Music Trade Review
Issue: 1925 Vol. 80 N. 23 - Page 13
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
JUNE 6, 1925
13
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Conducted By William Braid White
The "Traveling Independent Tuner" and
Still More About the Loose Tuning Pin
Glenn E. Mast, of California, Defines Exactly What He Means by This Type, Which He States
Still Infests the Tuning Profession—Some Other Causes for the Existence of the
Loose Tuning Pin Evil—The Manufacturers' Responsibility
OME few weeks ago, in the course of some
observations on the loose tuning pin ques-
tion, Glenn E. Mast, of Chico, Cal., re-
ferred to "traveling independent tuners" in a
somewhat uncomplimentary manner. In com-
menting on this I took the position that the
reference was to the whole company of inde-
pendent tuners and, so thinking, was a bit se-
vere on Mr. Mast. It now appears that my se-
verity was rather uncalled for, as will appear
from the following letter of explanation:
"It is a little late in the day for me to refer to
your comment on my letter of about four weeks
ago that was the start of the loose tuning pin
conversation, but perhaps it may still be of some
interest. I mean that portion of your comment
that refers to 'A Big Mistake,' which I made in
seeming to discriminate between the employed
and the independent tuner.
"Perhaps I did not make my point sufficiently
clear, or it may be that you did not notice that I
said: 'The traveling independent tuner,' which
is referring to an entirely different class of
workmen than the independent tuner who really
is a tuner, and is able and willing to do his work
as it should be done, and who takes pride in
doing so.
"By 'traveling tuners' I mean the man who
generally travels mostly in the same direction
and travels from door to door soliciting work
and leaving it half done or botched up when he
does get a job.
"Possibly you do not have this species in your
part of the country. There are not so many of
these imitation tuners as there used to be, but
there are still too many for the safety of the
pianos in the territory that they happen to in-
fest.
"This condition of affairs has created a dis-
tinction, in the public mind at least, between the
independent tuner and one who comes recom-
mended by a reliable music store. What I mean
to say is that if Mrs. Jones wants her piano
S
John Lippe
Piano Key Repairing
K«yi Called for and Delivered in Metropolitan District
GRAINED IVORINE, Per Set Keys
$8.50
CELLULOID. Per Set Key.
8.00
COMPOSITION:
Pure White, Per Set Key.
10.00
Ivory White.
14.00
tuned and doesn't happen to have a regular
tuner who takes care of it for her, the chances
are she goes to the phone and calls up some
piano store, or else drops in when she is down
town and asks it to send out a tuner.
"It may be the man she is getting doesn't
know very much about tuning or any of the
other work connected with it and maybe he is
just managing to 'get by' by reason of the fact
that he can smooth up the unisons, making
them sound a little better and that he does the
store work for nothing for the sake of the pay
jobs that drift in. Does all this make any dif-
ference? It does not! The fact that the dealer
says 'this is our tuner' creates perfect confidence
in the lady's mind and the embryo tuner goes
out and 'tinks' around over the piano for a few
minutes, collects the money and the incident is
closed so far as he is concerned. Dirt, moth-
eaten felt alive with worms, rusty or loose
tuning pins—all or any of these mean nothing in
his young life. On the other hand, if this lady
had called up a reliable independent tuner who
had an individual reputation to maintain, he
would probably work at least two or three
hours and the piano would have been in a cred-
itable condition when he got through. Further-
more, when she discovers that she didn't get a
good job in the first instance, and she makes a
kick at the piano store, she will probably find
that that tuner isn't there any more and we
don't know where he is.
"I happen to be an independent tuner myself,
and do not think I made very much of a mis-
take when I referred to the traveling independ-
ent tuner as I did. He is usually a very dif-
ferent proposition from the established work-
man, who is conducting a business that is just
as reliable as any piano house's, because he un-
derstands his work and does not leave a job
until the customer is perfectly satisfied. He is
ready to guarantee his work and go back to
make it right if he has overlooked anything
(and who hasn't at some time or other?).
"Regarding the original bone of contention—
viz., loose tuning pins—I notice that most of us
seem to be devoting our efforts to finding remedies
for them and not to discovering the cause. Of
course a remedy is very essential to take care
of those pianos with this defect in them that
are now in the homes, but it is also very im-
portant that we discover the cause so that it will
not be necessary to do so much bushing, driv-
ine in. etc.
All Work and Deliverie* by Parcel* Po*t in
Two Week* Guaranteed
844 River Road
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Edge water, N. J.
Telephone Cliff.ide 879-M
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Send for This Valuable
Free Book
One of the surest ways to Increase
your profits Is to repair mars and
scratches Immediately. If your prospec-
tive customer sees a defect In the finish
your chance of making a »ale is greatly
diminished.
"How to Repair Damage to Var-
nished Surfaces" tells how you can In-
stantly repair any Injury to the finish
of musical instruments or fine furniture.
It will Interest any dealer, tuner or
repair man.
WRITE FOR FREE COPY TODAY
If you are too busy to writ* a letter, pin
thli ad to your card or letterhead and mall
It to us. We'll know what you want.
The M. L. Campbell Company
232S Penn
Kantat City, Mo.
P i a » Tuiag, Pipe aid Rf* Orgam
and Fl«y«r Piaao. Tear Book Fro*.
27-29 Gainaboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Established 1901
POLK TUNING SCHOOL
Pioneer ackool of piaao. player-piano and Keproducinf
Piano tuninf and reaafrinff in tke United State*.
Complete Cenraca Taught in Sercn to Ten Week*
Write W toraaf ami Htermtwr*
POLK BUILDING
VALPARAISO. IHD.
"In my previous letter I ventured the opin-
ion that the pin block was often not properly
seasoned, and I still hold to that belief. I do
not think that a poor grade of maple has very
much to do with it and the reason for my belief
is that I have noticed that practically all the
pianos that I have come in contact with that
are affected with loose tuning pins, where the
looseness was not due to local causes, are from
one of three factories. This would seem to be
proof that the trouble is not due to any general
deterioration of the quality of the wood obtain-
able for use in making pin blocks, and that the
difficulty is not as widespread as it would seem
at first glance.
"The emery cloth has proved very successful
in my experience with loose tuning pins, used
with the emery next to the wood. I find that
it generally makes a firm job and lasts a long
time. I think that pin setting and driving in
would not be such a distasteful task if a regular
pin setter were used, as this little tool keeps
the pin from turning out of the wood when try-
ing to drive it in and the consequent flatting of
the string which usually takes two or three ad-
justments to correct.
"Hoping that the discussion on loose tuning
pins has not died out yet and that it will keep
alive until a solution for the problem is found,
I am very truly yours, Glenn E. Mast, Chico,
Cal."
Comment
I recommend the fifth paragraph of Mr.
Mast's letter to the special and prayerful atten-
tion of the National Association of Piano
Tuners. It hurts, but it is true.
Economic conditions have pretty nearly killed
the jackleg tuner in the Eastern and Midwest-
ern States; he can make more money now driv-
ing a taxicab. Mr. Mast's explanation, of
course, is quite clear and I can only say that I
am sorry I was so hard on him.
As to the question of improper seasoning,
others in the profession agree with Mr. Mast.
Here is a letter from an Illinois tuner, which
corroborates the California statement and adds
some interesting additional thought on the sub-
ject:
Loose Pins and Factory Inspection
"I note that you invite correspondence and
comments on the subject of loose tuning pins,
{Continued on page 14)
KEYS RECOVERED AND REBUSHED
Send Postal for Free 8a apis
We are specialists in this work, which every dealer and tuatr
needs. All work done by expert* with most modern Machinery,
and correct spacing Is guaranteed. Replaced key* appear
exactly a* when Instrument left factory.
P R I C E S LOW—WORK G U A R A N T E E D
Send Express or Parcel Poet ta
Frield Miller & Co., S767 Illinois St., Iitdianapolifjiid.
Philadelphia School of PianoTuning
REPAIRING. REBUILDING AND
PLAYER PIANO ADJU8TINO
One of the Laryeat Seboola In the K M *
Write for Catalog R
Orranlaod 1914
The Y.M.C.A., 1421 Arch St., Philadelphia, Tm.
REPAIRING
and Refinishing
Pianos and Phonofrmpns
Write for Detail* and Term*
PIANO REPAIR SHOP
339 So Wabaeh AT*.
Ckl«a«*
OTTO R. TREFZ, Jr.
Piano BCLBM Strings
Piano Repair Supplies
2110 Fairmtimt AY*.
PUUatelpMa, Pa.
THE
JUNE 6, 1925
13
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Conducted By William Braid White
The "Traveling Independent Tuner" and
Still More About the Loose Tuning Pin
Glenn E. Mast, of California, Defines Exactly What He Means by This Type, Which He States
Still Infests the Tuning Profession—Some Other Causes for the Existence of the
Loose Tuning Pin Evil—The Manufacturers' Responsibility
OME few weeks ago, in the course of some
observations on the loose tuning pin ques-
tion, Glenn E. Mast, of Chico, Cal., re-
ferred to "traveling independent tuners" in a
somewhat uncomplimentary manner. In com-
menting on this I took the position that the
reference was to the whole company of inde-
pendent tuners and, so thinking, was a bit se-
vere on Mr. Mast. It now appears that my se-
verity was rather uncalled for, as will appear
from the following letter of explanation:
"It is a little late in the day for me to refer to
your comment on my letter of about four weeks
ago that was the start of the loose tuning pin
conversation, but perhaps it may still be of some
interest. I mean that portion of your comment
that refers to 'A Big Mistake,' which I made in
seeming to discriminate between the employed
and the independent tuner.
"Perhaps I did not make my point sufficiently
clear, or it may be that you did not notice that I
said: 'The traveling independent tuner,' which
is referring to an entirely different class of
workmen than the independent tuner who really
is a tuner, and is able and willing to do his work
as it should be done, and who takes pride in
doing so.
"By 'traveling tuners' I mean the man who
generally travels mostly in the same direction
and travels from door to door soliciting work
and leaving it half done or botched up when he
does get a job.
"Possibly you do not have this species in your
part of the country. There are not so many of
these imitation tuners as there used to be, but
there are still too many for the safety of the
pianos in the territory that they happen to in-
fest.
"This condition of affairs has created a dis-
tinction, in the public mind at least, between the
independent tuner and one who comes recom-
mended by a reliable music store. What I mean
to say is that if Mrs. Jones wants her piano
S
John Lippe
Piano Key Repairing
K«yi Called for and Delivered in Metropolitan District
GRAINED IVORINE, Per Set Keys
$8.50
CELLULOID. Per Set Key.
8.00
COMPOSITION:
Pure White, Per Set Key.
10.00
Ivory White.
14.00
tuned and doesn't happen to have a regular
tuner who takes care of it for her, the chances
are she goes to the phone and calls up some
piano store, or else drops in when she is down
town and asks it to send out a tuner.
"It may be the man she is getting doesn't
know very much about tuning or any of the
other work connected with it and maybe he is
just managing to 'get by' by reason of the fact
that he can smooth up the unisons, making
them sound a little better and that he does the
store work for nothing for the sake of the pay
jobs that drift in. Does all this make any dif-
ference? It does not! The fact that the dealer
says 'this is our tuner' creates perfect confidence
in the lady's mind and the embryo tuner goes
out and 'tinks' around over the piano for a few
minutes, collects the money and the incident is
closed so far as he is concerned. Dirt, moth-
eaten felt alive with worms, rusty or loose
tuning pins—all or any of these mean nothing in
his young life. On the other hand, if this lady
had called up a reliable independent tuner who
had an individual reputation to maintain, he
would probably work at least two or three
hours and the piano would have been in a cred-
itable condition when he got through. Further-
more, when she discovers that she didn't get a
good job in the first instance, and she makes a
kick at the piano store, she will probably find
that that tuner isn't there any more and we
don't know where he is.
"I happen to be an independent tuner myself,
and do not think I made very much of a mis-
take when I referred to the traveling independ-
ent tuner as I did. He is usually a very dif-
ferent proposition from the established work-
man, who is conducting a business that is just
as reliable as any piano house's, because he un-
derstands his work and does not leave a job
until the customer is perfectly satisfied. He is
ready to guarantee his work and go back to
make it right if he has overlooked anything
(and who hasn't at some time or other?).
"Regarding the original bone of contention—
viz., loose tuning pins—I notice that most of us
seem to be devoting our efforts to finding remedies
for them and not to discovering the cause. Of
course a remedy is very essential to take care
of those pianos with this defect in them that
are now in the homes, but it is also very im-
portant that we discover the cause so that it will
not be necessary to do so much bushing, driv-
ine in. etc.
All Work and Deliverie* by Parcel* Po*t in
Two Week* Guaranteed
844 River Road
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Edge water, N. J.
Telephone Cliff.ide 879-M
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Send for This Valuable
Free Book
One of the surest ways to Increase
your profits Is to repair mars and
scratches Immediately. If your prospec-
tive customer sees a defect In the finish
your chance of making a »ale is greatly
diminished.
"How to Repair Damage to Var-
nished Surfaces" tells how you can In-
stantly repair any Injury to the finish
of musical instruments or fine furniture.
It will Interest any dealer, tuner or
repair man.
WRITE FOR FREE COPY TODAY
If you are too busy to writ* a letter, pin
thli ad to your card or letterhead and mall
It to us. We'll know what you want.
The M. L. Campbell Company
232S Penn
Kantat City, Mo.
P i a » Tuiag, Pipe aid Rf* Orgam
and Fl«y«r Piaao. Tear Book Fro*.
27-29 Gainaboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Established 1901
POLK TUNING SCHOOL
Pioneer ackool of piaao. player-piano and Keproducinf
Piano tuninf and reaafrinff in tke United State*.
Complete Cenraca Taught in Sercn to Ten Week*
Write W toraaf ami Htermtwr*
POLK BUILDING
VALPARAISO. IHD.
"In my previous letter I ventured the opin-
ion that the pin block was often not properly
seasoned, and I still hold to that belief. I do
not think that a poor grade of maple has very
much to do with it and the reason for my belief
is that I have noticed that practically all the
pianos that I have come in contact with that
are affected with loose tuning pins, where the
looseness was not due to local causes, are from
one of three factories. This would seem to be
proof that the trouble is not due to any general
deterioration of the quality of the wood obtain-
able for use in making pin blocks, and that the
difficulty is not as widespread as it would seem
at first glance.
"The emery cloth has proved very successful
in my experience with loose tuning pins, used
with the emery next to the wood. I find that
it generally makes a firm job and lasts a long
time. I think that pin setting and driving in
would not be such a distasteful task if a regular
pin setter were used, as this little tool keeps
the pin from turning out of the wood when try-
ing to drive it in and the consequent flatting of
the string which usually takes two or three ad-
justments to correct.
"Hoping that the discussion on loose tuning
pins has not died out yet and that it will keep
alive until a solution for the problem is found,
I am very truly yours, Glenn E. Mast, Chico,
Cal."
Comment
I recommend the fifth paragraph of Mr.
Mast's letter to the special and prayerful atten-
tion of the National Association of Piano
Tuners. It hurts, but it is true.
Economic conditions have pretty nearly killed
the jackleg tuner in the Eastern and Midwest-
ern States; he can make more money now driv-
ing a taxicab. Mr. Mast's explanation, of
course, is quite clear and I can only say that I
am sorry I was so hard on him.
As to the question of improper seasoning,
others in the profession agree with Mr. Mast.
Here is a letter from an Illinois tuner, which
corroborates the California statement and adds
some interesting additional thought on the sub-
ject:
Loose Pins and Factory Inspection
"I note that you invite correspondence and
comments on the subject of loose tuning pins,
{Continued on page 14)
KEYS RECOVERED AND REBUSHED
Send Postal for Free 8a apis
We are specialists in this work, which every dealer and tuatr
needs. All work done by expert* with most modern Machinery,
and correct spacing Is guaranteed. Replaced key* appear
exactly a* when Instrument left factory.
P R I C E S LOW—WORK G U A R A N T E E D
Send Express or Parcel Poet ta
Frield Miller & Co., S767 Illinois St., Iitdianapolifjiid.
Philadelphia School of PianoTuning
REPAIRING. REBUILDING AND
PLAYER PIANO ADJU8TINO
One of the Laryeat Seboola In the K M *
Write for Catalog R
Orranlaod 1914
The Y.M.C.A., 1421 Arch St., Philadelphia, Tm.
REPAIRING
and Refinishing
Pianos and Phonofrmpns
Write for Detail* and Term*
PIANO REPAIR SHOP
339 So Wabaeh AT*.
Ckl«a«*
OTTO R. TREFZ, Jr.
Piano BCLBM Strings
Piano Repair Supplies
2110 Fairmtimt AY*.
PUUatelpMa, Pa.
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