Presto
Issue: 1924 1992 - Page 4
September 27, 1924.
PRESTO
WHERE DOUBTS ARE DISPELLED
Under This Head Presto Will Answer Any Question Pertaining to Pianos, or
Other Subjects of Direct Interest to the Trade and Musical Public
Inquiries must bear the signature and address of
writer in order to receive attention. Answers thought
to be of general trade interest will be published. If an
answer is not of general interest it will be mailed pro-
vided stamp is, inclosed.
AUTOMATIC CARDBOARD.
Amsterdam, Holland, September 3rd, 1924.
Editor Presto: I would be much obliged to you if
you would be so kind to let me have some addresses
of manufacturers of mechanical organs, as I am in
a position to make an advantageous offer for card-
board to be utilized for these organs.
C. G. A. CORVEY.
Some of the automatic, or mechanical organ indus-
tries of this country are as follows:
American Photo Player Co., San Francisco, Calif.;
Frank Beman, Binghamton, N. Y.; Lyon & Healy,
Wabash avenue and Adams street, Chicago; Mol-
linari & Sons, 112 32nd street, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mar-
quette Piano Co., 2439 Wallace street, Chicago; Na-
tional Electric Piano Co., St. Johnsville, N. Y.; Oper-
ators Piano Co., 715 North Kedzie avenue, Chicago;
J. P. Seeburg Co., 419 West Erie street, Chicago;
Nelson-Wiggen Piano Co., 224 North Sheldon street,
Chicago; Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati, Ohio;
Gabel's Entertainer Co., 210 North Ann street, Chi-
cago; Mills Novelty Co., Jackson boulevard and
Green street, Chicago, 111.
While there are still more, the industries named are
among the foremost.
*
*
•
THE BACON PIANO.
Kiawa, Kans., Sept. 19, 1924.
Editor Presto: I would like to know if the Francis
Bacon Piano Co. is, or is not, controlled by some
concern other than Francis Bacon Co.
S. CHAPMAN.
The Francis Bacon piano is manufactured by a
thoroughly reliable and responsible industry of New
York City. While it is true that the Bacon Piano
Co. may be controlled by the same interests that
own other strong industries, its production is indi-
vidual and the instrument is characterized by quali-
ties peculiarly "Bacon."
A very interesting article touching on the subject
of the Bacon Piano appears in the October number
of the monthly publication, "Musical Times," to
which we refer you. Also see PRESTO BUYERS'
GUIDE, pages 17 and 140.
* * *
THE ADJUSTABLE KEY.
Hastings, Nebr., September 19, 1924.
Editor Presto: I hear a great deal of the adjustable
piano key. Will you please inform me if this key
is being manufactured; also the inventor's name and
address?
• . R. L. MAY.
While we are not certain that we understand
whether or not you have reference to a movable key-
board or a device used for regulating keys, we as-
sume that the latter is what you asked about.
An adjustable keyboard device is owned by the
Apollo Piano Co. of De Kalb, 111., or its manager.
It is a patented device and so far as we know, the
only other manufacturer using it for adjusting the
keyboards of new pianos is the Schumann Piano Co.,
of Rockford, 111.
* * *
AN OLD "LOUD" PIANO.
Iowa City, Iowa, September 15, 1924.
Editor Presto: One of my customers has recently
come into the possession of a very old piano. From
what I have gathered, it is one of the earlier pianos
of the square type. It is made by Loud Brothers, of
Philadelphia, dated Nov. 1, 1832, and, according to
the owner, is called a "gold string stencil" piano.
A part of the lower treble and bass strings might be
called gold strings, having that color. It is not a
heavy instrument, since it can be easily carried by
two men. It has about six octaves.
The owner would like to have the instrument put
back in playing condition. To do this it w T ill be nec-
essary to replace some of the strings. I am applying
to you for information as to where strings of this
material and weight can be obtained. The strings are
rather light and too brittle a string might result in
an inferior tone. Also the owner would appreciate
any information you may have concerning the manu-
facturers of this piano.
HAROLD J. HEBBELN.
The old piano was, in all probability, made by
Loud Brothers, of Philadelphia at the time mentioned
in your letter. A firm of that name existed as far
back as 1825 and continued for a great many years.
Mr. Robt. Loud, who conducted a piano wareroom
in Philadelphia until very recently, and we believe
that the store is still in existence, succeeded to the
name and fame of the old industry. The so-called
"gold strings" have been common from the first—
the copper wound base strings.
About putting the instrument back into condition,
we suggest that any good tuner may be able to do
that or, if the owner cares to ship the instrument to
the Piano Repair Shop, 339 South Wabash avenue,
Chicago, without doubt the work could be done as
satisfactorily as could be possible with an instrument
of that age. Of course nothing better than the tinkling
tone of the ancient piano scale could be expected,
at best.
* * *
"WALTHAM" AND "WING."
Rockvale, Col., Sept. 15, 1924.
Editor Presto: I have a letter from Wing & Son,
New York, that their attention was called to an in-
quiry I wrote to the Editor of Presto regarding their
pianos and another according to "PRESTO BUY-
ERS' GUIDE." I find you commend the Waltham
piano about which I asked. Instead, this letter
from Wing & Son gives me to understand that trade
papers recommend pianos according to the money
paid in advertisements.
This letter also states as to comparison, that
Wing & Son's low-price Style 19 piano is as good as
most expensive pianos the other house has to offer
but, of course, they allow us to decide.
Also please let me know if difference of climate
would affect a piano bought of Waltham Piano Co.,
as altitude here is 5560 ft.
I am taking your recommendation of Waltham
pianos.
J O H N B. SCAVARDA.
What you say about the New York industry and
its judgment of the trade papers is neither new nor
impressive. If it were true it might be important,
however, but it isn't. In short while we know
little of the methods of other trade papers, in our
line, it is certainly not true that our judgments are
influenced by any advertising stipulations, and were
the terrible charge true we couldn't live very long
on what the Waltham manufacturers pay for adver-
tising in Presto. We told you plainly that the Wing
& Son piano is a reliable one, as is also the Waltham.
If we have reasons for preferring one of these instru-
ments to the other, that does not mean that we are
discriminating either way, and our judgments need
not be accepted as against the assurances of manu-
facturers themselves.
If you have bought a Waltham we believe you will
be satisfied; if a Wing, ditto. And you asked about
no others. We do not believe that the high altitude
will have any special effect upon the instrument—
not more than upon any other well-made piano.
* * *
USED PIANO HOUSE.
O'Neill, Nebf., September 16, 1924.
Editor Presto: Please send us one PRESTO BUY-
ERS' GUIDE, which lists all the different standard
instruments and their makers.
We would also like to get the name and address
of the company at Brooklyn, N. Y., that wholesales
used pianos. They claim to be the only company in
the United States that do this. We have had their
name and address but have lost it.
A. E. BOWEN.
The wholesale dealers in second hand pianos to
whom you allude are Hill & Son, 909 Hart street,
Brooklyn, N. Y. But there are many other con-
cerns who supply their customers with used instru-
ments. We suggest that The Cable Piano Co., Chi-
cago, sometimes have a surplus stock; also Lyon &
Healy, Chicago.
We assume that you carry a good stock of new
instruments. They are the ones that build business
and win profits, of course.
The price of PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE is 50c.
Just now we are presenting a copy without charge to
new subscribers to PRESTO at $2.00 per year.
* * *
WANTS RADIO LINE.
Mangum, Okla., Sept. 16, 1924.
Editor Presto: I am in the music business here
and I have been informed you could give me the
name of the best radio line for me to handle. I
want a line that will handle the paper on machines
sold on credit.
J. H. DOOLEN, Mgr.
The radio industry has developed so rapidly that it
isn't easy to advise as to the "best" line to handle.
Good ones are as follows:
Freshman Company, 106 Seventh avenue, New
York; Philmore Mfg. Co., 105 Chambers street, New
York; Radio Industries Corp., 131 Duane street, New
York; Zenith Mfg. Company, McCormick Bldg., Chi-
cago; Yaxley Mfg. Co., 217 Desplaines street, Chi-
cago; Brunswick-Balke-Calender Co., Chicago; Eagle
Radio Co., Newark, N. J.; Crosley Mfg. Co., Cin-
cinnati, Ohio; Operadio Corp., Chicago; Triangle
Radio Co., 120 West 23rd street, New York. The
list is becoming endless. Perhaps the better way
would be to write to Lyon & Healy, or to the Cable
Company, both of Chicago.
* * *
A CALL FROM JAPAN.
Kobe, Japan, August 27th, 1924.
Editor Presto: Kindly send us a ocpy of your
publication together with annual foreign subscription
rate. What American music instruments are good
for export?
T H E MUTUAL TRADERS, INC.
The subscription price to P R E S T O is $4.00 per
year, to foreign countries, for which sum we also
send a copy of P R E S T O BUYERS' GUIDE, the
book which analyzes all American pianos. Presto
ftself answers your question fully.
OPENS IN SPARTANBURG, S. C.
A branch store of the S. W. Gardner Music Co.,
Inc., of Gastonia, N. C, has been opened on Morgan
square, Spartanburg, S. C. Demonstration booths for
phonographs have been constructed in the new store,
which also handles pianos and sheet music.
A GULBRANSEN DEALER.
G. S. Stark, of the Stark Piano Co., Belling-
ham, Washington, came east this week to place his
son, Lawrence, in St. John's Military Academy at
Delafield, Wisconsin. Thursday he tailed at the big
Gulbransen factories, leaving Chicago the same day
to make the return trip.
PIANO MAN IN PARIS.
Lionel Tompkins gave an interesting talk at the
Piano Club Monday-illustrating his descriptions of
Paris and Paris life, with moving pictures taken by
himself with his little "movie camera." His talk
was unusually interesting and instructive.
MOVES IN ARKANSAS.
The Bensberg Music Co., now in Smackover, Ark.,
was formerly located in Stephens, in the same state.
The firm has leased a store in a prominent position
opposite the Post Office. W. W. McAnulty is man-
ager of the new branch.
r
"' fflardman
The ^Hardman <£me
is a complete line
It comprises a range of artisti-
cally worthy instruments to
please practically every purse:
The Hardman, official piano of
the Metropolitan Opera House;
the Harrington and the Hensel
Pianos in which is found that in-
builtdurabilitythatcharacterizes
all Hardman-made instruments;
the wonderful Hardman Repro-
ducing Piano; the Hardman
Autotone (the perfect player-
piano); and the popular Playo-
tone.
^fiardmanfpeck &Co,
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
WHERE DOUBTS ARE DISPELLED
Under This Head Presto Will Answer Any Question Pertaining to Pianos, or
Other Subjects of Direct Interest to the Trade and Musical Public
Inquiries must bear the signature and address of
writer in order to receive attention. Answers thought
to be of general trade interest will be published. If an
answer is not of general interest it will be mailed pro-
vided stamp is, inclosed.
AUTOMATIC CARDBOARD.
Amsterdam, Holland, September 3rd, 1924.
Editor Presto: I would be much obliged to you if
you would be so kind to let me have some addresses
of manufacturers of mechanical organs, as I am in
a position to make an advantageous offer for card-
board to be utilized for these organs.
C. G. A. CORVEY.
Some of the automatic, or mechanical organ indus-
tries of this country are as follows:
American Photo Player Co., San Francisco, Calif.;
Frank Beman, Binghamton, N. Y.; Lyon & Healy,
Wabash avenue and Adams street, Chicago; Mol-
linari & Sons, 112 32nd street, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mar-
quette Piano Co., 2439 Wallace street, Chicago; Na-
tional Electric Piano Co., St. Johnsville, N. Y.; Oper-
ators Piano Co., 715 North Kedzie avenue, Chicago;
J. P. Seeburg Co., 419 West Erie street, Chicago;
Nelson-Wiggen Piano Co., 224 North Sheldon street,
Chicago; Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati, Ohio;
Gabel's Entertainer Co., 210 North Ann street, Chi-
cago; Mills Novelty Co., Jackson boulevard and
Green street, Chicago, 111.
While there are still more, the industries named are
among the foremost.
*
*
•
THE BACON PIANO.
Kiawa, Kans., Sept. 19, 1924.
Editor Presto: I would like to know if the Francis
Bacon Piano Co. is, or is not, controlled by some
concern other than Francis Bacon Co.
S. CHAPMAN.
The Francis Bacon piano is manufactured by a
thoroughly reliable and responsible industry of New
York City. While it is true that the Bacon Piano
Co. may be controlled by the same interests that
own other strong industries, its production is indi-
vidual and the instrument is characterized by quali-
ties peculiarly "Bacon."
A very interesting article touching on the subject
of the Bacon Piano appears in the October number
of the monthly publication, "Musical Times," to
which we refer you. Also see PRESTO BUYERS'
GUIDE, pages 17 and 140.
* * *
THE ADJUSTABLE KEY.
Hastings, Nebr., September 19, 1924.
Editor Presto: I hear a great deal of the adjustable
piano key. Will you please inform me if this key
is being manufactured; also the inventor's name and
address?
• . R. L. MAY.
While we are not certain that we understand
whether or not you have reference to a movable key-
board or a device used for regulating keys, we as-
sume that the latter is what you asked about.
An adjustable keyboard device is owned by the
Apollo Piano Co. of De Kalb, 111., or its manager.
It is a patented device and so far as we know, the
only other manufacturer using it for adjusting the
keyboards of new pianos is the Schumann Piano Co.,
of Rockford, 111.
* * *
AN OLD "LOUD" PIANO.
Iowa City, Iowa, September 15, 1924.
Editor Presto: One of my customers has recently
come into the possession of a very old piano. From
what I have gathered, it is one of the earlier pianos
of the square type. It is made by Loud Brothers, of
Philadelphia, dated Nov. 1, 1832, and, according to
the owner, is called a "gold string stencil" piano.
A part of the lower treble and bass strings might be
called gold strings, having that color. It is not a
heavy instrument, since it can be easily carried by
two men. It has about six octaves.
The owner would like to have the instrument put
back in playing condition. To do this it w T ill be nec-
essary to replace some of the strings. I am applying
to you for information as to where strings of this
material and weight can be obtained. The strings are
rather light and too brittle a string might result in
an inferior tone. Also the owner would appreciate
any information you may have concerning the manu-
facturers of this piano.
HAROLD J. HEBBELN.
The old piano was, in all probability, made by
Loud Brothers, of Philadelphia at the time mentioned
in your letter. A firm of that name existed as far
back as 1825 and continued for a great many years.
Mr. Robt. Loud, who conducted a piano wareroom
in Philadelphia until very recently, and we believe
that the store is still in existence, succeeded to the
name and fame of the old industry. The so-called
"gold strings" have been common from the first—
the copper wound base strings.
About putting the instrument back into condition,
we suggest that any good tuner may be able to do
that or, if the owner cares to ship the instrument to
the Piano Repair Shop, 339 South Wabash avenue,
Chicago, without doubt the work could be done as
satisfactorily as could be possible with an instrument
of that age. Of course nothing better than the tinkling
tone of the ancient piano scale could be expected,
at best.
* * *
"WALTHAM" AND "WING."
Rockvale, Col., Sept. 15, 1924.
Editor Presto: I have a letter from Wing & Son,
New York, that their attention was called to an in-
quiry I wrote to the Editor of Presto regarding their
pianos and another according to "PRESTO BUY-
ERS' GUIDE." I find you commend the Waltham
piano about which I asked. Instead, this letter
from Wing & Son gives me to understand that trade
papers recommend pianos according to the money
paid in advertisements.
This letter also states as to comparison, that
Wing & Son's low-price Style 19 piano is as good as
most expensive pianos the other house has to offer
but, of course, they allow us to decide.
Also please let me know if difference of climate
would affect a piano bought of Waltham Piano Co.,
as altitude here is 5560 ft.
I am taking your recommendation of Waltham
pianos.
J O H N B. SCAVARDA.
What you say about the New York industry and
its judgment of the trade papers is neither new nor
impressive. If it were true it might be important,
however, but it isn't. In short while we know
little of the methods of other trade papers, in our
line, it is certainly not true that our judgments are
influenced by any advertising stipulations, and were
the terrible charge true we couldn't live very long
on what the Waltham manufacturers pay for adver-
tising in Presto. We told you plainly that the Wing
& Son piano is a reliable one, as is also the Waltham.
If we have reasons for preferring one of these instru-
ments to the other, that does not mean that we are
discriminating either way, and our judgments need
not be accepted as against the assurances of manu-
facturers themselves.
If you have bought a Waltham we believe you will
be satisfied; if a Wing, ditto. And you asked about
no others. We do not believe that the high altitude
will have any special effect upon the instrument—
not more than upon any other well-made piano.
* * *
USED PIANO HOUSE.
O'Neill, Nebf., September 16, 1924.
Editor Presto: Please send us one PRESTO BUY-
ERS' GUIDE, which lists all the different standard
instruments and their makers.
We would also like to get the name and address
of the company at Brooklyn, N. Y., that wholesales
used pianos. They claim to be the only company in
the United States that do this. We have had their
name and address but have lost it.
A. E. BOWEN.
The wholesale dealers in second hand pianos to
whom you allude are Hill & Son, 909 Hart street,
Brooklyn, N. Y. But there are many other con-
cerns who supply their customers with used instru-
ments. We suggest that The Cable Piano Co., Chi-
cago, sometimes have a surplus stock; also Lyon &
Healy, Chicago.
We assume that you carry a good stock of new
instruments. They are the ones that build business
and win profits, of course.
The price of PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE is 50c.
Just now we are presenting a copy without charge to
new subscribers to PRESTO at $2.00 per year.
* * *
WANTS RADIO LINE.
Mangum, Okla., Sept. 16, 1924.
Editor Presto: I am in the music business here
and I have been informed you could give me the
name of the best radio line for me to handle. I
want a line that will handle the paper on machines
sold on credit.
J. H. DOOLEN, Mgr.
The radio industry has developed so rapidly that it
isn't easy to advise as to the "best" line to handle.
Good ones are as follows:
Freshman Company, 106 Seventh avenue, New
York; Philmore Mfg. Co., 105 Chambers street, New
York; Radio Industries Corp., 131 Duane street, New
York; Zenith Mfg. Company, McCormick Bldg., Chi-
cago; Yaxley Mfg. Co., 217 Desplaines street, Chi-
cago; Brunswick-Balke-Calender Co., Chicago; Eagle
Radio Co., Newark, N. J.; Crosley Mfg. Co., Cin-
cinnati, Ohio; Operadio Corp., Chicago; Triangle
Radio Co., 120 West 23rd street, New York. The
list is becoming endless. Perhaps the better way
would be to write to Lyon & Healy, or to the Cable
Company, both of Chicago.
* * *
A CALL FROM JAPAN.
Kobe, Japan, August 27th, 1924.
Editor Presto: Kindly send us a ocpy of your
publication together with annual foreign subscription
rate. What American music instruments are good
for export?
T H E MUTUAL TRADERS, INC.
The subscription price to P R E S T O is $4.00 per
year, to foreign countries, for which sum we also
send a copy of P R E S T O BUYERS' GUIDE, the
book which analyzes all American pianos. Presto
ftself answers your question fully.
OPENS IN SPARTANBURG, S. C.
A branch store of the S. W. Gardner Music Co.,
Inc., of Gastonia, N. C, has been opened on Morgan
square, Spartanburg, S. C. Demonstration booths for
phonographs have been constructed in the new store,
which also handles pianos and sheet music.
A GULBRANSEN DEALER.
G. S. Stark, of the Stark Piano Co., Belling-
ham, Washington, came east this week to place his
son, Lawrence, in St. John's Military Academy at
Delafield, Wisconsin. Thursday he tailed at the big
Gulbransen factories, leaving Chicago the same day
to make the return trip.
PIANO MAN IN PARIS.
Lionel Tompkins gave an interesting talk at the
Piano Club Monday-illustrating his descriptions of
Paris and Paris life, with moving pictures taken by
himself with his little "movie camera." His talk
was unusually interesting and instructive.
MOVES IN ARKANSAS.
The Bensberg Music Co., now in Smackover, Ark.,
was formerly located in Stephens, in the same state.
The firm has leased a store in a prominent position
opposite the Post Office. W. W. McAnulty is man-
ager of the new branch.
r
"' fflardman
The ^Hardman <£me
is a complete line
It comprises a range of artisti-
cally worthy instruments to
please practically every purse:
The Hardman, official piano of
the Metropolitan Opera House;
the Harrington and the Hensel
Pianos in which is found that in-
builtdurabilitythatcharacterizes
all Hardman-made instruments;
the wonderful Hardman Repro-
ducing Piano; the Hardman
Autotone (the perfect player-
piano); and the popular Playo-
tone.
^fiardmanfpeck &Co,
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).