Presto
Issue: 1920 1789 - Page 23
23
PRESTO
November 6, 1920.
ESSENTIAL SKILL OF THE TUNER
(Continued from page 19.)
Likewise a heavy stroke of the hammer against the the woods in the action absorb moisture and swells.
string will create larger, stronger vibration, and Consequently the action is "sluggish," lazy, does not
respond readily. This "sluggish" or slow movement
sound louder.
The better a sound-board is, the more sensitive of action is caused by the wood swelling at the bear-
it is to climatic conditions. I once owned an instru- ings, where hard felt is used. The bearings are
ment on which the amplifying board was so sensi- made of brass, and are fitted snugly, just so that
tive that I could tell what the weather would be in they do not bind and are free. Now, when the wood
twenty-four hours. If rain or dampness was on its swells it tightens these bearings, and consequently
way, the piano would not respond; that is, the tone they move slowly. The only remedy is heat.
would not be clear and distinct, whereas, on the After the heat is on for several hours, and damp-
other hand, if the weather was to be clear and dry ness is removed, the action will respond readily.
the tone would be clear as a bell and very responsive After several days you may discover that the piano
to the lighest touch of the hammer.
has "rattles." These are caused by the shrinking
This piano I had rebuilt. It had been in the fam- of the wood.
ily for about twenty years and was of an old-fash-
When the wood swelled it did not move the
ioned make, but its material was of the best, and screws that held it together, but gave at this point.
evidently plenty of time had been taken in its manu- After drying out, the wood shrank back to normal
facture.
or slightly more than that. Now the screws are
As it had been many years before when instru- no longer tight and, consequently, the flanges move
ments were harmonized, or tuned, to concert pitch, to and fro, causing "rattles." This is remedied by
I changed the size of wire to conform to the pres- removing the action and tightening the screws.
ent times. The result was gratifying.
To Cure Squeaking.
The Action of the Piano.
When the piano's action has been removed, it is
An action of a piano is built up of a great many
parts, forming a whole consisting of very well-sea- well to look after the pedal rod. See that there are
no squeaks at the bearings. If there are any squeaks,
soned wood, mainly maple, felts and brass.
It is very sensitive to climatic changes, and should remove the rod and put graphite into the holes where
be treated as near "human" as possible, to get the th"e rod pins fit; also, graphite the rod itself, where
cleaning the rod with fine sandpaper. You will then
best results at all times.
If the room is too hot for you, it is also for your avoid future trouble for a long time to come, so far
as squeaks are concerned. It occurs very often that
instrument, in the broad sense of speaking.
An action is held together by screws which are the damper-fingers squeak at the damper rod. The
put in snug and tight. Now, if the weather is damp method just described is the very best to use. Never
TONK
BENCHES
oil the rod for squeaks, as the oil will dry and gather
dirt, and it will then be all the worse.
To make a thorough job, when tightening the ac-
tion screws it is well to tighten also the damper
flange screws.
When time is not allowed to dry out the action
I have done as follows:
After taking out the action, I have held same over
a flame, or over the gas range, and in a short while
the action was all dry and ready to put back in the
piano.
Where there is electricity used for lighting I have
done as follows: Placed a light globe in the piano,
under the key-bed, near the plate but not touching
it; closed the bottom frame and left the action there
over night. The heat created by the light was
enough to remedy the fault.
In the country a different method may be used.
There I place the action- in the sunshine, if there is
any, for about half an hour. If it should be near
evening, and I have not the time to do that, I have
the folks place a lamp under the key-bed, close in
near the plate. Care must be exercised so that the
heat from the lamp does not get too strong. The
heat from the lamp will go up into the piano, and
dry out the dampness. Leave the top closed, of
course.
Show the folks how to put back the bottom frame
or panel, so that they can do that the following
morning, or at any time they may wish.
A VITAL QUESTION.
Among business men it is well understood that the
most important question confronting the nation is
the rectification of exchange conditions and the
stabilization of the media of trade. Not so much
is said of this, since it involves the whole theory
and practice of finance, but it is the real big thing
and the economists have been devoting days and
nights to it for months.
PIONEER SCHOOL FOS PIANO MEN
EatabIUh«d 1901
In it's 2 d ^ e a f
with upwards of
1OOO
GO WITH GOOD PIANOS TO
ACTIVE DEALERS' CUSTOMERS
SUCCESSFUL
GRADUATES
WISE DEALERS ALREADY IN LINE
COURTHOUSE SQ.
VALPARAISO. IND. <
Write Us NOW for Information
TONK MANUFACTURING CO.
6170J
1912 Lewis Street
CHICAGO
Piano, Player-Piano and Organ Tuning, Repairing, Regula-
ting and Voicing. Best equipped «chool in the U. S.
Diplomas awarded and positions secured. Private and class
instructions, both sexes.
School all the year. illuatrated catalogue* free.
POLK'S SCHOOL OF TUNING, VALPARAISO, IND.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers «f
PIANO ACTIONS
HIGHEST GRADE
The Sgn of Supreme
Achievement in Piano
ONE GRADE ONLY
FACTORIES:
W««t Forty-Fifth Stre.t, Tenth Arenas and W—t
Forty-Sixth Street
OFFICE:
457 West 45th Street
CABLE-NELSON PIANO CO.
Manufactures fine pianos and player-pianos and
Wholesales them at lair prices and terms,
The agency is a source of both
profit and prestige.
REPUBLIC BUILDING, CHICAGO
NEW YORK
Com stock, Cheney & Co*
Ivory Cutters and Manufacturers
Piano Keys, Actions * Hammers
• VORY AND COMPOSITION-COVERED ORO.AN KEYS
"Pii only Com( any Furnishing the Keys, Actions, Hammers and Brackets Compto*
The Best High-Grade Piano for the Money
Newman Bros. Pianos have tonal quality second to none.
Their many superior points and their forty-six years of pres-
tige give the dealer interesting facts to tell his prospects.
When you take on the Newman line of pianos and players you
become one of us, and we give you real help when you need it»
Don't just think we are a fine firm to deal with, find out for
sure and you will stay right with us.
Newman Bros. Company
I'•tegraph and R. R. Station: Essex, Conn.
Office and Factories: Ivory ton. Conga,
FOR TONE, BEAUTY
AND LASTING
A
ACCOMPLISHMENT < .
Factories, 806-16 Dix St.
,-AUTO-PLAYER ~
The WERNER INDUSTRIES CO.
Chicago, Illinois
P I A N O S
A.ND
P LAY E R S
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
PRESTO
November 6, 1920.
ESSENTIAL SKILL OF THE TUNER
(Continued from page 19.)
Likewise a heavy stroke of the hammer against the the woods in the action absorb moisture and swells.
string will create larger, stronger vibration, and Consequently the action is "sluggish," lazy, does not
respond readily. This "sluggish" or slow movement
sound louder.
The better a sound-board is, the more sensitive of action is caused by the wood swelling at the bear-
it is to climatic conditions. I once owned an instru- ings, where hard felt is used. The bearings are
ment on which the amplifying board was so sensi- made of brass, and are fitted snugly, just so that
tive that I could tell what the weather would be in they do not bind and are free. Now, when the wood
twenty-four hours. If rain or dampness was on its swells it tightens these bearings, and consequently
way, the piano would not respond; that is, the tone they move slowly. The only remedy is heat.
would not be clear and distinct, whereas, on the After the heat is on for several hours, and damp-
other hand, if the weather was to be clear and dry ness is removed, the action will respond readily.
the tone would be clear as a bell and very responsive After several days you may discover that the piano
to the lighest touch of the hammer.
has "rattles." These are caused by the shrinking
This piano I had rebuilt. It had been in the fam- of the wood.
ily for about twenty years and was of an old-fash-
When the wood swelled it did not move the
ioned make, but its material was of the best, and screws that held it together, but gave at this point.
evidently plenty of time had been taken in its manu- After drying out, the wood shrank back to normal
facture.
or slightly more than that. Now the screws are
As it had been many years before when instru- no longer tight and, consequently, the flanges move
ments were harmonized, or tuned, to concert pitch, to and fro, causing "rattles." This is remedied by
I changed the size of wire to conform to the pres- removing the action and tightening the screws.
ent times. The result was gratifying.
To Cure Squeaking.
The Action of the Piano.
When the piano's action has been removed, it is
An action of a piano is built up of a great many
parts, forming a whole consisting of very well-sea- well to look after the pedal rod. See that there are
no squeaks at the bearings. If there are any squeaks,
soned wood, mainly maple, felts and brass.
It is very sensitive to climatic changes, and should remove the rod and put graphite into the holes where
be treated as near "human" as possible, to get the th"e rod pins fit; also, graphite the rod itself, where
cleaning the rod with fine sandpaper. You will then
best results at all times.
If the room is too hot for you, it is also for your avoid future trouble for a long time to come, so far
as squeaks are concerned. It occurs very often that
instrument, in the broad sense of speaking.
An action is held together by screws which are the damper-fingers squeak at the damper rod. The
put in snug and tight. Now, if the weather is damp method just described is the very best to use. Never
TONK
BENCHES
oil the rod for squeaks, as the oil will dry and gather
dirt, and it will then be all the worse.
To make a thorough job, when tightening the ac-
tion screws it is well to tighten also the damper
flange screws.
When time is not allowed to dry out the action
I have done as follows:
After taking out the action, I have held same over
a flame, or over the gas range, and in a short while
the action was all dry and ready to put back in the
piano.
Where there is electricity used for lighting I have
done as follows: Placed a light globe in the piano,
under the key-bed, near the plate but not touching
it; closed the bottom frame and left the action there
over night. The heat created by the light was
enough to remedy the fault.
In the country a different method may be used.
There I place the action- in the sunshine, if there is
any, for about half an hour. If it should be near
evening, and I have not the time to do that, I have
the folks place a lamp under the key-bed, close in
near the plate. Care must be exercised so that the
heat from the lamp does not get too strong. The
heat from the lamp will go up into the piano, and
dry out the dampness. Leave the top closed, of
course.
Show the folks how to put back the bottom frame
or panel, so that they can do that the following
morning, or at any time they may wish.
A VITAL QUESTION.
Among business men it is well understood that the
most important question confronting the nation is
the rectification of exchange conditions and the
stabilization of the media of trade. Not so much
is said of this, since it involves the whole theory
and practice of finance, but it is the real big thing
and the economists have been devoting days and
nights to it for months.
PIONEER SCHOOL FOS PIANO MEN
EatabIUh«d 1901
In it's 2 d ^ e a f
with upwards of
1OOO
GO WITH GOOD PIANOS TO
ACTIVE DEALERS' CUSTOMERS
SUCCESSFUL
GRADUATES
WISE DEALERS ALREADY IN LINE
COURTHOUSE SQ.
VALPARAISO. IND. <
Write Us NOW for Information
TONK MANUFACTURING CO.
6170J
1912 Lewis Street
CHICAGO
Piano, Player-Piano and Organ Tuning, Repairing, Regula-
ting and Voicing. Best equipped «chool in the U. S.
Diplomas awarded and positions secured. Private and class
instructions, both sexes.
School all the year. illuatrated catalogue* free.
POLK'S SCHOOL OF TUNING, VALPARAISO, IND.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers «f
PIANO ACTIONS
HIGHEST GRADE
The Sgn of Supreme
Achievement in Piano
ONE GRADE ONLY
FACTORIES:
W««t Forty-Fifth Stre.t, Tenth Arenas and W—t
Forty-Sixth Street
OFFICE:
457 West 45th Street
CABLE-NELSON PIANO CO.
Manufactures fine pianos and player-pianos and
Wholesales them at lair prices and terms,
The agency is a source of both
profit and prestige.
REPUBLIC BUILDING, CHICAGO
NEW YORK
Com stock, Cheney & Co*
Ivory Cutters and Manufacturers
Piano Keys, Actions * Hammers
• VORY AND COMPOSITION-COVERED ORO.AN KEYS
"Pii only Com( any Furnishing the Keys, Actions, Hammers and Brackets Compto*
The Best High-Grade Piano for the Money
Newman Bros. Pianos have tonal quality second to none.
Their many superior points and their forty-six years of pres-
tige give the dealer interesting facts to tell his prospects.
When you take on the Newman line of pianos and players you
become one of us, and we give you real help when you need it»
Don't just think we are a fine firm to deal with, find out for
sure and you will stay right with us.
Newman Bros. Company
I'•tegraph and R. R. Station: Essex, Conn.
Office and Factories: Ivory ton. Conga,
FOR TONE, BEAUTY
AND LASTING
A
ACCOMPLISHMENT < .
Factories, 806-16 Dix St.
,-AUTO-PLAYER ~
The WERNER INDUSTRIES CO.
Chicago, Illinois
P I A N O S
A.ND
P LAY E R S
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).