Presto

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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