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New Scale Williams 

10-01-2014 03:11

Does anyone have information about the New Scale Williams (vertical) "harmonic tone prolonging bridge"? I have a New Scale Williams, Oshawa, Canada, #24116, 1908. I have the book on the history of the Williams Co., (Under the Sign of the Big Fiddle), and there is no mention of this bridge. Also, I can't find anything on the internet. It's sort of a capo bar, cast into the plate. At first I thought this was just piano company marketing, until I realized it has a very long sustain! It is possible this is a prototype, and the bridge was dropped from manufacturing due to the added cost. Tom Levings, RPT

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Comments

Dan Silverwood
10-02-2014 11:58

Hi Thomas,
I can still recall being in the back of the station wagon and going by that sign on Yonge St. in Toronto way back in the 50’s…
The New Scale Williams made by the Williams Piano Co was just that; a new scale design, action, and case design along with other things.
There is mention of this new instrument in chapter 7 when one of the first instruments was presented to R.S Williams Sr. Also in chapter 9 on page 82 of the book by Cselenyi- Granch there is mention of the new instrument but nothing about the patented bridgeworks itself.
Although I have no substantiation of this I suspect the New Scale Williams was a response to the main competitor of the day, Theodore Heintzman and his instrument with the Patented Agraffe Bridge.
The New Scale Williams had the reversed agraffe on the back side of the bridge while Heintzman had the foundry drill through a specially made flange in the same type of construction.
Here is a look at both of those bridges for comparison. These are Picasa web albums. Left click once on the link and that will take you to the location of the album. Then once there left click on any photo to enlarge and open up the album. Go forward and back using the arrows underneath each frame.
The is the New Scale at the link below;
https://plus.google.com/photos/107990527405079149600/albums/5647411194480341345
This is the Heintzman;
https://plus.google.com/photos/107990527405079149600/albums/5388856515067483521
If the links are not hot, then cut and paste into your browser or go to my web site photo galleries and the albums can be found there too.
Most of the 18 photographs owned by the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa depicting various aspects of the Williams factory business c. 1910-22 are in the book you have.
The Royal Ontario Museum has a fine collection of instruments originally assembled and later donated to the museum by Robert Williams.
That is all I know.
Mr. John Hall in Napanee, Ont. who owns and operates the Canadian Piano Museum may have further information for you.
http://www.canadianpianos.ca/visit.html
Just tried to add some links to photos at the bottom. Weird software in this place.
Best of luck,

Comments

Dan Silverwood
10-02-2014 11:58

Hi Thomas,
I can still recall being in the back of the station wagon and going by that sign on Yonge St. in Toronto way back in the 50’s…
The New Scale Williams made by the Williams Piano Co was just that; a new scale design, action, and case design along with other things.
There is mention of this new instrument in chapter 7 when one of the first instruments was presented to R.S Williams Sr. Also in chapter 9 on page 82 of the book by Cselenyi- Granch there is mention of the new instrument but nothing about the patented bridgeworks itself.
Although I have no substantiation of this I suspect the New Scale Williams was a response to the main competitor of the day, Theodore Heintzman and his instrument with the Patented Agraffe Bridge.
The New Scale Williams had the reversed agraffe on the back side of the bridge while Heintzman had the foundry drill through a specially made flange in the same type of construction.
Here is a look at both of those bridges for comparison. These are Picasa web albums. Left click once on the link and that will take you to the location of the album. Then once there left click on any photo to enlarge and open up the album. Go forward and back using the arrows underneath each frame.
The is the New Scale at the link below;
https://plus.google.com/photos/107990527405079149600/albums/5647411194480341345
This is the Heintzman;
https://plus.google.com/photos/107990527405079149600/albums/5388856515067483521
If the links are not hot, then cut and paste into your browser or go to my web site photo galleries and the albums can be found there too.
Most of the 18 photographs owned by the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa depicting various aspects of the Williams factory business c. 1910-22 are in the book you have.
The Royal Ontario Museum has a fine collection of instruments originally assembled and later donated to the museum by Robert Williams.
That is all I know.
Mr. John Hall in Napanee, Ont. who owns and operates the Canadian Piano Museum may have further information for you.
http://www.canadianpianos.ca/visit.html
Just tried to add some links to photos at the bottom. Weird software in this place.
Best of luck,