The artistic value of a piano is not
determined by the size of the factory in which it is made, nor the quantity of
its annual output; rather the contrary, for to impart to one of these
instruments that subtle musical personality which affects its value requires
the conscientious and affectionate interest of its makers.
Each instrument is composed of several hundred parts; many of them are exceedingly small, and yet each has an important place in its construction. If any one of these little items is not properly made and correctly fitted, the instrument will be lacking in responsiveness in action, or deficient in tone, or both.
Each instrument is composed of several hundred parts; many of them are exceedingly small, and yet each has an important place in its construction. If any one of these little items is not properly made and correctly fitted, the instrument will be lacking in responsiveness in action, or deficient in tone, or both.
No one in Hongkong
is better versed or more experienced in such considerations than Mr. Tsang
Fook, the senior partner of the business which he founded in 1915, under the
name of Tsang Fook Piano Co., at 94a, Wanchai Road.
Prior thereto Mr.
Tsang had spent ten years in the service of the Robinson Piano Co., and
thereafter some years were devoted by him to learning everything possible about
the piano trade in France, Germany, England and America; so that when he
returned to Hongkong in 1915 and launched out in operations for himself, he was certainly well qualified to succeed. That he was succeeded
is excellently demonstrated by the flourishing business which he has built up
in the manufacture of pianos, which for high quality and general adaptability to
the local climate are unsurpassed.
A comparison between them and many imported reveal Tsang’s wisdom in making his instruments absolutely proof against all deterioration, either by vermin or meteorological conditions. The frames are made of iron, the strings are plated and impervious to rust, and particular attention is devoted to the sounding board, which is formed of spruce.
The factory from which these really admirable pianos emanate is equipped with very ingenious and effective electrical machinery, most of it of Mr Tsang’s own invention; and all the workmen have been trained by him and his two brothers and partners, Messrs. Tsang Quai and Tsang Fong.
The firm’s output is about twenty-four pianos monthly, besides which they are successfully engaged in repairing piano of other makes and also in tuning; the number of clients who are down in their book for contracts by the year in the latter connection being nearly 600.
Source: Allister Macmillan, comp. and ed. Seaports of the Far East: historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial, facts, figures, & resources. London: W.H. & L. Collingridge, 1923, p. 409.
Below: Tsang Fook's advertisement in South China Morning Post on 2nd July 1915, p. 4.
A comparison between them and many imported reveal Tsang’s wisdom in making his instruments absolutely proof against all deterioration, either by vermin or meteorological conditions. The frames are made of iron, the strings are plated and impervious to rust, and particular attention is devoted to the sounding board, which is formed of spruce.
The factory from which these really admirable pianos emanate is equipped with very ingenious and effective electrical machinery, most of it of Mr Tsang’s own invention; and all the workmen have been trained by him and his two brothers and partners, Messrs. Tsang Quai and Tsang Fong.
The firm’s output is about twenty-four pianos monthly, besides which they are successfully engaged in repairing piano of other makes and also in tuning; the number of clients who are down in their book for contracts by the year in the latter connection being nearly 600.
Source: Allister Macmillan, comp. and ed. Seaports of the Far East: historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial, facts, figures, & resources. London: W.H. & L. Collingridge, 1923, p. 409.
Below: Tsang Fook's advertisement in South China Morning Post on 2nd July 1915, p. 4.
