14
PRESTO-TIMES
SELLING VIOLIN STRINGS
A Few Do's and Dont's Which May Be Profitably
Committed to Memory by Salesman.
It may be taken as a rule that very old instruments
and instruments with thin sounding plates require
comparatively thin strings. New and heavily built
instruments, as a rule, demand heavier strings.
Many beginners and also some experienced musi-
cians seem of the opinion that when a string is too
loose, that is, has too little resistance, the neck of
the instrument inclines insufficiently towards the
back, and, therefore, requires a higher bridge to pro-
duce the desired rigidity. This is not right, as the
tension is the same, but the string is undoubtedly too
thin.
If an instrument sounds muffled somewhat thinner
strings should be used, and, if the strings are cov-
ered, a thinner foundation and a heavier wire will
usually make a marked improvement.
It is a mistake to assume that a heavier string
will always produce a stronger tone. The strings
must always be in proportion to the construction and
resistance of the instrument. The tone cannot be
Worry Over Player Details
is avoided by the manufac-
turer who uses the
A. C. Cheney Player Action
in his products. He knows
everything is all right and
that the best musical quali-
ties of his pianos are develop-
ed by the use of this player
mechanism.
greater than the instrument is capable of producing,
no matter what size of strings are used.
If a thicker string than the instrument demands is
used the tone will be harsh and disagreeable, but not
stronger. The strings should only be sufficiently
heavy enough to withstand a firm pressure of the
bow.
If a string vibrates excessively under the bow it is
proof that it is too thin and too weak to transmit the
vibrations to the sounding-board, and a heavier
string should be tried. Often a quarter size larger
will produce a great difference in the tone.
Some instruments are very sensitive to strings
and require the most careful gauging, while others
will sound well with almost any size of strings.
In no case, however, does any instrument require
strings smaller than gauge No. 1, nor heavier than
gauge No. 3.
When a string, which originally was true in fifths
(quintenrein), has been on the instrument and in use
for a length of time it will naturally wear away from
the action of both bow and fingers, and thus become
false, and should be replaced.
When a considerable accumulation of rosin ad-
heres to the strings they become thicker and heavier,
and the equilibrium is disturbed, and this has a tend-
ency to make them false. It is, therefore, necessary
to keep the strings free from rosin.
Another fallacy which is altogether too prevalent
and which seems hard to dissipate is the mistaken
theory that the larger the instrument the heavier the
strings must be. This applies principally to the viola
and the double bass. Also the belief is general that
half size and three-quarter size violins and 'cellos
require thinner strings than full size instruments.
Take, for example, the viola, which is longer than
the violin, and yet has to produce the same tones.
To use heavier strings would be adding more bulk
and weight and it would require an excessive amount
of tension to hold them at pitch, thereby over-strain-
ing the strings to the detriment of the tone and the
instrument.
Greater Beauty
and Greater
A. C. CHENEY
PIANO ACTION COMPANY
Piano String Co.
Manufacturers of
Comfort
SCARFS,
CUSH-
IONS,
COVERS
CASTLETON, N. Y.
SCHAFF
August 20, 1927.
Bench Cushions, Piano Throws, Bags
for Small Instruments, Upholstered
Bench Tops.
MUSICIAN, LABORER OR ARTIST?
American Federation of Musicians Eagerly Await
Definition of the Department of Labor.
Joseph N. Weher, president of the American Fed-
eration of Musicians, and 138,000 members are await-
ing momentarily the Department of Labor's defini-
tion of musician. Upon the outcome of the depart-
ment's deliberations on the query whether all musi-
cians are artists rests the future progress of the union,
according to a statement of Mr. Weber recently. Mr.
Weber has submitted a brief to the Department of
Labor in which he asserts with positiveness that a
musician other than those obviously gifted like Kreis-
ler and Heifetz, are "laborers in the field of music."
The Department of Labor inclines to the view that
all musicians are "professional artists." If this should
be the department's final ruling in a pending test
case, American musicians will be deprived of all pro-
tection under the immigration and contract labor
laws. The contract labor laws prohibit the importa-
tion of workers on promises of employment. They
are intended as a protection for American workmen.
C. W. Fisher, Herrin, 111., is the successor to Mrs.
L. Livezey in the music business in New Castle,
Ind.
OTTO R. TREFZ, Jr.
PIANO BASS STRINGS — PIANO REPAIR SUPPLIES
TUNERS AND REPAIRERS
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FOR TRUE ECONOMY BUY
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The line that sells on sight and satisfies always
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PERFECTION FURNITURE COMPANY
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