The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

March IS, 1925 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 171 71V Frisco Dealers Form a Musical Instrument Assn. Hohner Harmonica Radio Good Demand for Strings Concerts Attract Prospects Reported by Armour & Go. New Organization to Meet Weekly and Discuss Trade Matters— Plan Elimination of Trade Discounts — Other Important Objectives Series of Concerts From WEAF Brought to Close— Thousands of Letters Asking for Instruction Book Received by Firm San Francisco, Cal., March 4.— Representatives of the leading music houses of this city as well as many of the smaller dealers met at a luncheon at the States Cafe recently and pledged themselves to membership in a new organization to be known as the Associated Musical Instrument Dealers of Northern California. Luncheons will be held every week, at which matters of interest to the trade will be discussed. The objects of the association will be to eliminate trade discounts, to standardize commissions paid to teachers and other business-getters, to agree on a fair amount to be allowed on trade-in instruments. Among those who became members of the new organization are: Sherman, Clay & Co., Henry Grobe, who operates in the Wiley B. Allen store; Dewey & Ross, who operate in the Kohler & Chase store; the Hanson Music House, the Conn San Francisco Co., Wurlitzer, the Modern Music Co. and W. J. Purcell, of the Heine Piano House. The harmonica concerts, which were broadcast every Friday night from station WEAF, were brought to a close the latter part of last month. This series of concerts was given by M. Hohner, Inc., manufacturer of the Hohner harmonicas and accordions, for the purpose of educating the general public to the part that the harmonica plays as a real musical instrument. The value of the Hohner Harmony Hours in stimulating sales may be grasped when it is understood that each concert had a half-million listeners-in. At each concert William J. Haussler, general manager of the Hohner firm, made a practice of suggesting that members of the radio audience write for free copies of the Hohner harmonica instruction book. Letters received after the first ten concerts totaled 20,000, all of which were answered promptly, so that there are now at least 20,000 more prospective harmonica purchasers. Radio Artists Stimulate Interest in Vega Banjos Des Moines, Ia., March 9. — The Williamson Bros., DeForest Radio Harmony Hoys, stringed instrumentalists, in their vaudeville and radio broadcasting appearances arc providing real opportunities for dealers who carry Vega banjos to tie up and increase their sales of these instruments. These youngsters, both are under twenty, have appeared at theatres and broadcasting stations in several States throughout the Middle West and are very popular witli radio audiences, as the applause cards received by the various stations attest New King Agencies Cleveland, O., March 10.— The H. N. White Co., manufacturer of King band instruments, recently placed, through its representative, L. B. Dolan, the agency for these instruments in the following stores: Mallei Bros., Joliet, 111.; W. M. Kane, Lancaster, O.; 1). H. Kraft Music Co., Indianapolis, Ind.; 1!. T. Hurst, Evansvillc, Ind.; Zender Music Co., Lima, O.; R. G. Hcssell, Manitowoc, Wis., and A. L. & R. Piano Co., Bellevuc, O. George L. Hart, formerly an expert on musical instruments, died recently at the home of his son in Marlboro, Mass. RUNO The Oldest and Largest Musical Merchandise House in America Exclusively Wholesale ESTABLISHED 1834 C.BRV.NO §• SON.Inc 351-53 Fourth Aye. NewYorkCity Gut Strings Not Only in General Use by Musicians but Are Also Finding Favor With Jewelers for Stringing, of Beads Chicago, III.. March 7. — Armour & Co., manufacturers of music strings, report a good demand at the present time for the entire line. One of the very popular strings which a good many of the music merchants are selling a great deal of is the Sturdi-Strand bead string used for stringing beads. Genuine gut is recognized by leading jewelers and manufacturers as best suited for stringing beads, and many dealers have been selling lightgauge banjo strings for this purpose. Armour & Co., with their great facilities, have developed the genuine bead gut, put up 60 inches to the length, each length in a neat envelope, 30 envelopes to the carton. The string has withstood many tests and has been proved to be secure, safe and satisfactory. The II Trovatore, La Traviata and La Melodia violin strings are also very popular, and the present demand of the string department shows an increase of about 15 per cent over the same period last year. Omaha Dealer Ties Up With Appearance of Orchestra Schmoller-Mueller Co. Advertises York Instruments and Ludwig Drums During Blackstonians Stay at Local Theatre Omaha, Neb., March 7. — The Blackstonians, one of the most popular orchestras in this section, which plays at the Blackstone Hotel, use York band instruments and Ludwig drums, both of which instruments are carried by the Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co., which effected a successful tie-up with these musicians in their recent appearance at the Rialto Theatre. Extensive advertising was used by the music house and it proved extremely profitable. William A. Cusick, one of the members of the orchestra, puts to good use his knowledge of small goods and is engaged in a sales capacity with the Schmoller & Mueller Co. English Banjoist Awards Praise to Vega Tubaphone Boston, Mass., March 11. — An interesting letter was recently -received by the Vega Co., commenting on the Vega Plectrum No. 3 Tubaphone. The letter was from S. W. Warwick, manager of the Harlequins Dance Band, of Durham County, England. Mr. Warwick is banjoist of the orchestra. His letter in part says: "Lots of people have asked me where on earth the tone comes from. I simply explain that it is the best banjo in the world, played by a man that knows how — that's one for you and one for me. "I am the most particular man in the world. If my banjo is not exactly perfect in every respect, I am worried to death. Since I've had my Vega I have not been worried." The agency for Conn instruments was recently bestowed on the Vance Music Co., Mason City, Iowa. An extensive advertising campaign is being waged by this aggressive music house which is expected to bring in a large volume of business.