MMR January 2012

w w w. m m r m a g a z i n e . c o m

January 2012

Show Report: PASIC 2011 Roundtable: e-Books

Guitar Row: Six-String Glory on the Sunset Strip

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Contents JANUARY 2012 VOL.171 NO. 1

26 Spotlight: Guitar Row – Six-String Glory on the Sunset Strip

In the ‘80s, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a storefront that wasn’t a MI store on the 7,000 block of L.A.’s Sunset Boulevard. “Guitar Row,” as it came to be known, was the place to check out new gear, as well as to rub shoulders with rock stars and aspiring guitar gods. Today, there are somewhat fewer guitar storefronts, but those which remain still represent a considerable draw for musicians of all skill levels, as well as tourists and anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite guitarist shopping for a new axe…

Cover design: Laurie Chesna

18 Show Report: PASIC 2011

The Percussive Arts Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the PASIC gathering this past November. MMR reports from Indianapolis, where attendance was strong, exhibitor-count steady, and both attitudes and expectations for the coming year positive.

40 Roundtable: The Digital Print Revolution Marches On

We check in with key music publishers to get their take on the emerging – and rapidly expanding – realm of digital distribution of sheet music and “e-Books.”

48 Bryndon Bay:

52 Buyer’s Guide to New Gear at NAMM – Part 1

New and notable gear to check out in Anaheim this January…

72 Rock House Method: Get With the Program

76 Band & Orchestra: Double Time with P. Mauriat

Developing Taiwanese horn manufacturer P. Mauriat has achieved global recognition in just eight years – and has no plans to stop now…

In every issue: 4 6 14 16 82 89 96

Editorial Upfront People Letters Supplier Scene Classifieds Advertisers’ Index

80 Open to Suggestion: Palmer Guitars USA and Prolok Look to the Future

The Future of Print

Mel Bay’s president discusses recent developments at the company and the radical changes facing the world of print music.

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 ©2012 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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JANUARY 2012

Enjoy the new standard.

THE H2n HANDY RECORDER. “Recording everything I play allows me to reﬂect on my music. And with the H2n, the sound is superb.”

RUSLAN SIROTA

Grammy ® Award winning pianist and composer.

Check out Ruslan Sirota’s new release, “Ruslan” available now.

See us at NAMM Booth 6848

Editorial Sidney Davis

Volume 171 Number 1 January 2012

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29

PUBLISHER Sidney L. Davis sdavis@symphonypublishing.com

In what has been described, “the most famous football game in Ivy league history,” undefeated rivals Harvard and Yale met on November 23,1968 at Harvard Stadium. With two minutes remaining on the game clock the heavily favored Yale contingent led by a score of 29-13. Thousands of Crimson faithful headed to the exits, seeking solace at one of Harvard Square’s many watering holes. As the seconds ticked down, the men of Harvard scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds, tying the game and providing The Crimson with a famous headline, “Harvard Beats Yale 29-29.” The event came to mind in preparing for this winter’s annual Anaheim pilgrimage. Much like the proverbial game plan, an inordinate amount of time and effort is placed in the anticipation and preparation, and when the curtain is opened there is a countdown mentality of, “How soon can we get out of Dodge?” In truth, the “last day of the trade show” mentality is not exclusive to NAMM. Whether the field is electronics, clothing, or automobiles, many of the upper echelon personnel – exhibitors and attendees – have followed Elvis and “left the building” before the convention is over. Both supplier and dealer might consider the final hours as a time for exploration on the show floor, rather than seeking out the solitude of the airport’s fast food pavilion. More than one acquisition or distribution deal has been the result of a casual conversation while passing through an aisle. According to trade show statistics, new exhibitors constitute ten to twenty percent of space, and, if we are to believe conventional wisdom, new products are the lifeblood of an industry and opportunities await. To cite one example: Paul Fireman, a sporting goods dealer from the Boston area, attended a trade show in London during the early ‘80s, purchased an obscure brand of running shoes from J.W. Foster & Sons, and developed the Reebok brand into one of the fastest growing companies of all time. Before Walmart, there were Gibson discount stores, a chain of some 500 outlets in 29 states with revenues of $1.6 billion in 1971. Much like Sam Walton, Herbert Gibson started in the retail franchise business and ultimately developed a formidable business model based on employee involvement. Gibson promoted his own trade show to service franchise and company owned stores. He made the trade show mandatory attendance for franchise owners and store and department managers, insisting they become part of the buying decision, reasoning that their emotional involvement in the selection process would result in increases sales of the selected products. Dealers might well take a page from the Gibson playbook, measuring the cost of trade show attendance for store managers and key personnel in terms of product knowledge and commitment. Unfortunately for Mr. Gibson, his trade show subsidiary found itself clashing with the Federal Trade Commission and ultimately becoming a contributing factor to the company’s demise. However, that tale is best left for another day… Bringing NAMM sharply into focus, Sunday is more than a day to behold the red hair-streaked, navel-exposed denizens who prowl the halls for celebrity autographs. There are fourteen hundred booths – one of them may well house the Reebok of the future for the music industry. And now, in the interest of full disclosure, this observer plans to depart Sunday afternoon, the only connecting Jet Blue Long Beach flight to Boston is a red-eye; been there, done that! Lastly, MMR has a new location on the 4600 aisle this year and we welcome your visit!

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rick Kessel rkessel@symphonypublishing.com EDITOR Christian Wissmuller cwissmuller@symphonypublishing.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS Eliahu Sussman esussman@symphonypublishing.com Matt Parish mparish@symphonypublishing.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chaim Burstein, Dennis Carver, Kevin Mitchell, Dick Weissman 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

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JANUARY 2012

KAWAI K-3 Professional Upright Piano

2011 Acoustic Piano of the Year 2010 KAWAI K-3 Professional Upright Piano Acoustic Piano of the Year

2009 KAWAI K-3 Professional Upright Piano Acoustic Piano of the Year 2008 KAWAI K-3 Professional Upright Piano Acoustic Piano of the Year 2007 KAWAI CA91 Digital Piano Digital Home Keyboard of the Year 2005 KAWAI RX Series Grand Pianos Acoustic Piano Line of the Year 2004 KAWAI RX Series Grand Pianos Acoustic Piano Line of the Year 2003 KAWAI RX Series Grand Pianos Acoustic Piano Line of the Year 2002 KAWAI CN270 Digital Piano Digital Home Keyboard of the Year 2001 KAWAI ES1 Digital Piano Digital Keyboard of the Year 2000 KAWAI CP200 Digital Ensemble Digital Keyboard of the Year

For the eleventh time in twelve years, KAWAI has received the coveted Dealerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Award as selected by the readers of Musical Merchandise Review.

NUMBER ELEVEN

Thank heaven for

See us at NAMM Booth 207A - 2nd Floor Meeting Room

www.kawaius.com

Upfront Gibson Acquires Stanton Group, Launches Gibson Pro Audio Gibson Guitar has moved into pro audio with the creation of the Gibson Pro Audio division. The new division will offer professional grade equipment, including loudspeakers, headphones, monitors, DJ gear, mixers, accessories and more. The Gibson Pro Audio division is the result of Gibson having acquired the Stanton Group, which in-

cludes Cerwin Vega!, KRK Systems and Stanton DJ. Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, said, “This new division is perfectly aligned with our core. It expands our reach to fellow music lovers and allows us access to 20 in 20 consumers instead of the one in 20 we currently hit. Stanton produces some of

Hal Leonard and Blue Microphones Reach Distribution Deal Hal Leonard Corporation has announced an agreement with Blue Microphones to distribute select mics and accessories to the U.S. market. Doug Lady, Hal Leonard senior vice president of sales, and Blue Microphones CEO John Maier reached the deal, which went into effect on December 1, 2011. Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif, Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com) is one of the nation’s fastest growing private companies, recently honored as such for the second consecutive year by Inc. magazine. Over the past three years, the company has experienced a 267 percent increase in sales.

Hal Leonard will distribute specific Blue Microphones lines. These include the Essential series (Spark, Bluebird, Baby Bottle and Reactor models), the enCORE live performance series, a full range of desktop USB mics, and a variety of accessories. Blue will continue to offer support to its retailers directly through their Technical Sales Regionals (TSRs), product support team and service center. For more information or to place an order for Blue Microphones from Hal Leonard, call (800) 554-0626, email sales@halleonard.com or visit www.halleonard.com.

Korg’s Cecchini Named CFO of the Year Korg USA’s Diana Cecchini was recently presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Class of 2011 in the inaugural CFO of the Year Awards program. The program was presented by Long Island Business News (LIBN), a business news source serving the Long Island regional area for over 50 years. It highlights the growing importance of the contributions, outstanding performance and accomplishments of Long Island’s financial executives and the critical role they play in the success of a company. The inaugural awards gala took place earlier this fall at the Crest Hol6 MMR

low Country Club in Woodbury, New York. Awards were presented to recipients in six general categories, as well as a special category — Lifetime Achievement — of which Cecchini was the sole recipient. As described on the LIBN website, it was presented to “honor her for a life filled with achievement, acknowledge the years of exemplary performance, leadership and integrity dedicated to her career while bettering the financial profession overall.” Cecchini has been with Korg USA for over 20 years, currently serving as CFO/ vice president of finance. A congratula-

the best pro audio equipment in the world and we’re incredibly excited to be working with the very talented team at Stanton as we take Gibson into the future.”

Dean Markley Returns

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dean Markley Strings Inc., the company has welcomed back its founder and president, Dean Markley. Markley began his career as a music storeowner and then made his name in the music industry by developing and selling his cryogenically frozen Blue Steel strings, which became the largest-selling strings in the world. He also created the Voice Box effects pedal made famous by the likes of Peter Frampton, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, and Slash. Dean Markley Strings Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, quickly became an international success, thanks to Markley’s innovative designs and unique advancements for fretted instruments. Markley left the company in 2002. In October 2007, San Jose Rocks honored him for his many contributions to the history and growth of the Silicon Valley music scene. During his time away, his passion for music and creativity remained strong, ultimately leading to his return to helm the company he founded.

tory article written by LIBN offered insight into Cecchini’s work ethic, growth and achievements over the years, which serve as the basis of the award. JANUARY 2012

M O R E T H A N A T O U C H O F I N N O VAT I O N .

C D J - 7 0 0 P R O F E S S I O N A L M E D I A P L AY E R Featuring the first color touch screen for DJs, the CDJ-700 represents a brand new dimension of control. Select your tracks, or execute effects with the same intuitive touch found on popular smart phones and tablets. Playback options include CDs, SD cards and USB memory devices in all popular file formats. And the CDJ-700 delivers full MIDI capability, DSP effects and an adjustable, touch-sensitive jog wheel. Scratch, Reverse and Slip Mode provide maximum creativity. Professional features and innovative design are all at your fingertips with the CDJ-700. To learn more go to geminidj.com/cdj-700 See us at NAMM Booth 5700

ÂŠ 2011

G C I Te c h n o l o g i e s C o r p .

G e m i n i i s a r e g i s t e r e d t r a d e m a r k o f G C I Te c h n o l o g i e s C o r p . P h o t o g r a p h y C r e d i t : To n y C o r d o z a P h o t o g r a p h y

Upfront Sabian Celebrates 30th “It’s been quite a ride!” says Sabian president Andy Zildjian about the company’s 30th anniversary. “Having been here from the very beginning to watch our growth firsthand, I can say that our spirit of innovation, the quality of our products and the relevance of our brand have consistently been our focus from day one. And I can confirm that will never change.” Sabian’s products have come to be endorsed by many of the world’s premier drummers: atists as diverse as Jojo Mayer, Neil Peart, Jack DeJohnette, Chad Smith and Dave Weckl. To honor

the tight bond between the manufacturer and its endorsers, Sabian recently launched “Obsessed,” a new advertising and brand campaign that celebrates 30 years of the finest drummers, and the cymbals that inspire them. Sabian founder Robert Zildjian reflects, “30 years. Been there, done that – twice. But the last 30 years at SABIAN have passed by like 30 days. In the last 30 years, everything in music has changed. The only thing that hasn’t changed is our devotion to making the best cymbals in the world even better.”

Stacey Montgomery-Clark (VP of Marketing), Andy Zildjian (president), Nort Hargrove (VP of Manufacturing), Robert Zildjian, Willi Zildjian, and Peter Stairs (VP of Sales).

Osiamo LLC Distributing Taurus Pedals in U.S. Osiamo LLC recently announced that Taurus effect pedals are now available in the U.S. Osiamo, LLC has become the exclusive importer of Taurus effect pedals, which are used by artists as diverse as jazz legend Marcus Miller to Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit. All Taurus pedals feature hand-wired, point-to-point connections and true bypass. The Silver Line consists of 5 pedals: a

Pulse of the MI Nation Compared to last month, sales are now...

Level 33%

Up 42%

Compressor-Limiter, a Multi-drive a Reverb-Delay, a Multi-Chorus, and a Bass Pre-amp. All the Silver Line pedals have additional features over the Black Line pedals that are available via a 3-way selector switch. The Black Line consists of 4 pedals: an Overdrive, a Compressor, a Chorus and a Boost. The Black Line pedals are sonically identical to the Silver Line, but

Orange Amp’s Cooper Awarded Living Legend Award Cliff Cooper, “the man behind the brand of Orange Amplification,” was recently awarded the Music Industry Association (MIA) Living Legend Award 2011 in a ceremony at the Marriot Grosvenor Square Hotel in London. Cliff Cooper (founder of Orange Management, Publishing, Records, Amplification and the legendary Orange Shop), has always been at the cutting edge of music amplifier design and technology. Since

Down 25% Compiled from replies to MMR’s ongoing online survey of MI retailers. Visit www.mmrmagazine.com to participate... 8 MMR

have fewer features putting them at a lower price point. All Taurus products are handcrafted in Poland and every product, before reaching its final version, is tested multiple times by musicians and brand specialists. Taurus pedals are available from Osiamo LLC, 2753 Broadway, Ste 333, New York, N.Y. 10025. For dealer information contact Rawn Randall at (917) 464-3772 or email rawn@osiamo.com.

Jon Gold, Cliff Cooper, Clive Roberts, Betty Heywood.

launching the Orange brand in the ‘60s he has been a prominent figure in the music business and has been at the forefront of developing the Orange picture frame cabinets and helping create the distinctive Orange amplifiers sound. From the early days where BB King, Marc Bolan, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Stevie Wonder all came to embrace Orange sound, Cliff has been instrumental in working closely with the best musicians on the planet and today the brand continues to be the first choice of many of the biggest bands in the world. Cooper said on receiving the award, “I am very honored to have been presented this prestigious award and while I feel very humbled at receiving this, I could not have achieved what I have today without the fantastic team behind me and I would also like to dedicate this award to everyone at Orange Amplification as well.” JANUARY 2012

Stop by booth 4618 to see hundreds of new releases. From songbooks to software, recording gear to band accessories, Hal Leonard is your source for what will sell in your store!

Easy Jazz Play-Along: an exciting new follow-up to our best-selling Jazz Play-Along series!

Easy Guitar Play-Along: everyone’s favorite guitar series is now simpliﬁed for beginners!

Hal Leonard Guitar Tab Method: the revolutionary new method for TODAY’s teachers!

The Real Book: now including folios of individual artists like Charlie Parker!

Ukulele! We have tons of new ukulele instructional titles and songbooks!

Dozens of new percussion titles including The Beginner’s Guide to Electronic Drums

Guitar Cheat Sheets: just what you need for a successful gig!

FastTrack Songbooks: play classic songs while working on the method books

The Worship Piano Method and many other praise and worship titles

Personality folios from Coldplay to Lady Gaga we’ve got who’s hot!

Guitar tab folios: see the latest from the Chili Peppers, Wilco, Avenged Sevenfold and more!

Bass folios: check out the most recent songbooks for your rhythm section!

See us at NAMM Booth 4618

Upfront Zildjian to Honor Krupa at Company HQ The Avedis Zildjian Company announced that it will honor the memory of the great jazz legend, Gene Krupa, with a conference room and display named for the drummer and dedicated to showcasing his drums, cymbals, sticks, and other personal items. Among the items on display are his bass drum, tom, snare, drummer’s throne, drumsticks, crash, splash, hi-hats, and an engraved cigarette lighter, all dating back to the 1930s and ‘40s. “It was Gene who suggested that my grandfather make the cymbals thinner,” said Craigie Zildjian, CEO. “The

Burkart’s New Website

Burkart Flutes and Piccolos recently debuted an entirely new website geared towards engaging flute and piccolo players around the world. The new site www.burkhart.com boasts some added features, along with a modern and more interactive design. Among the features are vivid pop-outs and descriptions as you scroll over a page. A visitor can study the G# facilitator of a piccolo, view options for the flute in detail and get an up close view of key engravings. This pop-out feature is found throughout the new website when scrolling over certain highlighted items and pictures. Other sections include fingering tips, suggestions on how to choose a headjoint, an artists section profiling some of Burkhart’s well-known players, and a news and information section. You can order Jim Phelan and Lillian Burkart’s book The Complete Guide to Flute and Piccolo, or look over different financing options. Jim and Lillian also post articles on flute making, wood for instruments, new developments and more. 10 MMR

historical significance of this innovation marks an important turning point in the evolution of cymbal making. The thinner cymbals were very appealing to American drummers and, as a result, Zildjian cymbals gained wide-spread acceptance in the U.S.” The special exhibition is made possible by the Stamm Family of Chicago, close friends of the late drummer who preserved these items for over 50 years. Interested in honoring their friend, the Stamm family graciously offered to make some of Krupa’s personal possessions available to the Zildjian Company

Gene Krupa with Avedis Zildjian.

so they could be shared with contemporary and future generations of drummers.

New Martin Distribution Center Martin Guitar has announced the opening of a new distribution center in Easton, Pa., just 15 minutes from the company’s Nazareth, Pa. headquarters. This newly renovated facility features increased storage and material handling capabilities. The decision to open the new Martin Guitar Distribution Center resulted from, “increased demand for Martin Guitar products worldwide,” according to a company statement. The new facility was explicitly designed to consolidate goods

from several manufacturing sources and redistribute them around the world with increased speed and efficiency. Another focus of the newly designed Martin Guitar Distribution Center was energy conservation. The facility features highly efficient lighting controlled by motion detectors, increased insulation, bicycle racks in its parking area, and a walking path; all of which allow Martin to apply for Bronze Level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) Certification.

Debut Album from D’Addario’s Drumm, Portion of Proceeds Going to Charity Rick Drumm, an accomplished drummer for over 40 years, and a music products industry veteran for 30-years including his current position as president of D’Addario & Company, released his debut CD with his own band Fatty Necroses. The CD, Return from the Unknown, features Drumm on drums, Fred Hamilton and Corey Christiansen on guitar, John Benitez on bass, Axel Tosca Laugart on piano, Frank Catalano on saxophone, and Mike Brumbaugh and Pete Grimaldi on trombone. Return from the Unknown is Drumm’s autobiographical musical journey of his personal battle with cancer.

According to Drumm, “My 2009 cancer diagnoses brought this band and my friends together to help me fight the disease. A planned one-time performance to lift my spirits created a band and the following year this album. One of my lifetime dreams of recording with my favorite musicians was realized due to the cancer. You never know where the opportunity will come from. It’s just important to recognize it and execute to take advantage of it.” Drumm has committed to donating 25 percent of all proceeds from the sales of his album to Strike a Chord for Children, a registered tax-deductible 501(c) 3 JANUARY 2012

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Join us and you will have access to every model, every size, and every price range of every PPO Steinway! ͻDƵůƟƉůĞ hniƚ SaůĞs ͻEǆƉĞƌƚ 'ƵidanĐĞ ͻ ŽnĐĞƌƚ SĞůĞĐƟŽn ĞnƚĞƌ RĞŵĞŵďĞƌ͕ ǁĞ ǁiůů ŽnůǇ ƉaƌƚnĞƌ ǁiƚh ONE ĞaůĞƌ ͬ aƌĞa͕ sŽ sĞnd Ƶs a ůĞƩĞƌ aďŽƵƚ ǇŽƵƌ ďƌands ŽĨ ƉianŽs͕ ǇŽƵƌ ĐŽŵƉanǇ͕ and ǇŽƵƌ ǁiůůinŐnĞss ƚŽ dĞdiĐaƚĞ ŽnĞ ƉĞƌsŽn ƚǁŽ Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ daǇs ƉĞƌ ǁĞĞŬ͘ SĞnd to: American-Steinway.com͕ PO oǆ ϭϮϯϮ͕ Půeasant saůůey͕ Nz ϭϮϱϲϵ

American-Steinway.com should be your source for retail customers wanting to purchase PPO Steinway Grand Pianos. Why let the local Dealer capture sales that could be yours? The Įrst traininŐ session is &eďrƵary ϭϯ-ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϭϭ in aůůas͕ Teǆas Aůů TrademarŬs are ƉroƉerty oĨ their owners. American-Steinway.com is NOT aŋiated or associated with SteinwayΘSons͕ Inc.

Upfront non-profit charity, whose purpose is to provide the gift of music to seriously ill or disadvantaged children, providing hope and aspiration at a time when they need it most. For more information on how to apply for a grant or to make a tax deductible donation, go to www.strikeachordforchildren.org. To obtain your copy of Rick Drumm and Fatty Necroses’ Return from the Unknown, visit CD Baby at www.cdbaby. com/Artist/RickDrummAndFattyNecroses.

Celestion Speakers’ Deacy Competition

In the early 1970s, electronics student John Deacon found an old electronic circuit in a trash can on the way to rehearsing as bass player of Queen – soon to be one of the biggest rock bands of all time.

Financial: Hohner Group Grows in Fiscal Year 2010/2011 The Hohner Group reports for fiscal year 2010/2011 that its consolidated sales increased by 10.2% from € 58.0 million to € 63.9 million ($86.2 million). The company attributes sales increases to the introduction of new products, improvements in its marketing efforts and stronger sales channel partners. The increase in global sales was driven by growth in South and Central America (+36.1%), North America (+28.7%) and Asia (+22.5%). Currently, 84% of the company’s products are exported outside of Germany. While sales increased, cost management strategies were able to maintain the company’s cost structure which resulted in a consolidated net profit of 1.5 million Euro compared to 0.8 million Euro ($1.1 million) for the previous year. As a result of the company’s improved profitability, the Supervisory Management Boards have proposed a dividend payment for the fiscal year 2010/2011. The proposal has been confirmed in this year’s shareholders’ meeting. For the current fiscal year 2011/2012 (April to March), the Hohner Group remains optimistic. Sales orders have remained higher than the previous year with notable improvements in wind and stringed instruments which gives rise to a positive sales outlook. However, factory cost increases coupled with exchange rate fluctuations create uncertainty regarding profitability. Notwithstanding these risks, the company remains optimistic that it will achieve positive earnings for the current fiscal year. The 98th Shareholder Meeting of Matth. Hohner AG took place on 29 November 2011 in the Dr.-Ernst-Hohner Concert Hall in Trossingen, Germany. Bain Sells LinkedIn Shares Guitar Center owner Bain Capital will record a more than a $200 million profit when they cash in their 4.3 percent stake in LinkedIn Corporation. Bain was one of several investment groups to bankroll the social networking site. Reportedly they plan to sell all of their 3.7 million shares in the company for approximately $277 million. Bain’s initial investment was $53 million.

Trade Regrets: Intrigued by his bandmate’s find, this became the heart of the Deacy, a homemade amp that would be used by Brian May on countless Queen hits. To enter Celestion’s Deacy Competition, visit the company’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/Celestion), “like” the page and then upload a video of you playing your favorite Brian May/Queen riff to YouTube and send Celestion the link. Your performance will be judged by Brian’s guitar technician Pete Malandrone and Nigel Knight of Knight Technologies – maker of the Deacy. The winner will receive a Deacy Replica Amp signed by Brian May. 12 MMR

Ruth Isabelle Billings died peacefully surrounded by family on November 3, 2011. Ruth came from a musical family and studied piano at the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music. She taught the organ for over 20 years at the Zeb Billings Piano and Organ Company. Later, she was a sales representative with the Hal Leonard Music Publishing Company for 14 years. Ruth sang soprano in church and many singing groups, including the Harmony Singers Chorale Group. “Aunt Ruth was a wonderful person who taught organ at Dad’s store, before going to work for Zeb Billings Publishing as a writer/arranger,” says Greg Billings, owner of Steinway Piano Gallery of Bonita Springs, Fla. “There she worked with Keith Mardak, and followed him to Hal Leonard when Keith went to work for them.” (Mardak is president of Hal Leonard today.) Memorials may be made to Falls Baptist Church, N69W12703 Appleton Avenue in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

JANUARY 2012

“Yes doctor, it’s been at least four hours!” Eddy Finn has that effect.

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People Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) has announced several personnel realignments, finishing the company’s medium term plan to position the company for growth following the most recent recession. The changes include the following: Jay Schreiber, former Band & Orchestral (B&O) division general manager, will now serve as general manager of the Pro Audio & Combo (PAC) division. He will report to Rick Schreiber Young, YCA senior vice president. Garth Gilman, recently assistant general manager of PAC division, is promoted to general manager of the B&O division and will report to Rick Young. John Shalhoup is moving from his position as national sales director of the PAC division to director of administration for the B&O division. He will reShalhoup port to Mr. Gilman. Eric Aparicio shifts from director of administration of the B&O division to director of administration of the PAC division. He will report to Mr. SchAparicio reiber. Shoji Mita leaves his position as planning director of the YCA Customer Sales and Marketing Group to accept a new assignment with Yamaha Corporation, Japan, a move expected to take place after January 1, 2012. Orange Amplification recently appointed Derek Carvotta as an inside sales representative. Carvotta will be providing additional support for Orange Amplification growing its USA dealer Carvotta base.

See us at NAMM Booth 3279

Carvotta was previously manager of Atlanta Music Brokers and is a semi professional guitarist with over 20 years teaching and playing the instrument. Korg USA has named Brian Piccolo as Korg tuner product manager. Piccolo, who currently holds a position as U.S. product manager for Lâg guitars, will now also focus on the Korg line of handheld, pedal, and clip-on Piccolo tuner and metronome products. He will play an integral part in Korg USA’s sales, marketing and product training efforts, as well as supporting dealer needs in the field. In addition, he will maintain the brand’s presence online and at trade shows. Latin Percussion and Toca Percussion, both divisions of KMC, have promoted Andy Krol from the position of project designer to project engineer. Krol will be responsible Krol for the design of products for both LP and Toca. He will oversee the creation of products from their initial inception and mechanical conception, through their manufacturing, testing and release. Krol will also ensure that new products meet marketing requirements and exceed quality standards. Additionally Krol will work closely with manufacturing to maximize efficiencies and provide technical support to products already in production. Andy Krol is a 14-year veteran of LP and has played a key role in the development of many compelling products including the LP Compact Conga and Compact Bongos, the One-Handed Triangle, the Multi-Stem Gajate Bracket, and, most recently, the LP Fusheki.

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

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Ray Charles

Alfred

Inspiring Musicians Since 1922. Web: alfred.com/dealer | Email: sales@alfred.com | Phone: (800) 292-6122 | Fax: (800) 632-1928 See us at NAMM Booth 4818

25801 MMR01.12

Letters CLOSE YOUR EYES

Larry Briodo’s letter in the November issue of MMR raises a legitimate issue about quality control. Too many instruments just do not come up to standard. I would widen his net and include many American made instruments as well. It is an issue I hope the industry takes seriously and goes to work on ASAP! Thanks to Mr. Briodo for voicing his opinion on this and thanks to MMR for the courage to print it! John A Wilcox Publisher www.progsheet.com

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(Also in response to Mr. Briodo’s Letter to the Editor) I too have been in the guitar industry for many years… about 36 years now, playing all my life as well. The industry years include working for manufacturers and distributors and currently as owner of Bob’s Guitar Hospital in Red Bank N.J. Let’s just say that I agree with everything you said in your letter. I can’t remember a worse time in the guitar industry. The new guitars are horrible to say the least. And just because a new guitar might play well when you get it home, that doesn’t mean it will play that way in a few months. I used to think that some of my customers were making things up until it actually happened to me. I purchased a brand-new major brand import $600 guitar and, man, did it play great. Of course I had to make it play great, with an hour on my bench, leveling frets, and working on the bridge. Low and behold, six months later the top started to pull and the strings are a mile off of the fingerboard. Now the bridge saddle is all the way down and it plays like a $69 wholesale club guitar made in a factory where they are making guitars in the morning and soccer balls in the afternoon. It is truly sad what has happened to the currently produced guitars. How much do you have to spend to get a good one? Well, at least one that won’t make you quit as a young beginner? The answer is: more than a young beginner can afford. Many of my young customers think they stink, when in fact it’s the guitar, not them. I remember in 1975 when I started in the guitar retail environment. We never had any problems with any major brand guitars. Heck, very few problems with the imports, too. The term “neck reset” wasn’t even in our vocabulary. These guitars were indestructible. Now the guitars are disposable. Now we are instructed to cut off the head stock and send that piece back for credit. They say to throw away the rest of the guitar or strip it for parts. I am speechless. All we can do as a repair shop is to shave down the bridge saddle as far as possible and hope for the best. After that, we have to start talking neck resets. Very sad indeed, even on the more expensive American made guitars. Plus, it is very disheartening to have to explain to a customer who just spent over $1,000 on a new American guitar that the neck has to come off. Not fun. I don’t see it getting any better. I don’t see them playing any better. And I don’t see the manufacturers caring or listening. Let’s just make as many as possible, as fast as possible, as cheaply as possible. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Bob Pinto Bob’s Guitar Hospital Red Bank, N.J.

www.myspace.com/bariwoodwind Bari Woodwind Supplies, LLC A Division of the Cavanaugh Company

MADE IN THE USA 16 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 3515

JANUARY 2012

NAMM BOOTH #5900

WWW.CASIOMUSICGEAR.COM

Show Report

PASIC 2011: Reading the Pulse of the Percussion Market

PASIC 2011 took place November 10-12 in Indianapolis, Indiana, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Percussive Arts Society with innumerable flourishes and bangs. The festivities included the standard array of clinics, master classes, performances, and roundtables, in addition to the incessantly cacophonous exhibit hall. Although there appeared to be slightly fewer exhibitors on the showroom floor than in years past (official tally was 114, identical to 2010), attendance was visibly strong (PASIC’s estimates were in the range of 5,100). More importantly, according to exhibitors who chatted with MMR, sales generally surpassed expectations. “You can see that there are fewer people exhibiting, but it seems well attended,” noted Alan Vater of Vater Percussion on the second day of the convention. “It’s all been positive for us.”

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Between those participating in the various events at PASIC, as well as the Bands of America Grand National Championship high school marching competition, which took place concurrently in the adjacent Lucas Oil Stadium, the attendees largely hailed from an extremely targeted demographic for the percussion market, providing a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase products to an informed audience. “We opened the show with gangbusters – the kids were already lined up to see our stuff,” reports Debbie Zildjian of Zildjian. “We like to feature prototypes at PASIC. We bring in a lot of new ideas direct to the consumer, as well as the educators who are here, so it’s a great test market for us. We usually sell out of all our prototypes, and we get great feedback about what we should consider turning into a regular item in our catalogue.” “Everyone who’s here is really dedicated and serious,” adds Mike Balter of Mike Balter Mallets. “These people really want to explore and see what’s out there. [PASIC] is a great place to take your blinders off and open your eyes to the world of percussion.” Among the highlights of the convention were a PAS Hall of Fame induction ceremony for honorees Jimmy Cobb, Dick Schory and Tom Siwe, the PAS Marching Percussion Festival, which featured over 80 high school and collegiate ensembles, and a host of outstanding performances and clinics from the likes of Simon Phillips, John Riley, and Claus Hessler. Back in the exhibit hall, MMR caught up with a number of manufacturers for their thoughts on the year in review for the percussion market, emerging trends, and some predictions about what to expect in 2012. Garwood Whaley of Meredith Music, also past-president of PAS, perhaps best expressed the overall sentiment at the show: “It has been a tough year for the industry, but we’re still kicking and we’re hopeful that things will pick up.” Dave Clark, Dynasty Percussion, overall, is doing very well for us, actually. We’re kind of bucking the trend of the 2008 economy drop-off. It seems that some of the schools and other organizations are more willing to purchase new percussion JANUARY 2012

1. John Yost of PAS leads an open drum circle outside of the exhibit hall. 2. Chris Wood of the Percussion Source. 3. Karl Dustman of Professional Percussion Products. 4. California Percussion’s Ryder Shelley. 5. Chris Long of Innovative Percussion. 6. Dream Cymbals and Gongs’ Craig Snowden. 7. Peter Bush and Charles Pike of Rosebush Marimbas. 8. Brian Dougherty and Erich Barto of Samson. 9. Chris Brooks and Chris Cockerell of RowLoff Productions. 10. Terry Loose of Power Wristbuilders. 11. Rich Curtis of Numark/Alesis. 12. Victor Filonovich of KMC Music. 13. Vic Firth of Vic Firth. 14. Mike Berg of Humes & Berg. 15. Karissa Reed, Rich Lackowski, Dave Black, Michael Finklestein of Alfred Music Publications 16. Encore Mallets: Sarah Pottenger, Dan Lidster (owner), Brice Johnson, Tim Perry, John Gotsis, and Thomas Kimball.

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1. Agnes Widmann, Jacqueline Dumont, and Michele Parker of MusicTime, Inc. 2. Garwood Whaley of Meredith Music Publications. 3. Wes Kreitz and Travis Goodwin of Yamaha. 4. Hal Leonard’s Brian Swinehart, Derek Byrne, and David Cywinski. 5. Steve Lobmeier of D’Addario. 6. Woodwind & Brasswind’s Jerry Opdycke and Bobby Wantuch. 7. Steve Armstrong and Shawn Lafrenz of Pearl Corporation. 8. Pearl’s Armstrong talks drum sets with a young percussionist.

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equipment for their groups. Also, our line of signature equipment that is geared toward high end consumers is growing and we are introducing new products, so that’s helping boost our sales. We’re hoping for steady growth, just like everybody else. We’re not exactly aiming for the stars right now, but as long as we are maintaining our sales and customer service, that’s what we’re looking for. As far as trends go, we’re seeing a lot of drum lines and marching groups wanting to have a certain look that’s unique and special. We’re expanding our custom finishes and we’re able to offer a lot of different options with good delivery. That’s definitely a trend we’re seeing. Also, other manufacturers are offering more new finishes and new options for customers. Generally, the drums themselves are pretty much the same as they’ve been over the last few years, and changing the finish is really where it’s been going. Dick Markus, D’Addario/ Pro-Mark/Evans/PureSound I expect that next year will be as challenging as this one, overall. What’s been strong for us is that we’re an accessory company, and we’re growing. This actually has been a good year, and that’s probably due to changes we’ve made internally, in areas like efficiency. By getting our efficiency up, we’re generating fewer back orders. We know that dealers are stocking less, so if we can focus on keeping our back orders minimized, it fits in with their purchasing plan, so they can still turn stuff over to the customer at a reasonable rate. We are assuming so much of our own distribution now, and that’s really helping because the dealer can fine-tune it. There will be more of that internally. There are a number of exciting announcements we have from the factory that will be coming in the next quarter – both heads and new strings that will make the consumers very happy. We’re expanding our target products and we’re looking at a lot of different things in a number of markets: educational, OEM, rock and roll, jazz, general playing, and orchestral. We’re meeting with a lot of players and educators and bringing them into the conversation.

With the purchase of Pro-Mark, that brand is obviously going through a big transition. We are literally investing millions of dollars in new machinery – from backline stuff like pipes and hoses to lighting, paint, information technology, just everything. All of this is going to mean more consistent quality and fewer seconds, which will be good and bad because the market for seconds has always been strong. We’re doing a major review of the product line. We’ve been polling consumers and dealers about what we need, and there are some surprises. We are mainly focusing on the factory, though. We have been asked if we’ll be staying in Houston, and the answer is yes, we will be. Houston works very well for us and we aren’t leaving. We may even end up doing more stuff down there as we evolve. For the dealers, it’ll be important to know that we will be moving standing inventory to New York, so they won’t be getting a shipment from point A and point B – it will all be coming from one location. The space that move will give us will allow us to do more R&D. The end result for the consumer is that there will be more consistency and less clutter in the brand, which will allow us to bring more interesting products to the street. Whether it’s us or in general, the key to survival in a tough market is just having the right stock. I’ve seen dealers who aren’t carrying inventory and they’re killing themselves because if a consumer goes in there and doesn’t see what they want, they will automatically go to the Web. That’s a big challenge for everyone, but mainly retailers. We’re embracing the new technology because it’s a reality, but the brick and mortar is what keeps us alive. If we don’t stock properly, we’re going to lose people. We’re extremely cognizant of that. We know that customer service is king; it always has been and it’s so much more so in this tough economy. There’s so much good product, and so much competition out there, that it’s critical to provide good service and have a good inventory. Taking care of the customer is the number one priority. Customer first, period. Debbie Zildjian, Zildjian The percussion market has been up and down for us, the way it has been for everyone. That being said, we just came JANUARY 2012

off of a really good selling month. We have a lot of new products that are really exciting for the market place, as well as our Gen16, which is our venture into the acousticelectronic market. That has some very exciting potential for us. In this difficult market, everyone is looking for value. Zildjian, being the premier cymbal brand, always offers value. That’s why you want to go with the topselling brands, as well as the breadth of the line that we offer, and the artist lineup that we have, which is a testimony to our brand. We just have to keep doing everything we can in this difficult economy. Bob Berheide, Mapex The percussion market has been good for us this year. Between sales in drum sets, snare drums, and our new line of kick pedals – with the Falcon, the Raptor and the 710 pedals – we’ve had a very good year. Our voyager, fully loaded entrylevel kit has done extremely well. Our horizon ACB has done really well for us at the midlevel, and our pro lines of Saturn and Black Panthers have both done really well for us, too, so we’ve had strength at all levels of the market. It’s been a great year, and we’re thankful. I hear from dealers and my reps that the percussion market overall is kind of tough. They tell me that accessories are doing really well, that hardware, sticks, heads, cymbals are all doing well, but kits are a challenge somewhere in the market. It’s one of those things where people aren’t buying a new instrument so much as fixing up the old one. There seems to be a lot of that going on with consumers. I hope things will continue to pick up. We have some exciting tricks up our sleeve that we’ll be showing next year. I can’t get into it just yet, but I think it’s really going to help pick some of the drum set business up out of the doldrums. Mike Balter, Balter Mallets The last year has been very good. It’s been great for us because we’re an accessory item, so the people that can’t afford a new instrument will go out and get a new accessory that will help them JANUARY 2012

sound like they have new instruments. There have been two major changes in mallet percussion over the last five years or so: marimbas have gotten longer, so now they need an implement that will allow them to cover the whole range of the instrument without switching; the other change is that there is now a lot of crossover – people are now incorporating vibes and marimba in the same setting and don’t want

to switch mallets. And on the orchestral side, there are a lot of players who are looking for new tone colors, so we’ve developed a new line of glockenspiel mallets and xylophone mallets that are debuting at this show, with an array of tonal colors. Ken Fuente, Gator Cases One of the great things about our company is we set the benchmark in hard shell percussion cases. I just got an update on the numbers, and it looks like business is up and going to continue to grow. We

1. Nadine Fiume and Heidi Linsalata of Latin Percussion. 2. Art Harvey and Rusty Membreno of Onboard Research. 3. John Norris and Chris Labriola of Peterson Electro-Musical Products. 4. Matt Lunsford and Marilyn Lester of Marching USA. 5. Bruce Schneider and Ken Fuente of Gator Cases. 6. Drum Workshop’s Andrew Meskin and Thomas Mitchell. 7. Remo’s Chalo Eduardo and Remo Belli. 8. Zildjian’s Jerry Smith and Debbie Zildjian. 9. Dick Markus and Bruce Salyers of D’Addario. 10. Billy Martin of Modeski Martin and Wood performs during a clinic. 11. Vater Percussion’s Corey Powell, James Harrison, Ken Murphy, and Alan Vater. 12. Sabian’s Dr. Nick Patrella. 13. Mark Schafer and Jamey LeFevers, Dynasty. 14. Corey Gillen and Joel Steward, Columbus Percussion.

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MANUFACTURED BY

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have some new carriers that are going to come onto the market, and there’s a lot of excitement and anticipation in the percussion market for our products. Business is very good and going to be increasing. As far as trends go, lightweight is what I’m hearing: lightweight carriers, padded bags – it’s all about mobility. Alan Vater, Vater Percussion Since 2008, things have been trying for a lot of companies. We’ve actually had growth right through since then, so we are in a very good position right now. Accessory items are still sought after by consumers, and we do a lot of promotions and advertising, and we have a lot of great artists using our sticks. Our brand recognition is actually growing, so that’s helping our business quite a bit. Over the last year, we’ve seen growth, and we’re fortunate about that. Things are going to continue to be a bit of a struggle – flat – for the percussion market at as a whole through the next year. After the election period, and hopefully there will be some changes and a new administration, and then things will start to turn around. People in general are not feeling like they’re getting a lot of backing as business people, and I feel like that’s inhibiting hiring and growth. As far as Vater goes, we have some new products coming out at NAMM, and we have a great attitude so we’re just looking to sustain our growth and continue on a good track. The thing to keep in mind in tough times is that service is number one. You do see a trend towards online buying right now. Our business with online sales has grown dramatically over the past two or three years. People are getting good service, convenience and a good price on the Internet. Dealers need to not only get involved with that but also recognize that service is a big part of what they offer. They need to focus on providing services like lessons or whatever else they can do to draw in the buying public.

JANUARY 2012

“The CFX piano is a beautiful and powerful instrument. The action is sensitive, the sound brilliant. I know I can create exciting performances with this piano.”

MARTINA FILJAK FIRST PRIZE WINNER

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W W W . C F S E R I E S . C O M

Y A M A H A

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A M E R I C A .

A L L

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News

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Note from Joe NAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Vision, Mission and Objectives provide focus and clarity for greater impact. Your association is made up of nearly 9,000 companies making and selling every imaginable product and service in more than 100 countries around the globe. As you can imagine, Member wants and needs vary widely. And, most are not shy about expressing their ideas. Or, to put it another way, ask six NAMM Members their opinion on any industry subject and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll likely get seven answers!

That is why the outcome of our new Vision, Mission and Objectives project, the blueprint of all NAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts on behalf of the industry, was so important. Thanks to the input of thousands of NAMM Members, the NAMM Board of Directors and many other organizations that we work with on a daily business, our objectives are clear: produce world-class trade shows, make NAMM Membership a real return on investment for your annual dues, offer education that can lead to business success, promote music education and music making for all ages, represent our Members on Capitol Hill and make a positive impact in an increasingly global market. The results of this renewed focus and clarity will serve our Members and the industry for years to come. We welcome your feedback on the continually shifting priorities within these ďŹ ve Objectives and look forward to working closely with our Members to serve this great industry that brings music to the world. Sincerely,

*OE ,AMOND s .!-- 0RESIDENT #%/

vision, mission and objectives

vision

We envision a world in which the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone; a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught; and in which every adult is a passionate champion and defender of that right.

mission

NAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and beneďŹ ts of making music.

objectives Trade Show s

0RODUCE SUCCESSFUL TRADE SHOWS THAT SERVE OUR -EMBERS AND THE INDUSTRY THUS ENSURING THE GROWTH OF .!-- S #IRCLE OF "ENElTS MODEL

Membership s

2ECRUIT AND RETAIN -EMBERS BY MAKING .!-- SERVICES AN INVALUABLE TOOL FOR SUCCESS

#ONVENE STAKEHOLDERS AROUND INDUSTRY ISSUES TO PROVIDE TOOLS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP -EMBERS ADDRESS

CHALLENGES AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES

0ROFESSIONAL $EVELOPMENT s

0ROVIDE RELEVANT AND HIGH VALUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR .!-- -EMBERS

-ARKET $EVELOPMENT s

0ROMOTE MUSIC EDUCATION AS A RIGHT FOR ALL CHILDREN

#REATE FUND AND MARKET PROGRAMS INITIATIVES AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO MAKE MUSIC

0ROMOTE AND REPRESENT THE SHARED INTERESTS OF .!-- -EMBERS TO ELECTED OFlCIALS AND POLICY MAKERS IN THE 5NITED 3TATES

Global Impact s

%XPAND .!-- S #IRCLE OF "ENElTS MODEL BY PURSUING NEW OPPORTUNITIES GLOBALLY

)NCREASE GLOBAL ATTENDANCE AT .!-- TRADE SHOWS

#ONVENE A GLOBAL COALITION OF STAKEHOLDERS AROUND INDUSTRY ISSUES

NAMM News

January 2012

the up-to-date on tter NAMM. To keep Digital e-newsle is published by ck ws ba AY Ne PL r MM ou NA for up n sig , ws . g industry ne tal@namm.org latest breakin at playbackdigi

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Spotlight

Guitar Row:

Six-String Glory on the Sunset Strip

Legendary Guitarist Mecca Has Fewer Shops, But Is Still A Big Draw The tales of rock stars – and the many more hoping to join their ranks – ambling up and down the 7,000 block of Sunset Boulevard in search of that truly great axe (which they may, or may not, be able to even afford) is a cliché, sure. But like most clichés there’s an underlining reality. Today players and gawkers from all over the country, and even the world, make the trek to “Guitar Row” as they have been doing since music instrument stores started populating this stretch of the boulevard in the late 1970s.

“If you’re a musician visiting L.A., you’re going to come to this block.” 26 MMR

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And why not? If you have the means to buy that 1960 Fender Jazzmaster certified to be completely free of CBS-components for $7,500, wouldn’t you want to purchase it on this sun-dappled Strip, right in the heart of Hollywood? Heck, in doing so, you may also run into the likes of Slash. At least that’s what the music retailers want you to think… But the fabled lane has mirrored the industry itself: while plenty of instruments are still bought here, the number of shops has consolidated. At least half a dozen smaller MI retail outlets have gone away (or online – see sidebar). Meanwhile, two giants, Guitar Center and Sam Ash, have become more dominant. “It’s shrinking,” states Mesa Boogie’s John Tokarski of present-day “Guitar Row.” “In 1990, there were at least 12 stores that sold musical instruments. But today a lot of the boutique and vintage ones are gone unfortunately.” Moshe Alvarez of the Carvin retail

operation, like so many others who shopped on the Strip before working on it, also laments some of the changes. “Individual stores used to cater to the specific area more,” he says, citing back in the day when there were record stores, and one on Sunset would skew slightly differently in their product mix than one in Burbank. “The big chains, and the Internet, have created a situation where it seems everybody carries the same stuff. You go in and want something a little different and you get, ‘Well, we can order that online for you…’ Well, I could have stayed home and done that myself!” But the boulevard has changed in other, better ways, too. “It’s a nicer place than it was 10 years ago,” says Guitar Center’s Jourdan Jaacovi. “It’s much cleaner and safer. It’s still very rock and roll, but just more family oriented now as well.” But the allure has not diminished, and the two chains both report a different experience here than at their other stores.

Jaacovi adds: “It’s a whole different vibe here: Completely different customer, different stock, and a lot more traffic.” All the stores report a good mix of celebrities, though most would probably agree with Sam Ash who, after naming a couple of big-name customers adds, “We don’t care so much who is buying it, only that they buy it from us.” Sam Ash, after a decade, is still the “new kid” on the block, and most recently the chain has impressively expanded its presence on the Strip. This is despite the still-uncertain economy, and certainly despite the formidable competition in the area. “We love the competition – that’s why we’re here,” says Sam Ash’s T.J. Milian. “We wanted to be in the heart of Guitar Row.” “If you’re a musician visiting L.A., you’re going to come to this block,” Tokarski states “There are a lot of toys, and instead of seeing them online, you can come here and actually play them.”

Jourdan Jaacovi of Guitar Center at the store’s Rock Walk of Fame. JANUARY 2012

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The Sunset Strip Guitar Center’s showroom.

Guitar Center Those who may sometimes complain about a lack of foot traffic could not be blamed for being jealous of the Sunset Blvd. Guitar Center. After all, they have up to six tour buses stopping at their doorstep daily. Their Rock Walk of Fame immortalizes over 400 musicians, including ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons who, when he was being indoctrinated, famously said, “I’ve made millions in rock and roll by playing three chord songs, but in my mother’s eyes I hadn’t made it till I put my hands in cement at Guitar Center Hollywood.” The chain has a long history. It opened as The Organ Center in 1959, and in 1967 started carrying Vox products. It would become the “Guitar Center” and move a few doors down to the present street address in 1985. Today, around 75 employees look after the 30,000 square feet stocked with instruments and gear. Jaacovi, the flagship store’s Platinum Room manager, has been with the company since 2009, and personally caters to a lot of the stars. Much of the business he does is artist relations and he states, “I’d say more than any other shop, we cater to the largest clientele of working musicians.” And not just local musicians, either, as Jaacovi estimates more than 20 28 MMR

percent of GC Hollywood’s daily business comes from happy minstrels visiting from other parts of the country. And what they find in the store is something distinct from your “typical” GC. “There are definitely differences,” Jourdan says. Worth the price of admission alone is the Vintage Room, and as this single store does the entire vintage buying for the 223-store chain, suffice to say it’s by far the best GC for old gear. The vintage category alone has an eight-person staff. “Another difference is the Platinum instruments, the most expensive new guitars in the world from Gibson and Fender custom shops, and Paul Reed Smith’s private stock collection. We have the largest collection of new guitars over $3,000, and a lot of them – probably over 300.” Otherwise, there’s just more. Every department a typical GC has is here – it’s just bigger with more selection. “We have an extremely large live sound/DJ/recording department that’s at least double the size of the usual room.” The store does a good job flaunting its legendary aspects, and the Rock Walk has the same allure that draws people to Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Obviously a lot of the visitors to GC Hollywood are music fans hoping to spot a rock star try-

ing out a new amp, but Jaacovi insists that that is no problem; he doesn’t even take issue with non-players handling the gear. “Our motto is that we want people to come into this store and experience it. When I was growing up, I didn’t have a Guitar Center, and the local store kept all the guitars behind the counter far from those who wanted to play it.” But even those with no intention of buying an instrument have an opportunity to spend money, as another unique aspect of the store is there are plenty of t-Shirts, gifts, and souvenirs to take home. “It’s a destination, and visitors just want to be a part of the rock and roll history.” Sam Ash “We opened the Sunset store about 10 years ago, starting it as a Manny’s,” says Sammy Ash. “It had a great vibe, great gear… but it didn’t translate to the L.A. market. After a few years, we threw in the towel on that model and created Sam Ash Hollywood.” T.J. Milian is the regional manager for Sam Ash in Southern TJ Milian, Sam Ash JANUARY 2012

California, and says that the three-store approach is working well. The main Sam Ash (originally the Manny’s) operation is two stories, with guitars on the first floor and keyboards, and winds and brass on the second floor. There’s a separate live sound (DJ/pro audio) operation across the street from Guitar Center. In 2008 Sam Ash opened up a separate drum shop. “It’s just fantastic,” Milian says of the setup. “Though it’s definitely higher cost in terms of rent and payroll, it really pays off in terms of customer service. Customers have been loving it.” “Since we opened our third storefront on Sunset, we’ve been able to triple the size of the brass and winds department and upgrade the technology division,” Ash adds. Milian says this all created more space for guitars. “Now upstairs there is an acoustic guitar room geared toward the higher-end buyer.” They carry many high-end Gibson and Fender custom shop instruments, plus high-end Martins and Taylors. Also in the mix are some “esoteric” instruments you don’t

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see everywhere, and while Sam Ash does carry some Steinbergs and Warwicks in their other stores, there are many more of them on Sunset Blvd. The horns are in a remodeled area, much bigger than before they got the third store, and they carry all the major brands including Yamaha, Selmer, Cannonball, P. Mauriat, and more. Ash didn’t shy away from the considerable competition, big and small. “There’s always a lot of competition, but it’s how you deal with your customers. As we were able to increase the departments, we were able to service the market better. Our guitar department is truly spectacular and our new acoustic guitar room makes me want to buy something.” Ash reports a wide variety of clientele – the rockers, the tourists, the wannabes. But also Moms and Pops come in for sheet music and school music accessories. Another segment he’s pleased to see are the “tons” of transplanted New Yorkers that come through. “We have a loyal customer base and when we came to L.A. they searched us out. Lots of old friends

JANUARY 2012

who went to California for greener pastures come here because they loved the experience in New York, and now they can have it Hollywood.” Rather than “go Hollywood,” the Ash operation purposely went for a New York feel. “There’s lots of bare brick, slat wall, graphics, and on display is our family culture that took 87 years to develop,” says Ash. “I spend a lot of time out there with [executive vice president] Howie Mendelson making sure that the culture remains in place and reflects how we are as a family.” That aside, it is a different world justifying differences in approach. “Quite a few vintage guitars are over the $10,000 mark and higher-end or new guitars that make people come from all over the world to see the extra selection,” Milian says. Related, this Sam Ash does a lot more selling and trading at this store than others found across the country. Foot traffic is strong, and there are lots of tourists mingling with the celebrities. “Some come in just to see what Sam Ash is like, and end up buying their first instrument here.”

JANUARY 2012

A seemingly endless wall of guitars at Sam Ash.

Milian says the vibe at this location is different than any other. Helping is the people working there: “We have an experienced, veteran crew.” And now as it has its separate store, Milian says they have, “By far the best drum shop on the West Coast.”

See us at NAMM Booth 3028

Neely Custom Guitars For many reasons, not all easy to disseminate, many of the smaller shop owners on Guitar Row have shuttered their doors over the last decade. Then there’s David Neely. His small shop is still trusted with countless area

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Voltage Guitar’s Storied History Lives Online The website is still up, and amazing vintage guitars can still be bought from legend Lloyd Chiate. But his Voltage Guitars shop, arguably the Sunset Strip music instrument shop with the most eccentric and colorful history, had to shut its doors a few years ago. Many others have closed as well, or moved online like Voltage has. Chiate still enjoys talking his experience at the store, and is quick to point out a Bon Jovi blog that tells of the band’s devotion to the operation, and the tale of guitarist Richie Sambora visiting the shop with his kid sister and getting her a 1954 Les Paul Goldtop at a time when he could hardly afford it. Chiate himself has had quite a career. He started dealing in guitars in 1967, selling Dan Armstrong instruments in Greenwich Village and to others on another “Guitar Row,” New York’s 48th Street. He then went to California in 1970 and was writing hit songs with and recording for Eddie Money. Then Chiate went to work restoring guitars before starting a guitar shop in San Francisco in 1973. High-profile clients included Paul McCartney and Jimmy Page. Meanwhile, he kept writing hit songs for Motown artists including Marvin Gaye, the 5th Dimension, Lee Garrett, and Stevie Wonder. (The latter of which he would lose a notorious lawsuit that accused Wonder of copyright infringement for the song “I Just Called to Say I Loved You,” which he maintains he co-wrote a decade before it became a hit in 1985.)

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In 1982 Lloyd founded Voltage Guitars with Paul Volta. “We started on nearby Gower, then moved to Sunset Blvd five years later,” he says. “I started the Guitar Row, as other than me there was Valdez Guitars [a small Flamenco guitar shop] and that’s it.” He has many stories, including procuring one of Waylon Jennings’ iconic guitars and selling it to businessman/film producer Steve Bing, who in turn gave it to Keith Richards. Reflecting on his love of discovering great guitars and flipping them, Chiate tells of driving across the country in the 1980s, particularly in the South, and finding great instruments in small stores and pawnshops. “[Actor] Richard Gere, a customer, wanted me to write a book about this because I’ve been in every small town in the South! I must have made over 100 guitar trips.” The shop thrived with stars always stopping by. “Once Stevie Ray Vaughn came in, played for two hours, and bought 12 instruments in one day.” By the mid-1990s, the Internet had “made” everyone a “vintage guitar dealer,” and business dropped off, as much as 40 percent. Then a few years later a near-fatal health issue forced Chiate to close the brick and mortar shop for good. Fortunately, he’s worked through all that and is doing well in the virtual world. But for him, like so many others, Sunset Boulevard is nothing like it once was. “I’m lucky I got out when I did,” he says.

See us at NAMM Booth 2593

JANUARY 2012

See us at NAMM Booth 4634

Dave Neely, Neely Custom Guitars.

guitarists for repairs, adjustments, and custom work. Born in Nashville, Neely started playing guitar at around 12, inspired by the agents of influence at the time (Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard). By 15 he was playing

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professionally, “Sometimes making more money than my dad,” he says. He was touring while in High School, and even got booked playing for some questionable audiences in the Northeast with alleged organized crime members (“They loved us”).

See us at NAMM Booth 1648

By 1975, touring got less attractive and David ended up working with luthier Bill Lawrence at the newly transplanted Gibson shop. About 18 months later he started his own shop in Nashville. A plea from Waylon Jennings put Neely back on the road for a good long run. Once that ran its course, he went off to college, earning a degree in electronics. He worked with innovator Rick Turner at Westwood Music, before hanging out his own shingle on Sunset in 1996. “This place is packed – it’s a madhouse,” Neely declares. “I do everything here.” Not only do a lot of rock music’s greatest players trust him, but so do the industry’s greatest manufacturers who send him plenty of repair, restoration, and custom work. Neely Custom Guitars is an authorized service center for Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Guild, and Ovation, to name just a few. “It’s a great life, living in Los Angeles, and having a successful shop,” he says. “I do provide the best service you can possibly f ind, and as I’ve been playing guitar professionally for so long, I know what the client wants.”

See us at NAMM Booth 6200

JANUARY 2012

And they want everything from basic setups, to pickup swaps, to major restorations. Neely wouldn’t dream of moving. “My location is great, but more than that, you have to make yourself valuable. If you need to learn bookkeeping for your business, learn it. Spanish? Learn it.” Mesa Boogie John Tokarski of the Mesa Boogie store reports that they are, “Getting through these crazy times with pretty good sales.” Celebrating its 20th year on the Strip, the factory-owned operation is frequented by fans of the high-end gear where the selection is unprecedented. Just Tokarski, local musician Jimbo Head, and Mark Riccardi, former manager of another store on the Strip, work here. “Believe me, overhead on a store like this is not cheap, so we have to hustle,” John Tokarski, Mesa Boogie Tokarski says. It’s

JANUARY 2012

the only store owned by the amp maker, and because the Mesa Boogie depends on good relations with the retailers everywhere who carry their products, they actually hold themselves to the letter of their own strict discounting policies. This

includes what they sell online, where they ship, and what they charge for it. But from the low the operation hit in 2008, being able to sell even some on the Web has helped them up considerably. In addition to their own products,

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Effects showcased at the Mesa Boogie store.

high-end guitars are found at the Mesa Boogie store, including Tom Anderson, Collings, Sadowsky, Mike Lull, Fano, John Suhr, and others. “When we first opened up, it was our amps and Tom Anderson guitars, and that’s about it,” explains Tokarski. “But we’ve since decided to become more of a full-out boutique guitar store. Our customers like seeing instruments from premiere guitar builders here.”

He credits being in Hollywood on Sunset has with so many big-name guitarists coming by. “They are all friends of ours, and like to come in just to hang out and talk sometimes. We’ve been blessed. Let’s face it – music retail has changed a lot in the last couple of years. I’m in my late 40s and from Philadelphia, and I remember liking going to my local music store because it was cool to hang out there. That’s what we try to be.”

In addition to the famous and the soon-to-bes, the Mesa Boogie store sees a lot of students from the nearby Musician’s Institute. There are also plenty of world travelers. “I had a guy in the other day from Japan, and he left with a beautiful Suhr guitar.” Tokarski’s only regret about the store is he wishes could be bigger. He laughs and says that the 1,400 square foot operation’s storage area in the back, “Is or-

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JANUARY 2012

ganized… creatively, let’s just put it that way.” The Mesa Boogie store has a strong reputation for repairs, and they do between 50 to 70 a month. Tokarski is proud of this, noting that customers like that they know whatever they bring in will be fixed right there as opposed to shipped off to some other place, which is increasingly the norm. Then there’s the advantage that only a factory-owned store can offer. The factory’s sales team is in touch and prototypes are sent for playing and testing. “That’s really fun, because we’re all fanatics about this stuff.” Carvin Guitars and Pro Audio Moshe Alvarez recalls with great fondness being brought to the Sunset Carvin store by his father when he was merely 11. “At the time, they had full stacks that filled the store, from front to back. And the guitars … I wanted a Carvin since 1984 and didn’t get one until 1994.” Alvarez would actually end up getting his first guitar during that year a few doors down at Waldo’s, which has since closed. As for Alvarez, he has no ex-

JANUARY 2012

cuse to not be steeped in Carvin gear, as today he’s eight years into working for the retail operation. Save for some On-Stage Stands and a few sets of strings and guitar tuners, it’s an all-Carvin operation, with guitars, basses, amps, and P.A.s from the company on display. They do light and basic repair work in the shop, and send other repair work back to the factory in San Diego. And along with Alvarez, there’s David Hauge and Jason Fresquez to serve customers who come to worship all things Carvin. The threeman operation is an advantage, Alvarez says, and contributes to the laidback vibe at the store. “The big thing we hear from our customers is they like to come in here because in other places on the Strip they get overwhelmed with 20 [sales] guys as soon as they walk in the door.” As one of the few manufacturers with a retail operation, Alvarez is quick to agree that it’s an advantage. Recently a prototype of a smaller VT 50-watt amp head was given to them to check out. They were able to give feedback on, and ultimately influence, the final version.

“It’s much cleaner and safer. It’s still very rock and roll, but just more family oriented now as well.”

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“It’s this very versatile and clean sound, but then it has this overdrive that can rip your head off – and it’s super light.” They’ve managed through the tough times on the friendships and relationships they’ve built over the years. And, as with the other area MI stores, they see their share of tourists. The Carvin store gets an especially big uptick during the January NAMM show. And the during summer, as “players from all over the country come in excited to be in the store as they’ve been receiving the company’s catalog since the 1980s.”

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“It’s not dog-eat-dog like it used to be, when stores would try to badmouth each other. We all figured out that that’s not cool.” Alvarez chuckles a bit in mentioning how extremely fanatical some of the customers are, and how their enthusiasm translates to minutia-detailed discussions on the showroom floor. Then he backpedals: “But I love it! I’m

See us at NAMM Booth 4310

a gearhead myself and have a soft spot for anybody who is like me, anxious to talk about the first Carvin they owned, or the latest amp.” Not surprisingly, he says a big advantage is that the trio is knowledgeable about everything in the store. “When there’s a new product, we go to the factory and check it out, so by the time it hits the floor, we already know it like the back of our hand.” This is especially helpful for a clientele not normally associated with the Strip: school and church folk. “So many of those people aren’t used to running P.A. systems, so we gauge a person’s knowledge and make sure they have a complete understanding about the Carvin gear they are buying. We don’t want someone to come back with a blown speaker because they didn’t know how to operate it. We’ve always been good about that, but it’s especially important nowadays. People want someone they can trust.” Speaking of trust, despite being competitive, there’s a lot of goodwill on the Strip between those who work at the various stores. (This is good, as a manager leaves GC and goes to Sam Ash, one leaves Carvin to go to Mesa Boogie, et cetera) “We all know people from the other stores, and we all often refer customers to other stores. If someone is looking for something at Sam Ash, and they don’t have it, they will refer him or her to us. It’s not dog-eat-dog like it used to be, when stores would try to badmouth each other. We all figured out that that’s not cool.”

JANUARY 2012

Roundtable

The Digital Print Revolution Marches On Publishers weigh in on what it means, and how to profit from it

“When we look to the future and the changing digital world, we see a new market,” says Larry Morton, president of Hal Leonard. “The question becomes, how do you reach it?” A relevant question, indeed. As if the times weren’t tumultuous enough, the world of print music has experienced a technological revolution that has some surging ahead with the tide, while others scratch their heads on dry land. Clearly consumers are running the show. That said, all the publishers interviewed for this round40 MMR

table know the brick and mortar retailer remains key to the future of music making in general and print music, in particular (whatever form that may be), so including them is a priority. (Mel Bay has gone through a momentous shift, embracing digital – for that profile, see page 48.) JANUARY 2012

“Clicks and Bricks” Hal Leonard can claim bragging rights in the world of digital print, and Morton points out they were the first to launch a worldwide interactive sheet music system, called sheetmusicdirect.com, in 1997… “five years before iTunes,” he says. From the beginning, they’ve offered in-store and affiliate programs, something that is still part of the mix (he calls it “clicks and bricks”): “In 2006, we went the next step, offering digital management servers which were revolutionary.” This offered all retailers who took advantage of it the opportunity to piggyback Hal Leonard’s digital catalog onto their site. “We have two dozen companies offering our titles under their name, and the consumers purchasing and downloading from them don’t know we’re behind it. We just deliver the content.” Sheetmusicdirect.com has over 100,000 songs on it, though that’s still just approaching 50 percent of the company’s total catalog. Titles released before advanced note writing programs like Finale are a little more complicated, but luckily OCR technology has advanced so much that scanning older titles into digital versions is now economically viable. Alfred, too, has been working with advancing technology since the dawn of the revolution. “Right now Alfred has 90,000 SKUs [of product] available in some digital form or another,” says Bryan Bradley, Chief Operating Officer. “Not all are available for iPads and Kindles.”

or just look at it on screen. “It enables us to do more marketing. We’re able to get the digital scores out there and then in most cases, they order it. Then we print, bound, and ship it.” It’s not always purchased, however; sometimes a score is rented. Most of their clients are professional orchestras and symphonies and university and high school directors. Mendy Varga, director of publications at Kendor, says their jazz, concert band, and orchestra music began going digital in 2002 when they started working with J.W. Pepper’s e-print service. Today they have about 500 titles available. “Since then, we have licensed our digital music with FreeHand, SheetMusicNow.com, and Musicnotes.com. Our – Larry Morton, Hal Leonard initial concern was how to deliver the music securely to protect our copyrights. older title available digitally. IT director Also, many of our products are used in Doug Fraser leads this initiative and does state contests and festivals, and we had to a good job determining what is worth dobe sure that these digital copies would be ing and what is not.” accepted by judges as legal copies.” The name Lauren Keiser is well Chuck Sher of Sher Music says they known to the print music world. He was offer a special digital Real Book, which an executive with Alfred, Cherry Lane, includes 650 songs from their various and then Carl Fischer before launching fake books bundled together in three Lauren Keiser Music after the acquisigroups. Individual songs are available as tion of St. Louis-based MMB Music. The well. But for him, “there’s a lot of licenscompany also acquired Norrurth Music, ing issues,” explaining that just because and the focus is on living American comhe has obtained the print rights doesn’t posers. Hal Leonard distributes their timean he automatically gets the digital tles, and GM Joe Derhake says they offer rights, as it’s a completely separate prodownloads, but it’s just for demos. “When cess. someone is interested in a score, but not But his digital products are, “Selling familiar with it or sure they can purchase reasonably well, but not great. Singers it, it’s quick and convenient to download seem to like buying digital versions of it,” he explains. Some may print it out,

Currently it’s easy to make new music products available in both digital form and traditional print. “It’s now just an added step. If someone on our keyboard team wants to make something they are publishing also digitally available for download, that’s simple. What gets more complicated if we also want to make it available for iPod and Kindle.” And what about their back catalog? The process of determining what gets made available digitally can be challenging, he admits. “It’s a balance between demand and what makes sense, and the expense and effort involved to make an

“There’s no question that we will continue to be in the book business because that is how people play music.”

Bryan Bradley Chaim Rubinov Chuck Sher of Alfred of Freehand of Sher Music JANUARY 2012

Joe Derhake of LK

Larry Morton of Hal Leonard

Mendy Varga of Kendor

Jamey Aebersold MMR 41

individual songs as opposed to buying an entire book. For musicians, the whole book is valuable to them.” They have 16 instructional books in digital form available for iPads, Kindle, and download versions. “The three Mark Levine books are doing especially well.” And all of the digital products are actually handed through FreeHand Music and O’Reilly Media. “Freehand are everywhere and they are excellent [see sidebar], and O’Reilly is a big deal in the digital world. They have hundreds of books in digital form, not just music books.”

rhythm sections. I want people to play quality music, and today more people are getting to explore jazz and digital downloadable music would help those people.” Advantages & Disadvantages The technology that allows for quick print music downloading has been especially popular with the long over burdened band director. Bradley says their most frequently bought and downloaded transactions come from them. “They need that extra trumpet part, or a student lost the tuba part, that kind of thing,” he says.

“There will be a day when digital sales are more significant, but they won’t completely replace books.” – Bryan Bradley, Alfred Not all are getting on the digital bandwagon. Jamey Aebersold, jazz publisher, doesn’t have a single title available in a digital format in the states. But it’s not because he doesn’t want too – he is having challenges securing the rights of the songs for digital versions. “I think it would help sales, and overall help more people play music,” he says. “Most people learning to improvise don’t have good

Text books about music that don’t contain notation are the next most popular. “What’s also selling well for iPads are our enhanced e-books,” Bradley says. When you buy a traditional Alfred book to learn guitar for example, there’s the book, the CD, and the DVD. You go to page nine, and it tells you to listen to track five to listen and DVD chapter six to watch. “But on the iPad, it all pops up

right there. Click to hear audio, click to see the video. That approach is very popular for those users.” Otherwise, not surprisingly, it’s driven by popular culture: “Over the summer the final Harry Potter movie came out, and all the music we published related to that was our number one bestseller for downloads,” he says. At Kendor the big sellers are Wedding Masterworks (arr. Frank Halferty) and 10 Sacred Songs (arr. Arthur Frackenpohl). “These collection are available for solo woodwind and brass instruments with piano accompaniment,” Varga says. “FreeHand has broken the collections down to sell each tune individually. Since these are all ‘standard’ pieces for weddings and church services, people that need the music for an imminent performance have found these pieces very useful.” For Hal Leonard, the e-books are a big part of their business, and the fake books and some of the guitar chord song books are selling nicely, both as downloads and on iPads and Kindles. Sher, a prolific publisher of fake books, points that digital versions can mean that the jazz musicians “don’t have to take 15 books to the gig.” “Our experience has been positive,” Derhake says. “A lot of times conductors

Keeping the Retailer in the Mix Chuck Sher of Sher Music is working with FreeHand Music, and says that company has been proactive in having titles available for download at retailer stores. “If a retailer hasn’t contacted them yet, they should.” FreeHand (which is in the process of changing it’s name to Onlinesheetmusic.com), runs the MI retailer program sheetmusicnow.com which Chaim Rubinov says that for seven years have been “focused on keeping music stores in the mix.” Impressively, they have 1200 participating music stores – music stores that have hardly any sheet music or those who deal almost exclusively in sheet music. “We want customers to keep going to stores.” The company has a wide variety of publishing partners including several mentioned in article. They also have licensing agreements with Sony, Universal, and Disney. “We currently around 145,000 titles and we’re increasing that number up to 3,000 a month.” He admits it’s been an uphill climb. One is judges of music festivals in piano and orchestra contests weren’t accepting downloaded scores. “Music is typically printed on 9-in x12-in paper, and when you’re printing something in a store, it typically comes on 8-1/2-in x11-in, and when somebody looks at that, they think it might be an illegal

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photocopy,” Rubinov says. “But we found ways to address that. Our proprietary viewer, Solero, isn’t a plug it but free downloadable software and one of the many things it allows is for the music store’s name followed by ‘printed by permission’ on the music and that has satisfied that need.” Citing the ability to change keys right there in the store for a musician is a great benefit even beyond the singer-needs-it-in-this-key scenario. “Because of Solero, there are many more options,” he explains. Say an alto saxophonist and her piano playing friend want to play a Carrie Underwood song together. The dealer can help by moving the piano part that’s in D-flat to C, and then making the melody line in the appropriate key for the sax player. “Or you can move a line into alto clef for the violist.” It’s been an interesting run for the music industry veteran (he had worked for Warner Bros., among other companies). “I’ve been involved in this from the get-go, and there were some dealers who got it right away, saw that it made sense and was a great compliment to what they were doing. Others were threatened by the technology. But little by little … well, we’re at the 1200 number and that’s a testament. For years we were beating down the doors, but now some are calling us.”

JANUARY 2012

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need to make snap decisions, in only a week or even a few days, and I think their ability to sample our scores via download has done nothing but help. Yet some conductors still prefer a hard copy of the score.” Bradley adds that the advantages of making print available on the iPad are similar to music’s relation to the iPod. “There’s less quality in the sound of the music, but then again, I can carry my entire collection in my pocket,” he says. “It’s a little harder to read and it’s not as nice, but the positive side is the immediacy. Say I’m playing at a wedding and somebody comes up and suddenly requests something the band doesn’t know. You can go find it and download it one minute.” “It allows musicians to get our music now,” adds Varga. “In return for the

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immediate service, customers are willing to pay the same price that they would have paid for the quality 9x12 printed copy that we sell. Once the initial work has been completed to make the product digitally secure, there is no inventory and we can keep

See us at NAMM Booth 3505

music in print without worrying about reprinting, etc. As less dealers are able to carry a variety of print music from all publishers, digital music allows our music to be available to the public.” The technology is even more powerful in the classroom and Morton says what productions they offer through the retailer for the SMART Boards “is pretty remarkable.” First, Hal Leonard has their Essential Element Band Method, and while the books come with CD and DVD Rom, and the student can also go to online and access more video and other material. But specific to the SMART Boards, “more and more music teachers are traveling, servicing three or four schools. Think of the tremendous advantage of working with the local retailer for the material, and being able to walk into the classroom with an iPad full of the material to share instead of all those books. It’s a lot of information and convenient for the teacher.” But there are disadvantages to the technology, but in terms of sales for publishers and retailers and for the consumers. “The downside to all of this is what is happening to audio,” Morton says. “People aren’t buying CDs of music, they are downloading that one song they want.

JANUARY 2012

We’ve done such a good job, that’s happening to us. Like the new Coldplay album: It costs $20 for all the songs, or you can legally buy that one song you want for $4.” So less money is being spent on the folio. He adds that mixed folios, like Great Love Songs of the 1980s, are taking a hit for the same reason. “Our medium-to-larger books are less affected though. Our fake books, for example, are selling better than ever. Consumers still want that nice big bound book at a good price, which we’re delivering.” “As great as technology is, there’s certain disadvantages,” Derhake of Lauren Keiser says. “A big score is hard to see on a screen. You can zoom up to it, but in generally, you’re not going to see that piccolo player part! [laughs] So it’s a trade off.” “You’re tied to the device,” Bradley adds. “When I have a traditional print book, I don’t have to worry about it freezing up on the screen. A book is still very flexible and portable, and you don’t have to worry about remembering to charge it. iPads are great but you can’t print from it. I’m a jazz pianist, and I like writing different inversions of chords on the music and making notes in the margins, which you really can’t do when the music [is digital].”

The Dealers and Piracy “Right now there’s a retailer participation program on almost all of digital products,” Bradley says. They make available all their music as a backend support to a retailer, so the customer can go to their website and not know it’s going through Alfred. “Or if someone walks in and they need that B-Flat trumpet part

year about the extension of our digital program that will involve dealers with an app for their own digital network.” Here’s a weird reversal: What if, if, someone buys that piece of music online, prints it out on his and her so-so printer … and then eventually goes and buys the real thing at a local music store. “Yeah, we have no hard numbers, but there is some

“As less dealers are able to carry a variety of print music from all publishers, digital music allows our music to be available to the public.” – Mendy Varga, Kendor right then, the retailer can go online and print it out for them and charge them whatever they want.” No matter how and where a consumer buys a downloaded product, “there’s a retailer somewhere taking a margin of the sale.” “Every digital initiative we’ve always done has had a retail affiliate option,” Morton says. “I will tell you that we’re releasing information at the first of the

anecdotal evidence of that,” Morton says. “How could it not happen? There’ something very intimate about a musician and the music, the organization of a book, that 9x12 page, the nice spread of notes. It has a value that will never go away.” But Aebersold is concerned what this means to the retailer. “With digital print, you don’t need the music store as much. We tell everyone to buy from their favorite

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music store.” He’s also concerned about the problem publishers have had since the proliferation of photocopy machines, a problem exacerbated the availability of scanners. “Pirating is still a big problem – nobody is protecting us publishers,” says Aebersold. “I’ve written to [my] Senator Lugar, and he agrees it is a problem but doesn’t know what to do about it. You have to pay someone eight hours a day to search these sites out and then have a couple of lawyers to stop them.” Piracy has long a scourge on publishMulti-item_Ad_Mar11 4/1/11 12:55 ers, so this ability to get digital versions is

only going to make that problem worse, right? Not necessarily. “All out books have been scanned and put out on download sites already,” sighs Sher. “It’s a drag because it’s virtually impossible to shut those sites down. Yet we’ve seen less of them lately for some reason.” In a rare moment that gives one hope, it seems that allowing legal digital versions for sale are more popular than illegal versions of work. “The pirate versions seem to disappear because people’s first choice is to get it legally, and they will take the high road if PM Pageto1them. It’s a heartening thought.” it’s given

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Don’t Throw Out That Printing Press Yet There was universal agreement between all interviewed that the day when the digital version completely replaces the old-fashioned book will likely not come at all. “There will be a day when digital sales are more significant, but they won’t completely replace books,” Bradley says. “There simply isn’t enough of an advantage to replace the format. It’s still cheaper and easier for a teacher to hand out books and rip out pages for homework assignments.” Look at audio, he adds: the difference between a song on a CD and a song you download is the same; you’re just trading digital formats. “Did Line 6 modeling amps get rid of the need for multiple guitars? No.” “I see a day when most of our business is done digitally,” states Derhake. “But I’m not sure printed medium will ever go away. Technology has its moments but there are always bugs and glitches, and if you’re wanting to look at something but haven’t upgraded a particular piece of software… issues you never have with a hard copy.” “I don’t think so,” says Morton. “There’s no question that in digital media terms, the iPads, tablets, SMART Boards in classrooms – that will grow. But there’s equally no question that we will continue to be in the book business because that is how people play music.” Varga: “I believe that print music is going to go through a similar transition to digital that the recording industry has gone through. I think there will be a portion of our catalog that will be offered as traditional print and digital print, but many of our product will eventually only be available digitally. It will allow us to publish specialized music that wouldn’t lend itself necessarily to the mass market and still be able to offer the music without worrying about inventory and waste.” “I’d rather have the book,” Aebersold says. “Maybe with a Kindle and you’re commuting, and you can practice with a little keyboard on a head set … but otherwise, it’s not me. I don’t think I’ve ever downloaded [print music] off the Internet. When I download news articles, I print them out and staple them!” “I certainly hope not,” Sher says. “I could be wrong, but I can’t see that happening just because it’s such a beautiful thing a book. I’m Jewish and I’m of ‘the people of the book.’ I can’t imagine a world without books.” JANUARY 2012

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Bryndon Bay: The Future of Print Bryndon Bay

“People are choosing to learn differently, and less are choosing methods. Kids just aren’t buying these books.”

Mel Bay’s third generation speaks frankly about the radically changed market Bryndon Bay sits down with an espresso in an upscale coffee house on bustling Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. He’s 40 miles and a world away from Pacific, Mo., the sleepy town where the company he’s president of is located – for now… He’s a million miles away from how the print business was when his father, Bill Bay, took it over from his grandfather, Mel Bay. Friendly, quick with a smile, and refreshingly blunt, the 37-year-old discusses the future of print music. “The old business model is gone,” he states. “People are choosing to learn differently, and less are choosing methods. Kids just aren’t buying these books.” He says that there’s been an intense evaluation of the company and the market over the last two years. And now a whole new Mel Bay company is emerging, and he is the first say it’s been a painful period of gestation. ‘No Customers Are Coming In’ Bryndon and his brother, Collin, who is in charge of product development and

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artist relations, are the third generation to run the company. Grandfather Mel passed away in 1997, but his legendary larger-than-life personality is still revered. Their father, Bill, is now semiretired. “They say to successfully retire you have to have something to retire to,” he smiles, noting that his father still has a passion for the business and is in the office a couple of days a week. “It’s so challenging,” he says of business today. “I was with the company for a few years before becoming president, but from the beginning of my tenure we’ve experienced a decline in print sales, at least in North America. Dealers are telling us they don’t have any customers coming in, so I’ve spent the last two years trimming – in some cases butchering – our expenses.” He acknowledges that the company has painfully let go of veteran JANUARY 2012

employees, some who had been working at the Pacific headquarters for more than a quarter of a century. The changes he’s orchestrated have been head-spinning: Mel Bay had long been envied for having their own inhouse printing operation, and for decades it meant advantages over other publishers. But the Bays realized they were in fact running two businesses – the press and the publishing, and the former was saddled with aging equipment in need of replacement. So they outsourced their printing to New York. They managed to sell all their presses, something Bay is grateful for, and now the building has been put up for sale, as they are down to 30 employees. The sales staff has been transitioned out. “The days of an inside sales person calling on a store to try new items out or taking a huge stock order are over. People with us for years were suddenly unable to leverage their relationship to increase business. It wasn’t any fault of theirs, but the business has transitioned. Most dealers go online to place orders or fax. It’s more data-entry/customer-service oriented and that’s just a reflection of how things are today.” It’s no secret that the print industry across the board has been down, but Mel Bay might be taking a bigger hit because their large, respected catalog is almost exclusively aimed at the hobbyist. There offer no piano or band and orchestra methods, products that have proved relatively resilient in this new era. As for the long revered Mel Bay Guitar Method, sales have been down and the explanation is more than just a sour economy. “It used to be that a majority of those sales came because of the recommendation of a teacher. But today there are fewer guitarists even going to teachers, and whatever material they are using, they aren’t necessarily paying for it. They are getting it online or watching something on YouTube. “Today’s younger people want instant gratification, and working toward book seven of a guitar method is not instant gratification!” he laughs. “I don’t mean this negatively, because getting a quick JANUARY 2012

sense of accomplishment or having fun with a friend is important, but I do wonder what this means for the future of guitar playing, I really do.” The Future A key to the future of Mel Bay is producing e-books. Of their recent collection of new titles, almost all have e-book versions, too. While noting that the sales aren’t that high – yet – he points out that total e-book sales are up to 15 percent of the whole book market. “I do wonder if music is as transferable to e-readers as a standard novel, and so we might not ever achieve that percentage.” But they are committed, saying that soon over 5,000 titles from their back catalog will be available. When they first stuck their toes in e-books seven years ago, they so feared piracy that a complicated and frustrated system was developed yielding complaints. “Users felt persecuted for the sake of a few who would abuse the system.” Bay took it upon himself to research a better system, and today he’s pleased that theirs is “very friendly. You can log into your account anywhere you are. You can access your purchases any time, and you can print it out as many times as you want.” Their password is linked to customer’s personal information like their credit card, so sharing the password is unlikely. “We gathered that a certain level of trust needs to be given, because there are people who are going to cheat no matter what. And today we’ve had no complaints with this new system. And we charge full retail because it’s worth it.” Interestingly, they’ve experimented with releasing only an e-book version of some titles, and that has not been successful. And there’s one place you won’t find a Mel Bay book on: Kindle. “Their discount policy is appalling and I’m not going to do it. Apple takes 30 percent, and that seems reasonable. But I’m not prepared for 55 percent plus. Besides, we’re not getting a lot of request for having our books on Kindle so I’m not sure people are using it for music education.” So where’s this leave the dealer? “While it’s been scary for us, it must

be terrifying for them,” he says. “Stores with school accounts are doing better than don’t, and those with a strong web presence seem more robust than those that don’t, but some of the traditional old print retailers are barely hanging on.” The business model has “totally flipped, and it is a reflection of our community today. [Traditional retailers] were so mad when we started selling to online accounts, but we have to be where our customers are. And today’s customers are powerful, able to choose what they want and how they want it. For Mel Bay, we changed the way we do business and just acknowledged that this is where the business is.” There are bright spots over the oceans: Since Mel Bay has opened a London office five years ago they’ve continued to experience around five percent growth a year. Then over the Pacific, there’s Asia. “Our books are selling really well in China,” he says. Around 50 titles are going strong, mostly the basic methods, but he says some finger picking and rock titles are doing well too. Surprisingly, star finger style guitarist Tommy Emmanuel’s titles are strong. Their story of growing success in Asia has an unlikely source: pirating. During his father’s tenure, the focus was largely on North America, and those in China not concerned with the nuances of intel-

Collin Bay MMR 49

lectual property rights were counterfeiting Mel Bay products for years. But, because of that, the Mel Bay name is well known in the country today, paving the way for their legitimate efforts. “Our brand is extremely respected and it has put us in a good position.” Acknowledging the oddness of what he’s about to add, he grins, “I’m almost grateful...” Back here, their personality-based books continue to be strong to the point of defying the economy. But artist like Emmanuel are out giving concerts plugging their products. Authors doing well today are out selling their books, keeping a strong web presence, and are effectively

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“Today’s customers are powerful, able to choose what they want and how they want it.” using social media. “We can print it, we can make it available,” but a big part of the burden is now on the author. Looking to the near future, he says that if the economy comes back, he thinks print will come back five or even 10 percent, but “we’re not going to see a recovery of print to what it was even five years ago. At this point, people have learned to live with out it or found another way to get it.” So will Mel Bay still be around in 10 years? “I believe so, but we’ll be a vastly different company. I wish I could tell you what we’re going to be! Print will stay alive but will be a small part of the future. We will remain in music education, and our product mix will mostly stay the same. What we sell will look different. We’re kind of a slave to whatever new device is developed next. “Music has been turned into a commodity by companies like Apple and Google. These companies have cheapened intellectual property. It’s funny, the new CEO of Apple [Tim Cook] declared that they still love music, but they sure haven’t treated music lovingly.”

JANUARY 2012

Buyers Guide to New Gear Part 1

Fretted Takamine G-Series Takamine recently introduced the EG240DLX, the EG536SHB, and the EG430SC-WR to the acclaimed G-Series Line of guitars. The new EG240DLX has looks, tone and playability thanks to the culmination of “high grade” tone woods and precision inlay now available together. It boasts a hand selected “Bearclaw Spruce” top, highly-figured mahogany back and sides, and Takamine pickup and preamp system. With the introduction of the EG536SHB, Takamine pays homage to the “golden days” of guitar building in a thoroughly modern package. This herringbone dreadnought features a high-grade Sitka spruce soundboard that creates a powerful and dynamic voice with a broad tonal range. Rosewood back and sides allow for maximum projection. A Takamine pickup and preamp system is included. The EG430SC-WR “NEX small jumbo” body guitar is designed for broad dynamic range and tonal balance. The solid cedar top responds very well to a light touch for fingerstyle passages yet still sings when strummed vigorously. The back and sides are maple, highlighted by the high gloss finish in a rich wine red color. A Takamine pickup and preamp system is included. NAMM Booth #5720 www.takamine.com

Tanglewood Classical Guitars The TCC Classicals are an extension of the company’s successful Evolution Series. Like their steel string counterparts, these nylon string guitars offer extraordinary value and boast an impressive feature set for instruments of their price point. The instruments feature a choice of Spruce or solid Cedar top, Rosewood backs and sides, Rosewood fingerboards, Mahogany one-piece neck,

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Levy’s Printed Hemp Guitar Straps Levy’s new printed hemp guitar straps are 2” heavy-weight genuine hemp webbing printed with Rastafarian designs. Pictured is model MSSH8P, available in six original designs. NAMM Booth #4658 www.levysleathers.com

Maple binding, bone nut and saddle (ABS ivory on TCC-S), 2” (52 mm) nut width, 26” (660 mm) scale length, solid Cedar top. Models are also available with Fishman Isys electronics. Retail price: $229 (TCC-S), $379 (TCC-SC), $499 (TCC-SC-E) NAMM Booth#4242 www.tanglewoodguitars.com

JANUARY 2012

Genz Benz Contour 500 Bass Combo Designed for players who seek a powerful, yet lighter weight one-piece amplifier system, the CONTOUR™ 500 series comes in a 1x15” and a 2x10” version, and both offerings include compression tweeters. The CONTOUR™ 500 combos deliver dramatic versatility with their preamp features, power capabilities, speaker components, and easy to transport cabinet design. This combination offers the player everything from tight, articulate, full-bodied tone, to dialed up “all out” overdrive, and every point in between. The CONTOUR™ 500 combos deliver peak performance with power and versatility from the club to the concert stage. Features include: Input Gain and Volume controls, Tuner Out, Contour circuitry, Active EQ with mid- range parametric network, Aux. Input, Headphone Out and Direct Output. The power section is rated at 300W @ 8 ohms and 500W @ 4 ohms. Extension cabinets are also available. Retail price: $1,069 (115), $1,129 (210). NAMM Booth #5720 www.genzbenz.com 20111204_MMR_NAMM_Ad_OL.pdf

JANUARY 2012

12/5/11

Ovation 2778AX-FKOA Guitar With top-shelf materials, superb craftsmanship, and superior electronics, Ovation’s Standard Elite models have been the choice of working professionals since their introduction in the ’90s. The new 2778AX-FKOA adds a new dimension to this popular series with its highly figured Koa top complemented by two inlaid flame maple epaulets. The stunning guitar is the perfect model for players looking for comfort without sacrificing tone. The new model also features Ovation’s ergonomically designed Contour body for both improved acoustic performance and playing ease. MSRP $1149.00 NAMM Booth #5720 www.ovationguitars.com

4:58 PM

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Buyers Guide to New Gear

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Electro-Harmonix Analogizer The new Analogizer is an effect pedal designed to warm up the harshness of a digitally processed guitar or to thicken up an already warm sound. It provides the organic tone and feel of an analog delay without the long delay times. The Analogizer features four controls: Gain, Spread, Blend and Volume. The Gain control allows a user to boost their input gain up to +26dB which can be used, for example, to make a solo stand out. Spread controls the delay time of the Analogizer from 3.5 mS to 65 mS. Adjustments in the lower-half of its range provide tonal variations in the effect. Adjustment in the upper-half can be used to thicken up a player’s sound. Blend enables a guitarist to mix their direct and effected signals from 100% dry to 100% wet. Volume controls the pedal’s output level. Housed in a solid die-cast package, with a 4.37” long by 2.37” wide footprint, the Analogizer is equipped with a 9V battery and can also be powered by an optional 9.6V/DC200mA AC adapter. Retail price: $139.80. www.electroharmonix.com AMV / Rocky Mountain Slides Speed Grip Slide Caddy AMV Sales & Consultation, which offers music-related apparel, print goods, collectibles, accessories and other items at a

lower retail price point but higher margin, is showcasing their new Rocky Mountain Slides “Speed Grip Slide Caddy.” The products come in spring Steel with a vinyl coating and are available in black. Retail price: $24.99. NAMM Exhibit # 2692 www.amvsales.com

Fender Starcaster Telecaster The Starcaster® Telecaster® features a Basswood body, Maple Neck (c-shape), Maple Fingerboard (9.5” Radius), 21 Medium Jumbo frets, 25.5” Scale Length, Single Coil Tele® Bridge Pickup, Single Coil Tele Neck Pickup, 3 Way Toggle Switch Master Volume, Master Tone Controls, 6 Saddle Fixed Bridge (String Thru) Covered Tuners, 1-ply White Pickguard, and Light Gauge Strings (.009.042). Model # 028-8300-506 (Black). NAMM Booth #300 www.fenderguitars.com Rotosound Guitar Tuner and Chord Finder This new tuner works simply by clipping the unit to an instrument, where it picks up the string vibrations. The built-in chord finder has an easy to use search function which allows players to search by chord letter name or chord root, choosing minor, major, diminished, augmented, or suspended chords and further options for 7th and 9th chord versions. The Guitar Tuner and Chord Finder is fast and precise, highly sensitive, light and highly portable. Retail price: $24.95. www.rotosound.com GoGo Chromatic Pedal Tuner GoGo’s basic pedal tuner comes with a large, easyto-read screen for accurate chromatic tuning in any lighting conditions. The pedal features a matal chassis, true bypass, and the ability to daisychain with other pedals. www.gogotuners.net JANUARY 2012

Introducing iQ Flash from PianoDisc P

ianoDisc’s New iQ Flash front-end is a modern, flexible MP3 player system specifically designed for use with PianoDisc’s iQ technology. Features include 1,024 levels of dynamic expression playback per note, built-in SD Card and USB slots, wireless connection and One Touch Record and playback options.

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Integrated balance control for just the right mix of piano and accompaniment

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Buyers Guide to New Gear

Band & Orchestra Dakota XG Series Alto and Tenor Saxophones The new Dakota XG Type Alto & Tenor saxophones are available in two custom metallics – Hand Rubber Antique Bronze throughout or Matte Black Body with Silver Plate Bell/Bow/Neck contrasted with 18K Gold keys/key cups/key guards and trim. Both models reflect the original innovative design and specifications for all Dakota Saxophones and are built with oversized, graduated bells (5.32” for the alto, 6.26” for the tenor). Double key arms are used where needed, and both models include a 77% copper content brass alloy, fast taper neck designs, solid stainless steel key rods, low profile key cups and pads, and tempered black oxide

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springs. Personalized Mother of Pearl key tips blend into the luxurious hand rubbed key cups/trim, along with understated craftsmanship of artistic hand engraving. www.saxdakota.com Phaeton PHT FX-1100 Trumpet The FX-1100 Trumpet offers a number of outstanding exclusive innovations, including three sets of interchangeable bracing machined from Bronze, Stainless Steel and annealed Brass. Players now have the option for fine tuning their instrument to suit individual taste and performing requirements.

The new beefed-up solid brass stock one piece heavy mouthpiece receiver adds a new dimension of control at the point of critical tone production. Rifle drilled

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openings in both horizontal Phaeton style braces reduces weight while adding essential response in every register. A faster large bore tapered lead pipe adds more dynamics when needed. That, coupled with the trumpet’s larger bell, makes it virtually impossible to over-blow this horn. Reversed tuning slides and lead pipe provide for the smooth, uninterrupted air flow. The trumpet also features a short piston stroke design for high speed and a signature Brush Brass finish and Solid Brass hex shaped weighted top/bottom caps & finger buttons. An all-wood, oversized Vintage Tan Tweed carrying case is included, with leather trim and brass hardware and a burgundy velvet plush interior throughout. www.phaetontrumpet.com Drake/RS Berkeley Legends Series Mouthpiece The Dexter Gordon Legends Series Mouthpiece is an exact reproduction of Gordon’s original gold plated mouthpiece. Drake Mouthpieces has created this

JANUARY 2012

model through an innovative one piece casting method that is completely hand finished. This is unlike most production metal mouthpieces, which are CNC produced (made by machines). Although a very laborintensive process, this was the only way to get the exact internal dimensions of Gordon’s original piece, and thus preserve the authentic experience for the performing artist. Each mouthpiece is finished in a 24 karat gold plating. As part of this unique process, pieces may have very subtle “inclusions”. This term refers to very small surface fluctuations that are sometimes visible but do not in any way affect the playability of the mouthpiece. These inclusions further contribute to the individuality of each piece. Available tip openings for the Dexter Gordon Legends Series include: Dexter’s original 6*(.098”), 7* (.105”) and 8*(.110”). NAMM Booth #3208 www.rsberkeley.com

Keyboard

and LX-505 models will have a 7” interactive color touch screen, lighted teaching system, Fatar premium keyboard, full ensemble, USB, 128 note polyphony, 200 styles, and many more extras. The LX502 will have most of the same features as the 505 and 802, but with a 4.3” color touch screen. The CR-301 and CR-202 will be similar to the LX series, but with a regular LCD panel screen. All the models will have the lighted teaching system. NAMM Booth #820 www.pianoempire.com Yamaha Arius YDP-C71PE Console Digital Piano Yamaha launches the Arius YDP-C71PE Console Digital Piano at Winter NAMM 2012. Geared toward adult intermediate players to advanced hobbyists, the YDPC71PE’s high-quality sound and Graded Hammer (GH) action makes it ideal as a practice piano while also built to handle even heavier use at institutions. Plus, the elegant new Polished Ebony finish makes it attractive for houses of worship.

Using Yamaha’s AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling, the YDP-C71PE delivers authentic and expressive piano tone. The damper

pedal features a half-damper effect, which provides different levels of sustain for acoustic piano realism found only in a Yamaha. A two-track song recorder captures musical ideas and is also ideal for practicing with the built-in recordings of selections from the standard piano repertoire. Dual headphone jacks allow two people to sit at the instrument and play, practice or teach in privacy. The Arius YDP-C71PE is slated for shipping in February 2012. NAMM Booth #100 www.yamaha.com

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Buyers Guide to New Gear Acorn Masterkey 61 USB Keyboard Controller The Masterkey 61 offers 5-octaves of fullsize, synth-action keys intended for more elaborate two-handed playing styles The Masterkey 61 offers seven fully MIDIassignable controls including two rubberized expression wheels generally used for pitch-bend and modulation, four control knobs and a mixer-style fader. The threedigit LED display provides parameter and

value feedback, making programming a snap. The two buttons just below the LED display can be assigned to any of four parameters — program change, MIDI channel, octave shift or transpose assignments. All controls are located on the left side of the keyboard to allow the player to quickly make changes without missing a beat. The Masterkey 61 comes bundled with Studio One Artist by Presonus™,

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which offers complete unlimited audio and MIDI recording capabilities, full editing, 20 built-in effects plug-ins, and over 4GB of third-party loops, software, and virtual instrument sounds including Native Instruments™ Guitar Rig LE, Toontrack™ EZDrummer Lite, plus much more. Retail price: $149.99. www.acorn-instruments.com

Percussion Vic Firth “Essentials” Stick Bag Cleverly designed to hold 4-5 implements such as sticks, brushes, Rutes and mallets — the “essentials” — this bag features a hook-and-strap system for secure suspension from the floor tom or snare. The

straps fit neatly into the bag when not in use. An internal pocket and elastic drum key loop make the bag complete. Crafted in durable‚ water resistant nylon. #ESB; H = 19”, W (when open) = 8 1/4”. Retail price: $21.00. NAMM Booth #3040 www.vicfirth.com Vic Firth New “Titan” Drumsticks The Titan series of drumsticks have been designed with a revolutionary technology to maximize durability and playability. Made from an advanced aerospace-grade carbon fiber composite, each stick very consistent in weight and pitch while providing superior resilience, all while maintaining the feel and sound produced by a wood stick. This new series features the designs of the American Classic® 5A and 5B, the world’s most popular drumstick models. Aggressively tested by professional drummers

[sim-buhl]

noun

A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by being struck together, or singly, by being struck with a drumstick or the like.

This is what we do, and we do it very, very well.

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Ask your local drum shop for Supernatural Cymbals and our NEW Pro Cymbal Packs

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in practice, recording and performance, these sticks last significantly longer than traditional wood models. This 100% green product is also recyclable.and put the power of the Titans in your hands.” Retail price: $99.95. NAMM Booth #3040 www.vicfirth.com Toca Deluxe Drum Set Timbale Toca’s new 12-inch Custom Deluxe Drum Set Timbale is 5.5-inches deep and has a shell diameter of 12-inches, making the perfect size for an accent drum that is big enough to produce big, lively tones and crisp rim shots. The steel shell has a black mirror chrome finish

accented with brushed nickel hardware. The drum has five tuning lugs and a tuning wrench for easy adjustment. The timbale is also great for cascara playing. It includes a mounting bracket that accepts any standard 3/8" rod. NAMM Booth #5720 www.tocapercussion.com Zildjian Offers Stand-Alone Pocket HiHats The Avedis Zildjian Company will now offer its popular Zildjian Pocket HiHats as a stand-alone product. Originally introduced as part of its successful Inspiration Pack for Gospel and Praise and Worship, these 13” A Zildjian HiHats feature a thin top and heavy bottom providing plenty of chick that’s explosive, bright, and quick to decay. Un-

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lathed and featuring large crater-style hammering, these HiHats make an ideal set for just about any musical genre including funk, hip hop, pop, and rock. NAMM Booth #2940 www.zildjian.com Tycoon Percussion Ashiko Tycoon Percussion introduces the Ashiko, also known as the male version of the popular Djembe. Built in their very own factory in Thailand, these drums are

constructed from the finest sustainably harvested Siam Oak wood, and are individually hand-made and tested, promising only the highest sound quality and durability. Each individual drum also features a hand-picked premium goatskin head fastened by 5mm extra strong non-stretch rope, which will allow for fine and long lasting tuning. The Ashiko drum is just one of the numerous topquality traditional instruments Tycoon Percussion has to offer. Available in 3 different sizes: 8”, 10”, & 12” NAMM Booth #3570 www.tycoonpercussion.com LP Classic Series Congas and Generation II Bongos LP has recently introduced a new matte Antique Sunburst finish to two of its most popular drums. The new color is a traditional golden yellow to dark sienna burst that is covered with a pristine coat of matte lacquer to give the drums a classically warm and elegant appearance. LP’s Classic Series Congas are available in three sizes, 11” Quinto, 11 ¾” Conga and 12 ½” Tumba. The shells are 30” deep and are constructed using three MMR 59

Buyers Guide to New Gear plies of Siam Oak with a layer of fiberglass in the upper portion of the shell for additional strength. The drums are equipped with LP’s exclusive Comfort Curve Rims and natural rawhide heads. The new Antique Sunburst matte finish is also available on LP’s Generation II Bongos. Gen II Bongos have and 7-1/4” and 8-5/8” diameter Siam Oak shells, chrome Comfort Curve rims and natural rawhide heads. www.lpmusic.com LP introduces New Glow-inthe-Dark Cyclops Tambourine The new LP Cyclops tambourines features a frame made with a material that glows in the dark. Like all LP Cyclops Tambourines, they have a comfortable ergonomic design for natural arm and wrist motion and also feature nickel-plated steel alloy jingles that

project a crisp, bright sound. The Tambourine’s glow can be recharged with either direct natural sunlight or artificial light. The instrument’s fluorescent properties allow it to glow brightly when exposed to blacklight. Retail price: $45.99. www.lpmusic.com Supernatural Percussion “Fire & Ice” Supernatural Percussion introduces two new products at this year’s NAMM. The Retro Sizzler-A is a reintroduction to a classic, similar to rides that were once standard issue for jazz and rock drummers through the ‘50s, ‘60s and

‘70s. Small hand-forged bronze rivets embedded in the body produce a soft metallic sizzle as they vibrate on the surface of the cymbal. This classic, retro cymbal is a great addition to any drummers toolbox. Meanwhile, Zen Rock Ice bells produce a unique high pitch ting much like a large “Triangle” sound often used in orchestra work. They are a great accent sound and can be muted and played by hand to produce a variety of interesting effects. When played between the inner bell and outer edge, an array of tones can be achieved. www.supernaturalcymbals.com NAMM Booth # 2765 Gretsch Brooklyn Series USA Drums The new Brooklyn series pays homage to the original birthplace of Gretsch drums. Brooklyn drums project a classic Gretsch tone, but speak with their own sonic personality. The classic tones are modified by the 6-ply North Ameri-

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can maple/poplar shells with 30-degree bearing edges and Gretsch “302” 3mm double-flanged hoops. The “302” hoop is reminiscent of the original doubleflanged hoops used by Gretsch up until the mid 1950’s. The return to Brooklyn means a return to a Round Badge. The new Brooklyn Round Badge has a black/ pewter color scheme with classic em-

Once drummers get used to the settings, the HexRack II is the fastest rack to set up. Fully customizable vertically and horizontally, the HexRack II is ideal for creating basic set-ups along with elaborate, customized configurations to hold cymbals, acoustic drums, electric drums, cymbals and accessories, including percussion instruments and multi-pads. NAMM Booth #100 www.yamahadrums.com

Print/Media Premiere Performance Series from Carl Fischer Premiere Performance Series for Beginning Band features all-new works at Grade ½. All pieces use only the first six notes of the B-flat scale, and the instrumentation is limited to one instrument on each part, with the bass line covered by all low brass and low woodwinds. The Pre-

bossed Gretsch design. Classic Gretsch USA drum hardware fittings and Silver Sealer shell interiors are included. Classic Gretsch specs combined with innovative Brooklyn specs drive a new Gretsch sound that is full, punchy and warm, mixed with a more open and ambient tonal characteristic. Satin Finish Colors – Mahogany, Dark Ebony, Tabasco, Emerald Green. Nitron (Wrap) Finish Colors – Vintage Cream Oyster, Smoke Grey Oyster, Ruby Red Oyster, Royal Blue Oyster. Retail price starts at $2,725. NAMM Booth #3540 www.gretsch.com Yamaha Hexrack II Fully compatible with components from the previous model, the Hex Rack II features grooves cut into the pipes which make the rack even more durable than its predecessor. Innovations include lightweight aluminum pipes (the lightest on the market) and sleek, remodeled clamps.

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Buyers Guide to New Gear miere Performance Series includes alternate parts for horn in easier ranges, trombone parts that do not go past fourth position, a bass clarinet part that can also function as euphonium T.C. part, and clarinet parts below the break. Each piece has

simple rhythms made up of whole, half and quarter notes, and if eighth notes are used, there are only two repeated. With active percussion writing, the timpani part is optional, and the pieces are kept short in consideration of young embouchures. www.carlfischer.com

Tradin’ With The Greats with George Garzone and Kenny Werner JodyJazz’s new Tradin’ with the Greats CD Series puts jazz listeners and performers

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in the band with high level, professional musicians. “Trading” is the time-honored tradition where musicians improvise back and forth, inspiring each other to play at higher levels of artistry than

they normally reach. The CDs are set up as a play-along concept, with artists hand-picked by JodyJazz president Jody Espina. In these first volumes, saxophonist George Garzone and pianist Kenny Werner perform their trademark highquality solos while leaving space in choruses in between for fans to trade in their own improvisations at home. NAMM Booth #3317 www.jodyjazz.com

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New Releases from Hal Leonard Hal Leonard Corporation presents at NAMM Journey Through the Classics. This new four-volume piano repertoire series is designed to lead students seamlessly from the earliest classical pieces to intermediate masterworks. The selections in Journey Through the Classics are presented in a progressive order, and feature a variety of classical favorites essential to any piano student’s educational foundation. The books offer music written for each level by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, Gurlitt, Schubert, Schumann, and many other master composers. The pieces are introduced in a logical sequence, with each carefully chosen for its pedagogical value and student appeal. Each

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Buyers Guide to New Gear book features a reference chart noting the stylistic period and the challenge elements listed for every selection. The authentic repertoire makes Journey Through the Classics ideal for auditions and recitals. Retail price: $5.99 (Books 1 – 3), $6.99 (Book 4). Hal Leonard Corporation proudly presents new book/DVDs to make chords come alive for learning guitarists. These bargain-priced packs for teaching guitarists must-know chords for jazz, blues, acoustic and rock will be available at NAMM. The DVDs show someone actually playing the essential chord types and progressions for each genre along with full-band backing tracks, so guitarists can grasp the chords in context. Beginners won’t get bogged down with details, and they don’t need to read music. Jazz Guitar Chords covers seventh chords, 6 and 6/9 chords, extended chords, altered dominant chords, and more. Blues Guitar Chords teaches

how to play boogie patterns, dominant seventh chords, extended chords, other chord types (min7, maj7, altered), alternate/partial chords, and more. Acoustic Guitar Chords teaches the essentials for effective strumming: open chords, barre chords, seventh chords, other chord types (suspended, add), open-string drone chords, and more. Finally, Rock Guitar Chords, covers power chords, open chords, barre chords, seventh chords, other chord types (suspended, add9), and more. Each book is 32 pages long. Retail price: $9.99. NAMM Booth #4618. www.halleonard.com

The Best of Iron & Wine Easy Guitar Book from Cherry Lane The Best of Iron & Wine is the first-ever songbook for beloved South Carolina singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Iron & Wine has four critically acclaimed studio CDs to his credit, as well as EPs, singles and a live al-

WORLD-CLASS STUDENT AND PRO WOODWIND AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS

Dealer Inquiries Welcome Diplomatte Musical Instruments (USA) (516) 967-0005 psgpi@aol.com diplomattemusic.com 64 MMR

bum. The new Cherry Lane collection features Easy Guitar arrangements with tab for 22 acoustic tunes spanning the career of this folk hero. Songs include “Boy with a Coin,” “Cinder and Smoke,” “Fever Dream,” “Jezebel,” and more. Retail price: $19.99. For more information, visit Hal Leonard at Booth #4618 at NAMM. www.halleonard.com

The Book of Mormon: Sheet Music from the Broadway Musical Released by Alfred Music Publishing The Book of Mormon: Sheet Music from the Broadway Musical is the companion songbook to the Tony Award®-decorated Broadway musical, arranged for piano and voice with music written by Tony award-winning and acclaimed Broadway composer Robert Lopez (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy award-winning South Park cocreators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The collectible songbook allows singers and pianists to apply their talent to the show’s award-winning score with piano and vocal arrangements of all 16 songs from the Original Broadway Cast Recording. As a bonus, the souvenir edition features eight pages of full-color photos from the original Broadway production. The Book of Mormon musical is a religious satire about comically mismatched missionaries and their expedition into an impoverished, diseased, and warlord ravaged town in Uganda. Retail price: $24.99 NAMM Booth #4818 www.aflredmusic.com Variations on a Theme of Schubert, Op. 100 from Lowell Liebermann Schubert comes alive with this new piano solo from Lowell Liebermann:Variations on a Theme of Schubert, Op. 100 (11041789 - $14.95). This work starts with a piano setting of Schubert’s well-loved “Heidenröslein,” followed by 10 variaJANUARY 2012

tions and a coda, revealing Liebermann’s fascinating imagination and inventiveness, as well as his love of piano textures. For advanced players. Mr. Liebermann’s music is known for its technical command and audience appeal. Having written over one hundred works in all genres, several of them have gone on to become standard repertoire for their instruments, including his Sonata for Flute and Piano, which has been recorded more than twenty times to date, and his Gargoyles for Piano, which has been recorded fifteen times. Among his many awards is a Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Theodore Presser Company is the exclusive publisher of Mr. Liebermann’s music. Retail price: $14.95. www.presser.com

Accessories Keyelco Easy-Mount Kits for PC/104 & PC/104-Plus Modules A new series of Hardware Mounting Kits for PC/104 and PC104-Plus Bus Drives are engineered to ease assembly of new modules and multi-board stacks. The PC/104 and PC/104Plus kits may be used with any of the more than one hundred different PC/104 modules available in the marketplace. Each of Keystone’s PC/104 hardware mounting kits includes all the hardware required to mount a singleboard and is supplied with four each: #440 threaded spacers .600” length, #4-40 x 1/4 screws, and nuts. For kits with Brass components, request Catalog #8799-4; for kits with Aluminum components request Catalog #6799-4; for kits with Stainless Steel components request Catalog #57994; and for kits with Nylon components request Catalog #4799-Availability is from JANUARY 2012

stock through Keystone’s global distribution network. Online ordering is accommodated. Keystone Electronics Corp. is a major manufacturer of interconnect components and hardware and provides a full complement of stamping, machining and assembling services. An in-house application engineering group is on hand to aid in product modifications or customers special designs. www.keyelco.com

Asterope Instrument Cables Asterope cables provide musicians, audio engineers and enthusiasts with a unique cable design that provides greater clarity, a broader frequency response and more dynamic harmonics. These rugged, unidirectional cables – designed and manufactured in the United States – are the result of more than 10 years of research and development. Asterope instrument cables come with a lifetime warranty against

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.

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

249

Suggested Retail

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Buyers Guide to New Gear manufacturing defect. The cables are available in 6-foot, 10-foot, 15-foot, 20foot and 40-foot lengths, as well as 1-foot and 3-foot patch cables.

The company has recently established a number of programs designed to support its distribution partners, including a dealer channel program and a unique drop-ship program, helping reduce the amount of inventory dealers and distributors carry. These flexible programs are aimed at reducing distribution partner costs while increasing profitability. Retail price starts at $59 for a 6-foot instrument cable. NAMM Booth #2593 www.asterope.com New Website from MODtm Kits DIY MOD™ Kits DIY recently announced a new and fully revamped website. The new MOD™ Kits DIY websites features videos, schematics and detailed descriptions of all the MOD™ Kits available. MOD™ Kits are designed to give novice and experienced musicians the opportunity to build their own amps and effects pedals. All kits come with clear and easy-to-follow, well-illustrated drawings, easy-to-follow instructions and use pointto-point wiring. A pre-drilled enclosure and all parts are included. All you need to provide are hand tools, a soldering iron and solder. The effect pedals operate on 9V batteries which are not included. NAMM Booth #4893 www.modkitsdiy.com V-MODA Limited Edition Crossfade LP2 Matte Black Metal Headphones The special edition Crossfade LP2 brings DJ-approved acoustics, military-grade durability and customization options out of the box. The heart of the Crossfade LP2’s Live Play™ sound signature is its patent-pending and biggest-in-class 50mm Dual-Diaphragm Drivers and V66 MMR

PORT 3D staging. This innovative driver displacement is energy efficient yet can recreate the sound of multiple drivers with the quality and consistency of a single driver. The driver’s diaphragm is constructed of a harder inner ring for mids and highs and a soft outer ring dedicated to deep bass extension, even with low powered sources. The Crossfade LP2 is fine-tuned with a 31-band EQ. The Crossfade LP2 is tested under strict MIL-STD-810G military testing and V-MODA’s even tougher VMQA guidelines, including Kevlar® reinforced detachable cables and 45-degree plug strain relief. The headphones survive 70+ drops on concrete from six feet. The headphones feature interchangeable shields, a 3.5mm fabric cable with a 3-Button remote control optimized for Apple products, and a 3.5mm fabric audio cable universally compatible with all audio, tablet and smartphone products with a 3.5mm port including Android, BlackBerry® and Windows PhoneHard exoskeleton carrying case, ensuring headphones are protected in style. There’s a 2-Year Premier Warranty and an “Immortal Life Program” that ensures 50% off lifetime discount to replace consumerdamaged headphones. Retail price: $199 www.v-moda.com

Digital Tone2 Audiosoftware Filterbank 3.3 Filterbank, an analog modeled filter and synthesizer plugin bundle with routable modules and 58 filter types gets a new update with 64-bit support for PC and a standalone synthesizer version for PC. Filterbank’s modular design and flex-

JANUARY 2012

Buyers Guide to New Gear ible modulation using LFOs, envelopes, and a step sequencer gives users nearly unlimited possibilities to filter or create complete sequences and textures. Next to its two independent stereo filters and reference-class sound quality, Filterbank offers self-oscillating filters, a large selection of standard as well as exotic filter types, FM, AM, feedback, and a saturation module with multiple distortion & lo-fi effects. Tone2 has also improved the program’s VST detection, loading speeds, and stability. www.tone2.com Cakewalk SONAR X1 Production Suite SONAR X1 Producer Expanded provides additional functionality that includes modular ProChannel capability, Softube’s Saturation Knob ProChannel

module, revolutionary FX Chains 2.0, one-click SoundCloud integration, and Music XML support. The program’s PC4K S-Type Expander / Gate ProChannel Module provides legendary large format console Expander / Gate functionality and the included Z3TA+ 2 is the next generation waveshaping synthesizer. Estimated street price: $499.00 U.S., available exclusively at select music and sound retailers worldwide. NAMM Booth #7400 www.cakewalk.com Gen16 AE Digital Cymbal Processor Firmware Updates The Gen16 AE Cymbal System includes low-volume acoustic cymbals, a radically new “pickup” that utilizes a patent-pending, dual-head mini microphone design, and a Digital Cymbal Processor (DCP). The heart of the AE Cymbal System, the DCP instantly changes the tone of the AE cymbals to fit any mood, vibe, or song. Gen16 has now provided users with a Firmware update. The first improve-

ment is a New System Manager that allows users to customize and save personal, internal settings. Also, a New Audio Manager allows modification of audio levels, microphone gates, and mi-

crophone sensitivity of each individual AE Cymbal plugged into the DCP. The DCP can connect to and communicate via MIDI capable E-Drum controllers allowing the user to save kits to memory from both the DCP and the current controller. Users can control the DCP from their drum controller or control their drum controller from the DCP, integrating the Gen16 AE Cymbal System even more with their current setup. Also included in the Firmware Update are 10 all-new Tone Shapes in the current DCP arsenal that provide more

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P. Mauriat brass and woodwind instruments, available exclusivley f rom St. Louis Music For more information on becoming a P. Mauriat Dealer please call now on 1 - 800 - 727 - 4512 or email info@usbandsupplies.com - St. Louis Music is a division of U.S. Band and Orchestra Supplies Inc.

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creative nuances with each AE Cymbal. Throughout 2012, additional Tone Shapes are planned for release each quarter in an effort to continually grow the Tone Shape library. Lastly, an Expanded Owner’s Manual will be included in the update in 14 languages. NAMM Booth #3050 www.Gen-16.com

as “DX-Core” dual-foam interiors with Sherpa Fleece lining and a virtually indestructible, water-proof exterior. The AHEAD Armor Percussion line

Cases and Bags SKB Watertight Acoustic and Classical Guitar Cases SKB 3i Series Injection Molded MilStandard Watertight Cases are molded of ultra-high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin, featuring a gasketed, water and dust proof, submersible design (MIL-C-4150J) that is resistant to cor-

includes cases for congas, bongos and djembes as well as multi-purpose bags for small percussion instruments (shakers, bells, blocks, etc.), holders, and accessories. In addition, AHEAD Armor offers a choice of cases for the increasinglypopular cajon, including a convenient Dyna-Zip bag and a unique backpackstyle model. NAMM Booth #3564 www.BigBangDist.com

For Rich Dynamic Sound Pros Play For years Guy Hawkins mouthpieces have been the choice of pros for their rich harmonic sound and unsurpassed playing response. Whether you prefer the handcrafted hard rubber or a forged metal model, the sound will be uniquely yours.

rosion and impact damage. The cases include stainless steel molded-in hinges, patented “trigger release” latch system (two with TSA locks), comfortable, snap-down rubber over-molded cushion grip handle, automatic ambient pressure equalization valve (MIL-STD-648C), and in-line skate wheels. Both guitar cases carry a Million Mile (Lifetime) Warranty. Retail price for both the 3i-4217-18 acoustic guitar case and the 3i-4217-30 classical guitar case will have a MAP price of $299.99. NAMM Booth #4210 www.skbcases.com

Mouthpieces for all clarinets and saxophones

AHEAD Latin and World Percussion Cases AHEAD Armor Cases offer a new standard of protection for a wide range of Latin and World Percussion instruments and accessories. The top-quality, soft cases incorporate many of the advanced features found on the top-selling AHEAD Armor drum, cymbal, and hardware cases, such

www.jjbabbitt.com

See us at NAMM Booth 4322

JANUARY 2012 jjbGuyHawkins.indd 1

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Buyers Guide to New Gear

Light and Sound PowerFX Introduces Full Access Sound Libraries With either a Pro Sound Effects Account or Pro Loops & Samples Account, users will have instant access to over 20,000 sounds in the PowerFX online database. PowerFX has been a leading producer and distributor of award winning sound libraries for over 10 years and

has licensed sounds found in DAWs like Logic, Garageband, Cubase, SONAR and REASON. The Loops & Samples individual sound library includes many sounds from their own unique titles, like Downtown Strings, Drummers of Motown, World Loop Spice Rack, and the sound effects library that includes the historical sound archives from National Swedish Television (SVT). The Pro Loops & Samples Account is $199 a year and the

Pro Sound Effects Account is $149 a year. www.powerfx.com/library-access Telefunken ELA M 260 Tube Mic Stereo Set The new ELA M 260 Tube Microphone Stereo Set comes complete with a dual power supply and flight case. The Stereo Set was first introduced in 1958 by Gotham Audio as a package for the Neumann U-47 and U-48 microphones that were distributed in the United States. Each microphone in the Stereo Set fea-

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tures three capsules (260 cardioid, 261 omni-directional, and 262 hyper-cardioid). The new M 960S provides power to both microphones from a single power supply. Also included are two 25’ Accusound tube microphone cables with right angle XLR connectors, two wooden microphone jewel boxes, two shockmounts, and a flight case for safe transit. The microphones also feature NOS Telefunken EF732 vacuum tubes, custom audio transformers, and come in the same “flint gray” finish made popular by the R-F-T AR-51 microphone. Also now available is the ELA M 260 Stereo Field Recording Set with interchangeable capsules, Novuscell 20-hour rechargeable battery pack, charger, and accessories. NAMM Booth # 1868 www.t-funk.com Gemini Expands FirstMix with FirstMix I/O and FirstMix Pro FirstMix I/O and FirstMix Pro interface with a PC or Mac via a standard USB connection allow users can easily choose songs from their iTunes library with the

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JANUARY 2012

included MixVibes LE DJ software. The new controllers also employ professional features like touch-sensitive jog wheels for scratching, pitch control for beat matching, built-in soundcards, plus effects and EQ for creative song manipulation. NAMM Booth #5700 www.geminidj.com PhaseFOAM Acoustic Materials Primarily for use in broadcast and recording studios, PhaseFOAM™ can be extended to improve sound in music rehearsal spaces, music teaching studios, vocal booths, tracking rooms, home theaters, listening rooms, personal gaming systems, and other critical listening environments. This system allow for configuration of sound and room design using the key components contained in these two simple acoustic foam kits.

PhaseFOAM™Box A includes 16 pieces of 1’x1’ x 2” thick high density wedge pattern acoustical foam used to absorb sound, prevent phase cancellations, and design visual interest. PhaseFOAM™Box B contains 2 pair of Triangle Traps. The design of the bass

JANUARY 2012

trap allows for various corner configurations and installation direct to a wall or ceiling to provide low frequency sound absorption anywhere in the room. PhaseFOAM™ is currently available from stock. Retail price: $125. www.PhaseFOAM.com American DJ Event Bar DMX Compact and ultra convenient, the Event Bar DMX is an all-in-one LED scanning light system that features 4 bright white 3W LED pinspots mounted on an X-Y movement bar. A “turnkey” lighting system for nightclubs, stage productions, concerts, mobile entertainers, retail displays, trade shows and special events, the Event Bar DMX is easy to set up and operate. Featuring full DMX control, each of its 4 heads operates independently of the others and has its own strobe effect and 0-100% dimming capabilities, giving users the ability to create just the right mood and effects for any application. With a pan 360° and tilt of 270°, this 4-headed scanning system also provides broad, sweeping coverage with its brilliant white beams, so it’s ideal for illuminating spaces large and small. The lamps come with a standard 12° beam angle, but as an added option a 6° beam angle is also included. Featuring both DMX and manual control, the Event Bar DMX provides a number of operating options that will appeal to novices and lighting pros alike. It can run in four different modes: DMX512, Stand Alone, Sound Activated or Master-Slave. When in DMX Mode, it

See us at NAMM Booth 1225

utilizes up to 25 channels and operates just like a traditional scanner in that users can control the pan and tilt on each individual head independently.

The unit is equipped with 3-pin XLR connectors and a 4-piece daisy chain power connect, along with long-lasting LED lamps which will run for 50,000 hours at normal use, emitting just 54 watts at full operation. The Event Bar DMX measures 39” x 3” x 8” (1,000 x 80 x 202 mm) and weighs 16.8 pounds (7.6 kgs.). It is fan-cooled and features multi-voltage operation: 100V240V, 50/60Hz. Retail price: $799.95. NAMM Booth #5774 www.americandj.com

See us at NAMM Booth 6240 MMR 71

Get with the The Rock House Method’s New Music Curriculum for Sustained, Successful Private Lessons Ten-year-old rock music education company Rock House Method has had no shortage of new ideas throughout its existence. A punchy upstart with a flair for securing top-notch talent in a line of instructional media, Rock House made a name for themselves as a popular piece of many companies’ starter guitar packs recently. This year, the company has again moved on to a new chapter: a full-on teaching curriculum for guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, and vocals that includes teaching materials, workbooks, certification, and loads of online support. It’s an ambitious undertaking that could change the way music shops run their back-room private lesson programs. But as founder Joe Palombo says, “It’s definitely bold, but I think we’ve always been more than just a DVD or book.”

MMR caught up with Palombo and John McCarthy, who’s taken charge of designing the curriculum, to talk about the new method.

MMR: You’ve recently rolled out the beta version of your new website, with several layers of educational interactivity. Tell us about the idea behind this, and how it connects with the brand new teaching program you have in the works. Joe Palombo: What we’re really focused on is that we’re coming out with a curriculum. You have all these methods that have been out there for years and we’ve come out with something else – why the whole new website is important is that it’s integrated. When someone buys our product, they’re able to come to the site and be on the forums and all that. There are daily blog posts, a feature called, “Ask the Teacher” where people can search a database of questions and anything you have will get answered, and we have Tony Pasko, who used to be with Peavey, doing our “Gear 411.” Our primary market has always been the entry-level player, but the issue becomes: “How do you keep people moving along?” That’s what we’ve always been about. On the site now, what happens is that they can continue to ask about their playing and their gear. 72 MMR

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Program MMR: How does the curriculum support that? JP: We’ve come out with a threestep method that is really about getting them to stick with it. It’s a teacher-based method. When you buy one of our books, it’s more than the usual. It includes video that you can download to educate you on gear – what are these pedals? What’s the difference between a tube amp and a solid state amp? – the basic stuff that the beginner needs so that when they go back to the store, they’ll have some education. It really helps the store. We’re going to teach the most basic things that have always given beginning players fear to go into a store and buy products.

MMR: So this is an all-around rock education. JP: Exactly. There are also videos about how to care for your instrument – how to tune it, how to change the strings. Of course there will be play-along stuff like everyone has, but the whole key here is to really take people to the next level – not only teach them the instrument, but to make them customers. Not only are these books hip, new, incredible, but they’re going to continue that mission that we’ve been on. MMR: You’ve had a unique access to a customer base already in line to design this

them learning and what doesn’t keep them learning. Who else in the business has had that? We know better than anyone else how to get a student, teach them, and get them exactly what they’re looking for and what will turn them off.

MMR: What kind of things have you done to improve the educational component of the method? John McCarthy: A lot of the Mom and Pop retailers get 50% of their revenue through selling lessons in their store. Usually they just hire a guy in the area who they think is a good guitar

“ The whole key here is to really take people to the next level – not only teach them the instrument, but to make them customers.” program around thanks to the years your products were included in all-in-one beginner guitar kits, right? JP: Up until about two years ago, when the guitar pack sales were f lying, we were in everybody’s pack – Peavey, Ibanez, Silvertone, Ovation, Washburn – every guitar company that had a pack that was signif icant, we were in. Well over a million different packs over three or four years. No one has had a lab of customers like we’ve had of beginners who let us know what they like and don’t like and what keeps JANUARY 2012

player and no one knows what goes on in those lessons. With our approach, it’s a standardized way of knowing what’s going on there. There are quizzes in the book and when the students take them, the quizzes get emailed back to the store owner, the teacher, the student, and the parent. So everyone knows how effective the student and teacher are. If you have three teachers and one has a bunch of kids acing the quizzes and the other one has kids only getting half the questions right, you know something’s wrong. Parents love getting reports on how their kids are doing. MMR 73

MMR: So this is really a program to solidify a store’s teaching programs as a whole. JM: Right. The teacher’s edition shows you how to teach each lesson in this book. Even basic stuff like if you need to go through the chords one note at a time. There are lesson quick tips, which are for people who have taught before but

who might want a few pointers to make it exciting. I know that not everyone who uses this method is going to be a brand new teacher, so these might just spark some new ideas. Then there are lesson notes, which will give instructors in-depth explanation to teach the lesson. There are worksheets on certain lessons to work on scales

“ I think we’ve always been more than just a DVD or book.”

things like that, and there are teacher play-alongs, which show the teachers how to play along and interact with the students. That helps them to learn, whether it’s strumming along while they play a scale or anything like that.

MMR: What can students expect when beginning the program? JM: There are three levels for guitar. There are three for bass guitar, three for piano and keyboard, and one level for ukulele. It goes from the very beginning, from holding the guitar, all the way to the Cage system, modals – the most advanced. It could go five-to-seven years for students. I like them to know everything – a little bit of fingerpicking, a little bit of everything just to get a taste of it and know what they’re doing. JP: John is a great instructor and has taught all of our guys to teach and it’s unbelievable to see. He’s trained them all and his thing was, years ago, a great guitar player came up to him and said, “Man, I’m working in haberdashery – I’m selling clothes!” John asked him why he didn’t teach and the guy said, “I don’t know how to.” The light bulb went off.

MMR: The whole thing works to build up a community of musicians, then. JP: If your teachers teach their students successfully, what do they do? They stay and become customers. If they don’t, they leave. We have a whole checks and balances system. John will even do a phone interview with the teacher. The number one thing is that we want to make sure the teacher knows how to teach. They’ll take the quiz and get certified, then the store can say, “We teach the Rock House Method.” The store owner can have confidence. He knows what they’re teaching, he knows how they’re teaching them, he knows they’ve been educated on how to teach them, and he’s got the checks and balances system. It’s a home run for everybody. It’s ambitious and bold, but I think we’ve always been more than just a DVD or book.

Breaking News! Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.mmrmagazine.com 74 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 4860

JANUARY 2012

See us at NAMM Booth 5951

Band & Orchestra

P. Mauriat’s Artist Service Center.

Alex Terrier

Double Time Developing Taiwan Horn Manufacturer P. Mauriat Has Already Reached Every Corner of the World

At just eight years old, the horn company P. Mauriat is turning heads already with its rapid rise to prominence. Not only has it secured a state-of-the-art facility in its homeland of Taiwan, it’s expanded an influential reach across the world in record time. CEO Alex Hsieh, who also performs now and then with ensembles like Saxitude, journeyed to Berklee School of Music to study with the best and learn from as many industry pros as possible before taking his knowledge back home to start a company based on the principles of achieving high quality and high affordability. MMR spoke with P. Mauriat Project Manager Susan Tsai about the company’s rapid growth. MMR: P. Mauriat seems like one of the most exciting horn companies to have developed in recent years. Can you trace the rapid growth of the company for us? Susan Tsai: P. Mauriat was founded in 2003, starting with just three employees. After eight years of sweat and hard work, P. Mauriat has grown tremendously – the company now has more than 30 employees in Taiwan, including 12 from the factory. 76 MMR

MMR: What’s the current setup for your headquarters? ST: Our business office is located in Taipei, Taiwan within a short walk of the impressive Taipei 101 tower. Earlier this year, we hosted the grand opening of a state of the art pro shop/performance stage encompassing the entire floor beneath our office. The P. Mauriat Pro Shop is the biggest of its kind in Taiwan, and was built to offer the opportunity to play our horns and to perform to all our endorsing artists passing through Tai-

wan, as well as a wide variety of local musicians of all levels. Visitors can also purchase instruments at the Pro Shop. Our current factory in Daya, Taichung was purchased in 2008, and it is a comprehensive assembly-line factory.

MMR: Can you describe that growth – what were some of the first markets that you had success in, and what are some more recent ones that you’ve been able to successfully break into? JANUARY 2012

Tony Lakatos

Jason Marshall

ST: Alex Hsieh has a case of saxophone obsession. After some additional study and saxophone immersion in the US, Alex enthusiastically returned to Taiwan to retool his saxophone designs with the goal of producing a handcrafted modern horn that embodied the sonic qualities of vintage horns, yet offered an affordable, toe-to-toe alternative to the

top selling, established brands. Our horns first gained traction in the Thailand market, with an initial 100-piece order that sparked the new brand into life. An order soon followed by China and within a year we were privileged to join hands with Alex’s long time friend and saxophone teacher, Professor Roger Greenberg, in opening a North

American distribution center in Greeley, Colo. called Monte Verde Music. When Roger decided to retire from the distribution business in 2010, P. Mauriat teamed up with St. Louis Music to take over distribution in US and Canadian markets. This relationship has been extremely successful and we are enjoying a record year in 2011 despite the tough economy.

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In recent years, we have successfully extended the business lines to the European, Latin American and Oceania markets, and our team continues to work hard with our targets on comprehensive worldwide distribution. We are glad to announce that this past August, we were finally able to add the South African market to our distribution network.

MMR: How is the company performing today? ST: Over the years, market rates have fluctuated up and down due to global financial and economic recessions and

Proshop Opening Ceremony

currency inflation. Because of this, we have recently focused our core efforts on major markets such as North America (USA and Canada) which is positioned at 20-25%, Western and East European countries are around 30-40%, Asia countries 15-25%, Latin America 8-10% while Oceania and Africa are at 1-2%.

MMR: P. Mauriat has an extensive group of fresh endorsing artists – what do you look for in the folks that you have endorse your product? ST: It is clear that being selective in associating ourselves with famous names has been great for building up P. Mauriat’s brand value. Big-name artists like James Carter, Bob Reynolds, Jason Marshell, Marcus Strickland and Greg Osby helped to legitimize the brand and played a large part in awakening the US marketing to the quality of

the horns. However, it is important for us to continually focus on finding saxophone and trumpet endorsers that are not necessarily well known, but will actively promote the horns and generate our sales. Young artists offer great potential energy and passion for the brand. Aligning ourselves with them will continue to be a valid method for reaching our market goals.

MMR: Your saxophones seem to be built for stylistic versatility – do your customers tend to lean more toward jazz or classical playing? Music truly has no boundaries; it is our intention to design and construct P. Mauriat saxophones and trumpets for both jazz and classical players acceptable. Over our years of research and many trials and errors, we have found experimenting with metal compositions, acoustically/artistically designed finishes and proprietary construction methods have been the key ingredients in setting our horns apart from the pack.

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See us at NAMM Booth 1325

JANUARY 2012

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

See us at NAMM Booth 5760

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Suggestion Palmer Guitars USA and Prolok Look to the Future with a Careful Ear to the Present

Palmer Guitars USA and Prolok brands are bound by a few common threads: their quality, value, sheer variety of products — and the flexibility to continue innovating. The company says that in-house R&D, close factory partnerships, and a fast-paced production cycle have allowed both Palmer and Prolok to turn on a dime as consumer preferences change. Sold through independent dealers throughout the United States, the Palmer Guitar line (www.palmerguitarsusa.com) is also one of the most popular, best-selling guitar brands in Latin America. Known for its competitive prices, and loaded with features, the line covers some serious ground in the guitar segment—ranging from classical and classical electrics to acoustics, acoustic-electrics, acoustic basses, electric guitars and basses, and mandolins. Palmer’s top-selling PC14 Marquis Series student guitars, available in five fractional sizes, have been called one of the best-sounding and easiest80 MMR

playing student guitars on the market. In November, Palmer became a sponsor of the national non-profit Guitars In The Classroom program, where its guitars are being used by teachers learning to teach every subject through making music with students and are “experiencing exceptional results,” according to GITC Executive Director Jessica Baron. Earlier this year, Palmer unveiled a range of handcrafted Artist Series Indonesia electric guitars and basses that have earned endorsements from artists including guitarist A.J. NiJANUARY 2012

ilo (Joss Stone, Shakira, Taylor Dayne). Palmer also offers a line of strings for acoustic, classical, electric and bass guitars, as well as several models of capos and accessories including picks, maintenance kits, and straps. Based on a review of customer service records and user comments, Palmer has also recently extended its warranty to a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Meanwhile, both brands appear to track closely to the wants and needs of the marketplace. MAP prices for Palmer guitars range from $99 to $499, squarely covering the average price point of a guitar sold in the U.S.—$353, as of 2010. Marketed under the tagline “The Solid Solution,” Prolok (www. prolok-usa.com) is known for their diversity of products and designs that appeal to discerning buyers. Prolok’s best-selling category, newly reinforced by improved tooling and design upgrades, is its selection of stands. The range covers boom mic stands to stackable round-base mic stands, guitar stands, keyboard stands, music stands, and lighting and speaker stands. Bags and cases are also a key category for Prolok, which offers soft gig bags in six series for guitar and two series for keyboard. Identifiable by their bold trim colors in stylish designs, Prolok’s bags feature a variety of padding thicknesses and a vast assortment of pockets and compartments for iPods, headphones, and accessories. On its Jupiter series, an accessory compartment unzips to become a backpack. In hard cases, Prolok offers ABS and wood cases for guitar, ATA-style

keyboard cases, DJ cases, and ABS rack cases. A complete line of cables is backed by a lifetime warranty, features, velcro cable ties and bar-coding for efficient inventory management. The cables’ fourcolor header cards are designed to make them instantly recognizable to consumers. Completing the Prolok line are several guitar tuners and a slate of new products scheduled for introduction at the winter NAMM show To showcase its latest product releases in the run-up to the winter NAMM show, Palmer is updating its catalog and website to coincide with its new Facebook page, Facebook.com/palmerguitars. To assist dealers in their own web marketing efforts, both Palmer and Prolok have made high-resolution images and ready-made content available retailers. In one of several measures to help minimize dealer freight costs and maintain competitive pricing, Palmer offers pre-packed color assortments of several best-selling guitars, allowing dealers to order a variety of colors in a master carton — thus minimizing labor costs of assembling mixed shipments from separate cartons. All Palmer guitars products are available in the U.S. from several distributors including Harris Teller, Tamarkin Music, Southland Music Distributors, Dillingham Marketing, and Tropical Music North America. Above all, Palmer and Prolok brands are supported by personalized service. The company has stated: “Being accessible to customers remains a critical component in building confidence in our brands and the company behind them.”

March 21 – 24, 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany mission for music Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany is definitely the place to be for all manufacturers, retailers and musicians. At the most important international trade show for the musical instrument industry you’ll discover all the latest products, which you can see and hear for yourself live at the various stands and stages. For more information about the wideranging program of events at Musikmesse visit: www.musikmesse.com info@usa.messefrankfurt.com Tel. 770.984.8016

JANUARY 2012

See us at NAMM Booth 4800

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USA

Supplier Scene Bootsy Collins Endorses Fishman Fission Bass Powerchord FX Grammy award-winning bassist Bootsy Collins is Fishman’s newest high-profile endorser, having taken a shine to the allnew Fishman Fission Bass Powerchord FX pedal, which is distributed by John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd.

NAMM Show. The pianist, composer, and producer will perform on the company’s CC-94 Concert Grand at Lounge 88 on Friday, January 20th at 6PM. Lorber, whose music has been recently featured on The Weather Channel, was an early pioneer of the Smooth Jazz genre with his group The Jeff Lorber Fusion. When Lorber broke off from the group to pursue a solo career, his music reached a new level by crystallizing jazz, funk, and Latin rhythms with some killer melodies — all of which will translate into an exciting concert for NAMM Show attendees. For more info, visit www.masonandhamlin.com.

Bootsy, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who has played with the likes of soul Godfather James Brown over his 40-year career, is instantly recognizable for his uniquely driving bass and vocal skills, not to mention his outrageously flamboyant and colorful style. The Fission Bass Powerchord FX provides beds of power by adding stacked harmonies over their bass lines. An intuitive set of controls and foot switches allows several combinations of octaves and 4ths and 5ths above the root note to combine to produce power chords or octave-up effects. For more information, visit www.fishman.com.

Retail Up! Showcases a Variety of Tech Products Retail Up! has announced a new comprehensive store-based lessons scheduling,

Legere Announces Signature Series Reeds for Soprano Sax Legere Reeds officially releases the Signature Series for Soprano Saxophone at the NAMM show. Also appearing on the Sheraton Park Hotel Jazz Stage on Saturday the 21st of Jan at 7:40, the company will present Grammy award-nominated artist Rocco Ventrella and friends. Ryan Saranich and Pocket Language, along with Brad Brewer, will demo the reeds daily. More info at www.legere.com.

commission and management program called Lessons Up! The company will be on hand at NAMM for discussions and demonstrations on the software and many other products. Retail Up! offers websites with in-depth product data from over 400 brands and rich interactive features ready to add to any site. They’ll also showcase a Point of Sale that integrates with QuickBooks at an affordable monthly rate. Learn more at www.retailup.com. SKB Corporation Launches SKB Europe With the evolving European markets and the expansion of products in new categories, SKB Corporation has announced the January 2012 opening of SKB Europe as the central distribution point in the European Union for the Music Pro

A/V, Industrial and Sporting Goods divisions. SKB Europe is located in Reusel. The Music Pro A/V market in the Scandinavian market will continue to be served by EM Nordic, while the UK Music Pro A/V market will be the responsibility of Shure Distribution UK. Not only will there be the greatest variety of products available in Europe, the SKB facility also will have the ability to develop and manufacture custom interiors for customers. SKB Europe will also coordinate trade show displays and focused marketing activities for all SKB Divisions within Europe. To learn more, visit www.skb-europe.com. Byron Janis Helps Launch Yamaha Remote Live Virtuosic pianist Byron Janis played an integral role in the recent launch of Yamaha Remote Live. This Remote Live launch was a ground-breaking technology that enabled his performance on the Yamaha Disklavier CFX Piano to be streamed to other Disklavier Pianos anywhere in the world, in tandem with video broadcast. While Mr. Janis played live in New York City at the Yamaha Artist Services Piano Salon, his performance was played simultaneously at The Julliard School in New York City, Lincoln Park School of the Arts in Pittsburgh, the Grand Piano Haus in Chicago, and the Yamaha Worldwide Headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan. Read more at www.ByronJanis.com and www.yamaha.com. Allen-Quantum Digital Organ Installed in Historic Englebrekt Church With its unique architecture and ornate pipe façade, the Englebrekt Church is a

Mason & Hamlin presents Jeff Lorber in NAMM Show Concert Trailblazing Smooth Jazz sensation and Grammy-nominated keyboardist Jeff Lorber will perform live for Mason & Hamlin Pianos during this year’s Winter 82 MMR

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Scandinavian landmark. Several times throughout its history, the church has updated or overhauled its pipe organ. This year, the church added an Allen Quantum Four-Manual, 138 stop control, 92 digital stop organ. Stefan Therstam, Professor, Royal College of Music, Stockholm and organist at the Engelbrekt Church said, “We feel we have really made the right decision. Being one of the most important church music venues of Sweden’s capital, the Englebrekt parish has, in this Allen Organ, acquired a whole new palette of musical opportunities.” Visit www.allenorgan.com to learn more. Shure PSM1000 is the Invisible Star of CMA Awards Shure products shared the spotlight with several of country music’s top artists and bands at the 45th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards show recently. Monitor engineers Jason Spence and Mike Parker relied almost exclusively on

the new Shure PSM1000 Personal Monitor System for most of the live performances in Nashville. For the broadcast, Spence and Parker used Taylor Swift at the 2011 14 channels CMAs. of PSM1000, with 28 receivers covering almost all of the performances on the main stage and on a satellite stage at the back of the Bridgestone Arena. Due to the varying distances of the two stages from the monitor mix position, they adjusted the output power on each of the transmitters with some at 10mW, some at 50mW, and others at 100mW to compensate for the different distances to each stage. New Shure endorsers The Band Perry were the evening’s big winners, taking home awards for Single of the Year

and Song of the Year for their hit, “If I Die Young,” and New Artist of the Year. They used three custom-painted Shure Super 55 microphones to perform their new single, “All Your Life.” The PSM1000 systems and almost all of the UHF-R Wireless Systems were provided by ATK Audiotek. For more info on Shure microphones and monitor systems, visit www.shure.com. Tri-Tech Showcases Retail Business Tools Longtime tech advisors Tri-Tech will be on hand at this year’s Winter NAMM to answer questions on a variety of services they offer to businesses including POS systems, lesson scheduling and billing, inventory management, instrument rentals,

PLAY LONGER PLAY LOUDER PLAY HARDER

www.bourns.com/proaudio JANUARY 2012

See us at NAMM Booth 5315

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Supplier Scene web hosting, eCommerce, marketing services, and IT services. For more info, visit www.technology4retailers.com. Martin Using Recycled Wood C.F. Martin & Co. has announced that it will utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce in an instrument it will unveil at the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The wood, which is reclaimed from dismantled Canadian bridges where it had been used in construction, will be used on the tops of the new GPCPA4 Sapele, one of the cutaway guitars in the company’s Performing Artist series. It is a “Grand Performance” body style with FSC 100 percent Certified Sapele back and sides and an FSC Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce top. The instrument has a gloss finish on its top and red toner on its satin back and sides. It also includes Fishman F1 Analog Electronics and a High Performance Neck. It will be delivered

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in a 600 Series molded case, which was chosen because of its lack of impact on deforestation. Find more info at www.martinguitar.com Berklee Scholarship Auditions Berklee College of Music is visiting 20 cities around the U.S. though March as part the Berklee World Tour, where the college conducts live auditions and interviews with students interested in pursuing their dream of studying at Berklee. Each year, Berklee visits more than 40 cities around the world in search of talented instrumentalists and vocalists–an effort that is supported with $25 million in scholarship funds. All applicants who audition and interview for admission are also considered for a host of scholarships that Berklee awards annually, including the Presidential Scholarship, the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship, the Africa Scholarship, the Slaight Family Scholarship,

and the Berklee City Music Scholarship. In August, Berklee and Lollapalooza announced the founding of the Berklee Lollapalooza Endowed Scholarship at the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza in Chicago. The four-year, full tuition scholarship will be awarded annually to a talented musician in financial need and is being endowed by Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor-advised fund. This exciting partnership is the first educational initiative of its kind for Lollapalooza. For more information, visit www.berklee.edu. Audiofly Premium In-Ear Headphones Audiofly designs, manufactures, and markets premium in-ear headphones and December marks the launch of Australian based Audiofly’s North American sales and marketing effort. The company is unveiling its high quality, in-ear headphone product lineup at CES 2012.

JANUARY 2012

Retail sales of Audiofly’s precision engineered, in-ear headphone products are anticipated to begin in April 2012.The company’s U.S. headquarters are located in Diamond Bar, Calif. There are four initial Audiofly in-ear headphone products, so listeners can enjoy the truest sound possible within their budget: AF78 series – Audiofly’s premium hybrid in-ear headphone offering, featuring a combination of a balanced armature device, normally found in professional earpieces, as well as a 9mm custom dynamic driver; AF56 Series – fullyfeatured set of in-ear headphones offering a13mm dynamic driver voiced for a solid bass response that doesn’t overpower the subtle detail of the midtones or the smooth chimey highs; AF33 and AF45 Series – these quality headphones deliver superb sound reproduction at an affordable price. To learn more, go to www.audiofly.com. Thomas Lang and Cora Coleman-Dunham Endorse AHEAD Armor Cases AHEAD Armor Cases recently announced that world-class drum artists Thomas Lang and Cora Coleman-Dunham are now endorsing the company’s full line of advanced drum, cymbal, hardware, and accessory cases. Thomas Lang is a perennial multicategory pollwinner in the U.S. and abroad as an artist, clinician and educator. His best-selling books and DVDs document his extraordinary drumming skills and four-way independence. His solo performances on electronic and acoustic drums receive standing ovations at the world’s major drum festivals. ThomJANUARY 2012

as has hosted a series of Drum Boot Camps throughout North America, Europe and Asia and currently tours with his progressive band Stork. Cora Coleman-Dunham, winner of the 2003 Guitar Center Drum-Off national drumming competition, is best known for her work with Prince and Beyoncé and remains a leading figure in the R&B/Gospel community. Cora appears along side R&B drumming legends Gerald Heyward, Aaron Spears and Nisan Stewart on DW Drums’ DVD release Kick, Snare, Hat. For further information, visit www.bigbangdist.com.

States, and from leading distributors around the world, the company has announced new distribution agreements with Organigrama (Spain), Bothner Music (South Africa) and Moridaira ( Japan). Cymbag is also providing private label cymbal sleeves for the Meinl, Bosphorus, and TRX cymbal companies. Recent artist signings include Mauricio Claveria (La Ley, Los Concorde), Gabriel Lastra (Reik) and Gilberto Castillo Ramos (Gogonut). The full selection of Cymbags are available at leading drumshops throughout the world. For additional information, visit www.cymbag.com.

Cymbag Expands Cymbag International of Monterrey, Mexico continues its growth through the expansion of its worldwide sales and

KickPort Seeks to Become the “Automatic Add-On,” Adds to Artist Roster The makers of KickPort are looking to expand their success by increasing the bass drum sound enhancer’s presence on as many of the thousands of new drumsets sold this year as possible. “I felt that the KickPort would become a standard part of the modern drumset from day one,” says KickPort’s marketing consultant, David Levine. “Kickport is much like the plastic drum-

marketing efforts. In addition to the availability of Cymbag cymbal protection sleeves from Big Bang, Universal and Kelley International in the United

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Supplier Scene head and suspension tom mount because of its ability to dramatically improve the sound and performance of every kit. It’s hard to find any drumset on the market today that doesn’t include both of those game-changing innovations.”

Once KickPort determined that the goal was to get the device on the widest variety and largest number of new drumsets, company President Jesse Bradman decided against solely pursuing a traditional OEM (factory-installed) approach with individual drum manufacturers. He believes that a better, although perhaps somewhat unconventional, way to reach this goal is at the retail level where a KickPort can find its way on to any make or model. “We want to become the ‘Do you want fries with that?’ drum accessory,” Bradman adds.

In other KickPort news, the company has announced several additions to its world-class roster of artists/endorsers. The list of top drummers using the Kickport bass drum sound enhancer now includes Stephen Perkins ( Jane’s Addiction), Keith Carlock (Steely Dan), Matt Traynor (Bless The Fall), Rischard Jenkins (Anthony Hamilton), Jake Garland (Memphis May Fire), Mical Montgomery (I Wrestled A Bear Once) and Victor Indrizzo (Sheryl Crow). New endorsers of KickPort’s popular CajonPort include Karl Perazzo (Santana), Jen Lowe (independent) and Tiki Pasillas (Marc Anthony). For further information visit www.kickport.com. Alfred Music Publishing Congratulates Winners of the 2011 CMAs Alfred Music Publishing congratulates the winners of the 45th annual Country Music Awards, including The Band Perry for “New Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Single of the Year,” and Lady Antebellum for “Vocal Group of the Year.” As the official publisher of their sheet music and songbooks, Alfred toasts the accomplishments of these

R-F-T SERIES

world-class artists and takes great pride in producing their top quality licensed products. The Band Perry’s debut album, The

Band Perry, merges sounds of country, pop, and rock, with the widely-popular tripleplatinum single “If I Die Young.” The song was the focus for two of the band’s other CMA wins for “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year.” Alfred is the official publisher for sheet music editions and arrangements of the band’s self-titled album and hit single, as well as others. Forming in 2006, Lady Antebellum have won consecutive CMAs for “Vocal Group of the Year” since 2009, including this year. Alfred is pleased to offer over a dozen original sheet music editions and arrangements of their acclaimed albums, Lady Antebellum and Need You Now, plus several of their hit singles. The band is currently on tour for their latest album Own the Night now through the summer 0f 2012. For more information, visit www.alfred.com.

www.t-funk.com

860-882-5919

ECC81 Vacuum Tube T 14/1 Transformer

86 MMR

EF-732 Vacuum Tube BV8 Transformer

See us at NAMM Booth 1868

EF-95 Vacuum Tube 1935 Transformer

Gemini Unveils Websites to Support New Brand Direction Gemini recently announced that they will initiate a new branding campaign that employs two distinct divisions of the Gemini brand – DJ and Pro Audio. In conjunction with this strategy, Gemini unveiled new websites to support the brand distinctions, making the Gemini family of websites geminisound.com, geminidj.com and geminiproaudio.com. To create a more specific and consumer-

friendly branding experience, all Gemini products will be branded as Gemini DJ or Gemini Pro Audio, depending on their function and intended application. Moving JANUARY 2012

forward, all future products will follow this same model. To reinforce this plan, Gemini has unveiled a new landing webpage at geminisound.com, which offers links to the company’s two main websites, geminidj.com and geminiproaudio.com. As the URLs indicate, all Gemini DJ products will be displayed on geminidj.com and all Gemini Pro Audio products will be displayed on geminiproaudio.com. Additionally, with the implementation of the new websites, all email addresses for company employees will adopt the postscript “@geminisound.com.” For more information, visit www.geminisound.com. NAMM Foundation to Co-Host The College Music Society Summit at 2012 NAMM Show The NAMM Foundation will be collaborating with The College Music Society to co-host the Society’s Summit at the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif. from Jan. 20-21. The theme of the program is “Untapped Collaborations: Synergies Between the Music Products Industry and the Education of the Next Generation of Musicians.” The event is designed to engage college faculty, administrators and graduate students with leaders in the music products industry and collaborate on issues concerning music education, the practice of music, and the future of music’s role on society. In collaboration with CMS, NAMM hopes to introduce and articulate key issues facing the music education profession and the music products industry. It also aims to heighten an understanding that music education and the music products industry go hand-in-hand, as well as develop awareness about opportunities within the music products industry and provide strategies for college students to find internships. A final goal is to develop an understanding that partnerships between educators and the music products industry is crucial to building cohesive music education programs. For more information, interested parties can visit www.nammfoundation.org. Roland Announces 2012 V-Drums Championship Roland presents the V-Drums World Championship 2012 at Winter NAMM. Contestants from all over the planet will battle for prizes and worldwide bragging JANUARY 2012

rights at the House of Blues in Anaheim on the evening of Friday, January 20, 2012. The official invite and details are to follow but prepare for great performances, celebrity judges, merry making, and spectacular

dance moves. You’ll just need to pick up your tickets at the Roland booth (#7400) on Thursday or Friday during the show. Find more info at www.V-Drums.com/contest

Finally, an axe that won’t cut down a forest.

Hand Crafted Carbon Fiber Electrics

Viktorian Guitars (303) 219-1483 www.viktorian.com NAMM Booth #5794 [Hall B]

Introducing the

Z-Stik

Unlike any other percussive instrument!

The Z-Stik© can rain, shake, swirl and can plug into a guitar’s sound effects and loop stations to create a drum beat with different tones! The Z-Stik has five components • Sound chamber with capability of changing the sand from fine to course First Time • Sound board Exhibitor- See Us • Resonation Chamber At NAMM Show • Piezo pickup on the sound board In Hall E! • Sound hole

Available in different sands from around the country and the world Hand built with the prettiest wood on the planet by Greg Dahl

Call Greg Dahl 541.450.9499 or email info@Z-Stik.com and checkout our web site www.Z-Stik.com MMR 87

See us at NAMM Booth 3421

Classifieds MMR CLASSIFIEDS INFO:

Accessories

☛ 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.

Business Opportunities

NAMM Booth #3501

JANUARY 89 MMR 2012

JANUARY MMR2012 89

Business Opportunities Are You Tired of Trying to Climb the Corporate Ladder?

is a multi-store, family owned and operated full-line retailer based in Metro Atlanta. Ken Stanton Music has over 60 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success and customer satisfaction.

Seeking: Certified Band/Orchestra Repair Techs, Print Music Manager, Store Managers, Sales Associates in the following departments: Guitars, Pro Audio, Drums and Percussion, and Band/Orchestra. Looking for friendly, customer service oriented, self-motivated, proven closers with good listening skills and 2+ years experience. Availability for flexible scheduling a must. Bi-lingual a plus. We feature: Competitive non-commission based pay, medical/ dental coverage, 401(k) plan, vacation/holiday/sick time, and room for advancement. Complete application online at: www.kenstantonmusic.com By mail:

Via email:

Ken Stanton Music Attn: Scott Cameron, General Manager 119 Cobb Parkway North, Suite A Marietta, GA 30062 scottc@kenstanton.com

www.mmrmagazine.com

www.mmrmagazine.com 90 MMR

JANUARY 2012

Business Opportunities • Band and Orchestra Rentals • New and Like New Educator-Approved Brand Name Instruments • Personalized Rent-To-Own Program • No Franchise Fee or Inventory Investment • No Shipping Costs • High Commissions Paid the 1st of Every Month • Exceptional Service

Music Man is a family owned and operated Band and Orchestra dealer located in West Palm Beach, FL with over 30 years’ experience serving the music education community of South Florida. Seeking: Educational Sales Representatives who are friendly, knowledgeable, professional, creative and dynamic to build and maintain long-term relationships with existing customer base through the use weekly sales visits. 2+ years of sales experience or instrumental music related degree desired. Repair Technicians w/ 5+ years of repair experience or degree from an accredited Band Instrument Repair program desired. Salary: Negotiable based on experience All inquiries will be kept confidential. Send resumes to: John Jarvis Music Man 2309 N. Dixie Hwy West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or via email to john@musicmaninc.com

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com

For Sale Gifts

BandGifts.com

Guitar • Horns • Piano • Strings T-shirts, Hats, Stickers, Jewelry, Keychains, Miniatures, Ties, and more.

For Sale For sale: Heckel bassoon, 11,000 series and recently overhauled. Fair market price for purchase andflexible payment plan. Inquiries at danbassoon2@aol.com

For Classified Sales Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext. 34 • mjohan@symphonypublishing.com JANUARY 2012

New! Selling warm Florida Retail Music Store 9 teaching studios, 25 year rep, great lines, $500k inventory, buy/partner $200,000+-, turnkey! Bruce 321-725-3047 MMR 91

For Sale

Help Wanted Supernatural Percussion is seeking sales representation worldwide. We are looking for experienced MI reps and distributors to be a part of our rapid growth. Interested candidates please forward your contact information and brief outline of your sales experience to Director of Sales & Marketing, Tracy Merritt at t.merritt@supernaturalcymbals.com and/or stop by NAMM Booth #2765. We will be conducting interviews during the week of NAMM so it is preferable to make contact prior to the show if possible. www.supernaturalcymbals.com

OWNER RETIRING

MUSIC SCHOOL for SALE

Distribution Sales Manager: USA and Latin America

(in operation since 1986)

Celestion is moving into a new, exciting phase of growth as we start to explore new sales channels.

Housed on its own

We’re looking for a Distribution Sales Manager to drive loudspeaker sales through marketleading distribution companies. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, flexible, and results-driven with experience creating new partnerships and managing a distribution chain.

PRIME REAL ESTATE property in

a beautiful, affluent suburb of Houston, TX

A dynamic and energetic individual with excellent communication and presentation skills, you will have distribution sales experience within MI/professional audio or a similar component-related industry. The ability to speak Spanish would be an advantage.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2009, 2010 & 2011

In return we offer a competitive salary and generous benefits.

Recognized as HOUSTON’S BEST by the US Commerce Association

To apply, send your resume and salary details to Peter Barnes, Human Resources, Celestion America, 10 Timber Lane, Marlboro, NJ 07746, or email to: recruitment@celestion.com

Call Owner at 832 445-5668 Real Estate and Music School operation can be sold separately

www.kingwoodmusicschool.com

Midwest Piano Store For Sale

Year after year, Audix microphones are recognized for their design, performance, quality, durability and value. We attribute our success to several factors: our devoted customers, a world class manufacturing, research & development facility, and a talented team whose goal is to produce state-of-the-art products. VP of SALES AND MARKETING The VP of Sales and Marketing oversees the Company’s sales and marketing department with direct responsibility for the development and implementation of sales, branding, messaging, and market/ product development efforts for domestic and international markets. This position plans, directs, and manages all sales and marketing strategies, functions, policies, objectives and initiatives. QUALIFICATIONS:

16 year old well established and respected piano store available. Major lines and staff available. For more information email:Music9216@gmail.com

•

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business required. MBA is highly preferred.

•

An accomplished sales leader with a proven track record of achieving targeted sales growth and account profitability.

•

Expertise in new business development activities, including customer interaction, acquisition and procurement processes, competitive assessment, and strategic planning.

•

Minimum of 15+ years of industry sales and or marketing management experience, including 5 or more years performing duties similar to those as described.

Please visit our website at: www.audixusa.com Send cover letter and resume to careers@audixusa.com for consideration. EOE

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com 92 MMR

JANUARY 2012

Help Wanted RETAIL MUSIC SALES PROFESSIONAL WANTED Ready to live and work in a community where it’s safe to walk down the streets at night, and where there are no traffic jams or smog? Don’t want to give up the nice size music store with all the prestige and boutique brands? You don’t have to. If you are detail oriented and a customer service focused sales person with knowledge of retail music sales, and want to make a positive personal and career move, please call at 800.869.5559 or email alvin@morganmusic.com. All communication will be confidential.

Merchandise

Attn: PIANO DEALERS!

We Want to Give You the Business! We can deliver quality prospects to you, whether your business is Local, National, or International. Piano World is the world’s most popular piano web site. We are where people searching for piano information land first. And we get more traffic in a month than other piano sites see in a year. Invest your advertising dollars wisely, get the details at: www.PianoWorld.com/advertising

PianoWorld.com Home of the world famous Piano Forums

Guitar Shows ORANGE COUNTY WORLD GUITAR SHOW 2012 on NAMM Weekend in Costa Mesa Orange County Fair & Expo Center January 21, 10-5 * January 22, 10-4 I-55 South & Arlington Avenue 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! *This 170th Amigos show is not affiliated with NAMM

www.calshows.tv

Instruction Learn Instrument Repair Online or On Campus

www.ciomit.com Breaking News! Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.mmrmagazine.com JANUARY 2012

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com MMR 93

Merchandise

Repair Tools

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

YAMAHA–KAWAI

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PIANOS Japanese High Quality

GUARANTEED You get what you pay for!

1-800-782-2694

North American Music 11 Holt Drive Stony Point, NY 10980 Fax: (845) 429-6920

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.

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com

Repair Tools

718-706-0828 www.huntermusical.com

FAST TURN-AROUND ON STOCK REPAIRS NATIONWIDE NAPBIRT member, 29 Years Experience Contact: Dan Rieck, 801-733-4243 dan@utahwoodwindrepair.com

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

BOW REHAIRING Expert Bow Service

Order forms,Pricing and Shipping label at:

www.bowrehairing.com equatone@earthlink.net

Violin bows as low as $10.00 per bow in quantity incl. shipping (see website for details.) Large inventory of replacement parts both new and vintage. IRA B. KRAEMER & Co. Wholesale Services Division

Visit the Classifieds on the Web: www.mmrmagazine.com 94 MMR

“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

JANUARY 2012

Services

Vintage Instruments

Wanted To Buy WE BUY, SELL, TRADE and ship worldwide. ONLINE APPRAISAL SERVICE GRUHN GUITARS, 400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 256-2033

SHIPPING YOUR PIANO

fax (615) 255-2021

with Lone Wolf Trucking

is a “grand” idea!

www.guitars.com

Wanted USED TUBAS

An independent, long-distance Mover specializing in coast-to-coast residential Relocation.

ANY CONDITION-CASH PAID

1-800-982-9505

THE TUBA EXCHANGE 1825 CHAPEL HILL RD. DURHAM, NC 27707 1-800-869-8822 WWW.TUBAEXCHANGE.COM

www.lonewolftrucking.com Alamogordo, New Mexico. 88310

ICC MC-256289

www.mmrmagazine.com

Classified Advertising To Advertise Call Toll Free 1-800-964-5150 Deadline: Fourth Friday of every month

MOVING?

Let us know 6-8 weeks before your move so we can continue to send your magazine without interruption.

Attention: Classified Ads MMR 21 Highland Circle Ste. 1 Needham, MA 02494 FAX your ad copy to (781) 453-9389

PLEASE PLACE MY AD UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADING

AD RATES $20.00 per inch (1 inch minimum). 1 inch = 7 lines, 36 characters per line . $30.00 per inch if one color, logo or graphic added. Add $1.00 per bold face line, $5.00 for use of a box number. Display classified: $45 per inch. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE.

Please charge my:

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE MasterCard, Visa, American Express accepted

Mastercard

__ Books __ Business Opportunities __ Distributors __ For Sale __ Help Wanted __ Instruction __ Lines Wanted __ Schools __ Luthiers __ Merchandise __ Miscellaneous

Visa

__ Repairs __ Services __ Sales Rep Source __ Schools __ Software __ Vintage __ Wanted to Buy __ Other ( )

AMEX

Credit Card #: _________________________________________________________ Expires_____/_____

PASTE OLD LABEL HERE!

PLACE YOUR AD BY MAIL OR FAX:

NEW ADDRESS HERE!

Authorized Signature: _____________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________

Company: _______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________

Street: ___________________________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________________________State:__________ Zip Code: _______________

City ____________________________ State ____________Zip ____________

Telephone #:________________________________Fax # _______________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ JANUARY 2012

21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 (781) 453-9310 MMR 95

Ad Index COMPANY NAME

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

PAGE

A Acoustics First Corp. Asterope Al Cass Allparts Music Corp Amati’s Fine Instruments American-Steinway American Way Marketing LLC Antigua Winds, Inc. Asterope

Music & Arts Center Messe Frankfurt Inc.

www.allparts.com www.Amatis.us www.American-Steinway.com www.americanwaymktg.com www.antiguawinds.com www.asterope.com

57 32 85 54 61 11 39 38 32

www.jjbabbitt.com www.ChateauUSAmusic.com www.bourns.com www.jpstrings.com

69 83 83 54

C Casio America, Inc Chesbro Music Co.

www.casio.com www.chesbromusic.com

17 53

www.danabgoods.com www.davidgage.com www.davidgage.com www.dreamcymbals.com www.dustystrings.com

43 84 44 14 36

D Dana B. Goods David Gage String Instrumens David Gage String Instrumens Dream Cymbals Dusty Strings And Gongs

E/F Evets Corporation Floyd Rose Marketing French American Reed Mfg. Co.

www.danelectro.com www.floydrose.com www.frenchamericanreeds.com

cov2 74 78

www.g7th.com www.galaxyaudio.com www.gci-technologies.com www.graphtech.com www.grotro.com

71 34 7 22 22

www.hailun-pianos.com www.halleonard.com www.ibanez.com, www.tama.com www.huntermusical.com

63 9 33 70

H Hailun USA Hal Leonard Corp. Hoshino (USA) Inc. Hunter Music Instrument Inc.

www.kawiausl.com www.keyelco.com www.kysermusical.com

5 47 75

www.levysleathers.com www.LMProducts.com www.LRBaggs.com/m80

67 50 45

L Levy’s Leathers Ltd. LM Products LR Baggs

96 MMR

www.musicarts.com www.messefrankfurt.com

77 81

N NAMM National Educational Music Co.

www.namm.com www.nemc.com

24-25 88

O OnBoard Research Corp. OregonBurls.com

Palmer Guitars Palmer Guitars Paul Shelden Global Productions/ Diplomatte Piano Empire PianoDiscld

www.tuners.com www.oregonburls,com

56 87

www.palmerguitarsusa.com www.palmerguitarsusa.com

37 35

www.diplomattemusic.com www.pianoempire.com www.pianodisc.comm

64 51 55

www.retailup.com www.sagamusic.com www.sagamusic.com www.sagamusic.com www.samsontech.com www.shsint.net www.shubb.com www.skbcases.com www.starin.biz www.cavanaughcompany.com www.supernaturalcymbals.com

59 65 79 46 3 13 71 29 84 16 58

www.t-funk.com www.tkl.com www.technology4retailers.com www.tycoonpercussion.com

86 1 60 62

R/S Retail Up Saga Musical Instruments Saga Musical Instruments Saga Musical Instruments Samson Technologies Corp. SHS International Shubb Capos SKB Corp. Starin Marketing Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. Supernatural Percussion Inc

Telefunken USA TKL Products Corp. Tri-Technical Systems, Inc. Tycoon Percussion

U U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies/ St. Louis Music www.StLouisMusic.com Umiversal www.universalmelody.com

68 50

V Viktorian Guitars Visual Sound

J/K Kawai America Corp. Keystone Electronics Kyser Musical Products Inc.

PAGE

G G7th Ltd. Galaxy Audio GEMINI Graph Tech Guitar Labs Grossman Music Corp.

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

M www.acousticsfirst.com www.asterope.com

B J.J. Babbitt Co. Inc. Band World Music Inc Bourns, Inc. Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd.

COMPANY NAME

www.viktorian.com www.visualsound.net

87 cov4

www.wdmusic.com www.tjflutes.com www.wittner-gmbh.de

36 66 31

www.yamaha.com www.YouRockGuitar.com

23 78

W W.D. Music Products Inc. West Music Wittner GmbH & Co. KG

Y Yamaha Corp. of America YouRock Guitar

JANUARY 2012

Save The Date!

Jazz Education Network 4th Annual Conference Networking the jazz arts community... local to global!

Atlanta, Georgia January 2-5, 2013 The Jazz Education Network

is dedicated to building the jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences. For complete membership information/beneďŹ ts please visit us at:

www.JazzEdNet.org

See us at NAMM Booth 5820, 5825