Music Trade Review
Issue: 1915 Vol. 61 N. 26 - Page 65
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
65
proper material. Walnut lumber was the hardest
hit of all. It has reached such a point that we will
John W. Looschen, Treasurer Looschen Piano Case Co., Declares They Have No Alternative not quote or agree to furnish walnut lumber on
—Outlines Conditions in the Case Making Industry.
any of our cases. Walnut veneers have reached an
The question as to whether piano manufacturers making departments have been forced to go out almost prohibitive price. Circassian veneers, on
will be compelled to raise the price of pianos is and try to secure trade from their fellow manu- account of the war in the Balkan States, have also
facturers in order to keep their piano case depart- reached a prohibitive price. Anyone who happened
still one of the important topics being discussed in
the trade. Nearly every branch of the supply in- ment busy. This has naturally resulted in keen to have a good stock of figured Circassian veneer
dustry has been compelled to advance prices, and competition, and, I am sorry to say, in many cases can sell it to the high-grade cabinet manufacturers
the piano manufacturer has been faced with a con- goods were sold actually below the cost of produc- at a price far above what the piano men are willing
to pay extra for this particular wood.
dition, especially when making contracts for next tion.
Mahogany Veneers Hard to Buy.
year, which means more cost to him for production
"Of course, now that business is on the boom,
than he has ever experienced. Already one old we all have more trade than we can take care of,
"Last, but not least, comes the question of ma-
established piano manufacturing firm has an- and it is quite natural that we all will fall back to hogany veneers. It is probably not well known to
nounced an advance.
our old schedule of prices. So much for this phase the trade, but nevertheless it is a fact, that most
of the mahogany veneer used comes from Africa,
The Review during the last two weeks has placed of the situation.
then goes to the London market, where the logs are
What the Banks Did.
before the trade facts regarding the increase in the
cost of materials and labor as they have been found
"We now face another important item, and that auctioned off two or three times a year. There
in the various branches of the piano supply in- is a positive shortage of the particular grades of are plenty of logs lying over in the London
dustry.
lumber required for piano cases. During the recent market at the present time, but the question is,
One of the most important branches of this in- hard times the banks throughout the lumber coun- Who wants to and who can pay the price to secure
dustry is that of case manufacturing. The case try tightened up on their loans, with the natural their transportation across the sea? The insurance
manufacturers have been having their troubles as result that over 85 per cent, of the lumber opera- item alone would almost cover the price of what
well as the others, especially owing to the shortage tions were brought practically to a standstill. The the wood formerly sold for after being cut into
of particular grades of lumber required for this uncertain business conditions and the tightness oi veneers. We have, of course, secured a certain
money brought this condition about, and the result amount of mahogany from Mexico. This business
grade of work.
John W. Looschen, treasurer of the Looschen was that when the recent boom struck the furniture was on the increase, but you have only to read the
Piano Case Co., Paterson, N. J., one of the largest and piano trade and other lines of industry the newspapers to realize what the situation is and has
case plants in the world, forcefully outlined the price of lumber was advanced. And not alone have been in Mexico.
we had to meet this advance, but we can only se-
present situation this week to a representative of
"After what I have said above, you will realize
The Review as follows: "From a case maker's cure about 50 per cent, of what we place orders that the case maker's problem to-day is a very hard
point of view," he said, "I think I am well qualified for.
one, and it is quite natural to assume that a sub-
to say a word as to why piano manufacturers will
"The above condition also holds good for the stantial advance will be made on the price of cases.
eventually be compelled to raise the price of their cross-banding veneers used in the construction of Having been a piano manufacturer myself, I also
pianos.
piano cases.
know that the piano manufacturers, through keen
"Next comes the question of walnut, beech and competition and slack trade conditions, have also
"As is well known to the trade, we manufacture
more cases than any other concern in our line of gumwood lumber. As is quite well known, there have had to make their prices close to the danger line,
business. The piano trade has been practically at been orders placed in the United States for over and some of them have overstepped the danger line,
a standstill for two years. This has caused keen 7,000,000 gun stocks. The above woods are used vUi it is natural to assume that with the prices of
for the making of gun stocks, and with such a the various supplies being advanced on them there
competition among the case makers, and it has even
gone so far that some of the large piano manu- large amount of business placed unexpectedly buy- is no other alternative but to raise prices to the
facturing concerns who operate their own case ers went out and paid any price to secure the dialers and the public."
SAYS PIANO MANUFACTURERS MUST RAISE PRICES.
THE COMSTOCK. CHENEY * CO,
IVORYTON, CONN.
MANUFACTURERS
V
P i a n o - f o p t c Ivory K e y s , A c t i o n s a n d H a m m e r s ,
Ivory a n d C o m p o s i t i o n C o v e r e d O r g a n K e y s
HEINRV HAAS
OFFMAN BROS. CO.
FORT WAYNE, IND.
(Est. 1867)
(Inc. 1904)
Specialties, Hardwood, Veneers, and
Lumber for Musical Instruments.
PLAYER PARTS REPAIR MATERIAL
Combination 65 S.88note Tracker-bar
with Shifting iUvic*
„
VENEERS
Y T •T*
GRUBB & KOSEGARTEN BROS.
Mannfaterarrr* of HIGH GRADF
Connection
Manufacturers of Player and Piano Hardware
and Metal Specialties
1M7-1911 PABK AVENUE
THE STANDARD CO,
NEW TOBK
TO11IIGTOI,
COII.
Haanfactarars ef a
Complete Line of Piano Aotlon Hardware
Brass Flanges, Damper Hods, Special Capataa
•racket aad Ball Bohs, Key Has,
Brackets aad Specialties.
Piano Manufacturers
^
•oft yellow poplar for cross bamd-
laff Is unapproached in this country.
A large supply always on hand.
The Central Veneer Co., Huntington, W. Va.
WHITE. SON COMPANY
Manufacturers
PIANO-FORTE ACTIONS ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO
LEATHERS
N A S S A U , Rensselaer County. N . Y.
Established 1853
530-540 Atlantic Aranui, Boston, Towers
Mass. Above
All Others
SYLVESTER TOWER CO.
^ Grand and Upright Piano-forte Actions ££?
Keys, Actions, Hammers. Brackets and Nickel Rail Furnished Complete
111 to 147 Broadway
.
.
.
.
CAMBBIDGEPOKT, MASS.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
MANUFACTURERS OF
The Homer D. Bronson Go.
Manufacture and Sail Direct
PIANO HINGKS — DISK HANGERS-
F R O N T FRAMB CATCHES-KNire
HINGES-BUTTS aad SPECIALTIES
Write for Quotation*
THE HOMER D. BRONSON GO.
BEACON FALLS, CONN.
PIANO
ACTIONS
HIGHEST
ONE GRADE ONLY
GRADE
OFFICE
457 WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
FACTORIES—WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
Tenth Avenue and West Forty-Sixth St.
NEW YORK
A. C. CHENEY PIANO ACTION CO.
J PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS
Manufacturers of 1 HIGH GRADE PIANOFORTE ACTIONS
CASTLETON. HEW YORK
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
65
proper material. Walnut lumber was the hardest
hit of all. It has reached such a point that we will
John W. Looschen, Treasurer Looschen Piano Case Co., Declares They Have No Alternative not quote or agree to furnish walnut lumber on
—Outlines Conditions in the Case Making Industry.
any of our cases. Walnut veneers have reached an
The question as to whether piano manufacturers making departments have been forced to go out almost prohibitive price. Circassian veneers, on
will be compelled to raise the price of pianos is and try to secure trade from their fellow manu- account of the war in the Balkan States, have also
facturers in order to keep their piano case depart- reached a prohibitive price. Anyone who happened
still one of the important topics being discussed in
the trade. Nearly every branch of the supply in- ment busy. This has naturally resulted in keen to have a good stock of figured Circassian veneer
dustry has been compelled to advance prices, and competition, and, I am sorry to say, in many cases can sell it to the high-grade cabinet manufacturers
the piano manufacturer has been faced with a con- goods were sold actually below the cost of produc- at a price far above what the piano men are willing
to pay extra for this particular wood.
dition, especially when making contracts for next tion.
Mahogany Veneers Hard to Buy.
year, which means more cost to him for production
"Of course, now that business is on the boom,
than he has ever experienced. Already one old we all have more trade than we can take care of,
"Last, but not least, comes the question of ma-
established piano manufacturing firm has an- and it is quite natural that we all will fall back to hogany veneers. It is probably not well known to
nounced an advance.
our old schedule of prices. So much for this phase the trade, but nevertheless it is a fact, that most
of the mahogany veneer used comes from Africa,
The Review during the last two weeks has placed of the situation.
then goes to the London market, where the logs are
What the Banks Did.
before the trade facts regarding the increase in the
cost of materials and labor as they have been found
"We now face another important item, and that auctioned off two or three times a year. There
in the various branches of the piano supply in- is a positive shortage of the particular grades of are plenty of logs lying over in the London
dustry.
lumber required for piano cases. During the recent market at the present time, but the question is,
One of the most important branches of this in- hard times the banks throughout the lumber coun- Who wants to and who can pay the price to secure
dustry is that of case manufacturing. The case try tightened up on their loans, with the natural their transportation across the sea? The insurance
manufacturers have been having their troubles as result that over 85 per cent, of the lumber opera- item alone would almost cover the price of what
well as the others, especially owing to the shortage tions were brought practically to a standstill. The the wood formerly sold for after being cut into
of particular grades of lumber required for this uncertain business conditions and the tightness oi veneers. We have, of course, secured a certain
money brought this condition about, and the result amount of mahogany from Mexico. This business
grade of work.
John W. Looschen, treasurer of the Looschen was that when the recent boom struck the furniture was on the increase, but you have only to read the
Piano Case Co., Paterson, N. J., one of the largest and piano trade and other lines of industry the newspapers to realize what the situation is and has
case plants in the world, forcefully outlined the price of lumber was advanced. And not alone have been in Mexico.
we had to meet this advance, but we can only se-
present situation this week to a representative of
"After what I have said above, you will realize
The Review as follows: "From a case maker's cure about 50 per cent, of what we place orders that the case maker's problem to-day is a very hard
point of view," he said, "I think I am well qualified for.
one, and it is quite natural to assume that a sub-
to say a word as to why piano manufacturers will
"The above condition also holds good for the stantial advance will be made on the price of cases.
eventually be compelled to raise the price of their cross-banding veneers used in the construction of Having been a piano manufacturer myself, I also
pianos.
piano cases.
know that the piano manufacturers, through keen
"Next comes the question of walnut, beech and competition and slack trade conditions, have also
"As is well known to the trade, we manufacture
more cases than any other concern in our line of gumwood lumber. As is quite well known, there have had to make their prices close to the danger line,
business. The piano trade has been practically at been orders placed in the United States for over and some of them have overstepped the danger line,
a standstill for two years. This has caused keen 7,000,000 gun stocks. The above woods are used vUi it is natural to assume that with the prices of
for the making of gun stocks, and with such a the various supplies being advanced on them there
competition among the case makers, and it has even
gone so far that some of the large piano manu- large amount of business placed unexpectedly buy- is no other alternative but to raise prices to the
facturing concerns who operate their own case ers went out and paid any price to secure the dialers and the public."
SAYS PIANO MANUFACTURERS MUST RAISE PRICES.
THE COMSTOCK. CHENEY * CO,
IVORYTON, CONN.
MANUFACTURERS
V
P i a n o - f o p t c Ivory K e y s , A c t i o n s a n d H a m m e r s ,
Ivory a n d C o m p o s i t i o n C o v e r e d O r g a n K e y s
HEINRV HAAS
OFFMAN BROS. CO.
FORT WAYNE, IND.
(Est. 1867)
(Inc. 1904)
Specialties, Hardwood, Veneers, and
Lumber for Musical Instruments.
PLAYER PARTS REPAIR MATERIAL
Combination 65 S.88note Tracker-bar
with Shifting iUvic*
„
VENEERS
Y T •T*
GRUBB & KOSEGARTEN BROS.
Mannfaterarrr* of HIGH GRADF
Connection
Manufacturers of Player and Piano Hardware
and Metal Specialties
1M7-1911 PABK AVENUE
THE STANDARD CO,
NEW TOBK
TO11IIGTOI,
COII.
Haanfactarars ef a
Complete Line of Piano Aotlon Hardware
Brass Flanges, Damper Hods, Special Capataa
•racket aad Ball Bohs, Key Has,
Brackets aad Specialties.
Piano Manufacturers
^
•oft yellow poplar for cross bamd-
laff Is unapproached in this country.
A large supply always on hand.
The Central Veneer Co., Huntington, W. Va.
WHITE. SON COMPANY
Manufacturers
PIANO-FORTE ACTIONS ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO
LEATHERS
N A S S A U , Rensselaer County. N . Y.
Established 1853
530-540 Atlantic Aranui, Boston, Towers
Mass. Above
All Others
SYLVESTER TOWER CO.
^ Grand and Upright Piano-forte Actions ££?
Keys, Actions, Hammers. Brackets and Nickel Rail Furnished Complete
111 to 147 Broadway
.
.
.
.
CAMBBIDGEPOKT, MASS.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
MANUFACTURERS OF
The Homer D. Bronson Go.
Manufacture and Sail Direct
PIANO HINGKS — DISK HANGERS-
F R O N T FRAMB CATCHES-KNire
HINGES-BUTTS aad SPECIALTIES
Write for Quotation*
THE HOMER D. BRONSON GO.
BEACON FALLS, CONN.
PIANO
ACTIONS
HIGHEST
ONE GRADE ONLY
GRADE
OFFICE
457 WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
FACTORIES—WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
Tenth Avenue and West Forty-Sixth St.
NEW YORK
A. C. CHENEY PIANO ACTION CO.
J PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS
Manufacturers of 1 HIGH GRADE PIANOFORTE ACTIONS
CASTLETON. HEW YORK
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