Presto

March 28, 1925.
PRESTO
WHERE DOUBTS ARE DISPELLED
Under This Head Presto Will Answer Any Question Pertaining to Pianos, or
Other Subjects of Direct Interest to the Trade and Musical Public
Inquiries must bear the signature and address of
writer in order to receive attention. Answers thought
to be of general trade interest will be published. If an
answer is not of general interest it will be mailed pro-
vided stamp is inclosed.
SELL FINE LINE.
El Dorado, Ark., March 19, 1925.
Editor Presto: Six copies of Presto, issue of the
7th, received and I'm making use of them and it sure
helps. Placed another $965 "Vose" grand yesterday.
Of course ours is a wonderful line and it isn't strange
that we do the business.
I wish a book that contains names of pianos and
players and names of makers. Does the "Presto
Buyers' Guide" cover what is wanted?
I. D. O'NEILL.
What you say about trade is gratifying. We be-
lieve that Presto Buyers' Guide is the very book
you want, for it contains the names of all pianos
and playerpianos, and in Part 3 there is descriptive
mention of most of the manufacturers. It is a great
help to salesmen.
* * *
A "KOHLMANN" GRAND.
Milton, Pa., March 20, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please tell me the name
of the company which makes the Kohlmann Baby
Grand piano. I will thank you very much for this
information.
J. CLYDE BOSTIAN.
price of each and any other comparative information
between the two pianos. Understand we are asking
for no trade secrets nor selling helps for either. We
simply desire what might be termed public informa-
tion about the two pianos. Are they in about the
same class and valued about the same, or is there
a difference and approximately how much?
DR. D. B. K L I N E T O B .
A number of years ago pianos bearing that name
were made by a New York industry. It is prob-
ably now employed by some New York manufac-
turer on popular pianos, but not knowing the origin
of the instrument at this time we can not pass upon
its merits. If you. can ascertain by whom the instru-
ment is made and will let us know we can tell you
just about what it is. It may be a thoroughly good
one—depends upon the character of the makers.
About the Livingston piano there can be no ques-
tion, for that instrument is the product of the Weaver
Piano Co., of York, Pa. The Weaver Piano Co. is
an industry of unquestioned stability, whose instru-
ments have won a good place in the musical world.
As to the retail price of either of the pianos which
you name; we regret to say we can not impart that
information because it is a rule with this publica-
tion never to discuss prices, largely because that is
a matter between the retail buyer and the dealer
with whom he deals. If you buy a reliable instru-
ment, of an established piano dealer, you will get
full value for whatever you may invest. As to a com-
parison of the two pianos which you name, as al-
ready stated, there is no way to judge a piano's
character unless we know who makes it.
About the "Kohlmann" piano, in order to answer
your question with any assurance, it will be neces-
sary to know whether the instrument is an old or a
new one. Instruments bearing- that name were at one
time manufactured by the Ward Piano Co., in New
York, but that concern has long been out of ex-
istence.
In all probability the instrument about which you Several of the Industries at the Hub Report
ask, if a new one, is what is ordinarily termed a
Unwonted Activities and the Retailers
"stencil." Of course that may not necessarily mean
Do Not Complain.
it is not a good instrument, but there is no way of
locating its manufacturer by the name only and con-
Boston is moving along serenely, as Boston al-
sequently impossible for us to judge its character.
ways does. At the piano factories there are signs
* * *
of activity and some of them declare that more
CHURCH ORGANS.
business could not be taken care of. Considering
some other statements, this sounds almost fabulous,
Sisseton, S. D., March 16, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please give us the name but the evidence is apparent.
The annual meeting of the Hallet & Davis Com-
of some manufacturer that makes some good church
pany was in progress on Monday of this week. C. C.
organs. We are in the market for one.
Conway was over from New York to attend.
STAVIG BROS.
Alva Poole, president of the Poole Piano Co., said
There are many fine church organ industries. We that trade is fair, with every indication of improving.
suggest any of the following, for such information
The factory of Vose & Sons is very busy, the
as you may want:
Estey Organ Co., Brattleboro, V t , an admirable call for Grands being more than the average at this
old industry whose instruments are beyond question; season.
John Anderson, of the Checkering factory, re-
W. W. Kimball Co., 300 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago;
Schuelke Organ Co., 522 16th St., Milwaukee, Wis.
turned from Chicago, where he attended the meet-
There are, of course, many other makers of church ing of the committee on pitch, last week. Mr.
organs in this country and a complete list may be Anderson is the technician of the Chickering factory
found in Presto Trade Lists No. 3.
and his son is the regular factory superintendent.
* * *
The Boston retailers are not boasting, but most
THE "VOIGHT" PIANO.
of them are doing business steadily, and it is usually
the better instruments that they sell.
Bartlett, Tex., March 18, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please let us have infor-
mation as to the manufacturers of the "Voight" piano,
made by some Chicago firm. Information concerning
same will be greatly appreciated.
T. M. RANDOLPH.
While we have a record of the piano which bears Sales Manager of The Cable Company, Chicago, Re-
the stencil "Voight," we cannot tell now just what
ports Widespread Activity of Cable Dealers.
factory is producing it. It has been our understand-
ing that the name is one which has been used by
C. E. Jackson, sales manager of The Cable Co.,
various industries for the use of the retail trade.
Jackson and Wabash, Chicago, has expressed his
Some time back it was made by a Chicago manu- satisfaction of the present trend of the piano trade.
facturer who is now out of business, but from where
"Conditions point to a spring and summer of steady
it emanates at present we have been unable to dis-
cover, though we have asked a number of the larger activity, as dealers are making a successful effort to
manufacturers. Of course, not knowing the origin increase sales at the beginning of spring. Good
weather and roads have reflected materially on the
of the "Voight," we cannot pass upon its quality.
piano trade in rural communities.
* * *
"Dealers selling the Cable line have taken this as
THE "KOHLMAN" AGAIN.
an incentive to push for trade, and, as a result, our
Milton, Pa., March 20, 1925.
Editor Presto: You are referred to us as the wholesale department is very busy filling- require-
ments" said Mr. Jackson to a Presto representative
proper place to obtain the following information:
Who makes the Kohlman piano and what is the this week.
popular retail price to consumer? Particularly the
Kohlman Baby Grand, size about 4 feet \\ l A inches.
ACTIVE BRANCH MANAGER.
Any information as to the quality of the above
B. L. Barnhouse, formerly sales manager for
piano, its reputation or standing, or the class it is Thomas Goggan & Bro., Waco, Tex., has been made
in, as well as the history of its manufacturers, will manager of the branch store of Kohler & Chase,
be greatly appreciated.
maintained in the Mission district, San Francisco'.
We would also appreciate the above information Under Mr. Barnhouse's active management this
about the Livingston Baby Grand.
branch is steadily gaining in importance and is be-
If we have asked too much, we will be pleased if coming a splendid outlet for the regular lines of mer-
you will send us by return mail, the suggested retail chandise.
BRIEF NOTES FROM
BOSTON PIANO CIRCLES
C. E. JACKSON IS OPTIMISTIC
AS SPRING TRADE INCREASES
WITH THE MUSIC
MEN OF MANHATTAN
(Continued from page 3.)
of our old pianos? Can't we send them to Hayti or
Borneo, or to Hades or somewhere?
At any rate it is plain to be seen how the auto-
mobile trade and output can continue to boom or be
kept lively.
*
•
*
Gus Behning is now at the head of the Behning
Piano Co., and of course will confine his labors more
to the factory and offices, although he will visit the
trade from time to time. Mr. Spanier, who was
with the Behning Piano Co some years ago. has
again joined the traveling staff of the house.
* * *
New York manufacturers are holding back on
preparations for exhibiting at the Chicago convention.
Not all have yet decided fully as to their intentions,
but the list of intending exhibitors published contains
quite a good representation from Manhattan and the
east generally.
* * *
Even the Radio trade shows a tendency to slow up.
This is the report in eastern cities. Some of the
piano men also are "listening in" trying to get a
valid reason why trade lags. But all agree that there
will be recovery as suddenly as the set back started.
Tonks for Export.
At the factory of William Tonk & Bro., Inc., on
Tenth avenue, there are evidences of the activity re-
quired to prepare urgent shipments. In the shipping
department the eagerness to send the goods on their
way was more particularly noticeable. The regular
shipments for Australia were being put into shape
for the long journey and a shipment to Cuba was
an added reason for activity.
* * *
A. W. Johnston, of the Cornwall & Patterson Mfg.
Co., Bridgeport, Conn., manufacturers of piano and
organ hardware, was visiting the trade in New York
last week and meeting him was a stimulation. Of
course one usually associates optimism with Mr.
Johnston, for it is a pleasure to him to explain the
causes of his sanguinity. When he talks he does it
so convincingly, with facts in shape of orders booked
that the energetic supply travelers' statements have
significance for the dealers, because the "supply man"
can be better equipped with the information to enable
it to judge in advance the business in pianos than the
rest of us.
* * *
Among the eastern men enjoying a winter vacation
are J. W. Stevens, of the Mathushek Piano Manufac-
turing Company, who is in the south and not expected
home for some three weeks or more; Julius Breck-
woldt and William A. Breckwoldt of Julius Breck-
woldt & Son, Inc., Dolgeville, N. Y., who are both in
Florida to remain there until about April 1. F. E.
Edgar, manager wholesale, Aeolian Co., is on a
Pacific coast trip and will not return for three weeks.
He is combining business with the pleasures of a
well earned vacation.
* * *
The many old-time friends and later acquaintances
of Herman Leonard, who for years represented the
house of Alfred Dolge among the piano manufac-
turers, will be pleased to know that he is happy and
contented, living the life of a well-to-do bachelor in
the high class district of New York City. Mr.
Leonard's home there is at No. 121 East Seventy-
Eighth street.
* * *
A. L. Bretzfelder, treasurer of Krakauer Bros., and
son of I. E. Bretzfelder, president of that house,
sailed for Europe last Saturday. Mr. Bretzfelder will
be away for some time and will study piano condi-
tions abroad.
GEORGE J. DOWLING RETURNS.
George J. Dowling, president of The Cable Co.,
Chicago, returned this week from an extended tour
of the Pacific Coast states. Mr. Dowling spent the
greater part of his time in California, among his
friends in the trade. One of the pleasant things en-
countered by Mr. Dowling was the optimism and pro-
gressive spirit of the Pacific Coast dealers, many of
whom are representing the Cable line.
TOMPKINS WITH CHICKERING.
Lionel Tompkins, late with The Cable Co., at the
Chicago store, has joined the house of Chickering &
Sons, at New York, as assistant manager to C. Alfred
Wagner, the president and general manager of Chick-
ering & Sons. Much of Mr. Tompkins' time will be
at the new Chickering Hall in West Fifty-seventh
street, New York.
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