Presto

October 17, 1925.
PRESTO
NEW STANDARDS
OF PIANO TUNING
EEBURG
Newly
Designed
T YLE "L"
Piano and Mandolin
Dimensions
Height, 51i' r ; Width, 36J"; Depth, 23J
Its fine tone pleases,
Its beauty attracts,
Its size saves space,
Its PROFITS PROVE
MANUFACTURED ONLY BY
J. P. Seeburg
Piano Co.
"Leaders in the
Automatic Field"
1510 Dayton St.
Chicago
Address Department " £ "
Chamber Releases Article on Results of Con-
ference on Factory Practices in Chipping
£nd Tuning, Called in Order to Dis-
cover Best Result.
PITCH ADOPTED
Report Urges Piano Manufacturers and Others Fall
in Line and Conform to Committee's
Recommendations.
The following article sets forth the "Standard of
Practice of Tuning Pianos in Factories," adopted by
the conference held in Chicago June 8, during the an-
nual conventions of the various music trade associa-
tions at the Drake Hotel. The article has been sent
out by the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce
to members by the National Association of Piano
Manufacturers and the Piano Technician's Associa-
tion :
You will remember that some time ago a ques-
tionnaire was sent out to all members of this asso-
ciation, designed to elicit information as to the prac-
tice in factor es in regard to methods of chipping,
tuning, etc.. w th special intent to discover at what
pitch tuning forks for each operation should be tuned,
in order to obta'n the best results in agreement with
the new standard pitch of A 440, C 523, recently
adopted unanimously by the industry.
From a careful analysis of all answers to the ques-
tionnaire, and frcm a d'gest of the opinions set forth
at the open meeting of the association held in Chi-
cago during the trade conventions last June, we have
been able to arri\ e at certain conclusions wlr'ch are
now put before you, and which may be taken to rep-
resent the formal recommendations of the association
on the subject.
Chipping.
Chipping (sometimes called "snapping") is the
loundat'on of the whole structure of the tuning and
largely too of the tonal result finally arrived at. The
following recommendations are now made:
1. The stringer should pull up the str'ngs, after the
back is strung, to a rough chromatic scale.
2. The chipping should be done in the first instance
by a tuner, not a boy apprentice, so that the founda-
tion may be laid right, and the stress equally divided
over the whole board and plate, thus making subse-
quent tunings easier, more accurate and more rapid,
hence cheaper.
3. The chippings are probably sufficient in most
cases but three chippings are certainly better.
4. Strings may be rubbed after each chipping in
order to facilitate settling of the strings, but it is
advisable to use rollers instead of leather covered
sticks, thereby avoiding heating the strings and cre-
ating harmful friction.
5. Boys may do second and third chipping more
safely and with better results to the piano than can
be trusted to do first chipping, and it is the consensus
of the best opinion that first chipping should never be
done by unskilled hands.
6. The fork for first and second chippings alike
should be tuned to C 533 or A 450.
7. Two days should elapse between first and sec-
ond chipping.
8. Fork for third chipping should be tuned to C 530
or A 447.
9. At least three days should elapse between last
chipping and
First Tuning.
L The work for first tuning should be tuned to
C 528 or A 445.
2. Two days at least should elapse between first
tuning and
Second Tuning.
1. The fork for second tuning should be tuned to
C 525 or A 442.
2. Two days at least should elapse between second
tuning and third tuning.
3. Second tuning should not be done until after
first action regulating.
Third Tuning.
1. The fork for third tuning should be tuned to
C 523 or A 440.
2. Third tuning should be done before tone regu-
lating.
3. Two days at least should elapse between third
tuning and
Fourth Tuning.
1. The fork for fourth tuning should be tuned to
C 523 or A 440.
2. Fourth tuning should lie done only after fine reg-
ulating, and just before oiling off.
3. Additional tunings arc always desirable, and the
more of them the piano has the better. Certainly
if pianos are held on the floor over long periods they
should be retuned at least every ninety days, and al-
ways just before shipping.
The Standard Pitch.
It will be recalled that the directors of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce at the beginning
of this year, pursuant to a resolution presented by the
representative on the board of the member associa-
tions, namely the National Association of Piano
Tuners, appointed a committee to investigate and re-
port upon the feasibility of establishing a standard
pitch which all makers of musical instruments of
every kind might adopt and preserve, to the very
great general advantage of all concerned. The com-
mittee represented every manufacturing branch of
the music industries, and the president of this asso-
ciation was one of its members.
After a great deal of careful investigatory work, a
report was presented to the Chamber at the meeting
in Chicago last June, signed by Charles Deutschmanu
as charman and William Braid White as secretary,
and carrying the unanimous endorsement of the mem-
bership of the committee
Pitch Is Adopted.
This report advocated the adoption of the Pitch
A 440 or C 523 as the new American standard pitch
for all musical instruments, showing that such an
arrangement will fall in with the practice of all organ
builders, wind instrument makers, and the vast ma-
jor ty of piano manufacturers, and will vastly fac'li-
tate standardzed methods in the whole industry be-
sides creating a community of practice both con-
venient and economical all around.
Arrangements were made for standard forks and
for means whereby every factory may within a short
time obtain a standard fork and have means provided
for comparing its present forks, rating them to the
proper p'tches for each operation, and so getting in
line with the new arrangements. The report was
unanimously adopted by the representatives of the
allied music industries represented in the Chamber
anil the committee was empowered to take steps to
carry out the provisions of its report.
Urge Immediate Action.
1 hat action leaves u^ no option but to fall in line
and it 's therefore recommended that you take imme-
diate action in accord with the principles laid down
in this circu'ar. Arrangements will in due course
be made whereby your forks may be accurately rated
to conform with the provisions of the Pitch Com-
mittee's recommendations. Meanwhile, we shall ap-
prec'ate your attention to the recommendations
herein maae.
THE NATIONAL PIANO TECHNICIANS'
ASSOCIATION,
A. K. Gutsohn, President.
BRIEF RECORDS OF PIANO
DEALERS ACTIVITIES
Incidents in the Energetic Pursuit of the Prospec-
tive Buyer Told in Short Sentences.
James A. Morang recently opened a music store
in the new Kenniston Block, Depot Square, Gardiner,
Me.
Miss Lillian Blackburn has purchased the business
of the Oakley Music Shop of Fayetteville, Ark.
The Hannibal Music Co., Hannibal, Mo., has moved
to its new home at 108 South Main street.
The L. Gruenwald Co., New Orleans, La., has pre-
pared plans for remodeling the store building at 926
Dumain street.
Brick's Phonograph Shop, of Brooklyn, N. Y., is
now settled in new and larger quarters at 1634 Pitkin
avenue.
Quinn's Music Shop recently held a formal opening
of its new store at 350 Livingston street, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
The Lisbon Music Shop & Furniture Co., South
Market street, Lisbon, Ohio, will erect an addition to
the store and enlarge the business.
E. E. Ray, music merchant of Cisco, Tex., has en-
larged his quarters and added a radio department.
C- E. Sandrock is continuing the music and jewelry
business formerly conducted under the name of S. M.
Ladd & Co., West Main street, Morrison, 111.
Oscar Kaufman, music merchant of Danville, 111.,
recently acquired the business of the Hopkins Music
Co. there.
Joseph J. Hajano has opened warerooms at 523
North Clinton avenue, Trenton, N. J., handling pianos
and talking machines.
The O. K. Houck Piano Co., Memphis, Tenn., has
acquired the entire stock of the W. S. Christian Piano
Co.
The Ampico and Edison Shop, Atlanta, Ga., has
moved to new quarters at 241-243 Peachtree street.
S. M. Frankel is manager.
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