Presto

Issue: 1930 2248

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/
July, 1930
PRESTO-TIMES
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
MIDSUMMER LETTER
SOLD 134 BALDWIN=BUILT
FROM INDIANAPOLIS
PIANOS IN 14 MONTHS
Baldwin, Schumann, Jesse French & Sons, Brinker-
hoff, Howard Are Some of Pianos Sold.
The Baldwin Piano Co. reports the sale of one of
its period models, in the Baldwin, known as style 126
Spanish, in walnut. Business is reported normal con-
sidering the large amount of unemployed and the
general depression. E. P. Hageneier, general man-
ager of the Cincinnati, Ohio, house, paid the Indian-
apolis house a visit last week, and returned to Cin-
cinnati hy airplane. Occupying the place of honor,
and attracting much attention is one of the new How-
ard grands in the early American period, in exquisite
mahogany veneer and finish.
The Marion Music Co. says that business is moving
along in its own even tenor, with Schumann pianos
making many new friends and finding their way in
some of the city's best homes. The Brinkerhoff
pianos, especially the grands, are selling well and busi-
ness in general is reported fair for this season of the
year.
T. H. McPheeters, office manager of the Pearson
Piano Co., is taking a vacation and visiting some of
his relatives in the East. Business is reported normal
with an increasing demand for the better grade of
pianos. Charles Merideth, newly appointed manager
of the piano division, says that there is a good under-
current, and looks for some good sales to materialize
as the fall weather approaches.
The Wilking Music Co. reports an unusual demand
for the Jesse French & Sons' grands and say that the
June volume was good with this particular instrument.
On June the 19th the Wilking Music Co. received for
Miss Sue Carylon, who has taken charge of the
radio division of the company and the broadcasting
programs over WKBF, Indianapolis. Among the
guests were H. Edgar French and family, Gordon
Laughead of the house of Wurlitzer. Charles Howe
and other prominent persons in the radio and piano
business. A special program was broadcast in the
evening by the Mystery Trio, and Elnor Watson,
violinist. Daily programs will be broadcast by Sue
Carylon from 12 to 12:30 p. m. each day and the
half hour will be devoted to children's requests.
The Wilking Music Co. has opened a branch store
at Brownsberg, Ind., with Walter Timmerman in
charge.
William Greenere, who is connected with the radio
department of the Pearson Piano Co., has taken a trip
abroad and will visit all the interesting points of
Europe.
The Baldwin Piano Co. gets out semi-occasional
cards as the spirit moves in the publicity department.
They tell of experiences in piano selling, giving epi-
sodes and sometimes details, and not one of them is
uninteresting. But most encouraging is the report
made by J. A. Kastel, of Chico, Calif., which reached
Presto-Times editorial desks this week printed on a
beautiful, card. On this card Mr. Kastel says:
"I used to be a phonograph and radio man. Every-
Presto-Times,
Chicago.
Gentlemen:
Investigations show that a few makers of good
pianos, who are satisfied to make a good piano and
not expand in building and overproduction, are still
making and selling just as many pianos as ever and
on a profitable basis.
The commercial issue of merchandising and secur-
ing business has greatly changed in the last few T years,
and particularly in the last year—to which many of
our dealers have not "woke up to."
I believe a good piano can be made at a price in
reach of all at a good profit. I find business is, as
in any line, what you make it; but you have to have
something new in hand to show. Talk if you must to
sell, and what some will do, all can.
Improvements on the inside of the piano are neces-
sary for better tone, and there are important items
of construction now invented that will give better
tone.
MISSOURI DEALER.
Gerts, Lumbard & Co.
BRUSH MAKERS
ini'ss established 1850; Incorporated 1801
K. C. Tiiimbtird, President; F. A. Crego, Treasurer;
W. S. Oerts, Secretary
DISTINCTIVE
TONE QUALITY
Factory, 2100-2116 West Grand Avenue,
Chicago, 111, U. S. A.
SCHAFF
Piano String Co.
Manufacturer* of
For generations Poehlmann
Music Wire and Fly Brand
Tuning Pins have made
many pianos famous for
their r e n o w n e d tonal
qualities.
The continued prestige of Fly Brand
Pins and Poehlmann Wire is due sol?!y
to quality. Every detail is watched
minutely. Made from special drawn wire
by men who have done nothing else for a
lifetime, they embody every known
requisite for quality. That is why many
manufacturers of high grade pianos de-
mand Poehlmann W i r e a n d Fly
Brand Pins.
SOLE AGENT, U.S.A.
AMERICAN PIANO SUPPLY CO.
Division of
THE PIANO SITUATION.
one seemed to discourage pi;mo selling. T thought
I'd take a chance.
"Starting April 1, I 1 )29, to June 1. \9M), 1 have sold
134 Baldwin-built pianos.
"Selling Baldwin pianos with me is getting better
every month. I hope to double my sales this year."
HAMMACHER-SCHLEMMER & CO.
104-106 East 13th St.
New York, N. Y.
Piano Bass Strings
2009-2021 CLYBOURN AVENUE
Cor «r Lewis Street
CHICAGO
Philip W. Oetting & Son, Inc.
213 East 19th Street, New York
Sole Agents for
WEICKERT
FELT
Hammer and Damper
HIGH GRADE
Folding Organs
School Organs
Practice Keyboards
Dealers' Attention Solicited
A. L. WHITE MFG. CO.
215 Englewood Ave., CHICAGO, ILL.
Grand and Upright Hammer*
Made of Weickert Felt
Fine Action Bushing Cloths, etc.
When in doubt refer to Presto
Buyers' Guide for information about
all Pianos, Players and Reproduc-
ing Pianos.
STEINWAY & SONS
MAKERS OF THE WORLD'S STANDARD PIANOS
First choice of the most famous artists*
Indispensable to musicians who appreciate fine tone.
General Offices, Steinway Hall,
109-113 West 57th Street,
New York
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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