The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-06

ART IN PLANO MAKING.
SIX YEARS ARE NECESSARY FOR
PERFECT CONSTRUCTION.

Great Care I'm All Stages of Manufacture
Is of Vital ImpOrtance-Exquisite Skill
Is an Absolute Qualification in Every
Workman.
Few people are aware of the amount of
time and labor required to produce piano.
From the time the first log is sawed in the
forest until the finishing touches and final
overhauling are given TO the completed
piano from four to six years must pass.
That is, every piano turned out from the
factory or store today was begun four or
five years ago, and ever since that time
has been going through the various stages
Of preparation and construction One of
the large manufacturers, when asked by a
reporter as to the process of construction,
cheerfully gave the desired information, at
the same time leading the way through the
mandatory
This is in reality the second factory, {"
said be, "for all the material comes here in
partially completed state In the first
place an experienced lumberman is en-
ployed by every manufacturer to select the
logs and see that the grains of the different
woods are straight and true. After these
have been sawed the lumber is piled under
weather proof sheds, where it remains
from three to five years, according to
thickness. until it has become thoroughly
air dried.
POLISHING THE WOOD.
when the case has been cut out in the
Massachusetts, factory it is shipped here
and comes first into the vanishing depart
ment, where 1t remains from three to four
months in order that the pores of the
wood may be thoroughly filed That is
really the secret of the fine polish on fin
ished piano. While this is progressing in
the vanishing room other and important
work is being done on the interior of the
piano The sounding board, which is also
seasoned and tested in the first factory, is
again thoroughly tested here.
Every grain Of wood and every Joint is
thoroughly Investigated before it is put
into the case. Here the skill of the piano
maker begins, and only the most careful
and competent workmen are intrusted
with the responsibility of this department.
Numerous mechanical and scientific ar
rangements are necessary to obtain salts
factory results with the sounding boards.
Then the actions, keys and levers are
attended TO In another room These Dor
tons of the piano are of the most vital i'm
portance, as it is upon the exact adjust
ment Of the many levers and center points
that the power and delicacy of the touch
depends. Unless great care and attention
is bestowed upon the details in this depart
ment the piano must prove failure The
next stage reached is where the hammer
keys and actions are placed in their proper
positions in the frame, when the piano first
gives forth sound as a musical instru-
ment.
The principal object sought here is a
powerful blow of the hammer upon the
strings, to be produced by light touch of
the performer. The workmen in this de-
partment must have skill and experience.
Tor the delicate and costly materials and
mechanisms they handle and place in pro-
per working positions make this branch
one of great trust.
MANY DEPARTMENTS.
"In still another department the carvers
are at work chiseling out legs and other
ornamental portions of the piano These,
too, have TO go through a course of sprouts
in the varnish room. After the KEYS, lev
ers, hammers, sounding board and case
aave been properly put together the piano
goes to the fly finishing department, WI ere
all those parts which have been finished
are placed in their respective
positions; that is, the top, lock board, legs,
oedals and music rack are here adjusted.
Now that the piano has been put to-
gether it remains in the fly finishing de-
partment from three to five weeks, and re-
ceives a preparatory course of tuning be- I
tore going into the hands of the action and I
tone regulators. These first tunings are 4
Of great importance, and on them much of .
She future excellence of the piano depends. |
Then the instrument goes to the tone |
department, probably the most /
important branch of all Failure here is
fatal, and must result disastrously as far |
as the production of a true musical instru-
ment is concerned. Here the mechanical 4
rules which have guided all previous de-
partments take back seat. and the highly
trained ear and musical skill of the artist
take the lead. All sound is conveyed TO
our sense Of hearing by means of vibration
running in waves through the air
THE tone regulator must thoroughly
understand the laws which govern the
production of sound and tone. Uneven
and irregular vibrations produce false and
tones On the other hand, even
and regular vibrations produce sweetness
Of tone and harmony. 1t is Of vital inn
portance to the piano manufacturer to I'M
1erstand the laws which govern the pro-
1uction Of the false as well as the true
zones. 1t is in this department that the
quality of the piano is determined
"Of course you think this is the finish
ing point, but it isn't. Before it goes 10
.he warerooms the piano goes into the
hands of workmen of the very highest
grade, who infinitely examine every por-
ion of the instrument. Every string and
hammer, every center lever and spring,
very screw and pin must undergo a rigid
and not until these have
,een sscertained 10 be adjusted properly
Ind the instrument is found 10 be in per
ect condition is it passed over TO receive :
Is final polish and be placed in the ware
Dom. Brooklyn Eagle. -