Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > April 2004 > 2004.04.09 > 03Prev  Next


The "Cement" Lauter
By John A. Tuttle

Hi all,  As an apprentice at the Tusting Piano Co., in Asbury Park,
New Jersey, I had the privilege of knowing and learning many things
about the piano industry from Phil Tusting, the last of the three
Tusting brothers.  Phil was 89 when I met him, and he told me many
interesting facts and taught me almost all of the finer aspects of
grand piano action regulating that I know today.  Phil was a serious
man who was not known as a jokester or a 'story teller'.

The first time a Lauter-Humana player piano came into the shop for
rebuilding (while I was there), it was noted by the movers that the
piano was much heavier than most other upright player pianos.  That's
when Phil told us the story of the "cement" Lauter.

Seems that when 'old man' Lauter turned the business over to his son,
the young man came up with the brilliant idea of making a piano that
would have excellent tubing stability and be much less expensive to
manufacture.  So, the frame of the piano was made out of cement.

Evidently, a number of these pianos were actually sold.  The only
problem was, they were extremely difficult to move.  According to
Phil, it took nine men to move the piano.  Phil also said that the
misadventures of the son ultimately led to the demise of the Lauter
company.

Whether any of this is true or not, I do not know.  I believe
Phil was telling the truth.  Tusting pianos were made by Lindeman
in New York, and Phil grew up in the piano industry.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, NJ, USA


(Message sent Fri 9 Apr 2004, 20:45:21 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cement, Lauter

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page