Music Trade Review
Issue: 1927 Vol. 85 N. 27 - Page 25
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
TECHNICAL^SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
William Bra\dVftute,recAmcal Editor
A New Improvement in Upright Actions—
Piano Plate Breakage and "Ossiso" Work
Varied and Sundry Topics in the Technical Field Treated by the Editor of Technical
Department in His Last Writing of the Year 1927
HAVE just had the opportunity of looking
at a very interesting improvement in up-
right pianoforte actions, which has been
worked out by my friend, J. W. Carries, of Ke-
wanee, 111. Mr. Carnes is a tuner of many years'
experience, who has given much time and
thought to questions of action construction. His
improvement is extremely simple, but I believe
that it contains very great possibilities.
To all practical intents and purposes the
Carnes improvement consists of no more than
a change in the position and the construction
of the customary bridle tape. Instead of its
usual position under the hammer butt, extend-
ing to a bridle wire on the wippen, a new place
is found for the tape, and the wire is entirely
abolished. The new place is on top of the ham-
mer butt, immediately behind the hammer
shank, and extending to the top of the back
I
check.
A secondary, but also important, improve-
ment lies in the abolition of the usual method
of gluing the tape to the back-stop shank. Mr.
Carnes makes his tapes with a metal tip at each
end, like the tips at the ends of a shoe lace. Each
tip is then pushed into a small hole drilled,
one in the hammer butt and one in the back
check at suitable angles, so that the tips can-
not pull out; and the job is then complete.
Now, as every one knows, there have been
many attempts during recent years to produce
genuine improvements in the upright as well
as in the grand action. To take the most
conspicuous example there was, and is, the ex-
tremely ingenious "Mastertouch" action in-
vented by the late George Abendschein. This
is a very fine piece of work, which undoubtedly
does improve considerably the functioning
efficiency of the upright piano. I have always
been sorry that it was so little regarded by the
manufacturers of upright pianos.
The Carnes invention is much more modest,
but I think that it is a thoroughly clever idea,
nevertheless. It certainly will not add to the
cost of producing an action, while it undoubt-
edly does increase the general efficiency. The
reason for this last statement can be under-
stood after a little consideration. In the
first place, it causes the back-stop and the back-
check to travel exactly in step, so that their
contact and release take place with less friction.
Fn the second place, the new arrangement of
the tape tends to hold up the jack under the
hammer butt and prevent lost motion, if the
key is leaded accordingly. In the third place,
the effect upon the butt seems to be exerted
more rapidly, so that repetition is more certain
on a short key stroke. In the fourth place the
jack stop-rail usually found in all high-grade
actions is apparently superfluous, while the ab-
sence of the bridle wire makes the regulating
button much more accessible.
I have tested the repetition of the Carnes
action in comparison with an action of the
same make, otherwise quite identical. There is
no doubt that Mr. Carnes' invention does im-
prove rapidity and power of repetition.
The inventor tells me that patents have been
applied for and are pending. I intend to make
more careful and rigid tests at the first op-
portunity, especially as to the matter of com-
parative repeating power.
Why Improvements Are Few
I make a practice of directing attention to
every improvement made in any department of
construction, because I believe that not half
nate but quite inescapable fact that the piano
industry has been an industry of manufactured
mystery. In this respect, of course, it has not
been much different from other crafts which
For
37
Years
For
31
Years
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN
Lost Motion Qrand Action
Upright Piano Actions
are being manufactured under the able supervision of Albert Staib, who has been
building these actions for 37 years. They always have been and are to-day recog-
nized as representing the Highest Quality in material, workmanship, finish and for
their reliability and dependability.
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN CO., 134th St. & Brook Ave.,N. Y.
have to do with the practice of the fine arts.
All of these are confusing and absurd to the
seeker after standards of judgment, for artists
in the nature of the case arc primarily egotists.
The artist is trained from the start to see
life through his or her temperament, and so
comes to exalt what may be a very grave de-
fect into a form of artistic conduct. Hence the
judgments pronounced by artists are nearly al-
ways inaccurate and often malicious, especially
when they deal with other artists. Hence again
in all the crafts that supply the fine arts the
judgment of whatever artist chooses to talk
most loudly is accepted by a public equally
ignorant and curious, a half-educated public,
credulous, superstitious and unstable. Thus, in
the matter of musical instruments, although in
the long run any common judgment of many
artists usually turns out to be accurate and
Found, the egotistical basis of the practical side
of musical art has always prevented the erection
of national standards whereby construction and
tone might be appraised. Manufacturers have,
therefore, found it easier and more profitable
to rely upon the statements of egotistical artists
than to set themselves to make improvements.
These facts constitute some of the reasons for
the practice always maintained here of giving
f
very possible encouragement to every man
who will take the trouble to work out improve-
ments or betterments in piano construction. Mr.
Carnes tells me that some action makers, and
<-omc piano manufacturers to", have looked at
his invention and have agreed to try it out in
a practical way. I wish him luck.
Breakage of Iron Plates
A piano manufacturer writes as follows:
"VYY should be obliged if you would publish
the following questions with Yes or No an-
swers :
First—Is it possible to cause a piano plate
lo break by pulling the strings too high?
Second—Is it reasonable to expect that a
plate which has been subjected to a strain of
at least half a ton above A440 break after
three years' use if it were pulled up to only
A 440?
Third—Would this plate be liable to break
if pulled higher than the pitch used for chip-
ping in the factory?
Answers
Yes or No answers are impossible in this case,
since no unconditional statement can be made
where so many variables exist. I shall, how-
ever, answer as briefly as possible.
First—Of course it is possible, though very
unlikely.
{Continued on page 27)
to Repair DAMAGED FINISHES
CAMPBELL'S Stick Shellac
Permanent repairs are easily and
quickly made. No use to cut price*
or Incur expense of reflnlshlng.
Campbell's stick Shellac easily re-
stores scarred and scratched finishes
to perfect condition.
Molted into
hole, dent, scratch, then rubbed down
and polished. An Ideal way to eco-
nomically repair finishes.
A color card of Campbell's Stick Shellac it-ill
be sent free to anyone upon request. Shows
actual samples and the ranye of 54 colors.
Write for one today.
THE M. L. CAMPBELL COMPANY
100S West Eighth Street
George W. Braunsdor£, Inc.
Kansas City, Mo.
PIANO TECHNICIANS SCHOOL
Direct Manufacturers of
(Under Y. M. C. A. Auspices)
Punchings
Washers
BRIDLE STRAPS
5814-37th Ave.
Also—Felts and
Cloths, Furnished
in Any Quantity
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Woodside, L. I., N. T.
25
Practical Shop School Tuning, General Repairs,
Rebuilding
OBAND8- UPRIGHTS—PLAYERS
Send for catalog
The Y. M. C. A. Piano Technicians School
52nd and Sansom Streets.
Philadelphia, Pa.
TECHNICAL^SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
William Bra\dVftute,recAmcal Editor
A New Improvement in Upright Actions—
Piano Plate Breakage and "Ossiso" Work
Varied and Sundry Topics in the Technical Field Treated by the Editor of Technical
Department in His Last Writing of the Year 1927
HAVE just had the opportunity of looking
at a very interesting improvement in up-
right pianoforte actions, which has been
worked out by my friend, J. W. Carries, of Ke-
wanee, 111. Mr. Carnes is a tuner of many years'
experience, who has given much time and
thought to questions of action construction. His
improvement is extremely simple, but I believe
that it contains very great possibilities.
To all practical intents and purposes the
Carnes improvement consists of no more than
a change in the position and the construction
of the customary bridle tape. Instead of its
usual position under the hammer butt, extend-
ing to a bridle wire on the wippen, a new place
is found for the tape, and the wire is entirely
abolished. The new place is on top of the ham-
mer butt, immediately behind the hammer
shank, and extending to the top of the back
I
check.
A secondary, but also important, improve-
ment lies in the abolition of the usual method
of gluing the tape to the back-stop shank. Mr.
Carnes makes his tapes with a metal tip at each
end, like the tips at the ends of a shoe lace. Each
tip is then pushed into a small hole drilled,
one in the hammer butt and one in the back
check at suitable angles, so that the tips can-
not pull out; and the job is then complete.
Now, as every one knows, there have been
many attempts during recent years to produce
genuine improvements in the upright as well
as in the grand action. To take the most
conspicuous example there was, and is, the ex-
tremely ingenious "Mastertouch" action in-
vented by the late George Abendschein. This
is a very fine piece of work, which undoubtedly
does improve considerably the functioning
efficiency of the upright piano. I have always
been sorry that it was so little regarded by the
manufacturers of upright pianos.
The Carnes invention is much more modest,
but I think that it is a thoroughly clever idea,
nevertheless. It certainly will not add to the
cost of producing an action, while it undoubt-
edly does increase the general efficiency. The
reason for this last statement can be under-
stood after a little consideration. In the
first place, it causes the back-stop and the back-
check to travel exactly in step, so that their
contact and release take place with less friction.
Fn the second place, the new arrangement of
the tape tends to hold up the jack under the
hammer butt and prevent lost motion, if the
key is leaded accordingly. In the third place,
the effect upon the butt seems to be exerted
more rapidly, so that repetition is more certain
on a short key stroke. In the fourth place the
jack stop-rail usually found in all high-grade
actions is apparently superfluous, while the ab-
sence of the bridle wire makes the regulating
button much more accessible.
I have tested the repetition of the Carnes
action in comparison with an action of the
same make, otherwise quite identical. There is
no doubt that Mr. Carnes' invention does im-
prove rapidity and power of repetition.
The inventor tells me that patents have been
applied for and are pending. I intend to make
more careful and rigid tests at the first op-
portunity, especially as to the matter of com-
parative repeating power.
Why Improvements Are Few
I make a practice of directing attention to
every improvement made in any department of
construction, because I believe that not half
nate but quite inescapable fact that the piano
industry has been an industry of manufactured
mystery. In this respect, of course, it has not
been much different from other crafts which
For
37
Years
For
31
Years
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN
Lost Motion Qrand Action
Upright Piano Actions
are being manufactured under the able supervision of Albert Staib, who has been
building these actions for 37 years. They always have been and are to-day recog-
nized as representing the Highest Quality in material, workmanship, finish and for
their reliability and dependability.
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN CO., 134th St. & Brook Ave.,N. Y.
have to do with the practice of the fine arts.
All of these are confusing and absurd to the
seeker after standards of judgment, for artists
in the nature of the case arc primarily egotists.
The artist is trained from the start to see
life through his or her temperament, and so
comes to exalt what may be a very grave de-
fect into a form of artistic conduct. Hence the
judgments pronounced by artists are nearly al-
ways inaccurate and often malicious, especially
when they deal with other artists. Hence again
in all the crafts that supply the fine arts the
judgment of whatever artist chooses to talk
most loudly is accepted by a public equally
ignorant and curious, a half-educated public,
credulous, superstitious and unstable. Thus, in
the matter of musical instruments, although in
the long run any common judgment of many
artists usually turns out to be accurate and
Found, the egotistical basis of the practical side
of musical art has always prevented the erection
of national standards whereby construction and
tone might be appraised. Manufacturers have,
therefore, found it easier and more profitable
to rely upon the statements of egotistical artists
than to set themselves to make improvements.
These facts constitute some of the reasons for
the practice always maintained here of giving
f
very possible encouragement to every man
who will take the trouble to work out improve-
ments or betterments in piano construction. Mr.
Carnes tells me that some action makers, and
<-omc piano manufacturers to", have looked at
his invention and have agreed to try it out in
a practical way. I wish him luck.
Breakage of Iron Plates
A piano manufacturer writes as follows:
"VYY should be obliged if you would publish
the following questions with Yes or No an-
swers :
First—Is it possible to cause a piano plate
lo break by pulling the strings too high?
Second—Is it reasonable to expect that a
plate which has been subjected to a strain of
at least half a ton above A440 break after
three years' use if it were pulled up to only
A 440?
Third—Would this plate be liable to break
if pulled higher than the pitch used for chip-
ping in the factory?
Answers
Yes or No answers are impossible in this case,
since no unconditional statement can be made
where so many variables exist. I shall, how-
ever, answer as briefly as possible.
First—Of course it is possible, though very
unlikely.
{Continued on page 27)
to Repair DAMAGED FINISHES
CAMPBELL'S Stick Shellac
Permanent repairs are easily and
quickly made. No use to cut price*
or Incur expense of reflnlshlng.
Campbell's stick Shellac easily re-
stores scarred and scratched finishes
to perfect condition.
Molted into
hole, dent, scratch, then rubbed down
and polished. An Ideal way to eco-
nomically repair finishes.
A color card of Campbell's Stick Shellac it-ill
be sent free to anyone upon request. Shows
actual samples and the ranye of 54 colors.
Write for one today.
THE M. L. CAMPBELL COMPANY
100S West Eighth Street
George W. Braunsdor£, Inc.
Kansas City, Mo.
PIANO TECHNICIANS SCHOOL
Direct Manufacturers of
(Under Y. M. C. A. Auspices)
Punchings
Washers
BRIDLE STRAPS
5814-37th Ave.
Also—Felts and
Cloths, Furnished
in Any Quantity
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Woodside, L. I., N. T.
25
Practical Shop School Tuning, General Repairs,
Rebuilding
OBAND8- UPRIGHTS—PLAYERS
Send for catalog
The Y. M. C. A. Piano Technicians School
52nd and Sansom Streets.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).