Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
has taught, but without any idea of comparison,
I beg to assert that, until convinced to the con-
trary, I am of the opinion that the Circle of
Fourths and Fifths is supported by the weight
of expert opinion, is the best and the most
scientific.
Brethren J. C. Miller, Geo. L. Maitland, C. C.
Polk, and E. M. Payson are especially invited
to contribute. Likewise any others who feel
the spirit move them.
VENEERS
Mr. G. Watson of Philadelphia inquires as
follows: "In case the veneer has become loose
on a piano, what is the best method of regluing
it so as to make a first-class job?"
If the veneer has peeled off on the side of a
case, so that it hangs loose in strips, the first
question to be considered is whether the entire
side can be stripped and relaid all over again.
If the piano has been watersoaked, for instance,
the veneer might be so loose that it could be
stripped from the entire side by the use of a
chisel and a little patience. If so, the bared
surface of the side should then be rubbed down
smooth with sandpaper and the old glue rubbed
off as far as possible. Then the old strip of
veneer should be laid face downwards on a
bench or long table and be subjected to pressure
from a warmed board laid on top of it. When
it is thoroughly warm it may be taken up and
laid on the side, which has been well painted
with thin hot glue. The gluing is to be fur-
nished by compressing with clamps, but to en-
sure that the veneer shall not slide under the
pressure, it is better to fasten down the edges
with tacks before clamping. These may be
taken out afterwards.
When the loose part is merely a comparatively
small edge or strip at the top or bottom of a
side or panel, lift up the loosened part and
smooth away old glue from its underside and
from the surface to which it is to be reattached.
If the loosened part can be cleanly cut away,
do this at the point where that portion stops,
and proceed as indicated in the paragraph above.
If not, after the old glue is smoothed away, put
fresh thin hot glue between the surfaces, but
see that same is very thinly coated near the fast
edge, as otherwise you may get a blister where
the old gluing begins. To avoid all chance of
this, press the glue out from the inner end of
the veneer outwards; and take special care to
see that it is well worked out.
The regular hand-screw clamps should be
used wherever possible, with warmed wooden
boards between them and the veneer. Paper
between the veneer and the board is useful as
a precaution.
Where the ordinary hand-screw cannot be
fastened, the long side-gluer's clamp, extending
from one side of the piano to the other, may
be used. Failing either of these, some cabinet
maker must be prevailed on to lend some long
jawed clamps, such as are used for tables and
similar work.
Of course, the above refers to veneer work on
the sides of pianos, which are the worst of all
places for inconvenience. Where the repair is
JANSSEN
The Most
Talked About
Piano
in the Trade
BEN H. JANSSEN
Manufacturer
82 Brown Place
New York
15
PERMANENCE
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4}7 Fifth Av to be made on panels or easily accessible edges,
there is no difficulty about c l a m p s ; but it is
advisable to r e m e m b e r t h a t w o o d e n b o a r d s
must be placed between veneer and clamp, in
order to avoid excessive pressure on one spot,
which will produce uneven gluing.
Lastly, it s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n s t h a t w h a t is
called a "blister" shows on a veneered surface.
This is due to a failure in the spread of the
glue, owing to air between the t w o surfaces. I n
course of time, this particular part loosens up,
causing the veneer t o rise in a round spot, just
like a blister. This, of course, is an error in
manufacture. I n order to cure such a trouble,
the affected p a r t should be neatly slit down the
middle with a s h a r p knife, so t h a t t h e edge of
the knife m a y then be w o r k e d in u n d e r b o t h
edges of the slit. T h e n when the blister h a s
thus been well raised up, without splitting the
veneer a n y w h e r e , hot glue should be w o r k e d in
with a knife blade and the whole then clamped
down.
SOME GOOD BALDWIN PUBLICITY
The Baldwin Piano Co., Cincinnati, O., has
just sent out a four-page folder entitled "Far-
mer vs. Merchant." This folder shows by in-
teresting statistics the relative value of farm
products and manufactured products. This in-
formation is presented in the shape of a dis-
cussion between a farmer and a local retail
dealer, and this timely topic is discussed in a
way that cannot but impress all who read it.
AWARDED
Supreme Award
of Merit
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s for this d e p a r t m e n t should
be addressed to William Braid W h i t e , care of
Music T r a d e Review, 373 F o u r t h avenue, N e w
Y o r k City.
JAMES & HOLMSTROM ARE BOOSTERS
Send Optimistic Letter to Trade—Quote Sta-
tistics Which Show that Piano Business Will
Without Doubt be Good in Wartime
Another piano house to join the "Boosters for
Better Business" is James & Holmstrom, Inc.,
whose executive offices and warerooms are at
23 East Fourteenth street, New York. Believ-
ing that there is a great volume of business in
store for the piano industry and also that every
piaW manufacturer should do his part in stimu-
lating the greatest amount of optimism through-
out the trade, this enterprising house has sent
out the following letter this week:
"Big business will prevail in the piano indus-
try during the war. An investigation shows
that in the United Kingdom and Canada the
piano and jewelry trades have increasd over 100
per cent, since the war started. Employment
at good wages is general. In our own country
there will be an ever increasing demand for
pianos and player-pianos. Collections will be
better.
"There is no reason why any piano dealer
should be pessimistic. The future of the busi-
ness is not in jeopardy. Experience is a safe
teacher and the experience of other countries
shows what we in this country can expect.
"A wise dealer will 'do his bit' by putting his
creed into his deed and making a persistent
'drive' for sales. In introducing music to the
home and serving others you will serve your
country well and you will reap a sure reward
yourself.
" ' A Piano in Every Home' is a very good
slogan at this time.
"We appreciate your efforts in our mutual
behalf in the past and are with you for bigger
and better business now."
American Steel &
Wire Company
Maker of
Perfected
and Crown
Piano Wire
Highest Standard of
Acoustic Excellence
Chicago, New York, Worcester, Cleveland, Pitts-
burgh, Denver. Export representative: U. S. Ste«l
Products Co., New York. Pacific Coast representa-
tive: U. S. Steel Products Co., San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Portland, Seattle.