Presto
Issue: 1928 2182 - Page 16
16
May 26, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
We quickly made up our minds that these instru-
ments were beyond the average person, and by so
doing we added to our own sales resistance. We let
the public make up our minds for us regarding
players and reproducers; we spinelessly accepted
their verdict; we were licked before we really got
under way. Had we been on the job, players would
still be the dominating factor in the piano industry
today.
The Situation.
"The piano manufacturers and piano merchants are
good fellows. Taken as a whole, what branch of
industry contains any better? But now behold them
with their backs to the wall, filling the air around
them with their wailing alibi: 'Radio!' They seem to
feel that they are at the end of their rope. Their
predicament is reminiscent of a story current not too
long ago to warrant repetition. A certain vaudeville
performer, out of work, down at the heel, and de-
spondent, accosted the manager of a theater. He
was licked, he explained; he had let the golden op-
portunities slip by unheeded. And now, knowing that
he was at the end of his rope, not knowing which
way to turn, he wanted to end his career in the proper
manner.
The Predicament.
" 'I want to commit suicide on your stage,' he told
the surprised manager. The manager pondered for
a long moment, and scratched his head.
" 'That's a great idea,' he replied, 'but what will
you do for an encore?'
"And it is in this position that the piano industry
finds itself today. What will we do for an encore?
Take Bull by the Horns.
"This: The radio is here and we must make the
best of it. More, we must use the radio to further
our own ends. All good piano men must learn the
radio game. Not only is it interesting, it is highly
profitable. The men behind the radio are alert and
wide awake, and the troubles of batteries and com-
ponent parts are no more. The manufacturers of the
radio have educated the public, and the people at
large are no longer mystified by the intricacies of
sound over the ether. Small dealers as well as large
must know radios as well as pianos, but do not forget
to talk pianos at all times.
"The piano game is not really dead, nor will it
ever die so long as the few valiant spirits in its midst
spur the others on to redoubled efforts in its behalf.
It can come back stronger than ever. But it is a
man-sized job and it requires the whole-hearted
efforts of all of us to attain this end. The radio is
here and most likely it will stay. Help it to stay. Active Man Who Represented Gulbransen Company
Musicians must be created and trained to function on
in Five States Announces Change of Plans.
the radio. Thus pianos have a new mission. Don't
W.
J. Eden, whose home is at 5022 Wyoming
knock the radio; boost it. But before, between and
street, Kansas City, Mo., and who for the past seven
after all your boosts—talk pianos!"
years has represented the Gulbransen Company, Chi-
cago, as wholesale traveling representative, has re-
FAMOUS CYMBAL MAKERS.
signed his position, according to an announcement
For three hundred and five years these most im- made this week. Mr. Eden stated that he intended
portant aids to martial music have been supplied to to take a vacation and rest before divulging any
the world mainly from Turkey. Messrs. K. Zildjian future plans.
& Co., the celebrated makers of cymbals, have been
Mr. Eden has traveled throughout Missouri,
exporting these instruments from Constantinople Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, where he has made
since the year 1623. K. Zildjien, first member of this a wide circle of friends.
firm, was a skilled metal worker, who jealously
Mr. Eden is an Easterner by birth and a Central
guarded his formula for the alloy and his particular Westerner by choice. Prior to going on the road he
method of cymbal-making. But on his death-bed he was engaged in retail selling, having, at one time,
gave these secrets into the keeping of his son and charge of the piano department at Hayden Brothers
heir, from whom they were passed on most carefully at Omaha, Neb., and it is intimated that he may again
down the centuries to the direct descendants of the engage in the retail business.
founder, who still own the business at the present
dav.
W. J. EDEN, PIANO TRAVELER,
MAY ENGAGE IN RETAILING
BAND CONTEST AT JOLIET
Charles Crawford has opened a music store at 717
Thirty crack school bands from all over the United
Edmond street, St. Joseph, Mo.
States, competing in the third annual National School
Band contest at Joliet, 111., Friday and Saturday, May
25 and 26, were heard over WLS. The national con-
test was presented under the auspices of the National
School Band Assocaition and the Committee on In-
strumental Affairs of the Music Supervisors National
Conference, and WLS broadcast many of the ses-
You can sell more pianos if you give
sions.
the purchaser one of the wonderful
The largest band ever heard by the radio audience
new Ensco Piano Units. It makes a
under the baton of the world's most famous band-
master, John Philip Sousa, was broadcast Saturday
Perfect Radio Loudspeaker of any
afternoon. Sousa conducted the playing o f the massed
piano in two minutes.
bands in which 2,000 high school musicians took part.
Write (or Full Details
This event took place out of doors on the Joliet high
school grounds, following the parade of all the bands.
Sousa was one of the judges at the contest.
Piano Dealers
ENGINEERS' SERVICE CO.
NEW YORK
25 Church Street
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers of
Albert Blase has opened a music and sporting goods
store at 225 Wyoming avenue, Kingston, Pa.
MOVING TRUCKS
for
PIANO ACTIONS
HIGHEST GRADE
ONE GRADE ONLY
PIANOS
The Wessell, Nickel & Gross action is a
guarantee of the grade of the instrument
in which it is found.
FACTORIES:
M C W
45th St.
t., 10thAT«. &W46th. 1**-*
""
Y H R l f
* \-JIYIV
Orthophonic Victrolas
Electric Refrigerators
OFFICE.
457 W .
Street
45lh s
Write for catalog and prices for End Trucks, Sill
Trucks, Hoists, Covers and Special Straps.
JULIUS BRECKWOLDT & SON, INC.
DOLGEVILLE. N. Y.
Manufactured by
Self-Lifting PianoTruck Co.
Manufacturer! of
FINDLAY, OHIO
Piano Backs, Boards, Bridges, Bars,
Traplevers and Mouldings
J BRECKWOLDT. Prea.
W. A. BRECKWOLDT. Sec. & Treas
THE O. S. KELLY CO.
Manufacturers
PRESTO BUYERS* GUIDE
TELLS ALL ABOUT ALL PIANOS
of High Grade
PIANO PLATES
SPRINGFIELD
XH E CO MSTOCK, C H E NET Y
IVORYTON, CONN
-
-
OHIO
& CO.
IVORY CUTTERS SINCE 1834
MANUFACTURERS OF
Grand Keys, Actions and Hammers, Upright Keys
Actions and Hammer t Pipe Organ Keys
Piano Forte Ivory for the Trade
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/
May 26, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
We quickly made up our minds that these instru-
ments were beyond the average person, and by so
doing we added to our own sales resistance. We let
the public make up our minds for us regarding
players and reproducers; we spinelessly accepted
their verdict; we were licked before we really got
under way. Had we been on the job, players would
still be the dominating factor in the piano industry
today.
The Situation.
"The piano manufacturers and piano merchants are
good fellows. Taken as a whole, what branch of
industry contains any better? But now behold them
with their backs to the wall, filling the air around
them with their wailing alibi: 'Radio!' They seem to
feel that they are at the end of their rope. Their
predicament is reminiscent of a story current not too
long ago to warrant repetition. A certain vaudeville
performer, out of work, down at the heel, and de-
spondent, accosted the manager of a theater. He
was licked, he explained; he had let the golden op-
portunities slip by unheeded. And now, knowing that
he was at the end of his rope, not knowing which
way to turn, he wanted to end his career in the proper
manner.
The Predicament.
" 'I want to commit suicide on your stage,' he told
the surprised manager. The manager pondered for
a long moment, and scratched his head.
" 'That's a great idea,' he replied, 'but what will
you do for an encore?'
"And it is in this position that the piano industry
finds itself today. What will we do for an encore?
Take Bull by the Horns.
"This: The radio is here and we must make the
best of it. More, we must use the radio to further
our own ends. All good piano men must learn the
radio game. Not only is it interesting, it is highly
profitable. The men behind the radio are alert and
wide awake, and the troubles of batteries and com-
ponent parts are no more. The manufacturers of the
radio have educated the public, and the people at
large are no longer mystified by the intricacies of
sound over the ether. Small dealers as well as large
must know radios as well as pianos, but do not forget
to talk pianos at all times.
"The piano game is not really dead, nor will it
ever die so long as the few valiant spirits in its midst
spur the others on to redoubled efforts in its behalf.
It can come back stronger than ever. But it is a
man-sized job and it requires the whole-hearted
efforts of all of us to attain this end. The radio is
here and most likely it will stay. Help it to stay. Active Man Who Represented Gulbransen Company
Musicians must be created and trained to function on
in Five States Announces Change of Plans.
the radio. Thus pianos have a new mission. Don't
W.
J. Eden, whose home is at 5022 Wyoming
knock the radio; boost it. But before, between and
street, Kansas City, Mo., and who for the past seven
after all your boosts—talk pianos!"
years has represented the Gulbransen Company, Chi-
cago, as wholesale traveling representative, has re-
FAMOUS CYMBAL MAKERS.
signed his position, according to an announcement
For three hundred and five years these most im- made this week. Mr. Eden stated that he intended
portant aids to martial music have been supplied to to take a vacation and rest before divulging any
the world mainly from Turkey. Messrs. K. Zildjian future plans.
& Co., the celebrated makers of cymbals, have been
Mr. Eden has traveled throughout Missouri,
exporting these instruments from Constantinople Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, where he has made
since the year 1623. K. Zildjien, first member of this a wide circle of friends.
firm, was a skilled metal worker, who jealously
Mr. Eden is an Easterner by birth and a Central
guarded his formula for the alloy and his particular Westerner by choice. Prior to going on the road he
method of cymbal-making. But on his death-bed he was engaged in retail selling, having, at one time,
gave these secrets into the keeping of his son and charge of the piano department at Hayden Brothers
heir, from whom they were passed on most carefully at Omaha, Neb., and it is intimated that he may again
down the centuries to the direct descendants of the engage in the retail business.
founder, who still own the business at the present
dav.
W. J. EDEN, PIANO TRAVELER,
MAY ENGAGE IN RETAILING
BAND CONTEST AT JOLIET
Charles Crawford has opened a music store at 717
Thirty crack school bands from all over the United
Edmond street, St. Joseph, Mo.
States, competing in the third annual National School
Band contest at Joliet, 111., Friday and Saturday, May
25 and 26, were heard over WLS. The national con-
test was presented under the auspices of the National
School Band Assocaition and the Committee on In-
strumental Affairs of the Music Supervisors National
Conference, and WLS broadcast many of the ses-
You can sell more pianos if you give
sions.
the purchaser one of the wonderful
The largest band ever heard by the radio audience
new Ensco Piano Units. It makes a
under the baton of the world's most famous band-
master, John Philip Sousa, was broadcast Saturday
Perfect Radio Loudspeaker of any
afternoon. Sousa conducted the playing o f the massed
piano in two minutes.
bands in which 2,000 high school musicians took part.
Write (or Full Details
This event took place out of doors on the Joliet high
school grounds, following the parade of all the bands.
Sousa was one of the judges at the contest.
Piano Dealers
ENGINEERS' SERVICE CO.
NEW YORK
25 Church Street
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers of
Albert Blase has opened a music and sporting goods
store at 225 Wyoming avenue, Kingston, Pa.
MOVING TRUCKS
for
PIANO ACTIONS
HIGHEST GRADE
ONE GRADE ONLY
PIANOS
The Wessell, Nickel & Gross action is a
guarantee of the grade of the instrument
in which it is found.
FACTORIES:
M C W
45th St.
t., 10thAT«. &W46th. 1**-*
""
Y H R l f
* \-JIYIV
Orthophonic Victrolas
Electric Refrigerators
OFFICE.
457 W .
Street
45lh s
Write for catalog and prices for End Trucks, Sill
Trucks, Hoists, Covers and Special Straps.
JULIUS BRECKWOLDT & SON, INC.
DOLGEVILLE. N. Y.
Manufactured by
Self-Lifting PianoTruck Co.
Manufacturer! of
FINDLAY, OHIO
Piano Backs, Boards, Bridges, Bars,
Traplevers and Mouldings
J BRECKWOLDT. Prea.
W. A. BRECKWOLDT. Sec. & Treas
THE O. S. KELLY CO.
Manufacturers
PRESTO BUYERS* GUIDE
TELLS ALL ABOUT ALL PIANOS
of High Grade
PIANO PLATES
SPRINGFIELD
XH E CO MSTOCK, C H E NET Y
IVORYTON, CONN
-
-
OHIO
& CO.
IVORY CUTTERS SINCE 1834
MANUFACTURERS OF
Grand Keys, Actions and Hammers, Upright Keys
Actions and Hammer t Pipe Organ Keys
Piano Forte Ivory for the Trade
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).