable would be saved in the
cutting, and in particular, many mistakes in cutting
would be eliminated.
The saving by standardization in this branch of
the trade would probably be between 10 and 15 per
cent.
PLATES.
JOHN C. WICKHAM, Wickham Piano Plate Co.:
The manufacturer can profit by eliminating unneces-
sary styles, sizes, and particularly "ideas," in plates.
The plate manufacturer could assist the manufac-
turer of grand cases by adding to or cutting off
from the plate, at various points, so as to make it
fit the standardized size of plates, without essen-
tially changing the plate.
^
This firm carries from 400 to 500 patterns of up-
right plates. The great saving from standardization
would come from the ability to co-operate with the
case and back manufacturers and in the use of auto-
matic machinery and especially would it take "freak
plates" out of the trade. Because of the fact that
no method has been found of decreasing the work
of handling the sand in connection with the mold-
ing, probably standardization would not greatly in-
crease production.
JOSEPH F. READ, Paragon Foundries: Twenty
customers of this firm have 200 patterns, although
their biggest customer, with but one pattern, gets
much better service, but the cost of production is not
appreciably less. There is some saving in the
amount of materials which have to be carried for
useless features of plates. There is not much saving
in the cost of molding, but there is much improve-
ment in the service which can be given the cus-
tomer. However, if they had big orders for one
style of plates, they could equip themselves with
molding machines.
A. L. KELLY, O. S. Kelly Co.: The speaker did
not believe that there would be an immediate sav-
ing of 5 per cent, but nevertheless there were great
potentialities in this respect. Particularly, would it
hasten the coming of the practical molding machine.
Plate makers would be helped by the introduction
of standard bars and panels. At present bars are
often too heavy and panels are often too light.
There is now an excessive variation between the
150-pound and the 300-pound plate. The latter plate
is unnecessarily heavy.
FOREIGN SUPPLIES.
WM. C. HESS, American Piano Supply Co.: If
the American supply can meet the price of the for-
eign article it will maintain its present position, be-
cause the quality is already equal or better than that
of the foreign article.
There are tuning pins made in this country which
are equal to anything turned out anywhere. The
speaker recently examined German felt, which was
not only higher in price but inferior in quality to the
domestic product.
ARTHUR L. WESSELL, Wessell, Nickel &
Gross:
This speaker's firm will not buy a cent's
worth of foreign supplies, provided the present qual-
ity and price of the American article is retained.
ALBERT T. STRAUCH, Strauch Bros., Inc.:
The speaker's firm formerly had difficulty in getting
American houses to manufacture special bushing
cloth. Today domestic bushing cloths are equal to
anything ever imported.
The American supply manufacturers must include
in the selling price of his product a sufficient re-
muneration to provide for the installation of new
machinery; hence, through co-operation, the Amer.
ican music industry should support the American*
made supply even though it causes temporary high
prices to provide for the installation of the neces-
sary machinery. The speaker's firm is willing to
make this sacrifice to encourage the production of
American supplies.
PIANO FELTS.
DAVID A. SMITH, Standard Felt Co.: The
preference for German felt is due to prejudice rather
than to accurate information concerning quality.
The speaker told of tests made with his felt, which,
when sold with the label, "Special German Felt
Hammer," was claimed by the foreman to be the
best felt that he had ever used, and was constantly
improving in quality.
CRAWFORD G. CHENEY, Comstock, Cheney
& Co.: The speaker told of a manufacturer who
had used his felt for three years under the impres-
sion that he was using the German article. This
same manufacturer had formerly complained of this
felt as "rotten American stuff." The American
manufacturer was formerly prejudiced in favor of
German felt, but now he exhibits more willingness
to use American-made goods. What will be the
case when the German felt comes in and a buyer's
market arrives, cannot be foretold.
HENRY WEGMAN MAKES A CHANGE.
Henry Wegman, who has held a position of re-
sponsibility with the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.
for several years, has resigned. He will accept a
remunerative position with a large concern in an-
other city. Mr. Wegman came to Chicago from
Rochester, where he had been doing business as
successor to the Wegman Piano Co., of Auburn,
N. Y. Having been in the business from early boy-
hood, Mr. Wegman is a thoroughly posted piano
man. He is the son of the late Henry Wegman,
expert piano manufacturer, who founded the once
famous industry at Auburn.
ACTIONS.
JOSEPH HAYDEN, OMAHA, DIES.
ARTHUR L. WESSELL, Wessell, Nickel &
Gross: This concern has already standardized on
shape, color, and size, because of necessity, and as
a result, has been table to increase production 10
to 15 per cent.
WILLIAM J. KEELEY, Automatic Action Co.:
If the supply man can induce the manufacturer to
agree to changes it will allow the supply man to
give much better service. Three or four sizes of
uprights are ample. The time will come when
scales will be more uniform.
Joseph Hayden, head of Hayden Bros, department
store, Omaha, Nebr., which firm has been selling
pianos for cash recently, was found dead in bed in
his room at the Hotel Fontanelle, Omaha, last Sa<_-
urday morning. His death had come suddenly. Mr.
Hayden was one of the most prominent merchants
in the Missouri Valley, and had much to do with the
prosperity of Hayden Bros.
Edison comparison tests were recently given at
Keith's Theater, Washington, D. C.
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