Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1930 2248

July, 1930
PRESTO-TIMES
Chicago Musical Inst. Co.; treasurer, Arthur J. Neu-
mann, New York Band Inst. Co.; secretary, Harry
Meixell, general manager, Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce.
This resolution was passed:
"The president is hereby authorized and instructed
to appoint a committee of three with the president
and vice-president members ex-officio to prepare a
program of activities for the National Musical Mer-
chandise Association of the United States for the
fiscal year ending May 31, 1931; determine the cost of
such program not to exceed $10,000, and pro-rate said
cost on a sound and equitable basis among the mem-
bership."
The president appointed this committee: Fred
Gretsch, Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co.; Samuel Buegeleisen,
Buegeleisen & Jacobson; Harry Simson, Simson &
Frey.
For the proposed renewal and reorganization of
the association it was found that these firms should
be counted upon: C. Bruno & Sons, Inc., Buegeleisen
& Jacobson, Chicago Musical Instrument Co., Con-
tinental Music Co., Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co., Gretsch
& Brenner, Inc., J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co., New
York Band Instrument Co., J. Schwartz Music Co.,
H. & A. Selmer, Inc., Simson & Frey, Inc., Henry
Stadlmair Co., Tonk Brothers Co.
The association expects to get under way aggres-
sively during the course of the month.
The
M. SCHULZ
CO.
Piano enjoys a
Popularity That
is Unfailing.
MANUFACTURERS CHOOSE
NEW HEADQUARTERS
At the recent meetings of members of National
Piano Manufacturers' Association held during Music
Industries Convention at the Hotel New Yorker, New
York, it was decided that henceforth the headquarters
of the association should be in the offices of Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce, 45 West 45th street,
New York. The official records and files of the asso-
ciation have just been transferred to this new location.
It was also decided that Herbert Hill, who for
twenty-nine years has been the secretary of the asso-
ciation and successfully conducted its affairs should
be made honorary secretary for life and that the
active conduct of the secretarial affairs of the asso-
ciation should be taken care of by Harry Meixell, gen-
eral manager of Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce.
Following is a list of those companies who now con-
stitute the roster of -members of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association:
The Aeolian Co., American Piano Co., Bogart Piano
Co., Cable Co., Everett Piano Co., Gulbransen Co.,
Hardman, Peck & Co., Ivers & Pond Piano Co., Jacob
Brothers, Jewett Piano Co., E. P. Johnson Piano Co.,
Kohler-Brambach Piano Co., Inc., Krakauer Brothers,
C. Kurtzmann & Co., Lester Piano Co., Mason &
Hamlin Co.,
Mathushek Piano Mfg. Co., Paul G. Mehlin & Sons,
Operators Piano Co., Poole Piano Co., Ricca & Son,
M. Schulz Co., J. P. Seeburg Piano Co., B. K. Setter-
gren Co., Charles Frederick Stein, Steinway & Sons,
Charles M. StiefT, Inc., Straube Piano Co.. Vose &
Sons Piano Co., Weaver Piano Co., Weser Brothers.
Inc., P. S. Wick Co., Winter & Co., Wurlitzer Grand
Piano Co., Rudolph Wurlitzer Mfg. Co.
PIANO MARKET OF NEW YORK.
A new booklet that has just been issued by The
Merchants' Association of New York, entitled "New
York-America's Style and Buying Center," has
served to call attention to the preeminent position that
New York holds as a market for musical instruments.
The little book points out that the city of New York,
as a matter of fact, produces more than one-fourth
of the pianos manufactured in the United States, and
almost one-fourth of the piano and organ materials.
The quality of the instruments available ranges from
the more moderate priced articles to the finest and
most expensive products of the instrument maker's
art.
SIPE'S TRIP FOR SCHAAF.
Harry T. Sipe, general wholesale traveler for Adam
Schaaf, Inc., is making an extensive trip into the
Northwest in the interests of that Chicago house. He
is covering North and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska
and Wisconsin on this trip. Mr. Sipe told a Presto-
Times representative before starting that if times get
better this coming fall, dealers will be apt to find
themselves short of pianos, as manufacturers are not
making many instruments for a surplus to be bought
on call.
COL. HOLLENBERG IN MICHIGAN
Col. F. B. T. Hollenberg, late head of the Hollen-
berg Music House, Little Rock, Ark., is now largely
engaged in investments for his customers for summer
homes at Epworth Heights, near Lansing, Mich. His
place of business is the Hollenberg Cottage, Epworth
Heights.
EVERYTHING IS ADVERTISED
EXCEPT MUSIC ALONE
Lack of Advertising Is Killing the Music Business
and Sheet Music Men Say So.
The National Association of Sheet Music Dealers
maintains headquarters at 325 West 75th street, New
York. In a recent circular sent out from the main
offices of the association, the following argumentative
comments are made:
"Music is too great an achievement to perish be-
cause of the advent of motor-cars, talking pictures,
radio and prohibition. It goes back to the dawn of
civilization. In ancient Greece music was an impor-
tant part of everyone's education. Down through
the ages it played a leading role in religious worship.
Side by side with music in the churches arose the
music of the people, folk-music, on which has been
reared the splendid edifice of the classic, romantic and
modern schools.
"Why has music been temporarily eclipsed? Why
do the musical instruments in the homes throughout
the land remain silent and those in the factories and
stores unsold? Why do people no longer sing and
teachers teach? These are the questions that demand
an answer.
"Each music dealer may find an answer himself. It
is probable that the answer will be found more quickly
by the combined efforts of all the dealers. There is
great power in organization. It is almost the only
source of power in any field of human endeavor. The
music industry is competing for a share of the pub-
lic's spending money with a thousand other organized
industries. In the newspapers and periodicals and on
the billboards are advertised everything under the sun
excepting music."
HARRY HAMILTON, EXPERT
TESTER OF CLARK ROLLS
Graceful in Style, Rich
in Tone, Reasonable in
Price, and Every Instru-
ment Made with a Final
Touch of Quality.
When you s e e This
Piano you will Want
the Agency for it. Every
Instrument Made in the
Reliable M. Schulz Co.
way.
Picture Here Shows Him Seated at One of the
Large Organs Where Orchestra Rolls
Are Tested
Here is a picture of Harry Hamilton seated at one
of the large organs used in the testing of the Clark
Orchestra Rolls at DeKalb, 111. He is shown in the
particular act of testing one now.
Each style of the Clark rolls is tested on the par-
ticular type of piano, orchestrion or organ to which
it is to be adapted.
The Clark Orchestra Roll Co.'s testing rooms at
DeKalb contain a veritable fortune in automatic
Address the
M. Schulz
Company
711 Milwaukee
Avenue
Chicago, 111.
HAltUY HAMILTON TKSTINO CLARK ROLLS.
musical instruments, comprising nearly every type of
player, from the smallest 65-uote piano to the mam-
moth theatre organs and concert orchestrions. In one
room an arranger may be "trying out" a sacred pro-
gram on the late type Mortuary organ, while in an
adjacent room one may hear the most popular tunes
being tested on a large orchestrian.
There are other styles of pianos, some of which
feature the xylophone, others the banjo, etc., and
each type requires special arrangement of the rolls
to properly "bring out" the various instrumentation.
Mr. Hamilton is an expert at testing and adaptation
of the rolls to be used on the various types of in-
struments. In other words his musical talent goes
into the rolls before the rolls go out to the critical
public.
New York and other points east speak of a pos-
sible merger of two large piano interests in Chicago—
at least interests directly engaged in the music busi-
ness. It will be time enough to announce it if they
do merge.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
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P R E S T O-T I M E S
July, 1930
BRUNSWICK RADIO
CORP.'S REMOVAL
Warner Brothers, having recently bought out the
entire phonograph, radio and record business of the
Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.. as Presto-Times an-
nounced at the time, have moved the headquarters of
the purchased business from Chicago to 116 West
42nd street. New York, which is in the Wurlitzer
building. They have named it the Brunswick Radio
Corporation. The keeping of the name Brunswick in
the new ownership may have given rise to some con-
fusion in the minds of those not informed who had
circulated a rumor that the great Brunswick-Balke-
Collender Co. was moving. Nothing of the kind is
happening, as the company is still at 632 South Wa-
bash avenue, Chicago, in its own building.
O. G. Orthman, treasurer of the Brunswick-Balke-
Collender Co., when called upon last week by a
Presto-Times reporter, said the Warner Brothers had
purchased the departments mentioned above, and
he added that the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. was
glad to be out of radio, records and phonographs.
The purchasers have lots of money and are main-
taining elaborate laboratories for research in the
East. Mr. Orthman intimated that many radio man-
ufacturers today are buckling against a hard proposi-
tion to make any money, as many have become en-
gaged in the business who ought not to have tried to
manufacture radio.
MANY SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR
PRESTO=TIMES; BUYERS GUIDE
Subscription Rate Is a Criterion for Revival of Better
Conditions Throughout Pianodom.
Presto-Times has for many years past taken the
rate at which subscriptions come in to the paper as
a criterion by which to form an opinion as to general
business conditions throughout the country. When
they come in lively, as they are now coming, it is
easy to guess the kind of probabilities to expect—
better business.
Practically since the first of March new subscrip-
tions to Presto-Times have been overabundant. April
and May were good and in June and so far in July,
the office is almost swamped with subscriptions, ac-
companied by checks to pay for one year. Also or-
ders for the Presto Buyers Guide, and many are the
compliments received about the Guide's 1930 issue.
A writer at Wauseon, Ohio, tells how each year's
issue of Buyers Guide is almost indispensable to him
in his business. Another letter comes from Spring-
field, Ohio, the writer saying: "I certainly appreciate
and thank you many times for that wonderful book,
Presto Buyers Guide, and let me state honestly, it
is the finest and most authentic record of its kind in
print."
Even our good friend, Delbert L. Loomis, execu-
tive secretary of the National Association of Piano
Merchants, New York, and good judge of such pub-
lications, in a letter received from him a few days
ago, says:
"Thank you very much for sending me the copy
of 1930 issue of Presto Buyers Guide. This is an
exceedingly valuable book, and I am very glad to
have the copy for reference."
NEW INVENTION FOR
WRITING AND TRANSPOSING
Presto-Times is in receipt of an announcement of
a device for writing and transposing music, known as
"The Music Writer," the distinct features of which
are given as follows:
1. The "Music Writer" records on the paper every-
thing played on the piano.
2. A piano device which transposes mechanically
and instantaneously all music into any key desired.
3. A piano device which combines the two above
mentioned features.
The special representatives of this instrument are
the J. O. Fisher Co., 516 Fifth avenue, New
York, N. Y.
PIERCE CO. DISCONTINUES.
Another concern that was engaged for several years
in manufacturing pianos in limited quantities for the
local trade in San Francisco has discontinued busi-
ness. The firm referred to is the Walter S. Pierce Co.,
which made the Walter S. Pierce instruments. The
discontinuance was brought about through the death
of Mr. Pierce, on February 20 last at the age of 89
vears.
COUNT US OUT!
"Slim" Halsey, popular member of the Plaza or-
chestra, informs us that he has composed a "hot"
chorus for Gabriel's trumpet. What worries "Slim" is,
who he can depend on to deliver said trumpet part
to old "Gabe."
Characterized by its Fine Tone
E. A. BOUSLOQ ON
CHANGING CONDITIONS
The
Advertising Needed to Stabilize Trade in All
Seasons—Good Work Has Made the Bous-
log Concern at Indianapolis Prosperous.
MATHUHSEK
Piano has given Pleas-
ure to Several Gener-
a t i o n s of M u s i c
This is a period of evolution in business. It is a
time when the careless and incompetent are finding it
more and more difficult to survive. The man who is
progressing today is the man who recognizes changing
conditions and makes his plans and policies to con-
form to them. All business rests upon reciprocity.
There is no such thing as an entirely independent
man, and one cannot rely wholly upon his own abil-
ities.
Quoting Roger W. Babson, the great economist,
"Business no longer adopts the fatalistic attitude of
previous years. While the old adage is well accepted
by most, 'Strike while the iron is hot,' it should also
be struck when it is cold. The time will come when
Lovers, and is Known
and designated as
"The most Durable Piano
in the World."
]•:. A. B o r s L o c
No Concern is Better
Equipped to Meet
the Requirements of
Dealers and no Piano
is More Adaptable to
the Climate of any
Country; Due to its
Unique Features of
Construction.
For Particulars, Write to
MATHUSHEK PIANO MFG. CO.
Alexander Ave. and 132nd St.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
the greatest force of all, namely advertising, will be
conclusively directed to stabilize conditions, to which
no season is an exception. When it is thus directed, it
will mean greater profits for individuals, steadier em-
ployment for workers, higher average purchasing
power of the people, and fewer disastrous depres-
sions."
Since 1921 E. A. Bouslog, Inc., Indianapolis, has
been filling a growing need in the piano business by
repairing and re-covering piano keys and during their
nine years in this line of work they have recorded a
substantial increase in business and a growing regard
in the opinion of their customers.
Mr. Bouslog says: "In catering to the piano trade
we do so with perfect confidence in our ability to
serve them promptly, and to their entire satisfac-
tion. Our success in business is due to our constant
effort to provide our customers with thoroughly sat-
isfactory work delivered with the utmost dispatch. We
have spared no effort to carry out this policy in the
past and will continue to do so and meet fully every
requirement of the constantly growing trade. Back of
our organization there is a practical experience of over
twenty-six years and the demand for our service has
been stimulated by its worth to our customers. It
has been our experience that the better you turn out a
job the more work you get and that quality pays as
does also real service."
Three years ago this concern opened up a depart-
ment for the re-conditioning of piano and player
actions in addition to their key work, and have had
a very satisfactory business in this new department.
CONVENTION CUT-UPS.
One of the leading piano manufacturers at the con-
vention conceived the rather unique idea of installing
castanets or tambourine in the Spanish model pianos.
We suggest that on the Louis XV models or similar
French designs that a guillotine would be impressive,
especially to some pianists which we have heard.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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