Piano clamps from the Steinway factory, circa 1900. From transportaccord.com
American Felt Co. catalogue, 1914. These clamps have been specifically identified as piano clamps in numerous period publications, including general woodworking publications.
Ivory clamps for piano keys. H.S. & Co., Lang, and Hale.
Crandall Ivory Clamps, made by Hale, and offered in the 1925 H.S. & Co., N.Y. Catalogue.
Hammacher Schlemmer ivory clamps, as advertised in the 1913 Hammacher Schlemmer Catalogue. Patented 15 December, 1896.
Hale Ivory clamps, 1930 catalogue. This image omits the cone point at the business end of the thumbscrew.
The Crandall Ivory clamp was designed to be used with the key still sitting on the balance rail of the keyframe (see Patent drawing).
Sears & Roebuck Piano Tools, c. 1900
Sears & Roebuck “Piano Tools & Supplies Catalogue.” Low end extension tuning hammer.
Sears & Roebuck “Piano Tools & Supplies Catalogue.” Excerpts, circa 1900 to 1910. High quality extension tuning hammer; pin setter and extractor.
Sears & Roebuck “Piano Tools & Supplies Catalogue.” Excerpts.
Sears & Roebuck “Piano Tools & Supplies Catalogue.” Voicing tools–Lang’s on the bottom.
Sears & Roebuck “Piano Tools & Supplies Catalogue.” Various piano pliers.
Howell Piano Factory, New Zealand, 1898. Here is a typical early photographic example of piano factory workers, at their work stations. While the products worked on are relatively apparent, its hard to ascertain precisely what the employees were actually doing. Otago Daily Times, April 28, 2012 –Geoff Adams.
Nathusius, Kugler, & Morrison
Nathusius, Kugler, & Morrison, Pianomakers’ Tools. From Wilson’s 1865 New York City Business Directory.
Nathusius, Kugler, & Morrison were neighbors and competitors of Albert Hammacher in 1865. They specialized in Pianomakers’ Tools, but also carving tools for woodworkers, most notably, the Addis line.
Nathasius, Kugler, & Morrison was established in 1857. From “New York’s Great Industries,” by Richard Edwards published 1884.
Nathasius, Kugler, & Morrison entry in Wilson’s New York City Directory for 1865.
Nathusius, Kugler, & Morrison, in Trow’s 1866 New York City Directory.
In 1888, Nathasius, Kugler, & Morrison became Cassebeer & Reed, and later, Reed & Auerbacher took over.
Advertisement in the “Tennessee Statz,” in 1867. For the German immigrant craftsman community.
Death of William A. Reed, who got his start at Nathusius, Kugler, & Morrison in 1860. From “The Iron Age,” 17 October, 1895.
Irvington Manufacturing Co., Irvington, N.J.
Irvington Mfg. Co. was active from the late 19th century until 1916; they were mostly known for their linesmans’ pliers, which was the tool that they made in the most volume. W.A. Schley Piano Supply Co. at 349 East 138th St. in the Bronx carried the Irvington line.
Pliers of all kinds were a specialty of the Irvington Manufacturing Company.
Irvington Manufacturing Co., Irvington New Jersey gooseneck tuning hammer, c. 1905. Schley Piano Supply.
Voicing tools made by the Irvington Manufacturing Co., Irvington New Jersey, c. 1905.
Irvington Key Easing pliers.
Irvington Action Wire Regulating pliers.
Irvington Tone Regulating Pliers.
The W.A. Schley Piano Supply Company was intentionally situated in the South Bronx, at 349 East 138th St. because many piano factories were actively producing nearby.
Multiple Bronx piano factories, including Decker & Son, Ludwig Co., De Rivas, Harris, and the Mansfield Piano Co., Bronx ca. May, 1917. Photo from N.Y. Historical Society.
Despite the fact that these factories were still quite busy in 1917, this image conveys a sense of forlornness. A feeling that would increasingly envelop the Mott Haven neighborhood in the South Bronx throughout the ensuing decades.
349 East 138th St., site of Schley Piano Supply, now a grocery. Google maps.
When the Krakauer Factory was finally closed in the mid 1970s, at least some of the contents were sold off to be reused. Some of the hard rock maple stock was sold on to John Ford, who then used it on his own projects, as well as for others.
Krakauer Brothers Piano Factory, at the corner of Cypress Ave, and East 136th St. Artistic rendering.
Krakauer Factory, early 1970s. Photo by John Ford.
Estey Piano Factory, early 20th century, 270-278 East 134th Street (112-128 Lincoln Avenue).
Estey Piano Factory, in Mott Haven. Photo from flickr. Now an official landmark, the “Clocktower Building” houses artists and their studios.
Mathushek & Son advertisement in the “Music Trade Review,” in 1912.
Detail of a 1908 map of the Bronx, showing the Estey Factory, which was built in 1885. The Kroeger Factory became the Mathushek piano factory, at the corner of 132nd St. and Alexander Ave in 1912. Mathushek (under ownership of the Jacob Brothers) continued to make pianos there until 1958, including the innovative Spinet Grand, which was patented in 1935. It was laid out horizontally, not unlike the earlier square grands made in the 19th century.
Estey and Kroeger Piano Factories,The New York Public Library. “Bronx, V. 9, Plate No. 4 [Map bounded by E. 134th St., Alexander Ave., Harlem River, Lincoln Ave.]” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1908.
Mathushek Spinet Grand, as shown in a Mathushek Catalogue c. 1938.
Patent drawing for Mathushek Spinet Grand, by Fernando A. Wessell, 1935.
In addition to having relatively longer strings in a smaller piano, the Mathushek Spinet Grand had a double repetition action, with grand type balanciers on each wippen. Eighteenth and nineteenth century square pianos did not have an action with these features.
Boston Tuners’ Outfit
Tuners Supply: “Tuners’ Tools, Outfits, and Supplies.” Advertisement in “Music Trade Review,” 1905.
Boston Tuners’ Outfit was established by Charles P. Dolan, a piano tuner and dealer, circa 1904, at the corner of Common and Washington Streets, in Boston.
1893 Boston City Directory.
Dolan did more than approximately copy the name Tuners Supply Boston; he made some of his tuning tools with removable tips, very similar to those made by Hale.
This Tuners’ Supply Boston advertisement for “Tuners’…Outfits…” in “Music Trade Review,” during 1905, showed the potential confusion between the two companies.
Dolan moved to 837 Washington St. in late 1904. Music Trade Review, 10 December, 1904.
Charles P. Dolan (1871-1951) did a little of everything related to pianos: he taught piano students, he sold pianos, he tuned pianos, he made piano tools, and he manufactured pianos.
In 1906, Charles P. Dolan was renting commercial space at 837 Washington St., which would become Boston Tuners’ Outfit (if it wasn’t already).
Corner of Washington and Common Streets, Bromley Map of Ward 7, 1895.
Article on Boston Tuners Outlet move from Washington & Common, to 21 Common St., Boston. Music Trade Review, 8 October, 1910.
The Boston Tuners’ Outfit Company had their own in-house tooling.
Dolan’s Bridle Ribbon Inserter was introduced as early as 1903, and sold by other suppliers, including Hammacher Schlemmer and Schley. These specialized pliers were likely cast in bronze in-house, and then sent out for nickel plating.
Advertisement for upright piano bridal tape (tack) inserter. Music Trade Review, 1910.
The bridle tape (tack) inserting pliers were the most popular and most produced tool by this company. I never sought out this tool.
Article on Boston Tuners’ Outfit bridle tape inserter and hammer butt boring jig. Music Trade Review, 23 April, 1910.
Music Trade Review, 23 April, 1910.
Dolan’s Hammer Boring Jig, in a Music Trade Review article written 1 June 1910. Just below this article was a Hale ad for their Hammer Butt Boring Jig.
It was difficult to discern who was first with the Hammer Boring Jig, Hale or Dolan. My guess is Dolan, as Frank Hale in 1910, was just returning from a six-year diversion from Tuners’ Supply Co. in the western U.S., as well as Alaska. All these years later, it makes little difference.
Advertisement for Boston Tuners’ Outfit, Music Trade Review, 1911.
Selection of tools sold by Boston Tuners’ Outlet: upright piano hammer extractor, upright bridal tape inserting pliers (for tacks), piano action hammershank bending pliers (brazed repair opposite side), and “T” hammer, with removable tip, like Hale (Tuners’ Supply) hammers.
Boston Tuners’ Outlet, 21 Common St. 1911 Boston Trade Directory.
Massachusetts Piano Manufacturing Co. Solvent. 11 July 1911 article in Music Trade Review.
With the success of Boston Tuners’ Outfit, Charles P. Dolan got out ahead of his skis by quickly expanding that business and establishing a larger one–Massachusetts Piano Manufacturing Company. It was not long before Dolan relinquished of both of his businesses.
Shirmer bought out Dolan from Massachusetts Piano Manufacturing Co., which produced the Durell Brothers Piano. Music Trade Review, 19 January, 1918.
Boston Tuners’ Outfit, 113 Dudley St., Roxbury, in the 1915 Boston City Directory.
E. Herman Gumpricht (1865-1933) English: Gumpright, a tuner and piano-factory technician, bought Boston Tuners’ Outfit circa 1913, and moved the business to 113 Dudley Street, Roxbury in 1915.
Boston Tuners’ Outlet, advertisement in Tuners’ Magazine, July, 1913. Dolan not mentioned, and shop no longer at 21 Common St.
Same Boston Tuners’ Outfit advertisement by Gumpricht, after move to 113 Dudley Street, Roxbury, Boston, Mass. Tuners’ Magazine, December, 1916.
Emmanuel Hermann Gumpricht worked in the piano industry his entire life: as a piano factory technician (late 19th c.), as a piano factory tuner (early 20th c.), as an owner/proprietor of Boston Tuners’ Outfit (1913-1928), then as a private piano tuner (1929-1933).
1890 Boston marriage record for E. Hermann Gumpricht, “Piano Maker.”
Hermann Gumpricht was a factory piano tuner in Boston at the time of the 1910 U.S. Census.
Herman Gumpright was a private piano tuner living at 30 Juniper St.,Roxbury, in the 1930 U.S. Census.
Final year for Gumpright (1928) and Boston Tuners Outfit at 113 Dudley St., Roxbury, in the Boston City Directory.
Interior layout of the Dudley Street Opera House, as documented in 1887. From Wikipedia Commons..
113 Dudley Street in Roxbury was the location of Dudley Street Opera House, which was established in 1879, and still active as a music venue as late as 1961. Dudley Street was very popular with music lovers.
Map of the Dudley Street dance halls ca. 1940. Courtesy of Dan Zedek.
Dudley Street Opera House, 111-117 Dudley St., Roxbury, in the 19th Century. E. Herman Gumpricht would have rented one of the storefronts on the ground floor. Photo from Wikipedia Commons.
Corner of Dudley and Washington Streets in Roxbury. 1895 Bromley Ward 21 map of Boston.
Remarkably, the Dudley Street Opera House was still in operation in 1961-its final year. 1961 Boston City Trade Directory.
Malcolm’s Cork Bridle Strap
Just under twenty years after Dolan introduced his bridle ribbon inserter (and several other piano tool makers had their own bridle tack inserters on the market), Thomas Jefferson Malcolm patented his cork bridle strap. Malcolm, originally from Okmulgee, Oklahoma, established a bridle strap production shop in Natchez Mississippi. The cork and clip bridle straps dominated the market for this common job in a few short years. Hale Tuners’ Supply, became the national distributors of the cork bridle strap.
Thomas Jefferson Malcolm, in the Natchez, Miss., 1925 City Directory.
Advertisement for Cork Bridle Straps, in “The Tuners’ Journal, August, 1924.
In 1928, Malcolm patented another cork bridle strap glued on the outside of the cork, which is the version we see today.
Archimedean drills
Archimedean drills found within a set of British piano tools. Not to be confused with bow drills, they produce a reciprocating or continuous motion by sliding the middle handpiece up and down. Archimedes, an ancient Greek scientist, invented a screw which pulls water from a lower body to a higher plane; the drill was actually a 19th century development.
- The larger drill, made by Hobbies, with rotating counterweights, has a clutch within the sliding center handle which disengages when it is lifted: this creates a continuous motion.
- The smaller one does not have this feature, the drilling is reciprocal as in a bow drill. Small Archimedean drills are still frequently used by jewelers and small craft workers, where deliberate and precise drilling is controlled by hand.
Archimedean drills found within a set of British piano tools.
Demand is such that several sources provide new Archimedean drills.
Piano Action Spring Making Tools
Antique rosewood brass and steel piano action spring making tool. This tool is no longer available in the U.S., but can be found from Fletcher & Newman in the U.K. and Renner in Germany. It looks like there is a reference to Germany faintly inscribed on this one:
German piano spring making tool, c. 1920.
Renner catalog.
Spring making tool, imported from England. From Tuners Supply (Hale) 1957 Catalogue.
Trefz and Co., Philadelphia, c. early postwar. Regulating rack.
Regulating Rack or Jig
Trefz and Co., Philadelphia, c. early postwar. Regulating rack, used to recreate hammer escapement and drop positions with the action out of the piano. This example was made with bird’s-eye maple, which I’ve never seen in more recent examples of this tool.
Damper Felt Guillotine
Damper felt guillotine, from the Weber Piano Company.
Damper felt guillotine, from the Weber Piano Company, founded by Albert Weber, in New York, in 1852. At 20 inches long, and 10 inches high, this is a serious felt cutter, larger and heavier than any of the guillotines that I’ve seen produced for the piano service trade. It still cuts very well, without the side effects of repeated sharp impacts on my palms that I’ve received from using other guillotines with a vertical plunger.
Alnutt’s Bass String Retoner
Bass string retoner.
Close-up of the manufacturer’s imprint.
Alnutt’s Bass String Retoner, as described in the April 12, 1919 (p. 41) edition of the “The Music Trades.”
This “bass string retoner” was designed to improve tone quality on bass strings by compressing the copper windings against the steel core instead of twisting them! An invention by Lawrence Alnutt, intended for dealers and others in the piano business. I had marginal success, at best, when experimenting with this tool. This invention went nowhere, and therefore is quite rare; beyond the novelty and curiosity factor, it has received little attention, perhaps deservedly so:
Hand Vices
Early European hand/pin vise.
Hand vise, useful for holding very small parts in the field. This example is very similar to the hand vise depicted in “L’Art De Accorder,” written by Montal in 1836, shown on the “Tuning Hammers” page. This was probably made in England.
Beautiful hand vise, for holding small work on the go.
Hoover Action Screw Holder
Hoover patent action screw holder.
Patent for this screw holder. Franklin Hoover authored three piano tool patents in this website: this screw holder, a hammer extracting pliers, and a voicing pliers, similar to the later Hale voicing pliers.
Excerpt from text of patent:
Feeler for checking the glue joints of soundboard ribs (and other things). Spruce handle.
Some Piano Edgetools
Soundboard shimming tool, very long, with a really narrow blade.
Blade of Shimming tool, close up.
Typical felt knives. H. S. and Co. 1885.
Felt knives from American Felt Co.’s 1911 catalogue
Two French felt and leather cutting knives by Blanchard, Paris; English knife made by J. Tyzack of Sheffield
Felt knife, J. & J. Goddard c.1920.
Punch for making your own front rail punchings. This tool was included in the 1885 H. S. catalog.
Schley 1905.
Piano hammer clamp.
Thayer backcheck tool.
Action Center Tools
Center pin tools: broach holder/pin vise, pin punch, reamers and burnishers, center pin holders. Rosewood was no longer used for center pin holders after the WWI era.
Another version of a center pin holder, c. 1905.
Various products offered in the Hale 1957 Catalogue:
Peniston Action Post Extension. Hale 1957 Catalogue.
Hale’s “Qua-Drille Jig.” Hale 1957 catalogue.
The Hammer and Butt Boring Jig was not a new idea; this version was advertised by Hale in “The Music Trade Review,” in 1911.
Hale Dust bellows. Hale 1957 Catalogue.
Krylon Spray Paint Cans. The source of many repainted plates from the 1950s–with strings attached. 1957 Hale Catalogue.
Davis key leveler, developed in 1949. 1957 Hale Catalogue.
Bowen Piano Carrier:
Bowen Piano Carrier, as advertised in “The Music Trades, 12 April, 1919.
Article on Bowen Piano Loader in Presto Times, 8 December, 1928.
Miscellaneous (very)
Nick says, “Soundboards are like women.” A hollow-faced moulding plane sat on the soundboard in the foreground: this plane would create the rounded surfaces on the top of the soundboard ribs. Go-bars for gluing ribs to soundboard panel in background. From “The Tuners’ Journal,” June, 1926.
Aluminum piano plates: not a great idea. Aluminum expands and contracts greatly with temperature changes and deflects under stress loads. From “The Piano Technician,” January, 1949.
Tool cases:
Tuner’s antique satchel and tool roll, made of Moroccan leather.
“Gnome Brand” Tuners’ case. This was included in the 1925 H. S. catalogue, and when I started working on pianos at the end of the 1970s, this case was still available from Tuners Supply (Hale).
“The piano doctor.” My business partner, now deceased, used this to carry his tools. I tried it, but was underwhelmed by the lack of accessibility through the top opening and the lack of space. It was another example of form over function. Besides, I wouldn’t want to invite anyone to make more “piano doctor” jokes.
1945 advertisement by Hammacher Schlemmer Piano Supplies Division, for the Gnome piano tuners’ toolcase.
After WWII, Hammacher Schlemmer had really “had it” with the piano supply business; their upscale exotic novelty line, introduced in the 1920s, had really taken off, and their piano supply sales had stagnated, with the depression of the 1930s, and the overwhelming distraction of the war in the 1940s. It did not help matters that H.S. & Co. did little to sustain the piano supplies division, let alone innovate in later years. This 1945 advertisement for the “Gnome” piano tuners’ tool case was one of the very few advertisements from the Hammacher Schlemmer Piano Supplies division after the war.
Surprisingly, Hammacher Schlemmer relocated its American Piano Supply Division just months before the Schadler buyout. From “The Piano Technician,” January, 1954.
This move, from 229 4th Ave., to 829 Broadway was likely done in an effort to make the H.S. American Piano Supply Division more attractive to buyers.
H.S. & Co. N.Y. was essentially waiting for 10 years, for the Schadler family to inject new life into the American Piano Supply.
Gerstner Tool Chest, in walnut, with replaced cloth on front panel.
I acquired this Gerstner walnut tool chest new in the late 1970s. Originally, all of the green material was felt. Coming from the piano industry, which generally utilizes woven cloth for bearing surfaces, rather than the pressed fibers of felt, when the the small work surface wore out, I replaced it with green stringing cloth. This material came from from Johannes Warger, a San Francisco based Dutch American piano technician who passed away in 1986.
The thick green cloth was installed with hide glue, so that in the future, it can be replaced again by steaming out the existing material with a minimum amount of effort.