Music Trade Review

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THE
MASTERTOUCH PATENTS GRANTED
The Last of a Series of Patents Issued on
" April 25—Staib-Abendschein Action Now
Fully Protected Against Infringement
The original patents on the Staib Master-
touch piano action were granted to the Staib-
Abendschein Co., One Hundred and Fifty-
fourth street and Brook avenue, New York, on
April 25, 1916. It is interesting to note that
these patents have been before the United
States Commissioner since January 24, 1911. In
the meantime other patents have been granted
on the action, but the seventeen years in which
the Mastertouch will be covered with patents
before a reissue is necessary, will date from
April 25 of this year.
The patent which has just been grante'd com-
pletes a long list of those which were applied
for, all of which have been granted. Therefore,
the Staib Mastertouch is fully covered from
every angle. The number of the patent is
1,180,675, and relates particularly to the ham-
mer actuating and tripping mechanism thereof.
The invention has the following objects: To
provide a piano action which shall be compact,
simple and positive in action and composed of
but few parts easily separable from each other.
To provide a construction permitting the jack
to be sprung outwardly from the main action
rail into such position that the screw holding
the co-acting hammer-butt flange to the rail may,
without the necessity of straining the jack to
one side and thereby injuring its pivot or the
necessity of removing the key or wippen, be
readily engaged by a screw driver. To pro-
vide means whereby the jack tripping mechan-
ism may be located entirely on the inner side
of the jack, thus reducing the space taken up
by the action and providing a larger space for
player-piano devices in front of the action. To
provide tripping means *which shall trip the jack
very quickly and positively and in which a reg-
ulating rail is used, firmly attached to the action
rail and therefore not liable to warp or get
loose, and in this connection to provide the jack
with a tripping finger readily adjustable with
relation to the regulating rail so as to vary the
instant of contact between the tripping finger
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
and the said regulating rail. To provide a
hammer-butt and jack, so constructed with re-
lation to each other that the jack will easily and
readily move tc a working position beneath the
hammer-butt upon a slight release of the keys,
thus permitting a quick repetition of a note.
To provide the hammer-butt and jack with co-
acting projections or teeth whereby the ham-
mer will be drawn back to its full retracted
position after each full actuation thereof, thus
doing away with a bridle tape and supporting
wire for this purpose.
A further object is to provide means for
positively locking the hammer with the jack
upon the rebound thereof from a blow against
the strings, the hammer being stopped and
locked always at the same distance from the
strings no matter how hard or how easy the
blow on the key may be, the said means acting
to positively draw the hammer to locked posi-
tion a distance just sufficient to clear the
strings, and further in this connection, to so
construct the hammer stop, that a very slight
release of the key will permit the jack to shift
to working position beneath the hammer-butt
ready for a repetition.
A still further object is to provide in con-
nection with the hammer stop, means whereby
the stop may be adjusted relative to the jack so
that the top of the jack, after a blow of the
hammer, will be held very close to the leather
of the hammer-butt though not necessarily in
contact therewith, and thus in position for an
immediate repetition of the note.
DEMAND FOR LUMBER
How Exports to South America May Be
Largely Increased—Advertising Necessary
With greater care exercised as to dimensions,
coupled with an advertising and educational
propaganda, the United States is assured of a
steady and increased demand for lumber in
South America. This was the view expressed
recently by R. E- Simmons, a special investi-
gator for the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce. Mr. Simmons, who is regularly at-
tached to the Federal Forestry Service, resigned
temporarily in order to undertake the inquiry
for the bureau.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
FOR
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING AND
REPAIRING. CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
4th Ave. & 13th St.
51
He recently returned from South America,
where he had been since May, 1914. His survey
was very complete and will form the subject
of a comprehensive report to be issued
in Washington by the bureau.
"The United States," said Mr. Simmons, "will
be called upon to supply South America for a
good many years to come with lumber amount-
ing annually to from 750,000,000 to 1,000,000,000
feet board measure for building finish purposes.
In order to build up export trade, it behooves
American lumber manufacturers to correct the
many causes of trade complaint and contro-
versies which have characterized dealings in
South America, particularly along the East
Coast."
GOOD LIGHT IN THE VENEER ROOM
Plenty of Light and Modern Machinery Are
Necessary to Produce the Best Results
Modern machinery and good light are equally
necessary to successful veneer work. Fancy veneers
cannot be matched properly unless the workman
has all the light that he needs. The man who op-
erates the glue spreader also needs good light to
insure the glue being spread evenly and to detect
any spots that may occur. The ideal veneer room
is one that has skylights in it in addition to the
usual windows.
The old-fashioned hand press and glue brush
cannot be employed to do as good work as can the
more modern appliances which have come into
general use during the last ten years. While it is
true that an expert workman can turn out as good
work, if allowed sufficient time, with old-fashioned
tools as he can with modern equipment, he con-
sumes much more time than he otherwise would,
and this extra time means increased cost in the
veneer room. Inexperienced men and old-fashioned
equipment are a combination which will never pro-
duce any degree of success. A good mechanic can
do fairly good work with mediocre tools, but the
best machines will not turn out good work if they
are operated by a poor mechanic.
NO CHECK TO DECLINE IN RUBBER
Gradual Lowering in Price Continues, Due to
Lack of Buying Interest
Prices in the New York market for crude rub-
ber continue to show the gradual decline that
has featured them for several weeks past, and
which is said to be due to lack of buying inter-
est on the part of the larger users of this com-
modity. In spite of the steady easing off there
continues to be no evident sign of selling pres-
sure. On the other hand, dealers are quick to
raise prices when the opportunity for a good
sale is afforded. Practically all of the traders
in the market are wondering when prices will
again reach levels at which big buyers will be
interested, for no hope of an immediate upturn
is extended by the condition of the English
market. Up-river fine was quoted this week
at 71^2 cents, spot, while coarse was priced at
55}4 cents. For spot and near-by delivery pale
crepe was listed at 80 cents and smoked sheets
at a cent less. For May-June delivery about
half a cent lower could be done on both grades.
1
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
Upright—
"iano Cases
Eatabliahmd 1891
LEOMINSTER
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MASS.