Presto
Issue: 1929 2227 - Page 10
May 15, 1929
PRESTO-TIMES
10
easy to play as the inventor had intended; he had hit increasing the production of grand pianos. Its loca-
tion is at Chicago and Kedzie avenues.
it right the first time.
So remarkable was the performance; so elated were
Assistants Share in Gulbransen's Success.
those who heard it and tried it out, a stock company
Of course, the Gulbransen now is a vastly better
was formed for the purpose of making and selling instrument than the earlier models, for constant im-
registering actions to such piano manufacturers as provement has taken place and the Gulbransen busi-
would become interested. About $10,000 was se- ness long ago became much too large to be directed
Implicit Faith in the Correctness of an Idea cured; $5,000 of which Mr. Gulbransen had saved out entirely by one man. It is now a very extensive
Lifted This Company Out of Humble
of his salary as superintendent and the balance made organization in which Mr. Gulbransen has surrounded
Beginnings to a Place in World
up of smaller amounts from a number of friends.
himself with capable assistants, many of whom have
Leadership.
A Practical Test.
been associated with him for years. They have
To be nearer the manufacturing center, space for shared with him in his success, for Mr. Gulbransen
a workshop (the first Gulbransen factory), was rented is a modest, unselfish man; they are doing their part
in an old building on Union Park Court. Chicago, to see that instruments leave the factory properly and
and the piano containing the first Gulbransen Action people learn to play them properly and to further
A. G. Gulbransen, Head of This Great House, Is Just was placed on display at the Great Northern Hotel Mr. Gulbransen's idea that personally-played piano
of that city, there to meet the test of piano manufac- music should be the enjoyment of every home.
as Modest Today as at the Beginning
turers,
musicians and reporters for the trade papers.
Next time you sec a piano look for the name. It
of His Work.
It was a triumph; though the design was unusual— may be a Gulbransen; the first one ever made is still
As interesting, perhaps, as any story in the history radical; yet the mechanism was so simple; so easy to in good playing order.
of American industry is the history of the Gulbran- play; so durably constructed, it won instantaneous
sen Registering Piano and the inventor, A. G. Gul- approval and enough business was obtained to keep
bransen. as told in the "Garfieldian." A more hum- the little workshop busy for a long time.
ble beginning could scarcely be thought of; yet,
Further introduction was merely a stepping stone:
because of implicit faith in the correctness of an idea;
hard work and an unselfish fairness in forging the among all players, the Gulbransen was distinguished
idea forward, the Gulbransen institution is believed to as easy to play and as "registering" individual
be the largest of its kind in the world, and is located "touch" many piano manufacturers including leading
on the Great West Side of Chicago. A. G. Gulbran- houses of the industry began using Gulbransen Regis- Trade Show of Radio Men to Be Spread Over
tering actions, and within ten years, the Gulbransen
Three of Chicago's Largest
work-shop and its working force (composed of Mr.
Hotels.
Gulbransen, a helper and one boy) had expanded to
the occupation of an entire six-story factory building,
Three of Chicago's largest hotels. The Stevens.
with a corresponding increase in help and the manu- Blackstone and The Congress, will be literally over-
facture of thousands of Registering actions.
flowing with radio visitors, exhibits of modern radio
Yet the ambition of A. G. Gulbransen did not and entertainment features during the Annual Con-
wane; this success did not satisfy him. Noticing the vention and Trade Show of the Radio Manufac-
shortcomings of the ordinary piano for player work, turers' Association during the week of June 3, accord-
he wanted to build a complete registering piano, so ing to final reports made to the R. M. A. Show Com-
that he could incorporate in the piano, as well as in mittee at a special meeting just held in Chicago.
the Registering action, those ideas which his earlier
Mr. Morris Metcalf of Springfield, Mass, chairman,
training at the bench, study and long experience had
and the R. M. A. Show Committee met May 11 at
taught him were correct.
the Stevens Hotel and made final plans for the great-
Present Location Chosen.
est trade show ever held under R. M. A. or any other
Early in 1915, the opportunity presented itself. At industrial auspices.
the intersections of West Chicago, Kedzie and Saw-
With all of the 30,000 square feet of exhibit space
yer avenues, Chicago, there was a large factory in the three hotels over-subscribed, additional exhib-
building. It had been used for piano manufactur- itors have been assigned hotel rooms for display and
ing; the firm had failed and the building was for sale. demonstration purposes. The radio hosts will use
Negotiations were entered into; the building was virtually every inch of space in the three big hotels
bought; the old Union Park Court plant released and on Michigan avenue and the elaborate plans for en-
the business moved to the new location, there to form tertainment of the visitors have been made by M:.
the nucleus for what later was to be one of the great- Henry C. Forster of Chicago, 111., chairman of the
est institutions of its kind in the world for the man- R. M. A. Convention Program and Banquet Com-
ufacture of grand pianos of outstanding merit and mittee.
A. G. GULBRANSEN.
popularity, upright pianos of every important type,
Those in attendance at the final meeting of the
sen is the president of it—and your own home is per- and. of course, the famous Registering Piano.
R. M. A. Show Committee, in addition to Chairman
Changes
in
factory
arrangements
were
made;
new
haps one of the thousands enjoying the pleasure of
Metcalf were: George H. Clark and Arthus Moss of
equipment was bought and the manufacture of pianos New York; Nathan P. Bloom of Louisville; A. J.
Gulbransen music.
was commenced on a basis which, for systematic or- Carter, Herbert E. Young, P. C. Lenz. Jr. of Chicago;
Mr. Gulbransen Is Musical.
ganization, factory arrangement and equipment, be- G. Clayton Irwin, Jr., of New York, trade show man-
Mr. Gulbransen is musical; he has made musical- came one of the wonders of the piano industry.
ager; M. F. Flanagan of Chicago, executive secretary,
instrument making a life study. He is a great be-
Things therefore considered impossible were a real-
liever in the benefit to be derived from having music ity; it produced better instruments; it reduced costs and Bond P. Geddes of New York, executive vice-
in the home and he has given to the public a most and the public evidenced its approval with a phe- president.
unusual instrument for this purpose.
nomenal demand for Gulbransen pianos.
Began as Cabinet Maker.
The One-Price Policy Adopted.
A PIANO CLUB FROLIC.
Although the first Gulbransen action was built in
Monday night. May 27, the Piano Club of Chicago
Mr. Gulbransen sensed the situation; these purchas-
the fall of 1905. Mr. Gulbransen was even then a man ers and honest dealers must be protected and a "one announces a grand gala night. The event may be
of long experience in musical-instrument manufac- price" policy, then unknown and as yet unpracticed staged at Medinah Temple, but wherever it is given
turing. Beginning as a cabinet maker; then work- in the industry outside of the Gulbransen institution, it will be an interesting and noteworthy event. Aside
ing at the bench in various departments of reed organ, was adopted. Every instrument leaving the Gulbran- from the general festivities of the occasion, plans
piano and player-piano work, his ability, energy and sen plant did so bearing the Gulbransen name and already developed will be set in motion for staging
helpful co-operation with his associates become recog- the retail price (the same to everyone, everywhere in the grand Music Industries Convention the week of
nized and at different times he held important posi- the United States) was branded in the back of each June 3. The reception committee will be named at
tions with several of the leading manufacturers of
instrument at the factory. A campaign of national that time and plans fully developed for the music
that time.
advertising was then started in leading publications convention entertainment.
While superintendent for one of the foremost mak- to inform the public what they could expect in a Gul-
ers of player-pianos of that time, Mr. Gulbransen con- bransen piano and what the cost would be.
ceived the idea of an action infinitely more simple
Outside of the extraordinary merit of the instru- MUCH DEPENDS ON CHICAGO CLUB.
The Piano Club of Chicago has its hands more
than anything ever attempted before; a medium ment itself this policy of national pricing no doubt
through which a person could accomplish as capable contributed more largely to the success of the Gul- than full in providing the entertainment and the open-
musical results as through hand playing of the piano bransen piano than any other single factor. It gave ing luncheon on June 3 at the Drake Hotel—Monday
the people confidence; it eliminated bargaining; it noon. Equal to the occasion, the club will undoubt-
and with as much ease, comfort and satisfaction.
So confident was he that he was right, and much prevented trickery; the layman could purchase as eco- edly acquit itself with credit. Tickets are $2 and
to the surprise and against the advice of his friends, nomically as the shrewd buyer. The price was stand- further information will be cheerfully furnished by
he resigned his position as superintendent of a large ardized, and the public welcomed it, for they knew Mr. Brownell at Lyon & Healy's. The club gives a
piano and player-piano manufacturing plant, purchased that unless the price was fair and just, unless the stag party on Monday night. May 20, at which fur
a piano for experimental purposes and went to work value was more than usual, such a practice could not tber plans are to be made.
in the basement of his home at Sycamore, 111., to exist.
build the Registering Action of his ideal.
Wide Advertising.
CLUB CONDOLES WITH VOSE FAMILY.
The piano which he purchased was a somewhat
Today Gulbransen advertising appears in the Sat-
The passing of Willard A. Vose, president of the
unusual one; a very small upright only four feet, four urday Evening Post and forty other publications, as
Yose & Sons Piano Co.. Boston, Watertown, Mass.,
inches high and with a very narrow case.
well as in hundreds of newspapers; it is telling the was announced at the Piano Club of Chicago Mon-
A Successful Try-Out.
public of the happiness that a Gulbransen means, and day noon this week and a telegram of condolence
However, the Registering Action was small and prices are mentioned in each ad. The Gulbransen was forwarded to Boston.
when after much persistency as well as resourceful- plant comprises four factory buildings and a power
ness in securing and making the necessary parts and bouse. Four and one-half acres of ground are occu-
putting them together, the action was finally ready, pied; 400.000 square feet of floor space is used, and
THE KRAKAUER EXHIBIT.
it easily went inside the piano and the instrument was the annual capacity is 45.000 instruments. The com-
Krakauer Bros., piano makers. Cypress avenue.
pany back of the product is one of the largest and 136th and 137th streets, New York, will have an ex-
tried out.
It was amazing; Gulbranseu Action No. 1 was a most responsible, with authorized capital stated at hibit at the Drake Hotel during the National Music
success; practically every theory Mr. Gulbransen held $5,000,000.
Convention Week, in Suite No. 370-71-72. Al. S.
was proved correct. It played satisfactorily, it was
In 1914 the company built a six-story structure, Zeisler will be in charge for the company.
GULBRANSEN PIANO
COMPANY HISTORY
AMBITIONS REALIZED
R. M. A. COMMITTEE
COMPLETES PLANS
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-TIMES
10
easy to play as the inventor had intended; he had hit increasing the production of grand pianos. Its loca-
tion is at Chicago and Kedzie avenues.
it right the first time.
So remarkable was the performance; so elated were
Assistants Share in Gulbransen's Success.
those who heard it and tried it out, a stock company
Of course, the Gulbransen now is a vastly better
was formed for the purpose of making and selling instrument than the earlier models, for constant im-
registering actions to such piano manufacturers as provement has taken place and the Gulbransen busi-
would become interested. About $10,000 was se- ness long ago became much too large to be directed
Implicit Faith in the Correctness of an Idea cured; $5,000 of which Mr. Gulbransen had saved out entirely by one man. It is now a very extensive
Lifted This Company Out of Humble
of his salary as superintendent and the balance made organization in which Mr. Gulbransen has surrounded
Beginnings to a Place in World
up of smaller amounts from a number of friends.
himself with capable assistants, many of whom have
Leadership.
A Practical Test.
been associated with him for years. They have
To be nearer the manufacturing center, space for shared with him in his success, for Mr. Gulbransen
a workshop (the first Gulbransen factory), was rented is a modest, unselfish man; they are doing their part
in an old building on Union Park Court. Chicago, to see that instruments leave the factory properly and
and the piano containing the first Gulbransen Action people learn to play them properly and to further
A. G. Gulbransen, Head of This Great House, Is Just was placed on display at the Great Northern Hotel Mr. Gulbransen's idea that personally-played piano
of that city, there to meet the test of piano manufac- music should be the enjoyment of every home.
as Modest Today as at the Beginning
turers,
musicians and reporters for the trade papers.
Next time you sec a piano look for the name. It
of His Work.
It was a triumph; though the design was unusual— may be a Gulbransen; the first one ever made is still
As interesting, perhaps, as any story in the history radical; yet the mechanism was so simple; so easy to in good playing order.
of American industry is the history of the Gulbran- play; so durably constructed, it won instantaneous
sen Registering Piano and the inventor, A. G. Gul- approval and enough business was obtained to keep
bransen. as told in the "Garfieldian." A more hum- the little workshop busy for a long time.
ble beginning could scarcely be thought of; yet,
Further introduction was merely a stepping stone:
because of implicit faith in the correctness of an idea;
hard work and an unselfish fairness in forging the among all players, the Gulbransen was distinguished
idea forward, the Gulbransen institution is believed to as easy to play and as "registering" individual
be the largest of its kind in the world, and is located "touch" many piano manufacturers including leading
on the Great West Side of Chicago. A. G. Gulbran- houses of the industry began using Gulbransen Regis- Trade Show of Radio Men to Be Spread Over
tering actions, and within ten years, the Gulbransen
Three of Chicago's Largest
work-shop and its working force (composed of Mr.
Hotels.
Gulbransen, a helper and one boy) had expanded to
the occupation of an entire six-story factory building,
Three of Chicago's largest hotels. The Stevens.
with a corresponding increase in help and the manu- Blackstone and The Congress, will be literally over-
facture of thousands of Registering actions.
flowing with radio visitors, exhibits of modern radio
Yet the ambition of A. G. Gulbransen did not and entertainment features during the Annual Con-
wane; this success did not satisfy him. Noticing the vention and Trade Show of the Radio Manufac-
shortcomings of the ordinary piano for player work, turers' Association during the week of June 3, accord-
he wanted to build a complete registering piano, so ing to final reports made to the R. M. A. Show Com-
that he could incorporate in the piano, as well as in mittee at a special meeting just held in Chicago.
the Registering action, those ideas which his earlier
Mr. Morris Metcalf of Springfield, Mass, chairman,
training at the bench, study and long experience had
and the R. M. A. Show Committee met May 11 at
taught him were correct.
the Stevens Hotel and made final plans for the great-
Present Location Chosen.
est trade show ever held under R. M. A. or any other
Early in 1915, the opportunity presented itself. At industrial auspices.
the intersections of West Chicago, Kedzie and Saw-
With all of the 30,000 square feet of exhibit space
yer avenues, Chicago, there was a large factory in the three hotels over-subscribed, additional exhib-
building. It had been used for piano manufactur- itors have been assigned hotel rooms for display and
ing; the firm had failed and the building was for sale. demonstration purposes. The radio hosts will use
Negotiations were entered into; the building was virtually every inch of space in the three big hotels
bought; the old Union Park Court plant released and on Michigan avenue and the elaborate plans for en-
the business moved to the new location, there to form tertainment of the visitors have been made by M:.
the nucleus for what later was to be one of the great- Henry C. Forster of Chicago, 111., chairman of the
est institutions of its kind in the world for the man- R. M. A. Convention Program and Banquet Com-
ufacture of grand pianos of outstanding merit and mittee.
A. G. GULBRANSEN.
popularity, upright pianos of every important type,
Those in attendance at the final meeting of the
sen is the president of it—and your own home is per- and. of course, the famous Registering Piano.
R. M. A. Show Committee, in addition to Chairman
Changes
in
factory
arrangements
were
made;
new
haps one of the thousands enjoying the pleasure of
Metcalf were: George H. Clark and Arthus Moss of
equipment was bought and the manufacture of pianos New York; Nathan P. Bloom of Louisville; A. J.
Gulbransen music.
was commenced on a basis which, for systematic or- Carter, Herbert E. Young, P. C. Lenz. Jr. of Chicago;
Mr. Gulbransen Is Musical.
ganization, factory arrangement and equipment, be- G. Clayton Irwin, Jr., of New York, trade show man-
Mr. Gulbransen is musical; he has made musical- came one of the wonders of the piano industry.
ager; M. F. Flanagan of Chicago, executive secretary,
instrument making a life study. He is a great be-
Things therefore considered impossible were a real-
liever in the benefit to be derived from having music ity; it produced better instruments; it reduced costs and Bond P. Geddes of New York, executive vice-
in the home and he has given to the public a most and the public evidenced its approval with a phe- president.
unusual instrument for this purpose.
nomenal demand for Gulbransen pianos.
Began as Cabinet Maker.
The One-Price Policy Adopted.
A PIANO CLUB FROLIC.
Although the first Gulbransen action was built in
Monday night. May 27, the Piano Club of Chicago
Mr. Gulbransen sensed the situation; these purchas-
the fall of 1905. Mr. Gulbransen was even then a man ers and honest dealers must be protected and a "one announces a grand gala night. The event may be
of long experience in musical-instrument manufac- price" policy, then unknown and as yet unpracticed staged at Medinah Temple, but wherever it is given
turing. Beginning as a cabinet maker; then work- in the industry outside of the Gulbransen institution, it will be an interesting and noteworthy event. Aside
ing at the bench in various departments of reed organ, was adopted. Every instrument leaving the Gulbran- from the general festivities of the occasion, plans
piano and player-piano work, his ability, energy and sen plant did so bearing the Gulbransen name and already developed will be set in motion for staging
helpful co-operation with his associates become recog- the retail price (the same to everyone, everywhere in the grand Music Industries Convention the week of
nized and at different times he held important posi- the United States) was branded in the back of each June 3. The reception committee will be named at
tions with several of the leading manufacturers of
instrument at the factory. A campaign of national that time and plans fully developed for the music
that time.
advertising was then started in leading publications convention entertainment.
While superintendent for one of the foremost mak- to inform the public what they could expect in a Gul-
ers of player-pianos of that time, Mr. Gulbransen con- bransen piano and what the cost would be.
ceived the idea of an action infinitely more simple
Outside of the extraordinary merit of the instru- MUCH DEPENDS ON CHICAGO CLUB.
The Piano Club of Chicago has its hands more
than anything ever attempted before; a medium ment itself this policy of national pricing no doubt
through which a person could accomplish as capable contributed more largely to the success of the Gul- than full in providing the entertainment and the open-
musical results as through hand playing of the piano bransen piano than any other single factor. It gave ing luncheon on June 3 at the Drake Hotel—Monday
the people confidence; it eliminated bargaining; it noon. Equal to the occasion, the club will undoubt-
and with as much ease, comfort and satisfaction.
So confident was he that he was right, and much prevented trickery; the layman could purchase as eco- edly acquit itself with credit. Tickets are $2 and
to the surprise and against the advice of his friends, nomically as the shrewd buyer. The price was stand- further information will be cheerfully furnished by
he resigned his position as superintendent of a large ardized, and the public welcomed it, for they knew Mr. Brownell at Lyon & Healy's. The club gives a
piano and player-piano manufacturing plant, purchased that unless the price was fair and just, unless the stag party on Monday night. May 20, at which fur
a piano for experimental purposes and went to work value was more than usual, such a practice could not tber plans are to be made.
in the basement of his home at Sycamore, 111., to exist.
build the Registering Action of his ideal.
Wide Advertising.
CLUB CONDOLES WITH VOSE FAMILY.
The piano which he purchased was a somewhat
Today Gulbransen advertising appears in the Sat-
The passing of Willard A. Vose, president of the
unusual one; a very small upright only four feet, four urday Evening Post and forty other publications, as
Yose & Sons Piano Co.. Boston, Watertown, Mass.,
inches high and with a very narrow case.
well as in hundreds of newspapers; it is telling the was announced at the Piano Club of Chicago Mon-
A Successful Try-Out.
public of the happiness that a Gulbransen means, and day noon this week and a telegram of condolence
However, the Registering Action was small and prices are mentioned in each ad. The Gulbransen was forwarded to Boston.
when after much persistency as well as resourceful- plant comprises four factory buildings and a power
ness in securing and making the necessary parts and bouse. Four and one-half acres of ground are occu-
putting them together, the action was finally ready, pied; 400.000 square feet of floor space is used, and
THE KRAKAUER EXHIBIT.
it easily went inside the piano and the instrument was the annual capacity is 45.000 instruments. The com-
Krakauer Bros., piano makers. Cypress avenue.
pany back of the product is one of the largest and 136th and 137th streets, New York, will have an ex-
tried out.
It was amazing; Gulbranseu Action No. 1 was a most responsible, with authorized capital stated at hibit at the Drake Hotel during the National Music
success; practically every theory Mr. Gulbransen held $5,000,000.
Convention Week, in Suite No. 370-71-72. Al. S.
was proved correct. It played satisfactorily, it was
In 1914 the company built a six-story structure, Zeisler will be in charge for the company.
GULBRANSEN PIANO
COMPANY HISTORY
AMBITIONS REALIZED
R. M. A. COMMITTEE
COMPLETES PLANS
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).