Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
German Business Sagacity.
The German manufacturer places a wire gauze
German Pianos Are the Largest in Number, but There Is Splendid Opportunity for American on the back of his piano and in so doing pleases
Manufacturers to Get the Majority of Trade If They Set About It—Freight Charges and his Australian customer. The manufacturers
Customs Duties from Both Countries Are the Same—The Principal Demand Is for Low of the United States fail to do this simply be-
Grade Instruments—Leading Piano Men of Melbourne Offer Valuable Suggestions to Ameri- cause from their viewpoint it is unnecessary,
and probably it is, but the fact remains that it
can Manufacturers Which Should be Carefully Studied if Results Are Desired.
is in utilizing these seemingly unimportant and
(Special to The Review.)
with the Australian ideas of a properly made certainly inexpensive fittings the Germans have
Washington. D . ^ . , Jan. 22. 1907.
article that American manufacturers should popularized their instruments. The tone of the
Special Agent Harry R. Burrill, writing from adopt the recommendations of their representa- piano required is, according to the importers of
Melbourne to the Department of Commerce and tives here. When changes in style or make are this State, different from that so deservedly
Labor, describes the styles and prices of pianos suggested it is surely unimportant whether they popular in the United States, but it would be
preferred by the people of Australia, and sup- may, through American eyes, be regarded as an useless to enter into a technical discussion in
plies information that will be valuable to man- improvement or distinctly the reverse, for if this report when it is so easy for our home
ufacturers of those instruments engaged in the the Australian customers demand them it is un- manufacturers to obtain all these details from
export trade. He writes:
questionably sound business judgment to give their representatives here. The cheapest of Ger-
"The importation of pianos into Australia is them what they require. It is certain that the man pianos of any importance on the market
steadily increasing, while their manufacture Australians will not buy what we believe they sell at retail for approximately $175, while the
here has developed into a profitable industry in should buy simply because the article gives sat- most popular German makes average from $225
which there has been apparently a greater pro- isfaction in the United States, or because it may to $250. This may be termed the intermediate
portionate expansion than in the sale of the for- possibly be of superior quality; and it is equally grade, which is now practically controlled by
eign-made instrument. While the population of certain that they will buy just what they want, Germany, and it is the price at which an Amer-
the commonwealth is yet too small to warrant made up in just the way that they require, ir- ican piano should be introduced in order to suc-
cessfully compete. It must not be inferred from
any great demand for what may be classified respective of where it may be manufactured.
as a luxury, it is still of sufficient size to justify
The leading houses of Melbourne handle these prices that there is only an occasional de-
more careful attention on the part of American American pianos. As to the worth of these in- mand for more costly instruments. Pianos
manufacturers. The manufacturers of Ger- struments there is but one opinion. The judg- ranging from $375 to $500, are constantly in-
many, recognizing this, have made and expori
ment of expert piano men and the Australian quired for, and in the higher priced instruments
ed to this country pianos of medium quality customer is not usually in accord, and the re- the manufacturers of the United States control
and price, which, it would seem from their dom- sult is that instruments possibly inferior in the market.
Organs and pianolas manufactured in the
ination of the market, meet the requirements quality command the market. In view of this
of the trade. Importers and dealers here as- it is suggested that American manufacturers so United States are so absolutely in control of
sert that the manufacturers of the United alter the make of their instruments as to con- the market that it is unnecessary to enter into
States have attempted to make and send out form to the requirements of the Australian trade detail.
American Pianos Are Appreciated, But—
to Australia a piano that could compete with without, however, sacrificing in the least
the German instrument, but have failed signally strength in construction. According to the im- with pianos in the Australian market it is
as to quality. The price of the piano was sat- porters, these alterations would have to be more largely a question of merit and price, with the
isfactory, but the workmanship and material superficial than substantial, and would not in necessity for catering to the requirements of the
purchasing public.
This commonwealth is es-
were so inferior as to injure rather than benefit any degree depreciate the value of the piano.
sentially a music-loving nation, and propor-
the trade. All experiments of American manu-
Suggestions to Manufacturers.
facturers, which have been made with a view
A few practical suggestions made by the lead- tionately to its population there is probably no
to placing on the market a piano tha? would ing piano men of Melbourne may be of interest country on earth better provided with the means
compare favorably with the popular German to manufacturers of the United States. In the to gratify it. It must be remembered, however,
instrument in price and quality, according to first place, French polish is preferred to varnish, that this musical instinct is quite as prevalent
the dealers here, have only resulted in discredit- for the reason that the varnish used on Amer- in the sparsely settled sections of the country
ing pianos bearing an American name.
ican pianos is frequently injured in transit, and as in the cities, and it is there that the lower-
it is difficult to repair it here. Local workmen priced instrument of fairly good quality appeals.
Demand for Low Grade Instruments.
The "merit of the American pianos is univer-
cannot patch it up so the defect will not be
In high-grade pianos the factories of the noticeable. The French polish, which is used sally appreciated in Australia, but their in-
United States turn out an article so superior on pianos of German and English make, is trinsic value alone will not carry them to suc-
that it has practically no rival in the Australian known here, and repairs are easily made. This cess in a market that demands a finish and
markets. English and German competitors is regarded as an important point by the im- cabinet work quite different from that required
have been as a rule unsuccessful in manufac- porters of this State, and one which should be at home. In the interests of the piano trade
turing for Australia an instrument that would placed squarely before the manufacturers of the these minor details should be known to every
meet the requirements of this trade. It must United States.
American manufacturer exporting musical in-
be admitted, however, that the business trans-
The German manufacturers use what is struments to this commonwealth, so that the
acted in the higher-priced pianos is unimport-
known as the Italian walnut for their cases, and necessary alterations may be made at once.
ant in comparison with that of the lower grade.
it is immensely popular here. While it is gen- The opinion is universal among the importers
It is suggested that if the American manufac-
erally understood that this material cannot be of Melbourne that the possibilities of the trade
turers could make a good piano, in all that that
obtained in the United States, it is believed that amply justify the changes suggested.
term implies, and lay it down at Australian
wood which would carry a brighter and more
ports at a price which would permit of its com-
attractive finish should be used in the construc-
THE NEW LIEN LAW.
petition with its only trade rival, a business of
tion of American pianos. Ebonized wood is
steadily increasing proportions could certainly
practically unsalable and mahogany is not popu- Bill Referred to General Laws Committee and
be built up. This, of course, presupposes ma-
lar. There can be no doubt, however, that if
It Is Hoped Will be Reported Favorably.
terial and workmanship fully as good as or
the American manufacturers will defer to the
superior to that of the German makes, and it is
judgment of their representatives in Australia
The new lien law introduced into the Assembly
quite as essential that the standard be main-
an inexpensive wood can be found at home at Albany, N. Y., recently, and which is favored
tained at all times if such goods are introduced.
which will appeal to the taste of this market.
by a variety of interests, including the piano
The impression prevails here among the im-
Good cabinetwork is essential. The trade de- manufacturers and dealers of New York, has
porters and dealers that it would be difficult
mands close joints, and it is advisable to use been referred to the General Laws Committee,
for American factories to compete in the man-
what may be called a continuous hinge across and it is believed will be reported favorably. If
ufacture of these medium-priced instruments be-
the top of the piano. Manufacturers of the the committee acts favorably the bill will be in-
cause of the cheap labor in Germany. This,
United States make use of small, nickel hinges, troduced into the Senate by Senator Stanley at
however, is a question which can only be set-
but the Australians prefer the other style, and an early date.
tled by practical demonstration of the possibil-
as the cost is no greater, why not give it to
ities of an American factory. The freight rates
them? In this connection it may be said that
HAVE SOLD 1,000 CHURCH ORGANS.
from Germany and from the United States are
the market of Victoria, and presumably that of
practically the same, and there is no difference
the entire commonwealth, requires brass instead
The A. B. Felgemaker Organ Co., who, during
whatever in the customs duty, landing charges,
of nickel fittings. Brass candlesticks, one on their half century of business life, have placed
wharf dues, and other expenses incidental to
either side of the player, are to be found on 95 nearly one thousand church organs in cities and
their importation.
per cent, of the pianos in Australia. These towns throughout the country from coast to
Style and Finish Preferred.
candlesticks are never sent out by the American coast, experienced the most prosperous year in
With pianos, as with all other commodities manufacturers, but they are of course always their history during 1906.
imported into Australia, it is imperative that supplied by the Australian dealers when re-
This company, whose plant is at Erie, Pa.,
the foreign manufacturers should cater to the quired by their customers. The cost is unim- cater solely to the domestic trade, and there Is
whims and the prejudices (if they may be so- portant and the German manufacturer, neglect- hardly a city of any size in the country which
called) of the market. What may be popular ing no detail however trifling, exports them with has not at least one Felgemaker organ, and they
at home is frequently so entirely at variance the piano.
have given satisfaction in every instance.
INCREASING IMPORTATION OF PIANOS INTO AUSTRALIA.