The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-08
How Pianos are Made,

the instrument which can become one
either of torture or pleasure is fashion
ed.
A piano may in making be divided
into four parts the case, the framing
and sounding board, the stringing, the
KEYS and action. The case is the most
expensive part of the instrument
though upon it depends none OF the
value of the piano as musical instru
ment Until within few years, cases
we're almost invariably made of rose
wood, but now every variety of wood
from mahogany to holly is used. 1t
must not be supposed, however, that
case Of rosewood or any other sort OF
fancy wood is made of that material
entirely. The real case is of white
wood, and the appearance OF the most
expensive wood is given by a thin
veneering, applied with extreme care.
The framing has for the last sixty
years been formed in part or whole OF
iron. This is necessary on account OF
the immense strain produced by the
strings, the sum of whose tention
amounts to from seven to ten tons.
The sounding board is OF thin spruce.
The strings are of iron wire covered
with either copper or steel wire or else
plain. The action and keys are formed
of ivory, white wood and felt.
A Tribune reporter was led recent
ly through large factory from the
top story down, and found each floor
devoted to one special branch Of the
manufacture. His guide volubly ex-
planned as they passed through the why
and wherefore of everything.
''This is the polishing room,' said he,
sand an important room it is too. The
polishing of a piano is long, labor.
ious business The varnish is laid on
first in four or five successive coats
which are each of them rubbed down
when dry with pumice stone and water.
Then other finishing coats are applied,
which are sandpapered until the final
polishing coats is applied. Altogether
there are nine or ten coats of varnish
orpolish applied
The next floor was reached.
"These men are building up the
cases." said the guide. "They are held
together by wooden clamps, and when
finished are taken apart, numbered and
sent upstairs to be polished. That man
is veneering. A thin, paper-like sheet
of rosewood is glued to that inch thick
piece Of white wood, and both of them
subjected to enormous pressure at
high temperature. The glue pours out
at the sides, and the veneer is almost
part of the humber wood it masks 1t
will never blister or crack. That odd
ly shaped piece of iron is the frame.
We do not cast them ourselves it
would not pay. Steinway is the only
manufacturer who does. In that little
room are the regulators who after the
piano is made, tone it by carefully
tightening or loosening the strings.
The regulator is the highest paid work
man in the factory. 1t takes him a
little over day to tone piano if he
is working by time. If he is piece
working he gets it done within the
day. Before coming to him, however,
the instrument passes through many
hands, for each man has his own line,
and never departs from it. There are
KEY makers, hammer. makers, hammer
leatherers, stringers, case makers and
fnishers, sound board makers, and so
on. The keys are made as rule out
side the factory, as it would not be
worth while to have the necessary ma
chinery for ivory working"
Floor after floor was visited, until
finally the packing room was reached
and after that the wareroom, where
rows of shining instruments stood
each carefully covered to protect il
} from the dust. 'There, sir" said the
guide, ''that is where piano finds its
way six months or so afterits manufac
ture is begun
"What is the average price of a pia
no o.
"Well, that's difficult question tt
answer. You can buy piano at retail
for 500, or rather what for want of
, better name is called piano. Yo,
2 can also think yourself lucky if you ge
one for $500 as a special favor from
9 the manufacturer Our instrument
! sell for 500, but to you ! would pu
it in at 5000 cash" The courteous OF
fer was declined, but mentioned wit
! appreciation subsequently to man VIII
a has been connected with the plan
9 trade. His scorn was immense.
why come to me-" said he, "and
i will get you the same piano for $35
on easy terms. There is more moi
sense talked in that business than i
Q any other | have ever heard of. TIL
cash price of piano to any one who
i in any way connected with the bus
:, ness is invariably fifty per cent. lowe
4 thar the catalogue price. Now II
l. just give you few figures to sho,
;, that the manufacture is not such yer
# costly affair after ALL Mind you, to-
a ] am speaking of first class Instrument
e Wages vary from $I2 to $50 weel
n or in case Of good regulator to So!
IS Lumber is. dear, but there is not yer
u much used after all in piano. Whit
'f wood costs from $35 TO 500 a 100
'e feet, and spruce for back from 1922. &
r to $50 1000 feet. The best sprut
N taken from the sunny side of the TIRE
10 for sounding boards is S45 100
feet. A set of keys cost about 81
ready for use. The castings necessal
10 come to about $l2 The stripgs--sf
n about thirty covered strings--are 49,
g. Gases, when made by the piece, as
d, generally the case, are put in at abo
III 1920 dozen for the very best, thoul
he they are often contracted for in go,
r. shops at about $3.50 a dozen. Alt
it, gether the average price of frst-cla
Y, instrument TO the manufacturer
n. about $3.50 all told, which leaves a ia
at margin of profit for agents and reta
n, ers when the customer pays his $8
ID to 81 900 for it. Yet piano manufa
~, turers do not make fortunes rapid
a There is immense competition, che
ou instruments are got up which sell
is $3.50, and are worth not so many cen
A large capital has to be invests
ry about $4,000 for each piano turn
al out each week, and sales even in 60
years are slow compared with the sic
that muaf ha liant On hand Altaun