Scan 25
Musical Courier 1892-09-28: Vol 25 Iss 657, 1892
76 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 24. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1CHICAGO.
3Latest from Our Chicago Representative.
5CHICAGO OFFICE MUSICAL COURIER,
6226 WARASH AVENUE,
7CHICAGO, September 24, 1892.
9PROBABLY one of the most interesting piano factories in the United States, large or small, to those interested in the progress and improvement of piano construction as a fine art is the factory of A. Reed & Sons at 171 South Canal street, Chicago. The plant is not a large one as at present worked, permitting of the making of only six or eight pianos per week. The interest of the visitor centres not in the quantity but in the extreme high standard of quality the firm has adopted and the strenuous efforts made for its practical realization in the instruments manufactured.
11Not content with even the best methods known to the piano trade at the present time, for more than two years they have devoted themselves to an almost endless series of inventions and improvements, testing and proving each in the most practical manner. Their factory has been a regular laboratory for the evolution of new ideas in piano building. It has been a labor of incredible patience and great cost in money, but in results a triumphant success, as proved by the pianos now submitted for public inspection.
13The surprise manifested by many at their superb qualities is intensified, because the firm have boasted but little of what they were doing, and their completed work comes unexpectedly like a revelation.
15In the first place they have an entirely new system of construction that renders the piano smaller, stronger, lighter and capable of a greater and purer tone.
17When one thinks of the wondrous volume and purity of tone of the violin, then of its shell-like lightness combined with its small size, one naturally asks why cannot comparatively the same combination be effected in piano building. For beauty, convenience in moving and general household comfort such a piano would be a jewel indeed. In truth, this new patent system of the Reed & Sons firm is an attempted realization of just this thing. The sound board, upon which the bridges with their strings rest, is well arched and glued continuously around its edge to a rim of wood in precisely the same manner that the belly or front of a violin is glued to its rim or sides.
19A sample instrument of this construction is shown the visitor. It is a small upright piano about 4 feet 5 inches in height, but very narrow across the ends, being less than 23 inches, so that it will pass through the narrowest doorway, up and down crooked flights of stairs or through narrow hallways where no other piano could be taken. Yet the keys are as long as in the largest cabinet grand, thereby securing the best leverage for an easy and artistic touch.
21It is difficult without taking too much space in our columns to explain in detail all its many peculiarities; suffice it to say the instrument lacks the usual heavy timber framing in the back and thus one danger, the expansion and contraction of this mass of wood, to the detriment of its standing in tune, is done away with.
23A strong iron plate furnishes the strength needed, but at no point does the sound board or tone producing part of the instrument come in contact with any metal, as is the case in all pianos now made on the regular system. This new system guarantees against all metallic tone. This is accomplished by having a deep flange running completely around the outer edges of the plate, projecting well toward the front. Around and to this flange is bolted a wide rim of wood; this projects in the rear of the plate far enough to admit of the edges of the sound board being fastened to it.
25The sound board, unlike that in any other piano heretofore made, is considerably larger than the iron plate itself, whereby the vibration of the board is very decidedly increased. Across its upper edge is a stout bar of wood which is free from any fastening except at the two ends, and this also greatly increases the vibrating qualities of the sound board. This bar is further reinforced by a peculiarly shaped elastic spring bar so placed that one constantly reacts on the other. Across the back of the plate near its upper edge is an arch cast in one piece with the plate itself. Upon this saddle the pin block rests, being firmly bolted in position. The pin block itself is covered with an anti-moisture composition that is absolutely water, proof and protects the block from any checking or cracking, thus lessening the liability of the pins becoming loose in their sockets and the piano getting out of tune. This waterproofing composition resembles Tennessee marble so closely that everyone at first is deceived into thinking the tuning pins are planted in solid marble; the effect is very handsome.
27The steel strings of the instrument rest upon aluminium bronze wheels, turning upon stub steel axles in agraffes that take the place of the ordinary pressure bar. By means of these wheels or pulleys the friction of the strings upon their bearings is greatly reduced when the instrument is being tuned, and the sticking and jumping of the strings are avoided. This new device renders the instrument capable of the most perfect and easy tuning known to the profession.
29Another item is a new style of pedal feet that project laterally or sideways to the piano, affording greater ease and comfort in use and a far more elegant appearance.
31All these improvements and inventions are covered by letters patent from the United States Government, England, Germany and France.
33Having described the peculiar construction of this little piano we come to the consideration of the tone, which is decidedly different from anything heretofore made in the upright shape. It has many of the qualities of the grand piano. It is very free and clear. The sonority and sustaining power are remarkable. It is exceedingly sensitive to the touch and damps instantly even when the strings are vibrating to their utmost. No amount of forcing shatters the tone. There seems to be almost an endless reserve that responds when called upon. The purity of the tone is especially noteworthy. In a word, the instrument is a marvel in its way and is bound to be heard from in the future.
35The firm has as yet produced only this sample instrument, which they have been testing with every known method for months past, being very conservative as to what they recommend to the public. So completely, however, has this instrument answered every expectation that they have now a number of similar instruments under construction, with further additions that they claim will beat the world. The design of the case is as unique and aesthetic as are the other novel things about it.
37In addition to this style the firm are making some extra size cabinet grand uprights upon the same principles used by the most celebrated piano firms, but adding thereto the anti-moisture pin block, the aluminium bronze wheel agraffes and lateral pedals.
39These are put in a massive new style of case, making one of the most brilliant, striking and attractive pianos in the market.
41The tone of these pianos is immense. The scale is very even from one end to the other, the breaks being almost imperceptible. The upper register is particularly strong and clear. The common fault of many instruments, a bass that drowns out everything else, is entirely avoided. A most elastic, pleasant and easy touch, combined with noble qualities of tone, impresses the player at once with the fact that he is face to face with an instrument of the highest grade. The surprise of it all is that such a piano could be made in Chicago. But the fact is manufacturers, dealers and tuners, salesmen and artists, will find in this little factory more novel, striking and ingenious inventions and improvements than can be found elsewhere in America—things both valuable, new and practical. So at least says everyone who has made an investigation of these matters. But there is a reason for everything, and the root of the matter lies in the fact that the father (now a very old man) of the two younger men of the firm devoted his life to the piano trade, having established the firm business in 1842, just fifty years ago. The sons who have made and worked out these inventions have been raised in the business and sold the most celebrated pianos. From long acquaintance they know just what a fine piano should be and just where its weak points are. With minds filled with innumerable ideas of improvements and two years of constant practical experiment, with an absorbing tenacity of purpose they have accomplished the seemingly impossible—something new in the piano trade.
43They have now patents pending for a new grand piano, in which the strings would be under the sound board, as well as other novel items. But this, as Rudyard Kipling says, is another story. To explain the reasons and details would take altogether too much space.
45The firm have in contemplation the building of one of these grands for exhibition at the Columbian world's fair if time permits. It would certainly be one of the greatest novelties shown there.
47Our Eastern friends may not realize it, but Chicago is one of the best fields for piano manufacturing and is rapidly coming to the front. The pioneer men who are now investing their money in this branch of business are sure to reach a rich harvest if they manage with any kind of prudence. It is a rare combination of men, circumstances and capital that is required to make strictly first-class pianos. But the prize is a rich one when drawn, and it looks as if the Reed firm is the lucky one in Chicago. Every great city has one firm that for artistic merits stands at the head, and we are inclined to think that the Reeds have made a bold bid for the place. They have already a well earned reputation of the past to back the fine qualities of their new pianos, and that is a combination that should win.
49Paul Pferdner has returned to Chicago in the clutches of the law at the instance of Mr. Joseph Bohmann, though in a letter to a gentleman in this city; written on his way, he claims to be innocent of any wrongdoing. It is unfortunate for Mr. Pferdner that he should have seen fit to change his cognomen, and that his record with the gentleman in this city with whom he has had business relations should not be more to his credit. The most charitable conclusion to arrive at in this matter is that, notwithstanding the ability that Mr. Pferdner is known to possess, he has in this instance overstepped good business policy.
51The Schaff Brothers Company, under the management of Mr. George T. Link, have just completed one of the finest pianos ever made in this city. The concern and their goods are an honor to the city, and it goes without saying they are prospering as they deserve to.
53Mr. W. A. White, the traveler for Messrs. Hazelton Brothers, was in the city this week, and reports that he has already made five new agents for the Hazelton piano.
55The annual meeting of the Chickering-Chase Brothers Company occurred here last Monday. There was simply a re-election of the old officers of the company.
57Messrs. Julius Bauer & Co. have just finished the best baby grand ever produced in this city, and it is now on exhibition at their warerooms. In something less than a month they will have a new scale upright ready for the market—an improvement, of course, as I can testify to by personal examination, though not as to material, workmanship and finish, which is already of the very best.
59Messrs. Coulon, Wihot & Co. is a new concern who have begun the manufacture of upright pianos in a small way in this city. They have already finished several really meritorious instruments, using good material and finishing them well.
61Mr. P. J. Healy showed me a bird's eye maple Knabe piano which the concern have just received, which must be acknowledged to be a beautiful specimen of case work, in relation to which the most captious critic must fail to find fault.
63Mr. W. C. Burgess, traveling salesman for Messrs. Wegman & Co., who spent a couple of days in the city this week, says the concern are doing an exceedingly fine business. Mr. John A. Bryant is making a leader of this instrument and selling lots of them, and speaks in high terms of the satisfaction derived from his adoption of it as his leading piano.
65The above is a cut of a new music cabinet recently introduced by Messrs. Salter & Bilek, of this city, the price of which has been placed at $14 net, f. o. b. In view of the prices heretofore prevailing on goods of this kind, it must be seen to be low.
67This particular one combines a music cabinet and desk, is 54 inches high and 30 inches wide, has a French plate mirror, is arranged for a curtain, and is made of quarter sawed oak, polished.
69Messrs. Allen & Bogges, of Williamsfield, Ill., are in financial trouble and have placed their affairs in the hands of Mr. L. J. Baird to effect a settlement.
71Mr. H. Goldman, of Carthage, Mo., has given a chattel mortgage for $1,500. Creditors have forwarded claims and it is thought that the result will be a wind up.
73Lyon & Healy held a meeting of directors this morning; no special results therefrom.
75—Brewer & Anthony, piano and organ dealers, Ocala, Fla., have agreed to wind up their business by assigning. They have plenty of means, but neither would accept the other's offer either to buy or sell, hence the assignment.
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