Horn-u-Copia's Display of Makers

Fred Bechtel started selling musical instruments in 1889 at #702 Smithfield. He moved to #516 Smithfield in 1896 then retired and sold to the Volkwein Brothers in 1905.

Volkwein Brothers started their business in 1905 as importers and publishers. They used the tradenames of Fort Pitt, Paragon, Pitt American, Fidelity and Top Notch. Some of the Volkweins instrument were Bohland and Fuchs, some were Pan American.

They moved to #632-634 Liberty St in 1920, #117 Sandusky St in 1965, RIDC Park West in 1990, and now are at #138 Industry Drive. They were selling Buescher instruments by 1925 and King instruments by 1930. Brothers Jacob (1877-1961) and Rudolph (1879-1967) were the founders. Rudolph’s sons Carl & Walter took over when Jacob retired in 1956.

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