mmr april 2008
DESCRIPTION
MMR April 2008TRANSCRIPT
A p r i l 2 0 0 8w w w . m m r m a g a z i n e . c o m
theBeyondIcons–Spotlight
Dealers Turn to Alternative
Guitar Brands
AccessoriesMerchandising:
Small Goods, Big Profi ts
Frankfurt Music Fair
Report
MMR_991 991 3/21/08 11:30:21 AM
“Finicky About Tone”www.coolcattone.com
FROM
Cool Cat =COOL CASH!
®
®
© Cool Cat 2008
Call your Danelectro distributortoday…and get your share ofthe Cool Cash!
All TrueBypass!
When your customers buy “true bypass” effects…they often buy them direct from the “boutique” pedalmakers…paying $200-$300 each…and you get “ZIP”!
But now Danelectro gives you a healthy “slice” of the“boutique pedal pie”!
Our new “Cool Cat” line features 9 effects, each withabsolutely stellar tone. And every Cool Cat effect featurestrue bypass, metal cases, and metal jacks. At prices from $29 to$69 list. And to help you turn Cool Pedals into Cool Cash, youget dealer discounts up to 50+32!
To start the Cool Cash flowing your way, just order the "CoolCat Dealer Starter Kit." Each Kit contains:
✔ 1 each of the 9 pedals
✔ 1 pedalboard/case (use for demos or sell it)
✔ 2 FREE collectable coffee mugs
✔ 30 FREE Cool Cat stickers
PLUS:2 FREE PEDALS of your choice…up to $70 in FREE goods,
an EXTRA 25% discount!
Or…Even better:
Order 2 Starter Kits…get 5 FREE PEDALS of your choice…up to $175 in FREE goods, an EXTRA 32% discount!
FREE SWAG!• 2 Free Coffee
Mugs• 30 Free
Stickers• 2 Store
Posters
Each Dealer Starter Kit Includes:
CHORUS $59
VIBE $69
FUZZ $39
DRIVE $29 TREMOLO $49
METAL $49 DISTORTION $49
TRANSPARANTOVERDRIVE $49
METAL II $39
COOL CAT BOARD $99Holds 5 “Cats.” Includes DC Supply and all cables.
MMR_992 992 3/21/08 11:58:58 AM
2 MMR APRIL 2008
Features
MMR Musical Merchandise Review® (ISSN 0027-4615) founded in 1879, is published monthly by Symphony Publishing, LLC, 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 (781)453-9310, publisher of School Band and Orchestra, Choral Director, Music Parents America and JazzEd. All titles are federally registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Symphony Publishing, LLC. Subscription Rates: U.S.A., US possessions, one year $32; two years $40. Canada one year $80; all other countries one year $159. Single issues $5 each. May Supplier Directory $35. Periodical-Rate Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER/SUBSCRIBERS: Send address change to Musical Merchandise Review, P.O. Box 8548, Lowell, MA 01853. Periodicals circulation is directed to music dealers and retailers, wholesalers and distributors, importers and exporters and manufacturers of all types of musical instruments and their accessories, related electronic sound equipment, general musical accessories, musical publications and teaching aides. The publishers of this magazine do not accept responsibility for statements made by their advertisers in business competion. No portion of this issue may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Copyright ©2008 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.
APRIL 2008 VOL.167 NO. 4 Contents
www.MMRmagazine.com
80
58
42
Mess
e Fra
nkfu
rt Gm
bH/H
elmut
Stett
in
Photo: Michael Kelly Guitar Co., Clearwater, Fla.
30 Accessories Roundtable: Small Goods, Large Returns
Dealers and suppliers explore effective accessory merchandising and their pivotal role as a profi t center in a challenged marketplace.
42 Seeking Alternatives in GuitarsTight margins, onerous buy-in requirements, and multi-channel distribu-tion strategies on the part of some of the best-known guitar companies are among factors motivating dealers to seek out new and different guitar lines. Store owners and managers discuss this intriguing market shift.
50 Dealer E-Survey: Fretted Instrument Trends An email survey of more than 4,600 U.S. storefronts shows a majority of dealers actively cultivating new sources of supply in guitars, basses, and other fretted instruments.
56 PRS Adds AcousticsA leader in electric guitars, PRS now delves into the acoustic world. The output will be limited to Private Stock models at the outset, but production models are on the horizon.
58 Guitar and Gear ShowcaseA look at innovations in guitars and other fretted instruments, amplifi ers, pickups, effects, and accessories premiering at January’s NAMM Show and last month’s Frankfurt Music Fair.
80 Frankfurt Music Fair, Prolight + Sound Shows Roll Along
The annual international shows attract a combined attendance of 112,000 and 2,500 exhibiting companies during their four-day run at sprawling Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.
85 RPMDA Convention PreviewBilled as “The Boston Print Party,” the Retail Print Music Dealers Associa-tion sets up shop in the Hub of the Universe for its annual confab.
88 Wood Violins’ Mark Wood, Man on a Mission
4 Editorial 6 Upfront 22 Industry Notes
24 Stats 26 People 91 Supplier Scene
104 Classifi eds112 Advertisers’ Index
Departments
MMR_2 2 3/21/08 11:31:08 AM
Editorial
� MMR APRIL 2008
PUBLISHERSidney L. Davis
EDITORDon Johnson
ASSOCIATE EDITORKevin Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERChristian Wissmuller
ADVERTISING DIRECTORRick Kessel
ADVERTISING SALES Tom Kelly
Iris [email protected]
CLASSIFIED AD SALESMaureen Johan
PRODUCTION MANAGERLaurie Guptill
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTMichael Rueckwald
GRAPHIC DESIGNERSAndrew P. Ross
Laurie [email protected]
CIRCULATION MANAGERMelanie A. Prescott
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTPopi Galileos
WEBMASTERSanford Kearns
SYMPHONY PUBLISHING, LLCXen Zapis • Chairman
Lee Zapis • [email protected]
Rich Bongorno • Chief Financial [email protected]
Corporate Headquarters26202 Detroit Road, Suite 300, Westlake, Ohio 44145
440-871-1300www.symphonypublishing.com
PUBLISHING, SALES & EDITORIAL OFFICE: 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494
(781) 453-9310 Fax: (781) 453-9389www.mmrmagazine.com
Volume 167, Number 4, April 2008
®
In the Rough
As a non-golfer, I guess I always assumed it was an industry that just sailed along, gaining aficionados and raking in the profits. After all, it’s a sport closely allied with affluence and corporate upward mobility (closing the big deal on the course,
etc.) It always has its stable of high-profile stars and, in Tiger Woods, a mega-star these days. And there is no apparent end to revenue streams emanating from golf equipment, country club memberships, and apparel. A regular money machine.
Ah, but not so. According to a recent article in the New York Times, the total number of people who play golf has declined or been flat every year since 2000. Worse yet, the real hard-core golfer universe – those who are out on the links 25 times or more a year – has dropped by about a third over the last nine years.
For those who derive their livelihood from the golf business, the really hard part is they are not sure exactly why this decline has taken place. The economy? Reluctance on the part of today’s potential golfers to abandon their families on the weekend to play 18 or maybe 36 holes? Too many courses built to woo an expected bonanza of baby-boomer retirees? They ponder these and other possible factors, but the golf folks just don’t know. Meanwhile, the reality is that three million golfers give up the sport every year, and fewer than that are taking it up.
Certainly, golf and music making are two different breeds of cat, but one parallel can be drawn: you can’t simply assume your particular pastime will forge ahead indefinitely based on its intrinsic merits or track record.
At a recent meeting of the Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association, Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson spoke out strongly on behalf of GAMA’s long-running program to instruct music teachers to teach guitar. Albertson particularly lauded the initiative because it appealed to a business person’s mindset: you can tabulate return on investment based on the number of teachers prepared by GAMA to teach guitar, the number of classes the teachers initiate, and the number of young guitarists these classes turn out as, it is hoped, lifelong players … and music products consumers.
Some other market-development initiatives currently afloat – NAMM’s Recreational Music Making and Wanna Play? or the Percussion Marketing Council’s push to inter-est more girls in drumming -- may be a little harder to quantify in terms of ROI or other bottom-line business measurements. In some cases, they call for a “great leap of faith” as opposed to a dollars-and-cents calculation of outcome.
The alternative to supporting continuous market development is to assume people love music, will always want to make music, and will find a way to do so.
But how perilous is this sit-back approach? Just ask the golf industry.
800.475.7686 800.999.5558
Available from these fine distributors:
TT-500 TT-1000 SilverTT-1000 Black
Tune Tech’s line of high profit margininstrument tuners are making the world
a better place one string at a time!
Fully functional bright backlit diode technologymakes quick tuning issues simple and easy no matter how dark the stage is! Upgraded sensors and special “sharp/flat” indicators (TT-1000) produce accurate tuning without interference from any unwanted background or ambient noise.
800.299.9035800.243.7276
Full Ads_apr.indd 5 3/21/08 1:38:07 PM
UpfrontNAMM Hits the Road with 4 ‘Town Hall Meetings’NAMM is embarking on a four-state NAMM Town Hall Meeting tour this spring to meet face-to-face with dealers, manufac-turers, and reps to discuss the changes and issues facing the industry today.
NAMM president and CEO Joe La-mond will take to the road Apr. 29, with his fi rst stop in the Los Angeles, Calif., area. Additional meetings will be held in or around Washington D.C., Chicago, Ill., and Boston.
The open-forum event is also a chance to learn about NAMM’s current activi-ties including its consumer-facing pub-lic awareness campaign, Wanna Play?, which is designed to engage people of all ages in making music, and the associa-tion’s ongoing work to strengthen school music programs.
This year’s regional tour intends to meet three specifi c objectives:
Communicating NAMM’s mission to music products dealersOpening up a two-way dialogue about industry issues
•
•
Discussing how NAMM can better serve its members and the industry.
The 2007 town hall meetings held in Flushing, N.Y., Nashville, Tenn., Atlanta, Ga., Orlando, Fla., and Austin, Texas, were well attended and offered attendees the op-portunity to gain a deeper understanding about the work NAMM does in an environ-ment outside of the NAMM Show setting. This year’s slate of meeting is: Apr. 29, Pasa-dena Hilton, Pasadena, Calif.; May 16, Hil-ton McLean Tysons Corner, McLean, Va.; May 20, Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill.; and May 21, Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick, Natick, Mass.
NAMM encourages attendance by NAMM members and non-members, and welcomes industry manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, and reps to attend. The Town Hall Meetings run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breakfast and lunch provided by NAMM.
•
For more information, contact Judy Dodds, NAMM director of membership, at [email protected].
6 MMR APRIL 2008
On opening morning of this year’s NAMM Show, Pearl unveiled their three new signature snares with help from the artists themselves. Mor-gan Rose of hard rock band Sevendust, Jimmy DeGrasso of Alice Coo-per and Megadeth, and Mike Mangini, Berklee professor and interna-tional clinician, all de-buted their drums and spoke about their input and inspiration for each drum. Members of the Five-Star Drum Shop group and the press corps were also on hand for the unveiling.
For more information of the new signature snare drums, please visit www.pearldrum.com
Pearl Artists Unveil Signature Snare Drums
From left: Morgan Rose (Sevendust), Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper, Megadeth), Mike Mangini (clinician and Berklee professor), and Pearl president/CEO Terry West at the introduction of the new Pearl signature snares.
Kloc Named Buffet U.S. Sales & Marketing DirectorBuffet Crampon USA, Inc., the North American distributor for Buffet Crampon woodwinds, Bes-son brass, and An-toine Courtois brass musical instruments, has announced François Kloc has been ap-pointed director of sales and marketing for North America.
Kloc joined Buffet Crampon in 1995 and moved to the U.S. in 1997 to work as woodwind product specialist for Buffet Crampon/Boosey & Hawkes be-fore becoming manager of woodwinds North America for the Music Group Inc. (Buffet Crampon.)
A graduate of the Institut Tech-nologique European des Metiers de la Musique, François Kloc began his apprenticeship at age 15 in 1983. His career has spanned from manufactur-ing posts with Mignot, Rigoutat, Loree, Buffet Crampon, Schreiber, and Keilw-erth, to marketing. As a technical advi-sor, he has had the unique advantage of working with international artists and meeting musicians and retailers per-sonally throughout the world. Offering clinics and authoring technical articles, Kloc both advises and facilitates by in-corporating the input of the people that make the music happen, the company notes.
MMR_6 6 3/21/08 11:32:59 AM
© 2
007
Map
ex U
SA, I
ncor
pora
ted.
i want a vendor that figures out ways for ME to make a profit.that’s why I sell mapex.
TONY WILLIAMS2112 Percussion,
Raleigh, NC
The Saturn Series is one the world’s most critically acclaimed drum series and is now available in glass glitter wrapped finishes like Cosmic Krush.For more information about becoming an Authorized Mapex Retailer, call 888-627-3987 or e-mail [email protected]
USA.MAPEXDRUMS.COM
MMR_7 7 3/21/08 11:59:42 AM
Upfront
Ziggy Haspod of Monster Marketing took Seymour Duncan’s Rep of the Year Award for 2007. The award was given at a recent ceremony in Santa Barbara which capped a day of product training for all Seymour Duncan sales reps.
Rick McClendon, Seymour Duncan’s vice president of sales, presented the award. According to McClendon, “Ziggy has been an outstanding performer since he began working for Seymour Duncan in the ‘80s. There’s no questioning his commitment to our dealers as he places as much emphasis on sell-through and service as he does on sell-in. His out-standing performance is a refl ection of the trust his dealers have placed in
him. Ziggy has truly part-nered with Seymour Dun-can and is an asset to our organization.”
Haspod’s fi rm, Monster Marketing, represents Sey-mour Duncan products in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. Part of Haspod’s success in at-taining Rep of the Year stemmed from forming relationships with deal-ers on behalf of Seymour Duncan’s stompbox line. Says Haspod, “It was pretty easy, really. Once dealers saw the kind of margins they could make
selling Seymour Duncan stompboxes at MAP, the orders came in big-time. Get-ting reorders was a no-brainer.”
Honors & Accolades… reps, partners, dealers saluted
Rick McClendon and Seymour W. Duncan fl ank Ziggy Haspod of Monster Marketing, Seymour Duncan’s Rep of the Year for 2007.
Seymour Duncan Salutes Haspod
Yamaha Corp. of America recently re-ceived a citation from Eminence Speaker recognizing the two fi rms’ longstanding relationship. Eminence inducted Yamaha into its Million Dollar Club, which cel-ebrates its most loyal customers. Sound
engineers from Yamaha collaborated with their counterparts at Eminence to design both the low- and high-frequency drivers used in Yamaha’s top-of-the-line Club V Speaker series.
Last year, Yamaha Corp. of America produced a DVD enti-tled “The Inside Story: Yamaha Club Series Loudspeakers” which details the manufac-ture of the Club Series and also serves as a plain-language prim-er to the intricacies of speaker design and the physics of sound reproduction.
A free copy of the video can be request-ed by logging on to www.yamaha.com/insidestory.
Yamaha to Eminence ‘Million Dollar Club’
Eminence Speaker president Rob Gault is fl anked by John Schauer and Wayne Hrabak of Yamaha’s Live Sound division.
8 MMR APRIL 2008
Audix Names Sweetwater Dealer of YearAt the NAMM Show, Audix presented Sweetwater Sound, Ft. Wayne, Ind., with a plaque citing the company as the Audix 2007 Dealer of the Year Award. From left: rep John Amstadter, Sweetwater president Chuck Surack, Sweetwater’s Mike Brinker, John Grabowski, and Jeff Radke and Audix co-founder Cliff Castle .
MMR_8 8 3/21/08 11:33:04 AM
DO OVER 3 MILLION PEOPLE KNOW SOMETHING YOU DON’T?
If you’ve never played a Young Chang piano, then the answer is yes, they probably do.
Over 3,000,000 Young Chang pianos have been sold around the world. What do these people know?
They know Young Chang offers the best value in the industry.
They know Young Chang offers quality craftsmanship and service rst;as well as a commitment to making a piano that both looks
and sounds beautiful.
Whatever they know, you can expect nothing less from one of the largest piano... read more at
MMR_9 9 3/21/08 11:59:48 AM
Upfront
GUARNERI VIOLIN FETCHES RECORD PRICERussian businessman Maxim Vik-torov recently paid a record price for a violin made by Guiseppe Guarneri, eclipsing the $3.54 million auction record paid for Stradivari’s 1708 “Hammer” violin at Christie’s in New York in 2006. Privately pur-
chased through the Sotheby’s auc-tion house in London, the price of the Guarneri acquisition was not disclosed.
The Guarneri instrument, built in 1741 and once owned by Bel-gian composer Henri Vieuxtemps,
reportedly has not been played in public for more than 70 years. Vik-torov said the violin would return to the stage at the Moscow State Conservatory for a performance by Pinchas Zukerman.
Source: Reuters
Hanser Music Group Partners with St. Louis Sales TeamHebron, Ky.-based Hanser Music Group has announced their recent partnering with US Music Sales LLC in St. Louis. US Music Sales LLC is a newly formed rep fi rm specializing in musical instrument phone sales and customer service across the U.S. The group consists of fi ve professionals with a combined experience of over 75 years in the music products industry.
Craig Breckenridge, Mark Cahn, Chris Clausen, Pat Kennett, and Aaron Williams
offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in the music business. Each covering ter-ritories familiar to them, they are already at work taking orders and providing customer service for the products and lines of Hanser Music Group including Davitt & Hanser Accesso-ries, Kustom Amplifi cation, Michael Kelly Guitars and Mandolins, Traben Basses, BC Rich Guitars, and Rockfi eld Pickups.
US Music Sales representatives can be reached via the following toll-free num-bers: Craig Breckenridge, 866-902-1256; Mark Cahn, 866-902-1257; Chris Clausen, 866-902-1255; Pat Kennett, 866-902-1258; and Aaron Williams, 866-902-1254.
From left: Chris Clausen, Aaron Williams, Mark Cahn, Craig Breckenridge, Pat Kennett.
10 MMR APRIL 2008
Baden Donates Guitar to Fire Victim T.J. Baden, owner of Baden Guitars, re-cently presented an A-style rosewood acoustic Baden guitar to Ian Johnstone, a young guitarist whose family lost their Escondido, Calif. home during a wildfi re last October. Also lost were Johnstone’s three guitars.
After seeing the effect the gift had on Ian, T.J. Baden said he wants to help musicians who are in similar straits. He
suggested guitarists who have lost their instruments under similar circum-stances should contact him through the company Web site, badenguitars.com. “If there are other people out there who are like Ian, and we could make a dif-ference, we’d like to meet them,” Baden commented. “It’s a situation where it would seem harder not to help someone than to help someone.”
Baldwin Lays Off 34 at Arkansas PlantAccording to an article in the Trumann Democrat, Baldwin Piano, Inc. recently announced the layoff of 34 employees at its Trumann, Ark., manufacturing facility.
The move was the result of Baldwin’s decision to have the Trumann operation now focus only on the Baldwin Custom House line.
The Baldwin Custom House line fea-tures both Gallery and Exotica Collec-tions and targets high-end customers. The average price of pianos in the new line is $60,000. Prices begin at $50,000 and can reach $150,000. Each piano will be hand-signed and hand-numbered. According to the Democrat article, com-
pany executives described the line as an innovative and creative approach to hand-built, limited-edition pianos, with innovative new design techniques.
Employees who were let go in the re-organization reportedly received a sever-ance package including six weeks’ salary and insurance coverage.
MMR_10 10 3/21/08 11:33:10 AM
Yamaha is proud to announce the launch of a new online multimedia experience, The Hub. Building on the award-winning Yamaha Podcasts concept, The Hub is a great resource for all of your Yamaha needs.
With media related to diverse Yamaha products such as Synthesizers, Trumpets, Steinberg software, MarchingPercussion, Clavinovas and Guitars, The Hub brings the breadth of Yamaha content into one easy web interface.Subscribe to product-specific free podcasts, download content for your iPhone or iPod and grab productbrochure PDFs and reference materials - all free and easily accessible.
Featuring access to exclusive product sneak-peek Summer NAMM 2008 product videos and backstage YamahaArtist interviews and clinics, we invite you to explore The Hub of all things Yamaha.
www.yamahahub.com
of all things yamaha
MMR_11 11 3/21/08 11:59:52 AM
UpfrontBrownies Points for FenderFender headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., was invaded in late January by Brownie Troop #368. The fi eld trip, designed to inspire the 7– to 8-year-old girls to appreciate and create mu-sic, featured live musical instrument performances, Rock Band video game demonstrations, and an impromptu “Brownie Board Meeting” – which included a mock research and devel-opment meeting and branding session in the guitar company’s main conference room.
12 MMR APRIL 2008
Denny Senseney to Retire; Lorie Supinie Acquires Kansas DealershipWichita, Kan. On Mar. 31, Senseney Music, Inc. will celebrate two milestones. Denny Senseney will retire after a 30-year career as a music retailer, and Lori Supinie will become the new owner.
Senseney recently announced the pro-motion of Supinie as president of the cor-poration. On Mar. 31 Supine will assume full-ownership and assume her new role as chair and CEO of the full-line retail music company. Senseney Music operates from one 25,000 square foot location.
Lori Supinie has played an important part in the growth of Senseney Music for the past 12 years, most recently serving as executive vice president, general manager, and COO. She previously served as cor-porate controller and CFO. She received her MBA Degree from Southern Illinois
University and later earned her CPA des-ignation. Supinie currently serves as vice president/secretary of the Retail Print Music Dealers Association (RPMDA.)
“As I approach this event, I am con-fi dent of the abilities of Lori to continue to fi nd ways to grow the music education marketplace in our region,” com-mented Senseney. “Her passion for this industry, combined with her instincts for people, systems, and service will certainly be rewarding to watch succeed.
“For me, I could not have imag-ined the wonderful experience building a service-oriented music education business turned out to be,” he continued. “Whatever suc-cess we enjoyed was because of the
many dedicated, talented, and loyal em-ployees who came to work each day with the sole purpose of working together to improve our service to others. I owe much to many in this industry who I have had the privilege of working alongside, and whom I count as my best friends.”
Denny Senseney Lori Supinie
Gibson Alleges Patent Infringement in ‘Guitar Hero’ GamesGibson has told Activision Inc. that its popular “Guitar Hero” video games in-fringe one of Gibson’s patents. Gibson said the game violates a 1999 patent for technology to simulate a musical perfor-mance. A copy of Gibson’s patent included in the court fi ling showed a method for simulating a live performance using a mu-sical instrument, a 3D headset with stereo speakers, and a pre-recorded concert.
“Based on our preliminary analysis, the ‘Guitar Hero’ software (including any expansion packs) and the guitar control-ler provided by Activision being used as a musical instrument (packaged with the
software or sold standalone) are covered by the ... patent,” Gibson’s law fi rm said in its January 7 letter. “Gibson requests that Activision obtain a license under Gibson’s ... patent or halt sales of any version of the ‘Guitar Hero’ game software.”
Subsequently, Activision fi led a law-suit asking the U.S. District Court for Central California to declare Gibson’s patent invalid and to bar it from seeking damages.
Gibson made its claims in the Jan. 7 letter sent to Activision, a copy of which was included in Activision’s lawsuit. Gib-son has been a high-profi le partner in the
“Guitar Hero” games, with Activision li-censing the rights to model its controllers on Gibson guitar models and to use their likenesses in the game.
“Gibson is a good partner, and we have a great deal of respect for them,” Ac-tivision general counsel George Rose said in a statement. “We disagree with the ap-plicability of their patent and would like a legal determination on this.” Activision said its games did not infringe Gibson’s patent, and that by waiting three years to raise its claim, the guitar maker had granted an implied license for any tech-nology.
MMR_12 12 3/21/08 11:33:15 AM
14 MMR APRIL 2008
UpfrontCHINA’S CONSUMER PRICESHIT 11-YEAR HIGH
China could start export-ing inflation after consumer prices hit an 11-year high in January, signaling an end to the days of ultra-cheap Chi-nese goods. Rising costs of fuel, food, and raw materi-als are forcing some Chinese manufacturers to raise their prices. It is likely that musi-cal instruments produced in the country will be affected.
“We are taking for granted that China will provide cheap products forever, but I think we are probably about to see the end of an era,” said Dong Tao, an economist with Credit Suisse in Hong Kong. “China is exporting infl ation in a big way. The rest of the world will feel that.”
The Chinese currency con-tinues to appreciate, with Mor-gan Stanley predicting it could increase by as much as 10 percent this year. Labor costs also continue to rise, and this winter’s snow storms proved a major disruption, exacerbat-ing shortages of food and fuel and disrupting transport and power.
Stanley Lau, deputy chair-man of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said, “There are about 70,000 factories in the Pearl River Delta today. Many of them are talking about reducing their workforce or even shutting down. We ex-pect more than 10 percent of these factories will be closed in a year or two.”Source: MI-Pro Weekly Digest (UK)
Jim Cavanaugh to President of Cavanaugh Co.The Cavanaugh Company announces the appointment of Jim Cavanaugh as com-pany president. Cavanaugh, 33, is only the third company president and is taking over for his father, John V. Cavanaugh, who will become the company’s chairman.
“I look forward to continuing my father’s legacy and leading our business into even greater ventures,” said Jim Ca-vanaugh.
In 1997, Jim Cavanaugh graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University. During
summers, he continued working in his father’s company as a machinist where he made Super-Sensitive orchestra strings. Also while in college, Cavanaugh co-oped at Midco International, the former distributor in Effi ngham, Ill.
Upon graduation from FSU, and while collecting a machinist degree from the Sara-sota County Technical Institute, he entered the Cavanaugh Company as its vice presi-dent and directly oversaw the acquisitions of Black Diamond Strings and Bari Woodwind Supply. He also spearheaded the company’s
use of automated string winders, which in-creased production and quality.
The Cavanaugh Company is the par-ent company of Red Label Strings, Super-Sensitive Strings, Black Diamond Strings, and Bari Reeds and Mouth-pieces. The Company is headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., and em-ployees 67 people.The Cavanaugh Company’s Jim and John Cavanaugh.
Keyboard Concepts Debuts California SuperstoreKeyboard Concepts has announced the opening of a piano superstore located on the 101 Freeway in the brand-new Agoura Design Center. The company’s Ventura County/Northwest Los Angeles County store had been located in Thousand Oaks since 1997, and is now twice the size as a result of the move.
Keyboard Concepts’ fi ve Southern California locations are the exclusive deal-ers for Yamaha Pianos, Disklavier, and Clavinovas. Keyboard Concepts, as well as David L. Abell Fine Pianos, also has ex-clusive representation for the Bösendorfer, Schimmel, and Knabe piano lines.
Dennis Hagerty, president of Key-board Concepts, states, “Our approach combines superb customer service re-sulting in a high volume of sales, and concentrating on premium pianos for teachers, advanced players, and profes-sionals. The inventory of used, recon-ditioned and restored pianos, including Steinways, is second to none in Southern California.”
The superstore will also feature a large sheet music, software, and accessory de-partment to serve the musical communi-ty from the San Fernando Valley to Santa Barbara.
MMR_14 14 3/21/08 11:33:21 AM
Steinway’s Q4 Sales Up 14%On Mar. 5, Steinway Musical Instru-ments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB) announced results for the quarter and 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2007.
Revenues jumped 14% for the quar-ter, to $121.3 million, and overall gross margins improved 220 basis points from 30.4% to 32.6%. Operating income more than doubled to $15.6 million from $6.3 million in the prior-year period.
For the quarter, the company posted Basic EPS of $0.91 compared to $0.13 in the prior-year period. For 2007, Steinway generated Basic EPS of $1.81 compared to a Basic loss per share of $0.08 in the prior year. Adjusted EPS was $1.82 compared to $0.77 in 2006.
Band revenues for the quarter surged 30% primarily as a result of improved availability of professional horns from the company’s Elkhart brass plant. Unit shipments of woodwind and brass in-struments climbed 13% as compared to the prior-year period. The improved sales mix also contributed to an increase in gross margins for the quarter, from 15.9% to 18.1%.
The continued improvement in sales of professional instruments in the sec-ond half of the year offset performance in earlier months, resulting in sales of $171.1 million for 2007, topping the prior year. Gross margins also improved, from 18.6% to 20.0%, due to increased ship-ments of higher-margin professional in-struments.
Worldwide piano sales for the quarter increased $4.8 million, or 7%. Demand continued to be strong overseas where fourth quarter unit shipments of Stein-way grand pianos rose 7% and unit ship-ments of mid-priced pianos increased 16% over the prior-year period. Domes-tically, Steinway grand unit shipments declined 4% primarily as a result of soft sales at company-operated stores. Piano gross margins improved from 37.5% to 41.3% in the quarter due to a better mix of higher priced instruments.
Year-to-date piano sales were up 10% led by the exceptionally strong perfor-mance of the company’s overseas busi-
Premier Percussion announced that Grover Pro Percussion is the exclusive U.S. distributor for Premier Percussion’s marching, orchestral, and pipe band products. “There is no one more experi-enced in this area and we are delighted to work with Neil Gro-ver and his team,” said Premier marketing di-rector Colin Schofi eld at a Frankfurt Music Fair press conference on Mar 13.
Grover, based in Woburn, Mass., will commence Premier distribution effective April 1. Premier said it would announce a
new joint venture for its U.S. drum set distribution shortly.
Premier’s drum sets will now be distributed in the U.K. by The Arbiter Group, effective July 1.
APRIL 2008 MMR 15
Premier, Grover Pro Debut U.S. Distribution Pact
Colin Schofi eld, Premier marketing director; Nigel Sims, Premier managing director; Neil Grover, Grover Pro Percussion president; and Bill Spiers, Premier chairman.
ness. Piano gross margins rose from 35.4% to 37.9% primarily as a result of the larger proportion of sales from the company’s higher-margin overseas op-erations as compared to 2006.
Discussing fourth quarter results, CEO Dana Messina stated, “We are very pleased with our overall performance this quarter. We saw signifi cant increases in both sales and gross margins in both of our operating segments.”
Regarding pianos, Messina said, “Our overseas piano operations had a very good quarter, posting a 19% increase in revenue. This more than offset a 7% decline in domestic revenue. For the quarter, worldwide unit shipments in the mid-priced segment decreased 10% in 2007 while unit shipments of Steinway grands increased modestly.”
Turning to band operations, Mes-sina said, “This quarter, we achieved sales and gross margins in line with the fourth quarter of 2005, indicating that the impact of the ongoing strike at our brass plant in
Elkhart is becoming less of a factor in our fi nancial results. More important, the feedback from our dealers on the quality of the product coming from our Elkhart brass facility is both gratifying and a source of great pride to our employees en-gaged in the production process.”
Discussing his outlook for 2008, Mes-sina said, “With production of professional brass instruments back on track, we should have a healthy increase in band sales this year. As we announced in December, we expect approximately $1.0 million of out-of-pocket expenses as we transition our Kenosha [Wis.] woodwind production to our Elkhart woodwind facility. We expect to incur approximately $2.0 million in ad-ditional costs in 2008 as we wind down production in one plant and ramp up in the other. Over the long term, this consoli-dation should help us gain effi ciencies and improve profi tability. Looking at our piano business for 2008, the U.S. market is ex-pected to be soft but we expect Europe and Asia to have a solid year.”
MMR_15 15 3/21/08 11:33:25 AM
Upfront
PEARL RIVER GOLD PIANOEd Note: In the March issue of MMR page 77, the Pearl River GP198 piano was incorrectly iden-tifi ed. The piano is available in a clear butterfl y top. In addition to the gold version, the piano is available in blue and pink or silver satin.
16 MMR APRIL 2008
Hal Leonard to Acquire De HaskeHal Leonard Corp. has reached an agree-ment in principle to acquire a major-ity equity position in Holland-based De Haske, Europe’s leading print publisher of instrumental music. The companies anticipate the deal – negotiated by Hal Leonard president Larry Morton and De Haske co-directors Jan de Haan and Gar-mt Van der Veen – to close in the coming weeks. Terms were not disclosed.
An accomplished composer and a con-ductor of concert bands and brass bands, Jan de Haan started De Haske in 1983 in Oudehaske, Holland, selling solely his own compositions. He subsequently added works by many successful young compos-ers, including his brother Jacob de Haan and Belgian composer Jan Van der Roost. After a short time, the publishing house outgrew its original facility and moved into a larger space in Heerenveen, in the north of Hol-
land. De Haske quickly made a name for itself in many countries around the world. In 1989, the company opened its fi rst inter-national branch in Switzerland, followed in rapid succession by offi ces in Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
De Haske is co-owned by De Haan and Van der Veen. De Haan will sell his shares in the company, but will remain a creative adviser and exclusive composer, moving into a consultancy capacity. Van der Veen will retain a minority equity position in De Haske. He will become managing di-rector, overseeing De Haske’s operations. Hal Leonard senior vice president Her-man Knoll will move to Holland during the ownership transition period to work closely with Van der Veen.
Hal Leonard and De Haske have worked together since the spring of 1999. Hal Leon-ard has exclusively distributed in North
America, Australia, and other international territories publications from De Haske and its high-profi le imprints: Curnow Music Press, Fentone Music, and Anglo Music, as well as their recently acquired Dowani pub-lications for classical musicians. De Haske has distributed in Europe certain segments of Hal Leonard’s educational music cata-log, particularly concert band and wind ensemble arrangements. De Haske has also translated fl agship Hal Leonard methods – Essential Elements, the Hal Leonard Stu-dent Piano Library, and FastTrack, among others – into various European languages for sale abroad.
Hal Leonard chairman and CEO Keith Mardak comments on the acquisition, “We’ve worked with De Haske for nearly a decade, and have always had the utmost respect for their operations. This is a per-fect opportunity for us to expand our global reach, particularly in the distribu-tion of our band and orchestra catalog.”
Larry Morton states, “Hal Leonard and De Haske are among the few companies that thrive as publishers and distributors. We are very excited about the ramifi ca-tions of this agreement, both in increasing sales of Hal Leonard publications around the world, and creating new De Haske publications for sale in the United States.”
MMR_16 16 3/21/08 11:33:29 AM
A Conversation...advertorial
Bernard Van Doren discusses the new Flow Packs and other issues.MichaelSkinner:Bernard, it'salways inter-esting to meto see hownew ideas likethe Flow Packstarted. Howdid this comeabout?Bernard Van
Doren: It actually started in the UnitedStates. I was on a dealer tour with youand noticed that in many of the storesthe dealers were storing reeds in veryunfriendly places where heat or thelack of humidity could damage the reeddue to warping which will have anadverse affect on its performance. Myconcern was that the musician couldreceive reeds with our name on it thatwould not play like we wanted them to.I knew then I had to design a systemthat would help the dealers present ahigher quality product to our musi-cians. The Flow Pack is the end result.MS: So what exactly does the FlowPack do?BV: Cane is very sensitive to hygro-metric changes and that is why our fac-tory is regulated. The new packagingmaintains the proper hygrometry of thereed during the transportation of thereed from our factory all the way towhen the musician opens it. This is thefirst time this has truly been done. Sonow if the dealer is not exactly surewhere to store his reeds, we can stillinsure that the reed the musician opensis factory fresh and at its optimum per-formance level. Remember, the FlowPack is extra protection. Once opened,the reed will react to their hygrometricenvironment exactly as before.MS: What has been the response?BV: So far we have heard very positivecomments from our musician friendslike Jon Manasse, Claude Delangle andmany more. The new packaging, of
course, is different to accommodatethis innovation, but the more you usethe new packaging, the more you willappreciate it.MS: Yes, the packaging is larger andlooks very different. BV: Yes it does. It is because each reedis now packaged individually in theFlow Pack packaging. We needed tomake the box to fit the Flow Packs. Weunderstand the packaging is different,but we think it's worth it to insure thatevery time you open a Flow Pack youhave a reed that is factory fresh.MS: I agree. I've heard from manymusicians that the reeds are playingvery well. Do you have any concernsregarding the packaging with regard tothe environment?BV: This is an interesting questionbecause we are very concerned withour environment. Let me give you afew examples:From the beginning – The cane usedto manufacture reeds is a 100% naturalplant. We use no fertilizer or pesticideduring its growth and no chemicalcomponents during its transformationinto reeds. Any leftover cane resultingfrom reed manufacturing is completelyreused as either compost in our planta-tions or fuel for the boiler that heatsour factory. Our high performance boil-er, gives off only water vapor and CO2into the atmosphere. It is important tonote that this CO2 exhaust is of plant,not fossil origin and that its atmospher-ic evacuation contributes in no way tothe greenhouse effect. Inside the new box – The reed protec-tor is 100% recyclable and has the PP5mark on the edge of the protector. Thefilm we use to protect the reeds is veryimportant. If we use any other type ofpackaging or method, the amount ofwaste is much more. It is a recoverablepackaging (in the form of energyrecovery as it has a high calorific ratioin incineration). The new box – the paper we use
comes from trees planted expressly forpaper production and does not con-tribute to deforestation. Moreover, treesare systematically replanted in eachsection as they are felled. We have alsoreplaced toxic inks, fixatives, develop-ers and solvents, with others less pol-luting in nature (for example, the useof offset inks instead of habitual UVinks).Inside the factory – we use electricvehicles to move around our factoryand finally I am happy to tell you that Idrive a hybrid vehicle.MS: Wow! So it would seem to methat every step of the way, you not onlyfound ways to protect the reeds, but toprotect the environment.BV: Yes, it's true.MS: Are there any additional advan-tages to the new packaging?BV: Yes, in recent years we have seenthe increase in counterfeit products thatconcern us very much. The level ofsophistication required to create thispackaging and product makes it diffi-cult to copy. Again, our goal here is tocreate the best product so musicianscan continue making the beautifulmusic for which we are so passionate.MS: Thank you Bernard!
From a recent
interview by
Michael Skinner,
President,
DANSR, inc.,the
U.S. importer for
Vandoren
ProductsBernard Van Doren
Managing Director
For more information on Flow Packs or theenvironment, consult the Vandoren website atwww.vandoren.com
MMR_17 17 3/21/08 12:00:04 PM
18 MMR APRIL 2008
Upfront
Do high quality pianos cost a lot?
NO.W Y M A N PIANO COMPANY
www.wymanpiano.com
Nashville, TN USA
615. 356. 9143 or 941. 661.0200
Ford Motor Company and Fender Musi-cal Instruments Corp. made some noise together at the recent 37th Annual Bar-rett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., which racked up more than $88 million in sales and a record-setting attendance of 280,000 automotive lifestyle enthusiasts.
A highlight of the weeklong event was the auction where a limited-edition 40th Anniversary Ford Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustang coupe and matching Fender Stratocaster raised $550,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The 540-horsepower Mustang is one of approxi-mately 1,000 built, and is the fi rst and only
car offered with a “segment-exclusive” glass roof complete with Shelby’s signature racing stripes frosted on the glass.
The Stratocaster, fi rst of a 100-piece limited-edition run (serial number 000), features a replica of Carroll Shelby’s autograph, plus the Cobra logo, Shelby hood stripes and a hand-painted “GT500KR” body graphic. The guitar’s neck has a “Powered by Ford”
custom graphic on the back, and the fi nger-board has “GT500KR” and “Shelby” moth-er-of-pearl inlays at the 7th and 12th frets. The guitar’s hardshell case is custom-em-broidered with Ford and Shelby graphics.
Throughout the weeklong event, Fender’s specially created environment within the Ford booth featured hourly live musical performances and daily Stratocaster giveaways on the main stage. Guests could also play guitars and bass-es, recording their sounds onsite into Ford USB fl ash drives that could then be played back in Ford vehicles equipped with the Microsoft SYNC audio system. There was also a “Fender-ized” Mustang customized with a prototype Fender car audio system developed by Fender Li-censing partner Panasonic Audio Sys-tems and a built-in Fender G-DEC 30 guitar amplifi er in the trunk.
Fender, Ford Team Up for Diabetes Charity
MMR_18 18 3/21/08 11:33:35 AM
- Chuck Surack, PresidentSweetwater Sound
- Alan LevinWashington Music Center
- Gene Joly, Executive Vice President, MerchandisingMusician’s Friend Inc
Kurzweil Music Systems 19060 S. Dominguez Hills Dr., Ramcho Dominguez, CA 90220 www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com
MMR_19 19 3/21/08 12:00:09 PM
20 MMR APRIL 2008
Upfront
Wholesalers of:
Juzek Stringed InstrumentsBowsCasesStringsAccessories
P.O. BOX 1415STOWE, VT 056721.866.846.5461 [email protected]
Trade Regrets:Billy Wennlund, Lowrey Organ ExecutiveBilly G. Wennlund, a longtime veteran executive in the home organ business, passed away on Feb. 19. He was 81.
Wennlund was associated with Low-rey Organs for over 19 years. His career with Lowrey bridged both Chicago Mu-sical Instrument Co. (CMI) and Norlin Music’s ownership of the organ manu-facturing company. He held a number of positions, including vice president of marketing and product development.
During his tenure with Lowrey, Wenn-lund spearheaded some of the brand’s most innovative and successful models in-cluding the low-priced, high-volume “Tee-nie Genie” series. His aggressive product development program helped Lowrey achieve a dominant position at the peak of the home organ market in the U.S.
For many years, Billy Wenn-lund worked side-by-side with his late brother, Don Wennlund, who focused on sales. Don did “the pitch” and Billy did “the demo.” Their joint product introduc-tions and presentations at Lowrey’s an-nual NAMM Show breakfast meetings were legendary.
He also was well-known outside the U.S. He played a key role in pioneering Lowrey’s international development, es-pecially in the South African market.
In addition to possessing a great sense of humor and being a gifted speaker, Wennlund was a fi ne musician and tal-ented organist. After service in U.S. Navy, he joined Wurlitzer, where his brother also worked. Several years later,
he and his brother suc-cessfully operated Fowler Music, a piano and organ dealership in Joliet, Ill., be-fore joining CMI and Low-
rey in 1964.A native of DeKalb, Ill., he retired
from Norlin Music in 1983 and eventu-ally relocated to central Missouri. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Lou, and his daughters, Cindy and Kar-en.
Donations in Billy Wennlund’s mem-ory can be made to: Dogwood Animal Shelter, 1075 Runabout Dr., Osage Beach, MO 65065.
Condolences can be sent to: Mrs. Mary Lou Wennlund, 1191 Kays Point Rd., Lake Ozark, MO 65049.
MMR_20 20 3/21/08 11:33:41 AM
Petrof U.S.A., LLC. 5400 Lawrenceville Hwy Suite B1 & 2 Lilburn, GA 30047O) 770-564-4974 F) 770-564-4978 www.petrof.com
In 1864 Antonin Petrof built his rst concert grand piano. Since then his family has continued in the same tradition of expert instrument craftmanship. Petrof Piano Company of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic is extending their international success to the U.S. market and has announced the formation of PETROF U.S.A., LLC, a new factory owned subsidiary that will be responsible for all sales, distribution and marketing in the United States beginning December 1, 2007.
PETROF’s great success for the past 140 years and current sales records in
Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Iceland and Asia have afforded the company the ability to produce new, improved and tested scales and furniture styles that will be offered in the U.S.
The high standards of the PETROF company will be maintained and dealers should know that they can expect in-depth inventory, nancing and service never before experienced.
MMR_21 21 3/21/08 12:00:15 PM
22 MMR APRIL 2008
IndustrynotesYamaha Groove All Stars NAMM Show ConcertYamaha’s Groove All Stars concert recently returned to the Cerritos Center for the Per-forming Arts in Cerritos, Calif., featuring some of the world’s most accomplished drummers backed by a house band playing Yamaha guitars, basses, keyboards, percussion, and horns. Yamaha Drums then took the show on the road with appearances in Mexico and at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany.
Always one of the hottest tickets among at-tendees of the NAMM Show, this year’s Groove All Stars concert sold out. The evening’s master of ceremonies, long-time Yamaha artist Rick Marotta, has re-corded and toured with James Taylor, Jack-son Browne, Steely Dan and Paul Simon,
and also composed the theme to the televi-sion show “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Drummers who performed included: Tommy Aldridge, Tom Brechtlein, Gerry
Brown, Teddy Campbell, Keith Carlock, Ndugu Chancler, Wolfgang Haffner, Aki-ra Jimbo, Russ Kunkel, Shannon Larkin, Jerry Marotta, Rick Marotta, Russ Mill-
er, Chris Parker, Dafnis Prieto, Antonio Sanchez, Oscar Seaton, The University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, Tony Verderosa, and Dave Weckl.
ON STAGETom Petty and the Heartbreakers,longtime Neumann KMS 150 users, were “Runnin’ Down a Dream” during their halftime show performance at Super Bowl XLII. Band members were all on Sennheiser 300 G2 personal monitors, as were pre-game performer Alicia Keys and National Anthem singer Jordin Sparks. (Photo: (c) Getty Images)
The Yamaha contingent backstage: rear: Joe Testa; middle: Rick Young, Mitsuru Umemura (president, Yamaha Corp. of Japan), emcee Rick Marotta; front: David Jewell, Yoichi Oba.
Left: The Yamaha Groove All Stars at their recent concert in Cerritos, Calif.Photo: © Rob Shanahan
Kanstul Musical Instruments is the exclu-sive supplier of brasswinds to The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Her-ald Trumpets. The Army Herald Trum-pets have performed for presidents, prime ministers, and royalty, in addition to cer-emonial fanfares for the Olympic Games and for the United Nations. Kanstul has
also supplied instruments to the Canadian Forces, including the Naden Band of Mari-time Forces Pacifi c Fanfare Trumpets. Ad-ditional fanfare trumpets made by Kanstul have been presented to the King of Malay-sia at his ascension to the throne last year and to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honor of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Quotable“For Led Zeppelin, whose music is so rhythmic, hard, and loud, the perils of
undertaking a reunion in late middle age are greater than they might be for, say, Bob Dylan or Neil Young, who began their careers sounding like old men.”
Dec. 24 & 31 New Yorker article on Led Zeppelin’s reunion concert in London, by Sasha Frere-Jones.
MMR_22 22 3/21/08 11:34:07 AM
Sennheiser makes it easy to add on microphone sales for every piece of gear you sell in your store with the new Right Mic POP! Colorful hang-tags
on products help pre-sell your customers on which mic they’ll need to capture every nuance of the
gear they crave. Three-sided POP checkout counter displays and a fold-out brochure reinforce
The Right Mic message while cards in your display case highlight the features, benefits and
applications of Sennheiser’s evolution mics. Add web-resources, promotional incentives and a
vigorous national ad campaign and you’ve got an in-store promo that’ll rock your register.
Call your local Sennheiser Rep to find out what The Right Mic can do for you!
www.sennheiserusa.com
theRight POP for YOUR Store
MMR_23 23 3/21/08 12:00:44 PM
StatsMI SalesTrak® Snapshot: Electronic Keyboard Prices
NAMM Global Report:
Editor’s Note: This data was collected on MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com, during late December 2007 and January 2008.
(Source: U.S. Gallup Poll commissioned by NAMM. Data compiled in early 2006. )
How likely would you be to want to learn to play an instrument if the instruments cost less to rent or own?
Source: MI SalesTrak®The numbers repre-sent US retail sales in music stores, based upon SKU-level POS data from a sample of over 425 online and brick-and-mortar outlets. For further information contact: [email protected]
MMR Web Poll:What is the Impact of ‘Guitar Hero’ Games?
$2,500
$2,000
$1,500
$1,000
$500
$0Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 June-07 July-07 Aug-07 Sept-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07
Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jun-07 Jul-07 Aug-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07
Digital Console Pianos $1,881 $1,642 $1,460 $1,814 $1,573 $1,654 $1,622 $1,946 $1,915 $1,769 $1,848 $1,956 $2,079
Digital Slab Pianos $695 $746 $769 $825 $783 $804 $783 $764 $739 $678 $733 $677 $659
Synthesizers $711 $811 $828 $810 $732 $835 $836 $772 $824 $855 $830 $773 $734
Workstations $1,643 $1,595 $1,505 $1,518 $1,536 $1,654 $1,544 $1,652 $1,541 $1,652 $1,611 $1,645 $1,526
Portable Keyboards $286 $342 $367 $355 $339 $324 $324 $357 $343 $315 $341 $304 $272
MIDI Controller Keyboards $168 $169 $167 $170 $173 $177 $168 $173 $173 $174 $175 $170 $173
While almost one-third of those surveyed indicated they would want to learn to play if the cost involved were less, one-quarter said cost was not an important barrier.
31% 14% 20% 10% 25%5
Very Likely4 3 2 1
Least Likely
Will players of these virtual-music-playing games be converted into real music makers?
22.41%
50.0%
27.59%
Absolutely -- these games are a great boost to
our business.
A few gamers will move on to real music
lessons.
No -- the games have very little
to do with actual music making.
24 MMR APRIL 2008
MMR_24 24 3/21/08 11:34:46 AM
youtube.com/user/ehpedals myspace.com/ehpedals www.ehx.com
Stereo Memory Man with HazaraiIt’s an echo, multi-tap delay, reverse echo, and performancelooper with up to 30 seconds of loop time, all in true stereo!Featuring tap tempo, vintage tape echo filtering, and 8 pro-grammable presets... it’s got all the Hazarai. Destined to beone of the most inspiring tools on your pedalboard.
Holy StainRighteous multi-effect possibilities emerge when Reverbs, Pitch Shifting and celestialTremolo meld with pure analog Drive and Fuzz.The brilliance of the Stain lies in the dynamicinteraction of its controls – create novel tonalmetaphors. Stain the hearts of your fans!
LPB-1A linear power boosterthat lets you control thegain and saturation ofany amp. Put the LPB-1in front of any soundeffect and dramaticallyincrease definition.
Q-Tron +The phattest, funkiestenvelope filter evermade. Attack ResponseSwitch and added Effects Loop allow you to invent totallynew sounds.
Soul PreacherThree selectable attackscoupled with silky, longsustain, blend in perfectharmony to create oneof the finest guitarcompressors ever built.
Stereo PulsarGorgeous undulating stereo tremolo and panning.Selectable vintage triangle or square waveforms. Use Shape control to transition from negative to positive saw tooth and adjust pulse width.
Micro POGMake your 6-string ring likea 12. Make your 4-stringbass pump like an 8.Convert your guitar into aconvincing bass. Generateorgan-like harmonic struc-tures with fast, glitch-freepolyphonic tracking.
Stereo Electric MistressGenerate panoramicAxis: Bold As Love textures.Manually flange or freezesound in Filter Matrix mode. Use Chorus with Flanger for rich modulations. Colorfuland seductive in stereo!
MMR_25 25 3/21/08 12:00:52 PM
26 MMR APRIL 2008
PeopleAmerican Music & Soundappoints Michael Palmernational sales manager for Allen & Heath products in the U.S. Palmer is a 20-plus-year veteran of the audio industry, having held posi-tions as director of sales and marketing for Radian Audio Engineering and previously as a sales management executive at Guitar Center. Palmer’s principal responsibility is to strengthen the sales focus on Allen & Heath’s premium line of mixers as well as expand the growth of new products such as iLive, iDR and XONE.
Leslie Butts is named na-tional accounts manager for the Ludwig Drums divi-sion of Conn-Selmer, Inc. He will be responsible for all sales and service needs of national retail accounts.
The Harman Pro Grouprecently promoted Michael MacDonald to the newly created position of execu-tive vice president of mar-keting & sales.
MacDonald rejoined the Harman Pro Group in January 2007 as exec-utive vice president of marketing. From 2003 until 2007 he was founder and president of Pilot Business Strategies Inc., a consulting fi rm that served a number of professional audio, video, and security companies.
Ed Alves, former director of domestic sales for Taylor Guitars, has joined Poway, Calif.-based Timberline Guitars as executive vice president and managing partner. A 25-year industry veteran, Alves also served as a DSM with Yamaha and Fender, and began his career in retail management with Guitar Showcase, San Jose, Calif.
Brendan Topolewski has been named to a newly created position of sales coordinator at Antigua Winds. He will be responsible
for most aspects of Antigua’s sales support efforts in brand building, dealer develop-ment, and customer rela-tionships. Topolewski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Plattsburg State University and has fi ve years of retail experience in manage-ment, sales, and rentals with one of the largest band and orchestra retail stores in San Antonio, Texas.
DBL Distributing LLC, the consumer electronics ac-cessories wholesaler that recently has branched out to MI and audio lines, ap-points Tim Coakley as senior vice
president of merchandis-ing and purchasing. Over a 25-year career in con-sumer electronics, he has held marketing and mer-chandising positions with CompUSA and goodguys!The company also pro-motes Rich Lee to director of purchasing and names Bob Gregory buyer for pro sound and home audio.
Sal Cardello has been promoted to dis-trict account manager for RS Berkeley Instruments. Cardello has over 40 years of marketing experience in the industry. He is most known for his prior position as vice president of sales for Leblanc, a division of Conn Selmer Musical Instru-ments, and he was in the sales department at King Musical Instruments for 19 years. In his new role, Cardello will be develop-ing and executing sales growth strategies, assist in managing the company’s current client roster as well as helping to build an additional client base.
Palmer
Butts
McDonald
McDonald
Topolewski
Coakley
Lee
Gregory
Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site,www.MMRmagazine.com
Breaking News
MORE BANDFOR YOUR
1800 375 3234Get Yours Today
CavanaughCompany.com
BUCK
Red Label Strings & Bari Esprit Mouthpieces are proven sellers during
band season.
•Economical Price•Superior Quality
•Reliable Durability•Made in USA
2 Ways to Get
MMR_26 26 3/21/08 11:35:12 AM
NewsAPRIL 2008
ADVERTORIAL
Everyone Benefits from Music Making=Student Success
PRESCHOOL &YOUNG CHILDREN
STUDENTS &STUDENTS &TEENSTEENS
in music education encourages and motivates students to stay in
A Note from Joe...
MMR_28 28 3/21/08 12:01:11 PM
ADVERTORIAL
NAMM Newsback Digital
Making Music
ADULTS &WEEKEND WARRORS
SENIORS &RETIREES
hormone (HgH) among active
June 20-22, 2008Nashville, TN
Hotel and Badge Registration
e
MMR_29 29 3/21/08 12:01:24 PM
30 MMR APRIL 2008
MERCHAND IS ING
LargeReturns
Small Goods,
… dealers, suppliers explore effective accessory marketing
“There’s been a paradigm shift over the last 10 years in regard to accessories,” says
Ted Eschliman of Dietze Music, the four-store Nebraska dealership. “There was a
time when you would sell a big-ticket item and then throw a bunch of things in -
- strings, straps, and so on. That was easier to do when we were making 40 points
on an instrument. Now that we’re making 28 points or less, we don’t give accessories away.”
Jim Cavanaugh David Via Ted Eschliman Ron Allman Kevin Bolembach Rob Turner Kenya Austin
MMR_30 30 3/21/08 11:35:46 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 31
Dietze Music has retrained to do just that in recent years because the stakes are so high, or as Eschliman puts it, “I have to tell employees that if we don’t make points on this small stuff, it might lead to staff cuts and they’ll fi nd themselves working alone on a Thursday night.”
With their attractive margins and turns, many dealers view accessories as a fi rewall that can stand between surviv-ing and running off track. While too of-ten items that sell for $8 take a back seat to those that sell for $800, it doesn’t ne-gate their pivotal role in securing a store’s overall long-term fi nancial health.
In other words, it’s time to sweat the small stuff.
State of the Small StuffThe conventional wisdom is that if
you can’t count on much else when the economy is going south, you can rely on accessories. Of course that’s not a one-size-fi ts-all characterization.
“Here’s the deal: when the economy goes down, we do really well,” says Rob Turner, founder and owner of EMG, Inc., the California-based pickup manufac-turer. “That’s because people are limiting the amount of money they are spending on instruments, and accessories are a great way to experiment and have fun. A pickup, for example, is a great choice for that sort of thing.”
That said, Turner says EMG specifi -cally does well year ‘round. Interestingly,
Turner notes tax refund season can be particularly strong. “Instead of spend-ing $800 or whatever on another guitar, a musician can spend less than $100 and literally have a new guitar. A new pickup can do that.”
David Via, D’Addario’s vice president of sales, reports that they are seeing a bump in accessories, and “accessories tend to be a little more recession-proof in general, so we’re seeing modest in-creases.”
“We see a lot of po-tential for accessories this year, especially coming out of the suc-cessful NAMM Show in January,” says Jim Cavanaugh, president of the Cavanaugh Company (which in-cludes Super-Sensi-tive strings, Black Diamond strings, and Bari Woodwind sup-plies.) “It was the best show we’ve had in at least fi ve years, mostly because we’re delivering a better product.” They are also working to get more information about their product to the end consumer through mailers. “We’re also getting out more to see dealers,” he adds.
“There are two reasons we’re expe-riencing a bump in sales,” says Michael Skinner of Dansr, Inc., distributor of Vandoren and Denis Wick products.
“We had a huge last year, partly because of growth in the market and partly be-cause customers are upgrading their mouthpieces. Secondly, in general, ac-cessories tend to roll higher in times like these.”
For Zildjian product manager Ron Allman, the accessories business has been more about consistent growth then cyclicality: “Many of our accessories are essential to drummers, such as cymbal cleaning polish, cymbal and drumstick
bags, and cymbal felts.”
Hot Rod That Guitar
David Via says it’s helpful when the dealer recogniz-es that accessories enhance the sound of their customer’s instrument, and are
much more than just an afterthought. For example, it should be instilled in cus-tomers that strings and drumheads are not items that just need replacing when they break. “It’s like oil in a car,” Via says. “You don’t wait until oil is completely drained before getting an oil change. You change the oil as part of a regular maintenance plan. Same with accessories such as strings, drumheads, and reeds. When degradation of performance starts
“Instead of spending $800 on another guitar, a musician
can spend less than $100 and literally have a new guitar. A
new pickup can do that.”–Rob Turner
MMR_31 31 3/21/08 11:35:52 AM
setting in, it’s time for a tune-up and a change-out.”
“While guitar sales are strong for us too, right now, we are fi nding that people are wanting more and more to accessorize their guitars,” says Melanie Beers, Sam Ash’s product manager and a 20-year veteran with the dealership. “Sammy [Ash] and I worked to-gether to increase the se-lection because we were seeing people were chang-ing up their guitar, adding new knobs, etc. There are people who want to cus-tomize their guitar, make changes to it … so if you need a guitar part, come to Sam Ash!” she laughs.
Mike Fazio, of Fazio’s Frets and Friends in suburban St. Louis just moved a few miles down the road from his original location into bigger digs, which enabled him to expand considerably. One thing that hasn’t changed is an unusually large
selection of accessories placed out in the front center of the store. In addition to a generous selection of strings, and cables, Fazio also features a lot of guitar parts.
“We do extensive repairs, so we like to display a depth in repair parts,” Fazio
says. “Having whole displays of parts on the sales fl oor keep people coming in.” Especially in slower economic times, he fi nds having all those knobs, tuning keys, and pickguards readily vis-ible gives players ideas of dressing up or even just changing out their cur-
rent guitar or bass and giving it a differ-ent look.
Fresh from the NAMM Show, Beers of Sam Ash adds they brought in some new pickups from the show and are seeing an increase in that area as well. That is not always as easy a sell – but there are ways to make it easier.
“The best way to display a pickup is to have a guitar line that already has it in-stalled,” advises EMG’s Turner. “We do a lot of OEM products, and that’s the best you can ask for. Otherwise, we also do a lot of Strat-style replacement systems. We have prewired systems on a pickguard, and it takes little energy or time to install one of our systems. It’s a simple way to not only demonstrate the product, but typically sells the guitar, too.
“Our recommendation is to install of couple of pickups in a guitar and hang them on the wall, because in the end you’ll most likely sell the guitar – or at least give people a chance to really hear the difference a new pickup can make.” He adds speakers are also similar – if there’s not a way to let the customer hear it, it’s a much harder sell.
Everyone would agree that the indus-try’s proliferation of accessory products is daunting, but to paraphrase Mae West, apparently “too many drumsticks is wonderful.”
32 MMR APRIL 2008
You Want Clothes With That? Apparel Dresses Up a Store – and Sells
“Getting the smaller stuff on the fl oor is always diffi cult, and I think one of the diffi culties is that so many com-panies making similar things,” says Sabian’s Wayne Blanchard. “Sabian tries to introduce items that have a relevance to the type of customers our brand attracts. This can includ-ing anything from a Sabian water bottle, to a cymbal bag, to practice pads and mutes …. And of course we
always maintain a line of clothing.”
It’s been said that d e a l e r s might not
be taking full advantage of the potential of clothing as an accessory. Blanchard, who has worked in clothing retail, has strong thoughts on the matter. “I understand the emotional value you can create with a piece of clothing, and I think a lot of people in the music trade don’t understand the possibilities,” he says. “Essentially, everyone who buys a Sabian cymbal is a custom-er for a Sabian T-shirt or hat. It’s a brand people want to be associated with, and it’s the love of the brand that makes them want this stuff .”
He surmises that dealers can be discouraged from going into ap-
parel by such things as inventory management concerns. Also, many
stores have limited fl oor space and aren’t equipped
to display fashion-type items. Others likely feel
it would be better to put a $40 pedal in a spot instead of a box of
$10 pins. “That said, there’s a lot of room for creativity both in terms of accessories off ered and their displays,” Blanchard notes.
If variety, and good mer-chandising, particularly with small-er-ticket items, is successful, the retailer can create a positive experi-ence that prompts repeat business, Blanchard says. “Because accesso-ries and clothing items are defi nitely secondary, I think the dealer has to make the eff ort to introduce the cus-tomer to these items.” This can in-clude literally training sales people to point out items as in, “Hey, did you see these cool shirts/sticks/water bottles” or whatever it is.
Finally, he advises that with some accessories, like clothing, they can be part of a pitch -- “Buy 10 sets of sticks, and I’ll give you a T-Shirt.”
“This can be done instead of dis-counting and, in many cases, giv-ing away a ‘free’ accessory to sell something else is more profi table,” he concludes.
“Accessories tend to be more recession-proof
in general.”–David Via
MMR_32 32 3/21/08 11:35:58 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 33
Dietze Music’s Eschliman backs that up: “I’m stunned by the amount of drum-sticks I have to replenish,” he says. “The big thing for us is Zildjian sticks. I’ll or-der 12 boxes and think I’m done for a while, and the next month I’m having to replenish them already.” Having a variety of marching sticks is increasingly becom-ing necessary as well, he adds. “It’s almost like a fashion thing. It’s amazing how con-sumer-able sticks are. I think our total stick collection is three times what it was ten years ago. Same with strings. But it’s no problem because we still sell them.”
And then there are pedals …“It’s funny because I thought the mar-
ket was fairly saturated 10 years ago,” says Kevin Bolembach of Godlyke. “But we’ve seen nothing but new entries every year.
“It’s kind of weird with Godlyke be-cause we straddle the fence between hand-built, boutique-type products and mass market products – we’re quality, but we’re higher turn than a hand-built manufacturer.” But he adds that despite how many pedal choices are out there, there are plenty of “pedal heads” who can’t try enough distortion and compres-sion boxes.
Since NAMM, Dietze is stocking some new pedals, like Electro-Harmonix pedals. Part of the decision to take those
on was to have something new and fresh in their store – another important key to doing well with accessories: make sure
MMR_33 33 3/21/08 11:36:03 AM
customers have something new to check out when they stop by.
All in the MerchandisingGodlyke’s Bolembach has a catchy (if
PG-13) phrase that cuts to the chase on small goods merchandising: “Behind the
glass, pain in the ass. On the fl oor, sell more.”
Cavanaugh is also of the opinion that accessories behind the counter and under glass aren’t the way to go. And aware of how counter space is at a premium, they are offering POP displays that are easy to deal with and take up little room – their rosin display features great visibility for the con-sumer and is easy for the dealer to keep stocked.
Fazio, too, is not a fan of keeping accessories under or behind the counter in his St. Louis operation. “If you went to a candy shop and you had to ask someone about everything, you prob-ably wouldn’t bother,” he reasons. Not that Fazio’s is a self-service operation -- the sales staff is always around to strike up a conversa-tion. It’s just a sale will more likely be had if a conversation starts with “tell me more about this” after a customer has put his or her hands on the product as opposed to “can I see that thing behind you, third peg to the left?”
But Fazio’s store has the luxury of space and takes advantage of it. Others don’t.
“Many dealers face the challenge of fi nding the space to put all the accessory products that are offered them,” Zildjian’s Allman says. “Given limited space, dealers
want the strongest-selling brands. In addition, Zild-jian’s Artist Series cymbal and drumstick bags fea-ture products developed with some of the biggest names in drumming such as Travis Barker, Adrian Young, and Tommy Lee. These products have the added consumer pull as-sociated with these art-
ists.” He adds that they typically provide merchandizing suggestions to specifi c dealers to “help them create the optimal accessory mix for their store.”
Specifi cally about displaying drum-sticks, Allman says that their stick dis-plays allow customers to easily identify the Zildjian brand in the store and then clearly look at the product offerings.
Kenya Austin, Yamaha product man-ager for accessories, points to a perhaps unlikely source for inspiration: Internet retailers.
34 MMR APRIL 2008
“We see a lot of potential
for accessories this year.”–Jim Cavanaugh
MMR_34 34 3/21/08 11:36:10 AM
“You can’t leave an online retail page without being asked to add an accessory,” she points out. “I started buying a cam-corder online, and I got asked to buy an extra battery —twice! Internet dealers have perfected this art of the add-on, and brick-and-mortar dealers can do just as well with the same concept.”
The key, says Austin, is getting the ac-cessories “right in their face,” and train-ing sales staff to talk up all the available options all the time. “And that’s where manufacturers can get involved with ef-
fective POPs.” Austin also stresses put-ting accessories by the instrument they are accessorizing. For example, Yamaha offers a POP for keyboard covers that dealers like because it’s also the box the covers ship in. Six covers can be placed right by the keyboards and it’s com-pletely self-service. When it’s empty, the retailer just replaces the box. Also, Yamaha has a new POP for its Air Cell Straps that fi ts in slat walls and can be merchandised alongside the guitars themselves.
“For Yamaha, it’s coming up with display-ready packaging,” she contin-ues. One such merchandising aid is the new Keyboard Integrated Selling System (KISS). Created to be set up near the por-table keyboards, it incorporates head-phones, pedals, dustcovers, and more.
“Our accessories are based on what will turn around and complement the prod-ucts,” she adds. Yamaha is aware that deal-ers have a lot of choices, including creating their own house brands, so “in order to be a full-line supplier, we have to offer them
Dansr Battles Gray MarketThe weak U.S. dollar is causing concern for many in the industry, and for Michael Skinner of Dansr, it’s also causing headaches.
“It’s unfortunate, and we’re not happy about it, but the situation of the weak dollar has created a ‘gray market’” with some unscrupulous people buying Dansr products and selling them in places they aren’t suppose to be sold. We’ve seen a lot of products move sideways.”
Certain dealers and distribu-tors are purchasing Van Doren products, for which Dansr is the
exclusive U.S. d i s t r i b u t o r , and turning around sell-ing them over-seas against a g r e e m e n t s . “I think there’s a chance for a lot of people to sell overseas,
just because the pricing is such that money can be made by doing it,” he explains. But his company has a charter agreement to only sell Van Doren products in the U.S., which they of course want to honor and maintain.
“We’re looking at a number of ways to slow and curtail these gray market actions,” Skinner concludes. “We have some plans in place, but I don’t think we can ever completely stop it. But we’re investigating and taking steps.”
Michael Skinner
APRIL 2008 MMR 35
D’Addario takes youback to a simpler timewhen tone was pure…
that is.
Happy Days are Here Again!
P U R E N I C K E L
Experience the original sound ofthe electric ‘50s.
D’Ad
dario
& C
ompa
ny, I
nc.
I Fa
rmin
gdal
e, N
Y 117
35 U
SA I
www.daddario.com
D’Ad
dario
and
XL
are
regi
ster
ed tr
adem
arks
of D
’Add
ario
& C
ompa
ny, I
nc.
or it
saf
fliat
es in
the
Unite
d St
ates
and
/or o
ther
cou
ntrie
s. ©
200
8. A
ll rig
hts
rese
rved
.
MMR_35 35 3/21/08 11:36:16 AM
36 MMR APRIL 2008
more than just our brand. We offer mer-chandising, logistics, fulfi llment -- it’s very competitive and we stay on top of it all be-cause we can be replaced very quickly.” She adds that many of Yamaha’s district man-agers come from retail and understand the challenges many dealers have working with limited wall, shelf, and fl oor space.
Bolembach of Godlyke points out oth-er solutions exist for dealers, like fi xtures from String Swing and other similar companies. “They have affordable dis-plays for pedals that make it easy for the guitarist to plug in and play,” he notes.
Trends“With Vandoren, we are blessed with
some tremendous technology,” says Dan-sr’s Michael Skinner. “The company has come up with new packaging that pro-vides reeds so fresh it’s as if they just came from the south of France where they are made.” Sensitive to the trend of “going green,” he adds that while the box these individually wrapped reeds come in are physically bigger then the old boxes, it’s all made from recycled products. “The cellophane can be burnt with virtually no emissions, and the plastic sleeves can be recycled. It’s all more environmen-tally friendly than our other packaging.” The end result is a smaller “carbon foot-print.”
Trends at D’Addario include a surge in their EXP coated strings, and their entry-level violin strings continue to gain mar-ket share. “Our Planet Waves cable prod-ucts continue to see an increase in sales, too – people are understanding that what you put into the cable should be exactly what you hear when it comes out of it,” comments David Via. “Customers want to leave effect elements for the amps and pedals!” Also, like many others making drumheads, D’Addario is pushing for drummers to replace the bottom head. And speaking of drums, their HQ prod-ucts have seen resurgence of late, with more drummers picking up hi-hat and snare mutes than ever.
“Heavy metal is the trend and has been for the last seven or eight years,” EMG’s Rob Turner says. “We promote a lot of heavy metal artists and people tend to buy what their favorite players are playing. I did when I was a kid!”
Fazio is proud of his selection of strings, which he says is the largest of any store in a multi-state area, adding that a trend is the musician wanting more choices, period. “We’re a gigantic Elixir dealer, and carry GHS, Fender, and D’Addario in depth, too,” he says. As an example, he notes the store carries the GHS Nashville High Strung Set, which is unusual and not every store carries them. He’s glad he does because one cus-tomer drives from Alton, Illinois to his store, about an hour’s drive, to get those strings. “I don’t even know how many music stores he passes to get those strings from us, but it’s a lot -- and he comes out often, too.”
But trends in accessories can be sub-ject to local tastes – very local, according
MMR_36 36 3/21/08 11:36:20 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 37
“Given limited space, dealers want the strongest-selling
brands.”–Ron Allman
to Ted Eschliman. “It’s interesting to me to have one thing be hot at one of our stores, and not moving at all at another that’s not even six miles away!” Other-wise, he says they work hard to stock the smart accessories for their smart custom-ers. “That’s where we have the edge over the cyberworld, and even the big-box mass merchants. We don’t take a cookie-cutter approach.” An example, he says, is the Planet Waves Grip Master, which helps the guitarist give his or her fi ngers a workout. “You’re not going to fi nd that at Best Buy.”
Exploiting the Higher End Offering higher end accessories seem
to be a trend, too:“Our Rico Reserve reeds have been a
real success,” says Via. “Rico is histori-cally perceived to be more of an entry-level reed, but professionals are looking at the Reserve reeds. The entire clarinet section of New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra is currently playing our Rico Reserve Bb reeds.”
“High-end straps are picking up a bit, and to me it’s a fashion statement,” Beers
says. “At Sam Ash, we’re just starting to offer Franklin Straps, and what a beauti-ful job they do.” While there is defi nitely an increase in those willing to spend more on exclusive, higher-end straps, the guy or gal who is playing the bars on the weekend are mostly stick-ing with the good quality, moderately priced straps, she adds.
Front and center at Fazio’s, the fi rst thing you see when you walk in the store is a huge selection of straps. “I like to keep a great array of beauti-ful leather straps,” Fazio says. “These players who are buying $1,500 to $5,000 guitars need a special strap to go with it.”
Dansr is offering an “elite program” with Vandoren that Skinner attributes to 18% growth in those products in the last six months. First tried at Paige’s Music in Indianapolis, it reaches out to those better and more serious players and opens them up to higher-end reed accessories. “It allows the dealer to cre-
ate a preeminent Vandoren presence,” Skinner states.
If a guitarist is looking at a basic pedal, Bolembach at Godlyke suggests showing them a higher-end one before they make their purchase -- though there’s no guar-
antee that will always cap-ture the larger sale. “It’s not too diffi cult to con-vince someone that one pedal sounds better than another, but if he or she has ‘x’ amount of money and they need an over-drive unit, they will likely make a decision based on price.”
Maximizing Profi tsCavanaugh says that talking with
the dealer about Super-Sensitive’s prod-ucts and getting to know them and their needs personally, is one way his company is working to increase sales and profi ts of accessories. In addition, they are expand-ing their product lines. With the Black Diamond strings, they are offering a jazz fl at wound series for both electric and
®
j e n s en t one . com
g u i t a r s
w w w . b a d e n g u i t a r s . c o m
MMR_37 37 3/21/08 11:36:32 AM
38 MMR APRIL 2008
bass guitars. Specifi c products are being created and marketed for the Flamenco and bluegrass mar-kets, too.
“We’ve rede-signed the Super-Sensitive red la-bel, and the string composition,” he says. “Some just think of the vi-brating length of the string, but we’re researching eyelets and looking for new materials for that.
We actually formulated eyelets to create more warmth and clarity.”
D’Addario’s ex-ample of reaching out to the dealers is with a Rico Reserve deal. For 475 participating dealers, they are of-fering an opportunity that allows customers to try the reeds with no risk. If they like
it, they will be sent another one; if the customer doesn’t like it, they will refund
their money. “We have 100 dealers par-ticipating in the program now,” David Via reports, “and we’re confi dent we’ll get the maximum participating.”
Otherwise, D’Addario is “always try-ing to fi nd compelling strategic promo-tions that will increase business for deal-ers, as opposed to just giving a discount, which is a short-term hit,” says Via.
Additionally, the company has re-implemented MAP pricing for accesso-ries. “It’s something we previously had on cables and tuners. Last year we ex-panded MAP to reeds and strings, then we suspended the program last spring due to the ongoing FTC investigation. However, last fall the Supreme Court ruled in favor of manufacturer’s rights to preserve their equity position within the market as refl ected in the market’s advertising of the manufacturer’s prod-ucts. Therefore in 2008, we reactivat-ed the program, and have expanded it across key models within nearly all our brands - D’Addario Fretted, D’Addario Bowed, Planet Waves, Rico, and Evans. MAP is not applicable for PureSound and HQ. To my knowledge we’re the only company that is applying MAP to accessories, and we welcome other companies to consider similar practices. Accessories are not all alike. Just like the old advertisement, ‘Ask for original General Motors parts’, we want custom-ers to understand the quality and value that D’Addario & Company’s products represent,” Via concluded.
Dansr is also coming up with new merchandising tools. Skinner says they took the initiative to create a wire-based rack for their mouthpieces. “It has a nice product pusher that’s a glide, not a spring,” he says. “It’s designed to take up as little space on the wall as possible. That’s a big plus.”
Advice“Advertise that you have the acces-
sories,” says Michael Skinner. “Too few dealers today think of identifying them-selves as a go-to place for accessories. Doing that, and then talking about it, making a big deal about it, particularly during this time period, I believe is wise. Yes, accessories are a long-term invest-ment, but they pay off.”
One thing Cavanaugh encourages dealers to do is to bundle – say, take a set of new guitar strings and couple it with polish and picks.
“Behind the glass, pain in the ass.
On the fl oor, sells more.”–Kevin Bolembach
“I get it”
Bill NelsonEarl SlickChris SpeddingColin NewmanBuddy MillerPete Shelley
Stan RidgewayChris DiffordAndy GillRobyn HitchcockDean WarehamMick Karn
The world’s fastest growing guitar brandhas the innovators of “indie” saying...
Eastwood dealers “get it”phone 905-702-8291 www.eastwoodguitars.com
Important announcement for the local indie scene
MMR_38 38 3/21/08 11:36:37 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 39
“The best advice is to ask our sales force for help,” says Allman, specifi cally saying Zildjian’s are extensively trained and knowledgeable. “They have the best feel for what is working, what is hot, and what the holes are in the dealer’s assort-ment.”
“Retail stores should definitively pay more attention to the accessory counter, especially when the economy is slowing,” Rob Turner says. “I always recommend training personnel on all the accessories, too. It takes a guy be-hind the counter who has some knowl-edge of the product. EMG always does well when there’s a guy behind the counter who says, ‘Oh yeah, I use this – this is the greatest.’ Unless a custom-er already has his or her mind made up before they walk in the store, people always buy on recommendations like that.
“What you don’t want to do, though, is only recommend what you have in stock. That’s dangerous for customer relations. Help the customer get what he needs or what he’s asking for, not what you want to sell him or her.”
“Margins are good with accessories – that’s a given,” Ted Eschliman says. “But where you really win is serving the customers. It’s not just having the ac-cessory, it’s knowing what it does for a player’s playing and how it can improve it.
“Accessories are not a luxury any more – this is where we make our margin,” he adds emphatically. “People aren’t going to get a capo online. It’s like people at a football game – they aren’t going to shop hotdogs online! It’s there, it’s warm, they are in the mood – and that’s what acces-sories are to the music retailer.”
®
Amplification Tools for Acoustic Musicians
For dealer inquires, call 805-9649610 • www.dtar.com
© S
eym
our
Dun
can
2008
we re not just pickups anymoreTM
www.seymourduncan.com - (800) S-DUNCAN
MMR_39 39 3/21/08 11:36:42 AM
FRETTED
What a difference a year makes.When MMR ran an article on guitar trends last year, everything seemed to point to sticking with the “tried and true.” Now, as revealed in this month’s dealer e-survey [page 50] and in speaking with a half-dozen dealers on the topic here, there is clearly a movement to take on a develop new guitar lines. For many, it’s mostly a business decision as some of major guitar suppliers have stepped up their buy-in re-quirements and terms. Abetting the trend to “look around” is the reality that Mini-mum Advertised Price (MAP) has become the new retail, and in the process done a number on dealer margins for six-strings.
“I would say a 33% margin is pretty much the average these manufacturers
are asking us to make on their instru-ments,” says Steve Hanson, owner of SM Hanson Music in Salina, Kan. “With [a retailer’s] fi xed cost of insurance, utilities, wages, and with operating costs going up and mar-gins going down, I don’t see how independent stores can survive work-ing on those margins.”A “take-it-or-leave-it” stance by vendors may be understood from a busi-ness perspective, espe-cially as some of the larger makers have increasing costs and large marketing budgets themselves. But dealers are repeatedly commenting it’s refreshing to do business with up-and-comers who take a decidedly more retail-friendly point of view.
“These guys are hungry to do busi-ness,” says Terry Lewis of Michigan-based Firehouse Music. He also remarks that Firehouse sees the value in offering more
choices to its customers. Many independents like offering quality guitars that aren’t seen in every other store, particularly the big boxes, both within and outside of the music products industry.
A Matter of Survival“We will not survive
in this industry working with 20% to 33% margins that manufacturers expect us to work with,” declares Hanson. The small- town Kansas store has been active in the community of 46,000 since 1972, but today, he notes, “There are quite a few
Looking for
42 MMR APRIL 2008
… margins, terms, quality drive trend toward guitar alternatives
“We will not survive … working with 20% to 33% margins that manufacturers
expect us to work with.”-- Steve Hanson,
SM Hanson Music, Salina , Kan.
Reese Marin Adrian Demain David Jenkins Steve Hanson Terry Lewis
MMR_42 42 3/21/08 11:38:36 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 43
Options -- brands we don’t carry anymore. Manufac-turers are putting so much pressure on re-tailers and trying to tell us what to do.”
His response was to turn to brands who can give him better margins, includ-ing Hagstrom. Greg Bennett is a line he’s had for a while, but more recently Hanson Music has further expanded its selection of that brand’s guitar models. “Those two brands [Greg Bennett and Hagstrom] are the fi rst we show when someone walks into the store because with them we can stay in business,” he states fl atly. Han-son also reports he is going to start do-ing some private-label guitar products by this summer as well.
The Kansas dealer says people still come in and ask for a Fender or Gibson, but he make sure he shows them other brands that are similar in style and fea-tures. He says his customer has typically just heard the more famous companies make good guitars, so he and his sales staff merely educate him or her about other good guitars out there. It doesn’t always work, but overall his store is bet-ter off fi nancially, he asserts.
Salina is a farming community suffer-ing from a prolonged drought in addition to the challenges of country’s overall soft economy. Last December saw sales down 35% from 2006. None of this, or the fact
that he’s been a loyal successful dealer for more than three decades, seems to matter to some suppliers. Upon telling one that he simply couldn’t meet the new buy-in demands required for a prod-uct he’s successfully sold for years, the rep shrugged and said, “I guess we won’t have any representation out there then.”
“This is stupid!” Hanson says. “There’s no other dealer carrying this particular manufacturer’s in-struments for hundreds of miles, and now they want to throw that away be-cause I don’t want a $6,500 custom guitar. I asked him, I have fi ve of your $4,500 guitars, but you want to cancel with us as a dealer anyway? There’s something wrong with this. And we were one of the fi rst dealers in the state to carry this particular line! They don’t appreci-
MMR_43 43 3/21/08 11:38:40 AM
44 MMR APRIL 2008
ate that we help build that brand from the ground up. I have a perfect credit rating and I don’t plan on jeopardizing that.”
Terry Lewis of Firehouse Guitars wanted more choices, more options. The fi ve-store Michigan chain has long mer-chandised ed Gibson and Fender but has recently added Michael Kelly, Schecter, Blueridge, and ESP’s LTD models.
The ease of doing business with some of these lesser-known makers has fac-tored in his decision too – he just recently stopped carrying Gibson because of the large buy-in the company required, which Lewis describes as “ridiculous.” Custom-ers still come in for the über big names,
but he’s fi nding that just by showing them alternatives, he’s getting
the sale. “Those people who look at a Michael
Kelly go, ‘Wow, that looks great – what is it?’ And those are great $400 and $500 guitars.”
The lines he chooses to carry
and promote must meet requirements
for quality, price point, and come into his shop
set-up and ready to go. That these instru-
ments aren’t seen in Guitar Centers is of great value to him, he adds. But Lewis also identi-fi es a line drawn in the sand – or rath-
er, in the age demo-graphic chart:
“Kids drive this mar-ket, and they love the ESP’s
LTDs, for example. Those are defi nitely bringing in new
customers. I don’t see any brand loyalty with these kids, especially those 20-something and younger. If they are over 30 though, it’s nearly impossible
to have them consider other choices.”
Like That? Try ThisAt Buffalo Brothers
Guitars in Carlsbad, Calif., Adrian Demain just took
on Benedetto guitars to mix in with his Gibson, Guilds, Martins, and Taylors. Known for higher-end jazz arch tops, the Benedetto is reaching out to new deal-ers – and many are reaching back. “Bob Benedetto literally wrote the book on building arch top guitars, and has a great reputation in the guitar building com-munity,” Demain says. “They approached us about carrying their instruments, and it seemed like a great addition.”
Previously, Buffalo Brothers held off on carrying Benedetto because they were exclusively at very high-end price points, but as of late “they are offering guitars the working playing can afford, and yet they still are great-quality in-struments,” he comments. As to how that’s working for them, Demain says they got two in on a Thursday, sold one Friday morning, and the second one was sold by Monday.
For a longer time, Buffalo Brothers has carried Don Grosh guitars, which De-main says contribute to the overall draw to his store: “We have a good selection of instruments, and having high-caliber in-struments like Don Grosh and Benedetto guitars defi nitely adds to our overall ap-peal. Plus, there are not a lot of dealers around carrying those lines.” Santa Cruz
“ … you can get a great guitar for $600, $800 that sounds good
and doesn’t look like a copy of another guitar.”
-- David Jenkins, True Tone Guitars, Santa Monica, Calif.
MMR_44 44 3/21/08 11:38:45 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 45
is another name found at Buffalo Broth-ers that’s a high-quality guitar not found in every other store.
Demain adds that while the big three acoustics – Taylor, Martin, and Larri-vee – are the store’s bread-and-butter, it’s great to be able to offer customers “a more refi ned instrument alongside a model that is highly recognizable. I will occasionally tell a customer ‘if you like that guitar, you should try this one.’ For example, if someone is looking at a Fender Custom Shop guitar, I’ll also show him or her a Don Grosh. It’s not a matter of which guitar is better, but a matter of being able to appeal to differ-ent tastes.
“It’s like a good pair of shoes – all of them don’t work for me. And the same guitar won’t sound the same in someone else’s hands.”
But don’t be misled that the big guys are making it impossible to get their iconic axes in a smaller store. Lifesong, in Quarryville, Pa., opened just two years ago and boasts Yamaha, Taylor, and Fender lines. The distinctive store has a coffee shop, a reading area, and Christian books, art, and recordings. But it is also a full-fl edged MI store with pro audio, guitars, drums, keyboards, and record-ing equipment.
“It was a challenge with a lot of those lines,” recalls Derek Deibler of Lifesong. “I guess a lot of them get calls from mom-and-pop shops and it’s hard to get them to take you seriously, and then you have to get through the buy-in and stocking require-ments. Of course I understand – you don’t want to have people selling Fenders out of their garage.”
To mix things up a bit, Lifesong is also stocking Daisy Rock guitars. “I saw Daisy Rock’s owner [Tish Ciravolo] at one of the breakfast panels at NAMM in 2007, and we were intrigued with what she had to say, and went to the booth,” De-ibler remembers. “It was a leap of faith, but I was sold after hearing her talk. We didn’t have anything specifi cally for girls and thought it was a neat concept. At Christmas time they were excellent – we couldn’t get them in as fast as they were going out the door.”
Another line found at Lifesong is Kaman’s Jasmine, which the dealership has had from the beginning. Despite the Kaman Music’s size, it was easy for the start-up store to begin a good relation-ship, Deibler says. The conditions to take
on Jasmine were easy, too: it was, “Here are a couple of guitars, try them.” The entry-level acoustics priced as low as $99 have since gone on to be one of the store’s best sellers.
Of course, some guitar makers are “ab-solutely” easier to deal with than others and that infl uences what is on Lifesong’s fl oor, he says. The manufacturer de-manding a $80,000 buy-in with 18 new instruments coming in every month doesn’t work for many of these smaller stores in smaller markets. Flexibility, says, Deibler, “makes all the difference.”
Yet the big brands are still key to their success.
“I’m going to say that most of our customers are brand-driven,” he relates. “But I’ll cross-sell if I feel strongly enough about the product. If I feel something else is available that will get them more for their money, I’ll suggest
looking at it. But if some-body wants a Taylor, they
want a Taylor.“Personally, I believe there
are products every bit as nice as the big brands … but as someone told me, this is fashion industry, and it really is.”
Variety is the Spice of SalesDavid Jenkins, sales manager of
True Tone Guitars in Santa Monica, Calif., wants to appeal to the dis-criminating, yet open-minded taste of his customers.
On the True Tone fl oor are a good selection of Eastwood and Rev-
erend guitars, for example. “We’ve always been fans of Reverend and have done re-
ally well with them,” he relates. “We’ve been with Eastwood since the end of 2006, and they are doing well too. They make a lot of cool stuff.” With both of these makers “you can get a great guitar for $600, $800 that
sounds good and doesn’t look
MMR_45 45 3/21/08 11:38:52 AM
46 MMR APRIL 2008
like a copy of another guitar,” Jenkins points out. “At that price point there are a lot more choices than their used to be, that’s for sure.
“We have a real affi nity for the gui-tarist, and like to have the more off-beat instruments.”
There certainly is a lot of variety for anybody walking into True Tone. Gib-son, Gretsch, Fender, Martin, G&L, and Guild are mixed in with Reverend and
Eastwood in addition to Blueridge, Rain-Song, Jay Turser, and other brands.
Jenkins agrees with Firehouse Music’s Lewis that the new generation of players isn’t necessarily as brand-loyal as their elders. Also how these young customers get their music -- and see what instru-ments are being played -- has changed. “There’s a lot more music on the Web, and a lot more people getting into play-ing because of what they see on their computer,” he observes. And what they see there tends to be more individual players playing a wider variety of gui-tars.
“We’re a professional guitar shop, and high percentage of our customers are professionals, but there are a lot of kids just saving their money wanting one of our guitars, too. That’s where Eastwood and Reverend come in. But not just them – Mexican-made Fenders are fantastic guitars under $1,000, and Gibson too is making more budget versions of some of their popular guitars. Epiphones are a great value, as well.”
Still, the key is variety.“We’re not the type of place where
you just see one or two of something, and then we tell you can order something you don’t see.”
As for different manufacturers re-quiring different dealer agreements and terms, Jenkins takes a philosophi-cal stance. “Every manufacturer is try-ing to do the best job they can, make the best product and market it as best they can. We have a good relationship with all our manufacturers, and we need each other.”
“I believe there are products every bit as nice as the big brands … but this is fashion industry …”
-- Derek Deibler, Lifesong, Quarryville, Pa.
MMR_46 46 3/21/08 11:38:56 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 47
At Bellevue American Music in Bel-levue, Wash., guitarists see all the famil-iar guitars with Fender, Gibson, Guild, PRS, Ibanez, Martin, Taylor, and Peavey … or will they?
“Even with the brands people are fa-miliar with, you won’t see many of the models we have elsewhere,” says Reese Marin, president of the store whose roots date back to 1984. “People regular-ly walk in and go, ‘My gosh – I’ve never seen this kind of selection anywhere, not even on the Internet.’” At Bellevue American, the player fi nds a wealth of custom orders, one-of-a-kind guitars, and limited editions. If Martin comes out with a series of which there are only 50 built in the entire world, you can bet at least one ends up at Bellevue Ameri-can Music, Marin states.
“Vendors, sales managers, and clini-cians who come here for business end up staying and playing our guitars because we make it a point to stock things that most people just hear about, not see,” Marin adds. “The Roland guys recently came here for a clinic and workshop, then sat here for hours playing the gui-tars!”
Having fi ve big-box stores in the Se-attle area dictates the need to differen-tiate, Marin believes, and that means having uncommon models from well-known makers being on their walls as well as guitar brands not seen in every other store.
Duesenberg was added in January 2007, and Marin says they have been very successful with them. “The people who work here are players and performers with experience on stage, and our bar is set very high,” he says. “We see products come and go, but we have an eye for qual-ity,” so taking on a new line is not some-thing that’s done lightly.
Composite Acoustics is another line Marin is glad to have. “We’ve been with them since day one,” he says. “The quality of the product is great. When they first brought their guitar to us, we played it, evaluated it, understood the concept, and got along famously with the people. They are an amazing company, and we sell a lot of their guitars.”
He adds that the relationship he has with all his vendors is ter-rifi c and key to their success. But,
bottom line, Marin seems like a kid in a candy store ….
“We’re just spoiled musicians -- we buy guitars as though we want to own them, those we’d be proud to own as a player.”
“These [newer] guys are hungry to do business.”-- Terry Lewis, Firehouse Guitars,Grandville, Mich.
MMR_47 47 3/21/08 11:39:01 AM
A NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY BRINGING TOGETHER JAZZ EDUCATORS, PERFORMERS,
STUDENTS, AND FANS!
Brought to you by the publishers of
JazzPlayer.com is now live – visit www.JazzPlayer.com
to sign up and create your individualized profile
and start connecting with fellow jazz
aficionados and scholars.
Full Ads_apr.indd 48 3/21/08 1:39:35 PM
FRETTED
50 MMR APRIL 2008
Dealers Map
New Directions in Fretted BrandsThe results of an email survey of more than 4,600 U.S.
storefronts (both full-line and specialty guitar shops)
showed a majority actively cultivating new sources of
supply in guitars, basses, and other fretted instruments.
Nearly 80% of respondents report adding brands in the electric and
acoustic/acoustic-electric segments over the last two years, while just
under 60% are merchandising electric basses with new brand names.
This adventurous spirit is less evident in non-guitar fretted products where
more than 70% have made no additions over the last 24 months.
Having a line not stocked by the competition (indy, national, and
Internet retailers) was cited by 76% of respondents as a reason for taking
on new fretted brands, followed by price/quality considerations (64%), and
margins (60%.)
Will the trend continue? Apparently: Over 90% say they will continue to consider
new brands in the future.
MMR_50 50 3/21/08 11:44:14 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 51
Have you added any brands of electric guitars in the last two years?
Most mentioned among 62 brands reported:Greg Bennett/Samick/Silvertone Michael Kelly • Reverend Hagstrom • Ibanez • Schecter
79.7%Yes
20.3%No
Have you added any brands of acoustic and/or acoustic-electric guitars in the last two years?
Most mentioned among 52 brands reported:Ibanez • Michael Kelly Blueridge • Takamine
77.8%Yes
22.2%No
Have you added any brands of electric basses in the last two years?
Most mentioned among 42 brands reported:Ibanez • Stagg • Roscoe Musicman • Warwick • Washburn Dean
59.3%Yes40.7%
No
The new electric brands we have added provide options to the customer outside the big three. The “upstarts” offer great colors, confi gurations, and value to our customer and the chance to have some-thing that is still somewhat unique at a very reasonable price.Instead of throw-ing ridiculous buy-in requirements at us, these newer companies are just thrilled to do business with us. What a very refreshing change of scenery indeed!
Terry LewisFirehouse GuitarsGrandville, Mich.
We would like to see brands that sup-port people getting involved in playing music, not just the aspect of sell-ing commodities … and try to make it profi table and fun as well.
Dave Miller Buddy Roger’s Music
Cincinnati, Ohio
I sell Fender accessories ... why don’t they have an electric guitar (import) student line with the Fender name somewhere on it for the independent stores? They do it for Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, etc.
Vincent Ruffi niA-K Music
Lower Burrell, Pa.
We use MI SalesTrak info to fi nd out what’s selling and then work backward to what we have availablethat matches the price point or feature set of the popular time. Seems to work well and doesn’t force us to have too many vendors to keep happy.
Peter SidesRobert M. Sides Family Music
CenterState College, Pa.
Logos sell, but an okay instrument that looks slick and professional outsells brand names that look like a turd. Of course, it still has to be a decent instru-ment ...
John R. GiovannoniThe Music Room
Palatine, Ill.
I’m surprised by the quality and va-riety of fretted instruments -- primar-ily guitars -- that are being made in China. The customers are very willing to try and buy these instruments, not to mention the price point is much better than some of the other major brands. The laminates don’t go over very well in our location, however.
CindyPickin’ Porch Music Store
Conway, Ark.
The bass guitar market is much more accepting of new products than the guitar market. While there is more acceptance in the guitar market than in the past, it is still dominated by a handful of very common product types (single-cut, Strat/Tele-style …)
James BetheaThe Perfect Bass, LLC
Baton Rouge, La.
Too many Stratocasters from all brands.
Fred ShumanDurdel’s Music
Toledo, Ohio
With the non-music box stores -- Costco, Target, Toys R Us, Sam’s Club -- and department stores (Sears, Penny’s, etc.), it has all forced the real music stores to become more aggressive through brand development on a personal market level.
The suppliers all realize the Internet has been good and bad. While the brick-and-mortar stores are struggling to stay open, we see a decrease in storefronts each year. With the pres-ent trend, we may see the implosion take place sooner than expected -- too much product and not enough space to offer it for sale. Not until we have real franchises for local markets will
Dealers Speak OutWe asked retailers for comments on the current fretted market as well as their views on the role of newer or lesser-known brand names within the category …
MMR_51 51 3/21/08 11:44:20 AM
Dealers Speak Outthis industry start to grow again. We sign a franchise that states our terri-tory, yet any one can buy online and have products delivered into our back-yard at a savings and pay no sales tax.
Harry GillumShowtime Music
Bridgeport, W. Va.
We might have to add more lines if Fender and Gibson don’t stop selling guitars to Bed Bath & Beyond and other box stores.
Robert TompkinsAlto Music
Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
It’s very hard to make a living selling just frets and MI-related products in today’s world. I’m in my 40th year and had to make some BIG changes to make that milestone. I’ve always been a combo MI store, but we also now do the Lowrey Music Wellness Program. A very good and profi table business.
Don MiddletonDon’s Music Land, Ltd.
Peoria Ill.
Customers need to know that buying a fretted instrument from a reputable dealer is the key to getting a “bet-ter deal” and ultimately a better instrument. A local dealer will provide the added value of setting up a fretted instrument. An Internet competitor will more than likely not do so and just ship
the customer what’s in the box they re-ceived from the manufacturer. Typically, the problem with brand names is that people think that the brand name alone will assure them quality and value. In reality, a non-brand name product that is set up properly may very well exceed the playability and tone of a market leader.
Brand names do, however, bring customers into the store and they will undoubtedly be hit by any Internet search engine.
Michael FerrucciFine Fretted Friends
Livermore, Calif.
I love the history of those name brands I carry, but cannot turn the numbers on them to make any money and they are not historically the same instru-ment (although sometimes better) that they were. And we must remember weare not museums: we need to sell what we can make a profi t on!
Greg WeastColumbia River Music
The Dalles, Ore.
We have eight or nine music stores on this island that carry guitars, so we try to get things no one else is carrying. Most of the stuff from China is get-ting so good it almost doesn’t matter what the brand is.
Mark ScrufariCoconut Grove Music
Kailua, Hawaii
Margins need to be better. I have a music store in a small town compet-ing with the Internet and catalogs. The manufacturers really don’t care if the dealer sells the instrument to a cus-tomer face to face or if the dealer has to resort to selling online to “dump” the product just to pay the invoice. I think dealers dumping on eBay just to keep numbers up to get better mar-gins are only hurting the value of the manufacturer’s product. Lots of deal-ers get around selling for MAP on eBay buy simply listing the [new] item as “like new” or “mint condi-tion” ... which makes my product on my showroom fl oor valueless.
Joe ThurmanThurman Music
Fort Madison, Iowa
The key to survival for independent stores will be the ability to add value to lower-priced and lesser-known in-struments through in-house set-up and personal guarantees of warranty. I can repair every instrument I sell -- fretted or otherwise -- and as owner and repairman, extra costs to the business are minimal. My personal guarantee of EVERYTHING I sell has allowed me to prosper for 28 years. AsI tell my customers, “You get to yell at the same person every time.”
Dave CaldwellCaldwell Connection
Whitestone, New York City
52 MMR APRIL 2008
Most mentioned among 21 brands reported:Hohner • Goldtone • Kala Ukuleles Deering
29.1%Yes
70.9%No
Have you added any brands of other (non-guitar) fretted instruments in the last two years?
I have added fretted instrument brands for the following reasons:
To have something the competition does not: 76%Attractive price/quality
ratio of the instruments: 64%
Better margins than many leading brands: 60%
Attractive terms (discounts, buy-in
requirements, support etc.):
38%
MMR_52 52 3/21/08 11:44:23 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 53
I read all the trade magazines and see so many editorials written by store owners who are trying to understand why some manufacturers seem to be moving away from small independent stores. I have fi nally decided that they just don’t feel they need our business.
To me, applying a “one size fi ts all” policy in terms of buy-ins and stocking requirements is not practical or good for my business (or the manufacturers).
We are all familiar with the 80/20 rule: 80% of business comes from 20% of our customers. In my experience, regardless of the type of industry, this rule applies. But, jeez man, that still means there is 20% to be picked up from all of us “little guys” …
Again, the only thing I can assume by this is that the collective 20% of business that small, one-store indepen-dents can bring to a company is just not worth their time. I know this is just “business.” But let’s face it, those of us who have been in this industry for any length of time (myself 24 years) have seen our fair share of major blunders and very poor decisions made by sup-posed “industry leaders.” Remember Mars Music? I can’t tell you how many of my reps told me, “Mars is going to change the way we all do business.”
Hmmm, maybe they were speaking of all that distressed inventory that be-came available during the bankruptcy!
The fact is our industry is trying to model itself after other, completely unrelated industries. It seems fewer and fewer manufacturers of MI products are being run by execs that came up through this business. With a few excep-tions, most of these established brands have turned to “outsiders” who are more interested in running up stock values so they can make a load of money before they sell out than they are in developing a long-term plan to grow their business.
One fi nal comment. Recently I was approached by a longtime customer who likes my set-up work on guitars. I had set up a Strat for him and a friend of his loved the way it played. This was a garden- variety U.S. Strat. This friend had bought a PRS Custom at GC (120 miles away) and if this PRS had ever been set up, one couldn’t tell. My customer told me his friend wanted to trade his PRS
90.1%Yes
9.9%No (or no response)
I would consider adding new fretted instrument brands in the future.
MMR_53 53 3/21/08 11:44:27 AM
54 MMR APRIL 2008
Dealers Speak Outfor my customer’s Strat. He asked me if I could make the PRS play any better. I guaranteed him that in about 20 minutes I could have it practically playing itself. My customer made the trade and I did what I told him I could.
The point of that story is that there is now a fellow in my town who feels a $1,000 Strat is a “better” guitar than a $3,000 PRS. Why? Because my shop provides expert service, personal atten-tion, and support that a mega-store like GC simply cannot. We are not selling toasters here, folks. Our customers need guys like us on the front lines mak-ing sure they get the most out of their purchase. I will always feel that placing a properly set-up instrument into a cus-tomer’s hands AND providing a place he can continue to receive service is the only way this business will survive. But, once again, that is making the assump-tion that some of these companies are looking at long-term success.
Mike AndarakesGreat Neck Guitars
Wichita Falls, Texas
We will not survive in this industry working with a 20 to 33% margin that
the manufacturers expect us to work with. We are changing most of our lines to refl ect a 40 to 45% margin. And it is working! I have been in business for 36 years and quite frankly I cannot believe how some of the manufacturers are treating us! We built them to where they are, and now they have no respect for who got them there. With one major guitar builder, in order to stay a dealer we are required to have on the wall 22 pieces of their choosing (including guitars over $5,000.) Yet, in asking why GC doesn’t have but four guitars in each of their two stores, we only get, “We’re working on that.” Do you know how many times I have heard that? We have been stocking 18 different guitars in that line, yet it is not enough for them now. We were one of the fi rst dealers in the state, we were instrumental in building the brand, and this is what we get? I have lost respect for many of big-name brands the last few years, and it’s no wonder.
We survive in a city of 48,000 people. A farming community, we have been in a drought for fi ve years, had two major fl oods last year that completely isolated the town for a time, and in January of
this year we had an ice storm so bad that we once again were declared a disaster area by FEMA. Our economy is, and has been, bad, to say the least. We will survive by looking at other brands, because the major manufactur-ers are no longer willing to understand and work with us when we are down a bit. Plus, our credit rating is and has always been ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! They always get paid fi rst!
Steve Hanson S.M. Hanson Music Inc.
Salina, Kan.
Providing new and higher-end options for customers gives us a way to stand out from the crowd.
Brian MeaderChuck Levin’s
Washington Music CenterWheaton, Md.
We really like working with some of these new suppliers. They don’t sell to big-box or on the Internet. They don’t give “special prices” to GC. Reverend Guitars are, in my opinion, the new Fender. And so easy to work with!
Shannan WilkinsonSEACO Music
Sumter, S.C.
There are many very good guitar lines out there and they all have their niches, but we are forced to choose what gives us the most coverage for the inventory dollar. We as retailers are catering to such a small portion mar-ket that it’s impossible to do justice to all the brands that may be deserving. We have selected those we think are harmonious with one another and that cover as many types of players as possible.
Jim McDonaldSamuel MusicEffi ngham , Ill.
Still running with mostly known brands, but will consider any brand/product to achieve goals of better profi tability and turns.
Russ BeacockBeacock Music
Vancouver, Wash.
MMR_54 54 3/21/08 11:44:32 AM
Every Music Dealer in the U.S. In the Palm of Your Hand!
MusicalInstrument Dealers
Directory of
A city-by city list with name, address and telephone number of stores throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, PLUS—a separate listing of the nation’s top chain headquarters. Email and Fax numbers when available.
Dealer Product Categories
The ONLY directory of its kind available anywhere!
NewFor
2008!
A complete listing of dealers featuring the following product categories:
AP Acoustic PianoDP Digital PianoEK Electric Keyboard/SynthOR OrganBO Band & OrchestraDR Drums/PercussionSR Sound ReinforcementRE Recording EquipmentFR Fretted InstrumentsPM Print MusicDJ DJ EquipmentKA Karaoake Products
A must for every musical instrument manufacturer, importer and sales representative
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENT
STATE DEALERS
Alabama.....................AL .....139
Alaska ........................AK.......33
Arizona.......................AZ.....150
Arkansas.....................AR.......94
California.....................CA..1,087
Colorado ....................CO....150
Connecticut.................CT.....139
Delaware....................DE.......22
District of Columbia ...DC ........5
Florida ........................FL......428
Georgia ......................GA....282
Hawaii ........................HI........47
Idaho..........................ID........45
Illinois .........................IL ......383
Indiana .......................IN.....211
Iowa ...........................IA......107
Kansas........................KS .....100
Kentucky.....................KY.....142
Louisiana ....................LA .......88
Maine .........................ME ......42
Maryland ....................MD....122
Massachusetts.............MA....237
Michigan.....................MI .....265
Minnesota...................MN ...168
Mississippi...................MS ......76
Missouri ......................MO ...189
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENT
STATE DEALERS
Montana....................MT ......34
Nebraska...................NE ......54
Nevada .....................NV......49
New Hampshire.........NH .....60
New Jersey ................NJ.....216
New Mexico...............NM.....58
New York ..................NY....520
North Carolina ..........NC ...250
North Dakota.............ND .....25
Ohio..........................OH ...356
Oklahoma .................OK....104
Oregon......................OR....134
Pennsylvania..............PA.....418
Rhode Island..............RI........37
South Carolina...........SC ....123
South Dakota.............SD ......18
Tennessee..................TN ....218
Texas .........................TX .....465
Utah ..........................UT ......79
Vermont ....................VT.......32
Virginia......................VA ....201
Washington ...............WA ...222
West Virginia .............WV .....51
Wisconsin ..................WI ....163
Wyoming ...................WY .....21
Canada .........................1,068
TOTAL 9,727
5
8
RAILROAD BAZAARDP EK BO DR SR RE FR PM DJ ATHENS
35611-4419
1207 EIDSON ST250-232-5201FAX: 250-232-5201ETOWAH MUSIC CODR SR RE FR PM
ATTALLA35954-2203
414 4TH ST NW256-538-7788AUBURN GUITAR SHOPPE THE
AUBURN36830-5017
758 E GLENN AVE334-821-6818FAX: 334-821-0074E-MAIL: [email protected]
JACK’S MUSICDR SR FR BAY
MINETTE36507-4828
150 N HOYLE AVE251-580-8380E-MAIL: [email protected]: WWW.JACKSMUSIC.NET
AFFORDABLE SOUND & LIGHT INC DR SR
BIRMINGHAM 35233-1404
1304 2ND AVE S205-251-7635FAX: 205-251-7662ALANS DISCOUNT MUSIC DP EK OR DR SR FR
BIRMINGHAM 35216-3606
1407 MONTGOMERY HWY C 205-408-4132FAX: 205-979-0084ARTS MUSIC SHOP INCAP DP EK BO DR SR RE FR PM BIRMINGHAM 35242-5032
4647 HIGHWAY 280 S STE O 205-995-8376FAX: 205-995-8377E-MAIL: [email protected]: WWW.ARTSMUSICSHOP.COM
BIRMINGHAM PERCUSSION CENTER DR
BIRMINGHAM 35216-4975
1615 MONTGOMERY HWYSTE 158205-823-9911FAX: 205-823-9911E-MAIL: [email protected] BUSH PRODUCTIONS SR RE FR PM
BIRMINGHAM 35216-5439
211 LORNA SQ205-822-8588FAX: 205-822-2252ELLIS PIANO & ORGANDP EK OR PM
BIRMINGHAM 35216-4582
1550 MONTGOMERY HWY 205-979-4463FAX: 205-979-2229E-MAIL: [email protected]
FRETTED INSTRUMENTSFR PM
BIRMINGHAM 35209-2516
2906 LINDEN AVE205-879-6489FAX: 205-879-6434GUITAR GALLERYBO SR RE FR PM
BIRMINGHAM 35244-2000
2080 VALLEYDALE RD STE 7 205-444-9430FAX: 205-444-9830E-MAIL: [email protected]
HIGHLAND MUSICSR FR
BIRMINGHAM 35205-1113
3000 CLAIRMONT AVE S 205-254-3288E-MAIL: [email protected]
LORNA MUSICSR FR PM
BIRMINGHAM 35216-5403
3241 LORNA RD205-823-9399MIKES MUSIC CENTERBO SR FR
BIRMINGHAM 35203-4302
2324 1ST AVE N205-251-0005FAX: 205-251-0030MUSIC ALLEYDP EK OR SR FR PM
BIRMINGHAM35216
113 LORNA BROOK VLG 205-988-3688FAX: 205-733-8371SAVAGE DRUMS
BIRMINGHAM 35216-3428
2710 YELLOW HAMMER HL 205-824-0756SOUND ADVICE INCBO DR SR FR
BIRMINGHAM 35233-3008
3004 4TH AVE S205-254-8003FAX: 205-833-2219
ALABAMA
Please reserve my copy of MMR’s 2008 Directory of Musical Instrument Dealers.Enclosed is my check for $_________($199 per copy)
Return to MMR, 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494Fax to: 781-453-9389 • Email orders to: [email protected]
Bill my credit card Visa Mastercard American Express
Card No.___________________________________________________________________
Expires ___________ Authorized Signature ______________________________________
Quantities are limited. Reserve your order today.
Name:_____________________________________________________________________
Company:__________________________________________________________________
Street: _____________________________________________________________________
City:________________________________________State:_________Zip: _____________
Bonus:1,288
CanadianDealers!
MMR_55 55 3/21/08 12:02:09 PM
56 MMR APRIL 2008
PRS … Private Stock models to start, full production on the horizon
“There’s always room for another good, well-made instrument,” declares PRS’s Joe Knaggs. “We defi nitely have got-ten requests from our dealers and from
our customers over the years to make a good acoustic guitar. Now we’re looking forward to working on it, creating some-thing innovative … the whole process is
great for PRS because it is taking us down a path that allows us to think differently.”
As reported in the March issue of MMR, the fi rst PRS Private Stock acous-tics – dubbed the Chesapeake line -- had a “soft launch” at the NAMM Show in January. It’s something that has been a long time in coming, according to Knaggs, who is director of R&D and the Private Stock department.
In fact, the roots of acoustic project traces back to 1990. That year Paul Reed Smith partnered with guitar maker Dana Bourgeois for a brief foray into acoustic guitar. Fast forward: “About fi ve years ago I built an acoustic guitar for myself,” says Knaggs, who has been with PRS for 23 years, and friends with Paul Smith since they were both kids. “I built two prototypes. The fi rst turned out well, but then I changed up the shape and the bracing pattern for the second one and it turned out awesome. I play that guitar all the time and it just sounds beautiful.”
FRETTED
AcousticAdds
Paul Reed Smith guitars … unplugged?
The PRS Private Stock team: Brian Lutz, Eric Granroth Paul Miles, Joe Knaggs
MMR_56 56 3/21/08 11:44:58 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 57
Thus the Chesapeake line was born. Knaggs named them Chesapeake for the famous bay near their Stevensville, Maryland headquarters and where he and Smith grew up. The individual mod-els will pay homage to the Native Ameri-can tribes who were indigenous to the area. The two models shown at the show were the Potomac and the Patuxent. They are similar, but the Patuxent is a cutaway. The models are currently being built-to-order by hand.
Further ExpansionThe acoustics will not come with
pickups, says Knaggs, and PRS is cur-rently deciding what route to go with that. For now, though, he electronics won’t be built in. If it’s anything, it’ll be a bridge or soundhole set up. “We’re going to build these guitars solely as acoustics, and we won’t be cutting into them.”
The Private Stock department is where a lot of their new models for production are born, he points out: “That’s where our archtop guitars started, our Gary Grainger Bass started, our Singlecut Hol-lowbody … most of our recent produc-
tion models began as Private Stock prod-ucts.”
Knaggs says coming out with acous-tics has everyone at PRS energized. “We’re having constant meetings about it,” he relates. “Paul and I and many others talk every day and we’re constantly discussing what a PRS produc-tion acoustic guitar would be like. There’s no defi nite timeline on it, but we’re work-ing diligently on it. It’s exciting.”
Yet is the market ready for another high-end acoustic guitar?
“There is a risk, sure, but there are risks in anything,” he says. “That’s why we’re taking it slowly, building a bunch of different acoustic guitars before we pro-ceed. Overall, we feel it’s a good move. Paul [Smith] obviously has to feel good about it, and he does. The marketing de-partment feels it’s the right thing to do, too. It’s a good time for us to do this.”
In not completely unrelated news, PRS has begun an expansion of their headquarters that will more than qua-druple the size of the operation. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in the next year or so, and should allow
them the opportu-nity to produce Pri-vate Stock acoustic guitars along with other lines of prod-ucts in larger num-bers.
So full-scale acoustic guitar pro-duction is a matter of “when” not “if.” For now, though, there is only the
“Chesapeake” model. But also looming on the horizon is a separate project in-volving acoustic guitars that Smith has been working on for several years. Proto-types of those are currently in the hands of several name artists.
For Knaggs, and everyone else at PRS apparently, the acoustic future does in-deed look bright for PRS.
“There is a risk, sure, but there are risks in anything.
That’s why we’re taking it slowly, building a bunch of different
acoustic guitars before we proceed.”
MMR_57 57 3/21/08 11:45:04 AM
New Devil Custom, Hollywood Classic from Schecter
Fretted Products … a look at innovations in guitars and other fretted instruments, amplifi ers, pickups, effects, and accessories premiering at January’s NAMM Show and the Frankfurt Music Fair in March.
Revamped for 2008, the new Devil Cus-tom’s double-cutaway mahogany body features deep sculptured contours, ac-centing the guitar’s sinister lines. A highly fi gured solid burl maple top adds to the “looks that kill.”
A 25.5” scale three-piece mahogany neck is set into the body with Schecter’s UltraAccess neck joint, allowing access to the upper range. The 24-fret ebony fi ngerboard is inlaid with a “devil’s eye” at the 12th fret. The Devil is armed with the EMG 81/85 active humbuckers setup.
Other upscale features include a TonePros locking TOM bridge with Schecter’s string-through-body ‘V’ tail. Grover tuners and a Graph Tech nut add to the tuning stability.
The Devil Custom is available in two transparent fi nishes: Blood Red Burst and Dark Amber Burst. MSRP is $949.
Billed as Schecter’s most upscale Diamond Series model to date, the new Hollywood Classic features a 25.5” scale neck-through-body multi-lami-nate maple neck. The wings are carved from a solid, thick fl amed maple top over a ma-hogany back. The 24-fret ebo-ny fi ngerboard is adorned with a mother-of-pearl Schecter ‘crest’ emblem at the 12th fret.
The heart of the Classic’s versa-tile tone is the Seymour Duncan hum-buckers combo of the Custom Custom (SH-11) in the bridge and a ’59 model in the neck position. Both pickups are custom-wound to allow the player to tap each pickup via the push/pull on the Tone control.
The TonePros TOM bridge locks into place for
solid intonation and tuning stabil-ity, which is further enhanced by the Grover Tuners and the Graph Tech TUSQ nut.
Available in black and red transparent fi nishes. MSRP is $1,399.www.schecterguitars.com
58 MMR APRIL 2008
Tech 21 releases the Character series of pedals. By simply twisting a few knobs, the guitarist can build sought-after tones or hot-rod his or her own. From vintage clas-
sics to modern icons, every variation is delivered in the distinctive voicing of
that amp style.According
to Tech 21, each Character
Series ped-
al is more than a stompbox. Each can be used as a stand-alone pre-amp to drive a power amp, a studio mixer, or a PA sys-tem, with the SansAmp cabinet emula-tion -- even straight into a computer soundcard – or they can be plugged into your guitar amp.www.tech21nyc.com
Tech 21 ‘Character’ Pedals
MMR_58 58 3/21/08 11:40:57 AM
Showcase
Alfred’s RockCharts Guitar 2008 Alfred introduces a new songbook celebrating the best songs of the year: Rock Charts Guitar 2008: De-luxe Annual Edition. The all-new edition includes songs from hit art-ists such as Evanescence, Finger 11, Seether, Nickelback, Buckcherry, The Shins, Paramore, Plain White T’s, and many more. Music includes lyrics and authentic guitar Tab.
Rock Charts Guitar 2008: Deluxe Annual Edition is now available for $24.95. Titles are: “9 Crimes” (Da-mien Rice); “Australia” (The Shins); “Call Me When You’re Sober” (Eva-nescence); “Chasing Cars” (Snow Pa-trol); “Colony of Birchman” (Mast-odon); “The Dark Eternal Night” (Dream Theater); “Far Away” (Nick-elback); “Far Cry” (Rush); “Halo II” (Halo); “Hey There Delilah” (Plain White T’s); “How Long” (Eagles); “Into the Night” (Santana); “Malig-nant Narcissism” (Rush); “Misery Business” (Paramore); “Our Time Now” (Plain White T’s); “Phantom Limb” (The Shins); “Radio No-where” (Bruce Springsteen); “Rock-star” (Nickelback); “Someone to Love” (Fountains of Wayne); “Sorry” (Buckcherry); “Starlight” (Muse); “Supermassive Black Hole” Muse); “Traffi c and Weather” (Fountains of Wayne); and “Within Me” (Lacuna Coil.)www.dealer.alfred.com
Wood Violins has found a way for gui-tarists to explore the bowed string world: put a six-string fretted Viper in their hands. Not only will they be able to play violin, viola, and cello all in one instrument but they can experience the expressiveness of the bow which creates everything from singing infi -nite sustain to crisp staccato attack; effects that have previously been available only through the use of special electronics. Add a distor-tion pedal and there’s no end to what sonic heights can be at-tained, the company notes.
The Viper comes in four-, fi ve-, six-, and seven-string versions, available fretted or fretless and, with its patented chest sup-
port system (the instrument fl oats on the body), allows players
freedom of movement. Frets on a violin are the brain-
child of Mark Wood, who invented them to address the need to pin-point pitch on bowed stringed in-struments while also creating a “visual mapping system” to explore chordal work.
String players are drawn to every combination available to them while guitarists are turned on by the six-
string fretted version, which can be tuned just like a guitar. The
seven-string model in particu-lar sparks the imagination by letting players experience violin, viola, cello, and bass
all in one instrument.www.woodviolins.com
Wood’s ‘Viper’: A Violin for Guitarists
Danelectro ‘Cool Cats’The new “Cool Cat” collection is comprised of nine models, all featuring true bypass (3 PDT), metal case, metal jacks, and pricing from $29 to $69 suggested list.
Models include Distortion, Tremolo, Metal, Metal II, Fuzz, Drive, Chorus, Trans-parent Overdrive, and Vibe. The Cool Cat Board holds fi ve Cool Cats and includes DC supply and all cables. It lists for $99.www.coolcattone.com
APRIL 2008 MMR 59
MMR_59 59 3/21/08 11:41:04 AM
Peavey Pro 2000 Bass Amplifi erThe Peavey Pro 2000 bass amplifi er features 2,000 watts of power, extensive EQ options, and switchable operation in Stereo, Mono, Bi-Amp, and Full-Range/Sub modes.
The amplifi er head features dual pre-amps — one tube and one solid state —with a pre-gain blend control that can dial in a unique mix of distinct preamp tones. The amp’s three-band EQ section, with parametric mid, enables incremen-tal adjustments in the frequency range (from 200 Hz to 2 kHz) and “Q” (wide to narrow) in the vital mid-frequency range, and also features shelving low- and high-EQ options.
The four-way mode switch selects Stereo, Mono, Bi-Amp, and Full-Range/Sub modes. When the amp is switched to Stereo, Bi-Amp, or Full-Range/Sub modes, the Pro 2000 puts out 1,000 watts into 2 ohms per side. In Mono mode, it automatically bridges the two amps to create a 2,000-watt amp that drives 4 ohms. In Bi-Amp mode, users can ad-just the frequency distribution between two cabinets with the Balance control (left/low to right/high); the crossover frequency is adjustable from 100 Hz to 1 kHz.
The Pro 2000 is built around a light-weight, universal voltage switch-mode power supply that is compatible with worldwide mains voltages from 100 to 240 volts at either 50 or 60 Hz, drastically re-ducing weight while making the amplifi er even more versatile. Additional features in-clude DI, mute, input pad, master volume, thermally controlled two-speed fans, and Peavey’s exclusive DDT™ anti-clipping speaker protection. U.S. MSRP is $1899.99www.peavey.com
The new Yamaha APX500FM, CPX500 and CPX500FM acoustic-electric gui-tars feature standout sound quality and craftsmanship that is virtually untouch-able at their price points, largely due to the fact that they are manufactured in Yamaha owned and operated facilities that adhere to many of the same stan-dards and practices as the company’s high-end handcrafted line.
The APX500FM, a thin-line acous-tic-electric, is a f lamed maple top ver-
sion of the Yamaha APX500. It also features eastern mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners, and the proprietary System55T preamp which includes the workhorse one-way piezo pickup, three-band EQ, ad-justable midrange control, and onboard tuner.
The CPX500 is a Yamaha Compass (medium jumbo)
model with a spruce top, eastern mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners, and
System55T preamp, and is the full-bodied big brother to the APX500 model. The
CPX500FM features a fl amed maple top.The CPX500, CPX500FM and
APX500FM guitars are expected to ship in spring 2008. www.yamaha.com
In celebration of its 125th anniversary, Gretsch is releasing several new guitar and
amplifi er models, including the Custom Shop Chet Atkins G6120 125th Anniver-sary Limited Edition guitar in transpar-ent orange fi nish over real gold leaf. This model features gold-plated hardware and TV Jones Classic pickups. The guitar, which is limited to 25 pieces worldwide, includes an anniversary strap and belt buckle hand-tooled by leather craftsman Tom Nix; the MSRP is $12,500.
Gretsch is also releasing the G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary model, which features the ultra-rare jaguar tan top and metallic gold back and sides. It is the fi rst
model to include the new “ML” bracing, which synchronizes the vibration of the top and back for increased acoustical openness in tone. The MSRP is $3,450.
Other new models include the G6136DL David Lee Limited Edition artist model, which is based on the White Falcon guitar and is limited to 30 pieces worldwide with a MSRP of $5,250, the G5235 G. Love Cor-vette artist model (MSRP $1,400), and the Electromatic G5222 amp, which features fi ve watts, two tubes, and two inputs for a MSRP of $195. www.gretsch.com
60 MMR APRIL 2008
Fretted Products ShowcaseNew Look, Sound for Yamaha CPX, APX
Gretsch Celebrates 125 Years
MMR_60 60 3/21/08 11:41:10 AM
62 MMR APRIL 2008
The Loar Hand-Carved 1920s Replica Archtop Modeled after American designs from the early 20th century, The Loar’s new archtop guitar is hand-carved from select, graduated woods and features a nitrocellulose lacquer fi nish and unparalleled acoustic projection.
The Loar Hand-Carved Arch-top (LH-600) is an authentic rep-lica of the original archtop acous-tic guitars from the 1920s. This all-solid model features a top that is hand-carved from graduated spruce, and hand-carved back and sides made from highly fl amed maple.
The LH-600 also features a hand-rubbed, vintage tobacco sun-burst fi nish with nitrocel-lulose lacquer for superior acoustic projection, a one-piece mahog-any, Gotoh tuners, and a compensated adjustable ebony bridge.
With its exceptionally loud tone, carved body, and vintage design, this new archtop attracted considerable attention at the NAMM Show in January.
Dealers are advised to order early for April delivery. The LH-600 has a list price of $1,195 and includes a feather-weight case. The Loar, a division of The Music Link, specializes in handcrafted musical instruments inspired by the Golden Age.www.themusiclink.net
Music Wizard Group has unveiled the pro-totype of Guitar Wizard. Forming a part-nership with U.S. Music’s SoundTech Pro-fessional Audio Division, the companies have combined to develop a gaming pack-age that can teach aspiring rock stars how to play real music on a real guitar. The product will include both the SoundTech Ediface Digital Guitar Interface and the patented
Guitar Wizard software, allowing people to play and learn on their PC or Mac with their existing acoustic or electric guitars by converting the guitar sounds to digital for live interactive video game play. Virtually any guitar can be used with the SoundTech Ediface and virtually any song will be able to be used with the Pro software package. www.musicwizard.com
Fretted Products ShowcaseMusic Wizard Guitar Prototype
The perfect rst guitar, that is how teachers are describing the
Michael Kelly VisionaryTM V-5. For a new player, the action can easily be set super low - to the point of the strings
practically sitting on the frets. Then, as a student gains nger strength and develops their calluses, the height can easily be raised to a custom level.
-The Ultimate Custom Acoustic Guitar
MMR_62 62 3/21/08 11:41:15 AM
Stop by a dealer near you to try the Standard and to experience PRS.
Now available in satin nitro finish
standardmake it your new
© 2008 PRS Guitars, Photo by Marc QUigley
MMR_63 63 3/21/08 12:02:23 PM
64 MMR APRIL 2008
Fretted Products Showcase
From Canadian custom builder and luthier Kevin Hall comes a new cus-tom-designed forward-shifted, scal-loped-X-bracing system for Timberline Guitars. The 19 all–new solid wood
T Series Guitars, available in four series, feature Grover ma-chines, 5mm abalone rosette, pinstripe binding offsets, bolt-on short–scale 24.9” neck, ebo-ny bridge, fretboard and bridge pins. An arched-top Tolex hard-case with embossed Timberline logo is included. Pickup options are available from L.R. Baggs and Fishman. Each series includes dreadnought, dreadnought cutaway, concert cutaway, and auditorium cutaway body styles.
The satin-finish 30 Series features sol-id Canadian Sitka spruce soundboards and mahogany back and sides. The 50 Series adds gloss fin-
ish and contrasting rosewood bind-ing. The model T55Ac features a Pa-cific red cedar solid top and cutaway.
The 70 Series guitars offer solid Java-nese rosewood bodies with contrasting Indonesian mahogany binding. The T75Ac model features a Pacific red ce-dar solid top and cutaway.
The Flagship 80 Series crowns the line with solid rosewood bodies, Engel-mann spruce soundboards, and a pre-mium trim package including a custom
Timberline mother-of-pearl 12th-fret inlay. The cutaway model T85Ac is available with
an abalone-edged solid Pacific red cedar soundboard.
Timberline Guitars come standard with a lifetime lim-ited warranty against defects in materials and workman-ship.
www.timberlineguitars.com
Timberline’s T Series Lineup
Elixir Strings Launches Cable LineElixir Strings introduces Elixir Ca-bles, the company’s fi rst fretted in-strument accessory outside of guitar strings. According to Elixir, the cables deliver tonally transparent instru-ment cables, providing clearer high frequencies and smoother, more bal-anced mids. The cables are available in lengths of 10, 15, 20, and 30’ (both right and straight angle jack plugs are available.) www.elixirstrings.com
MMR_64 64 3/21/08 11:41:21 AM
66 MMR APRIL 2008
Fretted Products Showcase
Sierra Compass Travel-SizeSierra Guitars introduces the newest ad-dition to the Sierra Guitar line, the Sierra Compass. The Sierra Compass ST10 is a travel-size acoustic guitar that was intro-duced at the 2008 NAMM Show.
This scaled-down 34” guitar serves as a great travel instrument, a comfortable guitar for beginners, or as a quality instrument for anyone looking for a fun and easy-to-man-age smaller-sized guitar. Featuring a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides for a warm and natural tone, the Compass incorporates die-cast machine heads and is available in a natural satin fi nish. The guitar also displays a signature compass-shaped inlay on the 12th fret marker, unique to each Sierra Guitar series. A padded Sierra gig bag is included. Suggested retail is price is $399. www.sierraguitars.net
The Adam Levine Signature Models, of Maroon 5 fame, has two new models, one that has an MSRP of $150, and the other with an MSRP of $2,800.
Also new is the Eco-Friendly Green Bamboo Guitar, which comes from the company’s Custom Shop. It was created
for Guster’s Adam Gardner. Constructed of bamboo (the fastest-growing plant on earth), this electric guitar combines unique construction, good tone, and exceptional quality in an affordable and very playable instrument. www.fi rstact.com
First Act Adam Levine, Bamboo Models
MMR_66 66 3/21/08 11:41:28 AM
ASC 5300 Ontario Mills Parkway, Suite 100
Ontario, Ca 91764 Phone: 909.484.7498 Fax: 909.484-7890
www.cavasguitars.com
Toll Free 866-473-5864
CANVAS CVS30
© 2007 America Sejung Corp. All rights reserved.
CVS30FMThe Canvas Vintage 30.Put a strap on it and it balances perfectly and has just enough heft to offer a big, phat sound without pulling your back out. An arched ame maple top accents the select mahogany body for looks and tone galore. The bolt-on hard maple neck has a shape reminiscent of a classic 60’s design. Two Alnico5 Zebra-stripe pickups give the player full control over the amount of drive into the front of the amp, without concerns about the guitar sound breaking up.
Visit us at NammUpstairs room 204C
MMR_67 67 3/21/08 12:02:39 PM
68 MMR APRIL 2008
Fretted Products Showcase
Ernie Ball Music Man announces three new models: the Sterling 5, the Bongo 6, and the Limited Edition 2008.
The exclusive characteris-tics of the Limited Edition 2008 include a brand-new, warm se-quoia gold fi nish that is com-plemented by gold hardware. A limited edition mother-of-pearl inlay adorns the 12th fret. Also included is a custom lizard-back case lined with a plush golden fabric. Available for a limited time, the 2008 Limited Edition enhancements will be available on all Music Man in-struments.
The Sterling 5 features a compact body with a faster profi le (maple or rosewood) neck, sculpted neck joint, and a smaller profi le 4+1 headstock confi guration. It has an ash body, three-
band active EQ, and Music Man’s mas-sive humbucking pickup. It’s available in
ceramic humbucking, double-humbucking, and humbuck-ing–single pickup confi gura-tions.
Featuring a unique body and neck concept designed in conjunction with BMW U.S.A., the Bongo 6 marks the debut of Ernie Ball Music Man’s fi rst full-scale six-string bass. Fea-turing a slender-profi le neck and string spacing that’s equiv-alent to the company’s popular Bongo and Stingray 5 series instruments, the Bongo 6 has a 34” scale, bolt-on neck confi gu-ration, and 24 frets as well as a basswood body, 18-volt pre-amp, four-band EQ, and neo-dymium magnets.
www.ernieball.com
Ernie Ball Music Man Releases Guitar Trio
AmbrosonicAmbrosonic announces a new series of electric guitars with MP3 Record-ing, DSP, and USB options already installed. These high-end electric guitars are made of swamp ash and quilted maple tops will retail at around $3,000. www.ambrosonics.com
Burriss Amps Royal BluesmanBurriss Amps and Effects Pedals intro-duces the Royal Bluesman, touted as one of the world’s smallest, full-featured, custom, hand-wired tube amplifi ers. At 18 watts and only 14 pounds with a 11.5” x 6.75” x 7.13” footprint, the class A Royal Bluesman is hand-wired, tube-powered and feature-laden, including: reverb with dwell and mix; vibrato; series loop and/or parallel returns; and a line level input that allows the guitarist to play along with music from an external music source. It is housed in a custom chassis and made in the U.S.www.burrissamps.com
MMR_68 68 3/21/08 11:41:34 AM
Fretted Products ShowcaseGuitar accessory Facelift has secured U.S. distribution via both Kaman and Musicorp, with a product launch in their second-quarter catalogs.
“Although we already have distribu-tion deals in the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and across Europe, America is the most important market for our product, without doubt,” says Mike Hrano, of Rockano Productions Ltd., the UK-based manufacturer of Facefl it.
The inspiration behind the Facelift was a simple one: to transform the ap-pearance of a guitar instantly, but not permanently. MAP is $29.99.
Following two years of research and test-ing, the guitar “make-over” accessory was soft-launched at the London Guitar Show in May, 2006. Two months later, the Facelift received an Offi cial License from Fender.
The Facelift, a custom-cut removable and re-usable vinyl overlay for guitar bodies, was the brainchild of Rick Parfi tt of the UK rock band Status Quo, and is produced by his company, Rockano Pro-ductions Limited.
“The concept came one day as I sat strumming in a dressing room on a UK tour in 2003,” recalls Parfi tt. “I thought
how great it would be if a product was available that could change the way any guitar looked in an instant.”
Parfi tt and his business partner Mike Hrano spent months developing a proto-type before taking it to Fender in the UK, where interest in Facelift was immediate. After visits to Fender headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., the product was ready to roll. “Our relationship with Fender has been absolutely integral in the evo-lution of our product,” says Hrano. “In-deed, we were commissioned to produce some custom-made Facelifts for use by Fender in its “Make History” re-launch campaign for the American Standard Se-ries during January.”
Initially, the Facelift has been devel-oped to fi t two particular guitars shapes only, the Fender Telecaster and the Fend-er Stratocaster, with nine available de-signs per model.
“Our plan is to increase the range to incorporate many more designs and, more important, more guitar shapes as we go along,” says Hrano.
Developed to quickly change the ap-pearance of any guitar, the Facelift is a durable, yet disposable product which
combines precise technical specifi cation, creative engineering and startling sim-plicity. It can be used and re-used and applied in seconds to instantly transform the look of any guitar, new or old.
For more information, contact Mike Hrano in the UK at 01923 896 975 or at [email protected]. Web site: www.guitarfacelift.com
Facelift ‘Instant Guitar Makeover’ Accessory
70 MMR APRIL 2008
Unk U.S.-Made Guitars UNK Guitars, a new guitar company based out of Toms River, N.J., is mak-ing “100% Made In The USA” guitars at an affordable price. The patented U- shaped or forked headstock is a de-sign element that maintains the fi nest sound quality, the company states.
Paul Unkert, the luthier who worked at Kramer Guitars from 1979 to 1982, built 10-13 Frankenstrats for Eddie Van Halen including the artist’s “Hot For Teacher” guitar. Unk Guitars are available in poplar, korina, and mahogany bodies. Ebony, rosewood, birdseye, and curly maple fi ngerboards are offered along with Floyd Rose and Stetsbar tremolo systems. Three mod-els are available: Unk Standard (two humbucker), Unk Special (two P-90), and Unk Jr. (one P-90.)
MMR_70 70 3/21/08 11:41:41 AM
Fretted Products ShowcaseAlternative Butterfl y, DooDad GuitarsThe Alternative Guitar and Amplifi er Company releases two new guitars, the Butterfl y and DooDad models. Featuring 24¾” scale heelless maple set necks and solid bodies constructed from agathis with an ebony fi ngerboard, both sport a Kahler tremolo bridge, genuine bone nut, two-way truss rod and nickel frets. In addition, the Butterfl y has tulip tuners, mother-of-pearl parallelo-gram inlays, two EMG-HZ humbucking pickups, two volume and two tone controls, pickup selector switch, plus chrome hardware. The DooDad benefi ts from Grover Mini Rotomatic machine heads, mother-of-pearl diamond inlays, 22 frets, a single EMG-HZ humbucking pickup, one volume and one tone control, and chrome or black hardware. The Butterfl y is offered in gold and metallic red, the DooDad in metallic red, metallic silver, and black.www.thealternativeguitarandamplifi ercompany.com
72 MMR APRIL 2008
New Designs for Redland AxeMatRedland Music Products has intro-duced 20 new designs for its AxeMat™ premium guitar repair mats.
AxeMats, featuring high-resolution photographic images of popular guitar models, make the perfect work surface for guitar maintenance and repair. The images are permanently dyed into the supple top fabric, and will never crack, fade, or wash off. The mats are backed by high-density urethane to cushion and protect instruments and the work surface underneath. Measuring 19” x 29” to accommodate any size guitar, these durable mats are easy to clean, lay fl at, and easily roll up for storage in the clear tube provided.
Other Redland accessories recently introduced at the NAMM Show in-clude a complete line of products for guitar care, including Premium Gui-tar Cleaner, Guitar Wax, and Lemon Oil Conditioner. All are environmen-tally safe, and contain no harmful solvents or silicone. Also introduced were a professional-grade guitar tool kit, and microfi ber polishing cloths that feature popular guitar images.www.redlandmusic.com
Crate V100H HeadUsing four 12AX7 preamp tubes and four EL34 power tubes to deliver 100 watts (RMS) of Class AB power, the Crate V100H head can switch from 100 watts to 50 watts with a fl ick of the fi nger. The V100H also uses two separate headroom palettes to lay the foundation for its vin-tage or fl at-voiced boost function. It fea-tures separate three-band EQ for each of the Clean and Overdrive channels, and the spring reverb come with level control
and two inputs, Bright and Normal. An optional footswitch is also available to control channel select, boost, and reverb. The V100H has a street price of $499.www.crateamps.com
MMR_72 72 3/21/08 11:41:53 AM
Fretted Products Showcase
Hal Leonard presents Guitar Aerobics,a 52-week, one-lick-per-day workout program for developing, improving, and maintaining guitar technique. By Troy Nelson, senior editor of Guitar Edge magazine, Guitar Aerobics is de-signed to keep guitarists’ chops fi ne-tuned. Musical styles covered include rock, blues, jazz, metal, country, and funk. Techniques taught include alter-
nate picking, arpeggios, sweep picking, string skipping, legato, string bending, and rhythm guitar. The exercises in the book/CD pack will help players increase speed and improve dexterity and pick- and fret-hand accuracy. The accompa-nying CD includes all 365 workout licks plus play-along grooves in every style at eight different metronome settings.www.halleonard.com
Eastwood Guitars releases a new version of a rare and collectable American-made guitar, the 1967 Messenger. The original Messenger guitar was developed more than 40 years ago in California by a small company named Musicraft, Inc. and is now best known as the guitar of choice of Grand Funk Railroad’s Mark Farner in the early 1970s.
The original Messengers had alu-minum necks that were “tuned” like a tuning fork, but the original design was prone to feedback problems. The new
Eastwood version captures the seductive look of the original, but simplifi es the design, fea-turing dual mini-hum-buckers and a set maple neck with 25 ½” scale, rosewood fretboard with side dot mark-ers, and maple body in a hollow-body design with a center block. www.eastwoodguitars.com
Eastwood Messenger Based on ’67 Model
Alvarez Yairi announces the Standard Series WY1T, an ultra-thin-bodied acoustic/electric gui-tar designed for recording and live performance environments where high SPL without feedback is para-mount. Available in three fi nishes -- black, wine red, and tobacco sunburst -- the single-cut-away, folk-style WY1T fea-tures a fl amed maple body (except for the black model) and “sound hole–free” sol-id Sitka spruce top with hand-scalloped braces, herringbone trim, and eb-
ony bridge. The instrument’s natu-rally seasoned mahogany neck is topped with an ebony fi ngerboard with abalone inlays at the 12th fret and on the headstock, which also sports nickel die cast tuning pegs. The WY1T benefi ts from a cus-tom Fishman Aura IC system with
four discrete “sound images” derived from vintage and contemporary studio micro-phones. All three styles of the guitar list for $2,699.99 and include a hardshell case.www.alvarezgtr.com
Alvarez Yairi WY1T Acoustic/Electric
74 MMR APRIL 2008
Hal Leonard Guitar Aerobics
cableup.com
INTRODUCING TWOALL-NEW LINES OFSUPERIOR QUALITYAUDIO CABLE:
find out more at
PREMIUMGRADEMADE IN USANEOPRENE® RUBBER JACKETNEUTRIK® X-HD CONNECTORSBELDEN® WIREHIGH BANDWIDTHLOW CAPACITANCE5-YEAR UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY
INDUSTRIALGRADEAES/EBU DIGITAL COMPATIBLEHEAVY-DUTY CONNECTORSPLIABLE PVC JACKETHIGH BANDWIDTHLOW CAPACITANCE1-YEAR UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY
BUILT TO LAST WITH UNCONDITIONALREPLACEMENT WARRANTIES
WITHSTANDS TEMPERATURE ANDENVIRONMENTAL EXTREMES
MAINTAINS FLEXIBILITY-EASY TO WRAP & UNWRAP
DEALER INQUIRIES ENCOURAGED
CABLES BUILT FOR THE PROS
MMR_74 74 3/21/08 11:42:00 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 75
Godlyke, Inc. has released the PA-9B Power-All Basic Kit, billed as “the world’s fi rst 1700 mA, single-outlet power supply designed specifi cally for guitar effect us-ers.” Designed to eliminate the need for batteries as well as multiple “wall-wart” adaptors or power bricks, the Power-All system can power the entire pedalboard from a single power supply that takes up only one outlet.
The Power-All Basic Kit provides nine volts DC at 1700 milliamps, more than enough current to power dozens of effect pedals, including up to three Line 6 Modelers. The kit can power five pedals out of the box, and comes complete with a variety of jumper ca-bles that allow connection of phone plug, reverse polarity, digital, and bat-tery-only pedal types.
The Power-All’s circuit design offers the lowest noise fl oor of any digital pow-er supply on the market, says Godlyke. It also automatically converts any input voltage to 9 VDC, allowing the Power-All to be used anywhere around the world. Built to stand the rigors of the road, the Power-All features professional-grade construction and comes with a lifetime warranty.www.godlyke.com
Godlyke Power-All Basic Power Supply
EMG 707TW PickupBased on the company’s active EMG-707 model designed for seven-string guitars, the new EMG-707TW offers players the fa-miliar dual-coil sound and has the added advantage of single-coil mode incorporat-ed in the same pickup. Using the compa-ny’s exclusive triple-coil arrangement and dual internal pre-amps for two pickups in one, the EMG-707TW employs Alnico magnets throughout the design. In addi-tion, this new nine-volt active pickup with dual active pre-amps assures players a bal-anced output from both dual- and single-coil pickup sounds. Another feature is push/pull volume/tone controls enabling players to switch from the clarity of a single-coil to the fullness of a humbucker. www.emgpickups.com
The Easiest, Most Affordable Solution For Powering Your Pedalboard!
* Line 6 is a registered trademark and its usage impliesno endorsement by or affiliation with Godlyke, Inc.
Comes complete with Cable-5 daisy
chain connector and 8assorted jumper cables –
Nothing more to buy!
WWW.GODLYKE.COM
LIFETIME WARRANTY: The last power
supply you’ll ever need to buy!
ALSO AVAILABLE:
� PP-1 Power-Pump Voltage Converter
� UTA-1 Universal Travel Adaptor Kit
� Cable-5 Daisy Chain Connector
� Power-All Jumper Cables withStraight and Right-Angle Plugs
� PA-9E Power-All Euro
� PA-9UK Power-All UK
� 1.7 Amp current capacity can power over 20 pedals, including up to three Line 6 Modelers!*
� Takes up only one outlet space – Frees up more room for your pedals!
� Converts any mains voltage to 9VDC – Use worldwide with no transformer.
� Can power many keyboards and other 9VDC gear.
� No 60 cycle hum, extraneous noise, or heat dissipation.
� Professional-grade construction.
MMR_75 75 3/21/08 11:42:06 AM
76 MMR APRIL 2008
Fretted Products Showcase
Gary Kramer Guitars announces two new Delta Wing models: the Simulator T and Simulator R. The Delta Wing is a stylish and uniquely shaped design built ergo-nomically from the player out. The design begins with the ergonomic top arc. The arc uses a player’s body frame to, without ad-justment, place the guitar’s neck and body in perfect balance and playing position. Second, a shortened bottom cutaway pro-vides effortless access to the Delta Wing’s 24 frets. And last, there is comfortable forearm support provided by contours
that naturally place the hand and wrist in a perfect picking position.
The T model features a string-through-body design and a Tunomatic bridge setup and a rosewood fi nger-board and is available in metallic red, pitch black, and classic white and lists for $1,349. The R model is equipped with a licensed Floyd Rose locking trem-olo system and maple fi ngerboard and is available in pitch black, classic white, and viper yellow and lists for $1,449.www.garykramerguitar.com
Gary Kramer Delta Wings
D’Addario Updates XL’sD’Addario announces new packaging for their XL line of strings to bring across-the-board consistency to the line, com-bined with instant visual recognition of the attributes of the various strings
within the XL family. Each sub-brand will maintain its unique identifi cation and feel. In fact, all packaging within the electric brand family will now have distinctive fonts to distinguish each sub-brand — for example, Pro Steels, Nickel Wound, Half Rounds, Pure Nickel, and
Chromes. Another consumer-friendly adjustment: gauges will appear in con-sistent colors across the various types. In addition, tone and feel descriptors will be added to packaging for each string type.www.daddario.com
www.shubb.com • [email protected]
Resilient like your fingertip,
so it will notcreate tuning problems.
SHUBBCAPO
the
Despite fi tting into the front pocket of an average bass guitar gig bag, the Ash-down Little Giant 350 and 1000 bass amps punch out more than their weight. Weighing in at 6.6 lbs. and 7.7 lbs., re-spectively, they deliver a combination of power, tone, and useful features.
Both the 350-watt (fl uorescent green) and 1000 Watt (fl uorescent orange) mod-els measure 8.27” x 2.6” x 12.2” (including an in-ternal power supply) and feature switchable active/passive instrument inputs, seven-band semi-para-metric EQ, deep and shape switches for instant access to killer sounds, and an EQ in/out switch, along with an input level control and meter, output level control, and power switch.
The amp’s back offers a pre/post switchable balanced DI output, FX send and return, line input and output, and a pair of combination Speakon/Jack speak-er outputs.
The U.S. suggested retail for the Little Giant 350 is $499; the Little Giant 1000 is $599.99.www.power-music.com
Ashdown Little Giant Bass Amps
MMR_76 76 3/21/08 11:42:12 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 77
Deering Banjo Ships Mahogany Model
Deering Banjo is now ship-ping the Sierra mahogany banjo with maple and
mother-of-pearl inlays grac-ing the fingerboard. The Sier-
ra bears delicate, natural, un-stained maple in leaf and vine inlays surrounding the genuine mother-of-pearl dot inlays on the ebony fingerboard. Deering
Banjo Company is offering this upgraded model with-out a price increase: The new Sierra has a suggested retail of $2,549. www.deeringbanjos.com
Warwick and Framus Guitar Custom Shops are offering new special fi nger-board inlays in their guitars. Available upon request for Framus Guitars as well
as for Warwick Basses as Custom Shop options are the Single Eagle Head, Single Standard Crux, Single Curved Crux.www.warwick.de
Traben Bass introduces the Chaos Internal Bigger Bridge system. Visu-ally, the Chaos is a bridge that,
while still larger than most industry
standard bridges, is smaller than a typi-cal Traben bridge, but still provides the same mass as the Phoenix series, which is Traben’s biggest bridge version. The external and internal bridges are tightly connected to each other as well as the body to maximize performance. www.trabenbass.com
The Peavey AG RiffMaster Guitar Con-troller is a genuine life-size Peavey gui-tar modifi ed for play with guitar-based music video games on the Playstation®2 computer entertainment system. The AG RiffMaster features the sleek fi nish, di-mensions, and feel of a real Peavey guitar, providing a authentic music video game experience. Crafted from natural maple, the neck features fi ve colored fret buttons
located among real frets and position markers on a rosewood fretboard. The strum bar is strategically placed above the pickup and allows players to trans-fer smoothly from note to chord without missing a beat, while the whammy bar features a smooth, sturdy spring. The guitar strings have been removed, but the headstock of the controller has real tun-ers for extra visual appeal.www.peavey.com
Peavey AG RiffMaster Controller
Recording King ResonatorsRecording King introduces new metal-body resonators with a champagne matte fi nish option for a look remi-niscent of American bronze antiques. With nickel-plated brass bodies, hand-spun Con-tinental cones and the clean, expressive metal body tone, these resonators are aimed at blues and bluegrass players. The Style-O (RM-998-M) model features a 9.5” hand-spun Continental cone with either a dia-mond or round hole cover plate. The Tricone (RM-991-M) model has three 6” Continental cones and is available with square or round necks. They start at an MSRP of $699.www.recordingking.com
Traben Bass Bridge System
Warwick & Framus Inlays
MMR_77 77 3/21/08 11:42:17 AM
SKB has developed the 1SKB-26RW double guitar case with wheels. It is rotationally molded of impen-etrable, lightweight LLDPE plas-tic, providing maximum impact resistance, and is designed to ac-commodate two guitars in gig bags for added protection. A molded-in valance with a gasketed seal and pressure equalization valve comply with military standards, making the case watertight and dustproof. www.skbcases.com
Stash Picks, Inc. believes in its products’ ability to deliver quality, creativity, and profi t to the music store. The Simi Valley, Calif.-based company offers its “top fi ve reasons” to merchandise the Stash Picks lineup:
The products are made in the U.S.A. to support American ingenuity and American industry. Attention-getting display: Stash Picks are never out of sight because they sit on the countertop. The Stash Picks Assortment Tin: all versions are offered in one tin. Con-
5.
4.
3.
sumers try them all, and then pick the one they like. Stash Picks bags make repeat custom-ers: All pick models are packaged in bags and the company throws in an extra one for fun. Merchandising support: Stash Picks has added player’s guides to all the tins and bags for easy playing in-struction and their Web site features a store locator on the home page.
www.stashpicks.com
2.
1.
Stash Picks’ ‘Top Five Reasons’
The StepMax Company in-troduces the StepMax, a new dual-action, non-fl oating, di-rect replacement guitar trem-olo. This tremolo eliminates the balancing of string and spring tensions. There are no additional springs needed to hold the tremolo in neutral. It decks in the neutral position and comes back to a full stop after high and low pitch bends, with a smooth tran-
sition to both modes. Unlike with other designs, no drilling or routing is necessary, and the StepMax pulls the strings straight back, not down to the fretboard. It decks to body of guitar for better sustain, and it is capable of a full-step bend and beyond. It is available in natural satin, with colors on
request.www.stepmaxtrem.com
StepMax Replacement Tremolo
Fretted Products Showcase
SKB Roto Molded Double Guitar Case
78 MMR APRIL 2008
Delta Series
AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF FINISHES & STYLESSend $4 US for COLOR CATALOG 13027 Brittmoore Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77041
by GOTOH1:21 ratio
America’s Premier Guitar & Bass Parts Supplier
MMR_78 78 3/21/08 11:42:23 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 79
Indiana Guitar ‘Arietta’ Acoustic-Electric The Indiana Guitar Company, a division of SHS International, has added a new acoustic electric f-hole cutaway named the “Arietta”. This guitar is available in either a gloss back or white fi nish and fea-tures f-hole sound holes, sleek headstock, on-board active electronics, rosewood fi ngerboard and bridge, sealed die-cast tuning keys, and bound top, back, and neck. Street price is $179 and the guitar is backed by a written 10-year warranty.www.shs.int.net
Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site,
Breaking News
www.MMRmagazine.comvioletusa.com
Handcrafted in Latvia
PearlVocal
The UltimateHandheldVocal MicIntroducing...
Newly developed suspension system reduces handling noise
to an absolute minimum
Medium-sized singlediaphragm capsule provides high acoustic transparency
Handles SPL upto 144dB
AvailableSpring 2008
MMR_79 79 3/21/08 11:42:31 AM
TRADE EVENT
With the daily bombard-
ment of unnerving news
about the United States
economy, perhaps it’s not the worst
thing in the world to get out of town
for a while and perhaps gain a fresh
perspective.
This year’s Frankfurt Music Fair and its sister show, Prolight + Sound, provided just such a change. As Americans endure the blows of the home mortgage crisis, sky-high fuel prices, stalled job growth, lackluster retail sales, and the anemic dol-lar, the Frankfurt shows underlined that it’s a big world out there and not everyone is singing the blues.
Like the blockbuster NAMM Show in January, the 2008 Frankfurt Music Fair and Prolight + Sound shows weighed in
with some impressive records in marked contrast to the gloom-and-doom that too often shrouds the music products busi-ness these days. When the shows closed on Mar. 15, organizers reported atten-dance of 112,000 for the three trade days and one public/trade day. Detlef Braun, member of the board of management at Messe Frankfurt said, “Both trade fairs have marked a new record, both in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation. The trade, industry, musicians, and ser-vice providers gathered in Frankfurt in a very dynamic mood and will bring back home loads of new contacts and orders. This vibrant atmosphere was in the air from the very fi rst trade day, and togeth-er with the huge exhibitor participation -- 2,500 companies on site -- the Music Fair and Prolight + Sound 2008 results demonstrate the leading and motivating function of the shows in the world - even
in their third and second decades of exis-tence, respectively.”
The 112,000 visitors, four percent ahead of last year’s turnout of 107,600, came from 126 countries. The top visi-tor nations on hand from Europe were of course led by host country Germany, fol-lowed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Swe-den, France, Italy, Great Britain, Switzer-land, Spain, Austria, and Greece. From beyond Europe, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Israel, China, Australia, Brazil, and Canada were the leaders in Frank-furt attendance.
Over the last two decades, there have been times when American-made prod-ucts have been prohibitively expensive on the export market owing to a robust U.S. dollar. Back then, exhibiting in Frankfurt was not so much a matter of writing busi-ness, but of showing the fl ag and keeping a stiff upper lip.
Frankfurt Music Fair, Prolight + Sound Roll Along… German shows draw 112,000 attendees, 2,500 exhibitors
80 MMR APRIL 2008
Michael and Kari Sanden of Sanden Guitars fl ank Jeff Sazant of Tanglewood Guitars.
Rana Singh and Vaclav Hnilicka of Amati-Denak.Players Music Accessories’ Lisa Phillips and Jodi Ann Parker.
MMR_80 80 3/21/08 11:46:54 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 81
This was not the case at the 2008 events. As the U.S. dollar hit a record low during the course of the Music Fair, it only underlined the mantra that made-in-America is a bargain. “Export busi-ness to Europe is good,” reported one U.S. orchestral manufacturer. “In fact, it’s good just about everywhere.” The owner of a California electronics company that already exports about 70 percent of its yearly output marveled at the fact he was receiving inquiries at the show about do-ing OEM manufacturing in California from various offshore manufacturers. “It’s as if suddenly we’re like China and have low-cost labor in our favor.”
The other side of the coin, of course, is that the strong euro and other major currencies have driven up prices of im-ports to the U.S. A Spanish guitar maker summed it up: “It’s very tough right now selling into North America.” Chinese manufacturers, many of whom in the past have held the line on increases in order to maintain market share, are also reluctantly upping their prices to refl ect markedly increased energy and labor costs.
Despite this unbalanced global price scenario, the overall mood in Frankfurt was one of optimism. However, as was the case in Anaheim, the fair demon-strated the straitened situation in the global piano industry. While the U.S.
Aquarian’s Roy Burns.
Gary Burgett, Kirk Burgett, and Tom Lagomarsino of PianoDisc/Mason & Hamlin.
Gregg Stein and Heath Tougas at the Numark exhibit. Andrea Picha with Julie and Tim Pfouts of SIT Strings.
Peace Musical’s Anita Liu.
Zildjian’s John Sorenson, Craigie Zildjian, and John DeChristopher. Garth Giesbrecht and Harvey Levy of Levy’s Leathers.
Olavur Olsen, Katrim Jorgensen, and Trondur Enni, music educators from of the Faroe Islands, visit with Peter La Placa of PJLA Music Sales/Marketing.DEG’s Mark Shaffer. Bob King of Gold Crest.
Mike & Janet Kropp with David Kowalski and Petr Uykydal of NS Design.
Bob Archigian and Richard Cocco of E. & O. Mari/La Bella.
Sheryl & Tevis Laukat of Cannonball Musical Instruments with Teemu Korpikoski of Puupuhaltinet Woodwinds.
MMR_81 81 3/21/08 11:46:59 AM
economic woes easily explain U.S. con-sumer distaste for making big-ticket purchases, the piano swoon is more widespread for many piano makers. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said a senior executive of one of the largest companies.
As such, a number of prominent pi-ano makers (and longtime exhibitors) bypassed Frankfurt this year, prompting organizers to move the piano salon to a more confi ned space within the Musik-messe complex of halls.
In pianos as well as some other prod-uct segments, it was also apparent that the very successful Music China show (also under the aegis of Messe Frankfurt)
has, in some cases, “cannibalized” its European counterpart. We heard from number of American and European ex-hibitors that their trade show strategy now calls for exhibiting at the NAMM Show, bypassing Frankfurt, and then showing their wares to the international trade again at Music China in October. Like NAMM and Frankfurt, the Shang-hai-based show offers the incentives of reaching a broad international trade customer base, but also affords the op-portunity of reaching the growing insti-tutional market in China, and catering to a fast-developing middle class of Chi-nese consumers with a taste for imported products in general.
Short Takes: The M.I.P.A. prizes were again awarded at this year’s show in ap-proximately 40 product categories based on votes from editors of nu-merous consumer music maga-zines around the world. In addi-tion to product awards, the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim D’Addario, CEO of J. D’Addario & Co.
This year’s Frankfurt Music Prize was awarded to Cuban alto saxophonist and clarinet-ist Paquito Rivera. Rivera, 60, is famed for his fusion of Latin American music and jazz. The artist has recorded more than 30 solo albums and this year was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Many were saddened to hear of the passing of Wilhelm-Peter “Charley” Hosenseidl, who died on Mar. 2 at the age of 62. Join-ing Messe Frankfurt in 1981, he became Frankfurt Music Fair manager two years later. During his tenure with the music show, he oversaw the launch of the Prolight + Sound show in 1995.
In 2000 Hosenseidl was appoint-ed brand development manager and was instrumental in the launch of Music China and Pro-light + Sound Shanghai in 2002 and 2003, respectively, as well as the organization’s fi rst Prolight + Sound event in Russia.
Charley Hosenseidl retired in 2005 but, as a lifelong musician and entertainer, he stayed active as a performer until the end.
Farley’s Essentials’ Michael Farley and Ron Lankford.
Hans Hermann and Pekka Rintala of B-Band. Taylor Guitars’ Bob Taylor with a model from the new Taylor SolidBody electric guitar lineup.
Don Rhodes, E.M. Winston, and Rick Kessel, MMR.
82 MMR APRIL 2008
Irwin and Michael Berg of Humes & Berg Mfg.
Manuel Rodriguez Jr. and Manuel Rodriguez of the Spanish classical guitar company Manuel Rodriguez & Sons. The senior Rodriguez announced his retirement at Frankfurt, where he has exhibited for 30 years.
Daughter-father team of Sabrina and Horst Wittner of Wittner GmbH.
MMR_82 82 3/21/08 11:47:09 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 83
At the annual Sabian/Vic Firth reception, Casa Veerkamp of Mexico took top honors as the Sabian North American Distributor of the Year. From left: Andy Zildjian, Walter Veerkamp of Casa Veerkamp, and Sabian’s Peter Stairs and Bob Zildjian. Belgium-based AB Music captured the European Distributor of the Year award.
Sabian also honored globetrotting clinician and goodwill ambassador Dom Famularo with its Lifetime Achievement Award. From left: Willi & Bob Zildjian, Dom Famularo, and Andy Zildjian.
The always popular Tora Bora Boys tune up for a performance at the Saga Musical Instruments stand. From left: David Gartland, Silvio Ferretti, Don Moser, and Richard Keldsen. Gordon O’Hara and Bee Bantug of Retail Up!
Petrof Pianos’ Al Rich and Zuzana Ceralova-Petrofova.
John Musselman, Peter Ponzol (Peter Ponzol Mouthpieces), and Jim Klingler of American Way Marketing.
John Hornby Skewes (JHS): Dennis Drumm, Trev Wilkinson, and Geoff Whithorn, guitarist for Procol Harum. The UK-based company continued its rollout of the Fret King and Vintage guitar lines showcased earlier this year at NAMM.
American DJ’s Scott Davies.
Burkhardt Stein of Grotrian Pianofortefabrik.
A beautiful postwar BMW sedan was an attention-getter at the Warwick/Framus stand.
Buffet Crampon’s Antoine Beaussant and Francois Kloc.
MMR_83 83 3/21/08 11:47:17 AM
84 MMR APRIL 2008
After debuting as a standout “photo op” at the NAMM Show, the Ibanez “Silver Surfer” crossed the Atlantic to star at the Hoshino exhibit.
Roland Corp. president Kaz Tanaka details the company’s new relationship with Spanish guitar maker Jose Ramirez, which will employ the Roland AP-1 preamps on its acoustic-electric models.
Ray Noguera of Laconia Music Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y. with John Cavanaugh of Super-Sensitive Strings and Jeff Saltzman of EMMC.
Jason How and Nigel Clutterbuck of Rotosound.
Susan Kenny and Roberta Gillette of Powell Flutes/Sonare Winds.
Pro-Mark’s Pat Brown, Brigitte Bauthier, and Susan & Maury Brochstein.
P. Mauriat Saxophones’ Pete Jeffryes, Jessica Kao, Scott Brooker (U.K. artist), Alex Hsieh, and Elisa Chan.
EMG: Rob Turner, Andrew Farrell, B. Singh (Sara-Trans Export Corp., India), Jasbeer Singh (Sara-Tran), and Hap Kuffner.
The August Foerster family: Stephanie, Anna, and Wolfgang, at the Foerster Pianos exhibit.
Bryndon Bay, Bill Bay, and Jeff Ponte of Mel Bay Publications.
Hering Harmonica’s Maeine Moritz and Alberto Bertolazzi.
Mark Pozzo, Alan Vater, and Dayne Marshall of Vater Percussion.
Behringer: Dominique Agnew (NAMM), Uli Behringer, Ron Koliha, and Scott Garside.
Konig & Meyer: Michael Wamser, Gabriela Konig, Heiko Wolz, and Robert Jessbergers.
MMR_84 84 3/21/08 11:47:27 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 85
PR INT
85 MMR APRIL 2008
RPMDA Heads EastBoston Location, Planned Events a Big Draw
“It’s always exciting to be back
east again,” says an exuberant
Madeleine Crouch, executive
director of the Retail Print Music
Dealers Association (RPMDA). “A few
years ago we were in Philadelphia,
and prior to that it had been almost
20 years since we’d been in the
region.” The Philadelphia show had
been their biggest convention yet,
and Crouch attributed that partly
to being in a historical city with lots
of to do. Based on that success, they
wanted to return to the northeast
“as soon as possible.”
Holding it in Boston, April 23–26, has worked. The exhibit hall sold out “faster than ever before,” and over 300 people are planning to attend. The event’s proximity to such a dense population is allowing RP-MDA to reach out to potential new mem-bers, too. “We sent out mailers to retailers in the region to let them know we’re in their neighborhood, and to give us a try.”
Dubbed “The Boston Print Party,” the event is being held at the Seaport Ho-tel, which is on the waterfront and within walking distance of Quincy Market. The challenge with the location is that Boston, as do many big cities in the northeast, has a reputation for being a bit pricy, which has kept the organization from holding its annual event there more often. RMPDA has softened that by providing those who
attend with a coupon book full of deals from publishers—if used shrewdly, it can actually pay for a portion of one’s, if not the entire, trip. Thrown in are free continental breakfast each morning, lunches on Thurs-day and Friday, and a Saturday night ban-quet, all which makes it easier on attendees’ pocketbooks.
Couch says that enticements include extra events ar-ranged for the con-ventioneers. There’s a motor coach tour of the town’s distinctive neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Mid-town Cultural District, Chinatown, and the South End, which boasts the largest neighborhood of Victorian-style homes in the country. Fenway Park is on the route for those who want to see the home of the Red Sox, and there will also be a walking tour of famous historical sites in the city.
Another option available to attendees is a ride out to the nearby town of North Easton, home of Robert King Music Sales. A tour of the offi ce facilities, which are housed in an old church, will include show-ing off the company’s original printing press. A dinner at nearby Ames Hall will be highlighted by a chamber music concert.
Of course, then there is the conven-tion itself ...
“We have some great speakers and in-teresting programs designed to appeal to our diverse members,” she says. “It’s been called a three-day graduate-level seminar in print retailing.” The event’s opening speaker is Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, who will discuss
how to close the gap between buyers and sellers. Brian Chung of Kawai will be the closing speaker in a session titled “How Can the Music Industry Really Communicate with the Teaching Profession?” Couch says Chung has a real vision for music making as
a hobby and wants the industry to reach out to those who just want to open up a pop book and play for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Sessions on the his-tory of music engrav-ing, how to make the
most of musical gift items as add-on sales, and creating a successful corporate culture within your operation are a few of the other subjects of sessions. But it’s not all nose-to-the-grindstone fare: “We like to keep things light-hearted and fun as well as educational. Saturday morning we have Justin Locke, double bass player for the Boston Pops for 18 years, discussing his hilarious experiences based on his book Real Men Don’t Rehearse.It’s a laugh-out-loud book, and that will be a really enjoyable session.”
None of that is to get in the way of the business at hand, of course.
“I truly believe the music industry is different than other industries because we’re selling something that can enhance a person’s life in a positive way and you can’t approach the business as if you were selling plumbing supplies. And nowhere else do you see suppliers and retailers working so closely together. I can say with pride at RPMDA, everyone is work-ing together for the same goal for a win-win situation.”
“I can say with pride at RPMDA, everyone is working together for
the same goal for a win-win situation.”
MMR_85 85 3/21/08 11:48:33 AM
86 MMR APRIL 2008
ABRSM Publishing Ltd.Alfred Publishing Co.Alfonse Leduc/Robert King Music Sales, Inc.Arpeges-Diffusion IMDBarenreiterBeckenhorst Press, Inc.Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.Breitkopf & HartelC. Alan PublicationsC.F. Peters Corp.Carl Fischer MusicCherry Lane Music Co., Inc.ECS Publishing Faber MusicFrederick Harris Music Co. Ltd.G. Henle VerlagGIA Publications, Inc.Hal Leonard Corp.Heritage CorporationJ. Jennings Publishing Co.Jackman Music Corp.Jazz Path PublishingKendor Music Inc.Last Resort Music Publishing, Inc.Lorenz Corp.Masters Music Publications, Inc.Mayfair Montgomery PublishingMayfair Music Publications, Inc.Mel Bay Publications, Inc.Music Gifts Company of England, Inc.Music Sales GroupNAMMNeil A. Kjos Music Co.Northeastern Music/RoncorpOxford University PressPublications Chant de Mon Pays Inc.Retail Up! MusicSantorella Publications, Ltd.Schaum Publications, Inc.Shawnee Press, Inc.SoundforthTempo PressTheodore Presser Co.Tri-Technical Systems, Inc.Willis Music Co.
Retail Print Music Dealers Association (RPMDA) ConventionApril 23-26, 2008 Seaport Hotel • Boston, Mass.
The following companies have booked to exhibit at the RPMDA Convention in Boston as of Mar. 1, 2008.
RPMDA Print PreviewMMR asked publishers to send in some
new titles they will be highlighting at the show. Here are a few to look out for …
Northeastern Music Publications
The new Advanced Band se-ries expands Northeastern Mu-sic Publications’ catalog to all grade levels of performance. There are 16 new issues in this series, with music from performance grade level 3 to 5+. Three of the new com-positions were written for concert band and the Boston Brass Quintet. The concer-to, Mystic Dance, was written for J. D. Shaw, the F horn player of the Boston Brass.
Nouveau Brass is Northeastern Music’s new series for brass solo and ensemble. All performance levels are available. A majority of music in this series is written for profes-sionals playing for weddings and other ven-ues. A special feature is music written espe-cially for the Boston Brass by J. D. Shaw.
Just on the market and receiving rave re-views is the new beginning string method by Denese Odegaard, Simply Strings. The philos-ophy of this method is to go back to the days when the pedagogy did the work, not cute graphics, with so much on a page that the method looks complicated. Denese Odegaard has used and perfected this method for 20 years. The accompanying CD is a recording of the piano accompaniment for the songs in the book. It is a simple accompaniment and very easy for the young musician to follow.
¡Simplemente! Mariachi is described as the only mariachi method to teach students from the beginning how to play an instrument in mariachi style. This method is by Marcia Neel and her team of mariachi educators in the school sys-tem of Las Vegas, Nev.
Northeastern Music Publications is now distributing Kevin Lepper Percussion. This series makes available music at all grade levels for percussion solo and ensemble.
For the last few years, Northeastern Mu-sic has produced books for the educator. Three new books available for private and group lessons are The Complete Saxophonist,by James Houlik and Eric Lauver, Melodic Etudes for Saxophone, and Melodic Etudes for Clarinet, by Ted Hegvik. Both authors are renowned classical saxophonists.
Kendor PublishingIn March, Kendor Music issued Ken-
dor Recital Solos, a series of solo books for
young (grade 1-2) instrumentalists – fl ute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, horn in f, trombone, baritone t.c. and b.c., and tuba. Each contains 10 solos, many of which have been previously published in single editions and appear on several state contest lists. Each solo book also includes a CD featuring two recorded tracks for each piece – one with a profes-sional soloist accompanied by piano, and one with the piano accompaniment only. The solo and piano accompaniment books will be published separately.
Hal LeonardSinger’s Musi-
cal Theatre An-thology – Vol. 5.The popular se-ries has been ex-panded, and this edition includes many songs not found in other collections. The 40 songs in each volume are in the original keys, excerpted from vocal scores and piano/conductor re-hearsal scores. Includes both recent shows and a deeper look into classic musicals.
At a Glanceseries. This is a new instructional book/DVD series for musicians. This series pairs instructional DVD lessons, each taught by a professional guitarist, with a coordinating book for a comprehensive learning experience. Each book features several lessons pertaining to one topic, and the DVD lessons feature on-screen music. The lessons include valuable tips and information, and popular song examples help to demonstrate the concepts in action. Five volumes so far have been re-leased: Beginning Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Chords, Guitar Scales & Modes, and Guitar Shred. All retail for $9.95.
Stuff! series. This series offers full tips and tricks for musicians. Styles such as rock, jazz, blues, R&B, and funk are rep-resented through demonstrations of au-
MMR_86 86 3/21/08 11:48:37 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 87
thentic grooves appropriate for each style. The ac-companying CD includes many of the examples in the book, per-formed both in solo format and in a full-band set-ting to hear how concepts fi t in with other instruments and ensembles. Titles in the series currently include Stuff! Good Piano Players Should Know, Stuff! Good Guitar Players Should Know, Stuff! Good Bass Play-ers Should Know, and Stuff! Good Drum-mers Should Know. Each book is 114 pages, comes with CD, and retails for $19.95.
25 Great se-ries. This series provides a look at the genesis of rock and blues guitar and of pop saxophone. These book and CD compendi-ums provide solo transcriptions in standard notation and tablature, lessons on how to play them, biographies, equipment, photos, history, and much more. The accompanying CDs contain full-band demonstrations of ev-ery solo in the book. The CD is enhanced with Amazing Slow Downer software so you can adjust the recording to any tem-po without changing pitch.
Carl FischerProgressive
Duets for Strings Volumes I and II is for vio-lin, viola, cello and bass, and is based on the similarly titled series for winds. Composed and arranged by Doris Gazda and Larry Clark, this collection of duets will be useful in a variety of performance situations and is a way for the student to build ensemble skills with a colleague or teacher.
Protocol: A Guide to the Collegiate Audi-tion Process, compiled and edited by Larry Clark and Daniel Schmidt, is aimed at stu-dents who want to ace that college entrance audition. It is created to combat a com-mon criticism from college-level instruc-
tors that many prospective students do not come prepared with adequate audition ex-perience. Currently books are available for fl ute, clarinet, and trumpet players.
The Art of Violin Playing has been the treatise on playing the violin for almost eighty years. Book 2, by Eric Rosenblith, has carefully translated the text to make it more accessible to a contemporary audience. It has been newly engraved and typeset.
Beginning Hand Drumming: A Guide to Recreation and Wellness by Jill Sager, is a new instructional DVD that is an easy-to-follow guide to the basics of hand drum-
ming. It includes an instructional booklet that guides the viewer through the pro-cess of learning to play the hand drum. All of the lessons are thor-ough and user friendly, and it is aimed at a range of us-ers such as drummers of all ages, private drum teachers, music therapists, and rec-reation centers.
Cremona bowed instruments have set the pacefor the vibrant student and rental markets for over25 years. Strict adherence to international sizingrequirements, domestic educational set-up standardsand continuous quality improvement have madeCremona Violins, Violas, Basses and Cellos provensales leaders.
Our best-selling, ebony fitted SV-175 CremonaPremier Violin Outfit has again been upgraded toinclude the new LaSalle LB-15 Octagonal Bow andthe TL-33 deluxe rectangular Travelite case.
Meeting the Needs of Studentsfor More Than 25 Years ...
Our Best-Selling SV-175 Cremona Violin!
SV-175
[800] BUY-SAGAwww.sagamusic.comDealer inquiries invited.
•Six sizes from 4⁄4 to 1⁄16
•Long lasting ebony fittings
•Finetuner tailpiece for precise, easytuning
•Rugged TL-33 Travelite case
•All-solid carved, graduated construction
•Well-balanced LaSalle LB-15 bowwith ebony frog
Cremona SV-175 Violin Outfit:
$169Suggested Retail
Still
MMR_87 87 3/21/08 11:48:42 AM
PROF I LE
88 MMR APRIL 2008
Internationally acclaimed violinist
Mark Wood has played with stars as
big as Celine Dion, Billy Joel, and
Lenny Kravitz, and is lead violinist
for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He
has half a dozen CDs on his own and
is an Emmy-winning composer. But
that’s only part of the story.
Increasingly Wood has focused his at-tention on two of his other vocations. As a manufacturer, his company, Wood Violins, is offering more electric bowed instruments, in-cluding a new mass-produced model that will retail below $800. Education is also taking in-creasingly dominant role in his life – he’s turn-ing kids on to the Gospel According to Electric Violin. Under the slogan “Finally – it’s cool to play the violin,” Wood is creating new players and new customers for new instruments.
Wood Violins’
ManMissionon a
Mark Wood—
MMR_88 88 3/21/08 11:49:17 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 89
And, as his unique violin playing is often compared to some of rock’s great-est guitarists, it’s not a stretch for him to put frets on a violin.
“All our instruments are available with frets,” he notes. “Why? One, it introduc-es guitar players to the violin; it makes it friendly for the player. Second, string players can learn to play chords easily on a fretted violin. Finally, when you’re play-ing at high volume, it’s much easier to play in tune when you have frets. And as we know, nothing is more horrifying than a violin being played out of tune!”
He says his biggest challenge of the last 10 years as a manufacturer is getting the idea across that putting a pickup on a violin does not make it an electric violin – “it just makes a violin loud. I want to motivate and inspire string players like guitar players are inspired. People like Steve Vai and David Gilmour, have changed the way we thought of guitar. They really motivate [the market] …
“String players are the sleeping giant of the musical instrument industry, my friend.”
Speaking recently from a hotel room in Kansas City, Wood was on the road not only as a perform-er, but as an educa-tor and clinician. He says he has worked with over 1,000 string players in the past two weeks. “I’m work-ing with universities, high schools, middle schools, even elemen-tary schools – you gotta get them when they are young,” he emphasize. “I do mas-ter classes at Julliard and Eastman, and I’m honored to do those, but unfortu-nately those string players can’t always understand the new techniques. That’s the struggle for me. I’m going to nur-
ture the younger generation so that in 10 years we can take over the world!”
Part of Wood’s strategy for global domi-nation (at least the string instrument playing
realm) is based on the model of guitar players. Putting frets on a vio-lin, and creating electric instruments with fi ve, six, and seven strings is opening the electric string instrument to a whole world of players.
“Guitars are a bil-lion-dollar business; strings just $53 mil-lion,” he comments. “What’s wrong with
this picture? We should have a billion-dollar industry for strings, too.”
Wood points out that improvisation is completely left out of the typical string player’s education. “[Improvisation] is
Wood at work: reaching young string players is high on the artist’s priority list these days.
“String players are the sleeping giant
of the musical instrument industry,
my friend.”
MMR_89 89 3/21/08 11:49:26 AM
where the magic happens, yet thousands of string players don’t know how to do it -- and I was one of them! You can get all the way to Julliard and not even know what key you’re playing in. You just play your part and go home. To me that’s very narrow.”
Reinventing an InstrumentWood, appropriately, comes from a
family of wood workers. His grandfa-ther was the architect who built the main building where Ford cars were built in the 1930s. Another family member built furniture for Amelia Earhart. His father made religious furniture for temples and churches, and the wood shop was just a few minutes from his home in New York.
“I would ride my bike down to the shop and just started trying
to build violins,” Wood says. Already a prolifi c
string player at 10, he ini-tially just wanted to build a
“cooler looking” violin. He quickly realized that acoustically the traditional shape of a violin was that way for a reason -- but as for electric versions, the pos-sibilities were limited only by the imagination.
Not that Wood neglected his traditional studies: Jul-liard recognized his talents at the viola and gave him a scholarship. During his time there, Eddie Van Halen burst onto the scene. “I thought, ‘I got to play like that on the viola,’” he remembers. So Wood dropped out of school, moved back home, and be-gan reinventing not only the instru-ment, but also the
pedagogy that went with it. Soon the one-of-a-kind instruments he created -- the extra strings, the double necks -- drew almost as much attention has his playing.
“When I got my record deal, the strug-gle for me was that at fi rst I wanted to be the only guy to play these odd instruments,” he says. “Then I was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1992, and all these requests for the instrument came in.”
Thus was the beginning of making his seven-string Viper, with frets, along with a patented support system, available for sale. The instrument is actually the entire string family, and is able to play a seven-octave range. “It’s insane, but somebody had to do it!” he laughs.
Working with partner Joe Domjan in a spacious barn on Long Island, they would build their high-end instruments, which could cost $5,000 or more. “That market was a small demographic,” he says. “But we weren’t addressing more than 90% of the market.” This has led to the recent signifi cant advancement for Wood Violin: the Stingray SV-4.
“It’s aimed at the entry-level market, and priced at about $800,” Wood says. “This includes the instrument, bow, case, head-phones, pre-amp, and a specially designed amp, the fi rst amp we know of that has been designed by a violin player for violin. Also, a Wood Wah pedal is included because you need a wah pedal.” To complete the turn-key package, the customer also becomes privy to a “secret” Web site that features downloadable play-along tracks.
“There’s a Revolution Happening”
For his new line of lower-priced in-struments, he says, “I’ve created an ex-perience where almost immediately the player is exploring exciting new terri-tory -- every component of the Stingray SV-4 turn-key experience connects and resonates with the performance of a new sound and new music.”
For retailers, it’s a matter of whether or not they want to part of “the most exciting
and fastest-growing part of the industry,” he contends. “There’s a revolution happen-ing, and when you look at sales of electric violins in just the last 10 years, it’s astound-ing how fast it’s going. Every new string player is demanding more from their string experience, and just like guitarist typically have an acoustic guitar and a couple of electrics, that will be what violinists want.”
Ready and willing to straddle both the traditional and more contemporary
string worlds, Wood proudly tells that he’s been recently elected to the board of the American String Teachers Associa-tion (ASTA.)
Passionate about everything he does, Wood especially gets excited when talk-ing about his role as an educator. “It’s an honor to get to do what I do, and I see a great opportunity,” he says. “It’s all about the music -- that’s what inspires me. Every day I wake up in a different ho-tel, sometime not even knowing exactly where I am, but I never question that I have a purpose in this.”
Wood Violins receive daily emails and calls about how his workshops have inspired a player. Common too are stories of kids just about to put the violin down for good, but who are now embracing it as never before because of one of his appearances.
Just recently, he was working with a large student orchestra and randomly pulled a 17-year-old girl from the back to work with. “Out of nowhere she respond-ed to the music and the electric violin,” Wood recalls. “She was shy at fi rst, but then she was rocking out on Led Zeppe-lin and by the end of the workshop she was on cloud nine.” Wood learned later that only the day before his workshop the young woman had tried to commit sui-cide. A teacher who knows her well went so far as to say Wood had saved the girl’s life.
“When things like that happen, that truly makes me feel something is hap-pening here that is on a higher level,” he says. “I don’t take it lightly.”
For more information, visit www.wood-violins.com.
90 MMR APRIL 2008
“Guitars are a billion-dollar business; Strings just $53 million.
What’s wrong with this picture?”
MMR_90 90 3/21/08 11:49:32 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 91
SuppliersceneNS Design Offers New Bass CelloThe NS Design four-string CR4 bass cello offers authentic up-right bass tone with a 34” bass guitar scale and standard bass tuning. The CR4 uses the NS Polar Pickup System for a natu-ral acoustic upright sound, as well as an arched fi ngerboard so the instrument can be bowed as well as plucked. Custom EMG magnetic pickups add smooth, electric bass tones into the mix. The bass cello is supplied with a deluxe padded gig bag and the Boomerang Strap System.www.nedsteinberger.com
RS Berkeley announces that the company will be working closely with violinist and MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter to cre-
ate the Regina Carter Violin Collection. The collection will include violins modeled after Joseph Guarneri and Antonio Stradi-
vari. Carter will work closely with luthier A.J. Pantalone on the instru-ments and will personally inspect each model. She is also currently touring in support of her new release I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey. Carter has performed with jazz luminaries such as Wynton Mar-salis, Marian McPartland, and Ken-ny Baron, along with pop stars Dolly Parton and Billy Joel. She became the fi rst jazz musician to play on a violin owned by violinist Nicolo Paganini. www.rsberkeley.com
RS Berkeley To Unveil Regina Carter Violin Collection
MMR_91 91 3/21/08 11:50:03 AM
92 MMR APRIL 2008
Supplierscene
Zildjian Releases Two New SticksAdrian Young of No Doubt has rede-signed his Zildjian Artist Series drum-stick for 2008. The redesigned model creates a unique-looking stick: the back half of the stick is black with Young’s name printed on the stick in signature “No Doubt” text in a silver checkerboard graphic, while the front half is white. Complemented by a black nylon tip for
extra durability and clear projection, this hickory stick is 16.5” in length and 0.585” in diameter.
Zildjian also introduces the Antonio Sanchez Artist Series drumstick. It is 16.25” long with a 0.550” diameter and is suited for jazz, funk, or fusion. San-chez has played with the Pat Metheny Group, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman,
and Michael Brecker. His model com-bines a standard shaft with extra length and a heavier front end, which allow for heavier hitting when the music demands it. The stick features a barrel tip for excel-lent stick defi nition and full drum tones, and is fi nished with Sanchez’s “Diablo” signature in metallic red.www.zildjian.com
On-Stage Stands Camera/Recorder AdapterOn-Stage Stands releases the new CM01 video camera/digital recorder adapter. At-tach this innovative adapter to any 5/8” 27-threaded microphone stand to support a video camera or digital recorder with standard ¼” threaded female inserts. This
universal adapter also holds docu-ment cameras for classroom ap-plications. The adapter’s ball head allows for independent pan and tilt with 360-degree pan movement and 180-degree tilt. It also features
an over-sized locking knob, neoprene rubber mount platform, and nickel-plated construction. The
CM01 supports up to six pounds and lists for $20.
www.onstagestands.com
Other episodes: Arlington Guitar Show, upcoming: George Gruhn, Bugs Henderson, Archtops w/ Tom Van Hoose, Scotty Moore.
For more info, and to order call (918) 724-2642
Retail Price $17.95 dealer price $9.00,$ 8.00 in qty. 10 or more
Attention Guitar DealersHot new DVD Series
“Talkin’ Guitars”Display and Sell
See How Martin Guitars are made.
1 ½ hour DVD Video
MMR_92 92 3/21/08 11:50:10 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 93
Dava Launches Jazz GripsFollowing the popular Dava Grip Tips, new Dava Jazz Grips offer players excep-tional quality, feel, and tone.
When Dava brought out the first picks with a completely rubber-ized grip in 2005 they became an im-mediate hit with players and deal-ers alike. “Dava picks are one of our best-selling brands,” says Michael Lee Ostrander, guitar de-partment manager for Grandma’s Mu-sic & Sound, Albuquerque, N.M. “We go through a cabinet of Grip Tips in a week and a half.”
With popular demand for the Grip Tips running high, musicians began asking for the same pick in a jazz-sized
model and Dava responded by adding the smaller Jazz Grip to its patented lineup.
Jazz Grips come in three differ-ent materials -- nylon, delrin, and
ultem -- to provide players with a variety of tones. The rubber grip is the same
thickness as the pick so there’s no
bulky feel, in fact, quite the opposite. Play-
ers get a tight, snug fit with all the grip and confidence they need for the ul-timate playing experience. An unex-pected benefit is that they’re great for kid-sized hands, too. Dava Jazz Grips list for $1.25 ea. www.davapick.com
Aim Gifts Purses & LuggageAim Gifts announces its new line of purses and luggage. They have a high-quality, uniquely designed weather-re-sistant PVC fabric, which is fully lined and includes brass zippers. Included are a 17” shopper, handbag, 12” tote, and 20” and 24” suitcase.www.aimgifts.com
Have Your Store Logo on Flutes, Saxophones, Trumpets Clarinets…
Send us a logo and your order, and it will be ready in 3 days!Completion of assembly in our New York warehouse. One yearwarranty included, $50 one time set-up, and $5 per instrument.
AMERICA LONGXING INC.3300 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101
(718)706-0828 ■ FAX (718)706-0128
www.huntermusical.com
WITH PRIVATE LABEL INSTRUMENTS
Your Name Here
Your Name Here Your Name
Here
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
MUSICSTORE
OWNERSWe Offer Solutions
To Your Cash Flow Needs!
RENT-TO-OWNDo you need capital? For Expansion? Fall Dating?, etc?
Let us be your Bank down the street.
We will turn your rental receivablesinto working capital!
RETAIL FINANCINGWe deal only with music stores
and have programs that will give youapprovals and increase retail sales.
National Music Funding4095 AVENIDA DE LA PLATA
OCEANSIDE, CA 92056
[email protected] 800-981-6874 Fax 888-660-0798
MMR_93 93 3/21/08 11:50:16 AM
94 MMR APRIL 2008
Talkin’ Guitars, a designed-for-television program dedicated to advancing under-standing, appreciation, and enthusiasm for guitars, is now available.
John Southern, a Tulsa, Okla.-based photographer and musician, is writing, directing, and producing the shows.
Currently formatted on DVD for retail sales, each show will feature a one-on-one interview with notable fi gures in the guitar world, a guest performance, and a guitar lesson using
Southern’s copyrighted “Guitarcam”, which allows the viewer to see fi ngerings from the guitarist’s view – at full- and half-speed to simplify learning.
“As the name Talkin’ Guitars implies, we will lit-
erally be giving voice to the guitar through interviews and visits,” Southern said. “By design, Talkin’ Guitars’ landscape will be broad and varied, but will always involve promoting knowledge, understanding, and playing enjoyment for the guitar en-thusiast. Talkin’ Guitars is suited for an audience as young as 12 but will be en-joyed by older players/collectors as well.”
The fi rst show was taped at the Arling-ton (Texas) Guitar Show, the biggest guitar show in the world. Southern interviewed Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembree of Vin-tage Guitar Price Guide as to instrument values, as well as Tom Wittrock, an expert on the f 1959 Les Paul “Burst” electric gui-tar which can sell for as much as $300,000 in the vintage market. Will Ray, of Helle-casters fame, is the guest guitarist.
Subsequent shows will feature Scotty Moore, lead guitarist for Elvis Presley, Chris Martin, the CEO of C. F. Martin, and George Gruhn, owner of Nashville’s Gruhn Guitars and a noted authority on guitars.
The initial shows are designed for a 30-minute television time slot. Southern said that future shows could easily be ex-panded to a full hour. The initial shows will be made available to MI stores and chains as well as to individuals. The retail price is $18.95 each and can be ordered directly by phoning (918) 724-2642.
Asked to compare Talkin’ Guitars to other shows, Southern said, “There is sim-ply nothing out there like it.” He added that he expects Talkin’ Guitars to become for guitar enthusiasts what the Speed Channel’s American Muscle Car and Car Crazy programs are to car afi cionados or PBS’s Antiques Road Show is to those in-terested in collectibles of all kinds.
John Southern encourages inquiries from individuals, MI stores, television stations, and other media. Email [email protected]
SuppliersceneTalkin’ Guitars TV Concept Debuts
D’Addario & Company, Inc. - Farmingdale NY 11735 USAPlanet Waves and Music Utility Company are trademarks of D’Addario & Company, Inc. or its affi liates in the United States and/or other countries. © 2008. All rights reserved.
For more information go to
Available at your favorite retailer or at www.planetwaves.com
With over 7000 chords, a precision tuner and metronome, the Planet Waves CTM is the
quintessential guitar reference tool.
(Chordmaster • Tuner • Metronome)
MMR_94 94 3/21/08 11:50:22 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 95
New Violet Design MicsFDW-Worldwide announces two addi-tions to the Violet Design microphone line. The Pearl Vocal, a live condenser handheld, and The Wedge, a large car-dioid condenser studio microphone, are both designed “to create an impression on even the most fastidious of audio gu-rus,” states FDW.
Pearl Vocal is a high-end condenser vocal microphone. It boasts a full au-dio spectrum with detailed highs, ar-ticulated vocal presence, optimized low-end response, and a unidirectional polar pattern that reduces ambient noise and acoustic feedback. Its inter-nal shockmount system, coupled with its sturdy construction greatly reduc-es external and handling noise. The 21mm single diaphragm, composed of calibrated film, is irregularly sputtered with an exclusive gold alloy formula and accurately tensioned on a specially made backplate. Pearl Vocal’s internal electronics are based on a fully discrete, Class ‘A’ solid state transformer-less circuit. A stable connection is always present through a gold-plated XLR out-put connector.
The Wedge condenser studio micro-phone has a large dual-diaphragm cap-sule designed for professional recording at the highest level. It brings a neutral yet detailed sound with transparent highs, near-fl at low-end response, and a smooth midrange with optimized slight presence bump centered at 3kHz. Its wedge shape effectively reduces plosive sounds and other noises such as wind or breath. The Wedge’s capsules are made of high-qual-ity, 6-micron Mylar fi lm, while the dia-phragm is precisely tensioned and adjusted on backplates and sputtered with Violet Design’s exclusive gold alloy mixture. This process allows The Wedge to give a faster impulse transient response without sound coloration or low-frequency reduction, and enables it to handle louder sound pressure levels. Like the Pearl Vocal, The Wedge uses a Class ‘A’, fully discrete transformer-less circuit. It can be used in a wide range of studio applications and is especially ef-fective for recording drums.www.violetusa.com
IK Multimedia announces that a special edition of IK Multimedia’s SampleTank, with sounds from over $3,500 worth of IK’s award-winning virtual instrument products, will come bundled inside the Yamaha X-Factor DVD, which ships with
all Yamaha music production products. This includes Miroslav Philharmonik, SampleMoog, Sonik Synth 2, Sample-Tron, Studiophonik, and SampleTank 2.5.www.ikmultimedia.com
IK Multimedia Teams with Yamaha
MMR_95 95 3/21/08 11:50:27 AM
SuppliersceneWillis Music and Hal Leonard release two new supplementary titles to the Teaching Little Fingers to Play method: Teaching Little Fingers to Play Disney Tunes and Teaching Lit-tle Fingers to Play More Disney Tunes. Written
by John Thompson, this series is among the biggest-selling piano publications of all time. The pieces include optional teacher accompa-niment. Titles in the fi rst book include “The Bare Necessities,” “Can You Feel the Love
Tonight,” and the “Mickey Mouse March,” among seven others; the second in the series features “Circle of Life,” “Colors of the Wind,” “A Whole New World,” and others.www.halleonard.com
Clarinet ‘Squeak Terminator’Dosch Music announces the Squeak Termi-nator, which helps show beginning clarinet players the proper embouchure for playing their instrument, virtually eliminating all em-bouchure-related squeaks that are frequently produced by beginning players. Developed by music teacher Warren Dosch, it was tested on his students over many years. The spacer device, made of FDA-approved materials, is placed on the clarinet mouthpiece or around the ligature. It retails for $5.95.www.squeakterminator.com
Colorado Case Adds Flute/Piccolo BagColorado Case Company expands its Ca-vallaro line with a new backpack- style case holding a fl ute or piccolo, along with music, laptop, and more. The case can be car-ried like a briefcase or a backpack. The outside features a horizontal pocket and a vertical pocket for access when carried as a backpack, as well as a removable shoulder strap. Inside, the case is lined with shearling material for cushioning and style. There is a separate internal compartment for a fl ute or pic-colo, along with an assortment of dividers for holding small items like business cards, pens, and keys. www.coloradocase.com
Willis Music Adds to Teaching Little Fingers to Play
96 MMR APRIL 2008
Becker stringed instruments are precision-crafted in Romania following centuries-old European tradition. All are fashioned from select, aged northernCarpathian tonewoods, hand-finished to bring out their tonal and visual beauty, and professionally set up in the USA to our exacting standards.
With those advantages,why not try Becker in your program?
Visit Becker online at www.BeckerInstruments.com Kaman Music Corp., P.O. Box 507, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Old-World Craftsmanship For Today’s Young Musicians
Beautiful...Inside and Out
MMR_96 96 3/21/08 11:50:31 AM
‘Shackle’ Drum RugsJeff Klinkefus is a Southern California-based custom drum rug manufacturer/designer and avid drummer. He consult-ed with numerous professional drum-mers searching for the perfect drum rug design. After many prototypes, Klinkefus developed the “Shackle” drum rug.
Drum Axis (formerly Wild Rugs) has unveiled two versions of the Shackle models with built-in Velcro tie straps so that when folded and in transit the 4’ x 4’ rug measure only 25”x10”x4” and can also be used to stow sticks, hard-ware, or other accessories. The product comes with one pair of the plastic Velcro stoppers (colors vary), a 3” wide strip of Velcro positioned at the rug’s tip to insure no bass drum drift during per-formance.
The standard 4’ x 4’ size is the com-pany’s most popular version. The other model Shackle, a custom order, has all the same features in a larger 6’ x 6’ size.
Principally designed for live perfor-mance use, the rugs can be used in a studio environment as well. The smaller
Shackle weighs 5.5 lbs. and the large weighs in at 9.3 lbs. MSRP for the 4’ x 4’ Shackle equipped with two Velcro stoppers is $79.95 and is available with a red or white vinyl piping. The 6’ x 6’ size is available with a wide variety of colors for the pip-
ing along the border and has an MSRP of $129.95.
Drum Axis also is in the
process of making a stick bag that will have the feel of a 1970s chop-per seat. For more information con-tact Drum Axis at: (310) 909-8549. Fax: (801) 730-4337, www.drumaxis.com
APRIL 2008 MMR 97
LM Gunslinger Guitar StrapsThe new Gunslinger straps from LM Straps give guitarists some real am-
munition on stage. Available in heavy duty, easy sliding nylon or pinstripe wool, the Gunsling-ers are also made extra long. They feature an innova-tive way to have extra picks right where you need them. Gunslingers
feature full-grain leather ends and are also available with side release buckles.www.lmproducts.com
We Asked!21mm 30mm
30mm
usb(mini)
DC
AC
8mm20mm
20amp
20mm
POWER
19 All New Handcrafted Solid Wood Acoustic Guitars
Now Interviewing Quality Independent Retailers Across America
Starting at $698 US Retail
1800•
717•
9952
ww
w.tim
berlineguitars.com
MMR_97 97 3/21/08 11:50:38 AM
98 MMR APRIL 2008
Utilizing the same double shelf desk as its KB1FS, Hamilton Stands has announced the KB95ES-1, Encore Double Shelf Music Stand. The desk is constructed of steel and made with rolled edges that resist bending,
deep corner gussets, and re-inforcing ribs for rigidity and long life. The second shelf of-fers ample room for articles such as bows, rosin, sticks, mal-
lets, pencils, and erasers. It is lined with black felt
to reduce noise. The stand is engineered for stability and fea-
tures Hamilton’s E-Z Just clutch, a tapered fi t between the low-er tube and base that will not wobble, and
a riveted and welded hub-and-foot con-struction. The suggested retail price is $62. www.hamiltonstands.com
SuppliersceneHamilton’s Double Shelf Music Stand
Contact us today for program details and to learn more about becoming an authorized dealer.
800-266-7225 or music-accessories.net
Innovative design and professionalengineering have led to the creation ofAir Pressure Dispersion Technology™ -the most effective method for ensuringpop-free recording - available exclusivelyfrom Music Accessories.
Not your ordinary POP FILTER!POP FILTER!Split ScreenPop Filter
1st screendiffuses air
2nd screen diffusesany remaining airpressure and passesfull-range vocals
Our pop filtersare engineeredto perform.
Openingbetween screensdisperses air�relievespressure�
Thanks to A.P.D.T™�Air Pressure DispersionTechnology�, our SplitScreen Pop Filter eliminatesunwanted explosive �P� and�B� consonants to satisfythe most discriminatingcustomer.
ALSO AVAILABLEALSO AVAILABLE
Mapex Launches “My Pro M” On WebsiteMapex announced the launch of its new MY PRO M program now available on the Mapex USA website (http://usa.ma-pexdrums.com/my-pro-m). MY PRO M allows consumers to go online and choose from a wide range of Pro M components and a widely expanded range of fi nish op-tions to create their own custom confi gura-tions. The Mapex Pro M series features all maple shells in a wide range of component sizes. For the fi rst time, consumers can order a Pro M confi guration with chrome or black chrome hardware and can choose from any of the Saturn series lacquer fi n-ishes. Users must register and declare a “preferred dealer” at the time of registra-tion. Once a user has completed a set-up, they can then send it to their preferred dealer for a quote. Mapex dealers can de-termine a selling price and then contact the consumer to complete the order. When the drum set is completed it is then shipped to the dealer, where the kit can be inspected and prepared for pickup by the customer. usa.mapexdrums.com/my-pro-m
MMR_98 98 3/21/08 11:50:44 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 99
You Answered!21mm 30mm
30mm
usb(mini)
DC
AC
8mm20mm
20amp
20mm
POWER
BBE Sound Wah PedalThe new wah pedal from BBE Sound is based on a 1967 Class A circuit design featuring a “halo” inductor which the company has re-engineered and tuned to re-create those sounds made famous by players such as Clapton and Hendrix. The halo is essential to its unique vocal-like qualities. In addition, a custom de-signed potentiometer provides a natural sweeping response while BBE has also added a “harmony” control allowing players to tailor the wah sound to their individual tastes. Apart from an on/off LED indicator, as with all BBE pedals, the wah incorporates true hardwire bypass for a clean signal path when the effect is bypassed. http://www.bbesound.com
Ernie Ball Music Man announces the ar-rival of two new Ball Family Reserve in-struments as well as a trio of new color options for all Reserve instruments. Fea-turing all the standard features of the Al-bert Lee Signature guitar, the Albert Lee BFR boasts a southern ash body with a book-matched maple top, a mahogany tone block, and a sleek maple neck. The guitar is solely offered in Pink Burst, which Music Man has brought out of re-tirement exclusively for this guitar. The MSRP starts at $3,500. Toeing the line between a guitar and a bass, the John Petrucci Baritone BFR touts an alder
body with a book-matched maple top. A 27.5” scale instrument, the instrument is equipped with one DiMarzio custom humbucker pickup in the neck and one DiMarzio D-Sonic humbucker pickup in the bridge. The MSRP is $4,199. Music Man also introduces three colors for the BFR series, all with a “burst” confi gura-tion: tobacco burst, emerald burst, and amethyst burst.www.ernieball.com
Ernie Ball Music Man Adds Two Models
MMR_99 99 3/21/08 11:50:52 AM
100 MMR APRIL 2008
SuppliersceneStewart Copeland Signature Kit from TamaStewart Copeland, Tama’s longest-term drum endorser, now has a signature set to go with his signature snare. However, un-like his signature brass-shelled snare, his “Return of the Rhythmatist” starclassic ma-ple kit is limited to only 50 sets worldwide, approximately 15 of which are destined for the United States. The Police Blue Sparkle
set is based on the specs of Copeland’s own kit used on the 2007 Police world reunion tour. Two versions, Complete and Stan-dard, will be available. The S112S standard 11-piece kit lists for $9,750. The S142S com-plete 14-piece kit lists for $12,800. Optional hardware/stand packages start at $2,180.www.tama.com
SilverFox has added articulation of the redesigned “XT” (eXtreme Tip) acorn-shaped tip. The generous dimensions of the acorn provide a full-bodied attack. The new SilverFox silver logo is placed just about where the thumb sits on the stick. Strengthened by SilverFox’s exclu-sive Duracrylx fi nish, the result is solid stability with increased punch and defi -
nition. The updated SilverFox 5B hickory stick is versatile, with its overall length of 16 3/16” and .5” L x .38” W acorn tip.
Strengthened with the Duracrylx fi nish, the 5B is perfect for rock drumming.www.BestStick.com
SilverFox Announces Two New Stick Models
MMR_100 100 3/21/08 11:50:58 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 101
Come & Get It!7 DC & 7 AC OutletsComputer ControlledSequence All AC/DC Outlets7000 JoulesReduce Noise, Heat & WasteFir mware & Sof tware Upgrades
Pro-Mark Names New Product EndorsersPro-Mark welcomes the following drummers to its family of endorsers: Ja-son Bonham (Led Zeppelin/Foreigner), Chris Corsano (Bjork), Dom Howard (Muse), Garrett Goodwin (Carrie Un-derwood), Arthur Latin II (Harry Con-nick, Jr. ), Steve Clifford (Circa Survive), Aquiles Priester (Hangar). Also joining the company’s roster of endorsers are the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corp.www.promark.com
Conn-Selmer announces the increased production of traditional models, such as the TR300H USA trumpet, as well as the introduction of three new U.S.-made in-struments. The new models include the TR301 USA trumpet, the CR301 USA cor-net, and the TB301 trombone. The trum-pet and cornet each feature a nickel-silver receiver and red brass mouthpipe for dura-bility. Each also fea-tures a one-piece valve casing, monel pistons, fi rst slide thumb saddle, and adjustable third
slide fi nger ring. The trombone features a sturdy nickel-silver handgrip and braces and chrome-plated nickel-silver inner slide tubes to better hold slide alignment. The eight-inch bell and outside slide tubes are made of traditional yellow brass. www.conn-selmer.com
Bach Instruments Increase Availability
Washburn’s New Mandolins
For Washburn’s 125th anniver-sary they are introducing two new vintage-styled mando-lins. These mandolins feature a worn/used look as well as aged hardware and a thinner satin fi nish for a broken-in and well-played feel. Only premium woods like solid fl amed maple and solid
spruce have been used in crafting these in-
struments. Both feature aged hard-ware, ebonite tuner buttons, a hand-carved sol-id spruce top, and
solid fl amed maple sides and back. The
M118SW is a Florentine-style mandolin. Retail price
is $1,349.90. The M116SW is an A-style mandolin; retail price is $1,149.90. www.washburn.com
MMR_101 101 3/21/08 11:51:05 AM
SuppliersceneThe Music Link Offers Marketing ToolThe latest version of The Music Link’s dealer-minded marketing tool is out. Marketing Essentials 2008 is a CD-ROM filled with valu-able content to drive sales and pro-vide dealers with creative methods to advertise the best of what The Music Link has to offer. The CD-ROM features hundreds of high-res-olution product images, logos, hang tags, and the 2008 catalogs available in PDF format. It also has the latest product brochures that dealers can print and photos for all the latest products. Marketing Essentials is available free to active dealers. www.themusiclink.net
Roland Releases New SH-201 MaterialsRoland announce the release of two exclusive new downloadable SH-201 patch collections at its Web site, www.RolandUS.com. Located on the Current Promotions tab of the What’s New page, the new patch collections are free. The patch downloads, entitled Bass Collec-tion and Pads & Atmospheres, re-cre-ate some of the best-loved synthesizer
sounds from the past 25 years. The Bass Collection offers sounds from 1970’s funk through the 1980’s industrial/new wave scene, with classic house, techno, and jungle basses and more. The Pads & Atmospheres Collection features smooth, fat pads to sweeping fi lters and sound effects. www.RolandUS.com
Troops Receiving TalkingTabTalkingTabs is sending thousands of free Play-It-Now Tunes, which are audio guitar lessons for popular songs, to be packaged with the next 500 guitars being shipped to Iraq by Operation Happy Note. Included with these guitar song lessons will be the
TalkingTabs All-Audio Guitar Instruc-tion: Complete Beginners series. This beginner guitar course provides over 20 hours of easy-to-follow audio instruction delivered on CD. www.talkingtabs.com
102 MMR APRIL 2008
MMR_102 102 3/21/08 11:51:10 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 103
Mighty Bright Duet 2 Music LightMighty Bright has adapted the XtraFlex Duet light to provided double the light of the original Duet and offer more versatility with its AC adaptability. It is suited for large music stands, two- and three-page music scores, music books, and choral folios. The light contains
four Super LEDs, which provide three times the bright white light of a stan-dard LED and last over 100,000 hours. Two separate lighting heads each contain two LED bulbs, both with their own on-off
switch, offering the option to use one or both lights on each head. Outfit-
ted on two heavy-duty gooseneck arms, the light is energy efficient
and wireless, with a strong, large-opening clip.www.mightybright.com
Hal Leonard Releases West Side Story PublicationsHal Leonard has released two new publica-tions to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the musical West Side Story. A deluxe and completely revised piano/vocal selections
songbook is now available, and the fi rst-ever authen-tic transcription for concert band of Leonard Bern-stein’s Symphon-ic Dances is due out soon. The revised edition features all-new, re-edited music engravings of
13 songs for voice, piano, and guitar, including fi ve songs never before available outside of the full vocal score of the musical (including “Jet Song,” “One Hand, One Heart,” and “Gee, Offi cer Krupke”). The songbook also includes photos from the
original Broadway production—some never before in print; excerpts from the “West Side Story Log” Bernstein kept during the show’s composition and pre-Broadway develop-ment; and even facsimiles of Bernstein’s manuscript drafts.
In 1961, Bernstein extracted and re-ordered musical selections from West
Side Story for a New York Philharmonic gala. The result, Symphonic Dances, has become one of the most popular and frequently performed of Bernstein’s orchestral works. No authorized tran-scription of the suite has existed until now. www.halleonard.com
in the HotNewssectionof MMR’sWeb site!
FindBreakingNews
ww
w.M
MRm
agaz
ine.
com
MMR_103 103 3/21/08 11:51:14 AM
104 MMR APRIL 2008
Classifi eds Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
• Band and Orchestra Rentals• New and Like New Educator-Approved Brand Name Instruments• Personalized Rent-To-Own Program• No Franchise Fee or Inventory Investment• No Shipping Costs• High Commissions Paid the 1st of Every Month• Exceptional Service
Accessories
Distributors Welcome
www.mmrmagazine.com
BIGGEST MUSIC SCHOOLin the HOUSTON AREA
FOR SALE
25 Teachers; 500-plus students and 2-story bldg. in prime
real estate location with music store and rental space!
For more informationCall broker at 281 359-2593or Owner at 832 445-5668
For SaleMusic store for sale in small town
of Deer Park, WA. Seller wants to retire! Will sell building, inventory, and existing
customer base for $159,000 with attractive owner contract terms. Approx. 20% down
payment and you can go to work in this existing business. Building is older
home converted to retail space in thriving business area.
Call Jim Palmer Jr. - Real Estate Marketplace N.W. 509-276-5445
Business Opportunities
Business Opportunities
Instruction
Guy Lee’s“How To Make a Living
Teaching Guitar”Guytar Publishing
www.guytar.com
For Sale
CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE!check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!
MMR_104 104 3/21/08 11:53:25 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 105
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!
CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE!
Business Opportunities
MMR_105 105 3/21/08 11:53:31 AM
106 MMR APRIL 2008
Help Wanted
Solid, Reconditionable Pianos. Some have Benches.
Studios, Consoles, SpinetsLot Pricing: $195-$350
800-411-2363Fax: 216-382-3249 • Email: [email protected]
JAY-MART PIANO WHOLESALERSP.O. Box 21148 • Cleveland, OH • 44121
“The Piano Store For Piano Stores”
Merchandise
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
Due to our rapid expansion, Tycoon Percussion has the following positions open:
DIRECTOR OF SALESDirector of sales candidates must have 7-10 years sales experience in the music products industry with speci c knowledge of the drum and percussion market. This position will require travel within the USA as well as limited international travel.
INSIDE SALES ASSOCIATESTycoon Percussion has multiple positions open for inside sales associates. Successful candidate will have a minimum of two years retail, wholesale or telemarketing experience in the music products industry.
All positions will be full time and located in our USA head-quarters located in Chino, CA.
Please e-mail your letter of interest along with a current re-sume and salary requirements to [email protected]
To view our web-site, visit www.tycoonpercussion.com
No phone calls please.
MMR_106 106 3/21/08 11:53:37 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 107
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
Sales Manager for The Cavanaugh CompanyThe Cavanaugh Company is seeking an aggressive Sales Manager
for its three divisions of the company, Super-Sensitive Musical String Co., Black Diamond Strings and Bari Woodwind Supplies.
This position would be responsible for growing existing accounts and generating new business with dealers and distributors.
Have strong sales background and knowledge of the Music Industry and ability to develop these markets.
Education Sales Manager for The Cavanaugh Company
The Cavanaugh Company is seeking an aggressive Education Sales Manager for its three divisions of the company, Super-Sensitive Musical String Co.,
Black Diamond Strings and Bari Woodwind Supplies. This position would be responsible for developing relationships
and sales within the educator market of the Music Industry. May have the option to work from a satellite of ce.
The ability to travel and able to communicate with music teachers, professional musicians and other industry professionals.
Contact: Jim Cavanaugh941-371-0016 ext 2118
[email protected]: 941- 378-3617
Help Wanted
YAMAHA–KAWAI& MORE
CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PIANOS
Asian High Quality
No other supplier offers superior service before,
during and after the sale. You get what you pay for!
GUARANTEEDLANDED QUALITY
1-800-782-2694North American Music
11 Kay Fries DriveStony Point, NY 10980Fax: (845) 429-6920
FINANCING AVAILABLE
Merchandise CASES CASES CASES
Factory Direct!Any ATA Case For $99
Mixers, Amps, Heads, or Keyboardswww.newyorkcasecompany.com
877-692-2738
ACCORDIONS: All sizes — over 100 in stock — new & used. Regular, Electronic, MIDI, etc. JOHN GAUNT, Distributor, 1248 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 443-4113.
www.mmrmagazine.com
Merchandise
ACCORDIONS, CONCERTINAS, & BUTTON BOXES new, used, buy, sell, trade, repair, tune,
CASTIGLIONE DISTRIBUTING CO.13300 E 11 MILE WARREN, MI 48089
PH # 1-586-755-6050 WWW.CASTIGLIONEACCORDIONS.COM
www.mmrmagazine.com
MMR_107 107 3/21/08 11:53:42 AM
108 MMR APRIL 2008
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
Merchandise
300,000 Piano Lovers!That’s how many unique, piano loving people visit PianoWorld.com every month.
Be smart, advertise your piano or music related business where your new customers are hanging out.
PianoWorld.comHome of the world famous Piano Forums.
For more interesting statistics and advertising information:Visit www.PianoWorld.com/advertising ... Now!
MiscellaneousBAND INSTRUMENT REPAIR VIDEO
Save $$$ on repair expense. Earn extra income. Journeyman repairman offers “How To” videos on the repair of
brass and woodwind instruments. For information write to:
B.I.R.V. Co.880 Slater Rd.
Bellingham, WA. 98226(360) 384-6707
CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE!
check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!
Oboes & BassoonsWe create the fi nest hand-crafted Oboes
& Bassoons. Also replacement 5K Bassoon Bocals.
Linton Woodwinds Corporation, Jack Linton
1013 Alma St. Elkhart, IN 46514 U.S.A.PH: 1-866-220-2909 Fax: 574-266-7658
E-Mail: [email protected] www.LintonWoodwinds.com
MMR_108 108 3/21/08 11:53:47 AM
APRIL 2008 MMR 109
Product Distribution
FAST TURN-AROUND ON STOCK REPAIRS NATIONWIDE
NAPBIRT member, 25 Years Experience
Contact: Dan Rieck, [email protected]
REPAIRS BAND INSTURMENTS
SINCE 1946.Competitive prices,
100% satisfaction GUARANTEEDDealer inquiries invited.
Write or Call:PHILLIPS MUSIC CORPORATION
17668 State Highway BKirksville, MO 63501
660 665-5889
Repair Tools
FDW-Worldwide, the exclusive distributor of Violet Design and Nevaton microphones
in the Americas and the exclusive international distributor of Cable Up pro-line cables and
accessories is seeking to establish new strategic partnerships with manufacturers exploring the
outsourcing of their sales and marketing operations.We operate out of a 75,000 square foot facility
in Wisconsin and provide a wide range of services including sales, marketing, customer service, credit, service, warehousing, and shipping. We have sales representatives positioned
throughout the USA and Canada and can react immediately to expand your current distribution.
Contact Garry Templin, Brand Manager, at 615-308-7808 or visit www.fdw-w.com for more information.
BOW REHAIRING
Expert Bow ServiceOrder forms,Pricing and Shipping label at:
www.bowrehairing.com
Violin bows as low as $10.00 per bow in quantity incl. shipping (see website fordetails.) Large inventory of replacement parts both new and vintage.
IRA B. KRAEMER & Co.Wholesale Services Division
“An industry leader since 1967”467 Grant Avenue, Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076
Tel: 908-322-4469 Fax: 908 322-8613 e mail: [email protected]
Repair Tools
www.mmrmagazine.com
MMR_109 109 3/21/08 11:53:52 AM
110 MMR APRIL 2008
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
Used InstrumentsUsed 4 Less Music
over 2,000 used parts and 400 used instruments.
50 – 70% less than new.Repaired with one year
guarantee or not repaired.Brand names
Clarinets and utes from $50Alto saxes from $250
Everything from piccolos to SousaphoneClarinet & Flute repad $69
Call Jimmy Hayes 800 559-4472
Sales Reps Wanted
REPS WANTEDCodel Enterprises
J3 and Aslin Dane Guitars,Basses and Amps
Seeking ambitious guitar reps.Major territories open.
High commissionsBest Dealer Buying Program
Contact 860 408-1441 [email protected]
Sales Representatives Wanted!!
Michigan-based Brass, Woodwindand accessories line. Join a
great new organization with an “artist-endorsed” product.
Competitive Commissions with incentive.
Contact: [email protected]
Seeking EmploymentPianos/Digitals/Organs
I Don’t Sell, You Don’t PayCloser for hire!
20 years experienceOutside promo specialist
[email protected] • 561-379-4718
School Sales Reps Wanted INDEPENDENT SALES REPS
Sales Reps WantedBand & Orchestra Instruments
Most territories openA Great Job!
AMERICA LONGXING(718) 706-0828
Ask for Paul
SHIPPING YOUR PIANOwith Lone Wolf Trucking
is a “grand” idea!An independent, long-distance Mover
specializing in coast-to-coast
residential Relocation.
1-800-982-9505Alamogordo,
New Mexico. 88310ICC MC-256289
LOCAL & NATIONWIDE PIANO MOVING • CRATING • STORAGE •
(800) 222-2888(310) 830-3362 (FAX) • http://www.pianomove.com
Services
www.mmrmagazine.com
BAND INSTRUMENT REPAIRComplete woodwind/brasswind repair,
from rental return service to complete
overhauls. Dealers welcome. All work
guaranteed. Member of NAPBIRT.
Quality Repair Service
PH #574-268-5360
email:[email protected]
For 60 years we have provided musical instrument
repair tools to technicians and musicians around the world. We have a wide selection of pads and other supplies in
addition to our repair tools. Contact us today for a FREE CATALOG.
Repair Tools
Sales Reps Wanted
Services
Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site,
Breaking News
www.MMRmagazine.com
800-964-5150 ext. [email protected]
For Classifi ed Sales Call Maureen
MMR_110 110 3/21/08 11:53:57 AM
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
We’re
Buying
PianosWe are buying grands —
and smaller verticals
800-411-2363Fax: 216-382-3249
Email: [email protected]
Honest - Professional - We Sell Nationwide
JAY-MART PIANO WHOLESALERSP.O. Box 21148 • Cleveland, OH • 44121
“The Piano Store For Piano Stores”
Wanted To Buy
Visit the Classifi eds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com
400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 256-2033fax (615) 255-2021
www.gruhn.com
WE, BUY, SELL, TRADE and ship worldwide.
Written APPRAISALS available.
GRUHNGUITARS
What’s it worth?We buy, sell, trade, consign and appraise
fi ne guitars, banjos and mandolins.
629 Forest Ave., S.I., N.Y. 10310Phone (718) [email protected]
Vintage Showcase
Call Maureen Johan 800-964-5150, ext 34 or [email protected]
for Special Offer Details!
MARCH 2008 MMR 111
Vintage Instruments
Wanted USED TUBASANY CONDITION-CASH PAID
THE TUBA EXCHANGE1825 CHAPEL HILL RD.
DURHAM, NC 277071-800-869-8822
WWW.TUBAEXCHANGE.COM
WE, BUY, SELL, TRADE and ship worldwide.
Written APPRAISALS available.GRUHN GUITARS,
400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 256-2033fax (615) 255-2021 www.gruhn.com
www.mmrmagazine.com CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE!check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!
MMR_111 111 3/21/08 11:54:01 AM
Adindex
112 MMR APRIL 2008
COMPANY NAME E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS PAGE COMPANY NAME E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS PAGE
AAllparts 78Amati’s Fine Instruments www.Amatis.uscom 40America Longxing Inc. www.huntermusical.com 93American Way Marketing LLC [email protected] 100Anderson Silver Plating 102ASC www.sejungusa.com 67
BBaden Guitars www.badenguitars.com 37Benedetto Guitars www.BenedettoGuitars.com 99Bourgeois Guitars www.pantheonguitars.com 34Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd. www.jpstrings.com 78
CCable Up www.cableup.com 74CE Distribution www.cedist.com 37Composite Acoustics www.compositeacoustics.com 92Conn-Selmer www.conn-selmer.com 13
D/ED’Addario & Co. www.daddario.com 35D’Addario & Co. www.daddario.com 94The Dava Co. www.davapick.com 79Drum Axis www.drumaxis.com 92Drumnetics www.drumnetics.com 77Dunlop Manufacturing Inc. www.jimdunlop.com 16Eastwood Guitars www.eastwoodguitars.com 38EMG Inc. www.emgpickups.com 33Evets www.coolcatone.com 33
GGeorge L’s www.georgels.com 46Godlyke Inc. www.godlyke.com 34Godlyke Inc. www.godlyke.com 75Good for the Goose Products www.chopsaver.com 103Grover www.grotro.com 39
H/KHall Crystal Flutes Inc. www.hallflutes.com 45Hamilton Stands Inc. www.hamiltonstands.com 36Hanser Music Group www.hansermusicgroup.com 62Kaman Music Corp. www.kamanmusic.com 96Kenny G Saxophones/Golden Sound Distributors LLC www.goldensounddist.com 101Ken Smith Basses Ltd. www.kensmithbasses.com 46Kurzweil Music Systems www.youngchang.com 19Kyser Musical Products Inc. www.kysermusical.com 95
L/MLace Music Products www.lacemusic.com 47Mapex USA Inc. usa.mapexdrums.com 7Meisel Stringed Instruments www.meiselmusic.com 49Metropolitan Music Co. [email protected] 20Middle Atlantic Products, Inc. www.middleatlantic.com 98Morrell Music Dist. Co. www.morrellmusic.com 103MPathX mpathx.com 99MPathX mpathx.com 101
MPathX mpathx.com 97
NNady Systems Inc. www.nady.com 77NAMM www.namm.com 28-29National Educational Music Co. www.nemc.com 41National Music Funding www.nationalmusic.com 93New Sensor Corp. www.newsensor.com 25
PP & D Wholesale www.PDWholesale.net 79Petrof USA www.petrof.com 21PianoDisc www.pianodisc.com 5
RPRS Guitars (Paul Reed Smith) www.prsguitars.com 63Real de los Reyes www.realdelosreyes.com 68Redland Music Products www.redlandmusic.com 70Rockano Productions Ltd. www.guitarfacelift.com 65
SSaga Musical Instruments www.sagamusic.com 87Samick Music Corp. www.samickguitar.com 61Schecter Guitar Research www.schecterguitars.com 71Sennheiser Electronics www.sennheiserusa.com 23Seymour Duncan Pickups www.seymourduncan.com 39SHS International www.shsint.net 5Shubb Co. www.shubb.com 76SKB Corp. www.skbcases.com 69Stage Magic, Inc. www.pedalsnake.com 91Stash Picks Inc. www.stashpicks.com 72String Swing Mfg. Inc. www.stringswing.com 3Stringnet Co., Ltd www.eleuke.com 18Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. www.cavanaughcompany.com 26
T/UTalkin’ Guitars 91Timberline Guitars www.timberlineguitars.com; 97TKL Products Corp. www.tkl.com 1Tregan Guitars www.treganguitars.com 73Unk Guitars www.unkguitars.com 53
V/WV2Go www.v2gotech.com 57Vandoren www.vandoren.com 17Violet Design violetdesignusa.com 79Visual Sound www.visualsound.net cov 4W.D. Music Products Inc. www.wdmusic.com 66Waves www.waves.cim 54Wood Violins www.woodviolins.com 64Wyman Piano www.wymanpiano.com 18
Y/ZYamaha Corp. of America www.yamaha.com 11Young Chang www.youngchang.com 9Young Chang www.youngchang.com 27Avedis Zildjian Co. www.zildjian.com cov 3
selling cymbals & drumsticks
we’ve got
We are proud to introduce our new ‘go-to-market’ strategy called Zildjian DNA!By achieving excellence in Display, New Products, and Assortment, we can offer business benefits to you everyday through better inventory management, cash flow and more sales to your Customers! As we all share the same objectives for our businesses, we feel that our new DNA Program is the crucial link in our partnership as we look to the future. Contact your Zildjian Sales Representative or our award winning Customer Service Department at 1.800.229.8672 to learn more about how to put this program to work for your store.
down to a science.
D.N.A.zildjian
zildjian.com
MMR_993 993 3/21/08 11:59:04 AM
p Powers virtually ANY 9v pedal on the market today, from BOSS to Zoom - even Line 6 pedals*
p Only takes up ONE spot on your power strip
p Powers an ENTIRE pedalboard with optional MC8 daisy-chain cables (up to 1700mA!)
p Competitive retail price, better dealer margins
p WANT MORE? You’ve got it! The new 1 SPOT® Combo Pack includes:1 SPOT® Power Supply PLUS (1) MC8 Cable, (2) CBAT Battery Clip Converters,(2) C35 3.5mm Converters and (1) L6 Line 6 Converter
4922 Port Royal Road B-11 p Spring Hill, Tennessee 371741.931.487.9001 p www.visualsound.net
*Brand names listed are trademarks of their respective companies and have no affiliation with Visual Sound.
MMR_994 994 3/21/08 11:59:23 AM