The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 13 69 BASINGHALL STREET, LONDON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. TRADE HAPPENINGS IN LONDON. Retrospective and Prospective Talk on Conditions in the Talking Machine Industry in Great Britain — Year of Progress Just Closed — What Has Been Accomplished in the Perfection of the Talking Machine and Record — Hornless Variety Has Made Great Strides — The Year Notable for the Weeding Out Process Which Still Goes on Merrily — Various Companies Are Turning Out a Line of Records Which Continue to Interest the Trade — Recent Failures in the Industry Are Not Showing Up Well in the Way of Assets for Creditors — Pertinent Comments Upon the News Happenings of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) 69 Basinghall St., London, E. C. Simultaneously with the advent of a new year one's thoughts take a retrospective turn, and we reflect upon conditions of the past more from the point of view of results than anything else. In which respect and in what channel our thoughts run depends largely upon environment. Each of us individually take up different attitudes, widely divergent according to temperament, yet there is one point of consideration common to all of us. T need hardly say that that mainly centers around trading results, and whether or not there is a balance at the bank on the right side. That, however, is not so much my interest as yours. What I feel more concerned about at the moment is what progress, if any, has the talking machine trade made, from a scientific point of view, during the year 1909? Perhaps I should not have put that as a question, because my readers will scarcely dispute the fact that the past year has been one of unquestionable glory for this trade. We have made good progress, and the improvements, new devices, and practical advancement of the talking machine are both real and lasting. Following upon the wonderful Amberol record, which gave new life to the cylinder trade, there were several attempts to make a similar article, but the only one which has weathered the test of time is the Ebonoid 200-thread. A good record and remarkable value, too, yet the backbone of the cylinder trade in this country is without a doubt the Edison Amberol goods, which exercise and wield an influence of inestimable value to all engaged in such class of trade. The new Edison phonographs, not forgetting the combination type Gem and attachments, have brought the longer playing record within reach of thousands of users many of whom, it is safe to say, would not otherwise now be phonograph enthusiasts. My remarks on the phonograph side of the business would not be complete without a reference to the very latest introduction — that of the "Amberola." an interior horn cabinet instrument. It is the last word in phonographs, and should go a long way in bringing this class of instrument more in favor with the upper ten. But I feel there is room for a cheaper model of this type, and of a certainty Edison dealers would welcome such a machine at a price within the reach of the great middle classes. In the disc field progress is even more noticable. Dealing first with records, I am naturally drawn to comment upon the increased importance of the phono cut type. It has come to the front with remarkable rapidity during 1909, and there are now several manufacturers engaged in the manufacture of both the standard and 200-thread type. The latter especially calls for more than ordinary notice, because it not only provides double the music, but, in my opinion, apart from a slight loss of volume as against that of the standard thread, it is in many respects of better tonal quality, particularly so in the instrumental selections. These records are mostly double-sided, being in diameter 10 and 12 inches respectively. On the average a 10-inch 200-thread double record will provide a continuous nine minutes of music, while the 12-inch gives proportionately more. And the retail cost per selection is only Is. 6d. and 2s. It is indeed a revolution, and now that disc-instrument owners are provided with ample facilities at a moderate cost, which bring these fine records within reach of all, it must sooner or later affect the sales of needle records to no inconsiderable extent. The latter certainly must eventually be ousted from its proud position, unless some genius comes along with a 200-thread needle-cut record to save the situation. And this cannot be regarded as in any way exaggerating the position of things as they stand to-day; on the contrary, it is but anticipating the future. The needle-cut record, however, has made good leeway in the direction of improved recording, and it would almost seem that in this respect the highest possible desideratum has been reached. There is. nevertheless, much to be accomplished in regard to the elimination of surface noise. Although the friction necessarily set up by a revolving disc against a stationary needle could not be entirely overcome under the present system, it is certainly possible to effect a radical improvement toward moderating the scratch and grind characteristics noticeable in the majority of needle-disc records. If evidence is wanted to prove my statement it is very easily found. Take, for instance, any one make of record you like, test a dozen, and you will find that in the matter of scratch they all vary, although made of exactly the same material. In some, even with heavy-band records, the scratch distinctly grates on one's ear, and many a record of lighter music is entirely spoiled from this cause. And yet in others there is no appreciable surface noise at all. The fault lays, in my opinion, just as much with the material as in the pressing. To a great extent good pressing is dependent upon a careful mixing of the right materials, to the lack of which the scratch in the finished article is largely due. .Manufacturers are fully alive to this fact; experiments are making good all the time, and the tendency toward improvement should be a matter of fulfilment in the year now with us. Turning our attention to disc instruments we find much has been achieved in the introduction of an entirely new phase of construction, to wit, hornless instruments. At this time last year the suggestion of a machine without the usual trumpet would have been laughed to scorn. And yet the idea is not by any means a new one. As a matter of fact, it is years old. and if a certain continental manufacturer had had the courage to market his hornless machine along enterprising lines his would have been the harvest which others are now reaping. But that by the way. Of the new style machines the "Eufon" was the first introduced, and a sufficient tribute to its quality is the fact that today it still stands unapproachable among a host of imitations. This type of machine is so handy of conveyance that there can now be no excuse for lack of private entertainment and enjoyment at such functions as garden, picnic, house-boat, or up-river parties, for which it is eminently suitable. Being essentially a summer line, in very truth, one can now advocate an all-the-year trade, since of a surety dealers must stock up on a lh<e which creates its own demand and at the same time furthers the sale of records. The interior-horn cabinet machines have made headway, but not to the extent antici pated. As a piece of furniture they do credit to any room, but as a practical machine they fall short of the ordinary type. And for the reason which I have always put forward — too much wood. What is wanted to insure a bright reproduction is undoubtedly a stout metal horn. As it is, the majority, if not all, such instruments are fitted with wooden interior horns, the natural consequence of which is a muffled and dull tone. In this class of instrument there is ample scope for improvement along the lines suggested. There has been nothing particularly new in regard to the ordinary disc instrument, but the tendency to provide better motors is a welcome sign of the times. And, speaking of motors, reminds me of an amusing attempt to introduce a heat-driven motor by means of a spirit lamp, or such arrangement. I like to support all attempts to avoid stereotyped methods, but in this case — well, one thinks of the poor record!! To devote a few words regarding other phases of 1909 conditions may not be out of place, because it is by studying the chessboard of time, with its ever-changing attributes, that we are brought to avoid in the future our commercial errors of the past. Just overhaul your line of action; if things have gone well with you, let it be an incentive to still greater efforts; don't stop, but remember stagnation is not progress, and go ahead. On the other hand, some of my readers are no doubt well satisfied to close the book of the year gone by, for it may not be pleasant reading, in which case, in the words of our old friend. Josh Billings, "Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one twice," you may find hope of the new year. Competition has not been quite so keen as in 1908, for. surely and slowly, the weeding-out process goes merrily on. The half-hearted dealer — the man writh no energy or enterprise — soon comes up against the wall, which few of his caliber ever surmount. The future of the phonograph and disc instrument business depends a great deal upon intelligent handling, and it must, therefore, speak well for increased prosperity that this industry is gradually winning over a better and more enterprising class of trader. Unfortunately, the new year is not entirely free from disturbing elements, since 1909 has left us a legacy in the shape of impending litigation which bears a very serious aspect. As every one knows, the tone arm question is again to be revived, but it would be inexpedient to inquire too closely into the matter at the moment; suffice it to say that a full report of any proceedings will be duly submitted to our readers through these columns. With that I extend hearty wishes for a really prosperous New Year to all talking machine traders throughout the world. Columbia Pantomime Songs. Ever to the fore with all the latest records, the Columbia Co. have issued a special list exclusively devoted to those songs which have made their mark in the pantomimes this year, and all dealers can have the list for the asking. Particularly appropriate, too, are the following special numbers to hand: Rena double records, 10-inch — "Im Looking for Mr. Wright" and "Do You Want to Buy Any Lavender?" are two excellent records by Mme. Helene Garland; "Home, Sweet Home," by George Alexander, and "Auld Lang Syne," by F. C. Stanley; "Levinsky and the Riddle" and "The Mandoline Girl Medley," by the Comedy Quartet. Rena 12-inch double — "Sweet Spirit, Hear My Prayer," by W. G. Webber, and "Lend Me Your Aid," by Godfrey James. Columbia 10-inch single — "As Once in May," a beautiful violin solo by Stroud Haxton; "Come Up in My