Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1936 2279

June-July, 1936
PRESTO-TIMES
PRESTO-TIME
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADES JOURNAL
ISSUED THE
FIFTEENTH OF
PUBLICATION MONTH
P R A N K D. A B B O T T
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Editor
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'» Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter April 9. 1932, at the
Tost Office at Chicago, 111., under act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $1.00 a year; 6 months, 60 cents; foreign,
$2.00. Payable in advance. No extra charge in United
States possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for adver-
tising: on application.
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO.
Publishers
417 So. Dearborn St.
Chicago, 111.
A wholesale salesman, whose home-town is
a little village not far from Chicago, disasso-
ciated himself with the house he had been
traveling- for, for several years, to accept a
retail salesman's position with a big Indiana
piano house. This change occurred less than
a year ago. A few days ago a member of his
family was asked, "How's dad doing now?"
"Fine." was the reply; "he made over $900 in
commissions last month, and expects to do as
well this month." So, evidently, dad's not
looking for either a change of location or a
change of occupation, and the moral of the
story is, there is good money in the piano
business.
FOREIGN PIANOS AND FOREIGN PIANOS
Making pianos in this country to compete with the cheap instruments made in Japan
or, incidentally, any other cheap product, in the hopes of stirring up some trade in this
class of manufacture is not a commendable undertaking in American industry and is
not an encouraging situation in the piano manufacturing field.
On the other hand, the foreign made piano of acknowledged merit and artistic pres-
tige finds a proper reception here. A case in point is that of the Bluthner which, in the
hands of Rudolf Schad who organized the J ulius Bluthner Company of America with
headquarters at Los Angeles. Calif., has made an enviable record for that instrument.
Mr. Schad's activities have been confined almost entirely to the Pacific Coast terri-
tory and his retail business to the vicinity of Los Angeles where he has imported and sold
since the incorporation of his business upwards of one hundred Bluthner grands; none
of them at less than $1,400 each and several as high as $4,950. a figure which, notwith-
standing the tax of 40% on invoice, or ad valorem duty, is a substantial price and an
excellent record, carried on in a clean business-like manner devoid of price-cutting and
slashing! A record, in fact, to be commended as indicating how prices can be main-
tained even in the face of sharp competition.
* * * *
But to get back for a moment to the cheap imported piano; most of the piano fac-
tories of this country are planned and equipped for the manufacture of instruments of
quality at lowest cost of production and not at the expense of quality. If there is a
location in the United States where instruments made to compete in low price with the
ones brought over from Japan or from any other country, can be made to sell at abnor-
mally low figures, the manufacturers of such product ought to voluntarily classify their
instruments or be made to keep them in a class by themselves so that a piano buying
public may be cautioned.
* * * *
Various correspondence back and forth between Presto-Times office and
dealers and others engaged in selling and making and using the instruments
that make music, touches on the pros and cons of specializing; whether special-
izing in certain lines, band instruments, musical merchandise, sheet music
and, of course, pianos, which is the most distinct and specialized as an exclu-
sive line, works to advantage or not.
There are independent radio shops, exclusive musical merchandise and
publication stores. Many of these never have had in stock or even sold by
catalog a band instrument and as many more dealers who have sold only from
catalog without carrying in stock a single instrument beyond a fife or ocarina.
Although the drive for subscriptions for the
Community Fund of Chicago and vicinity was
Such firms have not been able to appreciate the great field that is open for
an event of some time ago, the good work
the sale of band instruments or the advantages of carrying in stock a few sample
done by public-spirited citizens is not forgot-
instruments, in fact many so-called representative music merchants do not
ten, and it is gratifying to recall that the music
seem
to catch on to the advantages derived from getting into the band instru-
trade budget, of which R. E. Durham, Presi-
ment line. There are advantages to the dealer through handling band and or-
dent of Lyon & Healy, was the chairman, went
over "above par," being one of the few over-
chestra instruments that would not come to him were his business limited to
subscribed divisions of the trade and industry ;
some one line.
1.06 per cent.
This correspondence in the trade led one of the editors of Presto-Times to
make inquiries from dealers who had been selling band instruments for a long-
The firm at Nakaku, Japan, which has suc-
time and others who had more recently taken on the sale of these instruments
ceeded in getting itself decidedly in wrong
with several manufacturers and jobbers of this
and still others who are investigating the advantages of adding band instru-
country, continues to apply for prices, terms,
ments and other special musical instruments to their business. One of these
etc., here. This concern uses a form of in-
replies and one which in a general way gives similar information contained in
quiry common in all their solicitations. It
other letters, says: "The band instrument business during the years of busi-
reads : "We are very much interested in your
ness depression sustained the music merchants more than any other line, not
line of manufacture, and if your goods are
suitable for this country's musicians, we could
excepting the electric household goods, washers, refrigerators, etc., taken on
place large orders." They then request sam-
by many dealers. As for ourselves the band instrument and merchandise end
ples to be sent.
of our business averages right along sixty per cent of our monthly volume and
it has been as high as seventy-five per cent of our total sales. When our piano
Radio dealers and concerns specializing in
department has been mostly disposing 1 of used pianos our band instrument de-
assembling radios have been summoned by the
Federal Trade Commission and ordered to stop
partment has consisted of new goods almost entirely with little or no discount
advertising as manufacturers, "unless and until
or price cutting while rarely have we been able to secure anything anywhere
owning or operating a factory in which the
near
the standard or list prices for new pianos.
radios sold are manufactured," and also to dis-
Speaking
of the importation of foreign made band instruments, this cor-
continue representing through salesmen or in
respondent says: "Until about two years ago there were many foreign made
any other manner that they will grant an ex-
clusive franchise for any particular territory
band instruments sold in this country owing to the higher prices required for
for the sale of such radios. This is more
American made goods but in the past two or three years our manufacturers
stringent than conditions which prevailed in
had
introduced new lines and readjusted their prices to the point that few music
piano manufacturing in the days of "stencil
dealers now consider stocking up this foreign goods."
pianos."
"The string instrument business has reached its greatest proposition the
The old Globe Music Company of St.
last few years with guitars away in the lead and profit in this line is the most
Charles, a western suburb of Chicago, has al-
substantial."
most a duplicate in its name in the recently in-
The evidence seems to be almost everwhelming in favor of merging band
corporated Globe Music Shop Company, Pat-
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the well
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erson, N. J. Another name, one made famous
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PRESTO-TI MES
in the piano world, to which the name "Betsy
Ross" was given to a console type, the "Betsy
Ross Spinet," finds a duplicate name in a well-
known "bread of life," branded "Betsy Ross."
Certainly, as requested, "Presto-Times" will
go to the American Chamber of Commerce, of
which Sen. Francisco Font is the Secretary,
in Spain, along with the copies of the Buyers'
Guide of American Pianos as desired.
* * *
Speaking of ideals in the field of manufactur-
ing and industry. Mr. Karl Shinkman, presi-
dent of the York Band Instrument Company,
Grand Rapids, Mich., says: "Ideals get into
manufacturing the same as in other human
activity. And it is right that they should!
For instance, the YORK IDEAL is' NOT to
build MORE instruments, but rather to build
BETTER instruments."
* * *
It is conceded that the piano is the one most
favored instrument and the one nearest a
necessity in home life. It is also generally ad-
mitted in countries of advanced civilization
and culture that the piano is an actual neces-
sity. Where the highest degree of civilization
exists, it is found that the piano could not be
parted with, being considered a vital element
of human existence. The piano and music are
synonymous in the universal range of music
as other instruments of music production are
in limited and lesser spheres of musical life.
June-July, 1936
Apropos of a correspondent's reference in Presto-Times a while ago, sug-
gesting united effort to rid stores of "hard to sell" repossessed and other
second-hand pianos, the statement of Lucien Wulsin, president of The Baldwin
Piano Company is timely. Here is what Mr. Wulsin said:
"I heartily approve of destruction of old second-hand pianos. There is a
certain figure below which it is impossible to reduce the cost of selling a piano,
no matter how cheap this piano is. "When you get below a certain minimum
of price the percentage figure as to selling cost no longer applies. Personally
I do not believe any old piano that will bring less than $100 is worth selling
again. We have followed a general policy along these lines in our stores in re-
cent years and have destroyed many hundreds of second-hand pianos that
could not be resold for at least $100. A bad piano is worse than no piano at
all. The owner of a piano should realize that he has something of real value. He
will cherish it more if he has to pay real money for it. I approve, therefore,
of destruction of old pianos. The age of a piano, I do not think, is the real de-
termining factor. The determining factor is W H A T CAN T H E 1NSTRU- . ,-<
MENT BE SOLD FOR. Personally I would say $100 is the minimum limit.
Others may not agree with me."
Mr. Wulsin's inference is, plainly, that the decrepit old piano is a menace
to musical culture and improvement in the home and everywhere else and works
disadvantageously to the dealer.
* * * *
What of the piano manufacturer whose factory having been running on a big
scale of production suddenly finds the output diminished to the "bleeding point"?
He must lessen the strain and the drain. If this cannot be done; if he is not able
to rent out part of the factory and thus reduce expenses and all overhead for the
pianos he makes so that the cost per capita is not greater than he can sell them for,
then what is going to happen? What can he do about it? What must he do to over-
On the correspondence stationery of the come the dilemma? Is his piano strong enough in reputation and standing to be set
Mayfield Music Company appears numerous up as one of distinct quality and sufficient outstanding prominence to stand an
original, as well as quoted slogans, applicable increase in price or must he give up "legitimate" piano manufacture and turn to the
to the piano business. Their latest is on an
envelope just at hand, which reads, "Every ''custom-made" so-much-per makers, to supply him until the end comes?
child deserves the priceless opportunity of
studying music."
the foot of each page appears the line, "enjoy
The Creed of a Great Music House
the breezes of Lake Michigan from Gulbran-
Had the name "Knabette," which was sug- sen's exhibit." Always glad to get the Bulle-
The Glen Brothers Music House, Salt Lake City,
gested, been taken for the new Knabe vertical tin.
Utah, of which George S. Glen is president, Thomas
instead of Mignonette, then the song to the
J. Holland, vice-president, and Eldon C. Taylor, sec-
"little boy" could have been :
The late Col. Fabyan, who gave not only retary, is one of the most favorably known music
Play on, play on, little Boy Blue,
houses of the West and one of the largest. Their
much thought to the study of the science of piano
sales volume, while consistently extensive has,
And sing to the piano that belongs to you.
music but his researches in the principles gov- nevertheless,
shown almost phenomenal advancement
erning sound reproduction as applied to in-
Of the several leading piano manufacturing strumental production, caused him to be a of late, and particularly their sales of Wurlitzer pianos
show marked increase and indicate that their general
concerns of this country that are still con- noted character and an exceedingly interesting piano
business must also be good. Perhaps the be-
trolled by their founders or their direct de- one with students and technicians in sound and liefs to
which they hold and which are evidently
scendants, the esteemed house of Kranich & tone development. Cyril Farny, manager of aiding them in the instructive and inspiring work they
Bach is a conspicous figure. This business es- the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company, who, by are accomplishing, may be guided by their creed which
tablished in the year 1864 by the late Helmuth
is always conspicuous, where it stands in a framed
Kranich and Jacques Bach, also deceased, is the way, resideded for a year or more at Gen- easel on the desk of Mr. Holland, the vice-president
now controlled by Jacques Bach Schlosser, eva, only a short run from the Wurlitzer fac- and general manager of the business and under whose
President, grandson of one of the founders, tory at De Kalb, 111., availed himself, often, capable direction the most satisfying results are being
Jacques Bach, and Mr. Helmuth Kranich, Sec- of the advantages offered in his studies and obtained. Here is the Glen Brothers' creed:
retary, son of the other founder. Kranich & experiments at the Fabyan studios, in Geneva,
Difficulties are things that show what men are!
Bach have occupied their present offices and the home town of the noted scientist.
Character is the decisive force in business!
Be glad to give as much as you take!
salesrooms, 235-237 East 23rd Street, New
While your grit lasts, you will!
York City, the factory embracing 233 to 245,
Improvements Looked For
Work it off. Worry is a disease of idlers!
of that location, since in the seventies.
Every question has two sides. Always hear both!
* * *
If you cannot do it one way, do it in another. Get
Information continues to be given out that yet
The Cable Piano Company, Chicago, has for another important development may be expected in
it done!
several months made a conservative run on another new product in electric controlled organ
Any man can do anything that he really wants to do!
The first element of success is the determination to
Estey Period model grands with the patented manufacture.
succeed!
"stay-n-tune" stabilizer which is a part of the
Various changes and modifications have been
construction of this instrument which it is needed so that instruments of this class may be more
claimed permanently maintains the original "fool-proof" than the earlier ones that were put out.
LAST WORD: **FMRE AWAY:
Some of those instruments have been giving much
tonal beauty of the piano.
FINE FROtiRAW
This is a storyette of what one house has trouble. Some of them have had to be overhauled
done with a piano containing such an impor- and others returned to the manufacturers for changes
The last message given out by the committee in
tant construction in tone production as noted, and repairs.
charge of the banquets, luncheons and general enter-
Whenever an electric organ shall have been made tainment features during convention week was the
but the moral of the story is that any other
representative house can duplicate in a greater that will require less close attention to assure of its reply to Presto-Times' inquiry: "Anything more be-
or less degree the Cable Piano Company's rec- being in readiness for use at any time, such an instru- fore going to press?" which was: "Fire away; we've
ment will attract attention and be welcome.
made a whaling fine program for 'em."
ord.
* * *
The June issue of our esteemed "X," the Mr. W. H. Fowler, president of the Duluth Piano
The Western Music Supply Co. has been chartered
"Gulbransen Monthly Bulletin," renamed from Co., and party, will motor all the way from the great in Los Angeles County, Cal., with a capital of $25,000,
the "Keynote" as first issued, is "shoe 'nufif" port of Duluth at the western end of Lake Superior by Garrett H. Ellniore and J. Hart Clinton of San
Mateo, Museum
and (www.arcade-museum.com).
Emory L. Morris of Burlingame.
on Musical
to the Box convention.
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© 2008-2009 and and
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At - The
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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