Presto

October 31,
PRESTO
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
And Every Touch Thereafter
Increases the Admiration for
Splendid Tone and Artistic
Qualities of the
CHRISTMAN
Studio Grand
(only S ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
CHRISTMAN
Grands, Players and Uprights
command the admiration of
the best class of music lovers.
The latest tr umph is the
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
"The First Touch Tells ''
Reg
U. S. Pat. Oft.
Christman Piano Co.
5 7 East 137th St.
New York
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 on
answer is not of general interest it will be mailed pro-
vided stamp is inclosed.
PHONOGRAPH RECORDS.
Elmira, N. Y.. Sept. 30. 1925.
Editor Presto: The Reuben H. Donnelley Corp.
has referred me to you for information regarding
phonograph records which 1 might be able to handle
in a music store T am opening at Elmira. The Vic-
tor and Brunswick records I believe are taken care
of here. Any information with regard to other sal-
able records will be much appreciated. Kindly advise
me at your earliest convenience.
(MRS.) ALICE C. BAUDER.
You might get the Gennett records for your terri-
tory provided tliey are not already represented there.
The Gennett records are made by the Starr Piano Co.
of Richmond, Indiana, and arc first class in every
respect.
* * *
TWO F I N E PIANOS.
Sheffield, Ala., Sept 30, 1925.
Editor Presto: I am going to buy a grand piano
and have decided to buy either a Steinway or a Bald-
win. Which would you recommend? Your advice
•will be appreciated.
(MISS) BILLIE COBB.
You ask an almost impossible question, because
both the pianos you name have had the unqualified
indorsement of great masters of the instrument.
Aside from that, it is against the principles of this
paper to discriminate where pianos are absolutely de-
pendable and so good as to demand a personal
examination, on the principle that instruments of high
class present slight differences even when they issue
from the same factory. That is, two pianos of the
same make may differ, by reason of some slight varia-
tion in tone registration, or other unaccountable
causes unforeseen by the skilled makers.
The only possible advice is to decide upon the in-
strument that pleases you best, inasmuch as both the
pianos issue from dependable industries that value
the reputation of their instruments above the possible
prices of them.
* * *
ABOUT PHONOGRAPHS.
Owensboro. Ky., Sept. 1. 1925.
Editor Presto: If you are in position to inform us
of some manufacturers of cabinet and console phono-
graphs, at medium prices, we should greatly appre-
ciate the favor.
F. F. HARDING.
You may find the phonographs you seek by ad-
dressing Nordlund Mfg. Co , 400 West Erie street,
Chicago, or P. A. Starck Piano Co.. Chicago; A.
Goldsmith, 1229 Miller street, Chicago: A. Pizarro,
Elgin, 111.; Starr Piano Co., Richmond. Ind.: Perkins
Phono Co., 811 North Wood street.. Chicago. In
fact, there are still so many talking machine indus-
tries that it isn't easy to advise you without knowing
about what grade or price of instrument you want.
* * *
W H I T E COLD GLUE.
Bluff ton, Ind.. Sept. 28. 1925.
Editor Presto: Can you give me the address of
the Harlan Glue Co.. makers of white, cold ivory
glue. They used to advertise in Presto a year or
so ago
HENRY G R A B O W SKI.
The concern at Harlem, New York, discontinued.
We suggest that the American Piano Supply Co.,
110 East Thirteenth street. New York. N. Y.. or the
United Specialty Co., Monticello, Ind., may be able
to furnish you with what you want.
* * *
VIOLIN TEACHERS.
Washington. D. C. September 18, 1925.
Editor Presto: We would like to get a list of
violin teachers all over the United States, and we
would appreciate if you would advise us whether you
have such a list for sale, and if not, where we can
apply to obtain such a list
CARL FRIEDMANN.
We have no good list of violin teachers. We sug-
gest, however, you may be able to secure such a list
by addressing The Violinist Pub. Co.. 431 South
Wabash avenue, Chicago.
* * *
GEO. P. BENT COMPANY.
Altus, Oklahoma. Sept. 19, 1925.
Editor Presto: 1 have been informed that the
Sears, Roebuck mail order house, owned and con-
trolled the Geo. P. Bent factory, and I will ask vou
to please give me full information about same, and
also please let me know whether or not they own or
control the Adler factory.
E. M. CURRY MUSIC CO.
The great mail order house referred to purchased
the factory of Mr. Bent here in Chicago. The Adler
Mfg. Co. is at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Adler is interested
in the Geo. P. Bent Co. We suggest a good way
would be to write to the Adler Mfg. Co. direct.
* * *
T H E "SHEARER" PIANO.
Cape Girardeau, Mo.. Sept. IS, 1925.
Editor Presto: Since your Presto Buyers' Guide
does not describe the Shearer piano, 1 ask that you
give us all the information you can concerning this
particular piano.
I also wish you would mail us a sample copy of
your journal, as the writer is very much interested
in this publication.
j . B. WESTBROOK.
The Shearer piano was at one time manufactured
in New York City. The Shearer industry did not
continue long and Hal Shearer has since been em-
ployed by several piano manufacturers as traveling
salesman. Lately lie has been located in Indianapolis
where he was associated with a music house.
So there is no Shearer piano industry in existence
at this time, and if there are pianos bearing that name
they are, of course, what may be termed trade-mark
instruments and the origin is uncertain, so far as we
know.
* * *
CABLE PIANO CO. PIANO.
Lansing, Mich., Sept. 24, 1925.
Editor Presto: I am contemplating the purchase
of a piano and have been looking at several different
makes. One has on the fall board "The Cable Piano
Company," but I am of the opinion that this piano
is not one of their own makes but a piano purchased
of some other company and stenciled "The Cable
Piano Co npany."
Of course I know that they do make one that has
jast the word "Cable" on the front of it. Can you
give me any information where this piano is made?
R. E. SWAN.
Pianos on the fall-board of which is "The Cable
Piano Co." are the bona fide product of the great
Cable Co. of Chicago. Instruments thus named, on
the fall-board, are, as we understand, manufactured
for the use of agents of the Cable Co.. and branch
houses also, in the state of Michigan exclusively.
It is certain that any instrument made by the
Cable Co. may be relied upon and you will be per-
fectly safe in buying a piano of the kind which you
describe.
• * *
A CHECKED "GABLER."
Pittsburgh. Pa , Oct. 6, 1925.
Editor Presto: The writer during the year of 1917
or 1918 purchased from the Hoffman Piano Com-
pany, of this city, a Gabler playerpiano, the serial
lumber being 54425. Within the last year this piano
has very badly checked although it has been well pro-
tected, also the veneer on the legs supporting the
keyboard has lifted from the base on which it has
been glued.
The piano traded in on this player was of Briggs
make, and at that time twenty years old and at that
age it was not in any ways as badly checked as the
Gabler.
Is it customary for a piano of this make to check
at that short age or the veneer to lift? The price paid
was $650.00, which at that time was considered a
good price. The dealer from whom it was purchased
attempted to put filler between the veneer and the
body but that does not make the job look very good.
Would you suggest that I take this matter up with
the manufacturer direct, or do you think that I have
received value in full for the amount invested?
H. E. NERN.
The defect to which you refer is very common, irre-
spective of the make of the piano. It is a matter
which has more to do with the care of the instrument
than with its manufacture. Especially in rooms where
the temperature is subject to change this checking is
liable to occur.
We know of no manufacturer who will guarantee
instruments against checking for it is something
which can never be wholly insured against and no
matter how good the instrument, the effect of atmos-
pheric changes may produce a slight cracking in the
varnish which is called, in the piano trade, "checking."'
There is no other way, so far as we know, but to
have the instrument scraped and refinished. That is
something which demands skill and which should
only be done by an expert piano maker or finisher.
It might be well to refer the matter to the makers
and the way to do that would be to address Jacob
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