Presto

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.
THE MEHLIN PIANO.
Ashland, Ky.
Editor Presto: I am considering the purchase of
a Mehlin grand piano but note, in the Presto Buyers'
Guide that there is a very limited discourse on Paul
G. Mehlin & Sons and the pianos they manufacture.
In view of this I would greatly appreciate any fur-
ther information you may obtain regarding the relia-
bility of this firm and the quality of their instruments.
GEO. F. SCHULZE.
The Mehlin & Sons piano is a good one. You
seem to think that because the instrument did not re-
ceive an extended descriptive article in Presto Buy-
ers' Guide that fact in some way implied some
negative qualification of its character.
If you will refer to page 3 of Presto Buyers' Guide
you will find that the last paragraph on that page
makes the very clear statement that "the length of
the analysis of the instrument has no significance
with respect to the character of the subject under
discussion." The purpose is to make the descriptive
matter as brief as possible.
The Mehlin piano is in every way one of distinc-
tion, and it is regarded by competent critics as pos-
sessing every fine quality of an artistic instrument.
The manufacturers are perfectly reliable and finan-
cially responsible.
* * *
THE "MIESSNER" PIANO.
Atlantic, Iowa.
Editor Presto: Will you kindly advise me what
connection there is between the present Miessner
Piano Co. and the Jackson & Morton Piano Co. as
listed in the Presto Guide of '23?
C. H. ECKLES.
There is no connection further than that the Miess-
ner Piano Co. bought the effects, patents and rights
of the Jackson & Morton Company and thus became
the successors. Mr. Otto Miessner was a stock-
holder in the older industry and is the originator of
the "Little Piano with the Big Tone." You will find
the Miessner piano properly classified in the succes-
sive issues of Presto Buyers' Guide for several years
past.
* * *
THE "PAL" PHONOGRAPH.
New York City.
Editor Presto: One of our customers has re-
quested us to purchase for him a Pal Portable Pho-
nograph.
Will you be good enough to advise us the manu-
facturer of this phonograph? We are unable v to
locate this manufacturer's name, but undoubtedly, as
you are familiar with the musical field, you can give
it to us.
We assure you that any assistance you can be to us
in locating the manufacturer of this particular pho-
nograph will be very much appreciated.
FOX BROS. & CO., INC.
The Pal Portable Phonograph, according to our
records, is made by, or for, the Plaza Music Co., 18
West Twentieth street, New York.
* * *
TONE VIBRATION.
Pauls Valley, Okla.
Editor Presto: Enclosed you will find my check
for $2.00 for the year of 1925. Please mail me Presto
Buyers' Guide.
I have been asked to tune a grand piano "In A,
444." I do not understand the term. Please give
this in your next issue.
J. T. BAKER.
The term "in A 440" has reference to the number
of vibrations of the fork used in tuning pianos or to
indicate Middle A in the musical scale. For a great
many years the scale was made practically uniform
pitch so as to tune all instruments alike. The pitch
indicated used to be about 400 vibrations per second.
It has, however, been variously fixed at 405, 425 or
448 vibrations per second. The 400 vibrations per
second is about the pitch ordinarily aimed at by mod-
ern piano tuners.
* * *
KNOCKING THE "EMERSON."
Jamestown, N. D.
Editor Presto: As you will note, I am representa-
tive for the A. B. Chase Piano Co., Emerson Piano
Co., and Lindeman & Sons Piano Co. I am taking
the liberty to ask you for a little help.
I have some very good prospects for Emerson
pianos here, but my competitor has made things
February 7, 1925.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR
PLAYER ROLL TRADE?
Here's the Story of a Sales Manager in the
Roll Department Whose Example Many-
Others Should Follow.
rather miserable for me, as he has stated to my pros-
Speaking of player roll retail sales, and salespeople
pects that there is no such a thing as Emerson pianos
with the advertising manager of the Q R S Music
since they sold out in Boston, and that the present
Company, Chicago, something was learned of in-
Emerson piano is not much of a piano.
terest that goes to show what one young lady is
I wish you would write fully and state the exact doing and what, no doubt, others can do if they try
condition about the Emerson.
hard enough.
PAUL I. MORCK.
The Witzel Music Company, of Chicago, carries a
The Emerson piano has been in the field since full line of O R S rolls. The department is in charge
1849.
The Emerson Piano Co. was, however, of Miss Grace Yaeger. This lady does not think so
merged with, or purchased by, the United Piano Cor- very much of selling $25 or $30 worth of player rolls
poration with factories at Norwalk, Ohio. While to a customer, but she was a little proud of a sale, a
the Boston factory of the Emerson Piano Co. was few days ago, of $80 worth to one customer at one
relinquished, and the manufacturing is now done at
the plant in Norwalk, the Emerson is still individual time. The order was for Blue Bird ballads, classics
in that it is made with its own scale and peculiar and German rolls mostly with just a few popular
case features. At least the condition is we understand numbers.
as is here stated.
Miss Yaeger works on the principle of developing
We certainly can see no reason for any competi- small sales into larger ones, and proves the correct-
tor's attempt to injure the old Emerson piano and, ness of her policy by doing it. Very rarely does the
under the existing conditions, there is no reason why customer who comes in for one roll leave without
the instrument should not be just as good and the plus sale, and she does not stop at one roll more,
dependable as it ever was. You will find the Emer- but keeps on selling until she knows she has reached
son and its manufacturers treated in the 1925 edition
ths customer's absolute limit. How many roll sales-
of Presto Buyers' Guide, which you probably have.
people really do that, or even half try?
* * *
Miss Yaeger says that her customers are leaning
THE MIESSNER PIANO.
more each day to the worth-while music, and that
Highland, 111.
when she sells them popular music it slows down
Editor Presto: Can you advise us who manufac- their future purchases. One thing is sure. Individual
tures a portable piano for school use? I think there sales of $25, $38 and $42 in Miss Yaeger's sales bojk
is a Miessner piano but fail to know address. Also are unusual for player roll sales, and this fact leads
kindly send us a new Presto Buyers' Guide.
us to believe, with her, that taking the lines of least
TIBBETTS & CO.
resistance, and filling orders for popular rolls the
A school piano which is in very general and favor- customer comes in to buy, and just letting it go at
able use throughout the country is the Miessner, that, is bad for the player owner, the player business
"the Little Piano with the Big Tone." It is manu- and the roll department.
factured by the Miessner Piano Co., 126 Reed street,
Presto would like to know of some more roll sales-
Milwaukee, Wis. If you address the Miessner Piano people with a record like Miss Yaeger's. Won't
Co. you can depend upon receiving a prompt reply
some one please write in and tell about them?
and courteous attention.
* * *
FARRAND ORGAN CO.
Bangor, Mich.
Editor Presto: Will you please advise me if the
Farrand Organ Co., of Detroit, is still in business,
and if so what is the address?
Committee of State Wide Music Memory Contest
GLENN M. SLAWSON.
Select Style 218 for Class A.
The Farrand Organ Co. of Detroit, ceased opera-
tions a good many years ago and it later became a
Announcement has just been made by the Ken-
piano industry which was finally sold to the Bush & tucky State Wide Music Memory Contest Commit-
Lane Piano Co., of Holland, Mich., which is now tee that the first prizes in Class A (for boys) and
making the Farrand-Cecilian playerpiano. Without
Class A (for girls) for the forthcoming contests will
doubt the Bush & Lane Piano Co. can give you any
further information.
* * *
NON-TAXABLE ROLLS.
Sturgis, Ky.
Editor Presto: Can you tell us where we can buy
non-taxable piano rolls? We don't want to use any
of the music put out by the American Society of
Composers and Publishers.
L I N D L E BROS.
We suggest that the best way would be to get a
list of publishers who tax performers and singers
for using their copyrights in public. It may be had
by addressing the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce, Sheet Music DT*i^Lojj^ or perhaps the regular
source of supply, or dealer, from whom you buy,
may be able to secure it for you.
Of course, any music rolls are non-taxable except
those which pay copyright fees to the American So-
ciety of Composers and Publishers.
* * *
ROLLS AND RECORDS.
Hillsdale, Mich.
Editor Presto: The writer has composed three
good songs and has the records in the making at
Rodeheaver's, 218 South Wabash avenue, Chicago.
HAMILTON PIANO, STYLE 218.
There will be music roll composers that will want to
use these songs, and this is to ask you to advise
be Hamilton pianos. Such tnagnificient awards are
me who to write to.
made possible through the co-operation of The Bald-
ERNEST KOONS.
win Piano Company, of Louisville.
The foremost music roll manufacturers are the
The Hamilton piano, aptly termed the "World
Q R S Co., Chicago; the United States Music Co., Wide Favorite," has been recognized for many years
Chicago; and The Vocalstyle Co. of Cincinnati. Any as an instrument of exceptional tone quality and
of these concerns will be glad to correspond with durability. It is used and endorsed by schools and
you.
musical institutions all over the United States, and
* * *
has the approval of leading musicians.
DAVIS & SON PIANO.
The selection of these instruments as the first
Fremont, Nebr.
awards in Class A will lend splendid impetus to the
T
Editor Presto: W ire, at our expense, information
State Wide Music Memory Contests and will be an
on Davis & Son piano. Is it standard or stencil inspiration to all the contestants.
piano, and who it is made by.
CONRAD MUSIC HOUSE.
MATTER OF INTEREST.
A piano bearing the name of Davis & Son has
According to "Roycrofter," F. M. Cooke, of Wash-
been on the market for a number of years and our
understanding is it is made in several industries. ington, tells the following: Teacher: "Can anyone
It is a trademark piano, but from what factory it tell me what is meant by 'mournful numbers'?"
comes we have not been able to ascertain.
Pupil: "Dad says it means one-half of one per
HAMILTON PIANO PRIZES
IN KENTUCKY CONTEST
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