Music Trade Review
Issue: 1921 Vol. 72 N. 13 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MARCH 26,
THE
1921
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The Installing of Player Actions in Uprights and Grands Is Again Being Done
by Several Prominent Manufacturers and a Wide Field of Operation Is Now
Ready for Exploitation Along This Line—Pros and Cons on the Subject
The recent announcement by a great manu-
facturing house that it has resumed the installa-
tion of player actions in upright and grand 1
pianos not originally intended for such pur-
poses, coupled with the fact that at least three
other houses are doing more or less of the
same work, leads one to ask what are the pros-
pects for this kind of business during the year
1921. tt is obvious that those who are going
in for this sort of business have persuaded
themselves that the present is an appropriate
time for their activities. What about it?
Not a Substitute
Now, in the first place, let it be plainly
said that there is no possibility of the installable
or attachable player action, whatever it may be
called, competing on equal terms with the regu-
lar player-piano. No matter how ingeniously
that action be devised there is always some-
thing about the piano into which it goes which
subtly modifies the efficiency of the pneumatic
work. But apart from this fact, and from the
many other reasons which will at once occur
to anybody who has ever practically worked in
the piano business, there is very much that is
interesting and important at the present day
about the installable player and its relation to
the piano industry.
Where the sale of regular players is slow the
principal reason at the present day must be
found in the question of price. If men and
women find themselves facing reduced incomes,
or are in fear that they may have to face such
conditions shortlj', they may hesitate to enter
upon a new player deal. In such cases the
dealer has a very effective comeback, now that
the attachable player is,once more readily avail-
able. He can say in effect:
"You tell me that you cannot afford to pay
$100 down and $25 a month just now. Well,
suppose you let ine sell you this fine upright
piano of the same make, paying $50 down and
$15 a month. You will have it all paid for in
two years and meanwhile you will have for your
children's benefit the use of a really fine, worthy
instrument, instead of a cheap or wornout one.
At the end of this time everything will be in
better shape for you and you can then turn the
still fine and perfect piano over to us for the
installation of one of these installable player
actions. This can be done without the slight-
est damage to the instrument. Thus you will
get the benefit of the new piano and can look
forward to the day when it will become a
player."
That is one argument which will at once occur
to the dealer who cares to take an interest in
installable player actions.
Every dealer knows, and has often cause to
regret, the feeling of sentimental interest which
leads the owner of a good piano to put an
oaggerated valuation upon it and to imagine
that its tone, during years of use, has remained
superior to that of any other instrument in
town. During ordinary times no one need
have a good word to say for such mistaken
ideas, but at the present time, or, in fact, when-
ever the trade is looking out somewhat anx-
iously for new ways of getting business, it can
actually be turned to good account.
The Case of the Grand
For, especially where grand pianos are con-
cerned, the sentiment against exchanging good
family treasures of tone and touch for any piano,
player or non-player, is very strong with those,
and they are many, who are disposed to sen-
timentality in this direction. Yet there are
very many who would consider a player if they
could also keep the fine grand which has stood
for so long in the living-room and whose tones
sound so sweet. Here the installable player
action comes in most .happily. Given an ac-
tion which can be rightly installed in a grand
piano without spoiling the appearance of the
case there will be many prospects for installa-
tion among those who can pay the price, but are
not willing to make an exchange.
All of which leads us to the serious consid-
eration of a practical question. Is there a
thoroughly satisfactory way of handling this
installation into uprights and grands? It is ob-
vious that, from the point of view of perfected
workmanship and result, the right place for
installations is a factory devoted to just such
work. In fact, the factory where the actions
(Continued on page 8)
There's a little book
about a little town where s o m e t h i n g of
mighty big importance to every dealer in
player-pianos is being done. You will be
glad you wrote for that book—it's free.
HENRY
G. JOHNSON
PIANO
CO.
BELLEVUE
IOWA
MARCH 26,
THE
1921
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The Installing of Player Actions in Uprights and Grands Is Again Being Done
by Several Prominent Manufacturers and a Wide Field of Operation Is Now
Ready for Exploitation Along This Line—Pros and Cons on the Subject
The recent announcement by a great manu-
facturing house that it has resumed the installa-
tion of player actions in upright and grand 1
pianos not originally intended for such pur-
poses, coupled with the fact that at least three
other houses are doing more or less of the
same work, leads one to ask what are the pros-
pects for this kind of business during the year
1921. tt is obvious that those who are going
in for this sort of business have persuaded
themselves that the present is an appropriate
time for their activities. What about it?
Not a Substitute
Now, in the first place, let it be plainly
said that there is no possibility of the installable
or attachable player action, whatever it may be
called, competing on equal terms with the regu-
lar player-piano. No matter how ingeniously
that action be devised there is always some-
thing about the piano into which it goes which
subtly modifies the efficiency of the pneumatic
work. But apart from this fact, and from the
many other reasons which will at once occur
to anybody who has ever practically worked in
the piano business, there is very much that is
interesting and important at the present day
about the installable player and its relation to
the piano industry.
Where the sale of regular players is slow the
principal reason at the present day must be
found in the question of price. If men and
women find themselves facing reduced incomes,
or are in fear that they may have to face such
conditions shortlj', they may hesitate to enter
upon a new player deal. In such cases the
dealer has a very effective comeback, now that
the attachable player is,once more readily avail-
able. He can say in effect:
"You tell me that you cannot afford to pay
$100 down and $25 a month just now. Well,
suppose you let ine sell you this fine upright
piano of the same make, paying $50 down and
$15 a month. You will have it all paid for in
two years and meanwhile you will have for your
children's benefit the use of a really fine, worthy
instrument, instead of a cheap or wornout one.
At the end of this time everything will be in
better shape for you and you can then turn the
still fine and perfect piano over to us for the
installation of one of these installable player
actions. This can be done without the slight-
est damage to the instrument. Thus you will
get the benefit of the new piano and can look
forward to the day when it will become a
player."
That is one argument which will at once occur
to the dealer who cares to take an interest in
installable player actions.
Every dealer knows, and has often cause to
regret, the feeling of sentimental interest which
leads the owner of a good piano to put an
oaggerated valuation upon it and to imagine
that its tone, during years of use, has remained
superior to that of any other instrument in
town. During ordinary times no one need
have a good word to say for such mistaken
ideas, but at the present time, or, in fact, when-
ever the trade is looking out somewhat anx-
iously for new ways of getting business, it can
actually be turned to good account.
The Case of the Grand
For, especially where grand pianos are con-
cerned, the sentiment against exchanging good
family treasures of tone and touch for any piano,
player or non-player, is very strong with those,
and they are many, who are disposed to sen-
timentality in this direction. Yet there are
very many who would consider a player if they
could also keep the fine grand which has stood
for so long in the living-room and whose tones
sound so sweet. Here the installable player
action comes in most .happily. Given an ac-
tion which can be rightly installed in a grand
piano without spoiling the appearance of the
case there will be many prospects for installa-
tion among those who can pay the price, but are
not willing to make an exchange.
All of which leads us to the serious consid-
eration of a practical question. Is there a
thoroughly satisfactory way of handling this
installation into uprights and grands? It is ob-
vious that, from the point of view of perfected
workmanship and result, the right place for
installations is a factory devoted to just such
work. In fact, the factory where the actions
(Continued on page 8)
There's a little book
about a little town where s o m e t h i n g of
mighty big importance to every dealer in
player-pianos is being done. You will be
glad you wrote for that book—it's free.
HENRY
G. JOHNSON
PIANO
CO.
BELLEVUE
IOWA
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