December 2010
w w w. m m r m a g a z i n e . c o m
ELECTRIC GUITAR: Fender Stratocaster ELECTRIC BASS: Ibanez ACOUSTIC GUITAR: Taylor Guitars AMPLIFIER: Peavey Vypyr RECORDING EQUIPMENT: Zoom R24 SOUND REINFORCEMENT: Peavey MICROPHONE: Shure SM58 BAND & ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT: Yamaha ACOUSTIC PIANO: Kawai K-3 HOME DIGITAL KEYBOARD: Casio PX Series PRO DIGITAL PIANO: Yamaha Tyros 4 PERCUSSION: Pearl Drums LIGHTING: American DJ DJ: Vestax PRINT MUSIC PUBLISHER: Hal Leonard SOFTWARE: Cakewalk ACCESSORY: Snark Tuner WEB SITE: Alfred.com
27th Annual 50 Dealer 50 State Review & Forecast 29th Annual America’s Top Music Chains Music China 2010 U.S. Import Statistics
18th Annual
Dealers’ Choice Awards
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Yamaha Disklavier
NEW, DIGITAL VERSION: www.mmrmagazine.com
-,4"/#2) 1,,)0
9 6WXGLR
7KH XOWLPDWH ZRUNVWDWLRQ IRU SUR PXVLF SURGXFWLRQ¦D FRQWUROOHU DXGLR 0,', LQWHUIDFH DQG )DQWRP VRXQG HQJLQH SRZHUHG E\ 621$5 3URGXFHU
9 6WXGLR
3RWHQW PXVLF SURGXFWLRQ IHDWXUHV LQ D VPDOO SDFNDJH EXQGOHG ZLWK WKH 96 3URGXFWLRQ 3OXV 3DFN
9 6WXGLR
$XGLR LQWHUIDFH FRQWURO VXUIDFH ZLWK RQERDUG JXLWDU ); SRZHUHG E\ %266
LJM>@Q 20 °RAFL &KQBOC>@BP
1EB 3 0QRAFL #>JFIV
CLO QEB LJMRQBO >PBA *RPF@F>K
8$ (;
ELW N+] 86% EXV SRZHUHG DXGLR FDSWXUH
8$ );
$XGLR 0,', LQWHUIDFH ZLWK EXLOW LQ );
6'
0RELOH 6WXGLR &DQYDV 86% DXGLR 0,', LQWHUIDFH YRLFH VRXQG PRGXOH DQG PRELOH DXGLR SOD\EDFN DOO LQ RQH
, 1° °-12/" 8$
80 *
20 *&!& &KQBOC>@BP
$ 352
86% NH\ERDUG DQG FRQWURO VXUIDFH ZLWK IXOO VL]H NH\V
&RPSDFW DQG DIIRUGDEOH 0,', , 2
80 * 80 * 7ZR PRUH JUHDW 0,', LQWHUIDFHV
$ 352
86% NH\ERDUG DQG FRQWURO VXUIDFH ZLWK IXOO VL]H NH\V
0$ '
0MB>HBOP
*&!& LKQOLIIBO (BV?L>OAP
%DFNHG E\ 5RODQGªV SOXV \HDUV RI JURXQGEUHDNLQJ LQQRYDWLRQ DQG ZRUOG UHQRZQHG TXDOLW\ RXU H[WHQVLYH FURVV SODWIRUP SURGXFW OLQHXS LV WKH WRS FKRLFH IRU DOO FRPSXWHU EDVHG PXVLFLDQV DQG UHFRUGLQJ HQWKXVLDVWV IURP KREE\LVW WR SUR
'LJLWDO VWHUHR PLFUR PRQLWRUV SHUIHFW IRU DQ\ 3&
RKAIBA 0LCQT>OB
$ 352
86% NH\ERDUG DQG FRQWURO VXUIDFH ZLWK IXOO VL]H NH\V
&DNHZDON 3URGXFWLRQ 3OXV 3DFN
3RZHUIXO PXVLF VRIWZDUH EXQGOH LQFOXGHG ZLWK DXGLR DQG 0,', LQWHUIDFH SURGXFWV
&RPSDFW KLJK SHUIRUPDQFH [ 86% DXGLR 0,', LQWHUIDFH ZLWK HLJKW SUHPLXP PLFURSKRQH SUHDPSV SHUIHFW IRU PXOWL PLF UHFRUGLQJV OLNH GUXPV DQG IXOO EDQGV ‡ 2QH WRXFK $872 6(16 DXWRPDWLFDOO\ VHWV WKH SHUIHFW LQSXW OHYHOV PDNLQJ LW HDV\ WR UHFRUG D IXOO EDQG ‡ (LJKW SUHPLXP JUDGH PLF SUHDPSV EXLOW ZLWK VXSHULRU FRPSRQHQWV IRU SULVWLQH WUDQVSDUHQW VRXQG ‡ &URVV SODWIRUP :LQGRZV DQG 0DF 96 6WUHDPLQJ GULYHUV IRU H[WUHPH ORZ ODWHQF\ SHUIRUPDQFH ‡ 0XOWL FKDQQHO UHFRUGLQJ DQG SOD\EDFN DW UDWHV XS WR ELW N+] ‡ &DNHZDON 3URGXFWLRQ 3OXV 3DFN '9' LQFOXGHV &DNHZDON 6RQDU /( :LQGRZV DQG WKUHH LQFUHGLEOH FURVV SODWIRUP VRIWZDUH LQVWUXPHQWV
6HH \RXU ORFDO DXWKRUL]HG 5RODQG GHDOHU RU YLVLW XV DW 5RODQG86 FRP 3&0XVLF IRU PRUH DERXW WKHVH SURGXFWV
Flips are for kids.
Introducing the all new Q3HD. Available now. Brilliant stereo recording, now with 1080p HD video.
Contents DECEMBER 2010 VOL.169 NO. 12
72
18th Annual MMR Dealer’s Choice Awards
MMR reached out to dealers again to find the top products of 2010. Cover design by Laurie Chesna
26 Stats: U.S. MI Imports 2010 30 27th Annual 50-Dealer/ 50-State Review & Forecast
50 MI retail outlets across the country offer their opinions on the state of the market in our annual report.
60 Fresh Faces: Guitar Syndicate Since opening their doors last March, Guitar Syndicate has embraced the local arts community.
76
62 29th Annual America’s
In every issue:
Top Chains
76 Anniversary: Chesbro Turns 100
This family business celebrates the century mark and continuing success.
6 8 18 20 83 87 89 96
80 Show Report: Music China 2010
Editorial Upfront People Letters Holiday Buying Guide Supplier Scene Classifieds Advertisers’ Index
80
www.mmrmagazine.com 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 ©2010 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.
4 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
The Power of Ten.
The All New Expedition 510i. Delivering roadworthy sound and a unique, pack-and-go design, Expedition features a 10-channel, 500-watt Class D mixer with digital effects and an iPod dock. Its vented enclosures use 10-inch woofers and 1-inch titanium tweeters for rich bass and crystal clear highs. With Expedition, portable perfection is easier than ever. Š 2010 Samson | samsontech.com
®
Editorial Sidney Davis
Volume 169 Number 12 December 2010
The Challenge of Change
PUBLISHER Sidney L. Davis sdavis@symphonypublishing.com
Looking back over 27 years of the December 50-Dealer/ 50 State Review and Forecast, we find our participants have demonstrated a keen sense of market awareness ranging from Daddy’s Junky Music’s Fred Bramante: “I expect to see more foreclosures and more bank failures (1990!); to Michael Yeager (former owner A. Michael’s Piano): “You’re not going to sell many pianos if there is a war (Iraq) on.” In the 2000 report, Carl Henderson, of Henderson’s Music (Covington, KY) forewarned, “We are a little leery about the stock market,” and Wes Falconer, of Explorer’s Percussion in the Kansas City area pointed out, “So many big box stores have entered into so many small markets, we are heading to a shakeup in the music industry.” In 1990, dealer comments centered on a return to basic merchandising in a recessionary economy and the viability of two NAMM shows (sounds familiar…); 2000 was the emergence of the Internet, which of the “big three” would first show signs of weakness (MARS), and the ever-present reduction in school music budgets and programs. This year’s Review (see page 30) is a testament to the viability and versatility of the social networking phenomenon. Ease of entry, relative inexpense of operation, and measurable results have led the movement from Maine to Hawaii. Tim Emery, of Portland Maine’s Buckdancer’s Choice Music notes: “We use Facebook all the time. Twitter to a lesser extent. We blast when we really get cool new stuff, and it works incredibly well for promoting events.” Neil Shimabukuro - of Hawaii’s Island Guitars, concurs: “The use of social networking sites gives us the means to advertise specials, communicate with our customers daily and provide inventory updates to motivated buyers. We post what arrived in today’s shipment and then have customers come in the same day to try them out.” From Brandie Pierce, Spiers Music, McComb, Missouri, “We advertise specials that are only good if you mention that it was seen on Facebook. We place pictures and facts about our employees on the site and use it as a less formal way for our customers to interact with and get to know us and our employees. We have a bigger response from Facebook than we do on our store Web site.” And from Jeff Bush, Blue Guitar Music Company: “The internet can no longer be a discretionary option to retailers wanting to grow their business. We utilize our web site and social networking sites to drive customer inquiries and interest to our store...Facebook allows us to stay in touch with our customer base.” Art Mauncey, Bull Dog Music (NC) states the case thusly, “We run Facebook only specials, give daily updates on incoming product, announce lesson slot openings and when ‘cool” trade in gear is in the store. It was a big help during the slower times of the year, it’s here, it’s free and it does not take a lot of time to do it...” As one might expect our Top Chains (three or more units, page 62) listing remains relatively unchanged for the past three years with a slight attrition of companies (68) and total units (767) contrasted to 2008 when we reported 70 companies at 774 units. What is apparent is that the era of chain expansion has slowed to a crawl, a handful of openings as compared to 106 new units in 2000 paced by Guitar Center and the meteoric, but ill-fated, MARS. The strength of the industry continues to be the independent dealership, accounting for more than ninety percent of all outlets and may best be described as “family” rather than “mom and pop” as a significant number of companies trace their roots to two and three generations of continued ownership. During the past year we have also witnessed a spate of new store openings which we have chronicled in our Fresh Faces column (see page 60). Within this issue we feature partners Ralph Perta and Scott Burnett who opened Guitar Syndicate in a former 4,500 square foot art gallery in Kansas City. Launched in March they expected a slow buildup but report better than expected revenue which they attribute “largely due to social media”. The times, they are a-changin’…
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rick Kessel rkessel@symphonypublishing.com EDITOR Christian Wissmuller cwissmuller@symphonypublishing.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Denyce Neilson dneilson@symphonypublishing.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Eliahu Sussman esussman@symphonypublishing.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Iris Fox ifox@symphonypublishing.com SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Jason LaChapelle jlachapelle@symphonypublishing.com CLASSIFIED & DISPLAY AD SALES Maureen Johan mjohan@symphonypublishing.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Laurie Guptill lguptill@symphonypublishing.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Laurie Chesna lchesna@symphonypublishing.com Andrew P. Ross aross@symphonypublishing.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Melanie A. Prescott mprescott@symphonypublishing.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Popi Galileos pgalileos@symphonypublishing.com SYMPHONY PUBLISHING, LLC Chairman Xen Zapis President Lee Zapis lzapis@symphonypublishing.com Chief Financial Officer Rich Bongorno 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
6 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Upfront Summer NAMM Staying in Nashville Through 2013 NAMM has announced plans to produce the industry’s summer gathering in Nashville, Tenn., July 21-23, 2011 and con rmed that show dates for the event are being held through 2013. NAMM also promised to add new features to provide both attendees and exhibitors with increased value including: •
•
Different show days/hours and permanent move to July—Summer NAMM will begin on Thursday and run through Saturday. Also, through 2013, the event will be held in July. Top 100 Dealer Awards—Like NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education program that recognizes and honors communities that support music, NAMM’s new Top 100 Dealer Awards will honor the best ideas and the leading deal-
ers. This new program will be an educational experience for NAMM Members designed to lead the industry towards greater success for all. •
Saturday “Public day”—Continuing the industry’s work to introduce more people to the benets and fun of playing music, Saturday will be open to the public. With the full support of the City of Nashville and the local music community, NAMM will produce a regional marketing campaign to promote Saturday at Summer NAMM.
“These past few years, even in the depths of the recession, our Members came to Nashville to network, attend
Yamaha & Paiste Part Ways Paiste America, Inc. and Yamaha Corporation of America jointly announced that their ve-year distribution relationship for Paiste products will conclude at the end of 2010. Paiste America will move to serve its major U.S. retailers directly beginning January 1, 2011. “We have had an excellent relationship with Yamaha Corporation of America and appreciate their efforts supporting the distribution of our instruments in the past ve years,” said Erik Paiste, president of Paiste-America, Inc. “Our heartfelt thanks go especially to Yamaha’s Dave Jewell and the company’s District Managers, who have maintained and upheld Paiste’s market presence in major U.S. dealerships.” Both companies cite signicant changes to the market structures in the United States, along with increased competitive pressures and continued adverse 8 MMR
economic conditions, as reasons why they have elected to focus on their own efforts in the U.S. marketplace going forward. “The percussion industry has experienced many changes over the last ve years, to which every company needs to adapt,” said Rick Young, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “We enjoyed working with Erik and his team here in California. Paiste is a rst-rate company at all levels and their desire to become as close to their customers as possible will increase the level of communication, resulting in positive outcomes for all.” Paiste retailers in the U.S. who are currently working with Yamaha will continue to do so through the end of 2010. Paiste America will contact them to ensure an orderly transition as the company resumes direct relations from 2011 onward.
NAMM U sessions and do their fall buying,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “NAMM Member companies, especially independent dealers and innovative exhibitors have told us that they want and need this show, and we’re resolved to support them.” More information about the 2011 Summer NAMM event will be available at www.namm.org/summer in early 2011.
Hal Leonard Distributing Propellerhead
A new agreement gives Hal Leonard Corporation rights to distribute Propellerhead Software products to the MI trade in the US. The deal was reached by Hal Leonard senior sales & marketing manager Brad Smith and Greg Batusic, VP of Sales – Americas for Line 6, Inc. Since 2005, Line 6 has served as the exclusive US wholesale distributor for Propellerhead Software, a privately owned company based in Stockholm, Sweden. Propellerhead Software has created some of the world’s best-known music software products, including Reason, ReCycle and Record. For more information on Propellerhead Software or to place an order, call the Hal Leonard E-Z Order Line at (800) 554-0626, send a message to sales@halleonard.com or visit www.halleonard.com/dealers.
DECEMBER 2010
MORE KA-CHING!
Snark is flying off dealer shelves…and stuffing dealer wallets with cash. Now, two new Snark models to plump your profits!
E S R/BASETRONOM A T I U G R&M TUNE
ist $299LNet/10 pc $7.9
T UMENONOME R T S N ALL I R & METR E N U T
ist $399LNet/10 pc $9.9
curate es: r c u A t a a r e F Ult Tones d e n p i a P t • Fas olor LCD Pitch e & m s o t n a C • Full empo Metro tronome Be e T l • Tap ker Plays M ranspose Mode t n e T / a • Spe Calibration ilt In Mic nstrum I l l A n u • Pitch Jack and B cy Range o n t ) • Inpu ded Freque Chromatic n e • Exte Models ar (Both MIX & MATCH THESE WITH CLIP ON’S FOR FREE GOODS! 1 Free on 20 pc mix (extra 5%) 5 Free on 50 pc mix (extra 10%)
snarktuners.com
PLUMP YOUR PROFITS!
From your favorite distributor.
© Snark 2010
Upfront Fender Taps Wanamaker as VP of Percussion Fender Musical Instruments Corp. recently announced that music industry veteran Jay Wanamaker will be joining Fender in the newly created position, senior vice president of percussion. Wanamaker will report directly to Ed Miller, president of KMC Music, with a dotted line to FMIC Chief Executive Ofcer, Larry Thomas. He will oversee the branding of all KMC percussion brands worldwide, including: Latin Percussion, Toca Percussion, Gretsch Drums, Gibraltar Hardware and
Harmonix Up For Sale
The developer of the rst ‘Guitar Hero’ games and the current ‘Rock Band’ game franchise, Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., is on the block, according to the third quarter earnings release announced this week by parent-company, Viacom Inc. In the release, Viacom notes it has already classied Cambridgebased Harmonix as a “discontinued
business,” citing that losses from the continuing drop in sales of games such as ‘Rock Band’ was having a negative impact on its otherwise solid numbers. John Drake, Harmonix spokesperson, posted the following response online: “We’ve seen a lot of questions pop up in response to Viacom’s statements regarding their intention to sell Harmonix… This announcement does not affect the ongoing work at the studio as we continue to support our existing franchises, ‘Rock Band’ and ‘Dance Central.’ As stated earlier, Viacom is in discussions with several potential buyers and will continue to fully support the business until a sale is completed.” 10 MMR
Sabian cymbals (U.S.), and will be relocating to KMC in Bloomeld, Conn. Wanamaker formerly served as executive vice president/general merchandise manager of Guitar Center and prior served as vice president/general manager of the Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division. He has designed numerous percussion products under his signature line and launched Yamaha’s line of concert and marching percussion products. Jay is a percussionist, author and composer who served on the faculty of the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music. He has authored numer-
ous publications and composed music for the motion picture “Drumline.” In addition, Wanamaker has instructed numerous bands and drum corps for events including the 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, Pan Am Games, Super Bowl XXIII, Liberty Weekend and the McDonald’s AllAmerican High School Band. Jay Wanamaker stated, “I am thrilled to join Fender and lead the KMC percussion brands. It is a rare opportunity to be handed some of the greatest brands in our industry along with the great support and resources of KMC and Fender. It truly is a dream job come true.”
Little Kids Rock Benefit Raises over $175G New York Yankees icon Bernie Williams, Season 8 “American Idol” Kris Allen and Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice shared the stage with Little Kids Rock students during the Little Kids Rock “Right to Rock” benet held at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City on Oct. 27.
The event, which included a concert and live auction featuring celebrity-painted one-of-a-kind Fender Stratocaster® guitars, raised more than $175,000 for Little Kids Rock, which will result in nearly 9,000 more low-income children receiving free instruments and music education.
Correction: In October’s store profile, Kessler & Sons Music was once incorrectly listed as having three locations in Los Angeles. They are located in Las Vegas. DECEMBER 2010
Upfront MakeMusic Repositioning MakeMusic, Inc. has announced a series of initiatives leading to a strategic repositioning of the company. Ron Raup has resigned from his positions as CEO and director of MakeMusic, “in order to pursue other opportunities.”
The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Jeff Koch as interim CEO and Robert Morrison as chairman. “With Mr. Raup’s resignation, we have realigned the leadership team at MakeMusic. We thank Ron for his many efforts and contributions on behalf of the company and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Robert Morrison, MakeMusic’s chairman. “Having completed our analysis of the company’s strategic alternatives and having identied several areas for future growth, the Board of Directors is very pleased to have someone of Jeff Koch’s caliber available to take on the interim CEO role. During the past four years, Mr. Koch has been actively involved in the strategic vision of the Company.” MakeMusic’s Board intends to conduct a national search for a permanent CEO
and Mr. Koch will be a candidate for that position. Mr. Koch has served as a director of MakeMusic since July of 2006 and as Chairman since October of 2006. In order to bring parity between the size of the Company with the size of its Board, in addition to Mr. Raup’s resignation, Andy Stephens and Michael Cahr have stepped down as directors of MakeMusic. These moves bring the size of the MakeMusic Board of Directors down to six members from nine. As part of the Board’s strategic analysis, earlier in the year MakeMusic had entered into an engagement with a national investment-banking rm to pursue strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the company. While there were indications of interest in acquiring the company, they did not advance to a denitive offer for the company, and the engagement is now over. At this time, the Board of Directors believes that MakeMusic can maximize shareholder value by remaining independent and building the business. The Board of Directors also has adopted a plan to repurchase up to $10 million of MakeMusic common stock. This program will allow MakeMusic to repurchase stock over the next two years in open market transactions (including through 10b5-1 plans) or private trans-
Fender ‘Rock Band 3’ Guitar When ‘Rock Band 3’ was rst introduced, the game’s developer, Harmonix, announced that they would be teaming up with Fender to produce a fully functional guitar that would be compatible with the game’s new pro mode. Since that announcement neither Fender nor Harmonix have been able to con rm when the product would be available or how much it would cost, until now. According to Fender’s ofcial Web site, the Fender Squier Stratocaster Guitar and Controller will be available for pre-order starting January 1 and will ship to customers and retailers on 12 MMR
March 1 of next year. The guitar/controller hybrid is set to be priced at $279.99. The Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller is a full-size electric guitar with a full 22-fret maple neck, and steel strings. The fretboard features position-sensing technology that determines a player’s performance note-for-note and a specialized bridge pickup detects how a player strums or picks each string. It can be plugged into an guitar amp and played like any other electric guitar, and since it features digital sensor technology, even supports MIDI output for professional digital recording.
actions at the discretion of management. Repurchases will be subject to applicable SEC rules and to certain price, market, volume and timing constraints specied in the plan. These repurchases may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice.
Eastwood Guitars UK
Eastwood Guitars has announced the opening of Eastwood Guitars UK. Based in Liverpool, the facility will provide complete warehousing, distribution and set up of all Eastwood and Airline guitars for the UK market. In addition, to facilitate the growing demand for Eastwood and Airline products throughout the United Kingdom, Eastwood has launched www.eastwoodguitars.co.uk, a site offering the complete Eastwood catalogue of products shipping directly from the new Liverpool facility with all pricing in GBP (inc VAT).
Pulse of the MI Nation Compared to last month, sales are now...
Level 29%
Up 40%
Down 31% Compiled from replies to MMR’s ongoing online survey of MI retailers. Visit www.mmrmagazine.com to participate...
DECEMBER 2010
Upfront GAMA Meeting 2011 On January 12, 2011 in Anaheim, the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) will hold its annual membership meeting. The organization will host a panel discussion on the guitar industry in developing nations. The speakers that are currently scheduled are: Joseph Gomes of Furtados Music, India; Andrew Pac of Ivan Music, China; and
SLM Distributing Gon Bops
“Gon Bops is one of the world’s most revered percussion makers and we are excited to be representing this great brand,” says SLM president Stan Morgan, commenting on the new partnership between the two companies. “Gon Bops enhances St. Louis Music’s continuing commitment to provide our dealers with a broad selection of top quality key products.” Since its founding in 1954, Gon Bops has pioneered features and improvements that have changed Latin instruments. In the 1970s and 1980s, no one in the world sold more congas than Gon Bops. Since February of 2010, it has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Sabian. For more information on placing an order or becoming a Gon Bops dealer, e-mail info@ usbandsupplies.com or call (800) 727-4512.
14 MMR
Felipe “Phill” Raposo of Stone Music, San Diego, Calif. and Brazil. The panelists will speak on a number of subjects including: the opportunities and the challenges of doing business in developing nations; how to build brand equity and brand recognition; and cultural differences. Brazil, China, and India represent approximately 2.7 billion people, many of whom are quickly entering the middle
class. All manufacturers of guitar products should take interest in these fast-growing markets and their potential impact on corporate goals. This meeting will attempt to give attendees a better understanding of emerging economies to facilitate the creation of marketing strategies. Guitar industry members wishing to RSVP for the GAMA meeting should contact GAMA by phone at (212) 795-3630 or via e-mail at info@discoverguitar.com.
Graham Succeeds Olson as LOUD’s CEO 20-year audio industry veteran Mark Graham, formerly president of Crown International, recently joined LOUD Technologies Inc. (“LOUD”) as CEO. Graham succeeds Rodney Olson, who over his two-year tenure as CEO steered LOUD through supply chain disruptions and the worldwide economic downturn. “As both a former competitor, as well as audio industry veteran, I’ve closely followed LOUD’s moves over the years and have great admiration for the Company’s brands and their
lauded market positions,” commented Graham. “I look forward to joining the LOUD management team and working with them to build on the solid momentum they have begun. It is truly exciting to be joining the LOUD team which has such great potential to deliver compelling and innovative new products and solutions to our customers.” Graham will relocate to the Company’s Woodinville, Wash. headquarters and will work with Olson and LOUD’s management team on transition plans over the ensuing weeks.
Steinway Signs $100M Loan Agreemen In mid-October, it was reported in the Boston Business Journal that Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. has signed a $100 million loan agreement with a group of banks to replace a credit facility with GMAC Commercial Finance LLC. The ve-year loan deal provides up to $100 million at a rate equal to either LIBOR plus 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent or the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with an additional range of 75 basis points to 1.25 percent. Both ranges depend upon excess borrowing availability, Steinway said in a regula-
tory ling. Lead arrangers on the loan were Bank of America, BMO Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Bank. Steinway shares are up nine percent since the beginning of 2010, trading last Friday afternoon at 17.35. During the rst six months of the year, net sales at Steinway rose three percent to $146.8 million, compared with the year-earlier period. Net income was nearly $3 million during that period, up from $385,000 in the year-ago period. Domestic piano sales rebounded in the second quarter, increasing 20 percent over the prior year period. DECEMBER 2010
Upfront Trade Regrets: Edward R. Cranley, president emeritus and chairman of the board of the Willis Music Co. for 59 years, passed away on October 19th at the age of 87. Cranley is the father of NAMM vice chairman Kevin Cranley, current president of Florence, Kentucky’s Willis Music Co. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jane O’Toole Cranley; son, Kevin Cranley; daughters, Kathleen Rudnick, Nancy Cranley, Lynne Hood, and Terry Flottman; a brother, William Cranley; a sister, Mae Buckley; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials are suggested to Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, 1802 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45239; and the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home, 75 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell, Ky. 41017. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ronaldbjones.com Ken Reichel, former executive vice president and COO of Audio-Technica U.S., passed away October 15, 2010, at his home in Richmond, Virginia. A
fixture in the professional audio industry, having first played key roles for other microphone manufacturers, Ken joined Audio-Technica in May 1982, and he served the company in various leadership capacities through his retirement in June of 2000. “Ken valued strong personal relationships based on mutual respect and commitment,” said Phil Cajka, Audio-Technica U.S. president/CEO. “He had a powerful combination of technical understanding and sales acumen, which served him well in his time with the company and gained him the respect and admiration of customers, fellow sales personnel and A-T’s R&D and engineering team. Ken also had strong ties to our parent company, Audio-Technica Japan. He was known for his larger-than-life personality and was as comfortable drawing up a circuit design on a napkin as he was pitching a million-dollar deal to a
potential customer. Ken had an incredible sense of humor and showmanship, which often manifested itself at sales meetings, where he would don his infamous pink jacket. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends, and all who knew him.” Ken is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Scott; daughter, Tammi; son-inlaw, Martin; and four grandchildren. Harvey G. Phillips, well-known tuba player, died October 20th at his home outside of Bloomington, Ind. “He was one of the greatest living players of the instrument and one of the greatest teachers of the instrument as well,” said Charles Webb, dean emeritus of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. “His students went on to occupy major positions in symphony orchestras and bands across the world. Wherever the tuba was played, you’d find students of Harvey’s.” The IU distinguished professor emeritus won many awards and citations during his career. Among them, in 2007, he was inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame, becoming the only brass instrument player to receive that honor. Charles J. Dumont started his career in the print industry in 1945 at the age of 12, eventually becoming president of Charles Dumont & Son in 1959 after the passing of his Grandfather. Dumont was at the helm throughout the growth of the company, making it one of the largest print music distributors in the country. Charles Dumont became a member of NAMM almost 40 years ago and the company is still an active member of NAMM today. Charles J. Dumont was born in Philadelphia in 1933 and passed away on September 6, 2010 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Penn.
16 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
People Gator Cases has welcomed Patrick Schuleit as
VP of International Sales. Schuleit joins the Gator Cases family with over 13 years of experience in the MI and Pro A/V Interna- Schuleit tional markets. Orange USA recently announced that Eric Sands
has joined their team to lead sales efforts in the US. Sands will work closely with major accounts as well as Orange Sales Sands Reps. Mark Amentt joins Casio’s Electron-
ic Musical Instrument (EMI) division as the director of sales for the Eastern US division while Jim Presley will serve as director of sales for the Western US division. Amentt comes to Casio from AIMM: The Alliance of Independent Music Merchants, where he served as director of operations. Presley comes to Casio from Yamaha Corporation of America where he served as Marketing Manager for the piano division. Tornavoz Music has hired MI industry veteran David Hager as its new na-
tional sales manager. Formerly the national sales manager at Taylor Guitars, Hager will lead the Hager Tornavoz sales team in strengthening and creating relationships with music dealers around the US. Yamaha Corporation of America announced that Jim Haler has been ap-
pointed to the newly created position of acoustic drum manager in the sales department. In his new position, Haler is the specialist for independent outlets, Five Star drum shops and full-line dealers with full service drum departments. Haler, who hails from Kansas City, Missouri has been with Yamaha for over seven years, most recently as product manager, Yamaha Drums. 18 MMR
Yamaha has also appointed Michael Inman and Travis Mitchell as new district managers. Inman, who reports to Eastern Regional manager Fred Kleid, is responsible for Inman sales in East Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Western Tennessee; Mitchell reports to Western Regional manager Dan Rodowicz and Mitchell oversees sales in Hawaii, southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. Edgar Bernal, aka, DJ
Etronik, has been appointed the new product/ sales specialist for American Audio. Bernal, a Los Angeles native, has been a professional DJ career for over Bernal 15 years. Edgar recently took the 2010 US DMC DJ Championship title in New York this past August. D’Addario recently announced that Peter Cerone has been appointed
to the position of Web Merchandising specialist. Cerone joined D’Addario as an inside sales represen- Cerone tative over three years ago and was responsible for accounts in the Southeast region. Aguilar Amplification has announced the appointment of Mark Robinett to
the newly established position of vice president, Marketing. In his new role, Mark joins Dave Avenius and Dave Boonshoft in growing the Aguilar brand and providing marketing direction for new initiatives. Robinett joins Aguilar Amplication after over 25 years in the MI industry. Most recently, he served as director of international marketing for Fender where he successfully worked with both direct territories and distributor-based, international partners. DECEMBER 2010
WIN a Martin Performing Artist Series Guitar page 65
6 SONGS TO PLAY GRATEFUL DEAD
“New Speedway Boogie”
WILCO & BILLY BRAGG
“California Stars”
JAKOB DYLAN
“Nothing but the Whole Wide World”
TRADITIONAL
“House Carpenter”
F O R
E V E R Y
P L AY E R
I N
A N Y
S T Y L E
JAKOB DYLAN Chases Timeless Songs and Tune-Filled Guitars
Gypsy-Jazz Workshop
With John Jorgenson HOW TO
LESSONS Solo with MinorPentatonic Scales Learn to Cross-Pick Celtic Backup with Dennis Cahill
NEW GEAR REVIEWS McPHERSON 12-String LÂG Tramontane Dreadnought ROLAND BatteryPowered Amp
2010
GUITAR MAKER
DIRECTORY AUGUST 2010 AcousticGuitar.com
®
JUNE 2010
Stock the Mostd In-Deman Music Magazines!
Upgrade Guitar Electronics
. . . and more
Why Your Guitar Improves With Age
VOL. TWENTY THREE NUMBER NINE JUNE 2010 USA $5.99 CANADA $5.99
ACOUSTIC GUITAR ALTERNATIVE PRESS BASS PLAYER BILLBOARD’S MUSICIAN GUIDE TO TOURING AND PROMOTION DJ TIMES DRUM! EQ FINGERSTYLE GUITAR GUITAR AFICIONADO GUITAR PLAYER GUITAR WORLD GUITAR WORLD LEGENDS GUITAR WORLD BUYERS GUIDE HALFTIME KEYBOARD MUSIC CONNECTION RECORDING REVOLVER SOUND ON SOUND THE STRAD THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GUITAR AND BASS GEAR STRINGS VINTAGE GUITAR PLUS MORE COMING SOON!
High Discount • Flexible Terms NO-HASSLE Return Policy XX REVENUE! Magazines are a high-profit, easy add-on. Over
2.5 times more profitable than the industry standard per square foot! XX PRODUCT SALES! Magazines are a trusted source for new and upcoming product releases! Let the magazines help you sell more products to your customers! XX TRAFFIC! Increase store traffic by making your store the place to buy these in-demand top-selling titles!
MusicMags now distributed exclusively to the music trade by Alfred Music Publishing! Contact your sales rep today! E-mail sales@alfred.com Phone 800-292-6122 Fax 800-632-1928 Web alfred.com/dealer
Letters I have attended summer NAMM shows since the mid 1960s and have nostalgic memories of the NAMM show in Chicago which occupied the rst 10 oors of the Conrad Hilton Hotel downtown and later was moved to the rst McCormack Place in Chicago which was supposed to be 100 percent reproof, although it burned so hot that the steel girders bent. I have less fond memories of the second McCormick Place which was architecturally less inviting and was plagued with problems inherent dealing with union labor. The Chicago summer NAMM show deteriorated considerably after the advent of the Anaheim show such that it nally became known as the wake on the lake. NAMM then tried summer shows in Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, Atlantic City, and nally scheduled one at the Jacob Javits Center in New York which was canceled due to the inability to recruit a critical mass of exhibitors willing to go there. After that there was a gap of several years in which there was no summer NAMM show and Anaheim was the only show. When NAMM opted to do a summer show in Nashville the show revived virtually like Lazarus from the dead. It was an instantaneous success and in subsequent years lled the present Nashville Convention Center to overowing such that it spilled on into the arena across the street as well as into the tunnel and its side rooms which connect the convention center underneath Broadway to the arena. Although some vendors complained that they
were cramped and wanted more booth space than was available in the Nashville Convention Center, the event was vibrantly healthy with heavy dealer attendance. Many exhibitors told me that they wrote almost as much business at the summer show as they did in Anaheim. Nashville’s formula for success was quite straightforward. Nashville is Music City USA with an international reputation. There are numerous hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues within easy walking distance of the convention center. Nashville is uniquely located within a one day’s driving radius of two thirds of the population of the USA. Three major interstate highways intersect in Nashville and the city has an excellent airport. It has been my experience that close to 80% of the dealers attending the summer show in Nashville arrive by car rather than by air. Most of these dealers do not attend the Anaheim show and would not attend the Anaheim show even if there were no summer show. While exhibitors may not need to see the same customers twice a year at NAMM shows, Nashville offers the opportunity to do business with numerous independent dealers who the exhibitors would otherwise not reach. NAMM’s decision to move to summer show to Indianapolis which had a larger convention center proved to be problematic at best. While some exhibitors had complained that the Nashville Convention Center was cramped, exhibitors did not respond by renting
We saw the article in the November issue of MMR. We think it’s just great. We’re all very excited. We’re going to have it blown up, framed and placed in our business. On behalf of Central Electronics and my entire family, thank you for calling and interviewing us, and thank you for what we think is an excellent article. We certainly hope it will help our business, the community and music. Thanks again! Cristal Young, Central Electronics 62 Ritchie Road, Capital Heights, Md. 20 MMR
more space at the Indianapolis Convention Center and dealer attendance went down dramatically. Indianapolis is not as conveniently located as Nashville and simply does not have the cachet of being Music City USA. The following two years NAMM held the summer show in Austin, Texas where exhibitor and dealer attendance went down even more dramatically. While Austin has a ne reputation as a music city, airline connections for many attendees were difcult and the city is certainly not located within one day’s driving radius of many of the potential attendees. The nal year in Austin suffered further due to the advent of the economic recession. NAMM responded by moving the show back to Nashville, however, three years of momentum had been lost and the economy was sinking even deeper into recession. Some major exhibitors responded by canceling their participation entirely in the summer show declaring that they only needed one show per year which further wounded the show. While the economy remains under considerable stress, there are clear indications that business conditions are improving. All of the factors that caused the summer show to revive like Lazarus from the dead when it was moved back to Nashville after a hiatus of several years remain equally valid today in an economy which is showing signs of renewed vigor. Companies which opt not to exhibit at the summer NAMM show are in fact declaring that they are willing to simply write off small or independent dealers who prefer to travel to a show by car and don’t attend the Anaheim show. At a time when some of the large chain stores are under stress and have cut back their orders, exhibitors who opt to write off the independent dealers may nd that there actions result in reduced dealer loyalty to their brands. Last year’s summer show was held six weeks after Nashville suffered the most dramatic ood the city has experienced in almost a century. In spite of this the convention center, hotels, restaurants, and clubs were operating at close to full normal capacity and proDECEMBER 2010
A Sure Cure for Island Fever
Nicole Fox Miss Hawaii 2008
When you’ve been in the Islands too long, a Mahalo Ukulele is just the thing to snap you out of the doldrums. Fifteen models and a full palette of color choices will suit your every mood. It is so easy to get started and Mahalo Ukes won’t pile your budget onto a reef either. Just follow Miss Hawaii into your local music store …surf’s up!
Mahalo Ukuleles Priced from $29.95 Retail Saga Musical Instruments • P.O. Box 2841 • South San Francisco, CA 94080 • [800] BUY-SAGA sales@sagamusic.com • www.sagamusic.com • DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED!
U-320
Letters vided excellent service to NAMM show attendees. At the present time Nashville’s tourist trafc has rebounded to virtually full pre-ood and pre-recession volume. My shop is located only one block from the convention center. It is my observation that tourist and business trafc at this time is as strong as I have witnessed in my 41 years in business in the neighborhood. There are virtually no vacant buildings in the neighborhood and several new clubs and restaurants have opened within the past few months with more currently under development. The new convention center scheduled to open 2013 is rising rapidly and commitments have been made to start construction of an adjoining new convention center hotel to be ready for the opening of the new convention center. While there is no doubt that our industry has been and still is under stress and that we need to adapt to changing market conditions, companies which choose not to exhibit at the Nashville summer NAMM show and dealers who opt not to attend are missing a critically important opportunity to promote their business. Even in the worst time manufacturers and dealers who wish to remain business need to produce and buy products to fuel their business. The Nashville summer NAMM show has been and still is one of the best opportunities for exhibitors and dealers make contact and promote their businesses and our industry as a whole. George Gruhn, Gruhn Guitars 400 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn.
Breaking News! Find it in the
Hot News
section of MMR’s Web site,
www.mmrmagazine.com 22 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
News Note from Joe The Way We Do Business Changes in the Blink of an Eye Do you know what a QR Code is? If not, don’t worry, neither did I until recently. It’s a new communication tool allowing customers to quickly link to your product information on the web by simply taking a picture of a bar code. QR Codes will be all over the NAMM Show exhibit oor—we will even be featuring an Idea Center session on the topic. This is yet another example that business continues to evolve at a pace never seen before— all driven by technology, economic imperatives and changing consumer habits.
ADVERTORIAL • DECEMBER 2010
visit us online at www.namm.org Every successful NAMM Member I know has made a lifelong commitment to learning. They take advantage of every opportunity to develop their knowledge and business skills. And the best place to spot these industry leaders is at the NAMM U Breakfast Sessions and Idea Center Sessions at the NAMM Show. You’ll ďŹ nd them on stage presenting their ideas, as well as in the audience learning from their colleagues. We’re so fortunate to be a part of an industry that truly values and respects our industry members’ experiences and business knowledge—nowhere else does that come across as clearly as it does in our NAMM U sessions. In my opinion, the best thinkers in the industry have once again come forward this year to share ideas and best practices. Many say that they feel alone when facing some of the big challenges of the day, but it’s likely another NAMM Member has been in your shoes before and is eager to share their solutions with you. Ken Wilson and his team have lined up an amazing series of sessions based on current issues that are relevant to your business today. By attending the NAMM Show, you will surely be more prepared to succeed in the year ahead. See you in Anaheim,
*OE ,AMOND s .!-- 0RESIDENT #%/
)DEAS AT THE .!-- 3HOW
NAMM U features timely, relevant, information-packed "REAKFAST 3ESSIONS, and throughout the day the Idea Center offers quick, focused sessions, packed with great tips and tools on topics like: Right & Wrong Retail Tough Times Require Tough Decisions Guerrilla Tactics for Small Stores (Four-Part Series) Successful Lesson Programs (Three-Part Series) Social Media Skills (Six-Part Series)
QR Code DeďŹ ned...
Mobile Retail Revolution (Three-Part Series) Lessons Learned: Best Practices for Success-Minded Retailers Using SCORE to Grow Your Business, Featuring a Case Study with Willis Music (Two-Part Series)
0LUS -ORE ,EARNING /PPORTUNITIES
The 3MALL "USINESS !DMINISTRATION and 3#/2% will be on hand for FREE consultations, mentoring and support for your business questions. The ( / 4 :ONE features more than 80 topics targeted to professionals in the recording, live sound, DJ, house of worship and stage and lighting industries.
A QR Code is a two-dimensional bar code, readable by a mobile phone with a camera or smartphones with a downloadable bar code scanner. Once the code is in your cell phone, you’ll get details about a business or product by directing you to a URL. With a simple click, you can ďŹ nd a local a retailer who carries the product, get a coupon or just ďŹ nd out more information.
See the NAMM Show Directory for times and locations
NAMM News
December 2010
the up-to-date on NAMM. To keep by ewsletterr ed e-n sh al bli git pu Di is back NAMM News up for our PLAY n sig , ws ne . g industry tal@namm.org latest breakin at playbackdigi
AR
1.13–16.11 JANUARY THIRTEEN THRU SIXTEEN, 2011
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
WWW.NAMM.ORG
Stats U.S. Imports for Consumption: Quarterly data for 2010
Sources: The data presented in this chart been compiled from tariff and trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. * HTS: The Harmonized Tariff Schedule was enacted by Congress and made effective on January 1, 1989. The HTS comprises a hierarchical structure for describing all goods in trade for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. ** NESOI: Not Elsewhere Specified Or Included
HTS Number
First Quarter
Second Quarter Third Quarter In Actual Units of Quantity
Argentina MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
15,046
35,432
4,049
369 150 0
108 28 1,021
154 87 7
413,787
149,805
357,862
44 95 0 347
80 389 346 0
42 114 0 33
14
101
0
66
282
120
7,743 11 48 0 26,920 278 64,958 760
7,338 1,001 336 0 0 279 59,812 1,888
7,331 953 0 393 0 0 57,683 1,105
1,967 1,500
0 0
5,700 0
53,385
74,174
106,801
191,291
254,798
397,669
18,473 86,514 18,047 3,686 7,061 14,833 87,868 40,713 80,989 23,189 8,228 215,371 267,214
19,149 91,814 25,899 8,608 7,960 19,238 105,301 21,080 118,738 14,560 12,227 224,788 499,136
31,674 128,719 37,543 19,864 12,886 35,476 186,564 39,399 199,095 31,644 20,479 319,375 500,243
681
171
338
Australia GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Austria MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Brazil GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS
Bulgaria STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE
Canada GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI CLARINETS SAXOPHONES WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI CYMBALS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Chile WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS
China STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH CLARINETS SAXOPHONES FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS CYMBALS MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Czech Republic STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW
26 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
HTS Number
First Quarter
Second Quarter Third Quarter In Actual Units of Quantity
BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH CLARINETS
223 52
251 16
270 88
24,624
14,469
15,539
130 652 2,637 130 1,947 1 38,811
38 372 2,908 190 1,235 5,768 20,670
16 259 2,581 1,675 10,038 700 28,007
753
381
661
205 20 786 1,461 70 2,255 13,109 208 17,999 51 42 170,631
8 0 1,413 2,748 85 10,845 11,851 367 12,452 18 271 207,321
35 450 723 2,676 4 11,440 5,974 400 16,551 163 226 166,838
0
253
2
0 0
0 0
110 709
1 130 193 0 700 5,254 3,421 90
581 531 6,889 10,200 1,444 8,569 6,164 606
420 89 1,904 366 1,320 4,041 6,567 250
25,076
64,901
77,153
1,079 5,510 3,691 2,300 3,446 99,460 0 13,612 47,406
1,054 3,812 5,815 2,791 4,470 193,450 1,440 26,160 80,839
1,173 17,361 5,209 2,167 4,769 172,262 1,000 18,537 125,801
Denmark MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
France STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI CLARINETS SAXOPHONES WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Germany STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH CLARINETS SAXOPHONES WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS CYMBALS MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Hong Kong STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
India STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Indonesia GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESO CLARINETS SAXOPHONES FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
DECEMBER 2010
MMR 27
Stats U.S. Imports for Consumption: Quarterly data for 2010
Sources: The data presented in this chart been compiled from tariff and trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
HTS Number
* HTS: The Harmonized Tariff Schedule was enacted by Congress and made effective on January 1, 1989. The HTS comprises a hierarchical structure for describing all goods in trade for duty, quota, and statistical purposes.
STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI SAXOPHONES WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
** NESOI: Not Elsewhere Specified Or Included
First Quarter
Second Quarter Third Quarter In Actual Units of Quantity
Ireland WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI
5,500
0
2,100
3,066
6,624
2,466
348 574 73 2,000 32 26,074
17 2,499 1,003 14 3 32,101
35 381 5 6 196 46,084
210
34
22
856
6
498
1,574 1,634 1,969 964 960 1,795 19,523 4,445 2,296 1,529 4,736 850
1,153 2 4,392 1,682 1,330 1,324 22,113 2 2,842 2,870 4,192 1,838
1,031 2,773 4,353 1,474 1,312 2,058 33,402 0 4,262 12,412 7,020 10,670
210
54
20
764
934
2,812
4,907 450 162,500 197,600 0 117 21,097 2,421
5,719 172 243,470 100,400 776 112 23,038 10,074
7,521 24 329,636 72,000 2,236 135 26,888 34,590
10,107
9,121
9,042
15,064 0 953 26,173 1,392,865
18,202 0 1,483 25,547 1,608,164
22,584 584 2,318 31,760 1,908,817
260
780
830
473
1,393
899
Israel DRUMS
Italy
Japan STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH CLARINETS SAXOPHONES FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Korea STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Mexico GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) DRUMS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Nepal CYMBALS
Pakistan STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI
28 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
HTS Number
First Quarter
Second Quarter Third Quarter In Actual Units of Quantity
WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS CYMBALS
0 1,934 2,325
1,500 4,482 0
0 1,127 0
0 7,104 0
8,518 3,425 1,318
3,285 5,610 486
3,505 1,220 3,651
6,475 2,166 0
5,313 42,503 0
582 0 80 9,948
1,361 325 11,388 0
862 8,419 103 588
0 642 1,987
0 680 6,684
1,000 1,025 2,206
10,056 665
6,243 730
16,294 438
0 2,676 9 2,947 7,222 38,754 10,900 38,054 1,950 186 1,868
1,208 5,057 1,850 3,578 662 49,550 69,881 37,956 473 1,699 15,339
1,188 4,034 0 3,625 23,060 58,750 32,059 49,394 2,652 480 13,629
31,694 0
29,919 0
32,033 3,657
2,873 3,348
406 2,255
2,025 2,603
13 205 33 42,510
6 94 114 65,744
1,406 485 530 27,652
419
1,646
704
Peru FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS
Romania STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYED WITH A BOW STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NESOI MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Spain GUITARS VALUED OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE DRUMS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Sweden WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Switzerland CYMBALS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Taiwan GUITARS VALUED NOT OVER $100 EACH, EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CASE BRASS-WIND INSTRUMENTS VALUED OVER $10 EACH CLARINETS SAXOPHONES FLUTES AND PICCOLOS (EXCEPT BAMBOO) WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI WIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS CYMBALS MUSICAL SYNTHESIZERS VALUED $100 OR OVER EACH MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Thailand DRUMS CYMBALS
Turkey DRUMS CYMBALS
United Kingdom WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS, NESOI DRUMS FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS
Vietnam SAXOPHONES
DECEMBER 2010
MMR 29
Report
27th Annual
50 Dealer 50 State Review & Forecast
It’s not news that the recession and lingering economic uncertainty remain big – by almost all measurements, the biggest – challenges for all American consumers and businesses. MI retail is certainly no exception when it comes to these tough hurdles, but our 27th end-of-year survey of music stores across the country seems to suggest that some truly are seeing things take a turn for the better. “It seems like customers, while still being a bit cautious, are starting to open up a bit and do some of the things they have been holding back on, due to economic fears,” observes Greg Gantzer of Camden, Delaware’s B&B Music & Sound. Or, as put even more optimistically, by Art Mauney of Bulldog Music (Boiling Springs, North Carolina): “I think we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and 2011 will be the big turnaround year.” Like most businesses which have managed to weather recent economic hardships, many of the folks we spoke with in30 MMR
dicated that the recession forced them to rethink how they approached elements of their operation, ultimately improving the overall model. Additionally, retailers are taking advantage of new and emerging platforms and technologies to attract and maintain customers, as evidenced by the response we received when we asked MI operations about their involvement with social networking sites. “We use Facebook all the time, Twitter to a lesser extent,” said Tim Emery of Buckdancer’s Choice Music in Portland, Maine. “We blast when we get really cool new stuff, and it works incredibly well for promoting events.”
So was 2010 a return to the salad days of, say, a decade ago? The vast majority would be on board with a resounding reply of, “No!” so it’s probably not appropriate to bust out the Champagne just yet… But are things improving? Times are still tough, sure – but is it better, even if not as much so as we’d like, than this time last year? To plagiarize my college roommate’s Magic 8 Ball: “Signs point to yes.” Or, as Tony Bernard of Tucson, Arizona’s Sticks n’ Strings Music put it, “The outlook for 2011 is positive. We will continue to change with the times.” DECEMBER 2010
ALABAMA Railroad Bazaar Athens Joseph Williams, Store Manager
2009 vs. 2010: The economy has definitely been a challenge for us as I’m sure it has been for everyone; however, we’ve been pretty fortunate in our market and have had steady growths throughout the recession. We’ve got a ways to go, but 2010 has been better for us than 2009. I’m very optimistic about the next five years. Biggest challenge in 2010: Finding creative ways to get more customers in the store has been a challenge. We’ve hosted several clinics and other events this year. We’ve really made a push to collect customer e-mails and we’ve done a lot with those. We send out event updates, specials, and other various things, and it’s had very positive results. We’ve contacted local schools and churches just to let them know what we have to offer, and we’ve gotten more business from that market than we ever have before. I think the simple act of reaching out to people and being willing to spend time meeting their needs has been the key to our success over the last few years. Social networking sites: We definitely utilize the Internet. There are so many ways to advertise for free over the Internet. I honestly don’t see how you can be successful in today’s market without utilizing it. We have our own Web site and a Facebook page. We use Twitter, and we send out e-mails. It’s cheap, and it’s easy to get our message out. We’ve done TV, print, and radio ads in the past, but I think we get a bigger response since we’ve gone primarily to Internet-based advertising. Outlook 2011: I’m very optimistic about 2011. Year to year, we’ve had steady growth throughout the recession and 2011 doesn’t look any different. We’ve made a push when most have been pullDECEMBER 2010
ing back, and it’s really paid off. Our customer base has been growing, and we’ve consistently had very solid sales numbers every month. I’m very optimistic.
The Music Box Soldotna Gena & Scott Stahlecker, owners
do well online, but large corporations and very large stores are the ones reaping the benefits of the tax-free Internet. This takes the tax revenue out of the local economy, forcing the state to raise the tax rate or cut programs from the community. This will not change anytime soon as more and more people do there shopping via the Internet. The system needs to be fi xed before taxes are raised again to a point where shopping locally becomes too expensive for the consumer to even consider.
2009 vs. 2010: Overall, gross profits for our store continued in a downward trend, but less so in 2010 than 2009.
Social networking sites: Yes, we use almost every outlet available for promotions and advertising. We use Facebook, our Web site, and e-mail blasts to do the majority of the promotion. The more you have out there, the better the return.
Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge was, and continues to be, Internet competition. We have to price at Internet, plus shipping, to turn inventory. Shipping to Alaska is a challenge.
Outlook 2011: The outlook for 2011 is positive. Customers seem to be more open to spending money on something other than bills, and hopefully that trend will continue. We will continue to change with the times to accommodate the everchanging economy.
Product of the Year: Fender T-Bucket acoustic guitars.
ALASKA
Social networking sites: We have not utilized social media sites, but are working on that area of our marketing strategy for 2011. Outlook 2011: Our outlook for 2011 is cautiously optimistic. Product of the Year: Roland 30 cube amp
ARIZONA Sticks n’ Strings Music Tucson Tony Bernard, president
2009 vs. 2010: Overall, it was about the same over the past two years. Biggest challenge in 2010: There were a lot of challenges, but a sales tax increase is never an easy adjustment. It’s now up to 9.1 percent in Arizona, so matching online, taxfree prices is getting more difficult. We
Product of the Year: Line 6
ARKANSAS Country Heritage Music Store Clarksville Bev King, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Sales were slightly down from last year. Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge this year was dealing with more people wanting to sell us instruments and more wanting to trade, rather than buy. Social networking sites: I use Facebook, but more to promote the shows we do in the other part of the building, rather than to service the store itself. Outlook 2011: I don’t really know what to expect… MMR 31
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast Product of the Year: Kyser capos
CONNECTICUT
CALIFORNIA
George’s Music Center Torrington George Donovan Jr., owner
Johnny Thompson Music Monterey Park Johnny Thompson, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Sales were significantly down again, while customers are still adapting to the new economy. Biggest challenge in 2010: School music and all arts access is in serious decline and more bad credit ratings for rentals and sales payments. Many customers have homes in default facing foreclosure. Social networking sites: We use Facebook and Yelp, with plans to do more. Outlook 2011: I’m expecting a leveling-off after years of lower sales and rentals totaling 50 percent. Cancel this prediction if English and Math “high stakes” testing increases and school music availability continues to decline.
COLORADO
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 is on par with 2009, though as of now we are up about 10 percent. Biggest challenge in 2010: Keeping up inventory is tough. Manufacturers are not keeping enough of product in stock. Social networking sites: We do use Facebook a little, just to keep a presence on the Internet. We do not do e-commerce. We have a great Web site: simple, but useful. Outlook 2011: I think 2011 will be about the same as the last couple of years. We have gone up in sales a little (10 – 15 percent), which in this economy is great. Product of the Year: Fender
DELAWARE B & B Music & Sound Camden Delaware Greg Gantzer, general manager
Colorado Guitar Emporium Colorado Springs Steve Scheller, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Similar, but things seem to be picking up a bit lately.
2009 vs. 2010: We doubled sales for 2010 over 2009.
Biggest challenge in 2010: Dealing with economic uncertainties continues to be a challenge.
Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge of ’10 has been low movement of higher end gear. Social networking sites: We have a Facebook page. Outlook 2011: We are positive we should continue to grow in 2011. Product of the Year: Korg tuners 32 MMR
Social networking sites: Yes, we have a Facebook page, primarily to post information and connect with our customers. We are currently reworking our regular Web site and will soon be adding e-commerce capabilities. Outlook 2011: Hopefully optimistic! It seems like customers, while still being a bit cautious, are starting to open up a bit and do some of the things they have been holding back on due to economic fears.
We are a nation of consumers and those that still have the means are not going to hold back forever on getting the things they want. Barring any further negative economic developments, I believe that customers will continue to come back to the market place in 2011 and bolster our business and the economy in general. Product of the Year: Line 6
FLORIDA Chafin Music Lake Worth Jeff Chafin, owner
2009 vs. 2010: The last couple years have been about redefining lines and focusing on what works. Biggest challenge in 2010: Buying right and redefining advertising strategies has been our biggest challenge. Social networking sites: We are moving to a Web presence and away from the traditional yellow pages. These are things dealers have to do to compete and stay alive in this environment. Outlook 2011: Getting back to people, trust and relationships, and fairly priced merchandise. Product of the Year: Conn-Selmer Prelude
GEORGIA Braswell Music Suwanee Jim Bowcock, manager
2009 vs. 2010: Sales have been flat, compared to last year. Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge was keeping our vendors paid. Social networking sites: We have a Facebook page. DECEMBER 2010
Outlook 2011: Success… Product of the Year: Fender
HAWAII Island Guitars Honolulu Neil Shimabukuro, Co-owner.
2009 vs. 2010: 2009 was a terrible sales year and the trend continued into the first half of 2010. In August, however, our sales started to show some signs of life. Each month since then has steadily gotten better, going into the last quarter of the year. Biggest challenge in 2010: During these rough economic times, the difficulty was trying to maintain an inventory mix of basic bread-and-butter merchandise with new, exciting products with fewer resources. Social networking sites: The use of social networking sites gives us the means to advertise specials, communicate with our customers daily, and provide inventory updates to motivated buyers. We would post what arrived in today’s shipment and then have customers come in the same day to try them out.
Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge has been getting people to spend money on nicer, more expensive instruments, as opposed to less money on less superior instruments.
Social networking sites: I have been using Twitter and Facebook to promote specials and new arrivals in the store. Outlook 2011: I hope that the economic recession will subside and people will not be so afraid to invest a little more money
Meeting the Needs of Students for More Than 30 Years ... Our Best-Selling SV-175 Cremona Violin! Cremona bowed instruments have set the pace for the vibrant student and rental markets for over 30 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 recently been upgraded to include the J.LaSalle LB-13 Octagonal Bow and the TL-33 deluxe rectangular Travelite case.
Outlook 2011: We are optimistic for 2011. Our customers are starting to feel confident about spending money again, and overseas customers visiting us from Australia and New Zealand will continue to increase.
Cremona SV-175 Violin Outfit: •All-solid carved, graduated construction •Seven sizes from 4⁄4 to 1⁄16 •Long lasting ebony fittings •Finetuner tailpiece for precise, easy tuning •Rugged TL-33 Travelite case •Well-balanced J.LaSalle LB-13 bow with ebony frog
Product of the Year: Kala Ukuleles
IDAHO Gigs Music Company Boise Andy Agenbroad, owner
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 was down from 2009. Higher dollar item sales were down and used, less expensive items were up. DECEMBER 2010
249
$
Suggested Retail
SV-175
[800] BUY-SAGA www.sagamusic.com Dealer inquiries invited.
MMR 33
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast to purchase the instrument they really want. Product of the Year: Alesis DM6 kit
ILLINOIS Tobias Music Downers Grove Paul Tobias, owner
2009 vs. 2010: It’s a crazy business we are in. My mom and dad opened the store 32 years ago. We are a high-end acoustic guitar shop located in suburban Chicago. I was getting a little nervous a couple of years ago, as the economic news was getting grim. 2009 turned out to be our best year ever, 2010 will be up again. Go figure.
Biggest challenge in 2010: I hesitate in saying this, but we need more room. We have been blessed. This country isn’t out of the woods yet. There are still a lot of people hurting out there. Our immediate area has held up pretty well, but two fairly local music businesses have pulled the plug recently. We have a nice, cozy Mom and Pop feel, but space is becoming an issue. We do not want a superstore, but we could use a few more square feet. Social networking sites: We do have a Web site, and we do attract a lot of hits and inquiries. We haven’t dabbled much in the social networking sites, but I know it’s a good avenue for promoting our little shop. We have talked about it, and I’m sure we will get onboard in the near future. Everyone is doing it, and we will too. Outlook 2011: I think we will be fi ne. We have really concentrated on our les-
sons program. We have remodeled our studios, and we have the best lineup of guitar teachers in the Chicago area. The lessons program is a very solid foundation for the business. Our overhead is relatively low, so we don’t hit the panic button if we have a slow month or two in the store. Product of the Year: Taylor Guitars
INDIANA Music Station Avon Dan Behringer, president
2009 vs. 2010: There was a definite dip in 2010. Instead of upgrading to newer gear, many people were holding on to what they already have. Subsequently, we
Limited Edition The all new graphic top artist reserve instruments are individually serial numbered in sequential order and are only available in a very limited production. A great playing axe with graphics to match!
Yours Reserve y! Toda List: $159.95 Dealer Net:$79.95
800.475.7686
shsint.net
34 MMR
indianaguitar.com
DECEMBER 2010
Made for Performance, y Engineered for Econom Drum kits don’t get better than this. Solid and reliable 5-piece, 6-ply shells, these kits are complete with Remo™ heads and heavy-duty hardware. Why pay more?
7im series
320 322 620 622
www.staggmusic.com
Distributed by EMD Music. • For further information, please contact EMD Music, Inc. - usa@emdmusic.com • 866 871 5800 Toll Free • 877 231 6653 Toll Free Fax
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast have noticed an increase in repairs. Accessories sales have remained steady. Big ticket item sales are way down. Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge in 2010 (or any year for that matter) was trying to convince customers that they don’t have to drive to the
big box stores to get a good deal. We sell many of the same products, at the same MAP prices and include free set-ups and continual service, but there is still the perception that you have to go to a large store to get a good deal. In addition, we are now competing with Wal-Mart and Best Buy for the beginner guitar market.
10th Edition
Vic Firth’s Sales Support Helps You Earn More Money
PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS ON VIC FIRTH—Hosting a Vic Firth artist clinic? Running an event Vic Firth is sponsoring with you? Have an endorsed educator offering a master class? Retail stores who are hosting VF clinics or events that Vic Firth sponsors can let us help them promote it by tweeting about it (including @Vic_Firth in the text of the tweet) or by posting clinic iers, announcements and photos on our Facebook wall. Let us help increase the awareness of your event! PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—The VICPACK combination backpack/stick bag has been a great success due to the multiple uses and exibility it provides. To maximize the “gift” opportunity of this item we are offering a 10% discount off your cost as we head into the holidays.
VICPACK features a detachable stickbag and two full-zip padded compartments‚ one with a removable laptop insert.
DRUMSET PLAYALONG TRACKS— Vic offers a signicant amount of FREE educational material on the web site. Each week a new play along track is added. Be sure your students and teachers take advantage of this FREE resource. www.vicrth.com/education/drumset/ playalongtrack.php 36 MMR
Outlook 2011: We are optimistic that we will have a good fourth quarter and that will lead to a strong start to 2011. Product of the Year: Yamaha F-325 with hardshell case.
VIC FIRTH DEALER NEWS WEB FEATURES
Social networking sites: We use Facebook and MySpace, but we still have the most success with a simple e-mail list.
HARD & HEAVY CD PRIZE PACKS— Congratulations Drew Purvis!!!! Drew was the recent winner of some sweet gear in the latest round of our H&H play along contest. Want to see Drew’s winning performance? Want to submit YOUR play along entry for the next featured artist performance? www.vicrth.com/features/ hard-heavy2/contest.php NEW PRODUCTS Several new products will be introduced at PASIC. Products for drum set, marching, marimba, practice—visit: www.vicrth.com/products/newproducts.php NEW PERFORMANCE VIDEOS Andrew Markworth explains the concepts behind his new Corpsmaster Signature Keyboard Mallets and you can watch the 2010 Crown front ensemble demonstrate these mallets at: www.vicrth.com/products/ corpsmaster_markworth.php. The new Markworth Signature Series features 6 models—3 for marimba and 3 for vibraphone. We’ve got tons of new artist interviews owing in and out of the editing room. Swing on by vicrth.com right now to check out Chris Fryar of the Zac Brown Band (Grammy® winner for Best New Artist) and Trey Gray of Brooks and Dunn. Keep your eyes peeled for several more fresh interviews that are currently in the works, including new VF artists Ben Sesar/ Brad Paisley and Chad Szelgia/Breaking Benjamin!
IOWA Bob’s Guitars Cedar Falls Robert Guthart, owner
2009 vs. 2010: We are slightly ahead of 2009 at this point. The next couple of months will tell the tale. Biggest challenge in 2010: Fighting Internet sales and their lack of sales tax was our biggest challenge. Social networking sites: We’ve just started using Facebook and are getting lots of friends. We don’t use it extensively. Outlook 2011: I’m cautiously optimistic. Product of the Year: Taylor Guitars
KANSAS Damm Music Center Wichita Kevin Damm, president
2009 vs. 2010: So far it looks like we’ll be about five percent up from 2009. The beginning of the year was really slow, but things have picked up. Biggest challenge in 2010: Staffing. I’ve been blessed with a tremendous staff through the years, and I thought this year was going to be a breeze. On the sales floor, there’s myself, assistant manager Jacob Noble, and three DECEMBER 2010
“I believe that Yamaha instruments are the finest available anywhere in the world. These horns make it easier to do what I do in every musical situation.�
Artists believe in Yamaha.
Jeff Coffin
Dave Matthews Band
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast part timers. All the staff had been here at least a year. In the spring two of the part timers left for other jobs. And at the end of the summer, the third one had an opportunity he couldn’t turn down. So, we’ve had to re-staff the part timers completely. Fortunately, we had just created a new full time director of education position that was fi lled by my brother Dave.
That really helped with the transition of training new staff members. I think we’ve gotten through the thick of it. The new hires are top notch and working out really well.
Facebook page about once a week. We also have a monthly e-mail newsletter and when we have a sale or big event, I’ll send a postcard to our customer list.
Social networking sites: Most of my advertising is done online. I’ve been using Google ads as well as updating our
Outlook 2011: We will continue to grow at a modest rate. I will continue to get my best ideas from musicstoreowners.com. I love this group. Sharing ideas with other music store owners has really helped. It’s a great way to connect and get ideas to make my business better and more profitable. Product of the Year: Austin Guitars from St. Louis Music
KENTUCKY Royal Music Co., Inc. Bowling Green Greg Lyons, president
2009 vs. 2010: By the third quarter of 2010, we had already exceeded our 2009 sales. Biggest challenge in 2010: The number of delinquent rental accounts. Social networking sites: We do use them, but not nearly enough. We have a Facebook page that has garnered lots of fans and good responses when we post, but we just don’t do it consistently. We are in the process of updating our Web site - we currently use it primarily for initiating online rentals, account management, and Web payments. Outlook for 2011: We are hopefully considering a move from our downtown location to a newer, more convenient space with higher traffic f low and parking, which has been a major problem for us. We are also considering expanding some of our lines to accommodate what we hope will be our best year in many. Product of the Year: Roland Pianos 38 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Express through touch. Impress through sound.
The Celviano line of pianos has been refined for those who demand an authentic grand piano experience. Its elegant design houses new grand piano sounds and an enhanced keyboard touch. Utilizing a new tri-sensor spring less 88-note graded hammer action, every nuance and detail of your performance is captured. A new 4 layer stereo grand piano sound delivers a natural, expressive and dynamic piano experience. Featuring 128 AP-620
AP-420
AP-220
To experience the elegant design and rich resonance of the Casio Celviano piano,
Š2009 CASIO AMERICA, INC.
notes of polyphony, USB MIDI, Duet Mode and more, Celviano’s advanced technology and sound will resonate with your audience.
www.casiousa.com
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast LOUISIANA
Product of the Year: QSC powered speakers
Matt’s Music, Inc. Monroe Matt Shepard, president
MAINE Buckdancer’s Choice Music Co. Portland Tim Emery, vice president
2009 vs. 2010: At this point, 2009 was better. Biggest challenge in 2010: The economy definitely hurt, especially with big ticket items, such as high end guitars and drums.
2009 vs. 2010: It would appear that sales across the board are 10-15 percent higher.
Social networking sites: We use Facebook by offering weekly specials, and that seems to be having a positive effect. We also have an online store.
MARYLAND
SIMPLY THE BEST UNIVERSAL MICROPHONE HOLDER
MADE IN THE USA Opens a full 2 inches Protective clamp pads Holds any microphone Guaranteed not to break Strong composition Security lock
No-creak goosenecks
S & S Music Crofton Steve Sacchetti, owner
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 was about the same as 2009: poor. Biggest challenge in 2010: Trying to maintain…
MIC-EZE®
RUBBER-NECK®
Social networking sites: We use Facebook all the time, Twitter to a lesser extent. We blast when we get really cool new stuff, and works incredibly well for promoting events. We used Facebook as our sole promotion tool for a Victor Wooten clinic, and a Jimmie Vaughan meet and greet – both were hugely successful. Outlook for 2011: cautiously optimistic Product of the Year: Fender American Special series
Outlook for 2011: Cautiously optimistic.
Flag Ship
Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge is fi nding the right mix of larger ticket items (which may have less margin, but pull people in the store), and accessories that move quicker and have more margin, but having to sell more to cover the nut.
Social networking sites: We use Facebook to advertise sales, guitar raffles, and in-house specials.
Microphone Holder
LUMIN-EZE™
Outlook for 2011: The outlook for next year is bleak. Product of the Year: Fender Sa100 acoustic pack
Work Lights
MASSACHUSETTS Centre Music House Framingham Corbit Larson, owner
Solids – Hollow – XLR Wired
BNC – XLR – Clamp-on
800-537-3491 www.ac-cetera.com • info@ac-cetera.com 40 MMR
2009 vs. 2010: The downward slide since 2008 has continued unabated, but we feel fortunate to have kept the decline to a combined DECEMBER 2010
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast single digit of nine percent. Frankly, ever since Guitar Center and MARS came to the neighborhood some years ago, we’ve been bailing out the boat and maneuvering through the retail minefield in ways that have left us lean and clean and have probably helped us survive the current economic debacle. Every counter, corner, and wall in the store is looked at as a profit center. If it isn’t making money we change it. We got rid of unprofitable (high-end) guitar lines and then got rid of marginally profitable lines. Where once we had a wall full of sound reinforcement gear, we now have two more lesson rooms. So far, we’ve said good-bye to Gibson, Martin, Fender, and Peavey, to name a few. We love Greg Bennett from Samick, Cort, Blueridge, Mapex, and Peace drums. Absolutely no more floor-planning, ever, if we can’t afford it, we don’t buy it. Believe me, there is life without the big names. We joined IMSO. We attended Sam Beckford’s Successful Studio seminars -- best $2,000 we’ve ever spent. Biggest challenge in 2010: This year my town has eliminated the elementary school band program. We are offering
mini-classes for students who want to (can afford to) keep the music alive. So far, results are minimal. We are teaming up with another organization to offer after-school lessons in the schools. Until anything happens with that, we are looking at shelves and stacks of rental instruments gathering dust, not to mention lower accessory sales. On the lesson side, we’ve seen guitar getting a little soft. Part of this we can attribute to the unexpected death of a popular teacher. But, I think that we may also be feeling the fallout from the ‘YouTube Effect.’ Social networking sites: We have established a Facebook page, but so far have yet to adequately maintain it. We posted a blow-out on videos and literally within minutes had a couple of responses which resulted in sales. We intend to use it for similar sales efforts. Keeping it updated and fresh on a regular basis is the challenge. Outlook for 2011: Cautiously optimistic would be optimistic. I think we’ll be in the soup for some time to come. Next to hedge-fund managers, pundits, and
prognosticators are the most over-paid quacks in the world. Product of the Year: Bristol guitars
MICHIGAN Herter Music Center Bay City Fred Herter, president
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 was better than 2009. School music is still strong. The piano market sunk except for home heyboards, Yamaha Clavinovas, and Roland HPs. Biggest challenge in 2010: Internet and MAP pricing. Social networking sites: Yes. We have a good Web site and have started using constant contact for promotions. Outlook for 2011: we can ever solve unemployment 2011 could be great. Product of the Year: Yamaha CVP Clavinovas
MINNESOTA American Guitar & Band Maple Grove Cory Lake, owner
2009 vs. 2010: It seemed much more positive and active all year, but the numbers only reflected that in the fall. 2009 and 2010 were very similar in sales until the past few months, when we started seeing a big increase in major purchases. Biggest challenge in 2010: With the explosion of online shopping for price and instant availability, we constantly search for products that are not widely distributed or that have stable pricing structures. Great product alone is no longer enough if everyone in cyberspace can also sell it for a penny less. 42 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
AS
TM S RI FER H C OF
IA C E SP
L
A good cane reed is what clarinet and saxophone players live for. But it‘s a never-ending quest filled with frustration and disappointment. If only someone would invent a new reed with most of the advantages of cane and none of the drawbacks. Someone has. Forestone is the first composite reed that actually contains bamboo for an authentic sound, response, look and feel. The cane reed reborn. Give clarinet and saxophone players what they really want. Offer them Forestone, the finest synthetic reed ever developed, and watch your single-reed sales soar. Obtain dealer pricing and other information by writing to info@forestone-japan.com.
www.Forestone-Japan.com
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast Social networking sites: We have dedicated staff for our e-commerce store as well as social networking. We constantly upload new gear arrivals, start debates to get instant client feedback on new products, and provide quick history lessons or fun music trivia relating to our favorite gear. It is our best way to show the personality of our mom and pop shop and the passion we have for music. Facebook and Twitter are great for promoting in-store events and gear giveaways, while we use YouTube for gear demos, teacher video profi les, and store tours. Outlook for 2011: Positive. Fortunately, we are a young enough company to evolve with shifts in consumer preferences and patterns. Product of the Year: Gibson
MISSISSIPPI
know us and our employees. We have a bigger response from Facebook than we do on our store Web site.
Spiers Music McComb Brandie Pierce, owner/manager
Outlook for 2011: We hope to see an increase in lessons and sales and lessons in 2011
2009 vs. 2010: Sales significantly increased in 2010.
Product of the Year: EMD Music (Stagg)
Biggest challenge in 2010: Getting customers to start buying again in spite of hard economic times.
MISSOURI
Social networking sites: We have a Facebook page that we use regularly. We advertise specials that are only good if you mention the Facebook ad. We put pictures and facts about our employees on the site and use it as a less formal way for customers to interact with and get to
Blue Guitar Music Columbia Jeff Bush, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Year to date, 2010 has been very similar to 2009. While the top line has held consistent, we have seen
January 13-16
YOU MUST STOP BY MEL BAY’S NEW WINTER NAMM LOCATION:
BOOTH #5008!
There’s so much to see! Ask about our cutting-edge eBooks & Video on Demand! Plus check out our specials and new products! CAN’T WAIT UNTIL JANUARY FOR MEL BAY DEALS? Call your sales rep now to learn more about the special offers we have for December! Make more with Mel Bay! Get the best of both worlds by stocking our best-sellers for in-store traffic and offering eBook and video downloads on your website! DON’T FORGET ABOUT SHOPATRON! RDR0143
22141BCD
93261
93257
21671BCD
22116
93234
93269
93200E
20345
20064DVD
CA1002DVD
To order or for more information:
1-800-863-5229 • www.melbaydealers.com 44 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast some pressure on margins effecting the bottom line slightly. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge in 2010 has been generating new customer enthusiasm and maintaining our customer base due to the psychological effects of working through the
recent recessionary period. In addition, fighting for customer interest and resources against the proliferation of other entertainment and free time devices (electronic games, computers, and internet) continues to be challenging. Overall, I am still optimistic and enthused about our prospects going forward.
Social networking sites: Because the Internet has become such a fantastic resource, for both product information and learning tool capabilities, it can no longer be a discretionary option to retailers wanting to grow their business. We utilize our Web site and social networking sites to drive customer inquiries and interest to our store. The Web site continues to be the biggest driver of new customers with social networking, primarily Facebook, allowing us to stay in touch with our customer base. Outlook for 2011: As I mentioned, I am very optimistic about growth and opportunities going into 2011 and beyond. Our business model has always included a strong focus, not only on products, but service. The repair department consistently performs strongly, regardless of the economic environment and helps drive product sales as well as keeping the door swinging. Product of the Year: Taylor acoustic guitars
MONTANA Access Music Missoula Dean Ryan, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Some gradual improvement economically in the fourth quarter of 2010, overall better. Biggest challenge in 2010: Balancing inventory versus sales. Social networking sites: We do use these sites to inform our customers of sales and in-store promotions as well as our Web site. Outlook for 2011: We are looking forward to a great year – all the indicators are pointing in the right direction. Product of the Year: Norman guitars
46 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast NEBRASKA Ron’s Music Grand Island Janiece Jones, president
2009 vs. 2010: To date, 2010 sales have been higher than 2009, which is a good sign. Biggest challenge in 2010: Competing with online pricing and big box stores Social networking sites: We have plans for a major Web site upgrade in 2011. So, we haven’t utilized social networking sites that much recently. We do have a Facebook page and also are starting participation in a new online “Deal of the Day” promotion that our local newspaper is sponsoring. Outlook for 2011: I would hope that sales will continue to rise and customers will realize the value of customer service
and the knowledge that our salespeople have when it comes to helping them select their instruments. Product of the Year: Peavey Vypyr amp series
NEVADA Bizarre Guitar Reno Michael Young, manager
2009 vs. 2010: Slow, especially local walkin business due to the economic state. Our online business and our gun store Bizarre Guns has helped keep all the wheels moving. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge was the economy, as well as battling with the giant box stores to stay competitive on price, as well as the restraints companies put on you – they
always tell how you can’t sell their gear. Social networking sites: We utilize all social media to let people know about promotions as well as educational demos that we do in a light hearted manner. Outlook for 2011: If we have a good Christmas, we will be able to tell better about 2011. We have a lot of product to move. Product of the Year: Fender
NEW HAMPSHIRE Exeter Music Exeter Steve Brennan, co-owner
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 was down from 2009. This past summer was abysmal, but things picked up when school started again September. Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge was staying relevant, competing with online dealers. The lessons kept us in business this past year. Social networking sites: There are only two of us, my partner and myself, and there’s really not enough time in the day to do all that. I probably should though. Outlook for 2011: I think it will be better, but it depends on the job market. Product of the Year: Blueridge Bristol Guitar
NEW JERSEY Axe-Zactly Music Hammonton Joe Maultz, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Overall, 2010 was a much better year for us than 2009. We deal primarily in used and vintage guitars and basses, and we 48 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
The 3i-4214-56 has the same stellar features as our Watertight Bass Case but accomodates Les Paul style guitars.
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast saw a huge up-turn in walk-in customers looking to sell their used gear as well as customers looking for a deal on a used guitar to purchase. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge in 2010 was our move from our old location, where we were for the last 16 years, to our new showroom in the Hammonton Downtown district. That was a lot of back-breaking work. Social networking sites: We have a MySpace page for the shop, and I tend to link some interesting vintage guitars from our store Web site to my Facebook page. We recently had a 1960s Fender Precision Bass and a vintage D’Angelico archtop guitar that both celebrity-owned, and it seemed to create quite the stir when I linked it to my Facebook home page. Outlook for 2011: I feel great optimism for 2011. I believe the economy is coming back, and our sales are way up at this point from last years numbers. I believe the wave will continue. Product of the Year: D’Addario products
NEW MEXICO GuitarVista Albuquerque Stan Burg, owner
2009 vs. 2010: There has been growth this year, with much interest in solid wood, hand built instruments from the Pacific Rim. Biggest challenge in 2010: The shop specializes in very nice acoustics, from makers like Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, and Huss & Dalton. So, the biggest concern is introducing customers to guitars of this quality. My customers have usually only seen these makers online. When they come in to play these guitars they are suitably impressed. Our Web page, our listing on Craig’s List, and our listing in the online Yellow Pages, have brought us customers, based on our conversations with folks who have found us. Social networking sites: We really haven’t explored the big social networks, on the assumption that those sites cater
to younger players who aren’t in our demographic. Outlook for 2011: Next year, our fourth as a brick and mortar, is shaping up well. The goal is get more used/vintage instruments in the shop and to become more of a destination. We plan to do this through more local print and radio ads. Those methods seem to work for us. We are spreading the word, and that really means customers recommending us to their friends and colleagues. Product of the Year: Eastman line, acoustics and arch tops
NEW YORK Barcones Music Kingston Tim Barcone, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Overall, we were down 35 percent, but band & orchestra sales were up 10 percent. Biggest challenge in 2010: Trying to keep retail from crashing was our biggest challenge. Social networking sites: We have a Facebook account to try and keep in touch with our customers, and we are currently redefining our Web site to accommodate our customers’ needs. Outlook for 2011: We’re hoping retail will start to pick up. It’s starting to look better already. We hope school budgets will stay stable, but we won’t know till May. We are picking up a couple of new districts every year. Product of the Year: Jupiter
NORTH CAROLINA Bulldog Music Boiling Springs Art Mauney, co-owner
2009 vs. 2010: 2009 was one of the worst years I have ever seen in M.I. 2008 50 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Vintage tones. Classic sounds. Authentic you. Stagg’s Vintage Bronze and Classic series were created with the discerning player in mind. Someone who, whether into rock or jazz, demands a true, traditional sound coupled with a genuine feel. Someone just like you.
www.staggmusic.com Distributed by EMD Music. • For further information, please contact EMD Music, Inc. - usa@emdmusic.com • 866 871 5800 Toll Free • 877 231 6653 Toll Free Fax
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast was not much better, but we did have a better first quarter.
Product of the Year: Sierra Guitars
Biggest challenge in 2010: Generating sales, getting floor traffic. Folks were not spending money on anything except essentials. We used every promo trick in the book to get folks in, with mixed results. Social networking sites: We became heavily involved with Facebook in 2010. I ran Facebook-only specials, gave daily updates on incoming products, announced lesson slots being open, and even when cool trade-in gear came in. It was a big help during the slower times of the year. It’s there; it’s free, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to do it.
Nightlife Music Bismarck Rick Berge, owner
Outlook for 2011: I think we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and 2011 will be the big turnaround year.
52 MMR
NORTH DAKOTA
2009 vs. 2010: Retail was about the same, but our sound and lighting production grew quite a bit, which made a huge difference in our profit. Biggest challenge in 2010: Competing with Internet pricing is our biggest challenge every year. Everything on the floor at our store is priced at MAP. Our best profit is on rental and production. Social networking sites: We are not currently using Facebook, Twitter, or
MySpace, but plan on using these tools in 2011. We do have an eBay store and do local sales on bismanonline.com. Outlook for 2011: Our outlook is great. We are moving into a building twice the size with better parking. We plan on growing all aspects of our business and are looking into the addition of a recording studio. Product of the Year: Mackie SRM450v2 Powered Speaker
OHIO Mike’s Music Inc. Cincinnati Mike Reeder, president
2009 vs. 2010: 2009 was by far the most difficult year we have ever had. I think the decline in the economy resulted in an overall decline in sales and interest in mu-
DECEMBER 2010
sical items, and that took many stores by surprise. As a result, over the last two years, we have seen many music stores close in my area. I think in 2010 we saw many of the survivors, learn to downsize, rethink there stock to lower price items, and really focus on service. Overall though, as in many businesses, this continues to be a very challenging environment for retail sales, with not a lot of promise that this will change soon.
main focus is personal relationships with educators. We feel it reinforces those relationships, and it also helps us to create new ones with the friends of our friends. Band directors are a pretty close group, who all know each other. Outlook for 2011: I am optimistic due to the latest election results. I feel that the job market is about to take off, and that is good for all small business. But, we will remain conservative in our spending until it begins to show. Product of the Year: Buffet Clarinets
Biggest challenge in 2010: Being mainly a vintage guitar store, I had to really rethink the buying and selling practices, giving a lot of thought to every aspect, trying to appraise the value of things like vintage guitars can be difficult when the sales are slim or vary greatly through out the industry. Social networking sites: We use Facebook. We have a page there and list items for sale and discuss them. Outlook for 2011: I have no expectation for 2011, other than I expect it to continue to be very interesting. Product of the Year: Rickenbacker
OKLAHOMA Ada Music Center Ada Richie Vallandingham, owner
2009 vs. 2010: The school bid business was great in 2009 and nonexistent in 2010. Also, our band repair shop was down, even though we picked up a few new accounts. Biggest challenge in 2010: School budget cuts hurt our gross sales, but our margins held fine due to gaining a few new school rental meetings. Social networking sites: We just started utilizing Facebook. Although, our DECEMBER 2010
OREGON Denham Music Klamath Falls Troy Santillie, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Last year, we were down about 20 percent from the year before, and are back up about 20 percent this year. We brought in the Breedlove guitar line this year, and it has done really well, even in our depressed market. Our community is essentially rural and farmland, so in the past high dollar items have not moved quickly. This year we have noticed a marked change in that we have sold more $1,000 and up guitars than in the past. Also, we have noticed that acoustic guitars are selling more than electric. Biggest challenge in 2010: Finding instruments with the right price points for the customers’ needs and wants. In the past, we sold a lot of $100 guitars, but with the change in the economy, people are investing more in themselves and their instruments. We are selling more of the mid to mid-high range instruments. It requires a bit of research to fi nd these guitars. Social networking sites: No. I am not currently using social networking sites. Occasionally, my wife will post things on her personal Facebook account reMMR 53
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast garding specials, hours of operation, and community events, but we do not have an account specifically for Denham Music use only. We are looking into using Twitter for these purposes in the future. Outlook for 2011: We hope to continue in essentially the same vein as we have: continue to search out the best deals for our customers and continue expanding our lesson programs. Currently we have seven different teachers and cover nearly every instrument available with over 300 students per month. We are hoping to make many new musicians and will keep on facilitating that. We hope to hold more string-change clinics in the coming year and educate our customers on proper instrument care. Product of the Year: Peavey Vypyr 15 guitar amp
HUNTER NEW YORK
PENNSYLVANIA
Product of the Year: Mahalo ukuleles
West End Music Allentown, Tom Dougherty, owner
RHODE ISLAND
2009 vs. 2010: It seems to be about the same; we still have Christmas to make the final decision.
Chris B’s Music Cranston Chris Brelsford, president
Social networking sites: I use Facebook, Twitter, and have a Web site, all seem to bring me customers, Facebook especially.
2009 vs. 2010: Overall 2010 was a challenge, but sales seemed to be on the slight uptick. Customers seem to be cautious with their spending; we are seeing more accessory type sales rather than big-ticket items. Of course it is relative, being up from 2009 is not that great of an accomplishment!
Outlook for 2011: In 2011 we have to think positively. So my outlook is good!
Biggest challenge in 2010: Like most small businesses, the overall economy
Biggest challenge in 2010: The challenges have been rising costs of rent, utilities, shipping, and, of course, big box stores selling guitars.
QUALITY BAND INSTRUMENTS FROM HUNTER
Provide your customers with the highest quality instruments and the best possible price points. Hunter offers a full line of instruments that are made to the best standards. Call us today to find out how you can profit from Hunter Musical Instruments. Fast shipping available from our New York warehouse.
HUNTER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 3300 Northern Blvd. Long Island City, NY 11101 (718)706-0828 Q FAX (718)706-0128 www.huntermusical.com 54 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
continues to be a major factor. We are seeing it effect lessons as well as sales. Social networking sites: We are an eBay power seller and have done a fairly regular business on this venue. Facebook and Twitter may be on the horizon for next year. Outlook for 2011: We’re cautiously optimistic… Product of the Year: Palatino violins
SOUTH CAROLINA The Music Store Columbia Trip Futch, manager
2009 vs. 2010: This year hasn’t been much of a change from last year for us. Most people are looking for a rock bottom deal. I think this is pretty much because of the overall economy; people do not have much extra money to spend, so they are shopping harder than ever before. Biggest challenge in 2010: Mostly the same challenges that have faced our industry for the last five years or so. Internet stores that don’t have the overhead that a traditional store has, which allows them to sell at a lower price are a challenge. Unfortunately, the consumer is loyal to price more than ever before, but that hurts in store selection mainly because the local store can not always stock as much for fear that the customer will only use the local store for their knowledge and buy off the Internet. I wish there was a way for the manufacturers to have different model numbers for traditional retailers and Internet retailers, therefore helping level the playing field. Another big problem is the continuous lack of sales tax collection. It is hard to explain to the local customer why you have to charge them sales tax and the Internet, by and large, does not. That really hurts your bottom line when a $1,000 sale has to DECEMBER 2010
be cut an additional seven percent, here in South Carolina, just to salvage a sale. $70 a clip mounts up. Social networking sites: We have a Web site, and a Facebook page, but we never tried MySpace or Twitter because it seemed to be more for personal use. The younger generation seems to like Facebook, and it works for getting out a quick sale message or what has recently come in, but our website offers more pictures and details, so our customers seem to like the website and that works for us. Outlook for 2011: I feel that it will be about the same as the last two years, but I am hopeful that people will keep their jobs and have more disposable income to spend.
SOUTH DAKOTA Haggertys Musicworks Rapid City’ Gillette Tim Haggerty, president
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 has been bigger people are not as tight this year. Biggest challenge in 2010: We travel to all the schools long hours,Keeping install crews schedualed not over booked. Social networking sites: We have a Facebook presence, and we use videos, blogs, demo products, eBay -- anything that turns a dollar. Outlook for 2011: Stay out of jail. Product of the Year: Jupiter
TENNESSEE Lunsford’s Musical Instruments, Inc Knoxville Sonja Dittrich, owner
2009 vs. 2010: Considering the economy, I am very pleased with our success in 2010. MMR 55
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast Biggest challenge in 2010: I am fortunate to say our challenges were small because I am surrounded by employees who are professionals in their area. We work hard together. We also have a family atmosphere and we all support one another.
Social networking sites: We do have a Web site and we use eBay.
Product of the Year: Bach Strad Trumpets.
Outlook for 2011: I am looking forward to 2011. I have great confidence in our Lunsford Team. Music is here to stay.
TEXAS
“The Sound”
as requested by you.
You asked for the playability and sound of the early Otto Links. We listened. With structural changes both inside and out, “the sound” of yesteryear has been recaptured.
Great Neck Guitars Wichita Falls Mike Andarakes, owner
2009 vs. 2010: 2009 and 2010 seem to be running neck and neck. My shop has navigated 2010 in a more efficient manner by adjusting our buying and concentrating on core parts of our inventory mix. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge in 2010 has been reacting to what our customers are comfortable investing in. Expanding our offering of accessories has kept the cash register ringing but maintaining the right mix of instruments has been precarious. In the past few years we have made some difficult decisions regarding brands we represent. As most dealers know, giving up a “marquis line” is not something to be taken lightly. However, I have learned that making those decisions can make good business sense. My inventory turns and GPM are actually better having moved away from the demands of certain manufacturers. Social networking sites: We have a presence on Facebook. We utilize it to inform our friends about new lines of product. We also have tried some promotions via Facebook with decent success. Outlook for 2011: I feel 2011 will show an up tick in sales. We plan to continue studying GMROI with each product and will further streamline our buying and partnerships to enhance our profitability.
Otto Link Vintage for tenor sax.
Product of the Year: Line 6
UTAH www.jjbabbitt.com 56 MMR
MOUTHPIECES FOR CLARINETS AND SAXOPHONES
Bill Harris Music Provo Kevin Harris, manager DECEMBER 2010
2009 vs. 2010: Sales were equal or a little up, depending on the holiday season.
to continue harvesting the business that’s out there. Every sale counts.
Biggest challenge in 2010: The biggest challenge this year is trying to prove our company’s value that’s added to product versus them buying them on the Internet.
Product of the Year: Lanakai Ukuleles
Social networking sites: No, however we are evaluating these platforms. We are a second generation trying to prove ourselves to the first generation. Outlook for 2011: We generally have a very optimistic outlook for 2011. Product of the Year: Kala Ukulele
VERMONT Guitar Sam Montpelier Kevin Crossett, owner
2009 vs. 2010: We’ll be finishing 2010 with about a 12 percent increase in gross sales over 2009. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge was also our biggest opportunity. Just prior to the 2009 holidays, we moved into a much larger store with better downtown visibility and access. Despite being in an economy where many are downsizing, we took advantage of the opportunity to better position ourselves for the slow but promising comeback of consumer spending. Social networking sites: We’ve had a Web site for twelve years, and we use it both for e-commerce and for information access for our local and distance customers, such as teacher lists, humidity information, and computer recording setup information. We also use Facebook, in a primarily local format, announcing new arrivals, events, and specials. Outlook for 2011: Optimistic, as always. We’re seeing a slow trend of better economy emerging, but it takes a lot of work DECEMBER 2010
VIRGINIA Stacy’s Music Shop Charlottesville Shep Stacy, president
2009 vs. 2010: We are slightly above 2009 in 2010. We attribute that to a continued increase in our lesson program. With the exception of acoustic guitars and accessories, most everything is down. Biggest challenge in 2010: I found our challenge was getting customers to pull the trigger. There is a ton of competition these days, local and Internet, sometimes having the best service and a great lesson program, isn’t enough. For the customer, sometimes it just comes down to who has the cheapest price. And in Virginia, we have to sell things five percent below MAP to even try and compete; there is no margin in anything. Social networking sites: We use Facebook daily. We have it connected to our Web site blog; everything we put on the Web automatically gets reposted to Facebook and Twitter. We use it for all promotions and to just keep our store in our customers view. We’ll post a new guitar that comes in or a cool used piece. Outlook for 2011: I see 2011 as a turning point in the music industry. I think you will see a fair number of brick and mortar stores disappear for various reasons. Although everyone will blame it on the economy and the internet, this will not be the case. There is not enough profit to be made on new products. I already have a list of suppliers that are going to get our business and a list of suppliers who we will no longer support. There are too many products being sold with not enough margin. The MMR 57
50 Dealer/50 State Review & Forecast days of suppliers demanding that you buy “this or that” is over. I will buy what I can sell fast and at the highest margin. I will not buy it on credit. I am confident in this industry and look forward to swinging at more curve balls and making more lemonade! Product of the Year: Martin Guitars
WASHINGTON Bellevue American Music Bellevue Reese Marin, president
2009 vs. 2010: Sales continue to slide slightly; although profit is up. Biggest challenge in 2010: The continued economic downturn. Social networking sites: We utilize Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter and load them with the many events we present, as well as company news and exciting new products Outlook for 2011: A continued slide in economy, batten down the hatches and buy smart is the motto. Product of the Year: Peavey
WEST VIRGINIA Gorby’s Music, Inc. South Charleston Vince Gorby, vice president
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 has shown an up tick in customers thinking that things are getting better with the economy. That hasn’t necessarily been reflected at the cash register at all times however. Our fiscal year started July l, and since then we have seen modest sales increases in print music, combo, and B&O. The only significant decrease is in keyboards, and we don’t think we are alone in this area. 58 MMR
Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge was to keep debt free. Three years ago, we saw the credit crunch coming. At that point we had our building paid and had not had any bank debt for over ten years. Social networking sites: We are currently using Facebook and Twitter. We use both in addition to our Web site to let customers know about new products and events that happen at our store. We also try to add in posts about community music events, as well as general musical interest stories that might be of interest to folks. It’s not just about selling product, but about keeping our name synonymous with music in our customers’ minds. Outlook for 2011: We are looking for 2011 to be a time of improved outlook in people’s minds, but at a slow steady pace. People that we speak with, in general, still don’t have a very rosy outlook and are being cautious of how they spend their dollars. Product of the Year: consignment merchandise
WISCONSIN SSE Music La Crosse Steve Earp, president & Sharon Earp vice president
2009 vs. 2010: We feel that our local economy here in the Coulee region has stabilized. 2010 has been better than 2009. The changes in the last five years with the increase in offshore manufacturing versus USA-made products have made us very uneasy with the consistency and the quality of a lot of those products. This too has stabilized to a certain extent in the last year. Buyouts and mergers of distributors and manufacturers have also created some confusion in purchasing inventory. A lack of a lot of personal contacts through manufacturer and distributor reps hasn’t helped either. As owners, our personal relationships with our reps have totally changed. The music retail industry isn’t as fun as it used to be. Hopefully, those relationships
will also stabilize in the future. Biggest challenge in 2010: Our biggest challenge is researching and discovering what inventory is going to be soft in the market and what will sell in our area, be it smaller- or larger ticket items. Also, the increase of fuel costs for our school routes and deliveries is a major concern. We service a major portion of the Wisconsin school districts and also some in Minnesota, and we try to visit them personally each week. Also, we have nineteen employees, and a huge concern is keeping good employees and being able to offer them a quality benefits package. The increase in health insurance costs is making this harder and harder. Social networking sites: We have an active Web site and online store, through which we promote our services, products, and the strong connections we maintain throughout the local music community. More recently, we have started using Facebook as a free and easy way to communicate with our friends and customers. I believe it has helped us to spread the word when we have special events, sales, and other music-based events in the community. Also, other online outlets such as eBay and Craig’s List have helped us to sell slow-moving inventory and some of the more interesting used and trade-in products we get in. Outlook for 2011: As our nation’s outlook on the economy becomes more positive, and due to the changes in the recent midterm elections, we feel more confident in our outlook on the upcoming year. During 2010, the industry seemed to stabilize, and in our view it will continue to look more positive. Product of the Year: Roland digital pianos
WYOMING Wyoming Music Casper Dean Lorimer, owner DECEMBER 2010
2009 vs. 2010: 2010 has been better over all in sales, but worse in rentals Biggest challenge in 2010: Due to a poor location in fall 2009 our rentals were way down from 2008. That has made our rental income very short in 2010. Social networking sites: I have a Facebook page. I mostly use it to update people on status of things in the store. Outlook for 2011: It looks better since we moved and had a better rental seaso, and our sales continue to climb in the new location. We have also published a book of LDS Primary Songs level 2-3. We have pre-sold 30 percent and look to have a great market there. Product of the Year: Daisy Rock
DECEMBER 2010
MMR 59
Fresh Faces: Guitar Syndicate: More Than Just MI Dealers
Guitar Syndicate is located in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, Mo. Owners, Scott Burnett and Ralph Perta, opened the full line MI store in March 2010. They came to the business with a combined experience of 35 years – Perta has been in frontline retail for 20 years, and Scott has been working in marketing and Web services for 15 years. The two entrepreneurs have also had a long friendship together – they met in a music store and played in a band together. They eventually got wrapped up in their own careers and fell out of touch for the better part of a decade. “Each of us spent all of this time making a tremendous amount of money for other people. I thought it would be a good idea to take the education we got and apply it towards a new venture,” Perta explains. 60 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
It wasn’t an easy venture to tackle. Perta was not very optimistic at the beginning. “I was pessimistic going in, thinking that we picked the worst possible time to open this type of business. I didn’t really expect much activity at all for the rst 18 months, but those expectations have been blown out of the water.” To their surprise, business has been ourishing. So, what accounts for this early success in such a tough economy? Perta believes it’s largely due to social media and its viral and instantaneous nature. When opening Guitar Syndicate, Perta and Burnett wasted no time getting the word out on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. They have also being using Core Commerce, an e-commerce software company, to manage their Web site trafc and Facebook page. They began building their Internet trafc and leads list with product giveaways, which they built into their marketing budget. Burnett and Perta haven’t relied exclusively on Internet trafc to attract customers. Being located in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, they are neighbors to almost 300 art galleries. The 4,500 square-feet space they occupy is a former art gallery, which they have used to their advantage. Once a month, Crossroads Arts District, host First Friday, during which art lovers and window shoppers pour in to the District to shop and browse until midnight. Perta describes First Friday as, “having a Black Friday once a month.” Last spring, First Friday brought over 4,000 people to the District and Guitar Syndicate. As Perta says, “You can’t buy that kind of trafc.” Through the gallery, Guitar Syndicate had local trafc and attention already
DECEMBER 2010
built in when they opened. Burnett and Perta have continued to display artwork and host openings for local, national, and international artist. This combination has brought them great success and some high-pro le artist such as Devo front man Mark Mothersbaugh, who is also a visual artist. For this show, Guitar Syndicate teamed up with a local radio station for a special promotion and giveaway, which was an Epiphone autographed by Mothersbaugh. They have also showcased the work of renowned 1960s, rock and roll photographer, Lisa Law, whose work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. Burnett and Perta haven’t forgotten about the music though. They also host live music shows, recently showcasing punk rock luminary and former Black Flag member Greg Ginn, who, according to Burnett, “was originally booked to do a signing at the store. But, he’s kind of a quiet guy. He really didn’t want to talk to people and asked if he could just play. Of course we said yes. Because the store is an old garage, we just opened the entire front of the store, pushed some guitars back, and that’s where he played.” Maybe it’s the, go with the ow, roll with the punches, kind of attitude that has helped Guitar Syndicate ourish. Looking forward, Burnett and Perta plan on doing more product giveaways and are aiming to raise sales on their Web site. They also plan to do some underwriting and more promotions with a local radio station. “Ultimately,” Perta comments, “it’s really up to our base of customers to shape us. We listen to their feedback and what they want to see happen here.”
MMR 61
The 29th Annual
America’s Top Music Chains Here we are again – at the end of another 12-month cycle, able to look back and reflect on the year that was, and to make educated guesses at what the New Year will bring… 2010 saw the continued impact (nonimpact?) of the controversial economic stimulus programs rst spearheaded by the outgoing Bush administration in late 2008 and then subsequently broadened by Barack Obama and his team. A few years in, are all the tax breaks and incentives and increased federal spending helping the economy and, specically, the MI world? There’s no easy answer. While the economic freefall and collapse of key nancial institutions has unquestionably been halted, the long-term “big picture” benets of these initiatives is certainly still up for debate, as evidenced by the recent “shellacking” Democrats (and, implicitly, Obama) suffered in the November midterm elections. “Higher taxes, health care reform, and government regulations” are the chief concerns for Robert Trombino of Trombino Music Centers in Pennsylva62 MMR
nia and many others we spoke with while compiling this report shared his feelings: “Government” was – by far – the word that came up most when dealers shared their concerns for 2011. Revenues for many were down (though in most cases only slightly) and the 68* dealerships included in the 29th edition of our “America’s Top Music Chains” Report have an overall store-count that is also down very slightly from 770 in 2009 to 767 in 2010. Interestingly, though, when asked, “Do you think you will see an increase in sales” for the coming year, the majority of retailers we spoke with – 67 percent – responded in the afrmative. How to explain the apparent incongruity between “Our sales are down! Boo, the government! We blame the government!” and “Things will be much better in 2011!” is a complex task. Cautious opti-
mism? Hope and faith that “the message” sent by voters has been heard and positive changes will be made? A belief that, despite the slow start and rocky steps along the way, the economy is showing signs of life? It could be a combination of those and many other factors, depending on who you talk to and your own, personal philosophies and experiences. One thing that does seem clear is that the hardships of the past few years have forced many to “smarten up” and rethink how they operate: “We were more protable [in 2010] due to nancial and productivity adjustments we made,” observed William W. Gourley of Marshall Music Company in Lansing, Michigan. Hopefully by applying lessons – often hard learned – and maintaining a positive outlook, 2011 will, indeed, prove to be a fantastic year for all of us… DECEMBER 2010
Opened ’10
Closed ’10
316
5
0
$1.8 billion
*Best Buy MI Store 7601 Penn Ave. South, Richfield, MN 55423 www.bestbuy.com (612) 291-1000 CEO: Brian Dunn DP, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, DJ, LT
100
7
0
NA
Sam Ash Music P.O. Box 9047, Hicksville, NY 11802 (516) 932-6400 • Fax (516) 938-1437 hq@samash.com • www.samash.com CEO: Richard Ash DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, DJ, LT
46
1
0
NA
Music Go Round 4200 Dahlberg Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55422 (763) 520-8500 • Fax (763) 520-8489 tkletti@muiscgoround.com • www.musicgoround.com Tim Kletti - director DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK, DJ
33
1
2
$27 MM
Fletcher Music Centers 3966 Airway Circle, Clearwater, FL 33762 (727) 571-1088 • Fax (727) 572-4405 dave@fletchermusic.com • www.fletchermusic.com CEO: John K. Riley PO
20
0
0
$12 MM
Daddy’s Junky Music 1015 Candia Road, Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 623-7900 • Fax (603) 623-7995 www.daddys.com CEO: Fred Bramante DP, SR, EK, PC, FA, DJ, IN, PM
20
0
0
$23.2 MM
Schmitt Music Co. Butler Square 100 N. 6th St., Ste. 850 B, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 339-4811 tom.schmitt@schmittmusic.com • www.schmittmusic.com CEO: Tom Schmitt P, DP, SR, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM
16
2
0
$40 MM
J.W. Pepper & Son (Malecki Music, Wingert-Jones Music) P.O. Box 850, Valley Forge, PA 19482 (610) 648-0500 • Fax (610) 993-0563 satisfaction@jwpepper.com • www.jwpepper.com PM
14
0
0
$59 MM
Piano & Organ Distributors 1473 12th Street, Palmetto, FL 34221 (941) 729-5047 • Fax (941) 729-3059 sboyce@pianodistributors.com • www.pianodistributors.com CEO: W.C. Boyce Jr. P
14
2
0
$11 MM
december 2010
Volume (est. ’10)
Total Units Guitar Center (Music & Arts, Brasswind & Woodwind) 5795 Lindero Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362 (818) 735-8800 info@guitarcenter.com • www.guitarcenter.com CEO: Marty Albertson DP, PC, FA, SR, EK, DJ, LT, IN
* Not Counting Best Buy PO P DP BO PC FA SR EK PM DJ LT IN
Piano/Organ Piano Digital Piano Band Instruments Percussion Fretted Instrument/ Amplification Sound Reinforcement/ Recording Equipment Electronic Keyboard Print Music DJ Equipment Lighting Installation
*As the majority of the dealers represented in this report are privately held, in most cases data being presented in “America’s Top Chains” was supplied by the companies, themselves. mmr 63
64 MMR
Jordan Kitt’s Music 9520 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740 (301)513-1212 • Fax (301) 474-3648 www.JordanKitts.com PO, DP
11
11
0
$30 MM
George’s Music Stores Inc. 650 W. Swedesford Road, Berwyn, PA 19312 (610) 640-0777 • Fax (610) 640-0908 www.georgesmusic.com CEO: George Hines DP, SR, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM, IN, LT
10
0
1
$23.1 MM
Sherman, Clay & Co. 1111 Bayhill Dr., Suite 450 , San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 952-2300 • Fax (650) 952-0171 eric@sclay.com • www.shermanclay.com CEO: Eric Schwartz P, DP
10
1
0
$24.8 MM
Mills Music, Inc. 10120 Main St., Bothell, WA 98011 (425) 486-5000 • Fax (425) 486-3366 mills@millsmusic.com • www.millsmusic.com CEO: Sam Mills P, DP, SR, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM
9
0
2
$6.0 MM
Piano Gallery 5478 Green St., Murray, UT 84123 (801) 266-9550 • Fax (801) 266-8445 stan@pianogallery.com • www.pianogallery.com CEO: Stan Beagley PO, DP
8
0
0
$18.8 MM
Brook Mays Music 8805 Carpenter Fwy., Dallas, TX 75247 (214) 905-8614 * Fax (800) 637-9399 www.brookmays.com CEO: Bill Everitt, Jr.
7
0
1
NA
Willis Music Co. 7380 Industrial Road, Florence, KY 41042 (859) 283-2050 paul@willis-music.com • www.willismusic.com CEO: Kevin Cranley P, DP, PC, FA, EK, PM
7
0
0
$6.3 MM
Eckroth Music Co. 1655 N. Grandview Ln., Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 223-5320 • Fax (701) 223-7554 jeff@eckroth.com • www.eckroth.com CEO: Jeff Eckroth P, DP, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM. SR
7
0
0
$9.4 MM
C&M Music Center, LLC 2515 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70062 (504) 468-8688 • Fax (504) 468-8683 cnail4cmmusic@yahoo.com • mvolz@musiccenter.net www.musiccenter.net CEO: Chris Nail, Melvin Volz, Jr. DP, BO, SR, EK, PC, FA, LT, DJ, IN, PM
7
0
0
NA
Volume (est. ’10)
Closed ’10
– Tim Kletti, Music Go Round, Minneapolis, Minn.
Opened ’10
It has been a very good year. 2009 was the best fiscal year in our history and we look to achieve most of the goals we set for 2010. Sales, Gross Profit, Gross Margin Return on Investment, Used inventory and Used purchases are all showing strong growth. We opened our first new store in 3 years in 2010. It is more evidence that our business model is sound and valid.”
Total Units
America’s Top Music Chains
DECEMBER 2010
Opened ’10
Closed ’10
7
0
0
$20.5 MM
Nick Rail Music 2801 De la Vina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 569-5353 • Fax (805) 687-1390 nickrail@nickrailmusic.com • www.nickrailmusic.com CEO: Nick Rail DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK
7
0
0
$7.8 MM
Marshall Music Co. Inc. 3240 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 337-9700 • Fax (517) 319-9325 info@marshallmusic.com • www.marshallmusic.com CEO: Dan Marshall PO, P, SP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
7
0
0
$16.2 MM
Frank Rieman Music, Inc. 4420 E. Broadway, Des Moines, IA 50317 (515) 262-0365 • (515) 264-1075 davek@riemans.com • www.riemanmusic.com CEO: Paul F. Rieman P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, IN, PM
6
0
0
$10 MM
Kennelly Keys Music Inc. 4918 196th St., Lynwood, WA 98036 (425) 771-7020 • Fax (425) 670-6713 info@kennellykeysmusic.com • www.kennellykeysmusic.com CEO: William J. Kennelly DP, PC, BO, FA, SR, EK, PM
6
0
1
$7.5 MM
Ken Stanton Music 119 Cobb Pkwy N., Ste. A, Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 427-2491 • Fax (770) 422-8455 kenstantonmusic@kenstanton.com • www.kenstantonmusic.com President: Kenneth E. Stanton, Jr. FA, DJ, SR, LT, DP, EK, BO, PC, PM
6
0
0
$10.9 MM
Jacobs Music Co. 1718 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 568-0021 • (215) 568-0020 chris@jacobsmusiccompany.com • www.jacobsmusic.com CEO: Al C. Rinaldi P, DP
6
0
0
NA
Steinway Hall 109 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019 (212) 246-1100 • Fax (212) 239-7462 info@steinway.com • www.steinway.com CEO: Thomas Kurrer
6
0
0
NA
West Music Co. 1212 5th St., Coralville, IA 52240 (319) 351-2000 • Fax (319) 351-0479 service@westmusic.com • www.westmusic.com CEO: Robin Walenta PO, DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, DJ, LT, IN
6
0
0
$29.2 MM
DECEMBER 2010
Volume (est. ’10)
Total Units Quinlan & Fabish Music Co. 166 Shore Dr., Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (630) 654-4111 • Fax (630) 654-4128 www.qandf.com CEO: George Quinlan, Jr. BO, PM
“We’re projecting flat to slightly up in sales, with piano increases offsetting combo/ MI potential shortfalls. Other revenues such as repairs, lessons and rentals should continue to increase. 2008, 2009 and 2010 have each been record-setting years for us for B&O rentals.” – Peter Sides, Robert M. Sides Family Music Centers, State College, Penn.
MMR 65
66 MMR
Falcetti Music Inc. 1755 Boston Rd., Springfield, MA 01129 (413) 543-1002 • Fax (413) 543-0075 tonyfalcetti@falcettimusic.com • www.falcettimusic.com CEO: Tony Falcetti PO, P, DP, FA, SR, EK, PC, PM
5
0
0
$4 MM
Keyboard World 14701 National Highway, Lavale, MD 21502 (301) 689-2534 • Fax (301) 729-0873 rklinetob@atlanticbb.net CEO: Ronald B. Klinetob PO, DP, FA, EK, PM
5
0
1
NA
Henderson Music Co. 910 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011 (859) 431-2111 • Fax (859) 431-8426 www.hendersonmusic.com CEO: Carl Henderson P, DP
5
1
2
$5.2 MM
White House of Music 2101 N. Springdale Rd., Waukesha, WI 53186 (262) 798-9700 • Fax (262) 798-0224 chris@whitehouseofmusic.com • www.whitehouseofmusic.com CEO: Christopher White P, DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM
5
0
1
$7.1 MM
Portland Music Co. 531 S.E. MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97214 (503) 226-3719 • Fax (503) 226-6574 mtaylor@spiritone.com • www.portlandmusiccompany.com CEO: Mark Taylor DP, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, DJ, LT
5
0
1
$5.2 MM
Keyboard Concepts 5600 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 787-0201 • Fax (818) 787-1219 info@keyboardconcepts.com • www.keyboardconcepts.com Dennis Hagerty, president P, DP
5
0
0
$12.5 MM
Ted Brown Music Co., Inc. 6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-3211 • Fax (253) 572-1416 stephanie@tedbrownmusic.com • www.tedbrownmusic.com President: Whitney B. Grisaffi DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
5
0
0
$13 MM
Saied Music 3259 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74135 (918) 742-5541 info@saiedmusic.com • www.saiedmusic.com CEO: Bob Saied P, PO, DP, SR, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM
5
0
0
$12.6 MM
Mississippi Music Inc. 222 Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (601) 544-5821 • Fax (601) 544-5841 rosij@missmusic.com • www.mississippimusic.com CEO: Rosi K. Johnson PO, P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
5
0
0
$7.2 MM
Volume (est. ’10)
Closed ’10
– William W. Gourley, Marshall Music Company, Lansing, Mich.
Opened ’10
“Overall, we were down [in 2010] about 2 percent, but we were more profitable due to financial and productivity adjustments we made three years ago, before the economic downturn gained momentum. Financially, this has been the best year we have had since 2007.”
Total Units
America’s Top Music Chains
DECEMBER 2010
Opened ’10
Closed ’10
4
0
1
$3.5 MM
Firehouse Guitars 3125 28th St. S.W., Grandville, MI 49418 (616) 532-3473 • Fax (616) 532-7153 www.firehouseguitars.com DP, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
4
0
0
$5.0 MM
Mr. E’s Music 2503 Gravel Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76118 (817) 595-1910 • Fax (817) 595-1920 www.mr-e-music.com CEO: William C. Everitt PO, P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
4
0
0
$9.5 MM
Rincon Musical 1110-1116 13th Street North Bergen , NJ 07047 (201) 348-0057 • (201) 348-0075 marilyn@rinconmusical.com • www.rinconmusical.com CEO: Amalio Santos Jr. PC, EK
4
1
2
NA
Dietze Music House 1208 O St., Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 476-6644 • Fax (402) 476-8962 tpratt@dietzemusicomaha.com • www.dietzemusic.com CEO: Tim Pratt P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, PM
4
0
0
$6.8 MM
Tarpley Music Co., Inc. 2420 Commerce, Amarillo, TX 79109 (806) 355-0795 john@tarpleymusic.com • www.tarpleymusic.com CEO: David Tarpley & John Tarpley P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, LT, IN, PM
4
0
0
$7 MM
Heid Music Co. 308 E. College Ave., Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 734-1969 • (920) 831-8493 todd.heid@heidmusic.com • www.heidmusic.com CEO: Todd Heid P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, LT, PM
4
0
0
$7 MM
Buddy Roger’s Music, Inc. 6891 Simpson Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45239 (513) 729-1950 • Fax (513) 728-6010 www.buddyrogers.com CEO: David Miller BO, FA, SR, EK, PC
4
0
0
$5.5 MM
Bob and Elliott’s Piano Shoppe 285 West Central Parkway, Suite 1720 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 (407) 774-2667 www.bobandelliottspiano.com
4
1
0
$4.0 MM
DECEMBER 2010
Volume (est. ’10)
Total Units Trombino Music Centers Inc. 1049 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, PA 15012 (724) 929-6707 • Fax (724) 929-2049 admin@trombino.com • www.trombino.com CEO: Robert A. Trombino PO, DP
MMR 67
68 MMR
Evola Music Center 2184 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 (248) 334-0566 • Fax (248) 334-2340 jim@Evola.com • www.evola.com CEO: Jim Evola PO, DP, EK, PM, church organ
4
1
0
$7.8 MM
Griggs Music 3849 N Brady St., Davenport, IA 52806 (563) 391-9000 • Fax (513) 728-6010 griggsmusic@griggsmusic.com • www.griggsmusic.com CEO: Steve Judge DP, SR, EK, PC, BO, FA, PM
4
1
0
NA
Alto Music 180 Carpenter Ave., Middleton, NY 10940 (845) 692-6922 • (845) 346-0016 jon@altomusic.com • www.altomusic.com CEO: Jonathan Haber DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, DJ, LT, IN, PM
3
0
0
$30.0 MM
Samuel Music 908 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham, IL 62401 (217) 342-9221 • Fax (217) 342-9227 bbannister@samuelmusic.com • www.samuelmusic.com President: Bruce Bannister PO, DP, EK, SR, PC, FA, PM
3
0
1
$5.4 MM
Skip’s Music 2740 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 484-7575 * Fax (916) 484-7610 skip@skipsmusic.com • www.skipsmusic.com CEO: Skip Maggiora PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, DJ, LT, IN
3
0
0
$9.5 MM
Jackson’s Music 1409 S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 760-9635 www.jacksonsmusic.com CEO: Douglas J. Dryden P, PM, DP, EK, BO, FA, SR
3
0
0
$5.0 MM
Jent’s House of Music 2646 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410 (806) 795-5579 CEO: Karen Pollard P, PM, DP, EK, BO, FA, SR
3
0
0
NA
Frank & Camille’s Keyboard Centers 482 Route 110, Melville, NY 11747 (631) 385-0606 • Fax (631) 385-1040 cscheidemann@frankandcamilles.com www.frankandcamilleseast.com CEO: Camille Scheidemann PO, P, DP
3
0
2
$4.5 MM
Ace Karaoke 161 S. 8th Ave., City of Industry, CA 91746 (888) 893-7464 • Fax (626) 820-0625 info@acekaraoke.com • www.acekaraoke.com
3
0
0
$10.0MM
Volume (est. ’10)
Closed ’10
– John Riley, Fletcher Music Centers, Clearwater, Fla.
Opened ’10
“The perception our customers have of the economy [concerns me]. Once consumer confidence rebounds we will see dramatic improvement.”
Total Units
America’s Top Music Chains
DECEMBER 2010
Opened ’10
Closed ’10
3
0
0
$6.0 MM
White’s Music Box 200 South Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 526-6677 whitesmusicbox@aol.com • www.whitesmusicbox.com CEO: Mike White P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, PM
3
0
0
NA
Kidder Music 7728 N Crestline Drive, Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 692-4040 • (309) 692-4789 contact@kiddermusic.com • www.kiddermusic.com Owner/President: Beth Houlihan DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, LT, IN, PM
3
0
0
NA
Forshey Piano Co. 1240 Clear Lake City Blvd., Houston, TX 77062 (281) 286-6300 • Fax (281) 286-6900 fforshey@forsheypiano.com • www.forsheypiano.com CEO: Fred W. Forshey PO
3
0
0
$7.0 MM
Riverton Music, Inc. 4650 South 3740 West, West Valley City, UT (801) 254-4489 • Fax (801) 746-1140 www.RivertonMusic.com CEO: Kevin Rindlisbacher PO, DP, EK, PC, BO, FA
3
0
0
$4.0 MM
Prosser Piano & Organ 13400 Interurban Ave., South Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 957-8732 KerryP@prosserpiano.com • www.prosserpiano.com CEO: Kerry Prosser PO, DP, EK, PM
3
0
0
$3.9 MM
3
0
0
$7.6 MM
Art’s Music Shop, Inc. 3030 East Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 271-2787 • Fax (334) 279-0119 sales@ArtsMusicShop.com • www.ArtsMusicShop.com CEO: Paul Freehling P, DP, BO, PC, FA, SR, EK, PM, IN
3
0
0
$7.1 MM
Robert M. Sides Family Music Center 201 Mulberry St., Williamsport, PA 17701 (570) 326-2094 • Fax (570) 326-5155 psides@rmsides.com • www.rmsides.com President: Peter K. Sides PO, P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, IN, PM
3
0
0
$6.7 MM
The Clavier Group, Steinway Hall / Dallas – Ft. Worth 5301 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75205 (469) 656-3669 • Fax (214) 526-5358 dsaliba@steinwaypianos.com • www.steinwaypianos.com P
DECEMBER 2010
Volume (est. ’10)
Total Units Instrumental Music 3328 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 569-5055 www.instmusic.com CEO: Brian McCann P, PM, DP, EK, BO, FA, SR
MMR 69
70 MMR
Dave Phillips Music & Sound 377 Irwin St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (908) 454-3313 • Fax (908) 859-4449 dphillips@davephillipsmusic.com • www.davephillipsmusic.com CEO: Dave Phillips DP, PC, BO, FA, SR, EK, PM, LT, IN
3
0
0
$5.8 MM
Pecknel Music Co., Inc. 1312 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 244-7881 • Fax (864) 244-7894 www.pecknelmusic.com CEO: Scott N. Peck DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, IN, PM
3
0
0
$6.2 MM
Meyer Music 1512 W. Highway 40, Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 228-5656 • Fax (816) 228-6059 www.meyermusic.com CEO: Ted Meyer P, DP, BO, PM
3
0
0
$8.0 MM
Piano & Organ Center Box 2369 Great Northern Mall, Clay, NY 13039 (315) 622-3926 • Fax (315) 652-5030 musmelman@verizon.net • www.pianoandorgan.com CEO: David Constantino
3
0
0
$3.0 MM
Kessler & Sons Music 3047 E. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 385-2263 • Fax (702) 385-7966 music@kesslermusic.com • www.kesslermusic.com CEO: Charles Kessler BO, PC
3
0
0
$3.2 MM
Welch Music 8255 Franklin Rd., Boise, ID 83709 (208) 322-3388 • Fax (208) 322-2553 cary@welchmusic.com • www.welchmusic.com CEO: Randy Welch P, DP, BO, FA, SR, EK, PC, PM
3
0
0
NA
Volume (est. ’10)
Closed ’10
– William H. Harvey, Buddy Roger’s Music, Cincinnati, Ohio
Opened ’10
“The ton of new regulations, laws and taxes that heading down the track at us in 2011 is a concern. Staying on top of all the changes and making the necessary adjustments to accounting, computer, etc. is taking a lot of time and frustration.”
Total Units
America’s Top Music Chains
DECEMBER 2010
18th Annual
Dealers’ Choice Awards Product of the Year: Yamaha Disklavier Yamaha Corporation of America
Results from this year’s annual survey of MI retailers to establish top products in key categories saw the return of some longtime champs (the Fender Stratocaster as Electric Guitar of the Year, the Shure SM58 as Microphone of the Year), some brand new entries (The Snark Tuner as Accessory of the Year), and the continued reign of some seemingly unstoppable winners (Yamaha’s Disklavier as Product of the Year, Hal Leonard as Print Publisher of the Year). Votes were cast via online ballot, e-mail, and old-fashioned snail-mail with the total number of replies (well over 600) representing the largest response in the history of the Dealers’ Choice Awards. As always, we extend our thanks to all participating retailers… 72 MMR
Last year, upon considering that Yamaha’s Disklavier had been awarded “Product of the Year” for nine years straight, we postulated that the console was likely to again be in the running for top honors in 2010. Sure enough, this year marks the Disklavier’s 10th Anniversary at the top of the food chain. “What’s to say that hasn’t already been said?” we asked last year. Well, for perhaps some greater insight into the phenomenal staying power of the instrument, we chatted with Jim Levesque, Disklavier Marketing Manager, Yamaha Keyboard division, who had this to say: “There are several factors: for one thing, our dealers say that it gets people excited about music. There was a time when the piano was the central entertainment system in the home and this new technology is helping to put it back there again. Also, they are able to offer customers a fully integrated system consisting of a top quality piano and a player mechanism that are built around each other, which results in an ultra-smooth action that uses optical sensors rather than a pressure sensitive pad so there’s no touching parts or noise. The reproduction of the playing is so smooth it sounds as if there’s a concert pianist performing on it. Dealers also love it because even though it offers revolutionary technology, it will never be outdated because it’s an upgradable and lasting product that illustrates Yamaha’s staying power. In addition, it is entertaining but educational, as well. It’s an amazing tool for teaching and learning that makes it easy to become a player oneself, but it also offers the extra feature of being a home entertainment center in and of itself, so even if one doesn’t play, you can put on Disklavier radio or insert a PianoSoft disc and have world class piano music from Elton John, Elvis Presley and George Gershwin play in your living room.” DECEMBER 2010
Electric Bass Line of the Year
Fender Guitars
Hoshino USA, Inc.
Fender Stratocaster
Ibanez
Last year saw the Strat’s multi-year winning streak come to an end, as the Gibson Les Paul took home the top prize in this category. The change was short-lived, however, as once again voters in ’10 pointed to the Stratocaster’s versatility, variety of price points and available options, and popularity with high pro le players as strong selling points.
Much like last year, many respondents in this category simply replied “Ibanez,” without singling out a specic bass. The variety of available models allows the brand to appeal to players of all types, skill levels, and budgets.
Acoustic Guitar Line of the Year
Amplifier Line of the Year
Taylor Guitars
Peavey Electronics
Taylor Guitars
18th Annual Dealers’ Choice Awards
Electric Guitar Line of the Year
Peavey Vypyr
Taylor boasts an extensive line of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars (and, now, electrics, too) that connect with players of all ability levels and means – all of which helped make the El Cajon, California-based manufacturer the winner in this category for 2010. For three years in a row Peavey’s affordable line of modeling guitar amps has resonated with consumers – and meant prots for dealers.
Recording Equipment Line of the Year
Sound Reinforcement Line of the Year
Samson Technologies
Peavey Electronics
Zoom R24
Zoom’s H4 and, in 2009, the upgraded H4n were “Recording Equipment Line” winners for the past two years. 2010 sees the company’s R24 multitrack digital recorder/audio interface/sampler walking away with top honors. DECEMBER 2010
Peavey
A wide array of comprehensive product offerings and a wellrespected name made Peavey the go-to choice for schools, churches, clubs, and other venues in 2010. MMR 73
18th Annual Dealers’ Choice Awards
Microphone Line of the Year
Shure SM58 Shure
After a one-year hiatus courtesy of Audio-Technica in 2009, Shure’s venerable SM58 is once again hitting all the right notes as Microphone of the Year…
Acoustic Piano Line of the Year
Kawai K-3
Kawai America Corporation
Band & Orchestral Instrument Line of the Year
Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America
Consistently a hotly contested category, Yamaha emerged victorious due to it’s varied product offerings, including a number of high quality instruments at relatively affordable price points.
Home Digital Keyboard Line of the Year
Casio PX Series Casio America, Inc.
Brand loyalty and value were again cited by dealers as qualities that make the Kawai K-3 Upright a hit with consumers.
Remember those jokes about horrible-sounding ‘80s Casio keyboards? Well, no more. If you’re still living in the acid-washed jeans and big-hair past, it’s time to forget what you think you know about Casio. Though this category was (as always) crowded with a number of instruments receiving high vote-counts, Casio’s Privia/PX Series was clearly the winner, with sound quality, realistic playing action, and value being named as compelling features.
Pro Digital Piano Line of the Year
Percussion Line of the Year
Yamaha Tyros 4 Yamaha Corporation
Pearl Drums Pearl Corporation
Percussion is always one of the most hotly contested product categories. Nonetheless, just as in 2009, Pearl Drums emerged as the winner. Roland owned this category for the past two years, but Yamaha’s new Tyros 4 Arranger Workstation takes the prize in 2010. Enhanced functionality, over 1,800 sounds, and hard disc audio recording capability appealed to pro players. 74 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
DJ Line of the Year
American DJ Supply, Inc.
Vestax Corporation
American DJ
Vestax
Six years in a row as Lighting Line of the Year – American DJ has emerged as one of the “Can anyone beat them?” category champs. As in previous years, voters noted ADJ’s extensive product offerings and commitment to cutting edge design.
While some categories seem to go back and forth between a small handful of candidates, DJ Line of the Year is consistently one of those where the fast-paced nature of product innovation and erce competition within the industry make it seem to be up for grabs. This year Vestax nds itself in the winner’s circle, thanks to a savvy understanding of the market and quality product.
Print Music Publisher of the Year
Software Line of the Year
Hal Leonard Corporation
Roland
Hal Leonard
Cakewalk
The “big daddy” of them all… Winners in this category since day one, Hal Leonard benets from a massive library of in-demand titles, sterling reputation, and brand recognition.
Cakewalk has long been an industry leader in music production and editing software and, in the past year, dealers reported that it’s many products – including Sonar, V-Studio, and Guitar Tracks Pro – are hits with consumers.
Accessory Line of the Year
Web Site of the Year
Evets
Alfred Music Publishing
Snark Tuner
According to their ofcial site, “Snark says tuning should be easy and fun!” According to voters in this year’s Dealers’ Choice Awards balloting, that philosophy is resonating with end-users, who’ve been snapping up the relatively inexpensive (around $29) clipon tuners all year.
DECEMBER 2010
Alfred.com
Alfred Publishing elds a streamlined, easy to navigate, interactive and highly functional Web site. But, according to voters, what set www.alfred.com apart from the competition in 2010 was the newly added Sound Innovations feature, which allows music instructors to fully customize their own method to create educational literature unique to their programs and classes. MMR 75
18th Annual Dealers’ Choice Awards
Lighting Line of the Year
Anniversary
Chesbro Music Co.
100
at
Celebrating a century of in-
Chesbro
volvement in the music prod-
Tama, Eleuke, Ohana, over
ucts industry in 2011, Chesbro Music Co. remains one of the key players in instrument and accessory dis-
handles
Ibanez,
100 print publishers, musical gifts, Musi*key publication, Harmony Jewelry/Future Primitive jewelry, and
tribution. The organization also remains a family
their own brand of guitars under the Tanara brand,
operation, through to the present day. Currently
and GIG and CMC percussion instruments.
76 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Humble Beginnings “Our great grandfather apprenticed in a music store at the age of 14 and then went onto Valparaio Music Conservatory,” explains Vanetta Chesbro Wilson, CEO of present-day Chesbro Music Co. “After this, he went back to work in Seattle at a music company and opened his own piano and music store in 1897. Due to tough economic times, he closed up shop in 1910 and moved to Idaho where he had heard farmers would be interested in music. He opened another retail music store in Idaho in 1911.” “He sold, tuned, and delivered pianos door to door in a horse drawn wagon, and taught music,” adds Tana Stahn, CFO. “He also created music demand up and down the valley by starting the rst band programs. He supplied the teachers and uniforms and sold the instruments. “The retail store moved a couple of times until settling in Idaho Falls. Over the years, the retail store has remained a part of the community and a basis for the business. He sold products that t the times including pianos, records, phonographs, console televisions, radios, pianos, band instruments, M.I. accessories, guitars, and printed music.” Chesbro’s Can Do the Job… By the 1930s, Horace Chesbro had convinced eastern publishers and MI vendors that the Western United States was not being serviced well by a distributor and Chesbro’s could do the job. Chesbro
DECEMBER 2010
“ Chesbro’s name is synonymous with service, integrity, fairness and good relations.” Music Co. offered wholesale distribution for printed music, instruments, and accessories. “[Horace] then proceeded to set up mini consignment racks in small communities that couldn’t support a music store,” says Chesbro Wilson. “It was called Chesbro’s Little Music Store. The local drug store became the place to buy music and accessories which was serviced by Chesbro Music Co. and traveling salesmen. To this day we still have some
drug store accounts that have consigned print music racks. “Chesbro has distributed many instrument and accessory lines over the years including Yamaha, Casio, D’Addario, Hohner, Rico, Vic Firth, and others. Great Grandfather also had his own registered trade names he carried including Gold Medal Reeds, H&H strings, Carl Bruener violins, Utona band instruments, and Melburn guitars. The longest distribu-
MMR 77
Horace Chesbro
78 MMR
tor relationship and major growth of the company was when we established a relationship with Hoshino Gakki Company. Chesbro developed the Western United States and helped the Ibanez and Tama lines to ourish and become one of the top M.I. brands today. We have dealt with Hoshino Gakki since 1973. Our companies and philosophies were very similar and it has been a great relationship.” When discussing the factors that have led to such sustained achievement, Stahn feels it’s a deceptively simple formula: “The key success in the past 100 years has been the ability to grow as the market grew and to do what we knew to do best. Chesbro’s name is synonymous with service, integrity, fairness and good relations. Until about the past 15 years, we were unique as a distributor in offering print, accessories, and instruments to dealers. Automation has been a key turning point. We automated our MI division in the 1970s with our proprietary software and then we completely automated the print music division in 2004, which was unique at that time in the industry for print music distributors.” Vanetta continues: “We have continued to look for new product lines, opportunities, partnerships, and ways to expand the business. Marketing and advertising presentation and sophistication has greatly improved. Catalogs are full color and
are more professional and prolic. Social media has also changed the market and the entire model of how the customer receives or accepts the marketing message. “We have over 20 employees who have been with the company over 20 years and one of our outside salesmen, Gary Bennett, have been calling on accounts for more than 40 years. Excellent products and a diverse mix of product lines and divisions have helped Chesbro service customers in the western United States for over a 100 years.” That degree of customer service is facilitated by a staff that understands, appreciates, and enjoys MI. “They love the music industry, enjoy working with the dealers, and are cross trained to provide efciency and productivity,” explains Stahn. “The values of fairness, integrity, and incredible service over the years has helped dealers remain with Chesbros. Over 40 percent of our sales are from dealers who have dealt with Chesbro for over 20 years.” Currently based out of three facilities (retail and wholesale) totaling 63,000 square feet in Idaho Falls and Rexburg, Chesbro also benets from a strong relationship with the local government and community. “Idaho Falls is pro-business with access to a great work force with two universities within 30 miles, and a great place to raise a family,” says Vanetta. “The other part of the success equation is
DECEMBER 2010
we have always met our business nancial obligations and have not been highly leveraged using retained earnings to nance day-to-day business operations.” Understanding Today’s Market, Anticipating the Future… When discussing the changing face of operations in the MI world, Stahn notes that, “Automation and logistic channels are much better and provide more accurate, with faster service and enhanced inventory controls. This allows remote access by employees and customers. Available information control has changed from the manufacturer/distributor/seller to the consumer which has led to more price competition and more direct channel buying power. There’s more competition from manufacturers and publishers which bypass distributors and sometimes dealers. The expectations of a distributor are much higher, nowadays: Product availability, product depth and breadth, same-day shipping, and nancing through dating programs, et cetera.” Chesbro is far from resting on its laurels, however, and keeps an eye toward the future while also remaining focused on how best to negotiate the current difcult economic climate. “We’re always looking for new opportunities to expand through product lines, expansion of territory, and channel development,” says
Vanetta. “We have a long-term agreement with the Eleuke brand which we just renewed. We’re actively promoting that line and looking for new dealers, so we’re pretty excited about that. “These days, there’s continued consolidation of vendors, distributors, plus vendors that cross over into complimentary products and markets. The economic situation will continue to put stress on our industry and continue to force all of us to work better and more efciently. As a distributor, we’re Tana, Vanetta looking for ways to encourage our dealers to use the Web. Making the “Logistic companies may try to enter order process streamlined is a benet. We’re the M.I. world more aggressively,” adds using automation as much as possible, which Chesbro Wilson. “I think sales and marI think most businesses are. That allows us keting are one component and distribution to use our personnel more efciently.” is another component. Companies like “There’s certainly been an increase of UPS and other logistics companies are Web-only dealers who want to sell prodtrying to service many industries. Even ucts,” observes Tana. “We lend most of Amazon tries to provide that distribution our support to brick and mortar dealers function for our world. Distribution is the because they really are making the efforts question, though. who does that best: An to promote the brands and attract dealoutsider or someone within the industry? ers. We’ll ful ll their Web orders as they We believe we offer unrivaled service to expand into the online world, as well.” our partners.”
“ Distribution is the question – who does that best: An outsider or someone within the industry?”
DECEMBER 2010
Congratulations to
on your 100th year anniversary from your friends at
MMR 79
Music China
2010
While population statistics vary (sometimes considerably), depending on the source, most estimates place Shanghai in the 13-20 million category, which makes it one of the largest cities in the world, right alongside Tokyo, New York, Mumbai, Sao Paolo, and a few others. This year’s Music China and Prolight & Sound Expos, held October 12 – 15 at the New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, reected the vibrancy and growth of this major world business center. The 2010 edition of the joint exhibition beneted from strong attendance and positive business attitudes, as the gathering brought together exhibitors and attendees from around the world. This year’s annual conference in Shanghai was the largest in Asia, and featured a wealth of industry seminars, as well as a record breaking number of exhibitors of over 1,200 from 27 countries for the Music China show 80 MMR
and 400 exhibitors from 19 countries for Prolight and Sound. According to German piano manufacturer Burkhard Stein of Grotrian pianos, by exhibiting at the Music China show, his company has found success in selling high-end
pianos to the Chinese market, with the ultimate sales going to the burgeoning wealthy class of people who appreciate ne quality instruments with a wellknown and respected brand name. Wolfgang Weiss of Thomastik-Infeld DECEMBER 2010
Vienna re ected a similar opinion that Chinese musicians are looking for higher quality instruments and equipment and that they now have access to products that were not available only a few short years ago. Dr. Frank Gebert, CEO of Louis Renner, manufacturer of piano actions, said, “The most important players of the biggest market in the world are getting together, so we can discuss business in a very short period of time. China is the largest piano market in the world with growth of up to 500,000 pianos a year in the near future.” Schimmel Pianos is enjoying rapid growth in the Chinese market, as well. President Hannes Schimmel-Vogel noted, “It was worth the hard work – we have a very long list of orders for the Chinese market… We are the fastest growing premium brand in China and we are way above our corporate forecast.” Also on tap at the show were several NAMM University sessions, one of which included their “Pearls of Wisdom” gathering which featured interviews with industry insiders, including Spanish guitar manufacturer, Manuel Rodriguez Jr., Import/export expert, Hap Kuffner, Chinese electronics manufacturer, Sheng Zifei of Medeli, and
1
6
Peter LaPlacca of PJLA Music with Xiao Li Zhang, John and Ellen Cavanaugh of Super Sensitive Music.
“The most important players of the biggest market in the world are getting together, so we can discuss business in a very short period of time.”
2
7
3
8
4
9
5
10
1. Chris Ward (L) and Randy McFalin (R) of OSP Worldwide with Harvey Levy of Levy’s Leathers (center). 2. Dave Chiappetta of Tone Gear 3. Mark Badger of Belcat, Inc. 4. Bridgcraft USA’s Brad Weinholtz. 5. Paul Chu of Hunter Musical Instruments 6. Father and son team of Charles and Jonathan Bay of Bay Musical Products 7. John Strand of Cherub Technologies. 8. Jeff Smith of J.L. Smith Co. 9. Wolfgang Weiss of Thomastik Infeld. 10. Randy Navarre and Silvia Ding of Northeast Music Publications. DECEMBER 2010
MMR 81
2
1
3
4
5
7
6
1. Demonstration of traditional Chinese musical instruments. 2. Mr. Yan Pinong of Wisemann with Ray and Bill Everett of Brook Mays Music. 3. Chip Averwater of Amro Music, Memphis, TN, with Paul Heid of Heid Music, Green Bay, Wisconsin. 4. NAMM’s Joe Lamond 5. Manuel Rodriguez of Manuel Rodriguez Guitars. 6. Mr. Sheng Zifei of Medeli Electronics. 7. Joe Vasko of LP Music Group
Chinese retailer Liu Weiming, and Joe Lamond of NAMM. Mr. Rodriguez outlined his unique approach to marketing music which has included personally presenting many world leaders with his hand made classical guitars with along with his personal message which says “we need music to help children learn math and other important subjects” When Rodriguez presented his instru-
8
11
ment to the president of Uruguay, he responded by saying he wanted the best guitar teacher and wanted to students to have an opportunity to learn to play guitar as well. He also said that the Chinese people are thirsty to learn to play music, as there are an astonishing 30,000 classical guitar players in this great new market. Numbers were up across the board
9
12
in 2010 with over 48,000 total visitors to Music China (a 12 percent increase, compared to ’09), 3,578 of which traveled from overseas (up 43 percent from last year). Next year’s Music China is scheduled for October 11-14. 2011at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. For more information, visit www. musikmesse-china.com or e-mail music@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.
10
13
14
15
8. Jeff Ponte (L) and Bryndon Bay (R) of Mel Bay Publications with Dr. Peter Strecker of Schott Music. 9. BG’s Franck Bichon. 10. Mr. Hailun Chen, Lauren Wallace, Basilio Strmec and Peter Valetsky of Hailun Pianos. 11. Pianodisc/Mason & Hamlin’s Gary and Kirk Burgett with Tom Lagomarsino. 12. Mike Wong of Kingstar International Enterprises. 13. Chris Meikle of US Band & Orchestra with Alex Hsieh of P. Mauriat Saxophones. 14. Anthem Music’s David Kilkenney. 15. Lars Heuseler and Christoph Taguchi of Forestone Japan. 82 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Holiday Buyers Guide Rock House’s 7-String Fretribution, Rhythms & Leads Rock House’s 7-String Fretribution, Rhythms & Leads is a two-DVD set featuring Buz McGrath of Unearth. Buz’s aggressive style combines elements of hardcore, thrash, and extreme metal – while never overlooking the importance of melodic concepts. The seven-string guitar is the foundation that gives some of popular music, especially heavy metal its sound. In 7-String Fretribution, Rhythms & Leads, Buz reveals his lead and song writing techniques. He teaches his way of creating harmony sections and pivoting lead techniques. Students can learn how to construct songs using the combination of single note riffs and power chords and how to add harmony guitar counterparts to create interesting full rhythms. 7-String Fretribution, Rhythms & Leads two-DVD set includes more than 40 lessons, a 46-page interactive E-tab book, live performances, behind the scenes video, photos, iPod ready video, and lifetime membership to Rock House’s lesson support site. www.rockhousemethod.com New Releases from Mel Bay Mel Bay has released Tommy Emmanuel and Frank Vignola’s latest collaboration, Just Between Frets. The book contains transcriptions of Tommy and Frank’s newest album of the same title. Included are both Tommy’s and Frank’s parts as they perform classics such as “Paper Moon,” “How High the Moon,” “Tenderly,” and more. The book presents both standard notation and tablature transcribed by Vinny Raniolo -- the third member of the current touring group. Mel Bay has released Chet Atkins Certied Guitar Player on DVD. As seen on PBS, this footage of a DECEMBER 2010
concert-tribute to Chet Atkins features performances and interviews with Chet himself, as well as Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and many more. Mel Bay has released Lick Library’s Learn to Play Radiohead DVD. The lm presents the lead and rhythm guitar parts for staples of the band’s repertoire including Creep, High and Dry, Paranoid Android, and more. www.melbay.com Forestone Reeds Forestone’s synthetic reeds are made of a proprietary resin that contains wood cellulose bre, more than fty percent of which is bamboo. In addition, Forestone
Learn & Master Guitar features over 40 hours of instruction on 20 DVDs produced in high de nition. The accompanying lesson book contains all of the songs and exercises demonstrated in the video lessons, as well as several more. The ve “jam along” CDs allow the user to jam with an actual band, using the very same songs from the lessons. Once Learn & Master Guitar is purchased, the user can access Gibson’s student support and community Web sites. Steve Krenz, the author of Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar, is online regularly, answering questions and offering encouragement, as are other students. Students can also build a student pro le, post recordings of their songs, track their progress, and get feedback from Steve and other students. www.learnandmaster.com Keystone’s New PC Clip for Lithium-Ion Batteries Keystone’s low pro le, thru-hole PC Battery Clip for Lithium-Ion size cells, from 17-19mm diameters, accommodates higher energy, lower weight, and rechargeable batteries.
reeds are injection molded as opposed to machined using knives and other shaping and cutting tools. This fabrication produces a reed with a smooth vamp and a at underside that is similar in color to a cane reed. It even has the “U-shaped” gradation in the vamp that can be seen when the reed is held up to the light. Forestone reeds will not warp, become water logged, or change due to temperature or altitude and require no adjusting or conditioning. www.forestone-japan.com Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar offers step-by-step video guitar lessons that can start at a low skill level and go through advanced skills training, or the user can just skip through the basics and jump into the more advanced training.
Engineered to withstand rigorous use associated with recharging cycles, in addition to shock and vibration, the clip features a three-legged, THM design for extra strength and stability plus low pro le placement into dense PCB’s. The new PC clip (catalog No. 54) not only holds 3.7 volt rechargeable batteries, but it also accommodates A, 2/3A, 17335, 17450, 17500, 17650, 18500, and 18650 size cells. The new design is manufactured from .012”(.30mm) thick, spring steel, with tin MMR 83
Holiday Buyers Guide nickel plate nish. It holds battery cells rmly in position and is specically suited for portable electronics used in musical, medical, telecommunications, and industrial products. www.keyelco.com Guardian’s Mandolin Case & POP Package Guardian’s Professional Fiberglass Mandolin Case (CG-065-M-LGY) is impact-resistant, water-repellent, and durable. The berglass shell is one of the thickest available with extra-strong nickel-plated latches, one lock help keep instruments secure, and a carefully balanced leather handle.
bags come packaged 20 into a box that functions as an easy-to-use POP dispenser. The Guardian CG-090 bags have 12mm of high-density padding and are covered with our proprietary DuraGuard nylon weave. Each bag is lined with our noscratch interior to protect the instrument’s nish. The multi-accessory pockets offer plenty of room to t anything from sheet music to extra strings. The CG-090-POP boxes are available for electric bass, classical guitar, dreadnought, and electric guitar. Guardian CG-090 bags retail for $29.99. www.themusiclink.net Levy’s Lyrics Guitar Straps Levy’s new lyrics guitar straps are two inch polyester webbing, sublimationprinted with popular song lyrics exclu-
The Professional Fiberglass case’s interior is maroon crushed velvet with multiple padding thicknesses. Ultra dense foam cushions the sides of the instrument body, and supports it with medium density foam underneath. Extra soft foam helps to hold down the neck for both cushion and protection. The berglass case ts most F and A-model mandolins. Each case comes with Guardian’s lifetime warranty. The retail price is $179. Guardian is now offering a CG-090POP gig bag package. The 12mm gig
Allow your customers to sign up and pay online!
Worried about switching systems? Over 900 organizations switched to Jackrabbit
Super Easy web-based Music School Management Software “Jackrabbit web-based software is the most comprehensive, user-friendly program available; it's completed by constant enhancements, tireless support, and cutting edge technology.” - Matt Coker – www.CokerMusic.com Request a FREE trial at:
84 MMR
Tascam’s TG-7 & TC8 Tuners Tascam’s TG-7 and TC-8 tuners combine fast pitch detection and a ve inch wide backlit LCD display. The TG-7, designed for guitar and bass players, has a 1/4” in and thru and ts on pedalboards and ampliers. The TC-8 is tailored for band and orchestra players with alternate tuning scales for period instruments. Both tuners have a built-in microphone and metronome with internal speaker. The tuner in the TG-7 and TC-8 uses high speed processing to calculate the pitch. Four tuner modes allow up to 1.25cent steps on the display for maximum accuracy, and the tuner can be calibrated to an installed piano. They
sively licensed from Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Each strap features an original design and lyric excerpt on the front and the full song lyrics on the back. www.levysleathers.com
Tired of Paper?
Free import of your current customer data. View Online Training Videos & User Guide
Córdoba Student Guitar Córdoba releases the C3M Cadete – a handmade nylon-string guitar for the student musician. New to Cordoba’s Iberia series, is the ¾ size, handmade C3M Cadete. Built with the same details as the full-size C3M guitar, the C3M Cadete features a solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and a satin matte nish, and is ideal for the beginner, student, or any guitarist looking for a lightweight and comfortable instrument. www.cordobaguitars.com
JackrabbitMusic.com
have desktop feet with a clip to attach to a music stand, and a tripod mount is also built-in. The metronome on the TG-7 and TC-8 can be set to various beat accents, and tap tempo allows the musician to nd the tempo marking for any song. www.tascam.com Jarrett Guitars Include ResoMax and Black TUSQ XL Jarrett Guitars now include the ResoMax NVS and ghost NV bridge and tailpiece as well as Black TUSQ XL on their guitars. Graph Tech products have DECEMBER 2010
been installed on Jarrett guitars since the company’s inception in 2004, and every instrument that leaves the shop has at least one Graph Tech product on it. Now they have added the ResoMax NVS and ghost NV bridge and tailpiece system for the harmonics and AutoLock magnetic locking feature for easy string changes. Every Jarrett Forza now ships with this lightweight ResoMax alloy bridge, and they are available on the Jarrett Ibiza, Monserrat, and Viking Platinum Series models. ResoMax NVS is made from a proprietary, lightweight ResoMax alloy and comes equipped with U.L.F. (Ultra Low Friction). The ghost loaded ResoMax bridges have custom-engineered piezo crystals installed in the String Saver saddles. Black TUSQ XL nuts are made with a specially formulated material which couples the strings’ vibrations to the neck. Based on the resonant TUSQ man-made ivory, Black TUSQ XL is impregnated with Teon to help improve the tuning performance of the guitar. www.jarrettguitars.com Jackson Adds to the Bloodline Jackson Guitars has added ve new JS Series models to the Bloodline, all featuring double-locking tremolo systems, licensed by Floyd Rose. Available in ve classic Jackson designs – Dinky, Kelly, King V, Rhoads and Warrior – the new JS3 guitars feature the company’s compound-radius ngerboard. They also feature 24 frets and Jackson’s trademark shark- n inlays, and include a Jackson standard gig bag. The retail price is $549.99. www.jacksonguitars.com. Bohemia Piano’s Rhapsody Bohemia Piano America’s new Rhapsody piano line was created in the design department of C. Bechstein Europe in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. The designs of the models Rhapsody R121 and R114 are available in ebony polish, mahogany polish and walnut polish.
The Rhapsody line will be completed in 2011 with the professional models R126 and R132 which will rst be available in ebony polish. www.bohemiapiano.cz CSX from Remo Remo has expand their X Series drumheads with the new Controlled Sound X. The Controlled Sound X is constructed of a coated 12mil lm with a ve-mil reverse dot. Featuring 20 percent more durability and tone control, drummers will experience more controlled mid range tones. Current CSX endorsers include: Virgil Donati, Joey Jordison, Jason Bonham, and Alex Gonzalez just to name a few. Available in sizes 10”, 12”, 13”, and 14”. www.remo.com Hoyer Eagle Deluxe The Hoyer Eagle Deluxe is a reissue of the Hoyer Eagle HG657, originally launched at the end of the 1970’s. After using only model numbers for many years, the Hoyer Eagle was the rst model to have a name added to the model number. The
Eagle featured a multi-ply through neck with Mahogany wings. The Hoyer Scale of 630mm is typical for this guitar. Special features include the Eagle headstock
Holiday Buyers Guide The best capo for intonation for the past 30 years
is still the best today!
Like your fingertip... Most capos use a material to press the strings that is too hard. It bends the string over the fret, stretching it sharp. The SHUBB capo’s special material acts just like your fingertip: the strings relax into the resilient rubber, so they are
NOT STRETCHED OUT OF TUNE! learn more at: www.shubb.com/bestcapo 707-843-4068 info@shubb.com | www.shubb.com
America’s Premier Guitar & Bass Parts Supplier
Delta Series by GOTOH 1:21 ratio
AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF FINISHES & STYLES
Send $4 US for COLOR CATALOG 13027 Brittmoore Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77041
86 MMR
inlay and the Eagle shaped ngerboard inlays. The new 2010 Hoyer Eagle Deluxe is available in a natural nish with gold top and features through neck construction (ve-ply mahogany and maple), 24.75” scale, mahogany body, ebony ngerboard, bone nut, 22 medium frets, chrome hardware, Hoyer tuners with pearl buttons, Hoyer standard bridge, string through body construction, Hoyer Humbucker HHB-100 B (splittable) and Hoyer Humbucker HHB-100 N (splittable). www.hoyerguitars.com Morley’s Mini Wahs Morley’s newest pedals, the Mini Wah Volume and Maverick (Mini Switchless Wah), are mini versions of two of their wahs, measuring just 6.75” in length, 4.5” in width and 2.75” in height. Both the Mini Wah Volume and Maverick are equipped with Electro-Optical circuitry so there are no pots to wear out like typical wah and volume pedals. The Mini Wah Volume has a traditional wah tone combined with a smooth audio taper volume. The Maverick is a switchless wah with a hybrid vintage/modern wah tone. Like all Morley products, both minis are housed in durable cold rolled steel, equipped with LED indication, easy access battery door, two year warranty, and are made in the USA. www.morleypedals.com
The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success from Alfred Alfred Music Publishing has released a new book on the fundamental steps to becoming a hit songwriter entitled The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success, by Rand Bishop. Author and tunesmith, Rand Bishop draws from 40 years in the music business and visits some of the most honored song crafters of the last ve decades in his latest book. Unveiling a long-term strategy for building a career com-
posing hit songs, the lessons, essays, quotations, and pro les in this book reveal how a “Song Dog” becomes “Top Dog” in the songwriting business. Readers of The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success will learn the history and business of songwriting, discover the various sources of songwriting revenues, nd out what to look for and where to seek constructive mentorship, how to network and with whom, the best way to market themselves, how to write strategically to give their original compositions their best shot, and how to produce a demo that stands out from the competition. The book also includes interviews with and pro les of some of the most successful pop song crafters. The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success is available for $19.99. www.alfred.com Hiscox Mandolin Case Hiscox Cases’ mandolin case, the PROII-MAN, joins the company’s Pro II Series. Designed to handle both ‘A’ and ‘F’ style mandolins, the case features a 2.0mm-thick Acrylonitrile Butadeine Styrene (ABS) hard plastic outer shell, bonded directly to an inner molding made of high-tech polyurethane foam. This semirigid inner molding is soft enough to cushion the most delicate of instruments, yet
rm enough to provide an overall structural rigidity. The case, weighing in at 7.5 pounds, offers a degree of crush strength, shock resistance, and thermal insulation. Additional features include an interior nished in wine-colored crushed velour, a generously sized accessory compartment, and steel ttings for an optional shoulder strap. The retail price is $249. www.hiscoxcases.com DECEMBER 2010
Supplier Scene RS Berkeley Artist Endorsers RS Berkeley latest artist endorsers are David “Pic” Conley, Hunter Hayes, Yunie Mojica, Brandon Wright, and Travis Sullivan. Multi-instrumentalist David “Pic” Conley was a founding member of the reTravis Sullivan cording group Surface. Hunter Hayes was raised on Gospel, Jazz and R&B music. Hunter has played and recorded with legends, includHunter Hayes ing James Brown, Kool & The Gang, The Stylistics, Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Teddy Pendergrass. Alto Saxophonist Yunie Mojica is a graduate of the Hartt School and the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in Hartford, CT, where she received a B.M. in Music Management with an emphasis in Jazz. She has studied with alto saxophonist and fellow RS Berkeley endorser, Kris Allen, multi-reed instrumentalist and fellow RS Berkeley endorser, Rene McLean and with Jimmy Greene. PO Saxophonist Brandon Wright regularly leads his own quartet around the New York City area, and has made leader appearances at a number of prominent venues, including Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. Travis Sullivan has earned a worldwide reputation as an arranger, composer, pianist, and alto saxophonist. For more information, visit www.rsberkeley.com. Steven Curtis Chapman Taylor Signature Guitar Steven Curtis Chapman’s new Taylor signature model guitar, the SCCSM is based on his primary stage guitar, a Taylor 714, the SCCSM honors Chapman’s late daughter Maria by incorporating design touches recreated from one of her last crayon drawings. The peghead features a six-petal ower with only one of the petals completed in blue. On the fretboard at the 12th fret, the word “See,” DECEMBER 2010
inlaid in her handwriting, accompanies a small mother-of-pearl buttery. The fretboard also includes small mother-of-pearl dots on the bass side. The SCCSM features Indian rosewood back and sides with a rich tobacco sunburst cedar top. Classic appointments include rosewood for the binding and peghead overlay, an abalone rosette, abalone-topped bridge pins, along with gold tuners and buttons. Each SCCSM includes Taylor pickups. Along with a hard shell case, the SCCSM comes with a custom guitar label and a certicate of authenticity signed by Chapman. The suggested retail price is $3,998. www.taylorguitars.com Samick Music Announces Reggie Bannister as Latest Artist Samick Music has announced the addition of veteran musician, actor, and screenwriter Reggie Bannister to the Greg Bennett family of artists. Bannister, well known for his roles in the action-horror series Phantasm, has seen his career span over 40 years in television, lm, and entertainment with a varied background that includes writing, acting and music. As a musician, Mr. Bannister has released six albums. www.smcmusic.com Sounds Distribution Inc. Appoints Matt Ruston to Product Specialist Sounds Distribution Inc. has appointed Matt Ruston to the role of product specialist. Matt joined Sounds Distribution in 2004. With over 12 years of industry experience that includes productions, touring, DJ, and retail, he brings a vast amount of knowledge and expertise to this new role. Matt will focus on assisting clients with the technical aspects of lighting, sound, and video products. He will also continue to be an integral part of trade show and product development teams. For more information, visit www.soundsdistribution.com Kala U-Bass Endorsors Bassists Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt) and Reggie McBride (Keb Mo) have
joined Kala’s roster of artists endorsing the Kala U-Bass. Hutch has been Bonnie Raitt’s bassist and background Hutch Hutchinson vocalist since 1983 during which time he has also worked with artists that include The Neville Brothers, Brian Wilson, Ringo Starr, Reggie McBride Al Green, and B.B. King. Reggie McBride has had a storied career that began in 1969 at Motown Records backing the likes of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Aside from providing the bottom end for Keb Mo, Reggie has played with other notable artists that include James Brown, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Don Henley. The U-BASS is Kala’s 20-inch scale bass which is strung with proprietary polyurethane string. The U-Bass is available in fretted and fretless models. For more information, visit www.kalaukulele.com. Tanglewood Brings Banjos, Mandolins, & Ukuleles to North America Tanglewood Guitar Company UK is bringing a selection of its best-selling banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles to North America. Tanglewood has selected 13 models (four banjos, six mandolins, three ukuleles) for introduction to the USA and Canada. The TBDLX-PRO banjo, features a spec 3/4” maple rim, 11” bell brass tone ring, highly gured maple hi-gloss resonator and Remo Renaissance head. The TMX F-style mandolin, features a solid spruce top with maple back and sides in a vintage sunburst gloss nish, with rosewood ngerboard, ebony bridge, and ivory-style machine heads. The TMAS-NAT A-style mandolin, features an all-solid mahogany body in a natural satin nish, with rosewood ngerboard and bridge, and gold machine heads. The TU-1-CE soprano ukulele, features an all-mahogany body with cutaway and pickup with two-band EQ. For more information, visit www.tanglewoodguitars.com. MMR 87
Supplier Scene Mapex Drums Returns to Sponsor Big Beat 2010 Mapex Drums was a returning sponsor for the 2010 edition of The Big Beat on November 7. Known as the world’s largest multi-city drum set event, this year’s Big Beat featured fteen Five Star Drum Shops participating to raise money for worthwhile causes. The 2009 event brought in over 1,200 drummers and
3,500 spectators, with the nal tally for charity reaching over $62,000. Each of the fteen locations will featured events throughout the day, including guest appearances by major-name drummers, drumming contests, rafes, and giveaways of percussion gear from the industry’s top manufacturers. There was also a national rafe with the grand prize winner getting a Dream Theater
replica tour bass drum head signed by the members of the band. The centerpiece of the event involves having all of the drummers in each of the 15 cities play the same groove in unison. This is done via video feed over the Internet, with each location’s director following a conductor in Seattle, Washington. As part of Mapex Drums’ annual sponsorship, a limited number of commemorative Big Beat snare drums were made available at each participating dealer location. The snare is a 14 x 8 walnut and maple snare with a custom “psychedelic” covering. For more information, visit www.mapexdrums.com. Remo’s President Receives Award from PAS Brock Kaericher, president of Remo, Inc., received the 2010 Percussive Arts Society President’s Industry Award at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention’s evening concert on November 11. This award was established to recognize individuals in the percussion industry and beyond who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their eld and outstanding support of the Society. Brock Kaericher serves on the Board of Directors of Remo, Inc., Remo Asia, Inc., and the R&K Corporation. In addition to being a member of many organizations in the music education and music products industries, he serves on the board of trustees of VanderCook College of Music as well as being a former member of the board of directors of NAMM. For more information, visit www.pas.org.
88 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Classifieds RATES: Classified Display: $30 per column inch for text only. $40 per column inch, 1 color, logo, graphics. $50 per column inch 4 color. PAYMENTS: ALL ADS ARE PREPAID. Charge on Mastercard, Visa or American Express. SEND YOUR ADVERTISEMENT TO: 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com. QUESTIONS? Call Maureen Johan at 800-964-5150 x 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com.
Accessories
Distributors
A One Of A Kind Guitar Gift for Any Occasion
Pacific Music Distributors, Inc Wholesale Distribution 15935 Redmond Way Redmond WA 98052 www.pacificmusic.com • 425.885.9703
Personalized Guitar Strap Personalized Guitar Straps are embroidered, affordable, cool and professional looking - making them a long lasting guitar gift for that special guitar player.
View and order online at www.guitargifts4u.com
Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com
Business Opportunities
DECEMBER 89 MMR 2010
Business Opportunities SEEKING AFFILIATE LOCATIONS CLAIM YOUR SHARE OF THE SCHOOL RENTAL MARKET TURN KEY PROGRAM – OFFER RENTALS IMMEDIATELY NO START UP COSTS OR FRANCHISE FEE NAME BRAND INVENTORY PROVIDED EXPERT CORPORATE SUPPORT TEAM NO HASSLE REPAIR SERVICES PROVIDED PROFIT SHARING COMMISSIONS PAID MONTHLY
INQUIRIES: afliate@rentmyinstrument.com
DECEMBER MMR2010 89
Business Opportunities
Call 877-727-2798 Ext. 4
Contact Roger at 877-727-2798 Ext. 5
• 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
OWNER RETIRING
MUSIC SCHOOL for SALE (in operation since 1986)
Housed on its own PRIME REAL ESTATE property in a beautiful, affluent suburb of Houston, TX
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2009 & 2010 Recognized as HOUSTON’S BEST by the US Commerce Association
Call Owner at 832 445-5668 Real Estate and Music School operation can be sold separately
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
www.mmrmagazine.com 90 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Business Opportunities
Guitar Shows ORANGE COUNTY WORLD GUITAR SHOW 2010 on NAMM Weekend in Costa Mesa Orange County Fair & Expo Center January 15, 10-5 * January 16, 10-4 I-55 South & Arlington Avenue *This 163rd Amigos show is not affiliated with NAMM Just minutes away down Harbor Boulevard from the Anaheim Convention Ctr. NAMM Show. This is a vintage and new product show featuring thousands of new, used, old and rare guitars, amps. Meet builders, manufacturers, dealers, collectors. Fly to NAMM with your favorite vintage piece and get top dollar at our great show. Take a break from your NAMM schedule and hop over to the West Coast’s largest consumer guitar event!
www.TXshows.com
Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com
Merchandise
YAMAHA–KAWAI
CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PIANOS Japanese High Quality
GUARANTEED
Manufacturing
Merchandise
You get what you pay for!
1-800-782-2694
North American Music 11 Holt Drive Stony Point, NY 10980 Fax: (845) 429-6920
DECEMBER 2010
FINANCING AVAILABLE MMR 91
Help Wanted
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
USED PIANOS at WHOLESALE PRICES consoles, studios, uprights,grands. DISCOUNT PIANO WHOLESALERS (323) 377-3644
Merchandise
Over FIVE MILLION Unique Visitors That’s right, Piano World has enjoyed over ve million unique visitors in the last year. Wonder how many of them could be your next customers? Advertise on Piano World and nd out.
Visit www.PianoWorld.com/advertising ... Today! PianoWorld.com The World’s Most Popular Piano Web Site Home of the world famous Piano Forums 92 MMR
Oboes & Bassoons
We create the finest hand-crafted Oboes & Bassoons. Also replacement 5K Bassoon Bocals.
Linton Woodwinds Corporation, Jack Linton 1013 Alma St. Elkhart, IN 46514 U.S.A. PH: 1-866-220-2909 Fax: 574-266-7658 E-Mail: info@lintonwoodwinds.com www.LintonWoodwinds.com DECEMBER 2010
Help Wanted
National Sales Professional
Exclusive US Distributor of Brazilian made Giannini Guitars and Instruments is looking for a Sales Professional to expand retail sales base. Unique opportunity to be part of the business. Contact: Georges (954) 746-2777 or georges@etrosmusic.com www.etrosmusic.com
Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com
Merchandise
PORCHBOARD BASS
Breaking News! Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.mmrmagazine.com DECEMBER 2010
The UCL-S PorchBoard Bass offers analog, clean bass rhythm with the tap of a foot. Durable passive magnetic sensor system and 3-way frequency response switch eliminates low-end feedback and delay. Features both 1/4 inch and XLR outputs. No batteries, wall worts or external power supply required. Includes carry bag. $299.95. www.porchboard.com (608) 752-2229 MMR 93
Merchandise
Hunter Music Instrument Inc adds in an accordion line. From button accordion to Piano accordion, from Kid’s to adult, from entry level to professional, from solid color to combo, we have a wide selection for the accordion player.
718-706-0828 www.huntermusical.com
equatone@earthlink.net
www.mmrmagazine.com
Repair Tools
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 94 MMR
DECEMBER 2010
Repair Tools
Wanted To Buy
BOW REHAIRING
WE, BUY, SELL, TRADE
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.
and ship worldwide. Written APPRAISALS available. GRUHN GUITARS, 400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 256-2033
fax (615) 255-2021
www.gruhn.com
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
Services
FAST TURN-AROUND ON STOCK REPAIRS NATIONWIDE NAPBIRT member, 28 Years Experience Contact: Dan Rieck, 801-733-4243 dan@utahwoodwindrepair.com
SHIPPING YOUR PIANO
with Lone Wolf Trucking
is a “grand” idea!
Wanted USED TUBAS ANY CONDITION-CASH PAID THE TUBA EXCHANGE 1825 CHAPEL HILL RD. DURHAM, NC 27707 1-800-869-8822 WWW.TUBAEXCHANGE.COM
www.mmrmagazine.com
Vintage Instruments
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
Store For Sale For Sale Brand new air conditioning and lease. Store and/or inventory. 25 year reputation Studios, full line $500 k in stock $185,000 cash/takeover/partner Call Bruce in the PM at 321 725-3047
Seeking Employment Sales Rep Seeks Position Experienced MI sales rep for territory sales in NE US and/or Canada. (F/T preferred). Woodwind+guitar specialist. e: BostonSax@AOL.com mobile tel. 1-978-973-7654 DECEMBER 2010
Breaking News! Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.mmrmagazine.com MMR 95
Ad Index COMPANY NAME
E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS
PAGE
A Ac-Cetera Inc.
www.ac-cetera.com
Al Cass
40 19
Alfred Music Publishing
www.alfred.com/dealer
19
Allparts Music Corp
www.allparts.com
86
Amati’s Fine Instruments
www.amatis.us
45
American DJ Supply Inc.
www.americandj.com
23
American Way Marketing LLC
info@americanwaymktg.com
59
Anthem Music Group
www.anthemmusic.com
53
Anthem Music Group
www.anthemmusic.com
57
Anthem Music Group
www.anthemmusic.com
55
B J.J. Babbitt Co. Inc.
www.jjbabbitt.com
56
Bechstein America LLC
www.bechstein-america.com
41
E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS
PAGE
Kyser Musical Products Inc.
www.kysermusical.com
89
www.lowrey.com
46
M&M Merchandisers Inc.
www.mmwholesale.com
42
Meisel Accesories LLC
www.meiselaccessories.com
61
Mel Bay Publications Inc.
www.melbay.com
44
Miami Audio Music Corp.
www.miamiaudiomusic.com
16
L Lowrey
M
N/O NAMM
www.namm.com
24-25
National Educational Music Co.
www.nemc.com
47
Ohana Music
www.ohana-music.com
79
R/S
C Casio America, Inc
www.casiousa.com
39
Chesbro Music Co.
www.chesbromusic.com
11
D Direct Import Assistance Corporation www.directImportAssistance.com
48
Dunlop Manufacturing Inc.
www.jimdunlop.com
22
EMD Music Inc.
www.staggmusic.com
51
EMD Music Inc.
www.staggmusic.com
35
Evets Corporation
www.danelectro.com
9
E
F FDW Corp
www.fulldiscount.com
18
Floyd Rose Marketing
www.floydrose.com
38
Forestone Japan
www.Forestone-Japan.com
43
G/H Gemini
www.gci-technologies.com
52
George L’s
www.georgels.com
48
Hunter Music Instrument Inc.
www.huntermusical.com
54
Jack Rabbit Technologies
www.jackrabbittech.com
84
Kala
www.kalaukele.com
54
J/K
96 MMR
COMPANY NAME
Roland Corp. U.S.
www.rolandUS.com
Saga Musical Instruments
www.sagamusic.com
cov2-1 33
Saga Musical Instruments
www.sagamusic.com
21
Samson Technologies Corp.
www.samsontech.com
5
Samson Technologies Corp.
www.samsontech.com
2-3
SHS International
www.shsint.net
34
Shubb
www.shubb.com
86
SKB Corp.
www.skbcases.com
49
String Swing Mfg. Inc.
www.stringswing.com
13
Tanglewood Guitars
www.tanglewoodguitars.com
15
TKL Products Corp.
www.tkl.com
T 7
V Vic Firth, Inc.
www.VicFirth.com
Vic Firth, Inc.
www.VicFirth.com
Visual Sound
www.visualsound.net
36 85 cov 4
W W.D. Music Products Inc.
www.wdmusic.com
22
Wittner GmbH & Co. KG
www.wittner-gmbh.de
71
www.yamaha.com
17
Y Yamaha Corp. of America
DECEMBER 2010
SAVE THE DATE!
2nd Annual JEN Conference January 6-8, 2011 New Orleans, LA Historic Roosevelt Hotel – Famed Blue Room Details online NOW! • Exciting Headliners • Enlightening Clinics/Panels • Exhilarating School Ensemble Performances • Enticing Exhibits – 20,000 sq. ft.! All under one roof, two blocks from the French Quarter! Registration, Housing, Exhibitor & Volunteer Applications available online NOW!
Check the website often for updates as they materialize! www.JazzEdNet.org Your portal to the global jazz community!