Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
DEPARTMENT OF PATENTS.
Issued to R. S. Bowan and F.
H. White, April 30, 1907. Patent No. 851,646.
This invention consists in the application to
Conducted and Edited by Wm. B. White.
the grand piano action of the metal hammer-butt
changed for anything else of equal value, except flange, well-known as applied to the upright ac-
THE PIANO PLAYER AND THE TUNER.
perhaps the technic of a Rosenthal. We cannot tion. The inventors point out the desirability of
I suppose that the average member of our all have Rosenthal's technic in our hands, but applying the metal flange system to the grand
craft would strongly dispute the implication that the player gives it to us. The music-lover who action, but state that such application has hither-
tuners as a rule are reactionaries, yet the state- may possess temperament, taste, appreciation to been impossible on account of the impossi-
ment is strictly true. The whole history of piano and every other qualification of the musician ex- bility of maintaining in true position the repeti-
development, if read from the inside, shows how cept developed technic, finds his solace in the tion lever regulating screw that must pass
strongly the piano tuners, upon whose shoulders player. Then who shall say that it is merely a through the hammer flange. The inventors,
therefore, use a metal flange wherein the center-
rests the responsibility of caring for the piano fad?
pin is secured by a removable metal cap plate
after purchase, have invariably adopted an atti-
Regarding the second objection, I can also say (as in the usual metallic flange for uprights) and
tude of hostility to new inventions and improve-
ments. To begin at the beginning, the introduc- from personal experience that it is equally in- arrange this plate so that it can be extended at
tion of the equal temperament in tuning pianos valid. Cheap and faulty players, rushed on to one end and bent over on to the repetition lever
met with the greatest opposition, and there are the market in the eagerness of their makers to regulating screw, locking it in place against acci-
still tuners in obscure parts of the world who get into the field, may indeed give trouble con- dental rotation.
adhere to the old mean tone system. Again, the tinually; but the tuner ought to rejoice rather
In the specification the inventors says: "We
present standard form of tuning hammer was than lament over this, for it surely means more provide means for locking the regulating screw
not successful until a large amount of time had money in his pocket if he can undertake the from accidental or undesired turning movement.
been spent in overcoming the prejudices of the remedying of the troubles; but, as a matter of Preferably, in carrying the invention into effect
old-fashioned tuners in favor of the obsolete T- fact, there is no more trouble to be apprehended we utilize a portion of the cap-plate for the pur-
hammer. Still later the high-minded attempt of from a good player than from a good piano which pose of thus locking the regulating screw. In
Mason & Hamlin to popularize a scientific method has an equal amount of use from day to day. order to afford ready access to the securing screw
of stringing met with defeat, principally on ac- Moreover, any tuner who is familiar with organ for the cap plate, we form the hammer flange
count of the general opposition of the tuners, repairing, and who will take the trouble to mas- with the lug thereof inclined obliquely toward
who hated to trifle with any invention that dis- ter the principles of player operation, can have the strings, and apply the cap plate and screw
turbed them in their time-honored methods and absolutely no difficulty in doing any and all re- to the said lug in such manner that in the nor-
devices, and this in spite of the extraordinary ad- pairs on these instruments that can be done out- mal retracted position of the hammer the head
vantages that the system possessed; in fact, wher- side of a factory. Here again I speak strictly of the said screw shall be exposed between the
ever the inventor or reformer has intruded him- from personal experience.
hammer stem and the springs. In the case of
The third objection relates to the interior play- the grand piano, the said lugs extend toward the
self into the piano business he has had to deal
with the forces of obstruction represented by the er and appears at first sight to have far more upper side of the hammer stem."
weight than the others. But even this one fades
tuners.
PIANO ACTIONS. Issued to M. Miller, April 30,
away under criticism, for the modern interior 1907. Patent No. 851,894.
The invention consists of a new means for at-
The latest example of this sort; of thing is player is so built that all of the mechanism can
found in the curiously illogical spirit of hos- be removed from the piano case in a few minutes, taching a jack between hammer butt and key of
tility that is being manifested by many in the leaving the instrument in precisely the same con- an upright piano action. The jack is directly
craft toward the piano player. It is perfectly dition as before the player was placed within it. pivoted to the key, which latter is balanced in
true that the handling of these instruments re- So that the old objections regarding the difficulty a novel manner upon a transverse rod, which
quires extra knowledge and no little experience, of putting in strings, regulating the piano ac- replaces the usual balance pins.
but it is not true to suppose that this knowledge tion and so on, fall to the ground when minutely
PIANO PLAYER MECHANISMS. Issued to H. K.
is not worth acquirement. On the contrary, but examined.
Sandell, April 30, 1907. Patent No. 852,299.
The same answers can be given, substantially,
little thought is needed to discern the self-evi-
The invention consists of a new device for en-
dent fact that the use of the player means ulti- to any other objections that are from time to suring true feeding of the perforated roll. Taut-
mately more pianos sold, and also that each piano time urged against the piano player. The best ening means are provided in connection with the
will need more frequent tuning, on account of test, after all, is time, and certainly the ten years feed spools, acting upon the perforated roll.
the vastly greater amount of playing which will that have elapsed since the first putting of these
be continually done upon it. In other words, devices on the market has witnessed such an ex-
RIEDLING PIANO CO. INCORPORATED.
the player, far from being a detriment to the traordinary increase in the business as amply to
The Riedling Piano Co., Plymouth, Wis., who
tuner, is a positive benefit, and it therefore be- justify the belief that the player has not only
hooves him to take notice of the fact that it is proved its right to exist, but has come to stay recently incorporated with a capital of $30,000
here, and to busy himself with the task of ac- permanently, therefore, brethren, get busy, and to engage in manufacturing, have purchased a
factory building on Appleton street, that city,
quiring the knowledge necessary to become com- join the procession.
and will shortly begin operations.
petent to remedy the various ills attendant upon
Tools and outfits for piano tuners multiply
these devices.
yearly, and yet it is a remarkable fact that there
BR0UGHT0N OPENS THIRD STORE.
The objections most frequently heard among has never been devised a kit of tools that will
tuners to the piano player and its allied instru- be at once adequate for purposes of extensive re-
R. L. Broughton, a music dealer of Clay Cen-
ments may be easily stated. One is that the pairing and sufficiently compact to be easily
player merely represents a fad, and that it will portable. A number of excellent kits have been ter, Kan., and with a branch store in Manhattan,
soon die out. Another is that the instrument is devised, which are in every way satisfactory for that state, has opened a third store in Abilene,
so complicated that it can never give satisfaction city work, and there is no criticism to be made Kan. He enjoys a very successful business,
after a short period of use. A third is that the of these. I refer, rather, to the needs of the which is continually increasing.
interior player actions are a nuisance within the tuner whose practice is largely in the country
J. T. Reese, a piano dealer, formerly of Weir,
piano, and make more trouble for the tuner than districts, and who is continually called upon to
his customers are willing to pay for. And so on, undertake comparatively extensive repairs. Such Kan., has moved to Pittsburg, Kan.
ad infinitum.
a man needs a tool assortment varying largely
from that which suffices for his city colleague.
Now, as a matter of fact, not one of these ob- His case, for example, must have room for piano
jections is in the least valid. It is no more cor- wire, punchings, center-pins, glue-pot (not liquid
THE BEST IN THE WORLD
rect to suppose that the player will prove to be glue), hammer heads and shanks, springs, bush-
Simple,
Durable and Absolutely Noiseless
merely a fad than it would have been for a ing cloth, felt, leather and many other things.
NOT
AFFECTED BY CLIMATE
harpsichord player or maker to say sneeringly All these above and beyond tools. The latter,
that the new-fangled piano would prove to be too, besides turning hammer, wedges, tuning fork
merely a passing fancy among musicians. The and regulating irons, must include drill, bits,
makers and merchants who deal in players have small saw, plane, monkey wrench and similar
succeeded in convincing the public that the play- tools. All these are continually called for in re-
er is a great educational factor, and that a cours? pair work. Add to this a polishing outfit, and
in musical appreciation can be undertaken no- the total equipment is of considerable size and
where with little trouble and with such complete- weight. There is a demand, therefore, for an
Annoyance and Expense
ness as through the medium of one of these in- outfit specially designed to combine this com-
Saved Dealer and Purchaser
genious devices. Speaking from practical expe- pleteness with portability. When such an outfit
Manufactured and aold only by
rience, I can say that my own player has done is designed, I, for one, want to enter an order for
more to familiarize me with a very large num- immediate delivery.
ber of great pianoforte works than all the re-
citals that I have ever heard, while the personal
ALBERT F. NORRIS
CLIFTON H. NORRIS
Communications for the department should be
sense of musical production, always present with addressed to the Editor Technical Department,
3 Appleton Street, Boston, Mass.
a fine player well played on, can not be ex- The Music Trade Review.
PIANO ACTIONS.
The Standard of America
T
f MORRIS PATENT
* IHOISELESS|EDAL ACTION
Norris Noiseless Pedal lotion Go.