MMR August 2009

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2009 18th Annual Wholesaler Guide Survey: MI Retail Climate

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Contents Cover design by Laurie Chesna.

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AUGUST 2009 VOL.168 NO. 8

Features 18 Upfront Q&A: Tom Vallis MMR chats with LPD Music’s vice president about the company’s recent distribution partnership with Line 6.

24 Report: State of the Wholesaler An in-depth look at current trends and future outlook amongst MI wholesalers and distributors. Increasing margins, more flexible terms, and proprietary brands are just some of the routes being pursued to maneuver a volatile economic climate.

35 18th Annual Wholesaler Guide

76

76 Retail: Low Country Music & the Bluegrass Guru For the past 20 years, Low Country Music in Moncks Corner, S.C. has been the go-to place for area musicians of all levels to learn and play music. Owner Richard Chapman, the “Bluegrass Guru,” bring a unique degree of dedication to his retail operation.

78 Sabian SR2 Entering the emerging market for used musical gear, Sabian’s new SR2 cymbals are carefully reconditioned, playable cymbals that provide consumers with an attractive alternative to brand new product.

81 Survey: MI Retail 2009

78

84 Webwise: Do it Yourself SEO Experts offer advice on how to increase your Web site’s exposure via Search Engine Optimization

Departments www.MMRmagazine.com

4 6 17 75

Editorial Upfront People At a Glance

87 102 106 112

New Products Supplier Scene Classifieds Advertisers’ Index

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 offices. 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 ©2009 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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AUGUST 2009

Editorial

®

Volume 168, Number 8, August 2009 PUBLISHER Sidney L. Davis sdavis@symphonypublishing.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rick Kessel rkessel@symphonypublishing.com

Back To The Basics

EDITOR Christian Wissmuller cwissmuller@symphonypublishing.com

W

holesalers are marching lockstep with dealers as the two distribution channels concentrate on merchandising basics with an emphasis on accessories and proprietary products. Similar to our July report on California dealers, this month we turn the spotlight on a sampling of mid and small size wholesalers and distributors and find a similar approach to a stalled economy. While dealers are emphasizing repair, our poll of distributors notes an increase in parts; dealers are seeking to broaden their mix while pursuing less burdensome purchasing requirements; distributors are responding with the introduction and promotion of proprietary lines; dealers are reducing inventories and distributors have implemented faster response times and 24/7 Web sites. We found California dealers inventive in creating traffic with expanded hours and emphasis on lessons and special events; distributors have expanded their “sale” offerings along with in-store displays and “close-out” buying opportunities.

Much like their retail counterparts we also report on a wholesaler movement toward social networking sites. As noted by Musicorp’s Dan Roberts: “We are active with email newsletters to consumers, maintaining individual web-sites for our proprietary products, plus social networking sites for our brands on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and YouTube.” Dana B. Good’s Dale Titus relates they have started promoting their Aria guitar brand on Shopatron. “Basically consumers order through a Web site and the nearest participating dealer makes the sale,” he explains. “We feel good about this because it gives us a chance to help the dealer without them having to do anything more than fi ll the order.”

Our mini survey on the economy (page 81) reflected the general state of the body retail, with two-thirds of the respondents noting a decrease in sales for the past six months while entry and lower end products paid the bills. Commenting on the Internet, Joel Kipp of Musician’s Pro Shop in Burlington, Iowa echoed a contrary viewpoint share by many independents: “Customers are getting tired of the run-around with online ordering. There’s no support, no one to help them with the operation, and the full potential of the product is never realized.”

In another vein we relate the following approach to selling big-ticket items by a Massachusetts car dealer. The dealership has taken an aggressive follow-up campaign to showroom visitors by sending a personalized postcard including a photo of the exact model that the mail recipient showed an interest in and a savings coupon for the particular model. The dealership’s general manager said, “We are trying to give that customer some enticement to return and make a purchase.” Since the campaign’s launch the company has sent out an average of 300 postcards per month, and is averaging three to five postcard-generated sales per month! While this method may not be cost effective for guitar strings, it’s worth consideration for, say, the keyboard market This issue has been timed for early distribution at Summer NAMM. For those dealers in attendance at the Nashville venue, we invite you to visit our booth, 1031.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Eliahu Sussman esussman@symphonypublishing.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Denyce Neilson dneilson@symphonypublishing.com ADVERTISING SALES Iris Fox ifox@symphonypublishing.com CLASSIFIED AD SALES Maureen Johan mjohan@symphonypublishing.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Laurie Guptill lguptill@symphonypublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrew P. Ross aross@symphonypublishing.com Laurie Chesna lchesna@symphonypublishing.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Melanie A. Prescott mprescott@symphonypublishing.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Popi Galileos pgalileos@symphonypublishing.com WEBMASTER Sanford Kearns skearns@symphonypublishing.com SYMPHONY PUBLISHING, LLC Xen Zapis • Chairman Lee Zapis • President lzapis@symphonypublishing.com Rich Bongorno • Chief Financial Officer rbongorno@symphonypublishing.com Corporate Headquarters 26202 Detroit Road, Suite 300, Westlake, Ohio 44145 440-871-1300 www.symphonypublishing.com PUBLISHING, SALES & EDITORIAL OFFICE: 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 (781) 453-9310 Fax: (781) 453-9389 www.mmrmagazine.com

sdavis@ symphonypublishing.com

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AUGUST 2009

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Š2009 CASIO AMERICA, INC.

Upfront Hal Leonard forms Joint Venture with Music Sales, Acquires Shawnee Press Hal Leonard chairman and CEO Keith Mardak, and Robert Wise, chairman and managing director of the Music Sales Group, recently announced the formation of Music Sales America (MSA), a new joint venture between their two companies created to expand the availability of Music Sales publications in North America.

With creative input from both publishers, MSA will produce publications which Hal Leonard will exclusively distribute throughout North America. As part of the long-term deal, Hal Leonard will also gain exclusive distribution rights to the entire catalog of Music Sales Corporation, and the publishers it represents. Barrie Edwards will remain the president of the USbased Music Sales Corporation.

Music Sales Corporation publishes songbooks and sheet music for many of the most respected artists in popular music, including AC/DC, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and many others. They boast a backlist of more than 6,500 titles, and publish over 100 new US releases a year.

MSA will also distribute in North America publications from the classical imprints within the Music Sales Group, including Bosworth & Co., Chester Music, Novello & Company, J. Curwen &

Sons, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, and Unión Musical Ediciones.

Comments Wise, “This development represents the latest chapter in the long and successful history of Hal Leonard and Music Sales working together. The formation of MSA will allow us to expand the volume, availability and distribution of Music Sales product in North America.

Hal Leonard is not only our proven partner, but also the print publisher with the most extensive distribution network.”

Mardak states, “Music Sales is the largest print publisher in Europe, with a distinguished history and a vigorous output of new titles. We are thrilled with this new deal, which will help two thriving and distinctive publishers create new products and make the most efficient, cost-effective use of their respective resources.”

Additionally, Hal Leonard Corporation has purchased Shawnee Press, Inc., one of the premier publishers of choral and instrumental music. Shawnee is based in Nashville and since 1989 had been operating as an independent subsidiary of Music Sales Corporation, the U.S. publishing arm of the Music Sales Group.

Mardak comments on the acquisition, “The Shawnee name is synonymous with quality. The addition of these publica-

Keith Mardak

Robert Wise

tions and their formidable stable of writers will serve as a perfect complement to our current choral operations.”

Sonaré Winds Terminates Distribution Agreement The Sonaré Winds division of Verne Q. Powell Flutes has announced that it will be terminating its agreement with Schreiber & Keilwerth to distribute Keilwerth saxophones and York brass band instruments in North America.

Powell president, Steven Wasser, said, “We are proud to distribute such high quality instruments. However, the pricing on Keilwerth and York instruments does not allow enough room for an effective market6 MMR

ing program, so we reluctantly initiated a request to Schreiber to terminate our agreement. They agreed to our request and we

will be terminating the distribution agreement effective September 30, 2009. In the interim, we are continuing to market and support the product lines.”

As of this date Schreiber has not made a determination as to whether they will sell direct or select an alternative distributor for this market.

Sonaré Winds proudly manufactures instruments with exceptional acoustical performance and value through partnerships with world renowned instrument makers Verne Q. Powell f lutes and Blackburn trumpets.

AUGUST 2009

©2009 Taylor Guitars

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Upfront Peavey Awards Peavey Awards Recording Academy honorees Charley Pride, Pinetop Perkins and Dorothy Moore joined Peavey Electronics in celebrating the “Birthplace of America’s Music” at the third annual Mississippi Grammy Legacy and Peavey Awards gala, hosted by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and endorsed by The Recording Academy, on May 28 in Robinsonville.

The Peavey Awards debuted in 2007 and have since honored the accomplishments of Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Stuart, Brandy, Paul Overstreet, Mavis Staples, The Williams Brothers, The North Mississippi Allstars, James Burton and more. Proceeds from the annual event benet the Mississippi Blues Commission, whose Blues Trail project places interpretive markers at notable

historical sites related to the history and growth of blues music throughout the state.

Peavey Electronics joined the Mississippi Development Authority in sponsoring the event.

To nd out more, visit www.peavey.com.

Rhodes Returns Rhodes Music Corporation has commenced the manufacturing and shipping of the iconic Rhodes electro-mechanical keyboard to domestic and international markets from its factory in Long Beach, Calif.

Evolving from a piano invented by Harold Rhodes during World War II designed to provide a keyboard that injured serviceman could play while in bed, the Rhodes piano features unique functionality: unlike the action in a conventional piano, where each key causes a corresponding hammer to strike sets of strings, in a Rhodes the hammers strike the tines, instead. The distinctive sound became a favorite of many musicians from the mid-1960s onwards, with a number of notable players embracing the instrument (Joe Zawinul, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Donald Fagen, and Herbie Hancock, to name but a few).

Leo Fender entered a joint venture with Harold Rhodes in 1959 and for many years afterwards the instruments were known as “Fender Rhodes.” The 8 MMR

(then) fi nal model, the Rhodes Mark V, was released in 1984. “The most important thing to us is sticking to the integrity of the original instrument design,” says Joseph A. Brandstetter, CEO of Rhodes Music Corp. “This is what Harold Rhodes wanted. The Rhodes Music Corporation is proud to maintain Harold’s vision of innovative quality and American ingenuity.”

Rhodes can be found online at www.rhodespiano.com.

AUGUST 2009

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You know us for songbooks, reference books, and DVDs, but did you know Hal Leonard also carries the hottest new software releases from the biggest names in the business? Be a part of one of the fastest growing segments of the industry by simply calling your Hal Leonard sales rep today!

Ask about our no-risk, no-hassle software Rack n Roll program that brings the product right out on your sales floor! s Exchangeability on all titles s Computerized inventory control s Prompt notification of hot new releases s Complimentary display boxes available to eliminiate theft

Save freight costs by adding software to your Hal Leonard orders!

Call our E-Z Order Line today!

($/''$,,+$'-)www.halleonard.com/dealers See us at NAMM Booth 1018

Upfront Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Lowrey Make $25k Instrument Donation The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF), a non-profit organization that supports music education programs in schools nationwide, surprised students at the Farnsley Middle School in Louisville,

KY with the donation of $25,000 worth of instruments to the school’s music program. Farnsley Middle School serves 1,100 6th through 8th grade students in the Louisville area. Over 300 music

Annual Kaman Charity Golf Outing

students at the school took part in the unveiling during early morning classes.

Farnsley’s current school music program budget is $5,500 a year for both orchestra and band, so the donation came as a wellneeded boost to the music program and the students.

The donation was generated by funds raised through Lowrey (www.lowrey.

Industry executives seen at the annual Kaman charity golf outing to benefit the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp which took place on June 2, 2009 are:

Harvey Levy of Levy’s Leathers, Boby Yerby of Remo, Greg Grieme DANSR, and Fred Theriault of Long & McQuade.

Rick Carl of Kaman Corp.

com). In March of 2008, Lowrey’s national music organization, L.I.F.E. (Lowrey Is Fun and Easy) established the ‘Kids Need Music’ program designed to bridge the gap between musical generations.

LIFE Members nationwide, mostly retirees, held dozens of auctions, bake-sales and sold orange wristbands to help raise funds so that younger musicians would have the same opportunities to know the joy and accomplishment of making music. The organization chose The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation as the recipient of their fundraising efforts

New Site for Steve Weiss Music Kevin and Tom Dougherty of TKL Corp.

Jim Rockwell of KMC with Chuck Bashaw KMC Music

Kathy Fine of KMC with Dan Skutt and Richard Berger of Grover/ Trophy Inc.

Harvey Levy of Levy’s Leathers with Gary Ciocci of Premier Guitar magazine.

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A leading retailer of drum and percussion musical instruments and music for almost 50 years, Steve Weiss Music, Inc. has redesigned their Web site to enable our customers to have a better buying and information gathering experience, as well as a more extensive ability for our vendor partners to reach potential customers with their product information and introductions.

The redesigned www.steveweissmusic. com is described by the company as, “the leading site to learn about new product introductions, see the latest books and music literature for percussion and see and hear sound samples and videos of many products that are not found in most local music stores.”

AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 710

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First it was the HH Raw Bell Dry Ride… the world’s best selling hand hammered cymbal. Then the AA Raw Bell Dry Ride, another huge seller. With the addition of the new AAX and HHX you can double your sales opportunities.

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Selling SABIAN Has Never Been Easier

THE RAW BELL DRY RIDE

Upfront New Facility for Full Compass In June, Full Compass, one of the nation’s largest professional audio, video, A/V and lighting equipment retailers began moving into its new 140,000 square foot facility located in the Silicon Prairie Business Park in Madison, Wis. Full Compass has experienced rapid growth during the past 31 years and has outgrown three previous locations. The new warehouse will span 80,000 square feet, double its current size, and will allow

Full Compass to stock more than 100,000 products. The new building also features a sound equipment museum, two fully equipped production studios and a res-

taurant with a full-time chef. The building rests on 15 acres of land, allowing the facility to double in size for future expansions.

NAMM Dealers Award SBO Scholarships The NAMM organization and several individual NAMM dealers participated in the awarding of $20,000 in scholarships and matching music products for ten students and their school programs. The 9th Annual Music Students Scholarship was conducted by SCHOOL BAND AND ORCHESTRA, ( a sister publication to MMR) and attracted more than seven thousand essays from students ranging from the 4th to the 12th grade who answered the question, “How Does Music Unite Cultures Within Your School And

Lilian Chou receiving her $1,000 check from Kimberly Morales of Suburban Music in Wheaton, Ill.

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Community?” Along with NAMM industry co-sponsors included Alfred Publishing, Avedis Zildjian Co. and Yamaha Corporation of America as well as Hershey Fund Raising.

To-date the SBO scholarship program has resulted in the awarding of $180,000 in student scholarships and matching music products.

Student winners came from seven states and the Republic of Kosovo. There were two winners each from the states of Texas and California. NAMM member music dealers making the award presentations to students within their school district were: Melhart Music Center, McAllen, Texas.; Gwinnett Discount Music, Lawrenceville, Ga.; The Violin Shop, San Diego, Calif.; Suburban Music, Wheaton, Ill.; The Foxes Music Co., Falls Church, Va.; and Henri’s Music Co., Green Bay, Wis. The essay Judging Committee included Andrew Surmani, Alfred Publishing; Joe Lamond and Sandra Jordan, NAMM; Earl Hurrey, National Association of Music Educators; Michael Skinner, DANSR; Vic Firth, Vic Firth Co.; and Roger Eaton and Jay Schreiber, Yamaha Corporation of America.

Pictured from left to right: Jim Janssen (President, Henri’s Music), Shannon Waterworth (Green Bay Store & Band Division Mgr.), Alexis Sell ($1,000 Essay Contest Winner), Kay Sell (Alexis’ Mom), and Tim Kozlovsky (8th Grade Band Director, Pulaski Middle School).

Kevin Landis of Foxes Music Store in Falls Church, Va. presents Gavin Scott with his check as Lynette Blacksten, Music Dept. chair for Ellen Glasgow Middle School, looks on.

AUGUST 2009

QUALITY SUPPORT PROFESSIONALISM VALUE These principles are the foundation of every Yamaha B&O product and service. They are the reasons you can DEPEND ON YAMAHA.

Band & Orchestral Š2009 Yamaha Corporation of America www.yamaha.com/band

See us at NAMM Booths 104, 136

Upfront Falcetti Music Scholarships Awarded Four graduating high school seniors will enter college this fall with Falcetti Music Foundation scholarships to assist them, up from a single scholarship award granted when Sam and Peggy Falcetti launched their scholarship program a year ago.

The Falcettis founded Falcetti Music stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut and operated them for 50 years, retiring in 2007. They immediately started the Falcetti Music Foundation in 2008 to reward promising music students.

Peggy Falcetti said word of the availability of awards of $1,000 each got around to more high school guidance offices and music departments this year, prompting a burst of applicants from which four were selected.

Recipients of the scholarships this year are: Noah Lis, 18, graduating from Palmer High School and bound for Westfield State College; Three graduates of Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield, Conn., all bound for the University of Connecticut: Spencer Reese, Tyler Reese and Andrew Pizzuto.

As required under scholarship rules, all are majoring in music at a college or university in Massachusetts or Connecticut.

Scholars are selected considering their musical ability, need and academic achievement.

The program is open to graduating high school seniors from Hampden and Hampshire counties in Massachusetts and, in Connecticut, from Enfield and closely surrounding communities.

Sam and Peggy Falcetti, at left, with scholarship winners, left to right, Tyler Reece, Spencer Reece, Andrew Pizzuto and Noah Lis at a recent check presentation at Falcetti Music’s, Springfield, Mass., store.

California Music Programs in Peril Hot on the heels of MMR’s coverstory on the Golden (not so Golden?) State last month, a staggering $24 billion budget deficit is bringing California to the brink of collapse. According to the Associated Press, if California goes down, so goes the nation: California’s annual $1.7 trillion economy is the world’s eighth-largest economy and provides a substantial portion of tax revenue for the government; California alone funds many social programs for the entire nation.

Among many proposed budget cuts which may soon be affecting Californians is a sizable reduction in education – and, of course, music education – which will, in turn, no doubt be felt by MI retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers.

Education funding would be reduced by $5.3 billion.

School districts have already laid off 30,000 employees.

Class sizes are expected to surge from 20 to 30 students and many after school programs, arts and music classes will be cut. A national education survey conducted this year ranked California 47th in per-student spending.

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AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 810

Upfront Vandoren Uncovers Counterfeit Reeds For the second time in the last two years, raids of several local retailers and wholesale companies were conducted in Seoul, Korea. Initiated by the French company Vandoren SAS, the raid was conducted by the Korean Custom authorities.

Several counterfeit boxes of reeds bearing the Vandoren name and image were seized during the action.

Confiscation of stock and legal actions against the infringement activities are being undertaken. Penalties will be determined by a judge in the coming weeks.

“As you know, the high quality of Vandoren products is the result of a long experience and of our constant will to

16 MMR

improve our products in order to satisfy our clients’ expectations,” declared Bernard Van Doren. “As is the case for all products of high quality sold under famous trademarks, Vandoren reeds

are being counterfeited; the fake Vandoren reeds can be very harmful in the trust relationship we have built with

See us at NAMM Booth 311

our customers. It is important to realize that fake products are being sold in packaging that is now nearly identical to the original ones but the products inside the box are of very poor quality and does not meet any of our quality and selection standards. Clients think that they have bought real Vandoren reeds when actually they have been sold second-rate products. It is essential that dealers go to legitimate sources to purchase Vandoren products. Anyone buying Vandoren products from non-official sources could be buying and reselling fake products without realizing it.”

For more information on this case, visit www.vandoren.com

AUGUST 2009

People Tornavoz Music has named Jay Morrissey its new key accounts manager. Morrissey will lead the company’s business development efforts, creating and strengthening relationships Morrissey with important dealers around the country.

Morrissey began his MI career selling guitars at a small music retailer in New Jersey. From there he went on to hold management positions in Guitar Center’s first New York/New Jersey metro area store, and at Mars Music’s Charlotte, NC location. He was then recruited by San Diego based Taylor Guitars, where he worked as a national accounts representative, regional sales manager, and national accounts manager servicing Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend, and Sam Ash. Most recently, Morrissey worked as CA Guitars’ VP of Sales and Marketing.

TC Group Americas has announced that Marc Bertrand will succeed John Maier as CEO effective July 31, 2009. TC Group Americas Inc., formed in January 2009, distributes Tannoy, Bertrand Lab.gruppen, TC Electronic, TC-Helicon, Dynaudio Acoustics, Lake, and Linn products in the US and Canada.

Anders Fauerskov, CEO of corporate parent TC Group, confirms the appointment. “The board of directors is very pleased to announce that Marc Bertrand has accepted the position of CEO for TC Group Americas and we are fully confident that under Marc’s leadership the company will continue its strong growth and performance. Marc brings nearly 20 years of industry experience to the position and has a proven track record of success in our organization.”

See us at NAMM Booth 911

DRINK AND STICK HOLDERS The Musician’s Choice for Swiggin’ N Giggin’

For a full list of our products and for details about becoming a SwirlyGig retailer, visit us online at www.swirlygig.com 612 721 5 012 or email dealerinfo@swirlygig.com

ORIGINAL SWIRLYGIG FOR HALF-INCH TUBING IN CHROME OR BLACK AUGUST 2009

SWIRLYGIG II FOR ONE-INCH TUBING IN CHROME OR BLACK

SWIRLYSHTICK FOR ONE-INCH TUBING IN CHROME ONLY MMR 17

UpfrontQ&A LPD Music Partners With Line 6 LPD Music, in Madison Heights, Mich., has partnered with Line 6 as a distributor of the Line 6 PODS, effects, digital wireless systems, and accessories. Vice president Tom Vallis has been both surprised and pleased with this new venture.

How did your arrangement with Line 6 come about?

Shortly after Winter NAMM, Line 6 had made the decision to work with a distribution partner for specific products, mostly everything with the exception of their guitars and amplifiers, which remain dealer direct. They wanted to reach a broader range of dealers. They began interviewing distribution partners and felt as though we were the best fit. Even though we are a full line distributor, I think Line 6 went with us because we specialize in the guitar end of things. We placed our first order in May, and things are going extremely well so far. It has actually exceeded our expectations.

In the big picture what does this partnership mean for LPD? It’s just now getting out of the gate. In the long run I think it will help us to pro-

mote our proprietary products, as well as the other products we carry, bringing us to the forefront as far as distributors go. I think there is an impression among some dealers that we are more of a regional operation because we don’t have multiple locations to ship from.

We have our one location here in the Detroit area. However, we do sell nationwide, particularly our proprietary products, which are geared toward Latin markets.

Those products are sold heavily in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Again, maybe this will bring us more in the forefront, and dealers will realize that we are not just a regional distributor. What’s great about Line 6 is, unless you are a direct dealer, we are going to be the only source. Our focus will be on getting Line 6 to smaller, mom and pop dealers who are not already carrying Line 6.

How are you marketing the Line 6 products to dealers?

We have a full line catalogue being released soon and will, of course, 18 MMR

have a major spread of Line 6 in that. Our Web site will feature the products, including the password protected pages on our site, which are strictly for dealers. We have just sent out press releases to let people know. We plan on putting a lot of effort behind this. As I said, it has been great so far. I think this is one of the easiest products I have ever had to sell.

Looking ahead to the following year, what kind of growth do you think you will see as a result of the new partnership?

It might be a bit difficult to nail it down to Line 6.

We recently took on distribution for Sparrow Guitars as well, which is a really cool product. Line 6 is a product that virtually every dealer can sell, without much effort. Our hope is to expand the scope of the product and get it into more stores. We are confident that our dealers will have great success in moving the product, and once they do, they will obviously have to come back for more. In the long run, we feel as though the Line 6 partnership will be very good for LPD. Have you received any feedback from dealers yet or is it too early?

I think it is too early, but the reorders speak for themselves. We’ve been getting AUGUST 2009

THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WANT...

So why stock anything else? year? From New Beat HiHats to K Custom Hybrids, Zildjian is the proven gold standard of cymbals. No other cymbal line truly defines your store or excites your customers as much. You know that your Zildjian stock will quickly turn time and time again.

And for 2009, we have put together an aggressive schedule of promotions that you will not want to miss. Now more than ever, Zildjian is the only serious choice .

See us at NAMM Booth 600

zildjian.com

Š2009 Avedis Zildjian Company

What other cymbal brand gets this sort of following year after

UpfrontQ&A pretty regular reorders. Our first order came in late May and we’ve already had to restock quite a few of the items several times already.

Have things gone smoothly with Line 6 in terms of support and communication?

They have been wonderful to work with. They came out for trainings several times to insure that our staff is well versed in the products, which is very important.

The training really helped to spark sales.

We speak everyday and have developed a friendship in a short amount of time.

Does LPD have their sights set on any other product lines in the near future?

If you were to tell me a year ago that Line 6 was interested in working with us as a distributor, I wouldn’t have believed you. Most companies have sold direct to dealers only. Maybe now we will start seeing more major manufacturers deciding to work with a distributor on certain product lines. With that in mind, I suppose the sky’s the limit.

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See us at NAMM Booth 1436

AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1226

ADVERTORIAL

AUGUST 2009

News

&REEWAY ² HE T R TE F !

G IN O ' E R ¹7E´

Back to School, Back to Music Advocacy!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that magical time of year that parents across the country celebrate and children dreadâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;back to school.

But with current economic challenges and recent cuts in education budgets, there seems to be less to cheer about.

Note from Joe Macery

seed that, on Music education is the to grow, learn and ren ild planted, helps ch musical potential. discover their innate sic in school, it not When kids learn mu ir self-discipline and the only helps foster may also improve self-expression, but rmance. their academic perfo

NAMM relentlessly represents the importance of access to music education in public schools, and champions the need for every child in America to receive a complete, well-rounded education that includes music and arts education.

We do this work in communities, with our state legislatures, and on Capitol Hill. We will continue the crusade this year by making sure this important message is heard.

les our own Music education enab well. And, when industry to thrive as s, school music program budget cuts threaten s why NAMM is atâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Th e. ur fut r collective plete education they also threaten ou child receives a com ery ev t tha g rin su en devoted to association for the and the arts. As the that includes music MM remains active at NA , try products indus d promotion. international music on advocacy, policy an ati uc ed sic mu of t the forefron sic Coalition, which Keeping the Message in the Media ating the Support Mu ilit fac e lud inc s ort s in public ram Our eff og pr sic NAMM public relations efforts focus on mu ep ormation to ke ll; highlighting provides tools and inf Hi ol pit placing stories in hundreds of local community Ca on on ati music educ schools; ď&#x192;&#x17E;ghting for t excel in music newspapers timed to appear in the fall, back-totha tes Sta d ite Un d the school districts aroun school time frame. These stories concentrate mmunities for Music Co st Be â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on ati oci at each ys Da education for the ass on ati on why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for kids to study music in uc Ed sic onsoring Mu Education list; and sp chers can attend tea school, leading parents, educators and press to sic mu al ion reg where er of the NAMM shows, www.wannaplaymusic.com for the latest research, d network with Memb an ns sio ses U MM lidate the va education-focused NA to s rk articles and information to support the proven wo o als n Foundatio companies. The NAMM through the funding g beneďŹ ts of playing music. kin ma sic mu of beneď&#x192;&#x17E;ts social and academic . rch ea res c tiď&#x192;&#x17E; en of groundbreaking sci Facts like: music makers. â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ow orr s 0LAYING MUSIC POSITIVELY AFFECTS THE

tom are nts on stude u to Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music educati development of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (and ool, we encourage yo sch to ck ba ad he ren it As our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child music education. Vis teenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) cognitive skills. yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to support nit mu m com co ur ic. yo us in n tm joi or pp su s )T BUILDS CONlDENCE SELF DISCIPLINE AND

w. ww d an blicaffairs www.namm.org/pu , as well as how to ed inspires creativity. olv inv get n ca u how yo to learn more about your voice be heard. s 0LAYING MUSIC CAN ALSO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY ofď&#x192;&#x17E;cials so you can let d cte ele ur yo t tac con and help kids and teens connect socially es music and the lud inc with their peers. t tha on ati uc plete ed ure By supporting a com omote a brighter fut pr d an rld wo the h arts, we can help enric Mar y Luehrsen for us all.

Public Affairs of NAMM Director nt Relations me rn ve and Go

NAMM in the Schools

In 2009, NAMM will launch SchoolJam USA! This program provides hundreds of music-loving young adults the opportunity to perform, increasing their love for playing music and promoting the benefits of music for teens, as well as, school music programs, nationally. Best of all, it’s a win-win for schools, bands and music retailers alike, as bands vie to win gear for them—and their school music programs— from NAMM Member music stores. NAMM will promote SchoolJam USA in schools across the country and launch the program with a national media campaign, reaching out to the public through TV, radio, online and print coverage.

Grow Your Lesson Program

While some schools are cutting their music programs, you have the opportunity to grow yours! Many kids—as well as their parents—are looking for a place to learn to play a musical instrument. Now is the time to advertise your programs—by running ads in your regional paper, distributing fliers at area schools, posting ads on community boards, tweeting your message on Twitter or posting a message on your FaceBook page. And be sure your lesson program is included in NAMM’s new Wanna Play? Lesson Locator. Simply send your store’s information to us at info@namm.org. Don’t have a music lesson program? Sit in on the NAMM U sessions during Summer NAMM to get tips and ideas on how to start one.

Be an Active Voice in Your Community

Supportmusic.com gives you the tools to take action and support the importance of a music-based curriculum.

As a NAMM Member, you are an important link to music education in your community by creating the music makers of the future. Visit www.supportmusic.com to take advantage of the many valuable tools for music advocacy, provided by NAMM in partnership with MENC. To learn more, order your free materials and/or find out how you can get involved, call us at 800-767-6266, e-mail info@namm.org or visit www.namm.org.

NAMM News

August 2009

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REPORT: WHOLESALERS & DISTRIBUTORS

State Wholesaler of the

Proprietary brands, deals for retailers, and increasing margins are the battle cries

As Universal Percussion’s Tom Shelley puts it: “GM plants are closing, so nobody is too big to fail. Nothing would surprise me these days.”

It may seem that everyday one gets out of bed in the morning, it’s a wild, wild world out there where economic paradigm shifts are as rapid as they are unnerving. Still, retailers, particularly (exclusively?) the independent ones, not only continue to rely on their big and small wholesalers and distributors, but also are anxious to partner with them more than ever. Better deals, better margins, better terms – along with a better understanding of exactly what is happening to those on the front lines of MI retailing are no longer a luxury but a necessity, requiring creativity and new approaches from suppliers.

None are simply waiting for better times, and some are working to make these times better … a sowing before the inevitably next reaping.

“On the negative side of things, we are simply not moving through our products 24 MMR

like we are used to,” states Dale Titus of Dana B. Goods bluntly. “On the positive side of things, the current economic conditions have inspired us to streamline our procedures, adopt new marketing technologies, and improve our machine in every way. When consumer confidence returns to the U.S., we feel that Dana B. Goods, and our dealers, will really reap the benefits of the work we are doing now. For example, we are in brand-building mode for Aria and MTD [guitars and basses]. We love planting those seeds!”

Business trends include change of business habits: St. Louis Music’s president Stan Morgan notes that an uptick in the frequency of phone calls corresponds with smaller orders. “It’s hard to tell for sure, but retailers seem to be ordering AUGUST 2009

“

Business is tough for everyone, and dealers need to make more margins.

That’s the solution to all of this – make more margin.

”

less, more often.” He adds that more of the “best sellers” are moving even better than ever. A call for the demand of the staples is a common theme.

WD Music’s Larry Davis insists that there are great opportunities in a recession.

While he only has anecdotal evidence, it seems that for those in the business of repairing and upgrading instruments are experiencing a boost in business. “All those who repair guitars can’t keep up with their work – and report to me they are seeing customers bring in guitars they haven’t seen in years!” he laughs.

This is a time for suppliers to fi nd better/more use of the Internet, particularly in the way they can serve their clients.

New Web sites, better ways to communicate through e-mail, and even the exploration of social networking sites are all becoming tools used daily.

While each who participated in this in-depth report represents a company that is an unique entity in its own right, an overall battle cry for all on both sides of the counter emerged: If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind.

Assessing the Business Climate “Business for our independent retailers has been a struggle this year compared to last year but fortunately, Musicorp’s business has held up well,” says Dan Roberts, Musicorp’s vice president of sales. “There are several factors that have kept Musicorp’s business running well: Excellent product selection of accessories and proprietary product lines, exceptional customer service in taking care of our dealers’ business, and the marketing tools that we provide to help our dealers draw customers to their stores, through special offers and other materials.”

Universal Percussion’s Shelley says they are actually boasting their inventory. “I’ve really loaded up – I want to be the guy that has the stuff,” he says.

Recently acquired deals with lines such as Evans Drumheads, and Tama have helped considerably. “If you want Tama parts but aren’t a Tama dealer, I can sell to most retailers in most states. And now I’m a full Zildjian dealer.”

AUGUST 2009

Smaller suppliers dealing with smaller products – i.e., instrument parts – seem to be almost benefiting from the current economic climate. WD Music’s Larry Davis has been in business long enough that this is the third recession he’s had to wiggle through. “We’ve always done well during them in part because we do everything guitar-related, and when you see sales of new guitars getting severely depressed, people look to get more out of their current guitar. We are seeing business up across the board.” WD has increased their inventory, ratcheted up their spread and depth, and is reaching out to more dealers every day.

Mark Ragin, CEO of St. Louis Music reports that they are showing a whopping increase on a variety of numerical fronts. Since his revered U.S. Band Company purchased long-respected St. Louis Music from LOUD and brought it back to its original home in St. Louis, merging the two in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, the new St. Louis Music (SLM) has picked up 1,203 new clients since November 14th through May 31st. And the sales period from January 1st through May 31st showed a 44 percent increase against the same five-month period of 2008. Then again, the company’s recent moves of establishing new partnerships (such as Martin accessories) and acquiring other organizations (like Zonda Reeds), it’s not a big surprise that they are already increasing business. “We’re very pleased that dealers continue to move their business our way,” Ragin says.

“Right now our business is holding its own compared to last year, which was a very good year for M&M Merchandisers,” says COO Chuck Franklin.

“We started the year off a little slow for a January, but business picked up over the next few months.” He adds that while he’d like to see the business grow further, so many retailers are flat or showing only modest growth patterns, and those people “should feel pretty good given the present economic situation.”

Some are offering a more sobering assessment. Pete D’Addario of P & D Wholesale Music supplies reports that business in general is down. The MMR 25

Many Retailers Are Doing More Than Just Surviving What’s Working All wholesalers and distributors interviewed for this special report demurred on offering advice to retailers per se – as one said, he doesn’t pretend to know exactly what a retailer is going through these days. However, the participating wholesalers could make observations regarding dealers who are doing more than just surviving.

“The band and orchestra guy who, say, decides to add violins and strings is going to do better. This is the time to try new things and experiment. The retailer who is waiting for the customer to come in has a challenge.”

Mark Ragin, St. Louis Music “I’m a humble parts merchant, and don’t pretend to know what it takes to work behind [an MI] counter. I do know that it’s a tough economy and all I can say is just be smart and careful. There is a lot of quicksand. I know dealers who are having an awful time.”

Larry Davis, WD Music “A lot of dealers are realizing that to have any kind of success, you have to have a strong teaching program. If you don’t do that, then you have nothing.”

Pete D’Addario, P & D Music Wholesale “We have noticed that the dealers who are consistently stocking our products and are putting together nice displays are having good sell through. It is the same as the months after 9/11. The dealers who could afford to keep their hooks and shelves full were able to recover faster and benefit the most. With that said, we are very sensitive to the difficulties that our dealers are facing and are constantly reaching out to them to see how we can help.”

Dale Titus, Dana B. Goods 26 MMR

“I talk to dealers on a daily basis, and those that are having especially challenging plans are the ones with no solid game plan.

They didn’t run a special sale this month. They didn’t run a hot two-forone promotion. Those able to be aggressive are doing better. The band and orchestra guy who, say, decides to add violins and strings is going to do better. This is the time to try new things and experiment. The retailer who is waiting for the customer to come in has a challenge.”

Mark Ragin, St. Louis Music “Dealers [doing well] are running promotions and offering lessons and educational programs to draw more traffic into their stores. They are also hosting events and keeping up with customers via mailing lists and email. They are maintaining a good presence online with e-commerce sites and social networking sites.”

Dan Roberts, Musicorp “To Drum Shop Owners: Don’t run out of 5As [drum sticks]! [Laughs] Keep all your mainstream items well stocked. Focus on

the meat and potatoes. Don’t skimp or cut back on those, and have extra. And carry the low end products.

Middle- to high-end products are not moving now. It’s a test for survival on who can manage their money best.”

Tom Shelley, Universal Percussion “We are finding the dealers who are doing the best are refusing to listen to economic gloom and doom and keep a positive attitude with their employees and customers and evaluating products and lines they carry, focusing attention on products that offer better margins not necessarily found in big box stores.

Those marketing differently, spending less on Yellow pages and direct mail and more on social network sites, are better off.”

Vanetta Wilson, Chesbro Music “The more progressive shops are operating business as usual but watching their expenses more closely and running more instore specials. They are placing more orders but in smaller amounts and only bringing in what is or has been sold instead of looking to keep extra inventory in stock. My advice to dealers would be quite simple: Watch your expenses, carry more accessories, and run instore specials on a regular basis.”

Chuck Franklin, M&M Merchandisers AUGUST 2009

percussion distributor says that they were down even before this most recent downturn. D’Addario [no relation to D’Addario String company] points out that the percussion industry as a whole as been a little too “successful” for its own good. A combination of more, lower-end products that are in fact of higher quality are cutting into the more profitable high-end. “Those $6,000 drum sets are just not moving.”

Then there is the too-low end. Drums are available at certain mainstream big box stores, and he laments the poor quality of some of those instruments.

“Poorly made drums are like a tennis racket – if it looks beautiful but doesn’t work well, you’re not going to use it.”

Finally, there’s the cost of his entrylevel products, which are creeping up.

What he used to pay $199 for he’s now paying closer to $250. Combine that with schools cutting music programs, and the assessment is grim.

“It’s all taken a big bite out of the business.”

The sunny side is the percussion accessory segment, which he says is going strong. “I still sell a boatload of Vic Firth

AUGUST 2009

sticks. Sticks and drum heads because drummers break those.”

Dana B. Goods is also reporting a softer year. “I think we’re experiencing the same challenges as everyone,” says Titus, marketing communications manager.

Tom Vallis, vice president of LPD says that while our overall domestic business is about the same as last year, their proprietary lines have increased substantially both domestically and internationally.

“Our business has been affected by the economy mainly on the high end instrument side,” says Chesbro Music’s Vanetta Wilson. “Last year we had trouble getting low to middle priced instruments from the factory due to capacity and this year there is no problem.”

Trends, Deals, and Proprietary Lines “It is no surprise that our accessory items like our pedal lines and our valuepriced Aria guitars and MTD Kingston basses are selling well,” says Titus. “But many of our boutique, high-end products are not selling through very quickly.”

Shelley says his Remo hand percussion products are doing particularly

See us at NAMM Booth 1122

well. Otherwise, it’s the low end that is carrying the day. Inexpensive drumsticks, particularly Universal’s own Cannon brand, are strong. “Cannon percussion products, entry level player [products], drum pads, bell kits accessories are doing well. Also things like cymbal felts and wing nuts – people are buying those more than ever. They want to keep their current set working well rather than buy new.”

“

The most important factor in offering a proprietary line is its sell through and protability for a dealer.

”

MMR 27

“Right now it seems as though consumers are spending their time at home,” Franklin of M&M says. “We are seeing that accessories across the board are doing very well. I guess the guy or gal who wants a new guitar is satisfied right now with putting some fresh strings or new pickups on their old guitar instead of spending the money for a new instrument. We saw this trend going into the latter part of 2008, and we increased our offerings in this category going into 2009 and it has worked out well for us. In our spring catalog we added over 600 items

28 MMR

and most of them fell into the accessory category.”

One “trend” seems to never dissipate – it’s just that during these times, it becomes even more important.

“Retailers are looking for margin, and looking for the better deals,” Ragin of SLM states. Recently they put together a 16-page f lyer of close out items and emailed it out in PDF form just to see if there was any interest in that at all. They never got to print it because retailers immediately jumped on all the bargains. Now they are doing another

See us at NAMM Booth 1300

one filled with nothing but close out items.

“And we’re having a record year for reeds,” he adds. “We’re already at the numbers we were at for the entire last year, and that was a record year, too.”

Building on their wide selection, they recently added Tom Alexander Superial reeds, and the previously mentioned acquisition of Zonda Reeds, which are made in South America.

LPD has been ambitious with their proprietary lines, and Vallis says that’s where the increase has been for them.

“Paracho Elite, our Latin themed instrument line, is now being carried by several of the major U.S. retailers and we have expanded in offering this product to dealers in both Europe and Japan,” he says. “Many dealers are finally realizing the importance in offering products for the increasingly growing Latin population.” He adds that they have taken on distribution of Canadian guitar maker Sparrow this year. “They offer guitars with custom paint finishes reminiscent of the days of tattoos, hot rods, and pinball machines, which has been popular.

We are basically helping build this brand from the ground up in the U.S. market.”

They are also experiencing a record year for our Italia Guitars, a line that features guitars with the same retro flair of the Italian made guitars from the 1960s.

“And finally, we have also just announced that we worked out a deal to distribute Line 6 PODs, effects, wireless products, and accessories. We expect this to contribute tremendously to our overall growth this year. We are continually looking for new product and new lines to keep up with the most current and hottest trends, as well as offering dealers mainstay items that will keep them profitable. A lot of effort goes into selecting and building our proprietary lines, because it is so important and contributes to much of our success at LPD. While we are a full line distributor, our proprietary lines have certainly been the most affective in developing relationships with retailers. For example, something as simple as our City Limits Strap Line has been a huge success for us. A lot of thought went into branding and strap selection, by offering dealers unique straps, with good quality materials, while making sure that we could offer all this at excellent price points.

AUGUST 2009

“The most important factor in offering a proprietary line is its sell through and profitability for a dealer. For this reason, when we develop a proprietary line, we spend a great deal of time and research analyzing the marketability, and working with the factories on quality so that we are able to confidentially guarantee to our dealers that this product will be a success. If you can encourage dealers to try your product and they can experience its success for themselves, they will begin to look to you for other products as well.”

For WD Music, the current trend is to fi x guitars, so retailers who have guitars parts behind the counter – or worse, in

a box in the back room – don’t do as well as those who display openly on the floor.

“A lot of dealers don’t like to mess with guitar parts for a number of reasons, but if they are willing to make the effort, it’s a profitable business. The parts that go into a guitar are wear items. The knobs, the pick guards – they probably get more abused than car parts. Especially the way rockers play! A few new parts bring the guitar back to life.”

Universal Percussion is like many wholesalers, and is reacting to the current times by running more specials. They are also getting manufacturers to cooperate with co-ops.

“For example, we had a May Day sale on May 1st that allowed all domestic suppliers

10 percent off on one order – order on May 1, and you get an extra 10 percent,” explains Shelley. “There were no strings attached and we really did a mountain of business. We’ll do that again in July for Summer NAMM. The manufactures have really stepped up and helped out. Some that weren’t willing to do that the first time have come back and asked to participate again.

“Business is tough for everyone, and dealers need to make more margins.

That’s the solution to all of this – make more margin.”

Wilson of Chesbro reports accessories are holding their own in this economy and niche products such as ukuleles are up. And their proprietary product lines

Seven Minutes with Harris Musical Products Harris Musical Products is a manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments and accessories, and for over 80 years through three generations, the Harris’s have been a proud part of the music products industry. Some of the products they handle include US Blues, Buckaroo Cymbals, Picks by the Pound, and assorted strings and gifts. They also are partners with Wheatware, which makes products, including musical ones, with biodegradable wheat.

MMR: What niche in the business does Harris fill?

to Music Messe and came back with business. We’re not just sitting back and waiting for people to find us.

Marc Harris: We consider ourselves more of a manufacturer/disMMR: What changes have you tributor as we sell made in recently? primarily our own “It’s not for everyone, MH: We’ve dibranded products. We sell our into but we’ve been singing versified products to both gift items. Sevretailers and oth- the praises of the prots eral years ago er distributors, inavailable to those who we stumbled on cluding exporting a couple of gifts, diversify into gifts.” to distributors in novelty items reother countries. ally – things like a guitar mouse pad. We distributed MMR: How is business for Harris? those really just as a favor, and they started selling really well. Next we MH: Strangely, it’s up from last found a guitar rug, and we just disyear, but we’ve had fewer transacplayed one at a NAMM show in our tions. The phone is ringing less, booth, and during the show there but we’re processing larger orders. were so many dealers who wanted We’ve had success with larger cusit we started offering those. The tomers ordering more. two products opened our eyes to the potential of gift products, and MMR: What reaction to the market that’s an area we’ve expanded in. has Harris had?

MH: We’re putting forth a strong marketing effort. We’re participating in additional trade shows, and reaching out to find new customers.

We went to the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) for instance, we went AUGUST 2009

MMR: That does seem like a highmargin area that not all dealers participate in.

MH: It’s not for everyone, but we’ve been singing the praises of the prof-

its available to those who diversify into gifts. Like now we also have a line of guitar pick necklaces that tested well and are selling through.

I would challenge any dealer not already doing it to try it.

MMR: What are some of the trends, successes at Harris?

MH:US Blues [products] have been successful. We’re trying to do more unique things like our round guitar amp, which has been a good success.

We also have a line of harmonicas.

We had a line of guitars, and they sold through, but we wanted to remain true to what our original intention was.

MMR: How are you using the Internet? Your dealers can’t order online from it …

MH: We don’t do online ordering, but qualified music dealers can get a password and get access to our wholesale pricing. But to place the order, we want them to call. Otherwise, they can email it in or go through an independent rep. We’d like to have online ordering one day though again, we believe in picking up the phone. The world has lost the personal touch.

MMR 29

have experienced increases which include the Anthem and Tanara brands. “These electric, bass, and acoustic lines are produced solely for the independent dealers with competitive margins and features.

Teaching impulse gifts and items under $5.00 price points are remaining strong in the music gift market, while gifts over $15.00 have softened.” She adds that they have created special programs in each category of the business, and also have given specials to dealers on select products with special pricing and terms.

30 MMR

“We are always looking for new products to enhance our offerings to the MI and you never know what that will be,” adds Franklin. “Just like this last catalog we produced where we partnered with Hohner, VOX, Grover… and we increased the Hal Leonard offerings so we will continue in that same fashion as we move forward. One specific new product we will be offering is our Bass Guitar For Dummies Pack. We have once again partnered with Wiley Publications and this will be the third product in this line.

“As for pricing it seems the past year or so it is a moving target but I think we will see some stability on that issue as we move through the year.”

The Increasing Importance of the Internet Across the board, wholesalers and distributors who offer retailers the ability to order online say use of this feature is increasingly popular, though all seem interested in augmenting the personal touch they provide with real human support, as opposed to replacing it. SLM has ballooned in personnel and now has eight inside sales people in the office plus two more that work from home. Newly installed president Stan Morgan hired another 10 to work as outside sales rep.

Yet while the personal touch is important, they have established a web site that allows retailers to order on line. “Every SLM dealer receives a personal account code and password, and they can get online 24/7 and see their inventory levels, adjust them, see their cost, and fill up their shopping cart,” Ragin says. The order goes out the next business day (sometimes sooner) and shoots back an email to the dealer with the UPS shipping code so they can track it. But he adds that this is mostly for those who send five to 25 orders a day. “For the dealer that wants one order, we still prefer they call and speak with one of our sales people, because then if say a certain mouthpiece is out, sometimes we can get them a better one at the same price, or make other suggestions.”

Davis of WD Music proudly tells that his was one of the earliest in the business to do a business-to-business Web site for their retailers. “We set one up in 1998, and it’s funny, at first there wasn’t much action … and now this past January we signed up one thousand dealers alone!”

Davis is eager to do business with anyone big or small. Sometimes a dealer will say he or she is working out of his or her basement and ask if they can become part of the WD network; Davis tells them that’s how his business started.

“Online ordering has grown since we introduced it and we are constantly reviewing to see how we can update the site to enable more dealer usage,” Wilson says. “Right now a majority of our customers prefer to speak with an account AUGUST 2009

executive. The web site is used during non-business times to check inventory availability. Also, authorized dealers use the web to place orders for consumer direct shipments.”

“The technology of the Internet and potential of email has given us the ability to communicate with LPD’s customer base in real time,” says Vallis. “We are able to relay new product information, order status, specials, pricing information, and communicate this immediately to our dealer base, which has increased overall efficiency and help us increase our sales.”

Their Web site is maintained internally by a full time Webmaster/graphic artist.

Musicorp too has reached out to dealers online: “Growth in online participation in the last year has been huge!” says Roberts. “The convenience of stock-checking on a 24/7 basis, as well as entering orders on the dealers’ own timetables, has been extremely well received.”

P & D has just activated their Web site so authorized dealers can place orders that way, and increasingly, their dealers are taking advantage of it, reports D’Addario.

AUGUST 2009

M&M Merchandisers recently did a major overhaul to their site, and the new look and feel has received good marks from its retailers, reports Franklin. “The dealers are really starting to use the site a lot. We see increased traffic almost daily.

I think the biggest advantage for the dealer is the convenience. They can go to the site whenever they feel they have the free time to do so and they can do everything from check stock to track shipments all with the click of a button.”

While none sell direct, the awareness of how consumers use the Internet is fully realized. Roberts points out that the consumer has been using technology to research products before going to dealers’ stores to make purchases, therefore there’s a very real need “to make sure that Musicorp support our dealers with as much information as they can about the products they sell.”

And the power of social networking sites has not escaped them either. “Musicorp is also active in supporting its proprietary brands with email newsletters to consumers, individual Web sites (such as MBT Lighting, Barcus-Berry and Stageline), plus social networking sites for our

“

Besides participating in many of the social networking sites, we have also started working with Shopatron.

”

brands on Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook, and YouTube.”

Titus reports that Dana B. Goods has invested a lot of time and resources into their Internet activity. “Besides participating in many of the social networking sites, we have also started working with Shopatron for Aria. This will allow con-

MMR 31

sumers to buy Aria products directly from the www.ariausa.com site, with the nearest participating Aria dealer getting the sale. We feel good about this because it gives us a chance to help the dealers sell Aria guitars and basses without having to do anything more than fulfi ll the order.”

Credit Crunch It appears, at least as far as MI wholesaling is concerned, the credit issues affecting other industries aren’t as pronounced in this industry.

Shelley reports that they haven’t had problems from Universal’s bank, even though he does business with one of the ones that almost went bankrupt and received bailout money. Credit restrictions are tighter in general for the bank’s clients, though his company has not experienced problems. As far as credit to his customers go, “I would say our credit department is a little more careful watching customers – we don’t know if everyone is going to make it through this economy. I hope they do.”

“Musicorp still makes every effort to provide the terms that its dealers request,” says Roberts. “If open terms are requested, Musicorp asks for credit references and if those references are positive, a line of credit is established, subject to monthly review.”

But like other companies, they have seen more dealers using credit cards for payments in the last couple of years. “Some dealers that are experiencing weaker cash flows are more in need of open terms to help them get product in their stores and have time to sell through it, then pay the invoice. The current conditions in the marketplace require Musicorp to be more vigilant in order to maximize sales opportunities while minimizing the risk.”

Roberts adds that they’ve seen some dealers have their lines of credit reduced by banks or by their credit card companies during the period of the credit crunch “but fortunately, Musicorp’s dealers have been able to secure financing options for the most part. Due to current economic conditions, the recent trend shows more credit card and COD dealers are requesting open terms. Changes imposed by Credit Card companies are reducing and constraining available credit lines for some dealers.”

“We work on a very relaxed, hand-shake type [credit] system, and St. Louis Music will continue to do that until there’s an issue,” Ragin says. “We’ve had to get strict with a few retailers who fell a little behind, but by and large business hasn’t been affected.”

32 MMR

AUGUST 2009

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legXiXcc\c\[ Zljkfd\i j\im`Z\ × fi[\ij `e Yp +1''gd flk k_\ jXd\ [Xp × d\iZ_Xe[`j`e^ [`jgcXp fgk`fej gcXe\knXm\j%Zfd @ (%/''%*)*%).+;Ë8[[Xi`f :fdgXep @eZ% @ =Xid`e^[Xc\ EP ((.*, @ [X[[Xi`f%Zfd ;Ë8[[Xi`f Xe[ GcXe\k NXm\j Xi\ kiX[\dXibj f] ;Ë8[[Xi`f :fdgXep# @eZ% fi `kj X]Ô c`Xk\j `e k_\ LJ Xe[&fi fk_\i Zfleki`\j% )''0 ;Ë8[[Xi`f :fdgXep# @eZ% 8cc i`^_kj i\j\im\[%

See us at NAMM Booth 1401

18th Annual

Wholesaler Guide ALABAMA Howard Core Company, L.L.C. 99 Symphony Way P.O. Box 5680 Anniston, AL 36205 (256) 238-9966 (800) 633-2302 (orders only) Fax (256) 238-VIOL (8465) E-mail: info@howardcore.com Web site: www.howardcore.com Alex Weidner, managing partner Tom Core, sls. mgr.

Categories: S&F, ACC, luthier supplies,

books, tools, cases, strings & bows.

Principal Brands: Instruments - Johannes Köhr (Exclusive); August F. Köhr (Exclusive); Gewa (USA Exclusive); Jaeger Cases (USA Exclusive); Franz Sandner; K500 series; S.I.R.

PS/R: Pro Sound/ Recording S&F: Stringed & Fretted AUGUST 2009

Cellos (USA Exclusive); HC Master Series; Semmlinger Cellos; Christopher Basses; Wilfer BassesBows - Glasser Bows; Marco Raposo Bows (USA Exclusive) Alfred, Hartmut, & Gerald Knoll; Horst Schicker; Lothar Seifert; Strings - Crown (USA Exclusive), Pirastro, Larsen, Thomastik, Super-Sensitive, Jargar, D’Addario, Goldbrokat, Westminster, Strad, Prim, Hill, & Corelli; Hannabach Classical Guitar Strings (USA Exclusive) Cases - Core Cases (Exclusive), Gewa (USA Exclusive), Negri (USA Exclusive), Concord; Bobelock, Winter.

Accessories - Teller, Aubert Mirecourt Bridges, Despiau Bridges, RDM Products, Ulsa end pins, Wittner metronomes & string adjusters, D’Addario Accessories, Intellitouch tuners , Viva

ETH: Ethnic ACC: Accessories BI: Band Instruments

PRC: Percussion PM: Print Music P/KB: Piano/Keyboard

La Musica; Everest , Kun, Kohr Fittings, Old Wood Finishing Products (USA Exclusive), Royal Oak Rosins & String Cleaner (USA Exclusive), Exclusive U.S.A distributor for Herdim tools.

Categories: PS/R: Pro Sound/Recording; Stringed & Fretted: ETH, Ethnic: ACC, Accessories: BI Band Instruments: PRC: Percussion: PM Print Music: P/KB: Piano/Keyboard

ARIZONA DBL Distributing LLC 16648 N 94th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 596-8636 (800) 733-6766 Fax: 800.388.9636 E-mail: Salessupport@dbldistributing.com Web site: www.dbldistributing.com Bruce Kuperman, SVP of Sales Categories: Pro Sound and Recording;

Stringed and Fretted; Piano and Keyboard; Percussion; Accessories Principal Brands: Pro Sound and ReMMR 35

Wholesaler Guide

Digital Pianos & Keyboards “From Italy...the Land of Music, History & Design”

Now available in the USA! Portable Digital Pianos & Ensemble Traditional Styled Digital Pianos, Grands & Ensemble Digital Church Keyboard Eight Models to Choose From

“You’ve Gotta Hear This Thing!” go to

www.wymanpiano.com/digital Contact: info@wymanpiano.com 941.661.0200

Distributed by Wyman Piano Company See us at NAMM Booth 739

cording; Denon Professional; Marantz Professional; Tascam; Numark; Pioneer DJ; Gemini; Gem Sound; audio-technica PRO; Apple; Cerwin-Vega!; Ion; Ortofon; Fender Audio; Hosa; Nady; Technics; Pyle; CAD; AKG; Sennheiser; Azden; Sony; Stanton; Phonic; Eminence; Amplivox; The Singing Machine Stringed & Fretted: Yamaha Guitars; Nady Guitars; GHS Strings; Shubb Piano & Keyboard: Casio; Yamaha; The Singing Machine Percussion: Yamaha; Stagg Accessories: Hosa; audio-technica PRO; Sennheiser; Buttkicker; Ultimate Support; Stagg; Littlite; Corriciadan Slides

ARKANSAS OSP Worldwide 920 South D Fort Smith, AR 72901 (800) 281-6607 Web site: ospworldwide.com Chris Ward, Buyers Group Member Relations Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC, PRC, P/KB

CALIFORNIA American Music and Sound 5304 Derry Ave., Suite C Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 597-7711 (866) 474-7711 Fax: (818) 597-0411 E-mail info@americanmusicandsound.com Web site www.americanmusicandsound.com Lynn Martin, pres.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC, P/KB, PRC Principal Brands: Allen & Heath, Focus-

rite, Hagstrom Guitars, Jay Turser Guitars and Basses, KV2 Audio, NetCIRA, Novation, Quik Lok, Stardraw, Studiologic, Vestax, UDG (Ultimate DJ Gear), Walden Guitars, Turbosound, Mano Percussion, Profile, Wharfedale Pro. Dana B. Goods 4054 Transport St., Unit A Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 644-6621 (800) 741-0109 Fax (805) 644-6332 E-mail: info@danabgoods.com Web site: www.danabgoods.com Dana Teague, Michael Brown, Dale Titus, Craig Costigan, James Garza, Marc Boomer, Jimmy Christen 36 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1504

AUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC Principal Brands: Aria, MTD Kingston, ADK Mics, T-Rex Engineering, Red Witch Analog Pedals, Lehle Switchers, Humfrees.

RockCable, Humfrees.

Dealer Direct 1852 Langley Ave Irvine, CA 92614 Orders: (800) 211-3319 Supplier/Vendor: (949) 863-0019 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 643-7406 Supplier/Vendor Fax: (949) 752-0056 Web: www.OrderDealerDirect.com Tony Blair, pres./CEO Alex Folken, import/export mgr.

Chuck G. Lightner controller Categories: S & F, ETH, PS/R, ACC, BI, PRC Principal Brands: Kay guitars, banjos, mandolins, resonator guitars, ukuleles, violins, electric guitars, electric bass guitars, amplifiers, harmonicas, pitch pipes, and accessories; Santa Rosa guitars, cuatros, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, violins, electric guitars, and accessories.

Performance Plus guitars, amps, guitar, banjo, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, cuatro and chromatic pitch pipes, wood and metal classic guitar foot stools, woven and hootenanny guitar and banjo straps, pegwinders, capos, picks, guitar parts, pickups, guitar cables, patch cables, speaker cables, adapter cables, transformers, mic mixers, recorders, violin bows, rosin and cases, nylon bags, mic cables, microphones, microphone accessories, mic stands, speaker stands, music stands, orchestra stands, amp stands, display stands, keyboard stands, keyboard benches, guitar hangers, guitar stands, karaoke stands, drums, bongos, congas, bell kits, percussion kits, snare kits, tambourines, cymbals, thrones, drum sticks, timbale sticks, small percussion products, drum keys and accessories; Cable Corp guitar cables, patch cables, linking plugs, speaker cables, midi cables, microphone cables, adapter cables,) Distributed Brands: 1st Note, Acme, Al Cass, Anton Breton, Attack Drumheads, AudioTechnica, Augustine, Austin City, Belmonte, Black Diamond, Blitz, Cable Corp, CB, Cherub, Chicago Blues, Clayton, D’Addario, D’Andrea, Danelectro, Dean Markley, Dunlop, E-Note, E-Bow, Fender, Fort Bryan, French American Reeds, G7th, Gibraltar, Gill, Golden Gate, Gretsch, AUGUST 2009

Grover, Guild, Hamilton, Herco, Hercules, Hohner, Ingles, Intelli, Intellitouch, John Pearse, Kay, Korg, Kyser, La Bella, La Voz, Latin Percussion, Lee Oskar, LM Straps, Marshall, Matrix, Mel Bay, Mighty Bright, Mighty Mite, MXR, National, Onboard Research, Paige, Performance Plus, Perri’s Straps, ProMark, QwikTime, QwikTune, Remo, Rico, Rotosound, Santa Rosa, Savarez, Schaller, Seiko, Shubb, Signal Flex, String Swing, Super-Sensitive, TKL, Toca, Tone, Trophy, Ultra, Vandoren, Vic Firth, Vox, V-Tech, Wittner, Yamaha, etc.

Digital Edge Distribution 2660 3rd St. #201 San Francisco, CA. 94107 (415) 285-9860 Dealer Order Line: (800) 811-1991 Fax: (415) 285-9862 E-mail: Sales@Digitaledge.CC Web site: www.Digitaledge.CC Categories: Music software and digital audio-related products.

Principal Brands: Ars Nova, BBE Sound,

CakeWalk, Emedia, Cool SFX, Harmonic Vision, Image Line, MakeMusic,

Hear the Changes ANNE DRUMMOND Powell 14K Sonaré 708

LEW SOLOFF Sonaré TR-800

just kinda different.

w w w . s o n a r e w i n d s . c o m MMR 37

Wholesaler Guide MiBAC, M Audio/Midiman, Musitek, PG Music, Sonic Network, Sony, Sound Quest, Tascam, U&I Software, Waves European Crafts, Inc. 3637 Cahuenga Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90068 (323) 851-4070 (800) 851-0750 Fax: (323) 851-0148 E-mail: ecraft@pacbell.net Web site: www.europeancrafts.net Mirek Strizka, pres.

Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, BI, PRC Principal Brands:Savarez, SKB, Remo,

Rico, Speedfire, Hohner, Martin, Shure, Pro-Mark, Regal Tip, Vater, D’Addario, Dunlop, Selmer, Bach, Electra, Estrella, Ace, Wittner, Augustine, Aranjuez, DeVillier, Schaller, Amati, Strunal, La Bella, Super-Sensitive, Dominant, Yamaha, La Voz, Jones, Otto Link, Rovner, Lee Oskar, Hamilton, Pignose, Gorilla, Grover, Trophy, Tric, Blitz, Ping, Shubb, Kyser, Universal Percussion, Danmar, Atlas, Neotech, Berg Larsen, Bobby Dukoff, Meyer, Clayton, Kun, Dean Markley, D’Angelico, Fort Bryan,

Glasser, Harmon, Herco, Micro, K & M, Kratt, Leo Quan, Pro Co, Rhythm Tech, Resonans, Rotosound, Claude Lakey, American Plating, John Pearse, Dunlop, Pyle Amplifiers, Lone Star Guitars, Bari Reeds, Miri Reeds, Zildjian.

KMC Music, Inc. 3690 Jurupa Street Ontario, CA 91761 (909) 969-9200 Principal Brands: (Please see Connecticut listing.)

Major Music Supply 918A Clement St., Suite 103 San Francisco, CA 94118 (888)-996-2567 (orders only) (415)-221-6666 Fax: (415) 221-9666 E-mail: majormusicsupply@yahoo.com Web site: www.majormusicsupply.com Web site: www.revivalacoustics.com Mike Mulqueen, sls. mgr.

Categories: S&F,ETH,PRC, ACC Principal Brands: Instruments: Revival

Acoustic Guitars, Revival Mandolins, Revival Resonators, Vivace Stringed

Learn how you can make more revenue stocking Mel Bay products: www.melbay.com/shopatron or call 1-800-863-5229 38 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 928

Instruments, Makai Uke Co., Adagio Violins, Verano Classical Guitars, Armor Cases, MMS World Instruments, WB Percussion.

The Music Link Corp.

380 Valley Dr. Brisbane, CA 94005 (415) 570-0970 (888) 552-5465 Fax: (415) 570-0651 Web site: www.themusiclink.net E-mail: sales@themusiclink.net Categories: PS/R, S&F, ETH, ACC, BI,

PRC, P/KB Principal Brands: Johnson acoustic & electric guitars, amplifiers, resonators, mandolins, ukuleles; Recording King banjos, acoustic guitars & art guitars; The Loar archtop acoustic guitars & mandolins; Paris Swing Co. mandolins; Dell’Arte gypsy jazz acoustic guitars; AXL guitars & amplifiers; Palatino violin-family instruments & accessories; Palatino band instruments; Palatino pianos; Lucida classical & traditional mariachi guitars; Antonio Hermosa classical guitars;

www.melbay.com is now powered by

AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1236

See us at NAMM Booth 518

For the finest handmade acoustic pickups

By Canada’s leading pickup manufacturer Summer NAMM Nashville July 17-19 2006 Booth 1706 MIAC Toronto Canada August 23-24 2009 Booth 210

If you really care about what your guitar sounds like...

Schatten Pickups There’s just no Quack!

We build more than 80 models of the finest sounding pickups for acoustic instruments that you’ve ever heard. All of our pickups are thoughtfully designed and are simple to install and best of all, most of our models require no modification to the instrument.

So if you’re looking for the best combination of sound and the most bang for your buck, do yourself a favor and take a pass on the Quack.

Pickups for: Steel String Guitar, Classical, Selmer, Archtop, Resonator, Tricone, Soundboard, Banjo, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Mandola, Piano, Autoharp, Appalachian Dulcimer, Celtic and Pedal Harp, Hammered Dulcimer.

See us at NAMM Booth 1706

For the finest handmade acoustic pickups 627 Colby Drive Waterloo Ontario Canada N2V 1B4 519-742-3862 toll free: 877-633-0177 fax: 519-742-1843 www.schattendesign.com email: sales@schattendesign.com

Wholesaler Guide Koloa professional ukuleles; Guardian bags & cases; Baltimore guitars; Antonius violin-family instruments; CODA drums & percussion; Savannah folk instruments; AXL guitar accessories & cables.

Saga Musical Instruments P.O. Box 2841 137 Utah Ave. South San Francisco, CA 94080 (650) 588-5558 (800) BUY-SAGA (289-7242) Fax: (650) 871-7490 Web site: www.sagamusic.com E-mail: info@sagamusic.com Richard Keldsen, pres.

Categories: S&F, ACC, ETH, folk insts.,

parts.

Principal Brands: Cremona and Anton

Breton Bowed Instruments; H. Siegler and J. La Salle bows; Blueridge, Durango, and Trinity College Guitars; Gitane and Cigano Gypsy Jazz Guitars; Regal Wood and Metal Body Resonator Guitars; J. Navarro and Valencia Classical Guitars; Gold Star, Rover, and Saga Banjos; Kentucky and Rover Mandolins; Trinity

AUGUST 2009

College Celtic Mandolins, Mandolas, Octave Mandolins and Bouzoukis; Mahalo and Hamano Ukuleles; Saga Electric Guitar Kits; Saga Acoustic Mandolin and Banjo Kits; Superior and Golden Gate Bags and Cases; Travelite Cases; Golden Gate Fretted Instrument Parts and Accessories; Anton Breton Bowed Instrument Parts and Accessories.

Trax Distributors 16851 Victory Blvd. #11 Lake Balboa, CA 91406 (818) 902-0619 (800) 334-TRAX Fax: (818) 902-2126 E-mail: trax@singing.com Web site: www.traxdist.com Ernie Taylor, pres.

Categories: PS/R, Karaoke Systems, har dware, Microphones, CDG, DVD, VCD software & CD accessories Principal Brands: Pocket Songs, Multimu-

sic Karaoke, Latin Stars, Legends, Panorama Hits Monthly,RSQ, Vocopro, ARK, Pro-2, Audio 2000,V2Go, Chartbuster, Singing Machine, Just Tracks, RJ Tech, Thayerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Stage Stars, Todos A Cantar.

Tornavoz Music 1455 19th St. Santa Monica, CA 90404 E-mail: info@tornavozmusic.com Web site: www.tornavozmusic.com (310) 586-1180 Fax: (310) 586-1181 Categories: Jose Ramirez, Cordoba, Paco de Lucia, Aparicio, Contreras, Loriente, Matsuoka, Sakurai-Kohno, Iberia, Humicase Principal Brands: S & F

Vitali Import Company, Inc. 13020 Whittier Blvd.

Whittier, CA 90602-3045 (562) 698-6508 (800) 325-8154 Fax: (562) 698-2429 E-mail: lcraven@vitaliimport.com Web Site: www.vitaliimport.com Lauretta Craven, pres.

Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, PM Principal Brands: Aubert Bridges, Corelli,

Jargar, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario, Kun Shoulder Rests, La Bella, Millant rosin, Pirastro, Prim, Savarez, Super-Sensitive, Thomastik.

MMR 41

Wholesaler Guide

COLORADO

DJ Miller Music/PROsing Karaoke 6365-53rd St. North, Suite B Pinellas Park, FL 33781 (800) 776-7464 Fax: (888) 388-9740 E-mail: sales@prosing.com Web site: www.prosing.com Dale Miller, pres.

Judi Miller, v.p.

Categories: PS/R, products for singers, kara-

oke, CDGs, DVDs, equipment, accessories.

Principal Brands: Sound Choice, MMO/

Pocket Songs, VocoPro, RSQ, Chartbuster, Forever Hits, IXT Systems, Emerson, Audio 2000 Disney, V2GO.

CONNECTICUT

See us at NAMM Booth 343

FBT - U.S.A. P.O. Box 8144 Berlin, CT 06037 (800) 333-9383 Fax: (860) 829-1026 E-mail: fbtusa@sbcglobal.net Web site: www.fbtusa.net Tom Concorde, v.p.

Carol Concorde, cust. svc. mgr.

Dennis Marturano, tech. spt. mgr.

Categories: PS/R, PRC, Guitar Amps Principal Brands: FBT Professional Audio,

QUBE Audio, Kempton Audio, Cicognani Guitar & Bass Guitar Amps, Equipment: FBT Maxx, Hi Maxx, Verve, Jolly, PSR powered and passive speakers, Formula series mixers, Symbol amps, Amico portable sound systems, FBT Modus powered and passive line arrays, Qube Audio powered & passive line arrays and speakers, Qube amplification, Kempton GT, PW Speakers, Kempton KA series amps, Kempton mixers, Cicognani series guitar and bass amps, Brutus series guitar amps, Imperium series guitar amps, Indy series bass guitar amps, Dragon effects pedals.

See us at NAMM Booth 212

Breaking News

Find it in the Hot News section of MMRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com 42 MMR

KMC Music, Inc. 55 Griffin Rd. South Bloomfield, CT 06002 (860) 509-8888 (877) KAMANMUSIC Fax: (860) 509-8891 (Sales) (877) KAMANFAX E-mail: info@kamanmusic.com, sales@kamanmusic.com Web sites: www.kamanmusic.com (portal to Kaman brands), AUGUST 2009

Neighbors can’t hear it.

Parents can’t hear it.

Cops can’t hear it.

But you won’t believe what the band can hear.

the silent rehearsal studio Introducing JamHub.™ Now your band can jam anywhere, anytime virtually silent to the outside world. Just pick a color section and plug in your instruments, mics and headphones. Then control your own individual mixes with new clarity and no volume wars. JamHub is also portable and affordable, with 3 models starting at only $299 street. So jam more, and get better faster.

See us at NAMM Booth 410

NAMM Nashville 7•17•09 ©2009 Breezong LLC.

JamHub.com

Wholesaler Guide www.kmconline.com (ordering), http://kdn.kamanmusic.com (dealer support materials and specials ) .

Ed Miller, pres.

Larry Dunn, v.p. finance, CFO Paul Damiano, Senior v.p. sls. & mktg.

Robert E. Lee, v.p. sls.

Bob Crescitelli, v.p. opns.

Chuck Bashaw, v.p. purchasing & int’l logistics Frank Untermyer, v.p. & g.m. Ovation/ Hamer/Gretsch Drums Categories: PS/R, S&F, ETH, ACC, BI, PRC, PM, P/KB Principal Brands: Ovation, Adamas, Applause, Celebrity, Takamine, Jasmine, Hamer USA, Hamer, Slammer, Genz Benz, Latin Percussion, Gretsch Drums, Toca Percussion, Gibraltar Hardware, Sabian Cymbals, Dixon Drums, Dixon Hardware, Fender Accessories, CB Drums, CB Educational Percussion, Rhythmix, Vic Firth Educational Percussion, Tranzamp, Seiko, Cherub, Matrix, Hercules Stands, Lee Oskar, Dean Markley, Adamas Strings, Elixir Strings, Levy’s Leathers, Eldon, Becker, Academy, Schuster, Kessler, Belmonte, Glen Ingles Display Products, Montana, Powerflex, Retro Parts, SignalFlex, Ultra, Windsor, Martin Strings, Monster Cable, TKL, Harley Davidson musical accessories, Remo World Percussion, Reunion Blues, Gretsch guitar accessories, Bigsby bridges, Guild guitar accessories.

Magnamusic Distributors Inc. 74 Amenia Union Rd. P.O. Box 338 Sharon, CT 06069-0338 (860) 364-5431 Fax: (860) 364-5168 E-mail: magnamusic@magnamusic.com Web site: www.magnamusic.com Madeline Mix Hunter, pres.

Categories: ACC, PM, recorders & historical woodwinds Principal Brands: Recorders: Aura, Coolsma, Dolmetsch, Zen-On. Publishers: Anfor, Ascolta, Avondale, Barandol, Broken Consort, Cheap Trills, Consort Music, Dolce Edition, Dolmetsch Library, Dovehouse, Early Music Library, Edition Baroque, Hawthorne, Harpsichord & Fortepiano Magazine, Hug, Jolly Robin Press, London Pro Musica, L’Oiseau Lyre, Loux, Magnamusic, Marlborough, Mayfair, Moeck, Muses Gardin, Musica Budapest, Pan, Peacock AUGUST 2009

Music teachers are amazed.

A

rthur Zorn, music teacher, composer and choirmaster from Montpelier, Vermont, couldn’t believe the rich tone and quick, highly-responsive action of the new Ritmüller GH148R. “The new Ritmüller was tremendous. It’s crazy how they produce such a great piano for the price.”

To learn more or to become a Ritmüller dealer, email us at: info@PearlRiverUSA.com or call 1.800.435.5086.

RitmullerUSA.com A product of Pearl River Piano Group MMR 45

Wholesaler Guide Jim Hennessey, pres.

Press, Muro, Pelican, Polyphonic Publications, Recorder Magazine, Schott, Sweet Pipes, Tomus.

Categories: PS/R, ACC, P/KB

The Music People! Inc./ TMP Pro Distribution 154 Woodlawn Rd. Suite C Berlin, CT 06037 1-800-289-8889 Fax: 860-828-1353 E-mail: sales@musicpeopleinc.com Web site: www.musicpeopleinc.com or www.tmppro.com

Astatic, Audio Spectrum, Audio-Technica, Audix, Beyerdynamic, CAD/Equitek, CAJ Countryman, Earthworks, Electro-Voice, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Telex, Wireless - Audio-Technica, Beyer Dynamic, Electro-Voice, Nady, Samson, Shure, Sony, Telex. Headphones: AKG, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Sony, Sound Systems: Atlas Sound, Community Sound, Electro-Voice, EAW, Fostex,

Principal Brands: Microphones: AKG,

Nothing New to Offer?

Gemini, InterM, JBL, Mackie, QSC, TOA, Williams Sound. Cables, Interfaces & Connectors: Hot Wires, Pro Co. DJ/Lighting: Gemini, Numark. Mixers : Alesis, Allen and Heath, Bi-Amp, Bogen, Mackie, Midas, Soundcraft, Toa. DSP’s/EQ’s/Processors: Ashly, Alesis, Bi-Amp, dbx, Klark Teknik, Lexicon, Rane, Symetrix, Toa. Amplifiers: Ashly, Bi-Amp, Bogen, Crest Audio, Crown, InterM, Lab Gruppen, Samson, QSC, Toa. Accessories - On-Stage Stands, On-Stage Gear, DrumFire, AKG, Atlas, Raxxess, VERSA-TEK, Hennessey Guitar Parts.

Drum Sticks: On-Stage Sticks.

On-Stage Stands 154 Woodlawn Rd. Suite C Berlin, CT 06037 1-800-289-8889 Fax: 860-828-1353 E-mail: sales@musicpeopleinc.com Web site: www.onstagestands.com Jim Hennessey, pres.

Categories: ACC Principal Brands: On-Stage Stands:

Attract customers and establish your store as the place with the latest and greatest with exciting new products from Denis Wick. Wick doesn't just offer one or two new sizes; they've developed entirely new mouthpiece lines and accessories, and are on the cutting edge of new mute materials. Set your store apart with Denis Wick products. You'll always have something new to talk about.

To get your store on the leading edge, call a DANSR representative at 888-707-4455 or email us at sales@dansr.com

Products in Demand. Performance by Design.

microphone, guitar, keyboard, speaker, amp, lighting, rack, karaoke, orchestra and sheet music stands. Accessories: microphone accessories, mic clips, pop-filters, windscreens, Posi Lok locking microphone booms, bags, cases, etc; On-Stage Gear: Guitar Straps, pick holders, keyboard dust covers, sustain pedals; DrumFire drum hardware, drum bags, snare wire replacements. Trademarks: Hex-Base (mic stands and studio booms), Flip-It (guitar stands), Hennessey (Guitar Parts).

P&D Wholesale Music Supply 1660 Barnum Ave. Stratford, CT 06614 (800) 823-5188 Fax: (203) 377-2576 Pete D’Addario, owner John Rampino, natl. sls.

Outside Reps: Gary Castelluccio & Associates Categories: PRC, ACC

North American importer • 818 W. Evergreen Ave., Chicago, IL 60642 • 888-707-4455 www.deniswickusca.com • sales@dansr.com 46 MMR

Principal Brands: Drums & percussion: Basik Drums, R.C. International Acrylic Drums, Tree Works, Swingtime Percussion. Acc. and Drum Hardware: Aquarian, Dan-Mar U.S.A, Cannon, Rhythm Tech, Grover, Trophy, Duplex, Noble & Cooley, Zero-Rings, Stick Handler, TPS, Neary Drum Torque, Lug Lock, ProMark, Remo, Muffl’s & Practice Pads, AUGUST 2009

& rez ami

©R

BAD TO THE BONE.

See us at NAMM Booth 1218

SOMETHING BETTER WILL COME ALONG WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER.

deanmarkley.com # 800 800 1008 Blue Steel’s™ proprietary Cryo-Tech® processing re-aligns and re-organizes the strings’ molecular structure into a more re-active configration. This tighter molecular configuration gives you a super brilliant string with extended life.

tes

ocia

Ass

Wholesaler Guide H.Q. Percussion, Real Feel, Shine On, Trick, Groove Juice, Blitz, Buckaroo, Ace, Latin Groove, Nomad, Kaces, SKB, Drum Heads, Attack, Remo, Drumsticks, Mallets, Brushes; Vic Firth, Pro-Mark, Regal Tip Hotsticks, Mike Balter, Vater, Innovative Percussion Inc., Swingtime Percussion, Slug Accessories; Cymbals: Sabian Solar, Imported Brass; Latin American Products: Bongos, Congas, Timbales, Cowbells, Maracas, Fort Bryan, Kaces, Perfekktion Bags, Qwik Time.

Tamarkin Company, Inc. 177 Rowley St., #2 Winsted, CT 06098 800 521 5464 Fax: 860 379 4834 E-mail : tamarkinmusic@aol.com Web site: tamarkincompany.net John Macbeth; pres.

Tom Daley: whse. Mgr. Principal Brands: Hardshell Cases, Chipboard Cases, Gig Bags, Grand Prix Cases, Edge Microphones,Bedford Stringed Instruments, Blitz, Hamilton, Kyser, Huang, Flinthill, Fort Bryan, Grover, Intelli, Intellitouch,Qwik Tune,

Concerto Manuscript, String Swing, Sound Barrier, SKB, RDM, Topp Pro, TKL, Jensen, JJTubes, Pignose, Latch Lake, Mighty Mite, Palmer, Pocket Rockit Amp, Cherub,Luthier Supplies

FLORIDA German American Trading Co., Inc. P.O. Box 17789 Tampa, FL 33682 (813) 961-8405 Fax: (813) 961-8514 E-mail: Germanamer@msn.com Bert Neidhardt, pres.

Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, BI, P/KB

(321) 724-1477 Fax: (321) 952-1080 E-mail: info@mid-east.com Greg Kundrat, pres.

Tropical Music Export Enterprises, Inc. 6850 S.W. 81st Terrace Miami, FL 33143 (305) 740-7454 Fax: (305) 740-7456 E-mail: sales@tropicalmusic.com Web site: www.tropicalmusic.com Peter Marrero, U.S. sls. mgr.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC, PRC, light-

ing. Branches in Chile, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Guatemala.

Principal Brands: August Foerster, Bohemia, Discacciati, Silvetta, Hopf, Musima, Wilhelm Eberle, Anton Schneider, Lenzner, Ratz & Pschera, Goldbrokat, Rubner, Adler, Meinel, Schlegel, Gebr.

Moennig, Otto Jos. Klier, Fisoma, Eberhard Meinel.

Principal U.S. Brands: American Drum Works, Biscayne, H. Hoffer, Juggs, Mano Percussion, MAS, Palmer, Palmer Espana, Pro-Lok, Snug Fit, Starforce, Topp Pro Music Gear, Windfield, Afrosound Percussion, Vizcaya Guitars, Palmer Marquis.

Mid-East Mfg., Inc. 7694 Progress Cir. West Melbourne, FL 32904

WD Music Products, Inc. 17570 N. Tamiami Trail Suite 1

Cutting custom pickguards is just the beginning...

Come see us at Summer NAMM 2009 in Nashville - Booth# 429

From creating unique projects like cutting custom pickguards to engraving on guitar bodies, our laser systems provide a wide variety of capabilities.

Create all the pickguard patterns you see here and so much more with one very versatile laser system.

All it takes is one idea.

Find out how other companies like yours are using lasers for musical instrument customization.

Systems starting as low as $7,995

Contact us today at 888-437-4564 or www.epiloglaser.com/mmr.htm AUGUST 2009

MMR 49

Wholesaler Guide North Fort Myers, FL 33903 (877) WDMUSIC Fax: (239) 543-5874 (800) 449-9348 E-mail: sales@wdmusic.com Web site: www.wdmusic.com Wendy Davis, pres.

Larry Davis, v.p.

E-mail: sales@chesbromusic.com Web site: www.chesbromusic.com Vanetta Chesbro Wilson, CEO Tana Jane Stahn, CFO Categories: S&F, PS/R, ACC, PRC, PM,

P/KB, ETH Principal Brands:Tama, Ibanez, Anthem,

Eleuke. CMC Perc., books & sheets of all publishers, consignment music programs, major-brand music instrument and accessories, display fixtures/literature racks, Futore Primitive, Musi*Key reference publication, Chesbro Music, Designer Gifts, accessories incl. Hohner, Lee Oskar, Rico, Remo, Vic Firth, Vater, Pro-Mark, Macrolus, Mike Balter, TKL, Rapco, Dunlop, Martin, LR Bags, Ernie Ball, Mighty Mite guitar parts, Cleartone Strings

Categories: S & F, ACC Principal Brands: Kent Armstrong Pickups, Kluson Tuners and accessories, L.R. Baggs, “Q” Parts, TonePros, Steelbender, Stromberg Jazz Guitars, TKL Cases, WD Fender-Licensed Replacement Necks, Moses, WD Finished Bodies, WD Custom Pickguards, CTS electronics, Switchcraft Electronics, Oak and CRL switches, Mallory, Sprague, WD guitar parts.

IDAHO

ILLINOIS

Chesbro Music Co. 327 W. Broadway St. P.O. Box 2009 Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2009 (208) 522-8691 (800) 243-7276 Fax: (208) 522-8712

Advantage Wholesale 3319 N. Ridge Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 (800) MUSICAL (687-4225) (847) 398-5480 Fax: (847) 398-5441

E-mail: sales@advantagewholesale.com Web site: www.advantagewholesale.com Categories: All categories musical merchandise Principal Brands: California, Eleca, Oscar Schmidt, Silvertone, Kansas Guitars, S101, Dunlop, Dean Markley, AudioTechnica, Advantage, LP, Martin, Morley, Kyser, D’Addario, Pyle Pro, Rico, Amati, Wittner, MXR, Pyramid, Rhino, Ace, Roy Benson, Pignose, Jim Dandy, Pro-Co, Qwik Tune, Attack Heads, Pro-Mark, Basix, Royce, Stick Handler, NRG, TKL, Lauren, Gorilla, LM Straps, Mighty Mite, Ultra, D-Tech, Herco, Tastee-Reeds, MTS, Leeder, lolite, Trick, Area 51, and many other instruments and accessories.

DANSR 818 W. Evergreen Avenue Chicago, IL 60642 888-707-4455 312.475.0958 sales@dansr.com Michael Skinner - President Categories: B&O, ACC Principal Brands: Vandoren, Denis Wick, Hamilton Stands

Call Toll Free

800-475-7686

or order online @ shsint.net

Vibration Tuning At It’s Finest!

Tunes Almost Anything!

Guitars - Bass - Banjo - Mandolin Resonator - Violin - Viola - Cello Brass - Woodwinds

5 Models To Choose From!

50 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 426

See us at NAMM Booth 1711

AUGUST 2009

BO

VI

OT

Not just

SI

H

T

US

#1

AT

30

EXCELLENT PRODUCT...

SU

7,

M

M

E

MA R N A M IN M !

FL OO R

VOVOX™ Sonorus Cable Lava Blue Demon™ Cable

The Lava Flow™ by PSIONIC AUDIO

Lava Solder-Free Pedal Board Kit Lava ELC™ Clear Connect Cable

Experts agree that you should evaluate an investment’s track record over a five year history. Lava Cable continues to grow and strengthen not only through it’s innovation of new and exciting products, but also through it’s increase in brand awareness, customer loyalty and unmatched customer service.

But the benefits don’t end there. Lava Cable offers products to cover every budget from standard to boutique, and backs them all with a no questions asked lifetime warranty. All orders are manufactured on demand in the USA and delivered in attractive packaging to help ensure a short shelf life. And, in addition to a rising demand, Lava Cable products have above average margins with further discounts for large orders.

Discover how Lava Cable products can add to your store’s bottom line. Give us a call at 910-797-7317 or visit www.lavacable.com.

See us at NAMM Booth 1307

LAVA CABLE IS A VETERAN OWNED COMPANY

W W W. L AVA C A B L E . C O M

|

910.797.7317

VIC FIRTH DEALER NEWS Vic Firth’s Sales Support Helps You Earn More Money Vic Firth, Inc. remains committed to providing multiple layers of support designed to increase your sales at the margins you require. We know how important stock replacement is to satisfy all customer demand—all orders are shipped within 24 hours of receipt to distribution partners with a 99% line item ll. We invest in VF marketing programs, educational programs and web activities to increase customer pull through for the #1 selling brand in the world.

Read on to see which activities customers and artists are viewing today.

WEB FEATURES

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT

CBS featured Vic Firth on the Sunday Morning Show: Russ Mitchell visited the Vic Firth plant to learn more about Vic, his company and his success. www.vicrth.com/features/CBS_3-29-09.html

Vic Firth created new posters featuring the much discussed Family Table ads.

See the new posters and their ordering numbers at: www.vicrth.com/b2b

Our Dealer and Distributor Support section features new key dealer information such as available merchandising displays, high rez photos and much more. www.vicrth.com/b2b Check out the recent photos/video of Vic Firth artists at the Frankfurt Musik Messe, New England Metal Festival and the Meinl Drum Festival in Russia! vicrth.com/features/MESSE09.html www.vicrth.com/features/NEMHF09.html www.vicrth.com/features/meinldrumfest.html

Current Vic Firth Value Packs help introduce new products and allow you to give FREE sticks to the drummers in your shop. www.vicrth.com/promo.html NEW PRODUCTS More TOP artists join the VF family every month. Watch the web site and your email announcing the 3 new signature sticks VF will launch during the Summer NAMM show!

Many make claims, Vic Firth makes sticks. See how the best sticks are made during your factory tour. Get a factory tour DVD for your store’s customers! www.vicrth.com/features/factorytour.html VALUE PACKS AND PROMOTIONS

FEATURED ARTISTS

MEDIA COVERAGE

Wholesaler Guide Harris-Teller, Inc. 7400 S. Mason Ave. Chicago, IL 60638 (708) 496-2100 (800) 252-4004 Fax: (708) 496-2130 E-mail: sales@harristeller.com Web site: www.harristeller.com Jon Harris, pres.

Categories: Genâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l. music mdse. and printed products.

Westheimer Corp.

3451 W. Commercial Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 498-9850 Fax: (847) 498-5370 E-mail: sales@westheimercorp.com Web site: www.westheimercorp.com

www.bariwoodwind.com www.myspace.com/bariwoodwind

N E W !

HYBRID BARI Saxophone Mouthpieces

A truly unique fusion of hard rubber and metal. The comfort and feel of hard rubber with the dynamics of a metal mouthpiece.

Categories: BI, S & F, P/KB, PM Principal Brands: Basix, Cort, Mighty

Mite, Roy Benson, Royce, Kansas.

INDIANA American Way Marketing LLC P.O. Box 1681 Elkhart, IN S/B 46515 (574) 295-6633 (800) 331-0664 Fax: (574) 293-9888 E-mail: info@americanwaymktg.com John Musselman, pres.

Jim Klingler, v.p.

Categories: ACC, BI Principal Brands: Superslick, Partner,

Faxx (proprietary); Al Cass, Alisyn, Antigua Stands, Bach, Bari, Berp, BG France, Blue Juice, Bobcat, Bo-Pep, Chop Saver, Claude Lakey, Denis Wick, Emerald, Fibracell, Hamilton, Harmon, Hetman, Hodge, Jones Reeds, Jo-Ral, Kratt, Mahasset stands, MARCA, Meyer, Micro, Mighty Bright, MTS, Neotech, Otto Link, Pack A Stand, Peter Ponzol, ProHands, Red Label, Reka, Rovner, Ruryon, Selmer, Super Sensitive Strings,Tom Crown, Trophy, Valentino, Vandoren and Yamaha.

AVAILABLE IN: HIGH POLISH AND VINTAGE FINISH FOR: ALTO SAX AND TENOR SAX

Black Mountain Musical Enterprises, Inc. 3250 North Post Rd., Suite 279 Indianapolis, IN 46226 (317) 899-1524 (866) 885-0881 Fax (317) 899-3837 E-mail: admin@blackmountainmusical.com AUGUST 2009

MMR 53

Wholesaler Guide Web site: www.blackmountainmusical.com Categories: PS/R, S&F, PRC, KB, ACC Principal Brands: Spencer Instruments,

Asheville Instruments, Miller Amplifiers, Guardian Cases, Onstage Stands, Danelectro, US Blues, Perfektion, Dean Markley, Eleca, Korg, Intellitouch, Wittner, Pamlico Sound, Matrix, Seiko, Qwik Tune, Sabine, Signal Flex, Ping, WD Products, Wedgie, Dunlop, Fred Kelly, Picks by the Pound, Golden Gate, National, Martin, D’Addario, Black Diamond, Ernie Ball, Kyser, Shubb, Paige, Blitz,

Clayton, Steven Steel, Eddie Bell, Chopsaver, String Swing, LM Straps, Fort Bryan, Mel Bay, Cassette & Video, Audio Technica, CAD, Hohner, Casio, General Percussion, Groove Juice, Zildjian, TKO Percussion, Sticks by the Pound, Beatnik, Mighty Brite, Anton Breton, Super Sensitive, Hamilton, Players, Rico, Van Doren, Grover, Trophy, Flinthill, Finger Ease, Remo.

Conn-Selmer, Inc. P.O. Box 310 Elkhart, IN 46515

Meeting the Needs of Students for More Than 25 Years ...

Our Best-Selling SV-175 Cremona Violin!

Cremona bowed instruments have set the pace for the vibrant student and rental markets for over 25 years. Strict adherence to international sizing requirements, domestic educational set-up standards and continuous quality improvement have made Cremona Violins, Violas, Basses and Cellos proven sales leaders.

Our best-selling, ebony fitted SV-175 Cremona Premier Violin Outfit has again been upgraded to include the new LaSalle LB-15 Octagonal Bow and the TL-33 deluxe rectangular Travelite case.

(574) 522-1675 Fax (574)522-0034 Web site: www.conn-selmer.com John Stoner, pres.

Categories: BI, PRC, ACC, S&F Principal Brands: Bach, Selmer (USA),

C.G. Conn, Leblanc, King, Selmer (Paris), Holton, Armstrong, Martin, Yanagisawa, Vito, Lewis, Emerson, Noblet, Benge, Artley woodwinds and brasswinds. Glaesel, Sherl & Roth, and Wm. Lewis string instruments.

Ludwig drums and Musser percussion instruments and accessories. Accessories: Bach, Selmer, C.G. Conn, Bundy, E. Rousseau, Primo, Gigliotti, Jo-Ral, Ridinour, Vandoren, Fibracell, Gonzalez, Hemke, LaVox, Mitchell Lurie, Wolfpack, Charles Davis, Brilhart, Goldentone, Gigliotti, Rico, Ridenour, Vinson, Rovner, Kooiman, Kiwi, Olivieri, Gill, Slide-o-Mix, Roy J. Maier, Cordier, BiNak, H.W., Al Cass, Hamilton, Manhasset, B.G., Petersen, Packa-stand, Korg, Trombotine, Glaesel, Lewis, RAO, Scherl & Roth, Pirastro, Prim, Thomastik, Jargar, Super-Sensitive, Glasser, Wolf, Resonans, Kun, Kadenza, Fortissimo.

Folkcraft Instruments, Inc. 22133 Main Street P.O. Box 302 Woodburn, IN 46797 (800) 433-3655 Fax: (317) 245-2378 E-mail: sales@folkcraft.com Web site: www.folkcraft.com Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, PRC, PM,

ocarinas, Renaissance flutes, early insts.

Principal Brands: Folkcraft Appalachian

Cremona SV-175 Violin Outfit: •Six sizes from 4⁄4 to 1⁄16 •Long lasting ebony fittings •Finetuner tailpiece for precise, easy tuning •Rugged TL-33 Travelite case •All-solid carved, graduated construction •Well-balanced LaSalle LB-15 bow with ebony frog Still

195

$

Suggested Retail

SV-175

54 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1100

[800] BUY-SAGA www.sagamusic.com Dealer inquiries invited.

Dulcimers, Legend Hammer Dulcimers, Pathfinder Hammer Dulcimers, Clarenbridge Folk Harps, Psalteries, FolkRoots Appalachian dulcimers, bodhrans, panpipes, most folk inst. & folk-related items.

B&S American Way Marketing P.O. Box 1681 Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-7466 (866) 594-8664 FAX: (574) 293-9888 John Musselman, pres.

Categories: BI AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1531

KENTUCKY Davitt & Hanser Music (A Division of Hanser Music Group) 2395 Arbor Tech Dr. Hebron, KY 41048 Orders: (800) 999-5558 (859) 817-7100 Fax: (800) 451-4944 E-mail: sales@hansermg.com Jack Hanser, chairman/CEO Bill Xavier, v.p. of sales Categories: PS/R, ACC, BI, PRC, S&F, video & instruction books

Wholesaler Guide boni™, Micro Mesh, Herdim, Ibex, Grobet, Hacklinger, Bend-a-Light, Dunlop, Grover Rotomatic Machines, L.R. Baggs, Henry Strobel, Harry Wake.

Strings: Super-Sensitive, Dr. Thomastik, D’Addario, Pirastro, Kaplan, La Bella, Prim, Larsen, Jargar, Corelli, Black Diamond.

Score Marketing P.O. Box 34431 Bethesda, MD 20827 301-765-7788

Fax 301-765-7790 info@scoremaktg.com www.scoremktg.com Mark Ingber - President Categories: S&F, ACC, BI,PRC Principal Brands:

Corriciadan, Shubb, Dolsey, Facelift, Lizard Spit, Lute Hole, Mighty Moe, Redland, Rick Rock, The Snake, Wrap-N-Strap, Mollard, ChopSaver, Chormatic Watch, GigLight, O-Tray, Peterson Metronomes & Tuners, Robokey, and Mighty Grip.

Principal Brands: Excel music products,

Woods guitars/mandolins/banjos, Musino violins/cellos/violas, TourGrade stands/ cases/bags, Shure, Audio-Technica, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Martin, Dean Markley, Kyser, Rico, Vandoren, Dunlop, Remo, Pro-Mark, Regal Tip, Vic Firth, Hohner, Lee Oskar, Super-Sensitive, Helicore, Pro Arte, Hamilton, Manhasset. Note: B.C. Rich, Kustom, Michael Kelly, Traben, and OLP are separate divisions of HMG. Musicorp Louisville Distribution Center 11400 Interchange Dr. Ste. 101 Louisville, KY 40229 Web site: www.musicorp.com Dan Roberts, v.p., sls.

Principal Brands:

(Please see South Carolina listing)

MARYLAND International Violin Company, Ltd. 1421 Clarkview Rd., Suite 118 Baltimore, MD 21209 (410) 832-2525 (800) 542-3538 Fax: (410) 832-2528 E-mail: sales@internationalviolin.com Web site: www.internationalviolin.com Lori S. Kirr, pres.

Ken Wise, g.m.

Categories: S&F, ACC, repair parts, tone wood, tools, bow hair, books Principal Brands: Karl Hofner, Ernst

Heinrich Roth, Aubert Lutherie, Dorfler, Wittner, Geipel, Strunal, Semmlinger, Engelhardt-Link, Calvert Violins, ProTec, Gottfried Sturm, Hans Royner, Arcadia Violins, P&H Fiberglass bows, Glasser bows, Motrya Gold, Kun, Despiau, Bausch, Aubert, A. Mirecourt, Hill, Playonair, Intellitouch, SoundAUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1611

MMR 57

Wholesaler Guide

MASSACHUSETTS

Harris Musical Products Inc. 49 Rose Streeet Stoughton, MA 02072 (781) 341-0776 Fax: (781) 341-0778 E-mail: harris.musical@verizon.net Web site: www.harrismusical.com Marc Harris

Principal Brands: Anton Bauer, Audio Accessories, Canon, Comprehensive, Da-Lite, Denon, Echo, FEC, IDX, IK Multimedia, Inter-M, JVC, Mackie, Martin, Miller, Miranda, Monster, Motorola, Optoma, Panasonic, Peerless Mounts, Petrol, Phoenix Audio, Philips, Pioneer, Premier Mounts, Sachtler, Samsung, Sandisk, Sharp, Sonnox, Sony, Tascam, Tecnec, Toshiba, TV One, VFI, Vinten

Categories: S & F, ACC, PRC, BI Principal Brands: Picks by the Pound,

Sticks by the Pound, US Blues, Buckaroo, Feel no Fret, Famous #351, Narragansett, Innersoul, Guitarlamp.

Shoreview Distribution 69 Elm Street Foxboro, MA 02035 800.558.3877 Fax: 781.784.4680 E-Mail: Luke@shoreviewdistribution.com Web Site: www.shoreviewdistribution.com Luke Furr, President Categories: Professional Audio, Profes-

sional Video, Consumer Electronics, Projectors, DJ & Lighting, Video Conferencing

58 MMR

MICHIGAN Castiglione Accordion Co. 13300 E. 11 Mile, Suite A Warren, MI 48089-1367 (586) 755-6050 Fax: (586) 755-6339 E-mail: johncast@bignet.net Web site: www.castiglioneaccordions.com John Castiglione, pres.

Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, B&O, PM,

accordions, concertinas, button boxes, amps, pickups, folk instruments, reed instruments, used accordions, MIDI instruments, wireless MIDI systems, Roland reedless accordions, Roland amps.

Principal Brands: Beltuna, Excelsior,

Scandalli, Paolo Soprani, Guerrini, Dallape, Bugari, Hohner, Melodjia, Strasser, Karntnerland, Castiglione, Stagi Concertinas, Tyrolean, Master MIDIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Musictech MIDIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Logic MIDI Systems, Polytone Amplifiers, Centaur Amplifiers, Delicia & Halavecek, Ciao Electronics with reedless and reed accordions, Sem Accordions, Orla Keyboards, Orlavox Reedless Accordions, Orla Arrangers, Midivox III Excelsior Accordions, E. Soprani Accordions, Roland FR 5 and FR 7 Virtual Accordions.

LPD Music International 32575 Industrial Dr. Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 585-9630 (800) 527-5292 Fax: (248) 585-7360 E-mail: mail@lpdmusic.com Web site: www.lpdmusic.com Sonia Vallis, pres.

Tom Vallis, v.p.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ETH, ACC, BI, PRC Principal Brands: AKG, Amati band instruments, American DJ, Atlas, Audio-Technica, Audix, Belcrest band

AUGUST 2009

NEMC

Why We’re #1 $30,579,118.00

NEMC Over

50 Years

(Paid to our Licensed Affiliates) The financially stable program of choice for discerning dealers whose eye is on the future.

Now is the time to get out from under the financial RISK and BURDEN of running your own rental program.

The NEMC Affiliate Program Offers:

SIN

Q U A L I T Y

CE

S E R V I C E

1957

Be A Part Of Our Next Successful 50 YEARS!

� A No Fee Licensed Affiliate Rental Program. � Rental agreements that are customized to the specific laws of the Affiliate’s state. � State licensing and/or registration of the Affiliate’s rental program at NEMC’s expense. � Only one quality level of name brand instruments in New and Like-New condition only. � The restoration of all rental returns to Like-New condition at NEMC’s service facility. � Multi-colored Promotional & Educational handouts provided. � Motivational mailings to the Affiliate’s customers. � No inventory investment and all normal freight costs are paid by NEMC. � One of the largest staffs of skilled repair technicians dedicated only to rental instrument service. � Hands-on repair training in our NJ repair center with one-on-one private instruction (FREE). � Billing and collecting rental fees for the Affiliate’s accounts. � Ability to review customer accounts 24/7 through a dedicated web site. � The NEMC Calling Plan for collections. Working for the Affiliates from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Plus:

� The Platinum Plan Plus - to increase commission percentage. � The Annual Rental Bonus Plan - for an additional cash bonus.

� Each Affiliate is able to create a Custom, Competitive, and Profitable price schedule for the

� Business is promoted into the Affiliate’s retail store, not onto the Internet. NEMC does not Affiliate’s individual marketplace. NEMC does not post rental prices on the Internet.

� An Affiliate’s territory is protected. NEMC will not set up its own retail stores in an Affiliate’s territory. compete against its own Affiliates by renting ‘On-Line’.

For Complete Information: Call Toll Free (800) 526-4593 Ext. 240

Ask For Gene Garb

NEMC

National Educational Music Company 1181 Route 22, Box 1130 Mountainside, New Jersey 07092

See us at NAMM Booth 838

www.nemc.com

Wholesaler Guide

TIMELESS.

Engineered and Built in the U.S.A. A classic in its own time, the sophisticated new Equitek E100S has the lowest noise floor in its class (3.7 dBA), and the smooth, rich tone with full low end CAD is known for. The bootstrapped, full differential Quadra-FET™ front end, plus CAD’s proprietary circuitry ensures the highest performance. Vintage cherry case and stealth shock mount included.

NAMM Booth 318

Because an ear is a terrible thing to waste.

CADMICS.COM

instruments, Blessing, Casio, City Limits Straps, Community, Conquest, Crestwood guitars, Crown, Danelectro, Darling Divas Guitars, Dunlop, Electro-Voice, Englehardt, EPM, Vic Firth, Furman Sound, Galaxy Audio, GCI Technologies, Korg Tuners, Grab Bag, Hal Leonard, Hohner, Hosa, Italia Guitars, Josef Bremen Stringed Instruments, Latin Groove percussion, Latin Percussion, Lexicon, Lonestar Guitars, L.R. Baggs, Middle Atlantic, Nady, Neotech, Lee Oskar, Oscar Schmidt, Pignose, Pro-Co, Pro-Mark, Qwik Tune, Remo, Rhythm Tech, Rolls, Seiko, Selmer accessories, Sennheiser, Shadow, Shure, SKB, Soundcraft, Sparrow Guitars, Sperzel, String Swing, Switchcraft, Tara Guitars, Tascam, Telex, Thomastik, TKO Percussion, Tube-Tech Stands, Ultimate Support, Windsor band instruments, Yamaha, Zildjian accessories.

M&M Distributing Co. 2465 S. Industrial Hwy. Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1411 (800) 98-STRAD (987-8723) Fax: (800) 99-STRAD (997-8723) E-mail: MM@MandMDistributing.com Haig Avsharian, pres.

Categories: S&F, wholesale distributor of all bowed instruments, cases, strings, and accessories Principal Brands: Pirastro, Thomastik, Jargar, Super-Sensitive, Sensicore, Larsen, Dominant, Prim, D’Addario, Cushy, American Case Co., Play-on-Air, Carlsson, Heritage, Tourte, Kun, Otto Ernst Fischer, Children’s Music Series, Finkel, Schneider, Hoffmann, H.R. Pfretzschner bows, Stretto Humidifiers, Nilton music stands, John Cheng workshop violins, Evy Lavrent Bows, Toshiba Cases, Overture Strings, Presto Carbon Fiber Bows, Embassy Cases, Plug ‘N Play Electric Violins, Cellos, Amps; Suzuki.

MINNESOTA Midwest Music Distributors, Inc. 6801 W. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55426 (952) 925-1928 (800) 332-9872 Fax (952) 925-2541.

E-mail: jalvord-mmd@qwest.net Web site: www.midwestmusic.biz Jeff Alvord, pres.

Categories: S&F, BI, ETH, PRC

60 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 318

Half the weight

of the original Shubb Capo! www.shubb.com info@shubb.com 707-843-4068 See us at NAMM Booth 1010 AUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide Instruments: Strunal, Amati, Hohner, Montana, HiLo, LPD, Danmar, Jida, Latin Percussion, Lee Oskar, Whitehall, and Cannon. Fretted and Combo Accessories and Supplies: Picks by the Pound, Feel No Fret, Famous 351’s, LM Straps, Dunlop, Sheehan Enterprises, Shubb, Kyser, Fender, C.F. Martin, D’Andrea, Evans, Remo, Planet Waves, National, Black Diamond, Snarling Dogs, Vic Firth, Pro-Mark, Hot Sticks, Sticks by the Pound, Danmar, Universal Percussion, Duplex, Grover, Dixon, Trophy, Korg, Thomastik-Infeld, Dampits, Herco, D’Addario, Qwik Tune, Signal Flex, OnStage, Perfektion Music, Flight Form, TKL, Schaller, Ping, Ace, Konig & Meyer, Intellitouch, Hamilton, Performance Plus, Dean Markley, and Ingles. Band and Orchestra Accessories and Supplies: Super-Sensitive, Rico, Vandoren, Emerald, Jones Double Reed, La Voz, Dampits, Kun, D’Addario, Pirastro, Bari, Playonair, Kinder Chinder, Resonans, Wolf, Dresden, Bausch, Tourte Mutes, Glasser, Wittner, Becker, Kafko, Pop’s, Sherman, Hidershine, RAO, Petz, Hill, Rockstop, Bach, Selmer, Blessing, Bundy,

Runyon, Neotech, Harmon Mutes, Micro, Fort Bryan, Hamilton, Prop-It, Belmonte, Pack A Stand, Prestini, Herco, Original Swab Co., American Plating, Blitz, Center Pitch, Al Cass, Holton, D.E.G., Roche- Thomas, King David Batons, H.W. Padsavers, Corder, Yamaha, Cambridge, Tudor, Mike Balter, Remo, Grover, Trophy, Duplex, Dominant, Konig and Meyer, Wm. Kratt Pitchpipes, Modular Cases, TKL, Mitchell Lurie, Frederick Hemke, Shastock, Free Tone, Sacconi, Matrix, Seiko, Pacific Trends, Band Stand, and Universal Klip Light.

MISSOURI KC Music Supply LLC 1300 Quebec N. Kansas City, MO 64116 (816) 309-8870 Order Line (toll-free) 1-877-424-9060 Fax: (816) 781-7312 E-mail: kcmusicsup@aol.com Jim Grimm, pres.

Categories: S&F, ACC, PRC Brands: Shoal Creek Guitars, Kyser, Her-

cules, Shubb, Eleca, Performance Plus,

Intellitouch, Qwik Tune, TKL, S101 Guitars, Intelli, Trophy, Ultra, Seiko, Kay, Applecreek Dulcimers, Grover, Perris, California Guitars/ Amps, Might Brite, and many more.

MMB Music 9051 Watson Road Suite 161 St. Louis, MO 63126 (314) 531-9635 (800) 543-3771 Fax: (314) 531-8384 E-mail: info@mmbmusic.com Web site: www.mmbmusic.com Michelle Kruggel, President Categories: PRC Principal Brands: Studio 49 Orff Instruments, Exclusive US Distributor

St. Louis Music (Owned by U.S. Band and Orchestra Supplies) 1400 Ferguson Ave. St. Louis, MO 63133 (314) 727-4512 Fax: (314) 727-8929 E-mail: Rich@usbandsupplies.com Web Site: www.stlouismusic.com

Wholesalers of:

Juzek Stringed Instruments Bows Cases Strings Accessories

P.O. BOX 1415 STOWE, VT 05672 1.866.846.5461 AUGUST 2009

sales@metmusic.com MMR 61

Wholesaler Guide Mark Ragin, CEO Stan Morgan, President Gail Rose, Sr. Vice President, Operations Chris Meikle, Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Brand Development Jim Eaton, Vice President, Knilling String Instrument Division Rich Dumstorff, Vice President, Sales Categories: Orchestral Instruments

and Accessories, Woodwind and Brass Accessories, MI Accessories, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Amplifiers, Percussion Principal Brands: Marketplace Accessories, US Band and Orchestra Accessories, Austin Guitars, Knilling String Instruments, Engelhardt String Instruments, Zonda Reeds, Apollo Drums Principal Proprietary and Distributed Brands: Apollo Drums, Audio Technica,

Austin Guitars, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;addario, Danelectro, Dean Markley, Dunlop, Furman, Hamilton Stands, Hohner, Hosa, Korg tuners, Kyser, LaBella, Lace Pickups, Martin Strings and Accessories, Middle Atlantic, Nady, Paiste, Peterson, Planet Waves, Players Products, Pro Mark, Remo, Rhythm Tech, Rico, Sennheiser, Shubb, St. Louis Stage Hardware, TKL, Vandoren, Vic Firth, Wittner

NEW JERSEY Gary Castelluccio & Assoc.

57 Crooks Ave. Clifton, NJ 07011 (973) 772-3333 (800) 888-1899 Fax: (973) 772-5410 E-mail: info@castelluccio.com Gary Castelluccio, pres.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC

NEW YORK See us at NAMM Booth 336

Breaking News

Find it in the Hot News section of MMRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com 62 MMR

Creative Stage Lighting Co., Inc. P.O. Box 567 149 Rte. 28 N. North Creek, NY 12853 (518) 251-3302 Fax: (518) 251-2908 E-mail: info@creativestagelighting.com Web site: www.creativestagelighting.com George B. Studnicky III, pres.

Categories: Lighting Supplier, Rentals, Fixtures, Lamps, Consoles, Rigging hardware.

Principal Brands: Dura-Flex, EntertainAUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide ment Industry Tape, Cam-Lok, Altman, High End Systems, Osram-Sylvania, GE, ETC, James Thomas Engineering, Suspension Solutions, Entertainment Power Systems, Rosco, Lee Filters, Clear Com Systems, Northern Case.

Entertainment Music Marketing Corp.

(EMMC New York) 770-9 Grand Blvd.

Deer Park, NY 11729 (631) 243-0600 (800) 345-6013 Fax: (631) 243-0605 Email: emmcmusic@aol.com Jeff Saltzman, pres.

Categories: S&F Brands: Mathias Thoma, Marco Briere, Leon Aubert, Revere

Ideal Musical Merchandise Co. 150 W. 22 St., 2nd floor New York, NY 10011 (212) 675-5050 Fax: (212) 989-9275 E-mail: info@emmcmusic.com Web site: www.emmcmusic.com Kate Loeb, pres.

Categories: S&F, BI Principal Brands: Stringed instruments by

Josef Lorenz, Andreas Morelli, Jan Kulik, G. F. Heberlein, Hermann Lowendall, Roma, Wenzel Kohler Cellos & Basses, Roman Teller, Ernst Heinrich Roth, T.G. Pfretzschner, G.A. Pfretzschner, Enesco Stringed Instruments, Artur Teller Violins & Violas, Emanuel Wilfer Basses, Lothar Semmlinger, Rudy & Josef Schuster Cellos. Basses 1/10 to 3/4 size

by Enesco & Roma. Cases by Gordge, Gewa, Jaeger & Winter. Wittner Metronomes, Music Stands & Tuning Forks, Bows by Joseph Richter, Heinz Dolling, Otto Durrschmidt, Horst Schicker, Herbert Wanka, Willhelm Raum, Alfred Knoll, Lothar Seifert and C.F. Durro Carbon Fiber Bows. Strings by Pirastro, Prim, Kaplan, Jargar, Thomastik and Larsen. Cadet Band Instruments, Musica Rotary Band Instruments, Amati Band Instruments, Aubert Mirecourt & Despiau Bridges, Rosin by Hill, Liebenzeller, Pop’s, Nyman. Shoulder Rests by Kun, Wolf & Resonans, violin maker’s wood & tools, Ideal Instrument Products.

International Music Café Co- Presidents- Barrie Kolstein and Jeffrey Saltzman 795 Foxhurst Road Baldwin, NY 11510 Phone: (516) 546-9300 Phone: (631) 243-0600 Fax: (631) 243-0605 Email: Internationalmusiccafe@gmail.com Brands- Mathias Thoma, Marco Briere, Kolstein, Leon Aubert Lou Capece Music/Music World Ent. Inc. 2555 North Jerusalem Road East Meadow, NY 11554 (516) 221-5596 (800) 321-5584 Fax: (800) 573-3630 E-mail: sales@loucapecemusic.com Web site: www.loucapecemusic.com Lou Capece, pres.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ETH, ACC, BI,

PRC, P/KB Principal Brands: Di Palo violin, Oxford

violin, viola, cello, double bass, New York Pro guitar, mandolin, electric bass, Danville amp, Daphon effects pedal, New York Pro gig bag, New York Pro drumsticks,

SCORE Mktg.

Booth # 323 Marketing popular, unique products to the music industry.

Visit our booth for the chance to win a

FREE iPod

- No Purchase Required

CORRICIADAN Medicine Bottle Guitar Slides SHUBB Capos Dolsey Rotating 3-Guitar display stand Facelift Guitar Overlays Lizard Spit Polishes and cleaners Lute Hole Decorative wood feedback reducers Mighty Moe AmpStraps Redland AxeMats and Guitar Workstations Rick Rock Guitar Picks and Accessories The “Snake” Fast Guitar Stringwinder Wrap-N-Strap Cable Organizers MOLLARD Conducting Batons ChopSaver Natural Lip Balm Chromatic Watch Company GigLight Portable Music Stand Lights O-Tray Mic stand accessory holder Peterson BodyBeat Metronome & Tuner Pick-up clip Robokey 4X Fast drum key Mighty Grip Drum Gloves and stick powder _________________________________________________

SCORE Mktg. P.O.B. 34431 Bethesda, MD 20827 Phone: 301-765-7788 Fax: 301-765-7790 Web: www.scoremktg.com Em: info@scoremktg.com AUGUST 2009

MMR 63

Wholesaler Guide Intelli Tuners, Intelli metronome, Kyser Capos, Shubb Capos, New York Pro tenor sax, alto sax, trumpet, clarinet, pocket trumpet, trombones, Mr. Music stands, Mr. Tambourine, Gliga Vasile violin, Oxford violin, viola, cello strings, Panasonic batteries, Schaller strap lock, Fort Bryan strap, American Pro rosin, Wittner, Loud Mouth speakers, Dean Markley Strings, Parrott Harmonicas, Super-Sensitive, Buffalo Products, Sky Products, Music Net Work Products, Drum Boy bongos & congas, Play-On Tunes.

Micro Musical Products Corp.

180-08 Liberty Ave. Jamaica, NY 11433 (718) 658-1030 Fax: (718) 658-5942 Categories: BI Principal Brands: Duplexo, Free-Tone, Le

Pectole, Nu-Shine, SPIVAK, Shastock, Thermo-flox.

New Sensor Corp.

(Electro-Harmonix/Sovtek) 32-33 47th Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 937-8300 (800) 633-5477 Fax: (718) 937-9111 E-mail: sales@newsensor.com Web site: www.newsensor.com and www.ehx.com Categories: PS/R, ACC Principal Brands: Sovtek vacuum tubes, Electro-Harmonix vacuum tubes, Tungsol vacuum tubes, Mullard vacuum tubes, Genelex Gold Lion vacuum tubes, JJ vacuum tubes, Svetlana vacuum tubes, JJ Electronic vacuum tubes and others.

Eminence speakers, EH speakersDunlop sound effects, Pro Co sound effects, EBow sound effects JJ capacitors, Sprague Capacitors, Illinois capacitors, Xicoa capacitors, F & T capacitors, Switchcraft Parts, Carling Parts, CTS Parts, Alpha Parts, Marshall parts, Fender parts, Craig chemicals, Duracell batteries

Rhythm Tech, Inc. 29 Beechwood Ave. New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 636-6900 (800) 726-2279 Fax: (914) 636-6947 Web site: www.rhythmtech.com Richard Taninbaum, pres. & CEO Categories: PRC, ETH, ACC, BI Principal Brands: Rhythm Tech Conga,

Bongos, Rhythm Tech Tambourine, Solo Tambourine, Dst Drum Set Tambourine, True Colors Tambourines (10” and 8”), Traditional Tambourines (headed), Trigger Mount, DSM2 Universal Mount, DSM Quad Mount, MGT Mountable Gig Tray, Wireless Mic Clip, Active Snare System, Balance, Bass Drum Beater, Hat Trick, IT Tuners, Memokey, Studio Shaker, Live Shaker, Studio Series Cowbell, Moon Block, Rhythm Tech Cabasa, Rhythm Tech Piccolo Cabasa, Bar Chimes, Studio Chimes, Trigger Triangle, Claves, Rain Maker, Barbell, Maracas, Pete Engelhart Metal Percussion, Sideman, Skrather, The Laptop.

Tone King Corp.

P.O. Box 1095 Wyandanch, NY 11798 (631) 643-8333 (800) 662-3478 64 MMR

AUGUST 2009

Fax: (631) 643-8005 Evelyn Conrad, pres.

Categories: S&F, ETH, ACC, PRC, BI Principal Brands: Ace, Adamas, Alaska Pic, Aranjuez, Blessing, Cable Corp., Augustine, Blitz, Buckaroo, Clayton, Danmar, Darco, Dava, D’Andrea, D’Angelico, Deadringer, Dean Markley, DEG, Dr. Stringfellow, Dr. Thomastik, Dunlop, Duplex, E-Bow, Emerald Reeds, Ernie Ball, Eudoxa, Fender, Finger Ease, Flageolet, Franz, Frost Rosin, Gibson, Gill, Glasser, Gorilla Snot, Grover, Guild, Guitar Now, Hamilton, Harmon, Hearos, Herco, Hohner, Holton, Huang, H.W. Pad Saver, John Pearse, K & M Stands, Kratt, Kun, Kyser, La Bella, Latch Lake, Ludwig, Manhasset, Martin, Mel Bay, Micro, MVP, Neotech, Pac-AStand, Pignose, Pirastro, Pocket Tones, Pro-Mark, Regal Tip, Remo, Rhythm Tech, Rico, Rotosound, Rovner, Runyon, Sageman, Savarez, Schaller, Selmer, Shubb, Signal Flex, SKB, Sonic II, Stephi, String Swing, Super-Sensitive, SuperSlick, TKL, Trophy, Ultra, Universal Percussion, Vega, Vic Firth, W.D. Parts, Wittner, ZerOring.

AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1209

NORTH CAROLINA Rowdy Pickers Musical Products PO Box 4899 Mooresville, NC 28117 Phone 850-380-3438 Email lawson@rowdypickers.com Web Site www.rowdypickers.com Contact Lawson Peets Categories Strings, Books, Replacement Tuners, and Accessories

Wholesaler Guide Universal Percussion Inc. 1431 Heck Rd. Columbiana, OH 44408 (330) 482-5750 (800) 282-0110 Fax: (800) 979-3786 E-mail: sales@universalpercussion.com Web site: www.universalpercussion.com Tom Shelley, pres.

Categories: ACC, PRC, two full lines of

Principle Brands-- COB Picks, Dean

drums sets

Markley, Osborne Banjo Heads, Morrell Books, and PegHeds® Geared Tuners.

Principal Brands: Cannon, Mega, JAMM,

OHIO V.J. Rendano Co. Inc. 755 E. 82nd St. Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 881-0599 (800) 321-4048 Fax: (216) 432-3642 Categories: S&F, ACC, BI, PRC, P/KB, amps Principal Brands: Galveston, Monique,

T.J. Percussion, Texarkana, Casio, Pro Co, Audio-Technica, Karera, Shure Microphones.

Attack, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Pro-Mark, Vater, Regal Tip, Mike Balter, Drum Workshop, Rhythm Tech, Mic-Eze, RealFeel, Sound Off, Percussion Publications, Wuhan, Handzon Latin Goods, Istanbul, Beato Bags, Innovative Percussion, Black Swamp Percussion, Slug Percussion, Ayotte, Videus & Dud’s, Holz, Cymbal Cleaners Asst., Lug Lock, Latin Percussion, Ludwig, Noble & Cooley, Pure Sound, Tree Works, Trick, XL Products, Qwik Time, Evans Products, Now a Full Distributor of Zildjian Cymbals and Remo Drum Heads.

MMR 65

Wholesaler Guide

PENNSYLVANIA

AIM Gifts/ Albert Elovitz Inc. 3001 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 16066 (800) 233-2800 Fax: 412-683-3110 E-mail: sales@aimgifts.com Web site: aimgifts.com Albert Elovitz, pres.

Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd. P.O. Box 295 Center Valley, PA 18034 (610) 691-3302 Fax: (610) 691-3304 E-mail: info@jpstrings.com Web site: jpstrings.com Mary Faith Rhoads-Lewis, CEO Categories: S&F, ACC, ETH, PM, video

Categories: ACC, general music gift merchandise, accessories

courses

Principal Brands: AIM, Albert Elovitz Inc.

Strings & Acc., John Pearse Books

Principal Brands: John Pearse Music

&Video Lessons; Breezy Ridge Hammer Dulcimers, Ol’ Reliable Capos, D’Angle, Artiste Strings & Rosins, Weissenborn Strings, Nuages Gypsy Strings, Lil’ Nipper, K’Saire, John Pearse Armrests, JP Acoustic Pickups, Wood, Horn & Bone Fancy Picks, Jazz & Studio Flat Picks, The Edge Slide, Brass KingPins, Horn Bridge Pins, Bone Bridge Pins, Faux Tortoiseshell Bridge Pins, John Hartford Banjo Strings, Vintage Thumbpicks, HiRider Fingerpicks.

Hoshino USA P.O. Box 886 Bensalem, PA 19020 (215) 638-8670 (800) 669-8262 Fax: (215) 245-8583 E-mail: hoshinousa@aol.com Web site: www.ibanez.com www.tama.com Bill Reim, pres.

Categories: S&F, PRC, Guitar/Signal

Processing, Guitar and Bass Amplifiers Principal Brands: Ibanez Guitars & Basses, Ibanez Electronics & Amplification, Tama Drums & Hardware.

SOUTH CAROLINA MBT Lighting & Sound Street Address: 2456 Remount Road, Suite 305 North Charleston, S.C. 29406 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 63366 North Charleston, S.C. 29419-3366 (843) 745-8501 (800) 845-1922 Fax: (843) 745-8502 Web site: www.musicorp.com Dan Roberts, v.p., sls.

Categories: S&F, PS/R, BI, PRC, ACC, KB Principal Brands: Barcus-Berry, J.B. Play-

er, Percussion Plus, Arbor, J.Reynolds, RMS, Amigo, Lauren, MBT Lighting & Sound, Sierra Guitars, Samson, Zoom, Hartke, Yamaha guitar packages and portable keyboards, Sabian, Dean Guitars, Remo Crown Percussion, Luna Guitars, Stageline.

Musicorp 2456 Remount Road, Suite 305 North Charleston, S.C. 29406 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 63366 North Charleston, S.C. 29419-3366 (843) 745-8501 66 MMR

AUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide (800) 845-1922 Fax: (843) 745-8502 Web site: www.musicorp.com Dan Roberts, v.p., sls.

Principal Brands: MBT Lighting & Sound,

Barcus-Berry, Stageline, Dean Guitars, Sabian, RMS, Percussion Plus, Adam, Lauren, J. Reynolds

Bristol, TN 37620 (423) 968-5811 Fax: (423) 968-5409 Curtis Morrell, pres.

Principal Brands: Barcus-Berry, J.B. Play-

TENNESSEE

Categories: S&F, ACC, PRC, PM, guitars, cases, videotapes

er, Percussion Plus, Arbor, J.Reynolds, RMS, Amigo, Lauren, MBT Lighting, Sierra Guitars, Stageline, MBT Cases, Samson, Zoom, Hartke, Yamaha guitar packages and portable keyboards, Sabian, Dean Guitars, Luna Guitars, Shadow, Fender Accessories, Groove Tubes.

EMD Music, Inc. P.O. Box 487 LaVergne, TN 37086 (866) 871 5800 (615) 793-8787 Fax: (877) 231-6653 E-mail: usa@emdmusic.com Web site: www.staggmusic.com

Categories: PS/R: Pro Sound/Recording; Stringed & Fretted: ETH, Ethnic: ACC, Accessories: BI Band Instruments: PRC: Percussion: PM Print Music: P/KB:

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ETH, ACC, BI,

Piano/Keyboard

KMC Music, Inc. 1042A Fred White Blvd.

Portland, Tenn. 37148 (615) 325-7104

Categories: S&F, PS/R, BI, PRC, ACC, KB

M&A Sales, LLC 2456 Remount Road #305 N. Charleston, SC 29406 (800) 323-6500 Fax: (800) 646-1950 Dan Roberts, Vice Pres.

Categories: S&F, PS/R, BI, PRC, ACC, KB

145 PETROF years sounds

PRC Principal Brands: Stagg

Principal Brands:

(Please see Connecticut listing.)

Morrell Music Distributing Co. 2306 W. State St.

Principal Brands: Morrell, Martin,

Dunlop, Super-Sensitive, Anton Breton, Mapes, Hohner, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Andrea, TKL, La Bella, Flinthill, Kyser, Lou Capece, Eleca, Saga, Onboard, L&M, Long Hollow.

The Music Link Corp.

2526 Quality Lane Knoxville, TN 37931 Toll Free 1-888-552-5465 E-mail: sales@themusiclink.net Web site: www.themusiclink.net Principal Brands: (Please see California

listing.)

TEXAS Allparts 13027 Brittmoore Park Dr. Houston, TX 77041 (800) 327-8942 Fax: (713) 466-5803

A NEW WORLD OF PRECISION Asymmetrically crowned, tapered soundboard extends under all bridges resulting in superior transfer of vibrations.

The (front and rear) duplexes are tuned up to higher harmonic intervals as quints, octaves and their sums.

Ebony bridge caps in the descant (treble) section assures richer, more dynamic high notes.

Petrof is in its ďŹ fth generation of creating handmade European pianos and has been wholly family owned and operated since 1864.

-BXSFODFWJMMF )XZ 4VJUF # t -JMCVSO ("

t XXX QFUSPGQJBOPTVTB DPN

Wholesaler Guide Categories: S&F Principal Brands: Allparts, ABM-Mueller,

Bartolini, Bigsby, Buzzstop, CTS, Danelectro, Earvana, Gotoh, Graph Tech, Grover, Gurian, Hipshot, Leo Quan, Razor, Switchcraft, Schaller, Sperzel, Joe Barden, Tremol-No, Lace, Fender, Gibson, Tone-Pros, Moses Graphite, QParts, Bourns.

M&M Merchandisers Inc. 1923 Bomar Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76103 (800) 299-9035 Fax: (800) 687-0203 E-mail: sales@mmwholesale.com Web site: www.mmwholesale.com Marty Stenzler, CEO, pres.

Chuck Franklin, COO

booth 1249

Categories: Acoustic, electric, bass guitars

and accessories, amplifiers, banjos, mandolins, percussion, horns and reed instruments, instructional books and videos, DJ lighting and sound, retail supplies.

Principal Brands: Trinity River, Kona, Oscar Schmidt, Alpine, B.A Starr, Brand X, Fender, Pyle Pro, Danelectro, Qwik Tune, Harris Musical Products, Black Diamond, GP Percussion, Zildjian, Camber, Musician’s Workshop, Watch and Learn, Hal Leonard, Mirage, Shure, Gemini, Audio-Technica, Audix, Chauvet, Gem Sound, Phonic, Ernie Ball, D’Adario, Washburn, GHS, Maestro, Huang, Casio, Hohner, Barraza, Main Street, Fat Boy, Merano, Zebra, Audiopipe, MTX, Yamaha, Grover , Dean Markley.

UTAH

See us at NAMM Booth 1704

Breaking News

Priddis Music P.O. Box 345 Pleasant Grove, UT 84062-0345 (800) 326-3062 Fax: (801) 785-6705 E-mail: sing@priddis.com Web site: www.priddis.com Richard L. Priddis, pres.

Categories: Professional performance

music for singers.

Principal Brands: Prosound

Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com 68 MMR

VERMONT Metropolitan Music Co. P.O. Box 1415 4861 Mountain Rd. AUGUST 2009

NEMC

Why We’re #1 $30,579,118.00

NEMC Over

50 Years

(Paid to our Licensed Affiliates) The financially stable program of choice for discerning dealers whose eye is on the future.

Now is the time to get out from under the financial RISK and BURDEN of running your own rental program.

The NEMC Affiliate Program Offers:

SIN

Q U A L I T Y

CE

S E R V I C E

1957

Be A Part Of Our Next Successful 50 YEARS!

� A No Fee Licensed Affiliate Rental Program. � Rental agreements that are customized to the specific laws of the Affiliate’s state. � State licensing and/or registration of the Affiliate’s rental program at NEMC’s expense. � Only one quality level of name brand instruments in New and Like-New condition only. � The restoration of all rental returns to Like-New condition at NEMC’s service facility. � Multi-colored Promotional & Educational handouts provided. � Motivational mailings to the Affiliate’s customers. � No inventory investment and all normal freight costs are paid by NEMC. � One of the largest staffs of skilled repair technicians dedicated only to rental instrument service. � Hands-on repair training in our NJ repair center with one-on-one private instruction (FREE). � Billing and collecting rental fees for the Affiliate’s accounts. � Ability to review customer accounts 24/7 through a dedicated web site. � The NEMC Calling Plan for collections. Working for the Affiliates from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Plus:

� The Platinum Plan Plus - to increase commission percentage. � The Annual Rental Bonus Plan - for an additional cash bonus.

� Each Affiliate is able to create a Custom, Competitive, and Profitable price schedule for the

� Business is promoted into the Affiliate’s retail store, not onto the Internet. NEMC does not Affiliate’s individual marketplace. NEMC does not post rental prices on the Internet.

� An Affiliate’s territory is protected. NEMC will not set up its own retail stores in an Affiliate’s territory. compete against its own Affiliates by renting ‘On-Line’.

For Complete Information: Call Toll Free (800) 526-4593 Ext. 240

Ask For Gene Garb

NEMC

National Educational Music Company 1181 Route 22, Box 1130 Mountainside, New Jersey 07092

See us at NAMM Booth 838

www.nemc.com

Wholesaler Guide Future Primitive, Pro-Mark, Regal Tip, Camber, Stick Handler, Trick, Neary Drum Torque, Duplex, Cannon, Leeder, Guitool, Hamilton, Fibracell, Martin, Mike Balter, Ultimate Support, Crown, La Voz, Hamilton, Middle Atlantic, Gemini/LyteQuest, Winston, Dunlop, Vater, 3M, D’Andrea, Atlas, Remo, Glasser, Leblanc, Moshay, Littlite, Rhythm Tech, Sho-All, Wolfpak, HQ Percussion, Zildjian, Furman, Latin Percussion.

PUERTO RICO

CANADA

Tropical Music of Puerto Rico P.O. Box 8733 Fernandez Juncos Station Santurce, Puerto Rico 00910 (787) 726-1750 Fax: (787) 727-8181 Lourdes Vila, pres.

B&J Music Ltd. (Subsidiary of KMC Music Inc.) 2360 Tedlo St. Mississauga, ON L5A 3V3, Canada (905) 896-3001 (800) 268-8147 Fax: (905) 896-4554, (800) 777-3265 E-mail: bjmusic@kmcmusic.com Dale Kroke, sr. v.p., gen. mgr.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC. BI, PR,

P/KB

Categories: S&F, BI, PRC, ACC Principal Brands: Adamas, Antigua, Ap-

plause, Augustine, Austin City, Becker, Belmonte, Big Idea Guys, Bridget, CAD Professional Mics, CB Educational Percussion, CB Percussion, Celebrity, Cherub, Corelli, Darco, Durro, Eldon, E.M. Winston, Firstnote, Genz Benz, Gibraltar, Gretsch, Grover, Hamer, Hearos, Herco, Hercules, Hirade, Hohner, Ingles, Intellitouch, Jasmine, Jim Dunlop, La Bella, Lee Oskar, LP, Manhasset, Martin, Matrix, Mighty Bright, Montana, Music Boy, Ovation, Perri’s Leathers, Ping, Proel, Ramirez, Remo, Retro Parts, Rimshot, Rodam, RTOM, Seiko, Sierra, SignalFlex, SKB, Sousa Band, Takamine, TKL, Toca, Tranzamps, Treeworks, Trophy, Ultra, V-Tech, Vega, Vic Firth, Wittner, Zildjian, Fender.

Beda Sales 2634 Shaughnessy St. Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 3G6 (604) 942-1257 (800) 663-5800 Fax: (604) 942-4022 E-mail: beda_sales@telus.net Web site: www.bedasales.ca Donna L. Barina, pres.

Categories: S&F Principal Brands: Thomastik, Pirastro,

Hofner, Wittner, Jargar, Kun, Skylark, Aubert, Dorfler, Hidersine, Hill, Aubert, Dick, Wittner, Weidler, Super-Sensitive, Larsen, Glasser.

Canadian Print Music Dist.

Suite 204 - 7481 Woodbine Avenue Markham Ontario L3R 2W1 (416) 293-1200 (800) 668-5767 Fax: (416) 293-4318 Fax: (800) 565-1816 E-Mail: service@musicbooks.com Web site: www.canadianprintmusic.com Categories: PM, video instruction 70 MMR

AUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide Principal Brands: Print Music: Jamie

Aebersold, Alfred Publishing, Mel Bay, Blue Rodeo, Bold Strummer, Boston Music, Bourne Music, James F. Chapin, Cole Harbour Music, Cranford Music, Creative Concepts, Edwards Music, FJH Music, Carl Fischer, Joe Goldfeder, Ron Greene Music Dials, Groove Tubes, Henle, Frederick Harris Music, Karamar, Kendor, Kjos, Koala, Koneman, Hal Leonard, Mayfair Music, Minstrel Press, Montgomery Music, Music In Motion, Music Sales, Ottawa Folklore, Plymouth Music, Reader’s Digest, Santorella, Shawnee Press, Sher Music, Sing Out, George B. Stone, Vinland Music, Vocal Power, Bob, Vopni, W.W. Norton, Walton Music, Warner Bros., Waterloo Music, Willis Music, Video: Alchemy Pictures, Homespun, Hot Licks, MacMaster Music, MVP, Rumark Video.

pedals, guitar accessories), Elixir (strings), EPM (pickups), Falcone (Pianos), Finger Ease (Lubricants), Fiore (accordions), Generation (penny whistles),GHS (strings and accessories), Graph Tech (Guitar Parts), Grover (Fretted Instrument Accessories), Hobart M. Cable (pianos), Gypsy Rose (guitars), Herco (Maintenance products), Hill (rosin), Hindersine (Rosin), Hohner (harmonicas, accordions and accessories), Jay Junior (guitars) Jay Turser (guitars); Kun (shoulder rests), Jupiter (band instruments), Leem

(cables), Mahalo (ukuleles), Manhasset (stands), Mano Percussion (congas, quintos, tumbadoras, bongos, djembes, accessories); Martin (strings), Mega (amplifiers) Menzel (violins, double basses, cellos, and accessories); Mighty Bright (LED lights), Neotech (straps), Pacific Trends (Piano Lamps), Paganini (Rosin), Procussion (drums); Profile (parts, stands, accessories , tuners ); Rhythm Band (percussion, brass accessories); RB (drums, sticks and percussion accessories), Rhythm Tech (percussion and acces-

Coast Music (a division of Jam Industries Ltd.) 21000 TransCanada Highway, Baie D’Urfe, Québec H9X 4B7.

Tel: (514) 457-2555.

Toll-free tels (sales): 800-363-8460 Fax: (514) 457-0055. and 800-263-5851.

E-mail: info@coastmusic.ca.

Web: www.coastmusic.ca. and www. coastmusic.com Martin Golden, Chairman of Jam Industries Ltd.; Eddy Shenker, President of Jam Industries Ltd.; Marty Szpiro, Senior Vice-president, Jam Industries; Manuel Senra, Vice-president of Coast Music.

Product Managers: Alex Kundakcioglu, band & orchestral; Scott Atkins, Sonor and percussion , Gil Karout, Marketing Manager .

Product specialty: Fretted Instruments,

Brass and Woodwind, Drums and Percussion, Amplifiers and Accessories.

Brands: Alabama (banjos, mandolins); Alegria (violins, violas, cellos); Amy Birch (rosin); Angel (recorders and educational); Apple Creek (Dulcimers), Aubert (string instrument accessories), Augustine (strings), Bausch (violin accessories), Bespeco (effects and pedals), Boblen (cases)Bravo (guitars); Cannon (percussion parts), CNB (bags and cases), Crafter ( guitars ); Dean Markley (Strings), Delta Blues (harmonicas and accordions); Dunlop (strings, effects and AUGUST 2009

MMR 71

Wholesaler Guide sories), Sabian (cymbals and accessories), Samick (guitars), Savarez (strings), Segovia (guitars), Shubb (capos and accessories), Sinclair (brass instruments), Snap Jack (cables), Solar (cymbals), Sonor (drums and percussion accessories), Sonor Orff (educational percussion), SX (guitars and accessories), Thomastik-Infeld (strings), Trak (drums, hardware, drumsticks, accessories); Trophy (accessories), Univox (microphones, amplifiers, headphones); Valencia (classical guitars), Vandoren (reeds and mouthpieces), Vic Firth (drum sticks and accessories), Walden (guitars), Westbury (drums, hardware, accessories) and Wittner (metronomes and accessories).

Contact Distribution Ltd. 38 Thornmount Dr., Unit 1 Scarborough ON M1B 5P2 (416) 287-1144 Fax: (416) 287 1204 E-mail: info@contactdistribution.com Web site: www.contactdistribution.com Bill Coons, dir.

Principal Brands: APB Dyna-sonics,

Countryman Assoc., Face Audio, Optocore, Projectiondesign, Production Intercom, Rane, Renkus-Heinz, Timax.

Counterpoint Musical Services 2650 John St. #24 Markham, ON L3R 2W6 (905) 415-0515 (800) 690-0515 Fax: (905) 415-9232 E-mail: music@counterpointmusic.ca George Ullmann, pres.

Categories: S&F, ACC, BI Principal Brands: Thomastik, Bohemia,

Amati, Blessing, Superslick, Stentor, Wittner, Pirasto, Hidersine, Kun, Wolf, Skyinbow, Mirage, Chopsaver.

See us at NAMM Booth 1500

Efkay Music Group 2165-46th Ave. Lachine, PQ H8T 2P1 (514) 633-8877 (800) 343-0353 Fax: (514) 633-8872 Howard Kalisky, pres.

Categories: S&F, B&O, PM, P/KB, amp Principal Brands: Ibanez guitars, basses,

amplification; Orange amplification, Tama drums & accessories, Wuhan cymbals & gongs, Pro-Mark sticks, Casio keyboards, Morley effect pedals, Warwick basses, Rocks bags, Carlos Giordano Silenzia Violins, Ebtech signal processing, J. Michael wind instruments, Framus guitars & amps, Groove Juice cymbal cleaner, J. Michael Wind Instruments, 2 Box electronic drums.

Erikson Audio 21000 Trans-Canada Hwy. Baie-D’Urfé, PQ H9X 4B7 (514) 457-2555 Fax: (514) 457-0055 Web site: www.eriksonaudio.com Email: info@erickosnaudio.com Jeffrey Carman, div. mgr.

Principal Brands: Abelton, Audio

Technica, Ashly, Cerwin-Vega, Focusrite, Fostex, Gator Pro, KRK, MixVibesNetCIRA, Novation, PreSonus, Quad Industrial, Quik Lok Pro, Stanton, Surgex, Vestax, Wharfedale Pro.

D’Addario Canada 50 W. Wilmot St., #13 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1M5 (905) 889-0116 (800) 268-6855 Fax: (905) 889-8998 E-mail: info@daddariocanada.com Arnold Davidson, pres.

Erikson Music 21000 Trans-Canada Hwy., Baie D’Urfé PQ H9X 4B7 (514) 457-2555 Fax: (514) 457-0055 E-mail: info@eriksonmusic.com Web site: www.eriksonmusic.com Martin Golden, chmn., Eddy Shenker, pres., Martin Szpiro, sr. v.p., Michael Golden, v.p., Peter Patrick, g.m.,Paul Fredrick, perc. mgr., Andrew Bujold, promotions coordinator

Categories: S&F, ACC, BI, PRC

Products: Digitech, Gator, Protechtor,

Principal Brands: D’Addario, D’Addario

Seymour Duncan, D-Tar, Headhunter, Marshall, Vox, Mark Bass, Hagstrom, Washburn, Oscar Schmidt, Pearl, Pho-

Bowed, Planet Waves, Rico, Evans, HQ Percussion, Puresound, Archives, 72 MMR

Vater, BeaverCreek, Danelectro, Tycoon, Qwik Tune/Time, Shadow, Suzuki Harmonicas, Suzuki Melodions, Solutions, Peace Stands, Dava, Guitar Workstation, Play Sound, Typhoon, Verona, Wedgie, Music Stamp, Windy City

AUGUST 2009

Wholesaler Guide nic, Quik Lok, Wharfdale, Sonic Décor, Lightsnake.

Branch (Vancouver) 580 Ebury Place Delta, BC V3M 6M8 (604) 520-0568 Fax: (604) 520-6176 Erikson Pro 21000 Trans-Canada Hwy. Baie-D’Urfé, PQ H9X 4B7 Western Headquarters: 580 Ebury Place Annacis Island, Delta, BC V3M 6M8 (514) 457-2555 Fax: (514) 457-4986 Web site: www.eriksonpro.com Christian Bouchard, div. mgr.

digital recording workstations, guitar effects & accessories.

Martin Canada Professional Lighting 21000 Trans Canada Hwy. Baie D’Urfe, PQ H9X 4B7 (514) 457-2555 Fax: (514) 457-0055 Web site: www.martincanada.com Marty Golden, chmn.

Eddy Shenker, pres.

tracking systems, fog, haze machines.

Principal brands: Martin Professional,

JEM, MACH. Musiquip Inc. 325 Bouchard Dorval, PQ H9S 1AP (514) 780-2070 Fax: (514) 780-2111 E-mail:sales@musiquip.com www.musiquip.com

Categories: Lighting supplies, movie

Categories: S&F, ACC

fixtures, scans, DJ effects, controllers,

Principal Brands: Tanglewood Guitar

Principal Brands: Allen & Heath, Aphex,

Compulite, DOD, JEM, KV2, Martin, Mach, Powersoft, Swefog, SLS, Doughty, Omnimount.

Geo. Heinl Co., Ltd. 201 Church St. Toronto, ON M5B 1Y7 (416) 363-0093 Fax: (416) 363-0053 E-mail: GHCL@idirect.com Web site: www.georgeheinl.com Ric Heinl, pres.

Categories: S&F Principal Brands: Aubert, Carlsson, Corelli,

Goldbrokat, Nyman Harts, Pops, Pyramid, Sacconi, Heinl, Handorff, Roth, Dvorak, Jaeger, Gewa, Gordge, Winter, Kolstein, Pirastro, Thomastik, Jargar, Schatten, D’Addario, Augustine, Hannabach, Savarez, Martin, Dean Markley, Wittner, Heinrich, Hohner, Wolf, Menuhin, Beare, Kun, Hill, Schaller, Hidersine, Grover, Gotoh, Glasser, Dunlop, Intellitouch, Prim, Yamati, Strunal, Petz, Bam, Hamilton, Gill, Dorfler, Boblen, Bobelock.

Korg Canada 21000 Trans Canada Hwy. Baie D’Urfe, PQ H9X 4B7 (514) 457-2555 Fax (514) 457-0055 Web site: www.KorgCanada.com Martin Golden, chmn.

Eddy Shenker, pres.

Michael Golden, v.p.

George Capone, nat. sls. mgr.

Categories: PS/R, S&F, ACC Principal Brands: Korg pianos, keyboards, AUGUST 2009

MMR 73

Wholesaler Guide America’s Premier Guitar & Bass Parts Supplier

Delta Series

by GOTOH 1:21 ratio

Company UK, Accessories: Digiflex Cables.

Omnimedia Corporation Ltd. 1875 55th Ave. Dorval, PQ H9P 2W3 (514) 636-9971 Fax: (514) 636-5274 E-mail: info@omnimedia.ca Web site: www.omnimedia.ca David S. Joseph, pres.

Categories: PS/R

(519) 453-0892 (519) 453-6303 E-mail: scotts@scottshighland.com Web site: www.scottshighland.com Bev Scott, CEO Ian Scott, sls. mgr.

Categories: PRC, Scottish & Irish ethnic music and instruments.

Principal Brands: Pipers’ Choice Bag-

pipe Accessories, McCallum Bagpipes, Chieftain whistles, Walton’s whistles & bodhrans, Sousata Whistles.

Principal Brands: Samson Audio, Samson

Wireless, Rane, Hartke, Expedition, Whirlwind, PAS, Zoom, Brownsville.

Power Group, Ltd. 7105A Edwards Blvd.

Mississauga, ON L5S 1Z2 (905) 405-1229 Fax: (905) 405-1885 E-mail: www.power-music.com Web site: sales@power-music.com Ron Larcombe, pres. & CEO Rick Carlson, Director of Sales and Marketing-US Division AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF FINISHES & STYLES

Send $4 US for COLOR CATALOG 13027 Brittmoore Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77041

Categories: S&F, PS/R, Principal Brands: Ashdown Engineering,

Audix, Body Glove Bags, Elixir Strings, Highland Guitar Company, Michael Tobias Design (MTD) Kingston Series, Monster Cable, Solo Music Gear, String Swing, Stagecraft Designs Radial Engineering, Ltd. 1638 Kebet Way Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 5W9 (604) 942-1001 Fax: (604) 942-1010 E-mail: info@cabletek.ca Web: www.radialeng.com www.zebracase.com www.primacoustic.com Peter Janis, pres.

Categories: S&F, PS/R, PRC, P/KB, PS/R, ACC, interconnect Principal Brands: Radial, Mogami, Sonex, Jensen, Telecast Fiber Systems, VAC Brick, Audio Accessories, Senior Industries, ITT Cannon, EDAC, Ace Patch Bays, Acoustical Interiors, Primacoustic, Tonebone, Broadway.

Scott’s Highland Services Ltd. 143 Stronach Crescent London, ON N5V 3G5

74 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1006

S.F. Marketing Inc. 325 Boul. Bouchard Dorval, PQ H9S 1A9 (514) 780-2070 Fax: (514) 780-2111 E-mail: info@sfm.ca www.sfm.ca Categories: PS/R, S&F, BI, ACC, P/KB, PRC Principal Brands: Lighting: Antari, Leprecon,

Leviton, Lumi, SGM, Socapex, WDMX Accessories: Barkan Mounts, Canare, Digiflex, Furman, Goo Systems, K&M, Littlite, Marinco, Neutrik, NTI Instruments, Raxxess, Rean, Spacetek.

Pro Audio: Aviom, Dolby Lake Processor, EAW, EAW Commercial, EAW Smaart v.6, Genelec, Light Viper, Pioneer Pro DJ, QSC Audio, Shure, Symetrix, Telex, Xantech Musical Instruments: Cleartone, Duesenberg, Line 6, Mapex drums, Moog Music, NS Design, N-Tune, Schecter, Spector, Steph Accessories, Tanglewood Guitar Company UK, The Original Gig Bag Company, Tone Pros.

Wes-Can Music Supplies Ltd. 2677-192nd St., Units 117-120 Surrey, B.C. V3S 3X1 (800) 661-9960 (North America) (604) 543-2633 (Worldwide) Fax: (800) 600-6646 Fax: (604) 543-2604 (Worldwide) E-mail: salem@direct.ca Joseph Sallay, Leslie Sallay, Paula Lemke, Cathy Lasllo Categories: S&F, PRC Principal brands: Raimundo, Kohno, Sak-

urai, Aria, AER, DiMarzio, John Pearse, Vinci, Audio 2000, Odyssey, Maxell, Gotoh, New Media, L.R. Baggs, B-Band, Blade, THD, Morgan, D’Aquisto, G7th, Clayton, CBI, Onerr, Trem King

AUGUST 2009

At A Glance: Doo Wop Shop’s Victor Himbaugh Who: Victor Himbaugh What: Doo Wop Shop Where: Louisville, Ky. When: Founded 1971

Products/Brands found in store: Lovell Custom, Red Star, Yorkville, Shure, Washburn, and Ludwig, among others. Doo Wop rents and sells karaoke machines, pro audio products, guitars, amps, and horns.

“We also import direct from China in our buying group.”

Musical beginnings: Himbaugh started playing violin in the grade school orchestra, then later moved to string bass.

I knew I wanted to be in the music instrument business when… “I looked up 10 years later and I was still doing it.”

Karaoke ups and downs: “We got in on the big karaoke craze in 1995, and still do some business in karaoke, though let me say that things were great around 2003, but have since died off.”

The biggest misconception about karaoke: “You have to be drunk to do it.”

Family biz: Wife Cheryl; son Bill and his wife Sarah; daughter Mary and her husband Sam; and mother-inlaw Mary all work at the store.

AUGUST 75 MMR2009

When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me: “At Forest Park Baptist Church or watching ‘Dancing with the Stars.’”

People might be surprised to know: “I own a Segway.”

Favorite meal: Nachos BelGrande.

My proudest achievement: “Being introduced as ‘Bill and Mary’s dad’ rather than ‘the guy that owns the Doo Wop Shop.’”

Career low point: “I remember taking the top row of guitars down and pawning them to pay for a tax bill. Then and there I realized that, when I die, the government is going to take the business away rather than let me pass it on – death tax and all, you know.”

Career high point: “48 years of working with my wife and family, day in and day out.”

Best thing about my job: “It’s good being the boss.”

Most unpleasant part about my job: “It’s tough being the boss.”

The most important thing about managing a music store: “Treating the customers right. It all boils down to people.”

If I could change one thing about how MI business is done, it would be … “Every store would pay the same price for instrument products regardless of quantity, and suppliers would not try to tell you how to run your business.”

Biggest pet peeve about the business: “The stores build brand names and then the factories tear down the brand by selling to Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sam’s Club, and Target.”

Who I admire most in this business: “Yorkville’s Jack Long and Hartley Peavey.”

Favorite musician joke: “NAMM … oh give me a break, it’s a joke.”

Words to live by: “Ready, Shoot, Aim.”

AUGUST MMR2009 75

RETAIL

Low Country Music & the Bluegrass Guru

R

ichard Chipman, better known as “Chip” or the “Bluegrass Guru,” has owned Low Country Music in Moncks Corner, S.C. since 1987. A musician himself, Chip began develop his playing skills at the age of 10, learning how to play by ear, watching and listening to his older brother play guitar. He plays all of the bluegrass instruments: banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and bass. Chip is passionate about playing and, since opening his store, he has shared that passion with his community. His shop offers a wide range of Saga stringed instruments including, Goldstar banjos, Kentucky mandolins, Cremona fiddles, and Blueridge guitars, which are his strongest sellers. However, the instruments are not the primary focus for this retailer, as Chip says, “I’ve never really counted on instrument sales to sustain me.”

Richard “Chip” Chipman and students Ali Klynes Schmieding, Aurie Engels Schmieding, Dee Dee Cumbee, and Ashleigh Borden performing on the state senate floor in Columbia, S.C. 76 MMR

For the past 20 years, Low Country Music has been the place for musicians of all ages and skill levels to gather, learn, and play. While his two long-time employees watch the store, Chip teaches between 50 and 60 students per week in his 2,200 square-foot shop, aptly nicknamed “Low Country Bluegrass Academy.”

Since the store opened, Chip has taught nearly 800 students, ranging in ages five to 75. Chip teaches his students the same way he learned to play – by ear. However, he does encourage them to learn to read music and take on a classical instrument. Chip has become somewhat of a father figure to his younger students — he even inspects their report cards.

He has had students who were doing poorly in school, but after spending some time at the “Bluegrass Academy,” things changed. Chip says that the majority of his students are “A” students, graduate high school, and attend college.

AUGUST 2009

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He is very proud of his students and loves to show them off, taking them to perform at schools, nursing homes, churches, and the South Carolina State Senate. Chip frequently visits local schools and demonstrates the techniques and instrumentation of bluegrass music.

Chip is also the organizer and presenter of the annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pickinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the Park Music Festivalâ&#x20AC;? held at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner. This daylong program of bluegrass music features bands from across South Carolina and the region. Part of the program includes an hour-long performance by Chip and his students. Some of Chipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former students have gone on to be music teachers themselves. One of his students placed fi rst in the 2007 National Youth Competition in Greensboro, N.C. Another student recently earned a music scholarship and is now attending the College of Charleston.

In April, 2008, in recognition of his bluegrass advocacy, Chip was presented with the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, which honors distinguished practitioners and passionate advocates of South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse cultural traditions. Chip was the twentieth recipient of the award; past recipients include James Brown, honored in 2002. This past December, South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governor granted Chip the Order of the Silver Crescent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest civilian honor for volunteering and community service. Chip is grateful for and proud of these awards, but at the end of the day, his students and spreading the gospel of bluegrass music are the rewards that truly matter.

Breaking News Find it in the Hot News section of MMRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com

See us at NAMM Booth 1406 AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1542 MMR 77

DRUMS & PERCUSSION

SR2: Sabian Enters the Used Cymbal Market

“W

e’ve been hearing about the market for used or reconditioned cymbals for some time now,” says Peter Stairs, Sabian’s vice president of sales. “We’ve been looking at how to enter that market formally; up until now, we’d never really figured out exactly how we were going to do it.”

What Sabian has come up with is a new brand: the SR2. Sabian is going to “recondition” playable cymbals that are sent back to the factory, stamp them with the SR2 logo, and release them back onto the market. There is a

78 MMR

growing market for used musical instruments, due in part to the flagging economy, and Stairs feels that the time is right for this new endeavor.

“Our field reports indicate that because of the economy dealers are doing a lot more business with used cymbals than they were before,” he notes. “Everything just fell into place in terms of the timing for implementing this kind of program, but we’ve been thinking of doing something like this for at least a few years. We have a lot of cymbals that, for instance, might be at trade shows around the world, and some that might be on consignment for any number of different reasons. Cymbals also get returned to us AUGUST 2009

from bands and orchestras that had them on a loaner basis, or from stock swapouts by stores or distributors. In addition, we occasionally have cymbals that come through our production department with cosmetic or surface defects that don’t affect the sound. In the past, all of these cymbals would be cut up, melted down, and just put it back into the mix, but we can now refi nish them and market them as SR2.”

When a cymbal is returned to the factory, Sabian’s product specialists will first determine if the sound quality of the cymbal is still intact and up to the company’s quality standards.

Small surface defects, such as nicks, dings, or light scratches, can be fi xed with the reconditioning process, by which cymbals are placed onto a lathe and the surface is etched or lightly scratched until the original fi nish, along with any surface defects, are removed. Sabian will only apply this process to cymbals from their professional lines made of cast bronze: AA, AAX, HH, HHX, and Vault series.

The SR2 cymbals have a distinct look and, notably, will not carry the Sabian logo or any other of their previously existing demarcations. “The way we’re approaching this is that the price of these cymbals is not based on the series they AUGUST 2009

used to be, but the size that they are,” explains Stairs. “The process which we put these cymbals through in effect masks whichever line the cymbal originally came from, although that isn’t the primary reason we refinish them. The cymbal is put on a lathe and we apply a tool that is a little abrasive. When the cymbal comes off, the entire surface has been, say ‘neatly scratched,’ so that you can’t really tell what it was previously. The cymbal’s sonic properties are not affected at all; all that is changed is the appearance.

We are applying this process, so that we can make sure that no one will confuse the SR2 for anything other than what it is, and that is a reconditioned cymbal.

We do a little bit of lathing after the first piece of cosmetic work is done, and after that, it’s basically the same as it was when it was returned to us. The bell we do leave untreated, or un-etched, so by looking at that, it’s fairly easy to tell if the cymbal was hand hammered or an AA, but by looking at the body of the cymbal, it’s fairly difficult to determine what series the cymbal was originally from.

“Normally, there’s a fairly substantial price difference between one of our handhammered cymbals and one of our AA lines, but the SR2 are priced according to size and weight only – the only markings on the cymbal will be the SR2 logo and the cymbal’s size and weight. Each cymbal will either be thin, medium, or heavy.

Really, when consumers are browsing SR2 cymbals in a music store, they generally know the weight they’re looking for, but one of the interesting things about this idea is that the sound they’ll get out of these cymbals will vary greatly. This

is why we’re not calling it a ‘series.’ This is not a new series from Sabian, because every cymbal in a series is going to have the same basic characteristics, to varying degrees. And that isn’t the case with the SR2, because that cymbal may have been an HH, it might have been an AAX, it might have been a Vault, it could have come from any one of a number of lines, so there isn’t any one trait in terms of sound characteristics that these cymbals will have in common with each other.”

Unlike all Sabian series or lines of cymbals, SR2 may not be available continuously in all sizes and weights. While consumers may engage in something of a treasure hunt for top line cymbals reconditioned as SR2, Sabian also expects to have periods of low or limited inventory because the company has no intention of manufacturing cymbals and putting the SR2 logo on them; inventory is entirely driven by cymbals being returned to the Sabian factory. However, because the company has been anticipating the implementation of this product for some time, current inventory is strong.

Sabian is deliberately making it clear that these cymbals are, in fact, used. “We didn’t want to just take these used cymbals, clean them up, leave the Sabian logo on them and stick them back out in market as used,” explains Stairs. “That isn’t the way that we wanted to approach it. When somebody buys an SR2 cymbal, we want that person to know exactly what he or she is getting, and that’s the reason for the look of it. We want the consumer to know that MMR 79

See us at NAMM Booth 1201

these are not brand new Sabian cymbals, that these are cymbals which have been previously owned and previously played, and all we are doing is reconditioning them to go back out into the market.”

Stairs indicates that Sabian does not intend to set MAP pricing for the SR2.

“There’s a net price, and a cost to dealer, and the dealers are completely on their own to decide what kind of margin they want to make on them,” he elaborates.

“And if you look at used cymbals today, and we obviously did our research before we came up with this concept, the prices for used cymbals are all over the map. It’s not like there is any particular level that used cymbals go for – like, for example, $50 off normal street price, or something like that – so it will vary depending on where the dealer wants to position this.”

It’s not Sabian’s intent to fix broken cymbals and label them SR2; this program is only for cymbals that are already in very good condition. “The criteria for the cymbals that are going to be converted into SR2s is that, number one, it’s a returned cymbal, and, number two, it is playable with great sonic properties,” says Stairs. “We’re not looking to put something out there that we don’t want to stand behind just to fill a price point; that’s not the intent. These cymbals are all good, they’re all tested by our team in the Vault, and once our product specialists give the ‘okay,’ we’ll send the cymbals back out to our production team to have the process applied so they can reenter the market as SR2.”

Breaking News

Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com 80 MMR

AUGUST 2009

SURVEY: MI RETAIL 2009

Don’t Look Back in Anger…

With the first half of 2009 behind us and (knock on wood) some early indicators of a potential bottoming out to the current recession, things are (again, knock on wood.

Vigorously beat upon any and all wooden objects) possibly

In the past six months, your sales numbers are:

63% 22% 15%

Down Up Flat

What’s your forecast for sales during the remainder of the year?

“Not really sure… I think business might continue to be flat. The economy is still a very slow thing these days. People are watching what they spend in our area.”

Greg Allen Long Island Drum Center of Nyack, Nyack, N.Y, “Seems to me that it’s looking up. We picked up a couple lines that cater to beginners, since there has been all this talk of the economy being really down – the theory behind it being that people are looking for things they can do at home instead of going out and spending money on entertainment. If you pay attention to the trends, any type of game – whether it is video games, board games, anything that makes for home entertainment – is really booming right now. So far this approach has paid off for us. Guitars that are $300 or under in electrics, and guitars at $139 or under in acoustics are flying off the walls. This also helps us to compete with the local Wal-Mart, we actually have a couple Jay Turser models that we sell for less than Wal-Mart AUGUST 2009

beginning to look up for the U.S. and global economies.

MMR recently asked over 2,000 retailers to summarize their observations on the first six months of the year and to offer their projections as to how 2009 will wind up.

What level of product is selling best?

70% 21% 9%

Entry Intermediate Pro

Flat:

is selling their comparable size guitars for, and these are much nicer instruments.”

Jon Hiller Cowabunga Music Anna, Ill. “Over the counter sales will continue to be down until late August when the back-to-school market kicks in. Early indicators are that 90 percent of our programs will still be in place – not well funded, but in place.

Nick Rail Nick Rail Music Southern Calif.

“My forecast is not so good. We’d hoped to ride a good wave of rental renewals this summer, as last September rentals were strong. But so far, we’re only renewing about 15 percent of contracts. I suspect we’ll feel it in our other categories too.”

Spike Klein The Magic Flute San Rafael, Calif.

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“The consumer will continue to buy conservatively perhaps buying a step down from normal. We need to convince them that music is one of their necessities for happiness and well being. We also need to show them that it is cheap entertainment in a troubled world economy. I believe that this downturn will last longer than expected. The recovery will be very slow.”

Ken Grayson Grayson’s Tune Town Montrose, Calif.

What types of promotions have you found to be successful in the past six months?

“I expect things will remain pretty flat. We’re still recovering from an awful Christmas – sales were down and then we had a big snowstorm that paralyzed the city one week before Christmas. We’ve also seen two of our best lines go from being independent friendly to jumping into G.C. and Musicians Friend.”

Jack Dolan Sluggo Music Tacoma, Wash.

“Outside sales have worked to some extent. Results less than usual but at least some results. In store piano recitals and workshops have also resulted in sales but to a lesser degree. No magic bullet has been found.”

Sonny Wittkoff Music City Spokane, Inc. Spokane, Wash.

What trends have you noticed in online vs. in-store purchases?

“We don’t care about online anymore, we are focused on what we have and try to give the best that we can. We are working the schools and the area around us. If someone can buy or get a better deal elsewhere, so be it. If it ends up in our shop, then that person wasted what her or she saved on the initial purchase and I get to make it right at a cost to the customer. That seems to be the trend!”

Kenn Gillett L&W Music Beaver Dam, Wis. “Customers are getting tired of the run-around with online ordering. There’s no support, no one helps them with operation, and the full potential of the product is never realized.”

Joel Kipp Musicians Pro Shop Burlington, Iowa “There has been a slight increase in our store traffic from customers that normally shop online. However, I think many consumers do not understand the importance of shopping for items from local retailers and the significant impact their purchases and sales tax revenue has on local schools and governmental services. When consumers continue to purchase out-of-state to avoid sales tax, they are taking from local and state government’s ability to serve the people.”

Randy King King Music Randy, Ill. “Personal service is so much a part of the success of our sales effort that online shopping has become less significant.”

Mark Lisle Lisle Violin Shop Houston, Texas “Craigslist seems to be gaining popularity over eBay as a competitor. I am not sure what to attribute that too.”

Jack R. Melvin Keyboard Connection Jacksonville, Fla. 82 MMR

“Fiddle Fair, Horn Extravaganza (step-up band sales), Summer Sidewalk Sale, e-mail blasts, Summer classes and workshops (Garage Band, piano class, kids percussion and LOTS more), live band contest is store parking lot (summer), etc.”

Russ Beacock Beacock Music Vancouver, Wash.

“Monthly Jam Session and Open Mic Monthly sound system training classes A ‘musician’s stimulus sale’ involving free restrings of their guitars with a donation to our local food bank Free introductory group guitar lessons Performing artist clinics/workshops” James Nardi Uptown Music N. Keizer, Ore. “That’s top secret…”

Patrick Redd Funky Munky Music Shawnee, Kans.

“VIP customer events Flatscreen TV giveaway we’ve also done an aggressive mystery shopping program to help ensure that we’re doing our best with the customers that we ARE seeing. we can’t advertise enough to get tons of folks through the doors so we need to maximize the opportunities we are getting.

Peter Sides Robert M. Sides Co. Williamsport, Pa. “I just try to be on the sales floor and interact with the customers. I see if I can sweeten any deals to make the sale. I also let them know times are tough for me too and that I’m trying to work with them.”

Jack J. Dolan Sluggo Music Tacoma, Wash.

What’s the most significant recent trend you’ve noticed in MI retail?

“The continued trend of product available online at very low margin pricing, with free freight and NO SALES TAX. The customer will come to my store to actually see, feel, and check out the product, only to expect me to match the online price.”

Dan Jefferson Strait Music Co. Austin, Tex. AUGUST 2009

“eBay is huge. We feel it’s killing business on some level because a lot of retailers are out there putting a stick mark on a drumhead on a drum set and calling it ‘used.’ That way, they can get around MAP policies and sell it online for slightly cheaper. eBay is VERY misleading to us sometimes.”

Greg Allen Long Island Drum Center of Nyack Nyack, N.Y. “The web has become the world’s storefront.”

Scott Freilich Top Shelf Music Buffalo, N.Y. “down demand and Map reductions from the manufacturers to let the Internet capture greater share of the market& manufacturers selling the products directly to the consumer at Map and below.”

Roger Sparks Sparks Music Sparks, Nev. “Manufacturers starting to listen more to independent dealers that got them there to begin with. The big box stores are obviously not carrying the weight.”

Steven R. Miller Tri State Music Bryan, Ohio

What’s your biggest concern for the remainder of 2009?

“Customers! Where are they? Delinquencies and defaults on our band and orchestra rentals are through the roof. This is getting to be a very serious problem.”

J.G. Jensma Lynch Music Fairview, Pa. “That the economy may get much worse before it gets better. Here in Illinois, our state’s economy is not good, and our state government can’t seem to make up their mind on a budget for the year. We have a state-funded mental institution, and a state-funded Veteran’s home in our community, if they lose funding because of our state government’s ability to balance a budget, it could be really hard on our community, and our state.”

Cowabunga Music Anna, Ill. AUGUST 2009

“What, me worry? We’re opening a new store; it’s a fantastic time to negotiate a lease. Our biggest concern continues to be not so much the world economy but the state budget in California; all bets are off on how that will go.”

Nick Rail Nick Rail Music Southern Calif.

“Sales or the lack thereof. It’s hard to look forward and find the light at the end of the tunnel. There isn’t enough good news out there to make a prediction that we are turning the corner. Keeping our staff and re-inventing the way we do business to remain successful is our utmost goal.”

Sonny Wittkoff Music City Spokane Inc Spokane, Wash.

“Over the last two years, we have seen three of our suppliers go out of business, making us have to “scurry around” finding other distributors that can fi ll our product requirements. Greatest fear is that the remaining suppliers may not

weather the economic recession and go out of business as well.”

Michael Tyler Computer Music Products Brunswick, Ga. “As floor planning is no longer available - small to mid size dealers will not be able to offer the selection that consumers are used to seeing. Also - if the current online retailers continue to offer prices that are so close to cost - they will put increased pressure on the industries ability to serve the BEGINNING market - it has yet to be proven that the “majority” of the beginner market can be served by online retailers. MOST of this demographic prefers to shop at their local store - the stores that handle the BIGGEST share of beginners as the industry continues to cut-off these stores, there will be fewer entry level players that will then, in turn, erode sales across the entire spectrum of music buyers. (Intermediate to Professional).”

Robert R. King King Music, Inc. Bradley, Ill.

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Find Breaking News in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com MMR 83

WEBWISE

Do It Yourself SEO: Increase Your Web Traffic Now “Search Engine Optimization” Made Easy

By Kevin M. Mitchell

T

imes might be a little slow, budgets tight – yet the importance of your Web site is still increasing exponentially. The yellow pages are dead as the vast majority of consumers turns first to the web before venturing out to their neighborhood store to make a purchase, so getting 84 MMR

people to your site is more important than ever. This means “Search Engine Optimization,” which has a fancy technical definition, but for our purposes means doing things large and small so when a parent in your town types in “clarinet rentals,” your store ends up near the top of the list.

AUGUST 2009

Big things can involve big money, big groups of people, and big resources. Big companies – Amazon. com anyone? – have teams of professionals on staff dedicated solely to art and science of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). But there are important, effective small things that can and should be done by the average retailer. Gradiva Couzin and Gradiva Jennifer Grappone had that average retailer in mind when they wrote their book, Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day. Gradiva Couzin has been in the SEO business since 1998, and has improved the search presence of organizations from small businesses working on a shoestring (that would be us) up to Fortune 500 companies. Jennifer Grappone has a background that includes corporate videos, and has been SEO-ing for large-scale web development projects since 2000.

Grappone, who has musicians in her family and frequents MI stores, spent some time looking at various retailer Web sites. She said the fi rst thing that struck her is that so many are unfinished or sport “coming soon” pages. So the fi rst priority should be cleaning up any broken links, “under construction,” or outdate pages.

“I know it’s not realistic for Mom and Pop shops to compete with bigger operations,” she says. “They just have to set realistic expectations. Either keep your Web site updated or don’t even try to have upto-date content. It’s bad public relations to post out-of-date specials or talk about ‘back to school time’ in April, and its just bad form to have lots of incomplete pages on your site. You might want to use some of your down time to figure out how to make the content you display on your Web site ‘evergreen’ – pages that will read fine all year round. I think it’s much better to have a small, complete, evergreen site than an incomplete site that’s trying and failing to be dynamic.”

That situation resolved, here are six do’s and two don’ts you can do immediately that will increase those potential customers who land on your site.

AUGUST 2009

Grappone

Tags A “Title Tag” goes in the “head” section of the web page, above the “body” section. The information contained in the title tag appears at the top of the web browser, and when chosen well (and strategically), this 50- to 70-character section can be key to getting favorable search engine rankings. Grappone says it’s critical to make your town’s name part of your title tag along with your address and

“It’s much better to have a small, complete, evergreen site than an incomplete site that’s trying and failing to be dynamic.” phone number. This basic but often overlooked information help those searching locally for “trumpets Indianapolis” get to your page and consequently you’re door.

“Local music shops are more prone to walk-in traffic, people who want to flip through the print music books and touch the instruments,” says Grappone. “So make sure that the name of your business, and the city and state it’s in, are all present on your home page in HTML text so that the search engines can read it.”

Google and Yahoo Tools Couzin points out several useful tools on Google that are easy to take advantage of. Goggle.com/local/add allows you to in

effect claim your own business in the separate search engine list that Google maintains. Yahoo has one too and this should be taken advantage of as well.

“Both are free, and every brick and mortar retailer should do it because it ensures a higher ranking and your site comes up with a map,” which will drive customers to your door.

“My next favorite tool is Google Search Alert (google.com/alert),” Couzin adds. She encourages all businesses to put the name of their store in that alert engine so that you are notified whenever someone reviews, comments, or blogs about your store.

Then when someone gives a ringing endorsement of your store, you not only know about it, but you can then link to it which further builds interest, excitement, and traffic. Also, while it’s never pleasant to learn of someone having a negative experience with your store, knowing about it is better than not, and when possible and appropriate, you can then reach out to that person to explain or offer to make it up to them.

There’s another free Google tool that can help people understand key words.

“We’ve been doing SEO work for such a long time that even we can take things for granite. But go to goggle.com/insights/ search and type in a word that represents an important aspect of your inventory, like ‘clarinet,’ and it gives you some other related words that are popular, and give you some more advanced information and a complete picture.”

Yelp Grappone says that while it’s mostly active in the larger metropolitan areas, yelp.com is a good site to monitor. The growing site features “real people, real reviews,” and notes that her local coffee shop after left a card with yelp.com on their tables and encouraged customers to go on and write a review. “MI retailers could add the Yelp URL to their business cards, and when it’s obvious that someone is especially pleased with their service or instrument, give it to them and encourage them to write a review,” she says. This turns customers into promoters.

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Form for Help

“Friending” Your Friends

“Chances are you don’t have your entire catalog online, nor do you have the time to keep an updated version of your inventory online,” says Grappone. “But you can make it easier for people to contact you to ask if you have what they’re looking for. Make sure your phone number is displayed prominently on every page of your Web site. Use a ‘call to action’ on every page like a ‘We want to help you find what you need! Call us if you want to know if we carry something in particular.’

One Web site I saw even had an inquiry form, which I thought was a terrific idea.

But this will only be effective in getting new customers but only if someone in the shop is checking and responding to those form inquiries several times a day.”

“A lot of these stores depend on referrals from band directors and music teachers, many of whom I’m willing to bet have their own Web sites and/or pages on Facebook and MySpace,” says Grappone. “If my son’s violin teacher likes to have us to go to Old Town Music here in Pasadena [Calif.], I bet she would also link her site to theirs if they asked.” The more links, the more important search engines think your site is, the higher the ranking, and thus the more people come to your site.

Making sure all the teacher’s who patronize your shop regularly have “friended” you on Facebook and MySpace or linked their site to yours is a “fairly painless and easy little favor to ask” and this simple outreach will increase traffic to your site.

Who’s Linking to You? Go to backlinkwatch.com and put in your own Web site and see who out there is linking to your site and ensure that not only are all on the up-and-up, but also determine if there might be some you might want to partner with more. (And to be really sneaky, do it to your competition but you didn’t see that here.)

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very specific geographic regions with Google AdWords, which will keep your advertising focused, add a city name to the ad, and it will reduce your cost. It is realistic to expect to rank well for the name of your business, or at least the name of your business plus the city it’s in.”

And the Don’ts: The pair of SEO experts add two words of caution:

•

Google AdWord “If you are selling the exact same products as other stores, don’t expect to rank number one in Google as you can’t expect to beat amazon.com, 8notes.com, musiciansfriend.com, etc.” says Couzin. “However you can target

•

Don't hire an SEO who charges $29.95 or makes any types of promises about high ranks and submitting to thousands of search engines. If you do choose to pay somebody to help you with SEO, be sure to speak with his or her previous clients. As a general rule, avoid anyone who approaches you with an unsolicited email talking about improving your ranks.

Don’t participate in any linkexchange or link-purchasing schemes. You should only link to sites that are genuinely valuable or interesting to your site audience.

AUGUST 2009

Newproducts Fretted Travel Guitar’s Escape Traveler Guitar’s Escape EG-2 is a full 25 ½” scale electric guitar featuring a compact traditional doublecutaway body shape and classic three-ply pick guard, which provide vintage looks and modern comfort.

At 29 ½” long, the EG-2 stows easily in airline overhead compartments and weighs less than five pounds. Two precisionplaced single-coil pickups feed into the EG-2’s built-in Pocket RockIt headphone amplifier, which is customdesigned to produce clean distortion sounds through

headphones or amplifier. Players can also go passive into their amp of choice. The EG-2’s onboard electronics include a 1/8” AUX IN jack for external devices such as an mp3 or CD player. Additional controls include tone and volume knobs and a three-way pickup selector. The Traveler Guitar Escape EG-2 also features an alder body, American Hard Maple neck, ebonized rosewood fretboard, standard strap pin, and a fully adjustable truss rod. Includes gig bag, 9V battery, and comes standard with D’Addario EXL-110 strings. www.travelerguitar.com

Kala Brand Music’s U-Bass U-Bass from Kala Brand Music Co is a short-scale bass on a baritone ukulele body. It produces the same pitches as a standard bass guitar and is tuned in traditional bass tuning.

This product is the result of a collaborative effort between Kala Brand Music Co. and Owen Holt of Road Toad Music. This instrument is based on Owen’s design featuring a 20 inch scale with 16 frets and is 1 13/16” wide at the nut. Proprietary polyurethane strings are said to incorporate a great bass feel, with balanced tension. This instrument is designed to create a deep, soulful sound that falls somewhere between an upright bass and a standard electric bass. It has custom Hipshot tuners and a passive Shadow pickup system that features four individual piezo elements and four

the Straight Truth About Pickups by Jason Lollar The “magic” found in some (but not all) classic vintage pickups was created by accident. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

And over time, some pretty stellar accidents happened. The only way to recreate that magic is to study more than a few exceptional examples of all the classic pickup types, while acquiring a thorough understanding of exactly what materials were used and precisely how each pickup was constructed and wound. Only then is the “magic” repeatable, if you are willing to spend the time and money required to chase the dragon. I am.

I personally design and wind over 30 different pickup models, including all the vintage classics, many obscure works of art known only to lap and pedal steel players like Robert Randolph, and even a few of my own designs that never existed in the past.

I invite you to call or visit our web site to obtain a free catalog.

Lollar Guitars PO Box 2450 Vashon Island, WA 98070 (206) 463-9838 www.lollarguitars.com

AUGUST 2009

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Newproducts individual compensated saddles. It has a solid mahogany body and neck, rosewood fi ngerboard and bridge. The UBass comes with a custom hard-foam case. The retail price is $599. www.kalaukulele.com

tones from full volume to bedroom levels.

Extended tube life and roadworthy reliability are provided by the use of an oversized transformer and lower supply voltages. www.jtsoundinc.com

JT Sound Inc. Amps

Revival Guitars from Major Music Supply

John Tomaszewicz, founder of JT Sound Inc., has created a selection of amps that are said to offer a new level of tone definition utilizing original circuitry inspired from microphone design and high-end studio equipment. The amps feature 35 watt power, and dynamic range control provides

Major Music Supply debuts the new Revival RG-8 ¾ and RG-10 dreadnought guitars. Revival is offering an inexpensive ¾ size laminate. The RG-8’s ¾ size makes it a good fit for younger players and traveling musician. Both models have spruce tops and mahogany back and sides and come complete with gig bags. The RG-10 retails at $219.99 and the RG-8 retails at $199.99. www.majormusicmusicsupply.com

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Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube 25th Anniversary Amp Being in business for a quarter of a century in 2009 Hughes & Kettner celebrates this festive occasion with the Silver Jubilee series of the popular Edition Tube combo. Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube 25th Anniversary amp is equipped with two channels, two EL84 tubes in the power amp, and delivers 20 watts of pure tube power in conjunction with a Celestion G12T100 speaker. The combo comes with a three band equalizer, an Accutronics spring reverb, an fx loop as well as an output for additional cabinets. www.hughes-and-kettner.com

See us at NAMM Booth 1231

AUGUST 2009

Band & Orchestra PJLA Music Sales Sax Dakota The Sax Dakota baritone saxophone features sleek power forged double arm key cups, an oversized graduated 7.48”, and solid stainless steel long hinge rods for fast/positive torque action throughout all bell notes with instant pad closure. The left hand pinky table was designed for fast/ smooth and easy action to handle difficult performance passages. All key cups are custom sized for the slim, low-profile pads fabricated from imported Italian leathers with hardened steel boosters that maximize sound projection and enhance tonality throughout the horn.

The entire body, bell, and neck of this sax are fabricated from 77 percent copper content brass alloy for resonance and purity of sound. All springs and pivot screws are machined from black oxide steel.

The Sax Dakota baritone saxophone is finished with gray onyx metallic fi nish on all bodies coupled with a satin silver matte finish on all keys, key cups, key guards, and trim. All fi nishes are protected by a proprietary clear lacquer coat. www.pjlamusic.com

metal with 24-karat gold plating or hard rubber.

Each mouthpiece is individually serial numbered and comes with a ligature and cap. The metal Otto Link Vintage is specially wrapped in a black & gold

box and hard rubber models are packaged in a red and white box. www.jjbabbitt.com

Sonaré Winds’ Intermediate Trumpets Sonaré Winds’ new 500 and 600 Series of intermediate trumpets feature a Black-

jj Babbitt’s Otto Link Vintage Mouthpiece The jj Babbitt Company, Inc. has introduced the Otto Link Vintage mouthpiece for tenor sax to commemorate its 90th anniversary.

The sound of the old Otto Link has been recaptured through a combination of minor adjustments to the mouthpiece. The body shape, bore, chamber, baffle, side rails, and tuning are all different from current Otto Link models. Otto Link Vintage is available with the same standard tip openings as current Otto Link models and comes in a choice of AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1304

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Newproducts Retail prices are $899 for the 500 model (TRB-500) and $999 for the 600 model (TRB-600). www.sonarewinds.com

Adagio Violin from Major Music Supply

burn designed brass leadpipe and the MicroLok adjustable valve guide system, now exclusive to all Sonaré trumpets. The 500 model horn comes with a lacquer finish and black pearl buttons. The 600 model is silver plated and comes with gold plated valve caps and fi ngers buttons. A backpack style case and a 5C mouthpiece are included with each 500 or 600 trumpet.

Major Music Supply’s Adagio EM-150 violins boast a solid-spruce top with highly-flamed back and sides along with an ebony fingerboard and all-ebony appointments. Included is an octagonal brazilwood bow and an oblongshaped violin case. www.majormusicmusicsupply.com

allows users to plug their kazoo into any type of effects box, pedal, or straight into any amp using the supplied ¼” connector to create sounds and effects. The first electric kazoo of its kind to use a professional grade dynamic pickup is perfect for the guitar player, bass player or any musician looking for something new to add to their arsenal of sounds. Every electric kazoo is made in the U.S. and comes with the HUMMbucker custom kazoo pickup and detachable 15’ cord. www.classicamericankazoos.com

Percussion

The Electric Kazoo from Kazoobie

Supernatural’s Cymbal Line

Kazoobie’s Electric Kazoo features the HUMMbucker custom kazoo pickup and

Supernatural Cymbals is a new percussion company introducing Hand

Diril Cymbals Discover The Real Sound

THE BEST QUALITY CYMBAL FROM THE HAMMER OF TURKISH MASTERS Visit us in NAMM Booth 605 www.dirilcymbalsusa.com 90 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1630

AUGUST 2009

Prodigy Pro box sets will be offered exclusively at NAMM with introductory prices.

Sonor’s Danny Carey Signature Snare

Crafted Turkish Cymbals at affordable prices. The product launch will showcase seven distinct cymbal lines.

The Aura series, Mystic, Relic, Divine, Universal, Heritage, and Prodigy lines are conceptually named and designed for all types of players. Supernaturals are raising the bar of cymbal design to the entry level market by offering professional cymbals at competitive prices with the Prodigy Pro Packs. The Prodigy line will provide a superior cymbal voice and professional finish with pack upgrades and add-ons available.

AUGUST 2009

The Danny Carey Signature Snare Drum from Sonor is constructed of a 1 mm bronze shell and comes with artist series snare drum style lugs. The 2.3 mm Power Hoops allow the snare to breath open. All hardware comes in chrome finish. With a diameter of 14” and a depth of 8”, it pays homage to the “vintage” signature line snare drum that Danny has preferred throughout his career. The shell is covered by unique talisman symbols between the lugs. Also engraved around the air hole is Danny’s signature, giving the signature snare drum his fi nal, personal touch. The snare drum retails for $1,079.99. www.hohnerusa.com

Sabian Adds Artisan Hats To Vault Collection Sabian debuts Artisan hi-hats in 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch sizes. Consisting of a medium top and heavy bottom, these pairings feature high-density hand hammering with a touch of innovation and are said to deliver a dry, dark, and complex traditional tone with a touch more character and great sticking response.

The 14-inch pairing delivers a combination of soft, warm sticking and pedal response; the 13-inch set is tighter, more

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Newproducts defined; and the 15-inch produces a bigger, deeper, slushier sound.

Vault Artisan Hats are hand crafted from Sabian B20 bronze, available in natural or brilliant finish and quality-protected by the Sabian two-year warranty. www.sabian.com

dard notation, lyrics, and chords. Parking Lot Pickers book and CD sets are now available for guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and dobro. www.melbay.com

Print

Hal Leonard and MusicPro Guides have released the first volume in a series focusing on mixing techniques - Mixing the Hits of Country. Grammy-nominated engineer Dave Martin guides readers through a comprehensive course that explains, in fully illustrated detail, all the current recording, engineering, and mixing techniques for producing hits in the Nashville mold.

Mel Bay’s First Jams Series and Parking Lot Pickers The First Jam series from Mel Bay was created to give beginners of all ages a book of simple, common tunes to learn.

These are standard “Jam” tunes in the bluegrass/old time music styles. First Jams series books can be used for guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, dulcimer, or dobro. Each book offers the melody for that particular instrument as well as back-up chords for another instrument

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Mixing the Hits of Country from Hal Leonard to accompany the player. Each song is represented in tab, notation, and chord symbols. The accompanying CD has two tracks for each song - the first playing the song with the melody line, the second track offers just the backup.

Also newly released are two more editions of the Parking Lot Pickers series for fiddle and dobro. Parking Lot Pickers is a collection of over 200 bluegrass, old time, country, and gospel standards played by jammers and performers all over the world. Melodies are presented with stan-

AUGUST 2009

Mixing the Hits of Country includes two DVDs with complete WAV fi les for every instrument and vocal track to 10 contemporary country hits, including songs by Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, and more. The choice of songs represents a wide swath of modern country music, and each song offers its own unique facet of the mix. The WAV fi les emulate the original artist recordings, and the DVDs are compatible with both PC and Mac platforms and ready to be imported into the digital recording software of your choice. Using these tracks, Dave Martin guides you step-by-step through numerous mixing exercises that are all fully illustrated with screenshots and charts. He discusses why certain sounds and techniques are foolproof and why others are not. Though the course is geared towards

Find Breaking News in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com

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AUGUST 2009

MMR 93

Newproducts digital recording platforms, the concepts also translate to analog processes. www.halleonard.com

Behind the Glass, Volume II Behind the Glass, Volume II: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits

by Howard Massey presents another collection of firsthand interviews with the world’s top record producers and engineers, sharing their creative secrets and hit-making techniques – from the practical to the artistic. In these pages you’ll find Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan) discussing the future of digital recording; T-Bone Burnett (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss) sharing his unique view of creating complex low end; and Hugh

Padgham (Police, Genesis) analyzing the state of the business today. Howard Massey gets real-world advice on everything from home recording to mixing to coaching a nervous singer, in his conversations with Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse), Tony Brown (Reba McEntire), Gus Dudgeon (Elton John), John Simon (The Band), Russ Titelman (Steve Winwood), Bruce Swedien (Michael Jackson), Rodney Jerkins (Mary J. Blige), Simon Climie (Eric Clapton), Matt Serletic (Matchbox Twenty), and more. www.backbeatbooks.com

Accessories Coil’s LevelHeaded VolumeLeveling Technology LevelHeaded, guitar volume-leveling technology from Coil, provides a separate volume control for each setting of a guitar’s pickup switch. When coupled

with Coil’s five-way Tonefly E/P switch, it provides five separate, independent volume controls.

LevelHeaded is unlike other mechanisms that adjust the levels of individual pickups separately, because it adjusts each different combination of pickups, which is a harder technical problem to solve but more useful to musicians.

LevelHeaded can be applied to any guitar; it works with any pickup organization, including SSS, HH, HSH, SSH, and works with two-lead, three-lead, and four-lead pickups. It comes in two configurations - passive and active.

The passive configuration works by reducing the volume of louder settings but uses a non-standard volume circuit that does not alter tone. The active con-

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94 MMR

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figuration uses a special preamp circuit on-board the guitar to boost the volume of softer settings.

Retail prices for LevelHeaded technology is $199 for passive configuration, $298 for active configuration (active configuration includes preamp). www.coil-guitars.com

JamHub’s “Silent Rehearsal Studio” JamHub is an electronic device that allows bands to rehearse silently anytime and anywhere. JamHubs easily interconnect instruments and microphones for quiet rehearsing. By using the MyMix controls, each band member creates their own clear and balanced mix.

JamHub comes in three models. JamHub BedRoom is made for musicians on a budget with inputs for up to five players. JamHub GreenRoom is for serious musicians with inputs for seven, one My-

AUGUST 2009

Mix remote, and an USB audio out for digital recording. JamHub TourBus has all the capabilities of GreenRoom and includes two MyMix remotes plus a built in recorder. JamHub will be available in August in the US and September internationally. www.jamhub.com

GuitarGuard’s Guitar Skins & Cable Management Device GuitarGuard has introduced the Tele and Acoustic Dreadnaught style guitars skins.

GuitarGuard skins offer protection for guitars with minimal surface coverage. Guit-

arGuard fits around the guitar’s contours and won’t interfere with the instrument’s look, sound, or playability In addition, GuitarGuard continues its commitment to offering inexpensive protective and organizational solutions for players and pros with the launch of NeverKink Cable Management Device - their fi rst nonskin gear offering. NeverKink allows for secure control of a guitar and bass cables on stage or off. NeverKink can be cus-

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Newproducts tom imprinted with a band or company’s logo. www.guitarguard.net

Lashbrook’s New Piezo Technology Lashbrook Guitars launches their Lashbrook Naturacoustic piezo bridge for electric guitars. Lashbrook’s Tune-O-

Matic style Naturacoustic bridge features a main structure and saddles made of select tone woods (East Indian Rosewood or Gaboon Ebony) and features a unique method of resonance transfer. Six adjustable saddles allow fi ne tuning the intonation, and specially developed piezo

elements power this bridge in a passive circuit – there is no need for a battery or preamp. The player can just plug the guitar straight into the amplifier. www.lashbrookguitars.com

The Guitar Hanger The Guitar Hanger provides quick and easy access to a guitar while also protecting it. It can store a guitar anywhere with a closet rod or hook, and by utilizing a non-mechanical locking yoke, the Guitar Hanger securely holds the guitar in place. The Guitar Hanger frees up floor space, but also allows for quick and easy instrument changes.

On the road, the Guitar Hanger can hang in a garment case for convenient storage and accessibility.

The Guitar Hanger is made of durable stainless steel and nylon fiber and retails for $30.99. www.theguitarhanger.com

SwirlyGig’s Chrome Beverage Holders SwirlyGig Industries, maker of the Original SwirlyGig beverage holder, introduces a new chrome line. Lighter than the original SwirlyGigs, which are coated in black PVC, the new chrome SwirlyGigs match microphone stands, instruments, and other equipment on stage. SwirlyGig is a cup and beverage holder for musicians and stage artists. SwirlyGig Industries offers the Original SwirlyGig, SwirlyGig II for larger microphone stands and tubing, and SwirlyShtick drumstick holders. www.swirlygig.com

UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR GUITAR. The components found in Graph Tech’s Electric Supercharger Kits are specifically designed to unlock the harmonics and tone of any guitar. www.graphtech.com p 604.940.5353

The Evolution of Guitar Performance.

See us at NAMM Booth #1528 96 MMR

AUGUST 2009

Rolling Shockmount Mac Pro Tower Case from SKB SKB’s 1SKB-R04WMAC Rolling Shockmount Mac Pro Tower Case is designed to accommodate the new Mac Pro Towers and the Mac G5 Tower, providing portability along with shock absorbing protection.

The interior of the Rolling Shockmount Mac Pro Tower Case features a custom frame, which accommodates the unique shape of the Mac Pro Tower. Steel rack rails front and back ensure a secure mount and eight elastomeric corner shocks effectively absorb vibration and cushion the ride. The case is rotationally molded for durability and features SKB’s patented, recessed

TSA Trigger Release Latching System. A low profi le injection molded, retractable pull handle and roller blade wheels combine for transport mobility. The moldedin design contours provide extra stiffness in the lids and sides and engage for secure stacking. The rack depth is 20” from rail to rail, and each lid is 2-1/4 inches deep.

The full-size doors make it easy to access the Mac Pro’s multiple front and rear I/O ports. An ambient pressure relief valve and gasket sealed front and rear doors protect the Mac Pro Tower from moisture and the oversized snap-down handles on each side make for easy lifting. www.skbcases.com

Integrated Case Brace Guitar Stand SHELFactory LLC has announced the latest version of its hardshell guitar case accessory, the Integrated Case Brace guitar stand.

This integrated version of the original Case Brace comes as standard equipment direct-

ly installed by the manufacturer on select hardshell cases. Unlike the original Case Brace, which required guitarists to place a corner bracket on their opened case before the guitar could be secured, this integrated version is built into the guitar case lid and makes the Case Brace immediately available upon opening. The Integrated Case Brace is designed as a ready-to-install unit for case manufacturers. www.casebrace.com

Lava Cable’s Black & Gold SolderFree Plug Lava Cable introduces a new version of its solder-free plug. This new plug comes with a black anodized housing, gold-plated

Stability. Convenience.

Your Guitar Shouldn’t Stand for Anything Less.

Introducing the Case Brace.

Traveling with a separate guitar stand just became obsolete.

The Case Brace fastens to the outside corner of your guitar case providing a sturdy and protective zone where your axe can rest between sets.

When the gig’s over, simply remove it and stash it inside your case.

It’s sturdy. It’s convenient. It’s the guitar stand that fits inside your case.

Why stand for anything less?

Visit www.CaseBrace.com to see the Case Brace in action, order inventory or learn how to become a distributor.

AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 1506

MMR 97

Newproducts stem, grounding sleeve, and is available in both right angle and straight versions .The gold plating is said to offer a minor increase in conductivity over nickel to provide for slightly increased sonic performance. Like the nickel-plated version, this plug is small for the tightest spacing of pedal using solder-free plugs. The new Black Gold Lava Plug retails for $9.50 each and comes in kits with 10’ of Lava Mini ELC Cable, 10 Plugs plus a stripping tool for $113.95. www.lavacable.com

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive (SHOD) is a touch sensitive low gain overdrive pedal hand made in Finland. It is de-

98 MMR

signed to overdrive distorted amplifiers and give dynamically controlled light overdrive on clean sounds. Distortion level can be controlled by pick attack and pickup strength - harder picking for overdrive and softer for cleaner tone.With the Focus control you can adjust the feel and dynamics of the pedal as well as overall EQ. Turning Focus CCW you need to play harder to get distortion and the tone is softer. Focus turned CW gives a slight treble boost and earlier distortion. The Mad Professor SHOD is designed to work with all kinds of guitars and amplifiers. Like all Mad Professor pedals, SHOD is hand made in Finland. www.mpamp.com

Jammin’ Lollipops from Aim Gifts Aim Gifts has added Jammin’ Lollipops to its music gift accessory line. Each box has 12 different musical shapes and flavors. The attractive box design display.

Flavors range from Acoustic Guitar Apple to Rock Star Raspberry. Jammin’ Lollipops are exclusively available from AIM Gifts and come in a box design display. www.aimgifts.com

ACCESS’ Brandit Removable Pocket The Brandit™ removable pocket flap allows dealers to easily and cost effectively customize ACCESS Stage One Brandit bags with logos and other marketing messages.

AUGUST 2009

“Imprinting guitar gig bags with logos is a great addition to any store’s marketing mix but prohibitive minimum order requirements and costly graphics setup fees often discourage smaller dealers from taking advantage of these programs,” says Marty Harrison, Sr. VP of ACCESS Bags and Cases. “The Brandit pocket removes all of those barriers. Brandit pocket flaps zip on Stage One Brandit gig bags in seconds. A 24-unit master pack of custom imprinted Brandit pocket flaps stores in about the same space as a small combo guitar amp. And the same Brandit pocket fits all of the most popular Stage One bags styles—Dreadnaught Acoustic, Solidbody Electric & Solidbody Bass. Dealers can ‘willcall’ Brandit bags as they need them. Brandit pockets are also

AUGUST 2009

available unprinted for customers who prefer bags without logos. The ACCESS Brandit is a brand new way for dealers to brand their stores, programs and events.” www.accessbagsandcases.com NAMM Exhibitor # 1122

Pedal Stop from Flask of Oil Flask of Oil, LLC, a new face on the retail keyboard accessory music scene, has announced the launch of their new Web site, featuring their electronic keyboard accessory the “Pedal Stop.” The product allows the keyboard musician to play with confidence whether at home, rehearsal studio or stage, knowing that the sustaining pedal is right where he or she left it.

Patent Pending, the Pedal Stop comes in two styles – one for the X-style stands and the other for the Apex – and attaches discreetly to the base of the stand where the pedal slips in and is held in place. A rubberized base prevents further movement

regardless of the type of flooring it is placed on.

The Pedal Stop is small enough to simply fit the pedal and attach to the base of the stand. It can be placed confidently in your keyboard case or bag. Made from high impact poly-carbon the same material football helmets are made from, it is quite sturdy. The unit is priced at 19.95 for both the X-style and the Apex stands. www.pedalstop.com

Guitar Cases from Broermann’s Music Dealers Resource Group Broermann’s Music Dealers Resource Group (MDRG) has made a special one-time purchase of assorted acoustic and electric guitar cases. Due to their large network of partner factories,

See us at NAMM Booth 436

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Newproducts MDRG is often asked to help clear factory overstocks as well as “B” stock goods at substantial savings.

These cases are of wood construction and feature quality latches and handles.

All have attractive and protective linings and come in rectangular, arched wood top

and at top congurations. Models include 6/12 string Dreadnought, Classic, Acoustic Electric, as well as a wide selection of popular electric style and many that were custom built to t those uniquely shaped solid body electric guitars and basses.

NAMM exhibitor booth #334

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Light & Sound American Audio Releases XSP Series of Powered Speakers American Audio’s new XSP series of high-power professional speakers are available in four sizes, the models feature built-in amplifiers, which can be connected directly to a mixing console or sound source without the need for a typical amp. Featuring an invisible full grill design, and flyable and floor-mount options, the XSP speakers are great for installs too. They offer an array of choices for DJs, bands, clubs, lounges, bowling centers, houses of worship, and more.

The XSP series four size options address a range of mobile entertainment and installation needs. The XSP-8A or 10A can provide background music for a corporate event or smaller club; for a big hall gig or outdoor party of a couple

hundred people, the 12A or 15A will offer the optimum choice. The 8A and 10A are suitable for smaller venues, such as lounges and sports bars, offering users an economical solution for providing a background music system. The 12A and 15A fit the needs of dance clubs, live music venues, churches, bowling centers, roller rinks, and other larger venues.

All four speakers in the series can be used as stand mounts, are flyable, and can be wall or truss mounted (using optional metal brackets). The ABS nylon fiber cabinet and full grill is heavy-duty enough to hold up to the rigors of set-up and tear-down. www.americanaudio.us

Audio2000’s Recordable All-InOne Karaoke/PA Systems The recordable all-in-one karaoke/PA systems with rechargeable batteries, AKJ780A and AKJ780B, by Audio2000’s

AUGUST 2009

will be delivered in August 2009. The all-in-one karaoke/PA systems contain the following features: built-in high-capacity rechargeable batteries; 1/4 inch guitar and keyboard inputs with individual volume controls; and digital echo with repeat and delay controls for vocal enhancement. The built-in USB and SD card readers play VCD, WMA, AVI, MP4, DAT, MPG, and JPG fi les. A multi-format player with the direct track access supports DVD, CDG, DVD-R, DVD-RW, VCD, MP4, DIVX, Photo-CD, CD, CDR, and CD-RW formats. www.audio2000s.com

Samson’s Zoom R16 Portable The Zoom 16 is a USB and battery powered, portable recording device with simultaneous eight track recording, 16 track playback, and 100+ built-in mastering effects. The R16 is three production tools in one device: a multi-track re-

AUGUST 2009

corder, an audio interface, and a control surface. Additionally, the R16 runs on six AA batteries for multi-track portability.

The R16 can record up to 32 GBs on an SD card. It can also connect to a laptop or desktop computer via USB and supports Windows XP/Vista and Mac operating systems. Other features include: 16/24-bit/44.1kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format; eight mic inputs and two outputs; preamp with phantom power on two channels; and Steinberg Cubase LE 4. www.samsontech.com

DPA’s 4099 Performance Series Mics DPA Microphones new range of instrument microphones, the 4099 series, are multipurpose microphones with mounts designed to ensure the nest possible

audio reinforcement is achieved when performing live.

The 4099 series of condenser microphones feature super-cardioid polar patterns for superior gain-before-feedback. Capable of handling extremely high SPLs, these microphones are said to live up to their pedigree of sound as accurate as DPA’s other world-class microphones.

The 4099 models are extremely rugged with discreet size and elegant, lightweight design. The versatile gooseneck provides stable positioning so the microphone won’t stray from the instrument’s sweet spot, yet can easily be unclipped and repositioned. The mounting system will never mar or scratch the nish of your valuable instrument. www.dpamicrophones.com

MMR 101

Supplierscene Music & Arts Re-Opening Celebration Music & Arts recently re-opened their store in Marlton, New Jersey after a relocation and hosted “On Stage in Marlton, New Jersey” to celebrate. Two musical competitions were held and winners were crowned in the Individual and Garage Band categories. Festivities for those not competing in the musical contests in-

cluded live entertainment, raffles, and Guitar Hero contests. Bizarre Silence took home the top prize in the Garage Band competition, while seven-year-old Ryan McLaughlin took home first place in the Individuals Competition.

For additional information on the event and the relocation www.weinbergharris.com.

CF Martin Grills Out For Musicorp Musicorp was recognized for sales achievement with a cookout from CF Martin at Musicorp headquarters in Charleston, S.C. on June 11, 2009. CF Martin director of sales and marketing for the string and accessory division, Tim McNair, held the cookout for Musicorp to show appreciation for Musicorp’s success in being the top-growth wholesaler

for CF Martin Strings. Along with grilling burgers and hot dogs for the Musicorp employees, cowboy hats and other fun gifts were enjoyed by all. A CF Martin bean bag toss game was raffled off and won by Musicorp sales representative, Jesse Johnson.

To find out more, visit www.mguitar.com.

Aguilar Amplification Artist Series Master Classes Aguilar Amplification will hold their Artist Series Master Classes on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in New York City, with endorsing artists Steve Jenkins and Matt Rubano.

Steve Jenkins is a popular figure in the modern jazz and jam/funk scenes. He has toured extensively with guitar heroes Vernon Reid and David Fiuczynski and still maintains a rigorous teaching schedule.

Matt Rubano is a member of Taking Back Sunday, who have recently released New

Harpsicle

TM

Harps The Original

Easy to play. Easy to sell.

Starting at $349 (retail list) See us at NAMM Booth #821 HarpsicleHarps.com

Introducing

Mel Bay’s Harpsicle® Harp Method Book & DVD (One included with every harp ordered at NAMM!)

102 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 821

AUGUST 2009

Again on Warner Bros. Records and is a program host on the Fuse Network.

Close friends and fellow Berklee College of Music grauates, Matt and Steve will be discussing different aspects of making a living as a New York session musician as well as demonstrating some of the great bass lines they have written for artists such as Taking Back Sunday, Lauryn Hill, Vernon Reid, The Screaming Headless Torsos, and Steve’s own solo album, Mad Science.

For more information, visit www.aguilaramp.com.

Dampp-Chaser Achieves ISO 90012008 Certification Dampp-Chaser Corporation, manufacturer of the Piano Life Saver System, a pia-

no humidity control system, has achieved the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 Certification. Dampp-Chaser Vice President, Roger Wheelock, has worked with employees and processes for nearly five years, which culminated in passing the three-day compliance audit for certification.

ISO Certification is a major undertaking in terms of time, commitment and money. As the world-recognized standard for quality management, ISO 9001:2008 improves product quality by ensuring the entire organization’s adherence to standardized practices and documentation.

The real achievement however, is “a workable internal quality system that creates continuous improvement and customer satisfaction,” said Gayle Mair, company president. “Dampp-Chaser accepted this huge challenge voluntarily because we are committed to the manufacture of outstanding, high-quality products. It will

make a real difference in our international markets, though it doesn’t get a lot of recognition in the US. “ For more information, visit www.pianolifesaver.com.

SCORE Marketing Free iPod Drawing SCORE Marketing, a company which markets a number of popular, unique products to the music industry, will be giving away a free iPod to the lucky winner of a business card drawing at NAMM. No purchase is necessary. Some of the lines represented by SCORE Marketing include: Dolsey Rotating 3-Guitar display stand; Facelift Guitar Overlays; Lizard Spit; Wrap-N-Strap Cable Organizers; ChopSaver Natural Lip Balm; GigLight Portable Music Stand Lights; and much more.

For more information, visit www.scoremarketing.com.

You can wait a couple of years and play “Follow the Leader” or you can take a chance now and

BE THE LEADER! Come See us at Booth #1439

F_ _ _ _ R • V_X • M_ _ _ _ _LL

TOMASZEWICZ www.jtsoundinc.com Phone: 954-752-8737 Email: johngt777@myacc.net AUGUST 2009

See us at NAMM Booth 428

MMR 103

Supplierscene Steve Weiss Music, Inc. Launches Redesigned Web Site Steve Weiss Music, Inc. has redesigned their Web site to enable customers to have a better buying and information gathering experience, and more opportunity for vendor partners to reach potential customers with their product information. The redesigned site will allow customers to purchase percussion products, see the latest books and music literature on percussion, and sample

sounds and video of products. Special deals on many products along with hundreds of free product offerings will also be offered To check out the new site, visit www.steveweissmusic.com.

Flaxwood Guitars Receives Premier Guitar’s Premier Gear Award Flaxwood Guitars, maker of environmentally-friendly guitars made of molded wood material that captures the warmth

and resonance of traditional hardwoods, has captured a Premier Gear Award for the month of June with the Flaxwood LI-T ‘Liekki’. The Flaxwood Liekki is a unique guitar made of particulate wood matter rather than large pieces of wood.

We’re absolutely thrilled for the guitar to have been awarded the Premier Gear Award,” says Rick Nelson, Director of Sales for North America. “We recognize the importance that it brings to the readership, and we’re confident that it will bring these truly remarkable guitars to a much broader audience.”

To find out more, visit www.flaxwood.com.

SurgeX Appoints Sound Vision and Online As Manufacturer’s Reps

See us at NAMM Booth 827

SurgeX has announced the appointment of Sound Vision Marketing and Online Marketing/CRM as its newest independent manufacturer’s representatives. Effective immediately, Floridabased Sound Vision Marketing now represents SurgeX in Florida and Puerto Rico, while Online Marketing/CRM of Wadsworth, Ohio services the brand throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan.

For more information, visit www.surgex.com.

GHS David Gilmour Signature Boomers Awarded “Best String” GHS David Gilmour Signature Boomers have been awarded the “Best Electric Guitar String” from the M.I.P.A. International Press Awards, otherwise known as the “Grammy” of the Music Instrument/Pro Audio Industry. More than 100 magazines from all over the world got together to vote the BEST products of 2008/2009 and the award was presented at a special awards ceremony in Germany at the recent Frankfurt Musikmesse. GHS has enjoyed a long time relationship with Pink Floyd guitarist, David Gilmour, dating back to their famous album, The Wall. There are two sets of the David Gilmour Signature Strings with one set designated for use with Gibson guitars and the other 104 MMR

AUGUST 2009

for Fender guitars. They are the same strings used by Gilmour and designed to meet his specifications.

For more information visit www.ghsstrings.com.

Amedia Cymbals New Line & U.S. Location Amedia Cymbals USA unveils their cymbal line and introduces their U.S. location.

Stock is on the way to the states to facilitate shipments to dealers without the delay of shipments originating from Istanbul, Turkey. Boasting 20 different models of cymbals, breaking down to over 650 types including sizes, weights, and finishes, the line features rides, crashes, hi-hats, chinas, splashes, and bell cymbals. Classics, rock and jazz models are all available with custom configurations as well. Amedia’s cymbals are handmade, produced by hammer smiths and lathe men.

For more information, visit www.amediacymbals.com.

Hartke Sponsors Wooten’s “Groove Workshop” Tour Victor Wooten, in between his Wooten Woods inaugural event and the next SMV tour, packed in an eight-city “Groove

Workshop” tour sponsored by Hartke and Hudson Music that took his unique style of performance and musicianship to Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states in May. Wooten was joined by Anthony Wellington on a road trip that featured clinics at Georgia Music Warehouse, Savannah, Ga.; Bass Central, Orlando, Fla.; Andy Owings Music, Myrtle Beach, Ga. and Alpha Music in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Va. Four Sam Ash stores also hosted Groove Workshops in Nashville, Miami, Tampa and Raleigh.

Victor Wooten took his unique philosophy of teaching music from Groove Workshop, his new DVD from Hudson Music, and brought it to life in front of packed Hartke dealers at every stop. The clinics featured a complete master class where Victor — along with bassist/educator Anthony Wellington and players from the crowd — used his personal experience and expertise to delve deeper into rarely discussed, yet vitally important, aspects of music making.

“The road trip clinic tour was really Victor’s idea,” says Mark Wilder, Director of Marketing for Hartke. “He and Wellington went well over two hours each night and spent additional time signing autographs and taking pictures with the crowds. And at every event he drew at least 250 people.

He is a true ambassador not only for us, but for the art of playing bass.”

Hartke dealers can look forward to additional clinic dates in late summer and the fall. For more information, visit www.samsontech.com.

See us at NAMM Booth 1546

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Victor Wooten goes home to Alpha Music, Virginia Beach, Va. with Anthony Wellington (left).

AUGUST 2009

Request a FREE trial at:

JackrabbitMusic.com MMR 105

Classifieds

Accessories

Classified Advertising To place an ad, please call Maureen at 800-964-5150 x34 or email mjohan@symphonypublishing.com Payment by: Visa, MC, Amex or Check Classifieds must be paid in advance.

Symphony Publishing 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1 Needham, MA 02494 Fax: (781) 453-9389

Business Opportunities The beleaguered economy has made available one of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected executive sales management professionals.

If you are a forward-thinking company looking to bolster your pool of talent, this is your perfect opportunity.

Contact MMRMag@gmail.com

Business Opportunities

106 MMR

AUGUST 2009

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com

Business Opportunities

• 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

AUGUST 2009

For Classified Sales Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext. 34 • mjohan@symphonypublishing.com

Dealers Wanted

MMR 107

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com

Help Wanted

DVDs

CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE! check

www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!

For Sale Music Store Owner Retiring

STEINWAY PIANOS: Sales and Management positions.

Represent the industry’s most desired products, in Canada’s most lucrative, exclusive territory with area’s leading piano house. Unique opportunity for ambitious, energetic person w. proven sales experience. eMail Resumes: jobs@remenyi.com 108 MMR

For Classified Sales Call Maureen

800-964-5150 ext. 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com

High trafc area, very successful.

We are a full line music store, 10,000 sq. ft. free standing building, Band instrument rental program 14 lesson rooms with over 400 students major lines guitars, drums and accessories, Established 21 years, includes tuning business, piano moving with truck and band and instrument repair dept.

Can be subdivided: 4,000 sq. ft. and 6,000 sq. ft.

Call 631 495-3223 New York AUGUST 2009

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com

For Sale MUSIC STORE FOR SALE ON MAUI Have you ever dreamed of living in Hawaii?

This could be your chance!

Full Line Music Store in Paradise.

All inventory and xtures included.

Most major lines are represented.

Established in 1979 $500,000 plus inventory For info 808-870-5953 FOR SALE Beautiful central Florida Well-known music store, Located 24 years on East Coast!

All inventory/xtures, turnkey!

Major brands, full-line.

No real property. 8 + studios Owners have aging parents.

Call PM only.

Partner/investor okay.

321-725-3047 www.ukes.com URL and Website For Sale THIS IS A VERY POPULAR WEBSITE FOR SELLING UKULELES. Price includes $100,000. in inventory $500,000 For info 808-870-5953

Merchandise

Oboes & Bassoons

We create the finest hand-crafted Oboes & Bassoons. Also replacement 5K Bassoon Bocals.

equatone@earthlink.net

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: info@lintonwoodwinds.com www.LintonWoodwinds.com

CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE! check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!

1,000,000+ And Counting!

Over one million posts on our world famous Piano Forums, and growing. More than 11,000 unique visitors stop by Piano World every day.

Be smart, advertise your piano related business on the most popular piano web site in the world.

PianoWorld.com Home of the world famous Piano Forums.

Ready to Advertise, or Still Need Convincing?

Visit www.PianoWorld.com/advertising ... Today!

MUSIC SCHOOL/STORE for SALE (in operation since 1986)

Housed on its own PRIME REAL ESTATE property in a beautiful, affluent suburb of Houston, TX 25-plus teachers for almost 600 students; half-acre back lot ideal for store expansion or rental space.

Call Owner at 832 445-5668

For Classified Sales Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext. 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com AUGUST 2009

MMR 109

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: 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

HARD SHELL PLASTIC CASES Flute $9.00, Piccolo $6.00 Clarinet $10.00, Oboe $12.00

ELKHART CASES 1-800-582-0319

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!

GUARANTEED LANDED QUALITY

1-800-782-2694 North American Music 11 Kay Fries Drive Stony Point, NY 10980 Fax: (845) 429-6920

FINANCING AVAILABLE

www.mmrmagazine.com 110 MMR

Miscellaneous BAND 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

Repair Tools

Repair Tools

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. FAST TURN-AROUND ON STOCK REPAIRS NATIONWIDE NAPBIRT member, 26 Years Experience Contact: Dan Rieck, 801-733-4243 dan@utahwoodwindrepair.com

Guitar Show Operators

Promote your show dates and reach every guitar dealer in the US

through the classified pages of MMR. Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext 34

AUGUST 2009

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.MMRmagazine.com

Repair Tools

Vintage Instruments BOW REHAIRING Expert Bow Service

Order forms,Pricing and Shipping label at:

www.bowrehairing.com Violin bows as low as $10.00 per bow in quantity incl. shipping (see website for details.) 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: info@bowrehairing.com

Reps Wanted Sales Representatives Wanted!!

Michigan-based Brass, Woodwind and accessories line. Join a great new organization with an “artist-endorsed” product.

Competitive Commissions with incentive.

Contact: toya@dymusicusa.com 734-384-1705

INDEPENDENT SALES REPS

Sales Reps Wanted Most territories open A Great Job! Hunter Music Instrument Inc. Ask for Steve Steve@huntermusical.com

Wanted To Buy Wanted USED TUBAS Anthem Guitar Reps Wanted

A high quality indie guitar line is looking for independent sales reps with good working relationships with independent music dealers. Products include Anthem Guitars, Tanara Guitars, Eleuke, full line of accessories and print music. Send resume to info@anthemguitars.com

Services is a “grand” idea!

An independent, long-distance Mover specializing in coast-to-coast residential Relocation.

1-800-982-9505

www.lonewolftrucking.com Alamogordo, New Mexico. 88310

ICC MC-256289

AUGUST 2009

THE TUBA EXCHANGE 1825 CHAPEL HILL RD. DURHAM, NC 27707 1-800-869-8822 WWW.TUBAEXCHANGE.COM

WE, BUY, SELL, TRADE and ship worldwide.

Written APPRAISALS available.

GRUHN GUITARS, 400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 256-2033

SHIPPING YOUR PIANO

with Lone Wolf Trucking

ANY CONDITION-CASH PAID

fax (615) 255-2021

www.gruhn.com

LOCAL & NATIONWIDE PIANO MOVING • CRATING • STORAGE •

(800) 222-2888

(310) 830-3362 (FAX) • http://www.pianomove.com

Guitar Show Operators

Promote your show dates and reach every guitar dealer in the US

through the classified pages of MMR. Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext 34

MMR 111

Adindex COMPANY NAME A

Ac-Cetera Inc. Access Bags and Cases Al Cass Allparts Amati’s Fine Instruments Amedia Cymbals USA America Longxing Inc. American DJ Supply Inc. American Way Marketing LLC Anderson Silver Plating Antigua Winds, Inc.

B

Blue Book Publications Inc. BreezSong LLC Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd. Bridgecraft

C

CAD Professional Microphones Lou Capece Music Casio America, Inc Cecilio Musical Instruments Chem-Pak Inc. Coil Guitars Collings Guitars

D

D’Addario & Co. The Dava Co. Dean Markley Strings Dillion Guitars Diril Cymbals DPA Microphones Dunlop Manufacturing Inc.

E/F

Eleca International Epilog Laser Essential Sound Products Fishman Transducers, Inc. Fishman Transducers, Inc. Fishman Transducers, Inc. Flaxwood Flea BassUSA, Inc

G/H

George L’s Good for the Goose Products Graph Tech Guitar Labs Guitar Folks Guitar Guard Guitar Hanger H & F Technologies Inc. Hal Leonard Corp.

Howard Core

J/K

Jack Rabbit Technologies Jody Jazz Jones Double Reed Products JT Sound Inc. Kala Brand Music Co. Kazoobie Inc. Kyser Musical Products Inc.

L

Lashbrook Guitars, LLC Lava Cable Levy’s Leathers Ltd. Lollar Guitars LPD Music International

M

Mad Professor Amplification 112 MMR

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS www.ac-cetera.com www.accessbagsandcases.com

PAGE

www.antiguawinds.com

80 27 104 74 55 42 94 39 95 100 30

www.bluebookinc.com www.JamHub.com www.jpstrings.com www.xmusicpro.com

86 43 74 103

www.allparts.com www.Amatis.us www.amediacymbals.com www.huntermusical.com www.americandj.com info@americanwaymktg.com

www.cadmics.com www.loucapece.com www.casiousa.com www.ceciliomusic.com www.chem-pak.com www.coil-guitars.com www.collingsguitars.com

60 64 5 69 94 90 80

www.daddario.com www.davapick.com www.deanmarkley.com www.dillionguitars.com www.dirilcymbalsusa.com www.dpamicrophones.com www.jimdunlop.com

33 60 47 63 90 16 32

www.eleca.com www.epiloglaser.com www.essentialsound.com www.fishman.com www.fishman.com www.fishman.com www.flaxwood.com www.fleabass.com

65 49 83 70 20 68 71

www.georgels.com www.chopsaver.com www.graphtech.com www.theguitarfolks.com www.guitarguard.net www.theguitarhanger.com www.audio2000s.com www.halleonard.com www.howardcore.com

17 53 96 57 105 92 15 9 104

www.jackrabbittech.com www.JodyJazz.com www.jonesdoublereed.com www.jtsoundinc.com www.kalaukulele.com www.kazoos.com www.kysermusical.com

105 32 8 103 96 92 89

www.lashbrookguitars.com www.lavacable.com www.levysleathers.com www.lollarguitars.com www.lpdmusic.com

31 51 21 87 34

www.mpamp.com

88

COMPANY NAME

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

PAGE

Major Music Supply www.majormusicsupply.com Mel Bay Publications Inc. www.melbay.com Metropolitan Music Co. www.metromusic.com Music Dealers Resource Group, LLC www.mdrgUSA.com Musician’s Wholesale America www.musicianswholesaleamerica.com

N/O

NAMM National Educational Music Co. Nova Strings OnBoard Research Corp.

P

P & D Wholesale Paige Musical Products Paul Shelden Global Productions Peak Music Stands Pearl River Piano Group Pedal Stop Perri’s Leathers Ltd. Petrof USA PJLA Music Products Pro-Mark Corp.

PZtronics

Q/R

QMP Sales Rolls Corporation

S

Sabian Ltd. Saga Samson Technologies Corp.

Schatten Design Score Marketing SHS International Shubb Capos S.I.T. Strings Corp.

SKB Corp.

Sonaré Winds Stets Metal Arts Inc Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. Supernatural Percussion Inc Swirly Gig Industries

T

Tanglewood Guitars Taylor Guitars The Case Brace Company TKL Products Corp.

Tone King Corp.

ToneGear Traveler Guitar Tregan Guitars Tunerguard, Ltd

V

Vandoren Vandoren Vandoren Vic Firth, Inc. Visual Sound LLC Voyage-air Guitar

W/Y/Z

W.D. Music Products Inc. Walking Bird Repair Forms Warburton Music Products Weaseltrap Records Wittner GmbH & Co. KG Wm. Rees Instruments Wyman Piano Company Yamaha Corp. of America Zero Crossing Avedis Zildjian Co.

65 38 61 73 66

www.namm.com www.nemc.com www.novastrings.com www.tuners.com

22-23 59 99 98

www.PDWholesale.net www.paigecapo.com psgi@aol.com www.peakmusicstands.com www.PearlRiverUSA.com www.pedalstop.com www.perris.ca www.petrof.com www.pjlamusc.com www.promark.com www.pztronics.com

53 77 62 41 45 77 56 67 45 cov 3 99

www.qmpsales.com www.rolls.com

42 101

www.sabian.com www.sagamusic.com www.samsontech.com www.schattendesign.com www.scoremktg.com www.shsint.net www.shubb.com www.sitstrings.com www.skbcases.com www.sonarewinds.com www.stetsbar.com www.cavanaughcompany.com www.supernaturalcymbals.com www.swirlygig.com

11 54 cov 2-1 40 63 50 60 28 44 37 102 53 101 17

www.tanglewoodguitars.com www.taylorguitars.com www.casebrace.com www.tkl.com tonekingcorp@mindspring.com www.theStringCleaner.com www.travelerguitar.comom www.treganguitars.com www.tunerguard.com

48 7 97 3 41 50 97 20 68

www.dansr.com www.dansr.com www.dansr.com www.VicFirth.com www.visualsound.net www.VoyageAirGuitar.com

93 46 58 52 cov 4 72

www.wdmusic.com www.walkingbirdmusic.com www.warburton-usa.com www.weaseltrap.com www.wittner-gmbh.de www.harpsicleharps.com www.wymanpiano.com www.yamaha.com www.NTUNE.com www.zildjian.com

98 88 62 36 91 102 36 13 77 19

AUGUST 2009

THE ONLY EXTRA SLOTS YOU’LL NEED WILL BE IN YOUR CASH REGISTER.

No other company offers you as many models of sticks or as many ways to sell them.

DF12 – Stack-It Unit • 19” wide x 13.5” tall x 15.75” deep.

Just 2 square feet. Stackable.

• FREE with purchase of 12 dozen pairs (less than $850 USD)

DF12 DF 36-A — “Mini-Store” • 21.5” wide x 65” tall x 15.75” deep — just 2.3 square feet!

• 36 compartments. Optional side racks for additional merchandise. Shown with one optional side rack.

• FREE with purchase of 36 dozen pairs (less than $2700 USD) DF 36 — Portable Drumshop • 27” wide x 65” tall x 18” deep — just 3.4 square feet!

• Front/side panels with hooks and label holders • Large bottom storage compartment • FREE with purchase of 36 dozen pairs and accessory package (less than $3500 USD)

© Pro-Mark Corporation

DF-28 – Master Merchandiser • Holds well over 1000 pairs of sticks in a 42” diameter circle • “Basic” unit is FREE with 42 dozen pairs and accessory package (less than $4200 USD) • “Expanded” unit (pictured) is FREE with purchase of 54 dozen pairs and accessory package (less than $5200 USD)

DF 36-A

DF 36

All units come with both preprinted and blank labels.

DF-28 Pictured with optional large graphic, slot wall, testing shelf and catalog tray.

Stock #DF28-E. Many more options are available.

No matter what your footprint, we have the perfect merchandiser for it.

Just call us at 877-PRO-MARK (776-6275). And we’ll help your cash register go cha-ching!

Call your favorite Pro-Mark wholesaler for details.

promark.com

See us at NAMM Booth 911

See us at NAMM Booth CLUB