January 3, 1925.
21
PRESTO
BAND INSTRUMENTS
Possibilities of a Fast-Growing Business and
the Part the Dealer Should Play in
Creating and Developing the
Band Spirit.
The band instrument business of the United States
is now considered a big one, but in reality the sur-
face of things has only been scratched. In the big
industrial plants, the schools, the fraternal organiza-
tions, the municipalities, and even the rural commu-
nities all offer almost boundless opportunities for the
music dealer ambitious to achieve a business in band
and orchestral instruments.
A most notable impetus to the movement for the
furtherance of the band instrument business are the
organizations in the retail trade and manufacturing
industries. According to the estimate of a prominent
dealer, the business in band instruments is still in its
infancy.
What Organization Does.
The organizations have done one thing that helps
the profitable growth of the trade and industry. As-
sociation with, their fellows in both the retail and
manufacturing phases has given a clearer and saner
understanding of competition. The men in the busi-
ness are no longer unduly alarmed about their com-
petitors. Competition used to have a fallacious mean-
ing. Today, clean-cut, fair, honest competition not
only stimulates business, but creates and enlarges it.
The energy that used to be wasted on harmful com-
petition is now expended on the development and
promotion of bands and orchestras where the oppor-
tunities plainly invite or in seeking new sources of
sales.
Looking Back.
It is only a little while ago that the dealers con-
sidered the ultimate had been reached in supplying
the occasional customer with stringed instruments.
The violin has always been sought and many dealers
doing a big business in guitars and mandolins today
remember the first few requests for the instruments.
The business in the last named instruments had
grown to a considerable size when the ukulele pro-
jected itself on the field of sales. No one knew to
what amazing dimensions the ukulele business should
grow in a few years.
Not so many years ago the appearance of a brass
instrument in a music dealer's window was a sight to
VIOLIN, CELLO AND DOUBLE
BASS WOUND STRINGS
OF SUPERIOR QUALITY
Guaranteed for thirty days after they are sold
SEND FOR CATALOG
draw the eyes of the passers-by. The instruments
were mostly to be seen in the windows of the pawn-
shops, usually weathered and battered models that
suggested the wreck of barnstorming theatrical
troups. In times the town band became a factor in
the sales of the music dealer, but for a long time it
was a business thrust upon him. They held no possi-
bilities of other orders except in the case of the music
dealers with vision.
GENNETT RECORD TIMELINESS
The Ambition Today.
Today it is the ambition of every music house with
energy to include a band instrument department
among the stocks. But the ambition does not stop
at wishing. In every community there are possibili-
ties for the sale of band instruments independent of
the calls of the professional bandsmen. Developing
the band instrument business is a matter for sugges-
tion followed by organization.
The Dealers' Part.
The live dealer is conversant with the influences
that govern the growth of the band spirit. In the
formation of a band there is always some impelling
cause. Different reasons animate the heads of an in-
dustry and the school boards when the formation of
a band becomes a purpose. The music dealers' part
in the scheme is to use his business acumen, com-
monly called wire-pulling, to get close to the pro-
moters. If a dealer is in at the birth of a band for-
mation idea it usually follows that he gets the order
for the outfitting of the organization. The manager
or owner of a general music store should be a general
who formulates his plans of campaign ahead of the
first activities.
LUDWIG CHAMPION DRUMMER.
Frank Fancher, recently added to the sales de-
partment of Ludwig & Ludwig, drum manufacturers,
Chicago, is the winner of close to two hundred cups
and medals in drumming contests all over the coun-
try and is known as the world's champion drummer.
Mr. Fancher will direct the instruction phase of Lud-
wig & Ludwig activities.
This week Jesse Crawford, organist of the Chicago
Theater, a well known motion picture house, made
two organ records for the Victor Talking Ma-
chine Co.
Much Appreciated Quality in the Gerinett Output
Leads to Bigger Sales.
Timeliness in talking machine records is particu-
larly necessary in the case of records of popular
numbers in songs and music. Favor in many popular
songs is fleeting so that to get the best advantages
from handling it in record form the dealer should
have the number when it is at its peak of popularity.
The Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind., recognized
that requirement when it instituted its weekly issu-
ance of Gennett records of popular songs. It is a
service appreciated by the live dealer who recognizes
the value of a "first-in-the-field" character among the
phonograph owners. The ability to keep constantly
fresh the record offerings is a trade-building one that
keeps the call for Gennett records continuous and all
the time livelv.
FIGHTS ANTIQUE FIDDLE EVIL
Gee. Withers & Son, London, Combats Fakers with
Facts in New Booklet.
The prevalence of "discoveries" of alleged antique
violins in England has prompted Geo. Withers &
Sons, London, to issue a brochure on "Rare Old
Violins" as a means of information for possible vic-
tims of the discoveries. The fake old master game
has been operating for some time with profit to the
fakers and mingled feelings to the patrons.
Geo. Withers & Sons gives the weight of one of
the oldest violin houses in the world to any state-
ment about violins. Both Guarnevius Withers and
Walter George Withers are acknowledged stringed
instrument experts and partners in a business which
dates back to 1765, when the founders, Norris &
Barnes, established it in Coventry street. They were
succeded by R. and W. Davis, who sold the business
to the late George Withers, Sr., the well-known
expert, who removed to St. Martin's Lane, and sub-
sequently to the present address at 22, Leicester
Square.
The Tonk Bros. Co., wholesale musical merchan-
dise dealers, Chicago, will move to larger quarters at
629 Wabash avenue, this week.
C. G. CONN, Ltd., Elkhart, Ind.
C. D. GREENLEAF, Pres.
j . F . BOYER, Sec'y
World's largest manufacturers of High Grade Band and Orchestra Instruments. Employs 1,000
expert workmen.
AH of the most celebrated Artists use and endorse Conn Instruments.
Famous Bandmasters and Orchestra Directors highly endorse and recommend the use of the
Conn Instruments in their organizations.
Conn Instruments are noted for their ease of playing, light and reliable valve or key action;
quick response, rich tonal quality, perfect intonation, tone carrying quality, artisticness of design,
beautiful finish and reliable construction.
Conn Instruments are sent to any point in the U. S. subject to ten days free trial. Branch store
or agencies will be found in all large cities. Write for catalogues, prices, etc.
C. G. CONN, Ltd.
DEPT. MS.
ELKHART, IND.
S. SIMON
8106 Chappell Avenue,
CHICAGO, ILLS.
OTTO R. TREFZ, Jr.
SLINGERLAND
PIANO BASS STRINGS
PIANO REPAIR SUPPLIES
May Bell
2110 Fairmount Ave.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
The Piano Repair Shop
Pianos and Phonographs Rebuilt by
Expert Workmen
Player-actions installed. Instruments
refinished or remodeled and actions and
keys repaired. Work guaranteed. Prices
reasonable.
Our-of-town dealers' repair work solic-
ited. Write for details and terms.
THE PIANO REPAIR SHOP
339 South Wabash Ave.
Chicago
Slingerland Banjos
are sold the country over because
they are Highest quality and sold
at a reasonable price.
Over 40 Styles of Banjos, Banjo Mandolins, Tenor Banjos
and Banjo Ukuleles, to select from.
Write for Catalogue
SLINGERLAND BANJO CO.
1815 Orchard Street
CHICAGO
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