Presto
Issue: 1935 2275 - Page 13
PRESTO-TIMES
March-April, 1935
CORRESPONDENCE
INQUIRIES—REPLIES—MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS
OVERING a period of several
years Presto-Times carried a de-
partment given over to answers to
correspondents requesting sundry
trade information. This depart-
ment bore the caption, "Where
Doubts Are Dispelled." The re-
plies and comments on various
suggestions brought out in this
correspondence attracted consid-
erable attention and were interest-
ing.
Since that feature was discon-
tinued information has been furnished correspondents
either by mail direct from Presto-Times' office or
letters turned over to parties who could give ex-
clusive instruction or could supply correspondents
with their requirements.
We again add this feature, giving the names of
writers only when permitted to do so, thus avoiding
certain criticisms and objections that had arisen in
connection with this feature before.
The letters and inquiries selected from an extensive
correspondence are published because they suggest
comment of general interest and information. Many
inquiries come to Presto-Times asking about things
that demand individual replies rather than to appear
in print and which if published would not be helpful
or constructive.
* * *
TUNING HAMMER INFORMATION WANTED
Please give me the address of the manufacturers of
the Hale tuning hammer, or address of company who
can supply the older models of the Hale hammer.
I do not like the octagon shaped rod or the method
employed in fastening the heads; they seem to be too
light and flimsy.
DAVID O. EGBERT,
Lewiston, Utah.
The Hale tuning hammer is made in Boston, Mass.,
but all models of this hammer are supplied by most
of the music supply houses such as, for instance,
American Piano Supply Company, New York and
Tonk Bros. Co., Chicago.
* * *
NAME TRANSFERS WANTED
Please tell us where we can get transfers or stencils
for a Lindeman & Son piano and who do you recom-
mend for making piano transfers. Also what is price
of the Buyers' Guide this year?
ORLANDO NACE & SON,
Independence, Mo.
You probably will be able to secure a Lindeman &
Son decalcomania transfer, if to be used on a genuine
Lindeman & Son piano, by addressing Lester Piano
Company, Philadelphia, Pa. There are several firms
making decalcomania transfers, among them the
Meyercord Company, Chicago; Palm Fechteler &
Company, New York.
The Buyers' Guide is still fifty cents per copy.
* * *
RADIOS WANTED
I have just engaged in the piano business, handling
mostly the Starr line. I want to add radios. Most
of the well-known makes, including RCA, Majestic,
Philco, Crosley, are sold by other dealers in this ter-
ritory. Where can I secure a line of low-priced
radios?
NORTH CAROLINA DEALER.
* * *
Any replies to this correspondent may be sent to
"Player Action" care of Presto-Times.
* * *
Where can 1 get replacement parts, rolls, etc., for
the Ampico?
T H E O D O R E M. SCRUGGS,
Bemis Bros. Bag Co.,
St. Louis, Mo.
You should address the Aeolian-American Corpora-
tion, 689 Fifth Avenue, New York, owners of the
Ampico.
* * *
Can you tell me where I may procure a treatise on
the mechanism and construction of the Electro-
Pneumatic pipe organ?
THOMAS J. SMITH,
Wheeling, W. Va.
The best work that we know of today is the one
written by William H. Barnes entitled, "The Con-
temporary American Organ," published by J. Fischer
& Bro., 119 W. 40th street, New York City. Some
of the manufacturers of great electric-pneumatic or-
gans furnish treatises on the electric-pneumatic organ
in connection with the catalog and publicity depart-
ment of their business. But Mr. Barnes' work is, we
believe, the best book of its kind today.
* * *
INQUIRY FOR PRACTICE CLAVIER
M. A. R., Charlestown, W. Va., says there are calls
for a piano and organ practice keyboard, and wants to
know where a practice clavier can be obtained.
The best practice clavier, known as the Virgil Prac-
tice Clavier, was first made in Peoria, the invention
of A. R. Virgil. It has been made for the past thirty
years in New York City. A small 4-octave clavier is
made by the A. L. White reed organ manufacturing
concern, Englewood avenue, Chicago. Loyd Loar,
proprietor of the Vivi-Tone Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.,
is the patentee of the invention intended for piano
practice which is called the Vivi-Tone Clavier. This
instrument is highly spoken of and this correspondent
will be interested in correspondence with the Vivi-
Tone Company.
* * *
PIANO BASS STRING INQUIRY
Will you kindly advise me where 1 can get in touch
with manufacturers of bass strings for pianos?
M. D. HUDSON MUSIC HOUSE,
Waco, Texas.
Your nearest supply house for bass wound piano
strings would be Schaff Piano String Company, Chi-
cago, or you could be supplied otherwise from Chi-
cago through the Tonk Bros. Company, 623 S.
Wabash avenue, Chicago.
* * *
CALL FOR MR. HOUSTON
We are trying to get in contact with Charles Hous-
ton. Has he by any chance made his appearance at
your office of late?
"INQUIRER."
Mr. Charles Houston seems to have "dropped" out
of sight. No information about him has been received
for several months. Can anyone help to locate this
party ?
* * *
HOW ABOUT BUSH & LANE?
Did the Bush & Lane factory re-open?
F. O. L.
The Bush & Lane factory at Holland, Mich., was
turned over to the Baker Furniture Factories, Inc.,
PLAYER ACTIONS FOR SALE
on a special contract arrangement, but that concern
A correspondent asks where he can dispose of sev- did not secure any of the patterns or equipment for
piano making and do not intend to manufacture
eral (half a dozen or more) Standard Player Co-
pianos. The Bush & Lane product is controlled by
actions including bellows, all in perfect condition.
/AUSIC PRINTERS
ENGRAVERS AND LITHOGRAPHERS
PRINT ANYTHING IN MUSIC
BY ANY PROCESS
SEND FOR QUOTATION AND SAMPLES
NO ORDER TOO SMALL TO RECEIVE ATTENTION
THE LARGEST EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PRINTER VEST OF NEW YORK AND
THE LARGEST ENGR/WING DEPARTMENT I N THE UNITED STATES.
ESTABLISHED 1876
THE OTTO
CINCINNATI.
REFERENCE ANY PUBLISHER.
ZIMMERMAN
6c S O N CO.JNC.
OHIO.
13
C. L. Beach and W. F. Clevey, and the pianos are pro-
duced for them in New York.
* * *
Please let me know the address of the Flybrand
Tuning Pin Mfg. Company.
R. SCHULZE,
Baltimore, Md.
The Flybrand product is a standard foreign make of
piano and tuning pins and the goods are supplied from
most of the American piano supply houses such as
Hammacher, Schlemmer Co., New York, and the
Tonk Bros. Company, Chicago.
* * *
NAMES OF PIANOS AND MANUFACTURERS
WANTED
Where can I get a list of all names and addresses of
pianos made at the present time and of piano manu-
facturers, also the names of pianos of various stencils,
and most important a list of names and addresses of
piano manufacturers now in the hands of receivers
or in liquidation or closing out?
S. ANGUS,
Los Angeles, Cal.
Probably your best way to secure the names you(
ask for is from piano directories but no regular music
trade directory has been published for several years
except the two so-called, "Piano Guides to Buyers,"
one of these by Presto Publishing Company, Chicago;
the other by Music Trades Company, New York.
These publications give quite complete lists of all
pianos and the Presto Buyers' Guide records prac-
tically all names used on pianos for many years past
and gives authentic estimates of all pianos now manu-
factured and on the market today. As to the names
of piano manufacturers who have more recently dis-
continued business, etc., probably such a record could
be obtained from any of the music trade papers.
* * *
INQUIRY FOR PIANO BUYING GUIDES
Can we secure copies of the Presto Buyers' Guide
to American pianos and Presto trade lists of music
dealers since 1923? We would like to know if later
editions have been published. Your directories have
been much used by the business men of Newark and
vicinity and we know that they receive wide publicity
in this way.
BEATRICE WINSER, Librarian,
The Public Library of Newark, N. J.
Presto Publishing Company, Chicago, will furnish
copies of the Buyers' Guide since 1920 and a copy of
the Piano Trade Lists, one issue of which has ap-
peared since 1920. Presto-Times will also go to this
correspondent regularly.
Two prominent music houses in particular are now
giving prominence in their newspaper advertising to
the "Huntington Grand," Hudson's Piano Depart-
ment. Detroit, and Hecht Brothers at their new piano
salon, Howard and Franklin streets, Baltimore, Md.
S T
G L A R
Qrand and Upright
PIANOS
•
J
V
^ I
Manufactured by I
STORY^fc. CLARK PIANO COMPANY
f
Established 1857 j
#
Executive Headquarters: 175 N. Michigan Avenue
-r^_ Chicago, Illinois j
Factory: Grand Haven, Michigan
HARPS
by LYON & HEALY
This phrase "Harps by Lyon & Healy" could
truthfully appear on 95 out of every 100 programs
played by the world's leading symphony and oper-
atic orchestras. An overwhelming majority that
means sales for the dealers of this famous Harp.
Send for our new Illiifttrated Harp Catalog-iie free
LYON & HEALY
Wabash at Jackson
Chicago
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/
March-April, 1935
CORRESPONDENCE
INQUIRIES—REPLIES—MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS
OVERING a period of several
years Presto-Times carried a de-
partment given over to answers to
correspondents requesting sundry
trade information. This depart-
ment bore the caption, "Where
Doubts Are Dispelled." The re-
plies and comments on various
suggestions brought out in this
correspondence attracted consid-
erable attention and were interest-
ing.
Since that feature was discon-
tinued information has been furnished correspondents
either by mail direct from Presto-Times' office or
letters turned over to parties who could give ex-
clusive instruction or could supply correspondents
with their requirements.
We again add this feature, giving the names of
writers only when permitted to do so, thus avoiding
certain criticisms and objections that had arisen in
connection with this feature before.
The letters and inquiries selected from an extensive
correspondence are published because they suggest
comment of general interest and information. Many
inquiries come to Presto-Times asking about things
that demand individual replies rather than to appear
in print and which if published would not be helpful
or constructive.
* * *
TUNING HAMMER INFORMATION WANTED
Please give me the address of the manufacturers of
the Hale tuning hammer, or address of company who
can supply the older models of the Hale hammer.
I do not like the octagon shaped rod or the method
employed in fastening the heads; they seem to be too
light and flimsy.
DAVID O. EGBERT,
Lewiston, Utah.
The Hale tuning hammer is made in Boston, Mass.,
but all models of this hammer are supplied by most
of the music supply houses such as, for instance,
American Piano Supply Company, New York and
Tonk Bros. Co., Chicago.
* * *
NAME TRANSFERS WANTED
Please tell us where we can get transfers or stencils
for a Lindeman & Son piano and who do you recom-
mend for making piano transfers. Also what is price
of the Buyers' Guide this year?
ORLANDO NACE & SON,
Independence, Mo.
You probably will be able to secure a Lindeman &
Son decalcomania transfer, if to be used on a genuine
Lindeman & Son piano, by addressing Lester Piano
Company, Philadelphia, Pa. There are several firms
making decalcomania transfers, among them the
Meyercord Company, Chicago; Palm Fechteler &
Company, New York.
The Buyers' Guide is still fifty cents per copy.
* * *
RADIOS WANTED
I have just engaged in the piano business, handling
mostly the Starr line. I want to add radios. Most
of the well-known makes, including RCA, Majestic,
Philco, Crosley, are sold by other dealers in this ter-
ritory. Where can I secure a line of low-priced
radios?
NORTH CAROLINA DEALER.
* * *
Any replies to this correspondent may be sent to
"Player Action" care of Presto-Times.
* * *
Where can 1 get replacement parts, rolls, etc., for
the Ampico?
T H E O D O R E M. SCRUGGS,
Bemis Bros. Bag Co.,
St. Louis, Mo.
You should address the Aeolian-American Corpora-
tion, 689 Fifth Avenue, New York, owners of the
Ampico.
* * *
Can you tell me where I may procure a treatise on
the mechanism and construction of the Electro-
Pneumatic pipe organ?
THOMAS J. SMITH,
Wheeling, W. Va.
The best work that we know of today is the one
written by William H. Barnes entitled, "The Con-
temporary American Organ," published by J. Fischer
& Bro., 119 W. 40th street, New York City. Some
of the manufacturers of great electric-pneumatic or-
gans furnish treatises on the electric-pneumatic organ
in connection with the catalog and publicity depart-
ment of their business. But Mr. Barnes' work is, we
believe, the best book of its kind today.
* * *
INQUIRY FOR PRACTICE CLAVIER
M. A. R., Charlestown, W. Va., says there are calls
for a piano and organ practice keyboard, and wants to
know where a practice clavier can be obtained.
The best practice clavier, known as the Virgil Prac-
tice Clavier, was first made in Peoria, the invention
of A. R. Virgil. It has been made for the past thirty
years in New York City. A small 4-octave clavier is
made by the A. L. White reed organ manufacturing
concern, Englewood avenue, Chicago. Loyd Loar,
proprietor of the Vivi-Tone Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.,
is the patentee of the invention intended for piano
practice which is called the Vivi-Tone Clavier. This
instrument is highly spoken of and this correspondent
will be interested in correspondence with the Vivi-
Tone Company.
* * *
PIANO BASS STRING INQUIRY
Will you kindly advise me where 1 can get in touch
with manufacturers of bass strings for pianos?
M. D. HUDSON MUSIC HOUSE,
Waco, Texas.
Your nearest supply house for bass wound piano
strings would be Schaff Piano String Company, Chi-
cago, or you could be supplied otherwise from Chi-
cago through the Tonk Bros. Company, 623 S.
Wabash avenue, Chicago.
* * *
CALL FOR MR. HOUSTON
We are trying to get in contact with Charles Hous-
ton. Has he by any chance made his appearance at
your office of late?
"INQUIRER."
Mr. Charles Houston seems to have "dropped" out
of sight. No information about him has been received
for several months. Can anyone help to locate this
party ?
* * *
HOW ABOUT BUSH & LANE?
Did the Bush & Lane factory re-open?
F. O. L.
The Bush & Lane factory at Holland, Mich., was
turned over to the Baker Furniture Factories, Inc.,
PLAYER ACTIONS FOR SALE
on a special contract arrangement, but that concern
A correspondent asks where he can dispose of sev- did not secure any of the patterns or equipment for
piano making and do not intend to manufacture
eral (half a dozen or more) Standard Player Co-
pianos. The Bush & Lane product is controlled by
actions including bellows, all in perfect condition.
/AUSIC PRINTERS
ENGRAVERS AND LITHOGRAPHERS
PRINT ANYTHING IN MUSIC
BY ANY PROCESS
SEND FOR QUOTATION AND SAMPLES
NO ORDER TOO SMALL TO RECEIVE ATTENTION
THE LARGEST EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PRINTER VEST OF NEW YORK AND
THE LARGEST ENGR/WING DEPARTMENT I N THE UNITED STATES.
ESTABLISHED 1876
THE OTTO
CINCINNATI.
REFERENCE ANY PUBLISHER.
ZIMMERMAN
6c S O N CO.JNC.
OHIO.
13
C. L. Beach and W. F. Clevey, and the pianos are pro-
duced for them in New York.
* * *
Please let me know the address of the Flybrand
Tuning Pin Mfg. Company.
R. SCHULZE,
Baltimore, Md.
The Flybrand product is a standard foreign make of
piano and tuning pins and the goods are supplied from
most of the American piano supply houses such as
Hammacher, Schlemmer Co., New York, and the
Tonk Bros. Company, Chicago.
* * *
NAMES OF PIANOS AND MANUFACTURERS
WANTED
Where can I get a list of all names and addresses of
pianos made at the present time and of piano manu-
facturers, also the names of pianos of various stencils,
and most important a list of names and addresses of
piano manufacturers now in the hands of receivers
or in liquidation or closing out?
S. ANGUS,
Los Angeles, Cal.
Probably your best way to secure the names you(
ask for is from piano directories but no regular music
trade directory has been published for several years
except the two so-called, "Piano Guides to Buyers,"
one of these by Presto Publishing Company, Chicago;
the other by Music Trades Company, New York.
These publications give quite complete lists of all
pianos and the Presto Buyers' Guide records prac-
tically all names used on pianos for many years past
and gives authentic estimates of all pianos now manu-
factured and on the market today. As to the names
of piano manufacturers who have more recently dis-
continued business, etc., probably such a record could
be obtained from any of the music trade papers.
* * *
INQUIRY FOR PIANO BUYING GUIDES
Can we secure copies of the Presto Buyers' Guide
to American pianos and Presto trade lists of music
dealers since 1923? We would like to know if later
editions have been published. Your directories have
been much used by the business men of Newark and
vicinity and we know that they receive wide publicity
in this way.
BEATRICE WINSER, Librarian,
The Public Library of Newark, N. J.
Presto Publishing Company, Chicago, will furnish
copies of the Buyers' Guide since 1920 and a copy of
the Piano Trade Lists, one issue of which has ap-
peared since 1920. Presto-Times will also go to this
correspondent regularly.
Two prominent music houses in particular are now
giving prominence in their newspaper advertising to
the "Huntington Grand," Hudson's Piano Depart-
ment. Detroit, and Hecht Brothers at their new piano
salon, Howard and Franklin streets, Baltimore, Md.
S T
G L A R
Qrand and Upright
PIANOS
•
J
V
^ I
Manufactured by I
STORY^fc. CLARK PIANO COMPANY
f
Established 1857 j
#
Executive Headquarters: 175 N. Michigan Avenue
-r^_ Chicago, Illinois j
Factory: Grand Haven, Michigan
HARPS
by LYON & HEALY
This phrase "Harps by Lyon & Healy" could
truthfully appear on 95 out of every 100 programs
played by the world's leading symphony and oper-
atic orchestras. An overwhelming majority that
means sales for the dealers of this famous Harp.
Send for our new Illiifttrated Harp Catalog-iie free
LYON & HEALY
Wabash at Jackson
Chicago
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).