The talking machine world (July-Dec 1927)

84 The Talking Machine World, New York, October, 1927 designed especially for use where a reproducer is needed which will give good service through a long and vigorous life; and where considerable VOLUME is needed at a not excessive cost. The APP^^^^ Superior is equipped with an exclusive UNIQUE stylus suspension which gives great volume and clarity of tone, and at the same time affords almost perfect protection to the metal diaphragm. The well known Junior, "the reprois now for the first Superior 32 1/nion Sq. ducer with the little horn. time being manufactured with a metal diaphragm We s}\q\[ be pleased to quote you special quantity prices Junior ^REPRODUCTION ^ COM PA NY Makers of Tone-Arms Ana Tteproducers Higher Priced Talking Machines in Great Demand in the Detroit Territory Business on Upgrade Since Middle of September — Annual Radio Show at Orchestra Hall Attracts Trade Exhibits — Dealers Campai gning to Stimulate Collections Detroit, Mich., October 7. — One can hardly write these days of talking machines without mentioning radio, as the two seem to go hand-inhand. In fact, every talking machine dealer to-day is just as much interested in radio because 50 per cent of his sales are represented by radio equipment. All of the dealers are greatly interested in the sixth annual Detroit Radio Show being held this week in Orchestra Hall, even though all of them have not taken space.* Among those who did take exhibit space are the J. L. Hudson Music Store, Grinnell Bros., Dupraw Music House, the Mitchell Co. and the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. It is expected that more than 100,000 persons will attend the show. E. K. Andrew, of the J. L. Hudson Music Store, manager of the talking machine and radio departments, is former president and one of the officials of the Radio Trades Association of Detroit, and is verj^ active in the management of the Radio Show. "Talker" Sales Increase Talking machine sales have shown quite a spurt since the middle of September, especially the high-priced models, and in the combination sets. Dealers are realizing more and more that the combination sets have splendid talking points, and it is just a matter of selling the "price." Of course, price is no object to the ultra; in fact, dealers are still unable to get certain models around the thousand-dollar class, but, of course, for volume it takes business around the $250 and $300 class, and there is no difficulty in getting machines in this class. Problem in Collections Collections have been a problem all Summer and still are, for that matter. Retailers looked for collections to improve with the coming of Fall, but this has failed to materialize, and dealers, many of them, are scratching their heads to figure out what they are going to use for money if the situation keeps up. In all lines of business collections have been the poorest Detroit merchants have experienced in fifteen years — and while this does not sound very encouraging, nevertheless, it is the truth. The one bright star on the horizon is that our biggest motor car manufacturer is adding more men steadily, and it won't be long now before at least another hundred thousand men will be re-employed. One dealer expressed,; it just right when he said, "It is easy, enough to make sales to a lot of substantial people, but the problem is will they be able to meet their monthly obligations." Tie Up With Artists The Rudolph Wurlitzer store here put over a good stunt the past ten days in connection with the personal appearance of Paul Whiteman's Band at the Michigan Theatre. It invited the public to make suggestions in writing as to the favorite selections they would like to have the band play. It stirred up a lot of interest in Paul Whiteman records. The Detroit Music Store on Woodward avenue, near Adams avenue, has been making a strong feature lately of Columbia machines and records with very good results. In fact, this is now one of the leading Columbia retail stores in the city, and Manager Smith sa3's sales have been gratifying the past few months. Public Seeking Quality One thing dealers are finding out — that the cheap-priced talking machine is fast on the wane — if people buy them at all they are willing to get a good one and pay for it. Outside of the portable machines for resorters, boats, etc., anything under $150 seems to have no market, except possibly in the foreign sections — and even there the bulk of the demand is for higher-priced machines. The light-socket, all-electric-operated radio has surely stimulated sales, and to some extent has hurt the talking machine business. As we said, however, in the forepart of our letter, Detroit dealers feel that there will be plenty of good business before the year is out. Noble Sissle Makes Okeh Records Before Sailing Noble Sissle, who starred in "Shuffle Along" and "Chocolate Dandies," has recently been devoting most of his musical entertaining to private social festivities. He is so popular as a singer in society, and has so many engagements to fill, both here and in Europe, he says it will be some time before he will return to musical plays. Noble Sissle is an exclusive Okeh artist. His singing is now accompanied by another exclusive Okeh artist, Rube Bloom. Noble Sissle Rube Bloom plays the piano and so finished is his technic and so sympathetic is his rendering that he has attained a very enviable position among pianists. Mr. Sissle made a number of recordings for the Okeh catalog before sailing to fulfill engagements in London and Paris.