August 7, 1920.
ADDS INTEREST TO
TUNERS' PROBLEM
An Eastern Independent Answers Challenge
of R. C. Bishop of the West, and Sets
Bearings for Better Understanding
of Store Tuner's Predicament.
Harrisburg, Pa., July 29, 1920.
Editor Presto: The letter of Bishop, of Okla-
Uamo, in July 24th issue of Presto, partially filled the
bill for more tuning news. However, what 1 had in
mind was good, up-to-date and practical articles
especially on players.
I draw the. line on theoretical dissertations, and
also controversial arguments. The former are all
right in book form for reference or study, but in
magazine form, as a rule, are given the once over
and then lost track of. And the latter, such as the
relative merits of the Independent versus the" Music
House Tuners, do not get you anywhere. They do
not by any means increase the sum total of any
tuner's knowledge.
From East to West.
Now our friend Bishop is from the West. You,
yourself, are centrally located. And if you will al-
low an Independent Tuner from the East, I pro-
pose to butt in and act as peacemaker, or referee, in
this argumentative cyclone that blew in from the
West. Bishop says he has had 20 years' experience.
Well, I have had 25 years, and, being a few years
older, can possibly show him a few weak points in
his argument. In the meantime, and before closing,
there may be a few hard shells for the editor of
Presto to have a crack at.
In the first place, Bishop's letter is a sweeping in-
dictment against the piano houses as well as the
tuners they employ (incidentally the Editor cl
Presto gets his!). As far as the piano houses are
concerned. I endorse every word of this indictment,
but when it comes to the tuners, that is a different
proposition entirely.
Where Piano Houses Are Wrong.
That the piano houses have made a "mess" of tun-
ing cannot be denied. With exceptions, of course,
But Bishop must remember that these houses figure
the tuning department a losing proposition, and
what they do is just enough to "get by," and no
more. By every means available these houses must
be made to see that this condition is a direct result
of the vicious system of giving free tunings, and
that better service is a paying proposition. For a
piano in good condition, tuned and regulated prop-
erly, is a standing advertisement, and always means,
in the end, more sales. By following up conven-
tion reports, through the trade paper, any one can
see that pressure is being brought to bear in this di-
rection, through the wholesale houses, as well as
the National Piano Tuners' Association.
Now, take the case of the piano house tuners.
Bishop seems to think that any tuner of real ability
does not. and will not, work for piano houses. Here
1 do not agree for many of the best tuners I know
work for piano houses, and in the capacity of super-
intendent of piano house tuning departments I, my-
self, have employed the very best tuners. But these
same tuners, as well as myself, were the victims of
the house policy, or system, referred to.
Not All Business Men.
Tuning ability does not necessarily mean that a
tuner can work successfully as an Independent. This
ability must first be sold to the public, and all tuners
do not have the business sense or initiative to do
this. Besides an Independent must keep all his own
records, do his own bookkeeping and typewriting, as
well as solicit orders. To many this is not agree-
able. Bishop mentions the case of a reliable and
famous Chicago house that employs one of the lead-
ing officers of the National Tuners' Association.
This same tuner possibly does not care to work as
an Independent, for reasons as above stated in the
first place. And, moreover, he is, no doubt, working
for a piano house that gives real service to its
patrons.
In the second place, the policy of Bishop, with
"To Hell with Music House Methods" as a motto, is
all wrong and, as 1 said, leads nowhere. For in this
motto he includes tuners as well. Today the only
salvation for the tuner is for all tuners to get to-
gether, and through a representive organization such
as the National Tuners' Association, bring influence
to bear on the manufacturers themselves, who are the
logical representatives, to educate the public and the
retailers to the idea of better service, and that a
piano badly out of tune, either on the store floor or
in the customer's home, is a disgrace, an injustice to
the children receiving their musical education, and a
nuisance to all that must listen to the discordant
sounds emanating from its interior.
If Bishop will turn about face, and help boost
PRESTO
along these lines, in a few years he will find the
music houses falling in line and willing to give the
competent tuner, not only financial
consideration,
but ideal working conditions, w r hich today they do
not do, and which compels tuners such as Bishop,
myself and many others, to work as Independents.
And this is not plugging for the N. T. A., as 1 do not
belong, yet. I am merely stating facts However,
the N. T. A. is doing mighty good work, and every
tuner that can qualify needs its assistance. It has a
wonderful future ahead of it.
And now. Mr. Editor, to wind up this rather
lengthy epistle, as you say, Bishop's letter makes
rather "good reading," whether we agree with all of
it or not. But has it occurred to you that if Bishop
had not put it up to you as a "good sport" to print
the same, the tuning section in Presto might still
be vacant? Or has it occurred to you that a good,
practical article on tuning methods, or personal ex-
periences from Bishop would still be better reading?
Just think it over.
Invitation Hereby Extended.
Why not extend a general invitation to all tuners
to contribute such articles, not as news but, as other
journals do, allowing a fair compensation, if ac-
cepted. For you know good piano tuners are busy
people and in these days of the H. C. L. no tuner is
going to use valuable time to get up a worth-
while article unless there is at least some consider-
ation!
Just remember,, whether on your subscription list
or not, there is a host of tuners all over the country
that watch the trade papers to keep in touch with
the piano world, and these same tuners are worth
while catering to in some degree.
Take the line of players, for instance, more espe-
cially reproducing players. Today they are put on
the market so fast, and improvements and changes
made so often, that it is impossible for the ordinary
tuner to keep in touch with them. By personal ex-
perience I know it is difficult to get technical cata-
logues, direct from the makers, either because they
do not have them or because they do not care to be
bothered.
Catalogues Would Help.
Now if these manufacturers could be made to see
that these catalogues are a big help to a tuner, giv-
ing him, in advance, information that he needs, it
would help a lot. Again, if a trade paper, such as
Presto, would let it be known through its columns
that it would act as sort of a clearing house for
these publications and, for a moderate sum, under-
take to secure them for any tuner writing you for
them, it would help still more. Many tuners do not
have correct addresses of the manufacturers, or do
not have sufficient standing, it seems, to secure such
copies.
Hoping your own piano is in good condition, and
wishing you continued success, I am,
Sincerely yours,
WM, W. LOTT.
HANDSOME FOLLOWERS OF APOLLO.
The Pacific Coast Musical Review, of Frisco, dis-
played a fine enterprise by printing a two-page group
picture of the delegates to the tenth annual conven-
tion of music teachers, at San Diego, early this
month. It was a handsome feature, introducing
many beautiful ladies and quite a number of hand-
some men—and all good musicians, no doubt. There
was only a single break in the proof of American gal-
lantry. One of the male men-musicians and only
one, stood forth beneath a broad-brimmed straw hat.
Oh, fie! in fact, fee, fo, fie, fum! for the ungallant
male musicum! The handsome group was, with pe-
culiar appropriateness, photographed in front of a
floral emporium and pansy garden.
PAUL B. KLUGH GOES FISHING.
Paul B. Klugh, president of the Autopiano Com-
pany, is spending a two weeks' vacation at Long
Lake in the Adirondacks. Mr. Klugh has joined
the desciples of Isaak Walton and expects to spend
most of his time luring the wary bass from its na-
tive clement. After his much-needed rest Mr.
Klugh expects to return to his desk fit to continue
his strenuous activities in the piano industries.
GENNETT RECORDS.
The Gennett records, made by the Phonograph
Division of the Starr Piano Co., at Richmond, Ind.,
are having a great sale. They are clear-curve discs
and the list includes a vast selection, to which addi-
tions are constantly being made. Dealers will find
it profitable to get the lists of Gennett records,
where they will find many good ones not to be found
elsewhere.
LESLEY'S PATCHING VARNISH.
Something that all piano dealers often need is good
patching varnish. Lesley's Chemical Co., of Indian-
apolis, makes a specialty of it. The patching varnish
dries in ten minutes and leaves no sign. Tuners, too,
will be glad to know about it.
WAREROOM WARBLES
(A New One Every Week.)
By The Presto Poick.
THE LITTLE TIN BUCKETS.
Oh, the old oaken bucket has nothing on us,
Its story's a joke, as we think of it now,
And the poet who wrote it just made a bad muss—
To sing it today might invite a small row.
But how dear to the mem'ry the buckets of tin,
That came to us foaming with milky-white cheer!
And the bitter brown nectar that sparkled within—
They said, in those old days, it was Budweiser
Beer.
Oh, the iron-bound buckets were buckets of oak,
That never could measure up, no, not by half,
To the little tin buckets they brought on a yoke.
So filled with refreshment we all loved to quaff.
Oh, the old oaken bucket was good for the thirst
Of toilers who traveled the hot, dusty road,
But that's not the vision that comes to us first—
Of tired inside workers who'd lighten their load.
Oh, you little tin buckets, that came in a string,
And sparkled like white-caps afar out at sea,
How thoughts of your foam and your frothiness
bring
Lost joys of refreshment to sweet memory!
Just why 'twas you left us, for years and a day,
Is one of the riddles our guesses to goad—
A puzzle so hard it seems easy to say
Just why 'twas the chicken crossed over the road.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH IN
PIANO ADVERTISING
Departure from Conventional Is Seen in This by the
House of Steinway.
It is always refreshing to come across something
new in the manner of piano advertising. Following
is a goad example, from an Indianapolis newspaper,
of what is meant by the personal touch in piano
publicity. It is also a good and graceful statement
of fact, as all in the trade will admit:
I am that which is more than a combination of
woods, metals and felt. I am a personality, an indi-
viduality, a humanness, for "Wherever human hearts
are sad or glad, and songs are sung, and strings vi-
brate, and keys respond to love's caress, there is
known, respected, revered—loved—" my name and
fame, for I am a Steinway piano.
GIVEN A GOLDEN KEY.
On Byron Mauzy's return to his office in San
Francisco from a week's vacation at Bohemian
Grove, Monday morning of last week, he was pre-
sented by the force with a golden key to the store
—it having been necessary to change the lock dur-
ing his absence. This unique gift fittingly became
the moment and was much appreciated.
OPENS IN HUTCHINSON, KANS.
A special program of music was provided recently
by the Dickerson Music Co., Hutchinson, Kans., on
the occasion of the formal opening of the new store
?t 406 North Main street. The ambition of the
firm is to make the store the music center of the
town. The entertainment was given afternoon and
evening, August 24.
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