Music Trade Review
Issue: 1893 Vol. 18 N. 1 - Page 8
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
IO
PIANO ACTIONS,
filbert
THE ILLINOIS PIANO TUNERS.
the regular bi-monthly meeting of the
Piano Tuners of Illinois, recently, Mr.
Albert T. Strauch, of Strauch Bros., delivered
an address on the piano action, which re-
veals the order of intelligence behind the firm
of Strauch Bros. After some graceful prelim-
inary words Mr. Strauch said :
" I do not feel as though I was a stranger
among you, as I have heard a great deal of
your association and the good work it has done,
and we are all working for the same purpose,
namely, to improve and elevate the American
piano above all others.
"The great advances made in our American
pianos since the last World's Exposition in this
country have been attained by the ingenuity,
skill and united efforts of all engaged in the
various branches of piano manufacture.
" Piano actions being the branch I am inter-
ested in, I take great pleasure in addressing you
this evening on this subject.
"The manufacture of piano actions, both
grand and upright, as carried on to-day, has
been brought to the height of both a science
and an art.
" A science, in that through study and ex-
periment we have arrived at the fundamental
principles and rules governing the work.
" An art, in that we are enabled by reason of
this knowledge and experience gained through
work, hard and never ceasing, to so apply these
principles and rules as to produce the most per-
fect results in the three great objective points
of a perfect action—an easy, free touch, rapid
and accurate repetition and durability."
Mr. Strauch then proceeded to describe the
fundamental principles sought to be attained
in the construction of the various actions, lead-
ing up to a verbal exposition of the intricate
modus opetandi of action making.
'' Using as we do three different grains of the
wood, namely, silver, half silver and straight,"
said Mr. Strauch, " great care is here given to
the proper selection of the wood with reference
to the grain for the particular part of work for
which it is to be used, careful attention being
given at the same time to the matching of color
and figure.
'' After being cut up again in the proper
widths for moldings it passes to the molders,
through whose machines a single piece has to
go from two to eight times before being fin-
ished.
" It is now taken to the cleaners and polish-
ers, where every part of each piece of the action
is scraped and sandpapered, all exposed parts,
such as butts, backchecks, wipps, etc., being
French polished.
"From here it goes to the machine floor,
where the different moldings are cut, bored,
frazed and grubbed. Special machinery has
been designed for the various processes of this
class of work, so that when each part is finish-
ed, so accurate is it that it is interchangeable
in the most perfect sense of the word, and by so
being aids the piano manufacturer in his fac-
tory and the tuner and repairer on the road.
" The work is now ready for assembling and
finishing, and is taken to the several depart-
ments on the finishing floors where is done the
bushing, covering, pinning, frame making and
setting up and finishing.
" I n these departments must be used the
most skilled and experienced men, for, no mat-
ter how perfect the work may have reached
them, so delicate have the operations now be-
come that the slightest inaccuracy will spoil
the entire work beyond repair.
" To follow the work in a detailed description
of the various processes and hands through
which it passes, without seeing it done, would
only be wearying to you and without benefit.
1
' There are, however, some parts which are
of more than ordinary interest to the tuner and
repairer, chief among which is the bushing.
On this subject I would like to speak in par-
ticular.
" I have here a few materials used in bushing
to illustrate the method, and I shall feel that I
have not wasted your time if it will be the
means of aiding you in your work.
" The first operation through which this
flange passes is what is called stringing. This
piece of cloth is torn to such a width that the
two sides just meet in the hole, fitting it
snugly. This is drawn full of flanges and then
passed to the gluer, who, with a piece of wood
or metal cut like this, applies the glue. Tak-
ing a small portion on the stick it is passed
over the cloth thus, passing over a second time
to take off all surplus glue. The flange is
then drawn along on the glued surface of the
cloth, and the following ones treated the same
way. These strings are left to dry, and then
cut apart when they are trimmed and
needled."
Mr. Strauch then gave some practical instruc-
tions on repairs, among which he said :
" For general repair work all such articles as
felts, cloths, bushing cloths in shape for use,
bridles, springs, centrepins, hardware screws,
etc., can always be had from stock at an action
factory.
" In ordering extra parts, such as flanges, etc.,
it is always best to send the part as sample to
insure having the part exactly duplicated.
This holds especially good with reference to old
pianos.
" And now. in conclusion, permit me to say
a word of praise to your organization. It is in
the hands of the class of men, of which you
are a representative body, that the piano rests
after it leaves the factory, and according to the
experience or knowledge that these men have
is the piano going to remain good or lose value.
In cities like Chicago, New York or Boston,
where meu have the opportunity of learning in
factories, as you all have, you become men of
practical experience ; but in small towns away
from manufacturing centres, where men make
themselves, the results are generally disastrous.
The methods of your organization are worthy
of the highest praise and commendation in the
manner you are using to strengthen your own
knowledge and gain the experience and knowl-
edge of specialists in all the branches, and you
can be justly proud of being leaders in this
matter of construction.
DR. PEABODY, Chief of the Liberal Arts De-
partment of the World's Fair, has notified the
Automaton Piano Co. to remove the two pianos
used by it to exhibit its self playing attach-
ment, on the ground that the pianos were man-
ufactured by firms who are non-exhibitors at
the Fair. The Automaton Co. has taken out an
injunction restraining the authorities from re-
moving its property. The company asserts
that it does not exhibit the pianos, but the at-
tachment.
YOUATSHORT-NOTICE-
•ILLUSTRATED BROCHURE u^^y?
. ._ .
-
flEGANT?f?ICE-LlST5 -MENU-QRDS- etc., etc.
fiNEWOODflNGRAVING- OFRANO-5 •OROANS£-MACHINERY'-
MUSIC TITLES - BRASS DIES • FOR-ALL-
P
PHOTO-ENGRAVING HALFTOHES £ c.
H H E KEYNOTE — N E W Y O R K —
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
IO
PIANO ACTIONS,
filbert
THE ILLINOIS PIANO TUNERS.
the regular bi-monthly meeting of the
Piano Tuners of Illinois, recently, Mr.
Albert T. Strauch, of Strauch Bros., delivered
an address on the piano action, which re-
veals the order of intelligence behind the firm
of Strauch Bros. After some graceful prelim-
inary words Mr. Strauch said :
" I do not feel as though I was a stranger
among you, as I have heard a great deal of
your association and the good work it has done,
and we are all working for the same purpose,
namely, to improve and elevate the American
piano above all others.
"The great advances made in our American
pianos since the last World's Exposition in this
country have been attained by the ingenuity,
skill and united efforts of all engaged in the
various branches of piano manufacture.
" Piano actions being the branch I am inter-
ested in, I take great pleasure in addressing you
this evening on this subject.
"The manufacture of piano actions, both
grand and upright, as carried on to-day, has
been brought to the height of both a science
and an art.
" A science, in that through study and ex-
periment we have arrived at the fundamental
principles and rules governing the work.
" An art, in that we are enabled by reason of
this knowledge and experience gained through
work, hard and never ceasing, to so apply these
principles and rules as to produce the most per-
fect results in the three great objective points
of a perfect action—an easy, free touch, rapid
and accurate repetition and durability."
Mr. Strauch then proceeded to describe the
fundamental principles sought to be attained
in the construction of the various actions, lead-
ing up to a verbal exposition of the intricate
modus opetandi of action making.
'' Using as we do three different grains of the
wood, namely, silver, half silver and straight,"
said Mr. Strauch, " great care is here given to
the proper selection of the wood with reference
to the grain for the particular part of work for
which it is to be used, careful attention being
given at the same time to the matching of color
and figure.
'' After being cut up again in the proper
widths for moldings it passes to the molders,
through whose machines a single piece has to
go from two to eight times before being fin-
ished.
" It is now taken to the cleaners and polish-
ers, where every part of each piece of the action
is scraped and sandpapered, all exposed parts,
such as butts, backchecks, wipps, etc., being
French polished.
"From here it goes to the machine floor,
where the different moldings are cut, bored,
frazed and grubbed. Special machinery has
been designed for the various processes of this
class of work, so that when each part is finish-
ed, so accurate is it that it is interchangeable
in the most perfect sense of the word, and by so
being aids the piano manufacturer in his fac-
tory and the tuner and repairer on the road.
" The work is now ready for assembling and
finishing, and is taken to the several depart-
ments on the finishing floors where is done the
bushing, covering, pinning, frame making and
setting up and finishing.
" I n these departments must be used the
most skilled and experienced men, for, no mat-
ter how perfect the work may have reached
them, so delicate have the operations now be-
come that the slightest inaccuracy will spoil
the entire work beyond repair.
" To follow the work in a detailed description
of the various processes and hands through
which it passes, without seeing it done, would
only be wearying to you and without benefit.
1
' There are, however, some parts which are
of more than ordinary interest to the tuner and
repairer, chief among which is the bushing.
On this subject I would like to speak in par-
ticular.
" I have here a few materials used in bushing
to illustrate the method, and I shall feel that I
have not wasted your time if it will be the
means of aiding you in your work.
" The first operation through which this
flange passes is what is called stringing. This
piece of cloth is torn to such a width that the
two sides just meet in the hole, fitting it
snugly. This is drawn full of flanges and then
passed to the gluer, who, with a piece of wood
or metal cut like this, applies the glue. Tak-
ing a small portion on the stick it is passed
over the cloth thus, passing over a second time
to take off all surplus glue. The flange is
then drawn along on the glued surface of the
cloth, and the following ones treated the same
way. These strings are left to dry, and then
cut apart when they are trimmed and
needled."
Mr. Strauch then gave some practical instruc-
tions on repairs, among which he said :
" For general repair work all such articles as
felts, cloths, bushing cloths in shape for use,
bridles, springs, centrepins, hardware screws,
etc., can always be had from stock at an action
factory.
" In ordering extra parts, such as flanges, etc.,
it is always best to send the part as sample to
insure having the part exactly duplicated.
This holds especially good with reference to old
pianos.
" And now. in conclusion, permit me to say
a word of praise to your organization. It is in
the hands of the class of men, of which you
are a representative body, that the piano rests
after it leaves the factory, and according to the
experience or knowledge that these men have
is the piano going to remain good or lose value.
In cities like Chicago, New York or Boston,
where meu have the opportunity of learning in
factories, as you all have, you become men of
practical experience ; but in small towns away
from manufacturing centres, where men make
themselves, the results are generally disastrous.
The methods of your organization are worthy
of the highest praise and commendation in the
manner you are using to strengthen your own
knowledge and gain the experience and knowl-
edge of specialists in all the branches, and you
can be justly proud of being leaders in this
matter of construction.
DR. PEABODY, Chief of the Liberal Arts De-
partment of the World's Fair, has notified the
Automaton Piano Co. to remove the two pianos
used by it to exhibit its self playing attach-
ment, on the ground that the pianos were man-
ufactured by firms who are non-exhibitors at
the Fair. The Automaton Co. has taken out an
injunction restraining the authorities from re-
moving its property. The company asserts
that it does not exhibit the pianos, but the at-
tachment.
YOUATSHORT-NOTICE-
•ILLUSTRATED BROCHURE u^^y?
. ._ .
flEGANT?f?ICE-LlST5 -MENU-QRDS- etc., etc.
fiNEWOODflNGRAVING- OFRANO-5 •OROANS£-MACHINERY'-
MUSIC TITLES - BRASS DIES • FOR-ALL-
P
PHOTO-ENGRAVING HALFTOHES £ c.
H H E KEYNOTE — N E W Y O R K —
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).