MMR June 2009

June 2009

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

Building the Case for

CASES Summer Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to New Gear

Show Report: RPMDA Survey: Microphones

The next generation

of evolution wireless

You Know

You Can

Rock

Introducing the next generation of evolution wireless. G3 sets new

benchmarks for wireless stage performance technology. Vocalists will appreciate new features such as: 1,680 tunable frequencies, one-touch infrared sync, and the ability to swap out mic capsules from the evolution 800/900 series in seconds. Guitarists and bass players will love the built-in guitar tuner, expanded 25-18,000 Hz frequency response, and RF mute for switching between multiple guitars. Find out which G3 system is perfect for you at: www.sennheiserusa.com/G3

Sennheiser Electronic Corp • Tel 860-434-9190 • Latin America: Tel 52-55-5638-1020 • Canada: Tel 514-426-3013 · www.sennheiser.ca

$699

U.S. MAP

Contents Cover design by Laurie Chesna.

JUNE 2009 VOL.168 NO. 6

Features 26

UpFront Q&A: Franck Bichon MMR checks in with the founder of BG Franck Bichon, one of the world’s leading producers of woodwind accessories.

Guest Editorial: Steve Johnson The owner of Raleigh, N.C.’s 2112 Percussion offers his two cents on the current MI retail climate.

Report: Accessories

Spotlight: Building the Case for Cases With a wide, and ever-growing, array of product categories and options, cases are consistently strong sellers — accessories that every MI dealer should stock.

38 50

Survey: Microphones

Show Report: RPMDA The recent Retail Print Music Dealers Association convention in Salt Lake City brought together over 230 suppliers and dealers.

Company Profile: Hughes & Kettner Lothar Stammer has grown Hughes & Kettner from a small operation based out of his father’s garage back in 1979 to one of the world’s most respected names in high quality guitar amplifiers and pro audio speakers and cabinets.

Hal Leonard’s “Broadway Junior”

Summer Buyer’s Guide to New Gear A summary of some of the recent product introductions to review at this summer’s NAMM and MIAC conventions.

Fretted: Bass Dynamics

Departments www.MMRmagazine.com

4 6 20 22

Editorial Upfront People Storefront

86 90 96

Supplier Scene Classifieds Advertisers’ Index

MMR Musical Merchandise Review® (ISSN 0027-4615) founded in 1879, is published monthly by Symphony Publishing, LLC, 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 (781)453-9310, publisher of School Band and Orchestra, Choral Director, Music Parents America and JazzEd. All titles are federally registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Symphony Publishing, LLC. Subscription Rates: U.S.A., US possessions, one year $32; two years $40. Canada one year $80; all other countries one year $159. Single issues $5 each. May Supplier Directory $35. Periodical-Rate Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER/SUBSCRIBERS: Send address change to Musical Merchandise Review, P.O. Box 8548, Lowell, MA 01853. Periodicals circulation is directed to music dealers and retailers, wholesalers and distributors, importers and exporters and manufacturers of all types of musical instruments and their accessories, related electronic sound equipment, general musical accessories, musical publications and teaching aides. The publishers of this magazine do not accept responsibility for statements made by their advertisers in business competion. No portion of this issue may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Copyright ©2009 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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Editorial

Volume 168, Number 6, June 2009 PUBLISHER Sidney L. Davis sdavis@symphonypublishing.com

A Week on the Hill

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rick Kessel rkessel@symphonypublishing.com

aking a brief hiatus from the comfort of MMR’s Needham, Mass. home base in order to walk the marble halls of our Nation’s Capitol, I spent the week of May 11th observing and participating in this year’s annual Member Advocacy “Fly-In.” During a whirlwind four-day campaign in Washington, NAMM representatives met with over 40 members of Congress, lobbying for an increased dedication to music and arts education from our government. “I’ve been in Washington since 1977 and I have never seen anything like this,” noted Leo Coco of Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough LLP (NAMM’s music education lobbying firm in D.C.). Indeed, the tone in Washington is unquestionably and palpably defined by an awareness of “the possibility of change.” With a new administration and an entirely new climate in the House and Senate, there’s a sense that virtually anything is possible – a potentially scary prospect, sure (depending on your political and ethical leanings), but also one that likely bodes well for those of us who hope to enact true, positive changes in policy pertaining to music education and, consequently, the MI world at large. “Music education is a topic that unifies our industry,” said NAMM’s Mary Luehrsen, expressing a sentiment shared by president and CEO Joe Lamond, who added, “There is one galvanizing, unifying goal amongst all of us: music education.” Luckily for the “Fly-In” group, music education also represents some pretty powerful political ammunition – not many elected officials are apt to come down with a really strong stand that offering children music instruction is a “bad” or “worthless” concept. This year’s group that convened for the “Fly-In” included Chip Averwater, Kevin Cranley, Joe Lamond, Mary Luehrsen, Joel Menchey, Larry Morton, George Quinlan, Jr., Scott Robertson, Liane Rockley, Tom Schmitt, Denny Senseney, and Dave Teeple – experienced music industry veterans, all, with an impressive collective pedigree in the realm of MI retail, distribution, advocacy, and music education. Aside from a disturbing penchant for getting their days started at inhuman hours (7 in the morning?!?! What? There’s a 7 in the morning now? Who knew...) I can report that they’re all wholly agreeable and right-minded individuals: smart, focused, dedicated men and women with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they face and a cohesive and well thought-out plan of attack. After a full “Policy and Advocacy Briefing Day” on Tuesday (anyone who knows me knows that I despise meetings or speeches of any sort, but the fact that I didn’t even begin to lose focus until somewhere around “hour 4” – and only then due to a powerful post-lunch food coma – speaks to the quality of the speakers that Mary Luehrsen had assembled), the NAMM crew were well prepared for the following two days of one-on-one meetings with members of Congress. Joining the team for Wednesday’s campaign was Matt Goldman, one of the co-founders of Blue Man Group. Sharing his own passion for creative approaches to learning that incorporate music and arts, Goldman was a compelling and persuasive advocate for the cause. Goldman and the Group were also on hand at NAMM’s Capitol Hill Reception on Wednesday evening, where at least 10 Congressmen joined the packed room for a convivial get-together. Thursday saw more Congressional Meetings and then a post-mortem debriefi ng back at the offices of Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough, where initial follow-up plans were ironed out. Seeing the U.S. government machine “from the inside,” as it were, was fascinating and instructive and being able to watch the NAMM team in action reinforced my already confidently held belief that music education and the MI culture couldn’t ask for better champions. All in all, a fun and fascinating jaunt to D.C. – I can’t say that I’m unhappy to take off the tie and get out of these fancy dress shoes, though...

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

cwissmuller@symphonypublishing.com

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Upfront Sony Reports First Annual Loss in 14 Years Sony Corp. recently reported its first annual net loss in 14 years and forecast a bigger loss this year, saying the pressure from sliding sales, competition in gadget prices and a strong yen was expected to continue. The Japanese electronics and entertainment company said in late May that it lost 165 billion yen ($1.72 billion) in the January-March quarter, compared to a 29 billion yen profit for the same period the previous year. That brought its full fiscal year loss to a 98.9 billion yen ($1 billion). Sony said no quick recovery was in sight, projecting a 120 billion yen ($1.2 billion) loss for the fiscal year through March 2010. It joins a string of other big Japanese corporations, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., that have announced huge losses and bleak outlooks. Also recently, Sanyo Electric Co. said it booked a net loss of 93.2 billion yen ($976 million) for the fiscal year, com-

pared with a 28.7 billion yen profit the year before. It expects to turn a small profit of 7 billion yen this year. Sanyo is being acquired by Panasonic Corp. Sony is closing three plants in Japan by the end of December – one for cellphone cameras, another for video recorder parts and another for systems used for smart cards. After they are shuttered, the number of plants around the world will dwindle from 57 last year to 49. The company said it was on track with its previously announced plan to reduce 8,000 of its 185,000 jobs around the world, and trim another 8,000 temporary workers who aren’t included in the global work force tally. Sony said it was raising its cost reduction efforts from an earlier 250 billion yen by March 2010 to 300 billion yen. Sony stock dropped 6.8 percent to 2,400 yen in Tokyo. Earnings were announced after trading ended. (Source: AP)

GAMA Calls for Product Donations In preparation for the upcoming 2009 Teaching Guitar Workshops (TGW), June 22, 2009 - July 31, 2009, the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA), is once again calling upon its members to supply program participants with the instruments and accessories they will need in order to make the most of this important event. In 2008, the in-kind donations made by the GAMA members had a total retail value of $289,000. Because the number of Workshop sites will increase by 20 percent this summer, it is expected that inkind donations for the 2009 program will be worth approximately $350,000. “Giving products to the Teaching Guitar Workshops means that we are do6 MMR

ing our part to start guitar programs in schools,” said Paul Damiano, GAMA’s vice president. “But for my company, it’s a great way for kids to get to know our brands and to create partnerships with music educators. The Workshops are so great because we are profiting by doing the right thing.” In addition, with Workshops located in 9 different cities around the United States and one Workshop being held in Canada, GAMA is attempting to maximize the education community’s exposure to classroom guitar programs. Every music educator trained at the Teaching Guitar Workshop requires instruments, method books, strings, guitar picks, tuners, capos, straps and strap buttons.

Hailun Distribution Files Suit Against Ningbo Hailun On April 30th, Hailun Distribution, LLC brought suit against Ningbo Hailun Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. and related defendants in the Superior Court for Gwinnett County, Ga.

This suite was necessitated by the ongoing dispute regarding the agreement between Hailun Distribution and Ningbo Hailun Musical Instruments granting Hailun Distribution the exclusive rights to market, distribute, and sell “Hailun” brand pianos in the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Ningbo Hailun Musical Instruments acted improperly under the agreement and has severely damaged Hailun Distribution. In bringing this lawsuit, Hailun Distribution aims to provide clarity and security to the piano industry throughout the U.S. by clarifying the obligations of both Hailun Distribution and Ningbo Hailun Musical Instruments and by addressing any confusion over the ongoing efforts by both parties in the sale and receipt of payment for “Hailun” brand pianos.

Since the program’s inception in 1995 GAMA members have been contributing, not only the items previously mentioned, but also, software, magazine subscriptions, machine heads, guitar care kits and other guitar products that make playing guitar in the twenty first century such a dynamic and rewarding experience. For more information on the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association, contact GAMA, PO Box 757, NY, NY 10033, (212) 795-3630, assnhdqs@ earthlink.net or visit GAMA online at www.discoverguitar.com. JUNE 2009

Upfront

NAMM’s Annual Member “Fly-In”

Left to right in photo: Richard Riley; Lamar Alexander; Blue Man Group; Chip Averwater, Chairman of NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry; Paul Cothrane, Vh1 Save the Music Foundation; Matt Goldman, founder Blue Man Group.

The 2009 NAMM Member “Fly-Inn” group. Jow Lamond’s iPhone is hijacked by Blue Man Group. 8 MMR

JUNE 2009

Indulge your guitar with a Levyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guitar strap.

www.levysleathers.com

Upfront Close Call with Somali Pirates for Goldfish Guitars’ Owner On April 14th, Somali pirates attacked The Liberty Sun, a U.S. cargo ship, bound for Kenya. Among the crew members onboard was Tim Harrington, Liberty Sun’s security officer, who also happens to be the owner of Texas-based Goldfish Guitars. Tim began his maritime career as an engineer 16 years ago after graduating from the Maine Maritime Academy. It wasn’t until 2001 that Tim had the idea of starting a guitar company. Since then he has been juggling both life at sea and life as the owner of Goldfish Guitars. His role as the chief security officer on the Liberty Sun was to get the crew and the ship’s cargo – U.S. food aid for

that they spotted the oncoming pirates in the distance. Tim and the captain immediately got the ship into “pirate attack mode,” which means headingstraight to the engine room and making sure the ship does not stop, which would make it easier for pirates to board. As the Liberty Sun came out of the Gulf of Aden, around the Horn of Africa, the pirates attacked, firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, which ripped holes through the ship’s engine room, in addition to other areas of the vessel. In an attempt to shirk the pirates, the Liberty Sun began to conduct evasive maneu-

African nations – safely to Kenya, which is quite a tall order considering the series of attacks that have taken place over the past year around the coast of Somalia, just north of Kenya. Ironically, it was while Tim and the ship’s captain were standing on the ship’s bridge enjoying a cigar and watching a beautiful sunset

vers – zigzagging back and forth across the water, speeding up and slowing down. Then, as the sun completely set, the ship went black with all lights off, which made it difficult to see across the dark ocean. During the attack, the Liberty Sun had been communicating their situation to authorities. The USS

Tim Harrington, owner of Goldfish Guitars.

Bainbridge responded to the ship’s call for help, arriving five hours after the initial attack. A small group of armed U.S. sailors travelled on the Liberty Sun for the remainder of its journey to Mombasa, Kenya, where the crew was greeted by the FBI and Coast Guard for a two-day debriefing. So how does Tim run a guitar company and sail the high seas around the Horn of Africa? He laughs, “I have email! I have a guitar order that came in from China, but have had to delay it because of these damn pirates. If it wasn’t for the help of my sister and parents, I wouldn’t be able to do it.” When he’s not fending off nautical assaults, Tim uses his downtime on a ship to sketch out some guitar designs. He has also been doing some writing, working on an animated story about a fish, which will incorporate his Goldfish Guitars. “I’m trying to write a story, but I’m in a story. It’s crazy!”

Joseph Patelson Music House to Close Marsha Patelson, the daughter-in-law of the founder of Manhattan’s iconic Joseph Patelson Music House, recently said she planned to close the store and sell its home, an 1879 carriage house that sits a baton’s throw across 56th Street from the Carnegie Hall stage door. Nowadays 10 MMR

numerous Web sites offer sheet music for sale, either by mail or download. Many publishers now sell directly online. Other sites provide free downloads for works in the public domain. Ms. Patelson said the store had been losing money for years. “I put every-

thing into it, my heart and soul,” she said, as well as a large amount of her own money. “I feel badly, but on the other hand the reason this business is going is because people stopped buying much here.” (Source: New York Times) JUNE 2009

Upfront Conn-Selmer Partners with Cleveland Orchestra Conn-Selmer, Inc. has joined in partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra. As educational, artistic, and community partners, Conn-Selmer and The Cleveland Orchestra’s artistic and educational departments will work cooperatively on collaborative programs that support both music education and performance. Both Conn-Selmer and the Cleveland Orchestra will develop partnership activities expanding on the Orchestra’s educational outreach in Cleveland, Miami, and with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. With several members of the Cleveland Orchestra already signed as ConnSelmer endorsing artists, this new partnership will welcome all six members of the Orchestra’s French horn section as endorsing artists for C.G. Conn French horns. Richard King, the Orchestra’s principal French horn player and a

FINAL CONSENT ORDER IN NAMM CASE APPROVED BY FTC Following a public comment period, the FTC has approved a final consent order in the matter of National Association of Music Merchants, Inc. (NAMM). The vote approving the final order was 4-0. (FTC File No. 001-0203; the staff contact is William Lanning, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3361; see press release dated March 4, 2009, at www.ftc. gov/opa/2009/03/namm.shtm.) Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: (877) FTC-HELP.

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Conn-Selmer endorsing artist since 1997, has been instrumental as a design consultant for the new C.G. Conn Vintage 8D French horn, which is manufactured at Conn-Selmer’s Eastlake facility just outside of Cleveland in Eastlake, Ohio. The new partnership will be announced tomorrow, May 9th, in the Orchestra’s concert program book. Saturday’s concert will feature Richard King as a soloist performing French horn concertos by Mozart and Haydn. The project was conceptualized during meetings between Richard King and Mike Kamphuis, Conn-Selmer’s director

of marketing for French Horns. The opportunity to have King’s fellow colleagues from the section join the Conn-Selmer family as endorsing artists followed, leading to further discussions on ways in which Conn-Selmer could work with The Cleveland Orchestra on potential artistic and educational projects. With ConnSelmer’s Eastlake production facility manufacturing C.G. Conn brass instruments in such close proximity to Cleveland, the idea of a partnership appealed to both organizations as a way in which they could support each other’s communities as well.

Pearl River Moves Headquarters Pearl River Piano Group America, Ltd. moved their corporate headquarters the week of April 27. Company assistant Manager, Jean Hollenbeck said the ofces would remain in Ontario, California which has proven to be an excellent location for North American distribution. The new address is:

Pearl River Piano Group America, Ltd., 3949 East Guasti Road, Ste. A, Ontario, Calif. 91761 The Pearl River phone numbers, (909) 673-9155, (800) 435-5086 and Fax, (909) 673-9165 will not change, nor will the Web site, www.pearlriverusa.com.

Music Gaming Revenue Down During Electronic Arts’ recent earnings call, some interesting things involving the music genre of games emerged. NPD numbers reported by COO John Pleasants show the music genre has been way down this year compared to 2008, falling 36 percent during this year’s first quarter and 42 percent in March alone. As a result of this

sharp downturn, EA is expecting “Rock Band” to lose $400 million in 2009. EA is hoping that “Rock Band: The Beatles” can help turn this ship around, and produce some of the cash that “Rock Band 2” wasn’t able to, but it would appear that the music genre is losing its luster. (Source: joystiq) JUNE 2009

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NEW in 2009? Just what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been asking for. MODERN Innovations NEW models from our MODERN series AAX, HHX, and APX. Check out the latest in MODERN innovations. From the highly explosive AAX X-Plosion Fast Crash to the stick defining AAX and HHX Raw Bell Dry Rides.

AAX X-Plosion Fast Crash Extra Thin (14", 15", 16", 17", 18", 19")

APX Solid Hats

AAX Memphis Ride Medium Light (21")

Medium Heavy Top/Heavy Bottom (15")

AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride Medium Heavy (21")

HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride Medium Heavy (21")

AAX X-Plosion Splash Extra Thin (11")

CREATIVE Ideas NEW CREATIVE innovations from the SABIAN Vault. Our true craftsmanship shines through in these new innovative models.

Vault Artisan Hats Medium Top/Heavy Bottom (13", 14", 15")

Vault Artisan Crash Thin/Extra-Thin (16", 18")

Vault Artisan Traditional Symphonic Medium Light (16", 17", 18", 19", 20") Medium Heavy (16", 17", 18", 19", 20")

Highlights for 2009 t All new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Between the Feltsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dealer Support Programs to keep you selling t ZFBS XBSSBOUZ t 6/&"35)*/( 5)& -&(&/% One of One Hundred â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7BVMU "SUJTBO 3JEFT UP CF VOFBSUIFE JO 4QSJOH

Vault Radia Nano Hats Medium Top/Heavy Bottom (7", 9")

t *OUFSBDUJWF FYQFSJFODF GPS ZPVS DVTUPNFST BU 4"#*"/ $0. t -PPL GPS SABIAN in Guitar HeroÂŽ World Tour

Upfront Sennheiser to Distribute K-Array Sennheiser has signed an exclusive distribution agreement for North America with KArray, a PA loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer based in Florence, Italy. K-Array’s light and intelligible speaker technology is best exemplified by the new KH4 self-powered, two-way, flat panel line array. Vaino Gennaro, business director for live sound products at Sennheiser Canada says, “We are excited to bring this innovative technology to North America. The

technology, design, and sound quality of K-Array have generated a big buzz in Europe and the Middle East. The depth of the line and the crossover into various markets makes K-Array an extremely attractive brand. It will change the production standards of the live entertainment industry.” Other K-Array products include the ultra-slim Kobra Systems, the Ka line of Class D amplifiers and KM8 ultracompact, high-powered line array stage

monitors. Included in the Kobra Systems range are the KK200 and KK50, ultrathin, three-dimensional array loudspeakers, which are 6.5 feet and 1.6 feet in length, respectively. Sennheiser China announced their distribution agreement with K-Array in December 2008. K-Array will be officially introduced to the North American Market in June 2009 at the InfoComm show in Orlando. Product will begin shipping in June.

Seymour W. Duncan and Redd Volkaert Salute Roy Buchanan On Saturday, April 25, 2009, the historic Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara saw Aus-

tin-based Tele-master Redd Volkaert invite his longtime friend and pickup-maker Seymour W. Duncan to sit in with him on a few tunes. Talking to the crowd between songs, Seymour brought up the name of one of the greats, Roy Buchanan, another master of the Telecaster. Together with Redd, Seymour evoked the staccato bursts and stringbending twang of the late-Buchanan, and also paid sonic tribute to his other guitar heroes, Albert Collins, Jeff Beck, and Danny Gatton. It was all part of the Sings Tele-Masters Seymour W. Duncan and Redd Volkaert play to a packed crowd in Santa Like Hell concert series. Sings Barbara, April 25, 2009. (Photo by David M. Bazemore.) Like Hell presents singer-song-

writer music in an acoustically optimized listening environment. Now in its 25th season, the concert series, named for a lyric by the first performer Peter Case, has featured a surplus of big names like Jackson Browne, Richard Thompson, David Crosby, Shawn Colvin, Randy Newman, and Ricky Skaggs – extraordinary for a 600-seat venue. Sings Like Hell functions as a not for profit California corporation and is funded by Santa Barbara individuals and corporations including former Capitol Records president Hale Milgrim and apparel giant, The Territory Ahead. Though this was the first time Mr. Duncan graced the Sings Like Hell concert stage, the Seymour Duncan company was the series’ first sponsor and remains a sponsor to this day. Says Seymour, “It’s all about the music.”

Roland Strengthens Piano Sales Force In an effort to better serve the changing demands of the marketplace, Roland Corporation U.S. announced the integration of its MI and Piano sales team to operate as one unified force for all musical instrument products. This new streamlined approach will result in an increased presence of sales and support staff in the realm of piano sales. 14 MMR

As a direct result of this change, Roland’s piano sales force will increase from nine designated Piano District Sales Managers to a total of 20 District Sales Managers. This increased presence in the field will allow for more frequent communication with all accounts. Roland is also pleased to announce the promotions of Tim Root to National Training Manager, and John Norton to

the new position of Piano Training Manager. Both will focus solely on the sellthrough activities, sales training, and promotional event needs of their respective MI and piano dealers. Roland will continue to employ two dedicated Atelier Organ District Sales Managers, Rick Morales and Ellen Gonzales, to interface with the important niche organ market. JUNE 2009

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

Band & Orchestral ÂŠ2009 Yamaha Corporation of America www.yamaha.com/band

Upfront Harrods of London Offers Taylor Guitars Taylor Guitars has announced a limited line presence within Harrods of London. Beginning May 1, Harrods, best known for its extensive luxury product offerings for the most discerning connoisseurs, began offering a selection of Taylor’s most popular acoustic and electric models, from the travel-friendly Baby Taylor to the SolidBody Custom electric, as part of the store’s collection of musical instruments. Taylor fans visiting the “world’s most famous department store” will find Taylor guitars among renowned instrument manufacturers. Located in Knightsbridge area of London since 1849, the Taylor models are offered in the store’s musical instrument section located on the third floor.

Mario Parga & Vegas Guitars Part ways The new Mario Parga ‘signature’ guitar by Vegas Guitars will no longer be available to the public due to the amicable parting of Mario and the Las Vegas based guitar company. Mario explained: “The prototype guitar I’ve been playing developed some unexpected technical issues. In it’s current design, the guitar isn’t stable and therefore cannot be sold as such. As Vegas Guitars are a small independent guitar manufacturer, it would be too much of an undertaking for them to start work on another prototype. I would like to point out that this news should in no way reflect on any of the other Vegas Guitars models.” Mario is currently in talks with a major guitar manufacturer. (Source: TransWorldNews)

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Trade Regrets: Joe Rashid Joe Rashid was an accomplished violin maker whose goal was not to mass produce the instrument or even to sell them, but rather to hand-make the instruments based on scientific evidence. When he could not locate data on frequency measurements, he conducted his own studies to produce the needed data. These studies helped him create a violin with a higher quality of sound and he happily shared his fi nding with other luthiers. The results of many of his studies were published in several magazines on subjects such as acoustic frequencies in wood and string vibration sound waves. By the age of 95 he had made 95 violins and about 10 other stringed instruments. At the time of his passing in 2009 at the age of 99, Joe still owned all of the instruments he created and learned from.

Nate Dolin One of the longtime leaders of our industry, Nate Dolin, has died at the age of 95 in Palm Desert, Calif. Dolin owned The Cleveland Indians from 1949 to 1963, during which time they won the American League pennant, King Musical Instruments in Cleveland, and Gulbransen Piano and Organ Company, which he later sold to CBS. He and his family built and operated The Front Row Theatre, a 3,200 seat theater-in-the-round, for 20 years, and founded or co-founded many companies in technology and healthcare.

Ed Garbett Born in McKeesport, Penn. on July 27, 1914, Ed Garbett learned to repair band instruments as a teen and helped form the retail store Progressive Music in the late 1940s. He served as the store’s instrument repairman for several years before joining Gretsch as a salesman. He later was hired by Yamaha and taught classes for the company as early as 1958. One of his many students was Bill Schultz, who later became the Chairman for Fender Musical Instruments. The two man remained close friends until Mr. Schultz’ passing in 2006. While at Yamaha, he also was part of the product development team, the music education programs, and helped write several repair manuals. Ed passed away in a Houston, Texas nursing home on May 2, 2009. His daughter, Susan Farrell has asked that donations in her father’s name be made to the Museum of Making Music (www.museumofmakingmusic.com).

Peter Infeld On April 21, 2009, Thomastik-Infeld GmbH, Vienna, Austria, announced the unexpected passing of Peter Infeld, its owner and CEO. Mr. Infeld died on April 15, 2009 at the age of 66. Mr. Infeld, born May 8, 1942, became involved in the company at a very early age and his unique spirit for music and the arts inspired JUNE 2009

Upfront Trade Regrets: and enthused many. Together with his mother, Margaretha Infeld, Mr. Infeld led the introduction of Dominant strings in 1970, an innovative brand of synthetic core strings designed for violin and other bowed instruments. The Dominant brand soon replaced gut core strings as the product of choice for many musicians and is still recognized as the reference standard for bowed strings worldwide. Under Mr. Infeld, the company has maintained a set of family traditions and values which have been an abiding source of stability and strength as it has grown through the years. In addition to his role as entrepreneur, Mr. Infeld was well known as a passionate art collector and singer. His ongoing exhibitions In Austria and Croatia gave art enthusiasts a chance to experience his large collection of paintings, and his multiple recordings as a trained tenor exhibited his passion for operatic music.

Ernesto Gittli Ernesto Gittli was born in Uruguay and moved to the U.S. as a small boy before he began taking piano lessons. He met his wife, who also taught music, and together they envisioned a music school that would encourage all ages to become music makers. Gittli Music opened in the mid-1960s with a strong focus on providing parents with an education regarding why music is important to their child long before â&#x20AC;&#x153;music makes you smarterâ&#x20AC;? was ever a slogan. The couple worked long and hard to establish a well-respected music center with quality teachers and curriculum to support the greater Louisville, Kentucky, area. Ernesto passed away on April 7, 2009. 18 MMR

JUNE 2009

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People G.A. van de Weerd, president at Johannus Orgelbouw, retired on May 1, 2009. He handed the reigns over to his two sons: Marco and René van de Weerd. As the technical director, René van de van de Weerd Weerd will mainly be focusing on production, technology and development. Marco van de Weerd’s role as commercial director will give him responsibility for all sales and marketing activities. Mr. G.A. Weerd’s retirement represents the end of a long, successful career in the music industry. Johannus has grown into one of the largest and best known manufacturers of classical organs in the world during the 22 years he was in charge. Johannus now exports to more than 80 countries. Mr. G.A. Weerd will continue to be involved with the company in an advisory capacity, plus he will now also start focusing on writing bible explanations as an author. R.S. Berkeley Musical Instruments has appointed Neil Lilien to a management position. R. S. Berkeley and their Erwin Otto Stringed Instrument division distribute band and orchestral instruments throughout the country. Having pursued an M.B.A. degree, Lilien turned to the business side of music. He went to work for Guild Guitars, where he stayed for 18 years, rising up the company’s ranks to become vice president. In 1984, he purchased Meisel Stringed Instruments, which at the time had been selling violins in the United States for 106 years. As he guided Meisel, Lilien also stepped up his involvement in music advocacy organizations, becoming president of the National Council of Music Importers and Exporters (NCMIE), chairman of the American Music Conference (AMC), and president of NABIM (most recently known as the International Band and Orchestra Products Association). He is also on the boards of NAMM, the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the National String Project Consortium. He is president of the String Industry Council (SinC). 20 MMR

Anthem Musical Instruments has added Brent Beech as the new director of quality. Brent has an extensive background as a performer, educator, and instrument repair technician. Brent is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (B.M.), and Louisiana State University (Masters in Clarinet Performance). Brent’s extensive performance background includes: the Air Force Band, Omaha Symphony, John Pizzarelli, Kenny Rodgers, Crystal Gayle, Maureen McGovern, Eartha Kitt, Paquito D’rivera, Bob Mintzer, and many others. Wyman Piano Company announced the appointment of two new regional sales managers as it continues its launch of distribution of ORLA digital pianos in the USA. Darald Hough has joined the Wyman Piano Company as a regional sales manager. Darald grew up in a three- generation family piano business, working with his father Don Hough, Hough Piano & Organ, Salina, Kansas for a ten-year period from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. For the past 15 years, Darald has served as district sales manager for the Roland Corporation in their Contemporary Keyboard division. Dan Yuter comes to Wyman as a seasoned veteran in the music industry. Most recently Dan has been with the Roland Corporation as regional sales manager for eight western states. He was instrumental in the selling, marketing and training of Roland home digital piano and specialty keyboard products with dealers and dealer salespeople. Lava Cable has appointed Tony Cole to be its worldwide sales and artist relations manager. Tony comes on board with more than 20 years experience in the Music Industry as a guitarist, product liaison, sales representative and music store manager. His role will be essential to developing a broader market and dealer base for Lava Cable. Tony will work closely with dealers to improve sales and further develop the

Lava brand through new marketing measures and trade shows such as NAMM.

Sennheiser announced the addition of Patrick Steading and Scott Haas to its U.S. professional products sales team. Steading is responsible for all accounts in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Haas covers the Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee territories. In their new roles as area sales managers, both Steading and Haas report to Regional Sales Manager Eric Mayer and are responsible for growing existing customer accounts while also recognizing and driving future business opportunities. Steading has been involved in all aspects of the music industry, from running front-of-house to handling sales at Sweetwater Sound, Inc., and most recently served as a sales representative for BDI, Inc. Haas brings over fourteen years of experience in account management to his new role. Most recently, he was responsible for global sales for Hear Technologies. Yamaha Corporation of America, Keyboard Division, announced the appointments of Mark Barrett and Moses Levy as district sales Levy managers, and of David Pocock as its new academic and institutional sales representative. Pocock Leviton appointed James Choi to the position of country manager for Korea. Based in Seoul, Choi will develop the infrastructure, market development relationships and resources to Choi build a remote sales channel for the company’s extensive line of residential, commercial and industrial, lighting management systems and network solutions products throughout Korea. JUNE 2009

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Storefront Richmond Music Celebrates th 20 Anniversary Joe Piccini began his career in the music business as a music educator, after earning a master’s degree in Music Education from New York University. He opened Staten Island’s Richmond Music 20 years ago, keeping his dedication to music education well represented in his business model. Richmond Music is certainly an MI store and they do, of course, supply instruments, but according to Joe, “We are not big retailers.” So what is big at Richmond Music? As a certified music therapist, Joe believes in the importance and power of music. Richmond Music offers programs for people of all ages starting with the Kinder Music program for children ages one through seven and then classes for senior citizens and everyone in between.

Joe has also been a strong advocate for special needs students, whom he has incorporated into his business. “It is a big focus of what we do here. It is about inclusion of all students, regardless of any handicap or disability. Everyone is treated in a nice, caring, professional manner.” Over the past 20 years Piccini has been a keen observer of the music industry. He believes that music is a specialty and to deal in it takes some talent. Joe says he has seen big business try to take over and fail. He believes that the success of Richmond Music is due to the store’s commitment to music education and the connection it has with the community.

Richmond Music celebrated their 20th anniversary in April of this year with students, families, and friends, enjoying an afternoon of music with student jam sessions, a guitar, bass, and drum playing contest, and a live performance from local recording artist Jimmy Mack.

Jennie Lyn and Joe Piccini. 22 MMR

JUNE 2009

ADVERTORIAL

JUNE 2009

News

EEWAY Â˛ R & HE T R TE F ! G IN O ' Âą7EÂ´RE

Wanna Play? Drives More People to Make Musicâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Every Day NAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to create more music makers and drive them into your stores. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our daily focus, as we develop and execute marketing initiatives, speak our minds on Capitol Hill and engage the media in events that tell our story. The end result: customers walking through your doors, asking how they can make music. Have we achieved our goal? Our recent Gallup Poll shows we are getting thereâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but our job will never be done!

of people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t currently play a musical instrument wish they had learned to play one.

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Note from Joe

are great industry, there To those of us in this who make le in the world: those only two kinds of peop wish they did. music and those who aign is all about. â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wanna Play? camp That is what NAMM ages to pick up an easy for people of all Our goal is to make it of playing. Put fulď&#x192;&#x17E;lling their dream instrument and begin ewayâ&#x20AC;? and into get them â&#x20AC;&#x153;off of the fre to nt wa we y, wa er anoth ! our Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stores t t media coverage las ogram received grea The Wanna Play? pr g kin o-music ma sic Week. NAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pr Mu y Pla a nn Wa for month in magazines ision, in newspapers, message was on telev alized on this Many Members capit and on the Internet. t helped drive trafď&#x192;&#x17E;c ents of their own tha promotion, holding ev g these difď&#x192;&#x17E;cult welcome news durin and increase salesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all too. business can beneď&#x192;&#x17E;t economic times. Your to www.namm.org or To ď&#x192;&#x17E;nd out more, go you can get sic.com and see how www.wannaplaymu sic today! community playing mu more people in your Joe Lamond EO NAMM President/C

Wanna Play? Lesson Locator Makes Starting Easy

NAMM launched the most comprehensive database of music educators on the Web, featuring NAMM Member stores, MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) and TakeLessons.com. This tool will connect prospective players with a teacher. More players equals a stronger music products industry! To take advantage, be sure your lesson program is included in the locatorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;e-mail us at info@namm.org.

National Wanna Play Music Week Gets the Public’s Attention On May 4, the Bacon Brothers and a group of LaGuardia High School students kicked off Music Monday in New York. That same day, a simultaneous concert connected more than 130 schools, organizations, music educators and music lovers from across the country—even the NAMM staff—at exactly 10 a.m. Did you hear it? The week of music making was featured in national media including Fox News, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Market Watch, driving our industry’s message into millions of American homes: Now is the perfect time to start playing, regardless of your age or skill level!

Wanna Play? Driving Customers Virally!

It’s the way the next generation communicates and where they’re spending their time—Facebook, MySpace, YouTube—and NAMM is there promoting music making and driving customers into your stores. The Wanna Play? Film Contest capitalized on the crossover between the music and ﬁlm enthusiasts and spoke to them within their social communities. This ﬁlm content is now being shared on social networking Web sites, building a buzz and creating more active music makers.

Wanna Play? at the White House

The Blue Man Group and NAMM Members carried the Wanna Play? message to the front steps of Capitol Hill. The battle cry was heard loud and clear: Every child in America deserves to receive a complete, well-rounded education that includes music and arts.

NAMM News

June 2009

, ing industry news the latest break ep up-to-date on org. ke m. To am . @n MM tal NA igi at playbackd published by al e-newsletter NAMM News is PLAYback Digit sign up for our

UpfrontQ&A Franck Bichon

Established in 1985, BG Franck Bichon is one the world’s leading producers of woodwind accessories, with agents selling its products in 80 countries worldwide. The company thrives with mom and pop store values and continues to grow, partnering with Yamaha and American Way Marketing. MMR spoke with Franck Bichon, founder of the Lyon, France based company, and discussed his thoughts on the MI industry, and BG’s future and philosophy. MMR: The motto of BG Franck Bichon is, “Details Make the Difference.” What are some of the small touches you put on your accessories to make them different? Franck Bichon: It took 20 years of teaching and research experience for my father to design our best ligature, so we value taking our time to perfect each product. But we find that the choice of material is most important. Take the simple cleaning swab, for example. Everyone knows that there are different kinds of quality for cotton…the same is true for microfiber, the material we use for our swabs. At BG Franck Bichon, we tested over six different kinds of microfiber material and selected only one. Then we tested it for 12 months to ensure it was a long-lasting material

26 MMR

before launching them on the market. The silk we use for our swab is 100 percent pure, made in Lyon, and is produced by the same supplier as a French high-fashion designer… with a different finishing. The swab’s edges are among the best on the market and that is usually the first thing experts comment on when they use our swabs and care cloths. We feel that high quality stands for respect and service to our customers. I could carry on for every BG Franck Bichon product if you want!

MMR: How did you get your start in the music industry? FB: I have never told anyone this in an interview, but I have only had a boss for 3 months in my entire life. I immediately knew it wasn’t for me and that I wanted my own company and to travel worldwide. The least I can say is, “I did it!” But I got my start by creating an advertising agency and then one day my father, who was a very well regarded sax teacher in Lyon, came to me with a saxophone ligature project. My dad realized that sounds came from the vibrations of all the components of the instrument — not

only the mouthpiece and reeds, but also the ligature. He started with a simple rubber band on his original Selmer metal ligature and started to work on fabric materials. We tested over 200 fabrics and decided to combine two different materials, instead of one. Our priority is getting the best possible sound and that is always the goal of our research. I knew nothing about instrument production and the music industry when I started. You know when you are young, you just go for it. But I accomplished my goal of becoming recognized worldwide and 24 years later, I still work hard to keep BG Franch Bichon on top. I credit my competitors for keeping me motivated.

MMR: How was the recent 2009 NAMM show for BG? FB: Because our booth was set up next to our US agent, American Way Marketing, it was the first time American dealers could see BG products and then go next door to see our agent. We felt that the 2009 NAMM confirmed that we have started to establish ourselves in the US market, which is the hardest market to break into as a quality accessory maker. A major wholesaler spoke to us about distribution through AWM and we are receiving more and more demand from famous instrument makers; working with original equipment manufacturers is always a win-win situation. I think good things about BG Franck Bichon have spread through word-of-mouth and the 2009 NAMM illustrated that. JUNE 2009

MMR: Can you discuss the worldwide success of your accessories? FB: Our success is due to the quality of the accessories; that is the first comment we always receive worldwide. We inspect each individual product two or three times and we do not sell what we would not buy – it’s as simple as that. I have also found it invaluable to welcome communication with end-users and repairmen to improve products. Packaging is something we take extra care with as well. And I attribute a lot of our success to my love of shopping. Don’t smile! I love it; shopping helps me keep my eyes on what’s new, not just in music but with everything. That’s how I get some of my ideas for products, packaging, even documentation. It keeps me fresh. We’re always willing to try something new. Anyone can contact us anytime for prototypes or improvement projects. MMR: Talk about some of the new BG products that you are excited about. FB: I’m particularly excited about a new clarinet mouthpiece we have. It is made from Zinner blank, finished by Zinner, based on my father’s specifications, and each mouthpiece is play-tested, one by one. That particular mouthpiece is for Bƌ and is available in two facings. I’ve found that it sometimes takes years to establish a new accessory in the market, but we pre-launched it at ICA and I think it’s an exceptional mouthpiece. In late 2009, we are also launching a classic Alto sax mouthpiece, named for my father, Serge Bichon. He developed the original ligature that started BG Franck Bichon and he shared his passion for music with his students as a teacher. The mouthpiece is named after my dad out of respect and pride for his hard-work and love of music. MMR: Tell me about your partnership with Yamaha. FB: David and Goliath is the first image in my mind because of the diffeJUNE 2009

rence in size, but that’s the only similarity in that analogy. It’s a great combination. Yamaha offers the largest range of instruments worldwide and BG offers the largest range of high-quality woodwind accessories. Because we are a small company, we can react fast to changes and needs in the industry and for individual musicians. BG Franck Bichon is able to quickly respond wherever Yamaha sees the market headed. I have found that Yamaha Canada has some of the best salesmen in terms of marketing with accessories in mind. And our partnership in Japan has modeled great organizational skills for BG. My experience with Yamaha has taught me to give others time to react. I often change things too quickly because I have so many ideas. Yamaha is a huge company that is used to planning long in advance, so I have to anticipate more carefully when partnering with them. I have a lot of respect for Yamaha and we both learn from each other, I think.

MMR: Have the changes in the MI market affected company in the last year? FB: We all know instrument sales are going down and everyone in the market is suffering. But BG ended 2008 the same as we did 2007, so we cannot complain. We’re very focused on 2009 now. Stepby-step, that’s what I always say. I feel that the music industry is losing its way partly because of low quality products and imitators. Some companies are owned by people that know a lot about business, but not as much about music and musicians. Unfortunately, business and music do not always mix perfectly. I am happy to have my own company and to be able to focus directly on the musicians that use our

products, just like the mom and pop stores. Despite the fact that the small size of my business has some disadvantages, I still prefer it this way…it offers me more freedom to move and change my thinking.

MMR: Do you anticipate any changes to BG in the future? FB: To anticipate is part of my day-today job. We are continuously developing our Web site and we have started using

“I feel that the music industry is losing its way partly because of low quality products and imitators.”

MMR 27

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Facebook.com to increase our communication with clients. Outside of the Internet, we have developed a 36-page color catalogue. We are also about to unveil some new packaging — and that is my signature! As we speak I am finalizing the new packaging look, to be pre-tested at the next USA show, prior to Frankfurt. The US and Japan are key places to test packaging concepts, so I’m very excited to see how they are received. 24 years ago I started launching an accessory line that favored comfort and concept, as well as basic function. Now BG is ready for the next step and we want to link fashion to music. Music is a way of life and musicians are humans who buy products not only for their function, but for their image as well. I love design and I want to offer something elegant because making a product merely functional does not allow me to share my passion through my work. I try to refresh myself and the market with my designs. From a personal standpoint, I need to think about getting someone to take over some of my world-wide trips to promote our brand. I am 48 and I spend five months a year on tour: two in the US, mainly for conventions, two in Asia, and one in Europe.

MMR: Any final thoughts? FB: I’ve always found that there are positives to take away from every crisis — they make you think twice. No matter what, BG Franck Bichon will always stick with quality, durability, design and fashion. Thank you to all our customers for their continuous confidence! JUNE 2009

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GUEST EDITORIAL

Funny Sounding Names By Steve Johnson

rom the time I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan at the age of eight years old, I knew what I wanted to do. I’ve spent my life pursuing that goal. As a player, I dreamed of fame and fortune; when that didn’t happen for me, I changed my direction and dedicated myself to helping others pursue their musical dream.

Now, all these years later, I find myself watching the industry that has meant so much to me eat itself alive. It’s retailers versus suppliers, the Internet versus brick

and mortars, the box stores against the independents. How did we come to this? There was a time, and not so long ago, when everyone got along. The manufacturers made their money and retailers could actually make a good living supporting these manufacturers. Those were the good old days when you could count on your suppliers to be on your side every step of the way. I’ll never forget the manufacturer reps that went out of their way to help me succeed and I always repaid them by supporting their lines to the best of my ability. It was a win-win situation for everyone involved. Now, fast-forward 15 years. Everything has changed. The manufacturers are still making their money, but for some reason the retailers who made these manufacturers who they are today have been left out of the equation. In this “Who can give away their stuff for the least amount of money and somehow survive?” market, the ordinary retailer is left out in the cold. With MAP policies that leave no room for profit and unfair advantages for “certain dealers,” it’s no wonder that every month we hear of longtime big and

small retail stalwarts going belly up. And the worst of it is not over. When I fi rst got started back in the ‘80s, brand names were what it was all about. If you didn’t have these brands you didn’t make the sale. We fought hard and did everything we needed to get these brands. Once we got them, we promoted and supported these brands like they were gold. And back then they were gold. Now, fast-forward 20 years. Consumers have much more access to information than ever before, and with this they are far more refined. Sophisticated consumers are looking for features and value and, fortunately for retailers, brand loyalty is not what it used to be. Our store is living testimony to this fact. We’ve dropped brand names that we worked so hard to get and kept us alive for years. These were some of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made, but as time has shown us, we made the right choices. Back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, Ford, GM and the other American automakers dominated the market. Thinking they were invincible and that they knew what

“It’s retailers versus suppliers, the Internet versus brick and mortars, the box stores against the independents. How did we come to this?” 30 MMR

JUNE 2009

Keep Music Education Strong: Let Your Voice Be Heard!

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the consumer wanted, they went on their merry way doing what they had always done. Meanwhile, along come these little auto companies with funny sounding names: Toyota, Honda, and Datsun (now Nissan). I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to go on with this story, everyone knows what happened here. Closer to home, in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;60s and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s, Ludwig, Slingerland, and Rogers dominated the drum market. Their market share seemed insurmountable and so they too continued doing what they always did. Then, in the late â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s and 80s, along come these little drum companies with funny sounding names: Tama, Pearl and Yamaha. Next thing you know, some brand names that were seen as legendary became just that, legends, never to be heard from again Brand name = Manufacturer + Dealer. This is a simple mathematical equation for success. Brand names are not built in a day. Also, brand names are not built by the manufacturers. It takes dealers who share the value of that brand. Brand names mean nothing if there are not dealers promoting and selling that brand. Brand names that survive in the long run do so with the support of their dealers, not without. Brand names that forget the above equation are doomed. Now is the time for retailers to take back our industry. Many retailers are like me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are in it for more than just money. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a personal venture and, as such, our dedication and support should be rewarded by the manufacturers. If your suppliers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support you, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support them. Many retailers fear change, but this is a change that has been forced upon us, and must be made. There are suppliers out there that know this and want our business. Seek them out and give them a try. You just might fi nd the next Toyota. Or do you just want to remain a Ford dealer? And for manufacturers, there are some major brand names that are rapidly becoming pariahs to the vast majority of independent dealers. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen how having thousands of loyal dealers can build your brand name. Now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about to see how having thousands of disgruntled former dealers can kill your brand. Remember manufacturers, there are lots of funny sounding names out there! Steve Johnson is the owner of 2112 Percussion in Raleigh, N.C. www.2112online.com

32 MMR

JUNE 2009

e z i r o s s e c c A s i h T

REPORT

“It’s about impulse buys. Some days, it seems like [accessories] are the only things that move.”

range may be the “new black” and, for stylish ladies, it’s possible that nothing tops off a fancy ensemble like the perfect purse or a pair of earrings, but in the world of MI retail, “accessories” has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with maintaining a steady profit flow, even in challenging economic times.

34 MMR

When MMR ran the article, “Small Goods, Large Returns” (April 2008), we confirmed that accessories played a significant role in keeping MI dealers and suppliers afloat in a turbulent marketplace. This month we got some new perspectives from both last year’s guests, as well as few new dealers to see what if anything has changed. Last year, Mike Fazio of Fazio’s Frets told MMR that having knobs, tuning keys, and pickguards readily visible gives players ideas for dressing up, or even just

changing out certain components of their current guitar or bass to give it a different look. This has paid off for Fazio who had moved to a larger store: “In this downturn, cables, slides, guitar strings and guitar hangers do extremely well. I think we’re seeing more pickups and items that go into repairs. It seems like we’re selling a lot more guitar parts.” Ted Eschliman of Dietze Music, who we also spoke with last April, says, “If anything, we’ve had to focus not just on the way we sell accessories, but the way we buy JUNE 2009

accessories. At NAMM, going through the vendor booths is a real mission for us. We need think in terms of what can we do to increase the bottom line.” In 2008, Eschliman commented on the “paradigm shift over the last 10 years in regard to accessories.” Today Eschliman says, “Now that we’re making 28 points or less [on instruments], we don’t give accessories away. Every industry is doing it. I was just reading about what airlines charge for snacks – all stuff they used to give away for free. It’s three bucks a bag for crackers, but they get it because people want it now. You have to understand that when you go to a football game and you’re hungry for a hotdog, you don’t shop for a hotdog! There’s a certain amount of impulse, a certain amount of ‘now.’ I gotta have this; I gotta feed this thing now. We can never overlook that.” Mark Shewchuck of George’s Music agrees. “People need an excuse to get out of the house. They come into the store with their buddies and say, ‘Hey maybe I do need a cable or a new strap.’ It’s about impulse buys. Some days, it seems like those are the only things that move. People are taking Dave Sterns longer to pull the trigger on big ticket items but the smaller stuff seems to fit into peoples budgets.”

Fitting the Budget Dave Sterns of the Guitar Gallery of New England tells us that, “The accessory market seems to be pretty healthy. Strings are always going to sell and, surprisingly, with all the resources online, we still sell a lot of sheet music. I’ve also noticed that straps are still pretty good. We try to stock nicer straps like the Levy stuff and those seem to be holding up pretty well. People don’t have a problem spending 40 or 50 bucks on a real nice strap.” Although the current economic crisis has hurt big-ticket items, Sterns has seen success with some higher end gear. “I think people are still willing to spend a little more money on a high end pedal, but maybe not so much right now for a high end amp. We were doing pretty well with pedals anyway, but I’ve noticed that they really didn’t take much of a hit for us in terms of interest as a result of this whole economy.” “People seem to enjoy finding ways to have pleasure,” explains Eschliman. “Rather than spending money on the trip abroad they’ll say, ‘I’m going to go someplace here in the town’ to do what they call a ‘stay-cation.’ I think we’re seeing the same thing with accessories. People still want to spend money on things that will make them happy, and that’s been doing well for us.”

Drumming Up Business Plato once stated that, “necessity is the mother of invention” and for some dealers, the current economic crunch has inspired new ways of drumming up business. George’s Music has started holding free guitar maintenance workshops. This has really paid of in the accessory department. “The workshops are a good opportunity to let people know the benefits of

polish, string winders, and tuners,” says Shewchuck. “That way, the customer doesn’t think that it’s some kind of gimmick that we’re trying to push. All of these items are completely legitimate ways of ensuring that our customers become good, responsible students of the instrument. We’re talking about small things like lemon oil for a fretboard, but over the course of a customer’s lifetime at the store, all that small stuff really adds up. It’s very empowering for customers to know how to take care of their instrument,” adds Shewchuck. “It lets them know what these accessories are and how to use them.” Eschliman has taken a different approach. By exploiting the popularity of “Guitar Hero,” he’s found a way of attracting new music students. “Who would have thought 20 years ago that the word ‘hero’ would come after the word ‘guitar?’” laughs Eschliman. “Now that we’re in that day, we should be taking advantage of it. This summer, we are offering a program called, ‘Be an authentic guitar hero / heroine.’ That isn’t so much accessories-related as it is focused on music education, but in my mind a lot of this stuff kind of melds together. Kids are being exposed to guitar through a nontraditional music store channel. The question is, ‘What can we do to grab them and reel them in?’ We’re seeing the [‘Guitar Hero’] print materials all over, we’ve got ‘em pretty well displayed in the store and most top publishers are on that bandwagon. What we want to do is take that type of mindset and put it in our cash register.”

It’s All About Selection With respect to product selection, there are two distinct schools of thought. The first group tries to provide the cus-

Mark Shewchuck

“We’re talking about small things, but over the course of a customer’s lifetime at the store, all that small stuff really adds up.” Ted Eschliman

JUNE 2009

MMR 35

tomer with as many different options as possible. The second makes a conscious effort to cater to a certain clientele. With regard to accessories, Mike Fazio falls into the first category. “You can’t just stock one type of cable and expect to sell much,” explains Fazio. “You’ve got to have a good selection, and you have to be a little deep on some of this stuff. We’ve got a couple of real long racks that have nothing but strings on them. Every type of string you can think of. We try to stock as many brands as possible and that definitely helps sales because you always have those guys that come in looking for one brand and one brand only. If you don’t have it, you lose that sale and potentially that customer.” Dave Sterns is with the second camp. “We are certainly known in our area as the go to place for boutique and vintage stuff. We tend to get players that appreciate high-end stuff and are willing to spend the money on it. Those players are my best resources,” adds Sterns. “I’m always looking for a potential new line that would work for us, but it’s hard with so many small companies out there. A lot of them are going after the same thing. Everyone has a tube screamer clone! You have to be a little bit picky – It’s sort of demand-driven in that sense.”

Words of Wisdom “It’s a way to really benefit customers to have all the little stuff that they need and want,” says Shewchuck. “The capo is what helps you enjoy the acoustic guitar and the cables are what help you enjoy your pedals.” “We’ve taken a philosophical shift in that it’s not just about making the profit; it’s also about perpetuating the activity,” says Eschliman. “When you engage people with better quality accessories – things like good print books, better capos, better strings, and a better repair shop, you’re making the players lifestyle better and the activity of playing more quality.” In other words, “When you get them enjoying themselves, they tend to spend more money.” For Fazio, it’s all about merchandising and customer service, “The open displays out on the floor so people can roam between them and handle the items, that’s been very consistent.” Along with providing plenty of open displays, Fazio tries to give customers a “good, better, best” option. “If you keep it to a good, better, and best type of situation, you buy better and, obviously, the more margin you can make, the better.” 36 MMR

JUNE 2009

SPOTLIGHT: CASES

Building the Case for Cases Many Suppliers Offering Many Options – But You Can’t Sell Them if You Don’t Carry Them

38 MMR

JUNE 2009

Frank Grund recently took his vintage amp out to play with friends, and recalls while “going out the door, I banged it into the door and nicked it.” Grund’s day job? President of Grundorf, an Iowa-based company that makes amplifiers and cases. So he knows all too well that “whether the musician is full time, part time, or just any time, if the instrument or amp isn’t properly protected, it can and likely will get damaged.” That a fella who makes cases had to learn the necessity of his own products the hard way is telling. An instrument case’s importance is as indisputable as it’s profitability – yet the case for cases needs to be made to everyone. The options are wide and deep, and players have scores of choices. “We are finding that our recently introduced Pro bag is selling much better than we expected,” says Harvey Levy of Levy Leathers. Long known for their straps, they recently jumped in with a line of higher-end guitar and bass gig bags. Extra pockets for mini-recorders and laptops have made it especially attractive to the modern musician. “After so many years in a rush for the cheapest, I was pleasantly surprised to see the acceptance of this higher priced bag.” There’s plenty of advice on how to cash in. “Assembling multiple products or services to sell in a package not only increases your overall sales but it also gives you the ability to sell slow moving merchandise,” says David Saghian of Marathon Professional. “Then, it automatically up-sells your customers without having to ask for it. Packaging, or bundling your products and service can be a powerful marketing technique to move more products and services and add more value.” One thing everyone agrees on: you can’t sell ‘em if ya don’t have ‘em. “Bags and cases are necessary accessories that every music products dealer should stock,” says Access Bags and Cases’ Marty Harrison.

An Overview of the Market “It’s slow right now because of the economy,” says Mary Fletcher of Jones Fletcher. “I’ve been in the business since 1981, and only recently have we seen a bit of a downturn.” John Maher of Kaces points out that the majority of cases and bags are sold with instruments, so if instruments are selling less, cases are selling less. “That said, we are finding that dealers are looking for more accessory sales to help make up the difference, so our business is growing.” “The case business is down, as many industries are at this time, but this causes us to be a bit more aggressive,” says Joe Calzone of Calzone Cases. “Since we’ve been around longer than any other case companies, we have a tremendous history, and thus a strong dealer and customer base in all markets. Therefore our business is not down as much as the industry trend.” Steve Simons of Colorado Case agrees that this segment is not immune to the economic situation, though of late they’ve been getting more calls and inquiries. “We’re really in a protected niche, though, supplying high-end product to touring, professional musicians, and those people are still buying.” “Despite the economic downturn, Access is still growing,” says Harrison. “We had a watershed year in 2008 and we were up almost 20 percent for the first quarter of 2009.” “All our lines are doing well,” says Irwin Berg of Humes & Berg. “We just fi nished up an upbeat Frankfurt [Music Messe] show that tells us that the industry is still looking for quality. The accessory business in general holds up well in a recession because people can fi x up their instrument and upgrade to a new bag or case easier than spending $4,000 on a new saxophone… of course, it’s the opposite in good times! We’ll be the JUNE 2009

“ Cases make the first impression and the last impression, so aesthetics play a major role in the customer’s decision.”

MMR 39

last one to come online with the recovery because people will be buying new instruments,” he adds with a laugh. Vijay Talwar of Talwar Brothers, which makes Gard Cases, says their business is up 10 percent. “My guess is that the customer is looking for more value for their money, and we are priced 30 percent to 50 percent lower than the competition.” Grund notes that there has been an uptake in the church market business for cases. “Churches are actually very mobile, and they are constantly expanding,” he says. “Our Combo Case is especially hot with them. They can put their mixer on it, up to a 32 channel one, and below they can house amps and processors. It all rolls out easily after their service, as there is likely a basketball game there the next day!”

What Customers Want, What Dealers Want “I see a disparity here, where the trend does not necessarily reflect customer desires,” says Mono Case’s Daniel Kushner. “The overarching trend in this category has been to drive prices down to rock bottom commodity levels. Yet customers are increasingly looking for products that outperform and inspire. Cases make the first impression and the last impression, so aesthetics play a major role in the customer’s decision. Ultimately, musicians want to streamline and move between cities with an air of grace, professionalism, and style.” Gard targets professional musicians, and the first issue is safety of the instrument, Talwar says. “The second issue is

convenience – will the musician arrive at the gig all tired and worn out from carrying his or her equipment? Beyond these issues, we style our cases in an ultraconservative timeless design.” Saghian says style follows function. “Usually music enthusiasts want something durable, but most of the time, the cases that are always in demand are our Flight Ready cases. Style-wise, it also looks tough, and that is an ongoing trend too. Our cases have the chrome ball corners, laminated plywood, low-profi le wheels … they look as trustworthy as they are.” Martin Ritter, of England-based Creative Bag, says, “unique looks are a great plus. Our Madarozzo offers a minimalist retro look, and the retro look is enjoying a rival with many retro-inspired products

Advice On Selling – and Profiting – From Cases “It’s always easier to start any sale from the top down than it is to show the customer a low priced item first and then try to work up from there. The profit potential on a higher priced bag is usually better than the instrument it was designed to protect. Of course, you first have to stock the higher priced bags before you can apply this proven selling technique.” John Maher, Kaces “The case business is the icing on the cake. The easiest sale is to the customer who has already bought from you.” Vijay Talwar, Gard Cases “‘You get what you pay for. If you really want to protect your investment for your instrument, you need to spend a little extra to get better quality and protection.” Martin Ritter, Creative Cases and Bags “Dealers should sell their customers on the added value of increased protection and an investment in 40 MMR

quality. How much is the customer’s guitar worth – both in terms of real and sentimental value? Make the case that’s it’s a better investment in the long run to purchase a higher quality bag or case in the first place.” Marty Harrison, Access Cases and Bags “The higher-quality case only needs to be purchased once. If you have to buy the case more than once, that means the piece of equipment it was suppose to protect did not quite make it through the first ordeal. It always pays to buy quality.” Joe Calzone, Calzone Cases “Your sales staff has to be knowledgeable and not just breathing air in the shop. The customer standing there can’t see the differences between a good case and a cheap one, but if the employee can discuss nylon thread versus cotton, etc., the sale can

be made. Then you have a $700 [total] sale instead of a $500 one. But the sales people have to be plugged in.” Steve Simmons, Colorado Case Company “Every dealer knows that they need to qualify each customer as to what their specific needs are. For example, no one wants to put a 1930’s 12th-fret guitar in a case that won’t protect it. Likewise, most folks understand that a $100 guitar probably doesn’t need a $300 case. I think our dealers are generally pretty adept at taking the time to physically show customers our cases and highlight the features that set them apart. Most in the industry understand that cases and accessories are where dealers make their bread-and-butter, so offering cases that are great quality and have great margin is a win-win for both our dealers and their customers.” Steve Patrino, The Music Link “We have programs that gets cases into dealer’s stores, which is the first step to selling them. The case is an afterthought – you can’t take it home and play it. It’s hard to explain to people. But if people walk in and the cases are there, if they are JUNE 2009

coming out of the fashion industry.” He adds that their global customers overall still gravitate toward the black-on-black look, though they offer colored panels and more flashy colors. Otherwise, it’s good roomy pockets, good zippers, and “back pack straps are a must.” Guarantees are important to consumers. “Most of our hard cases carry an unconditional ‘Million-Mile’ warranty,” says Carl Massano, SKB Cases director of marketing. “In today’s economic climate the importance of this feature is magnified exponentially. Expensive equipment is harder and harder to replace. Saving a dollar on vastly inferior transport gear is simply a bad decision given the challenges of travel schedules and the replacement cost of the cargo.”

There are also different thoughts on what dealers want. “Dealers have the toughest job,” says Kushner. “Some are driven by their immediate need to maximize throughout and present low-cost options that can be tacked on to a purchase as an afterthought. They are the ‘Conveyers.’ Other dealers are driven by a more latent need to differentiate, diversify, and delight with compelling products that speak to customers on an emotional level. They are the ‘Curators,’ and the Mono brand tends to resonate strongly with [the latter].” Steve Patrino of the Music Link, which produces Guardian cases, says that they’ve “had their ear to the ground” and have been listening to dealers. “As a case

manufacturer, it definitely helps that we can give dealers enough variety that they can accommodate all their customers. Guardian offers over 150 different case shapes and styles to fit every unique instrument shape, from round back-style acoustic guitars, to cellos, trumpets, and concertinas.” Additionally, they have been providing added-value incentives, like free freight on quantities of 20 or more cases. “Our shipping policy is to get those cases to stores in three days or less. Our dealers want options, they want quality, and they want those two things delivered as quickly and affordably as possible.” “Our dealers want quality, service, inventory availability, and most of all, profit,” Harrison adds. “We serve inde-

in stock, they will buy the case. The program does sell more cases. If they go, ‘I’ll get it later,’ changes are they won’t, or they will get it from somewhere else other than you.” Frank Grund, Grundorf

to consider the right cases for the right instruments while they are still in the browsing stages. But more than anything, we see one common attribute among our top-selling dealers: confidence. They view our cases as an affordable insurance policy for expensive instruments, and they also see a great profit on our products. For them, closing the deal goes something like this: ‘Please don’t tell me you’re not going to get a Mono case for that.’ Done.” Daniel Kushner, Mono

of the instrument, and the potential cost of downtime and repairs, the dealer will be providing a tremendous service by helping to justify the purchase of the best case or bag. No one wants to have to buy a replacement or upgraded item several months after making his or her original purchase. That usually leads to a negative dealer/customer experience, and one that doesn’t foster the lifelong, mutually satisfying association that we all strive to create. Educating your customers, to ensure they realize that their case or bag purchase should be viewed as investment will yield tremendous, enduring benefits.” Tom Dougherty, TKL

“I found out there’s more to understanding what the customer’s preference than selling them the case. There’s gratitude when you hit the spot of what the customer is really looking for even if they don’t know which is better with this or what works more efficiently with that. We should be able to give service and a reasonable amount of price because that’s what matters most (aside from quality). That is why I believe that our products are able to give that both — quality and reasonable pricing. That makes it a lot easier for our dealers to sell our products.” David Saghian, Marathon president “This is like getting a puppy and saying you can’t afford to feed it. The challenge we face as makers of accessories is to become part of the wish list, not the afterthought. Dealers can play a role earlier in the decision process, encouraging customers JUNE 2009

“You can only carry a guitar around in the cardboard box for so long, so I say a good gig bag is important. Especially our CPS Series bags is that it provides all of the protection of all but the most rugged fiberglass hard shell cases, without the weight. Of course you can’t sit on it, but perhaps you shouldn’t on many hard shell cases but you think you can. No one thinks they can sit on a gig bag.” Harvey Levy, Levy’s Leathers “If the dealer helps the musician understand the delicacy and value

“The problem with most dealers is they don’t realize that this add on sale can produce as much margin or more to selling the instrument. Most of our successful dealers keep inventory and have personnel on the floor who is trained and can suggestion options – and also say, ‘you’re not leaving without a new bag or case to protect this instrument.’ It should be sold at the time the instrument is sold and many times it’s not.” Irwin Berg, Humes & Berg MMR 41

“ Dealers are certainly conscientious of the ecological footprint created by manufacturing at all levels of the musical instrument market. ”

42 MMR

pendent dealers exclusively and directly. By eliminating the extra layer of wholesale distribution we offer higher quality products to our dealers for less. The big payoff is higher profits, and dealers aren’t competing with ‘big box’ competitors for Access sales.” “TKL’s extensive product offering takes care of the dealers’ and musicians’ needs, while offering long-term peace of mind by backing all of our products with a lifetime warranty,” Tom Dougherty of TKL says. “It is also important to know that you are dealing with a strong, stable company, which has a long history, and the proven ability, to endure and prosper, during tough times. Dealers need to know that you’ll be there to service theirs and their customers’ needs, long after the sale is made.”

Soft Vs. Hard “If you are a local musician who just travels around town, or a beginning musician that has entry level gear, then a soft bag is okay,” says Agatha Gerutto, marketing director of Road Ready (Cipex). “That’s why we designed our GigSkinz line of bags. If, however, you have expensive gear or do more extensive traveling, then nothing beats the protection of an ATA-style hard case. We hear from a lot of people who damage their gear because they choose to go the more cost effective route with an inferior case or bag; then their gear gets damaged and they regret it.” For Humes & Berg, their soft cases and hard cases are selling equally well. “The tendency is hard cases go with student model instruments as they get brought on the school bus and banged up, whereas professionals want a padded bag that’s lighter and easier to carry,” says Berg. Mary Fletcher of Jones Fletcher says, “Hardshells are the biggest sellers for us – they are more expensive, but they do a better job protecting the instruments and people know that.” “Gig bags are way more convenient if you take public transit or ride a bicycle or motorcycle,” says Levy. “It is also easier to get a gig bag out of a car and there is no way it will damage a car seat. They are lightweight and the best ones, like our CPS Series, provide exceptional protection for the neck, headstock,

and strap pin at the lower bout. Padding at the base of our bag is such that when dropped on the base, the strap pin will not bottom out.” Harrison of Access says that customers seem to be willing to pay a little more for higher quality products. “Our Stage One bags, with 30mm of foam padding, are clearly a step above the average low-end bag and our dealers and their customers recognize the value. The tight economy and environmental concerns are chipping away at the demand for ‘deposable’ pricedriven products. On the other hand, seasoned guitar players are investing in upgraded accessories for their instruments and sales figures for Stage Three bags and cases seem to confirm this trend.” But all spoken to agree that making sure the case fits the instrument is a critical component. Harrison says that a guitar that fits loosely in a case it will move around in transit and be much more susceptible to damage. Likewise, a guitar that fits too tightly in a case will push out the sidewalls and will prevent the lid from closing properly. Maher also agrees that fit is very important. “However, with so many size and shape variables, especially with guitars, it’s impossible to assure every bag fit every instrument perfectly. That’s why it’s also important to make sure the instrument is secure, with proper neck support. “We have this great video of our new RB Continental bag being thrown off the tallest building in town – twice. The ‘splat’ down in the parking lot makes you heart skip a beat. The instrument inside is still perfect after this test, partially because the fit is just so perfect. It also boils down to the level of love the customers have for their instrument.” At Calzone, the right-fitting case is “pretty much what we built our business on,” he says. “The templates, whether for a guitar, bass guitar, lighting, keyboards, et cetera, ensure the interior is properly fitted. There are various options to make a case more generic. Someone may want multiple pieces of equipment to fit into the same case, but for the most part, when the customer comes to us they want the case to fit perfectly, and that’s our job.” Gerutto says it’s a simple issue. “Fit is important, that is why most of our cases come with extra strips of foam so the fit can be adjusted and customized depending on the gear. We fit each model of case JUNE 2009

and bag with the actual product before it goes into production â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it takes an extra step, but we want to make sure the fit is right before releasing the case or bag into the market.â&#x20AC;?

Advancements & Breakthroughs â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone has travel anxieties these days,â&#x20AC;? Massano points out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is increasingly important to create means of air shipping and carrying expensive instruments. [Cases] have become a form of insurance, and our job is to design cases that comply with airline rules and regulations and still provide ultimate protection and mobility. SKB has even introduced an exclusive locking latch system accepted by TSA inspectors. This feature has revolutionized the travel experience.â&#x20AC;? Patrino tells of having great success with Guardian Professional Fiberglass Cases, which are able to â&#x20AC;&#x153;provide excellent protection at a price that is extremely appealing to dealers and consumers. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always seen a demand in the market for high-quality, durable protective cases, but now more than ever, it seems customers, both dealers and consumers,

145 PETROF years sounds

are seeking an element of increased value for their dollar.â&#x20AC;? Grund reports that there continue to be new glues and laments that allow them to produce lighter-weight cases. And technology is such that they are able to design and build casespecific hardware that was impossible to do 25 years ago. And in some cases, more is more. Talwar says the professionals need to take multiple instruments to the gig, and they offer cases that hold up to four trumpets that also have room for accessories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new thing for brass instruments is our mid-bag suspensions system, which keeps the instrument suspended in mid air in the geographic center of the case,â&#x20AC;? he says. At Calzone, their recently introduced XLT15 series, is a lighter weight 3/8-inch thick polypropylene material that weighs

half that of plywood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been helpful with amplifiers, rack cases, shock mounts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially in shipping costs.â&#x20AC;? Another new product theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve introduced is the iSeries, a limited group of products released primarily for band and orchestra cases, from single cases as small as a flute up to a combination case for two trumpets and a flugelhorn, and many combinations of saxes.

A NEW WORLD OF PRECISION Asymmetrically crowned, tapered soundboard extends under all bridges resulting in superior transfer of vibrations. The (front and rear) duplexes are tuned up to higher harmonic intervals as quints, octaves and their sums.

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

Petrof is in its ďŹ fth generation of creating handmade European pianos and has been wholly family owned and operated since 1864. -BXSFODFWJMMF )XZ 4VJUF # t -JMCVSO (" t XXX QFUSPGQJBOPTVTB DPN

“Drummers seem to be most interested in Drummer utility trunks that can fit all their stands and accessories,” says Gerutto. “We have several options to fit their needs.” Many retailers aren’t taking advantage of the opportunity that they can offer their customers a custom case, some say. “Custom cases are what we’ve built our reputation on, and as such it’s still important to be able to offer a custom product with a two to three week lead time, which is impressive in any industry,” says Calzone. “Anyone enjoys getting a larger order, but those types of orders are not what you can depend upon. You have to be able to deliver one case, or a dozen cases to the customer, on time, at the highest quality, at the best price available.” “Custom work is our bread and butter,” says Simmons. “We cater to those who want latches on the left instead of the right, a different color, a left hand case, et cetera. And for high-end dealers out there selling the nicer Taylors and Martins, it’s a good opportunity to let the customer know they can have

their own special case for their new instrument.” “I am constantly surprised by the amount of thoughtful consideration that professional musicians put into their choice of bags and cases,” says Kushner of Mono. “I had this assumption starting out that the higher someone ascends into celebrity status, the less interested they’ll be in discussing a bag. We’ve seen almost the exact opposite. It’s like everyone’s been on some life-long bag quest. Some of our most enthusiastic customers have been artists who don’t even need to carry their own gear anymore.”

The Durability Issue Simmons of Colorado Cases laughs and points out that the climate in Colorado has given him special insight into what makes a case durable – “We’ll have a 100 degree Saturday followed by a snowy Sunday!” Accordingly, Colorado Cases are engineered and designed to provide thermal protection. “We use R8 to R16 [level] installation, and rely on the best material you can buy. Our products are a little more expensive, but they come with a lifetime warranty and they are made in

Wholesalers of:

Juzek Stringed Instruments Bows Cases Strings Accessories

P.O. BOX 1415 STOWE, VT 05672 1.866.846.5461 44 MMR

sales@metmusic.com JUNE 2009

America. People like to buy American more than ever because it gets people working and starts the [economic] recovery.” “Proper stitching is one of the most important keys,” states Maher. “Even a gig bag made out of bullet-proof fabric will fall apart if the stitching that holds it together is second-grade. We believe dealers will have happier customers if they ask their suppliers for bags with double stitching using high tensile thread with reinforced stress points.” Harrison says that durable cases are the product of practical, proven design, quality raw materials and components, and skilled workmanship. “We make traditional wooden hard shell cases. We develop and source high quality proprietary materials and components to build cases that stand up to demands of pro players and boutique guitar builders.” At the Music Link, the Guardian Vintage Hardshell Cases are made from seven-ply cross-grained wood for strength. Each Vintage Hardshell is lined with 20mm of high-density padding that both protects the instrument and supports the case shell. They also make a thermoplastic case line that

can withstand 200 pounds of pressure. “Our newest series of professional quality fiberglass cases offer an even greater degree of protection, previously only found in cases that were two or three times as expensive,” Patrino adds. “Case durability is second only to the actual protection of the instrument inside.” Recently, TKL introduced an upgraded, Concept Series of molded cases. “Made in our Virginia plant, the proven design and solid construction of our latest Concept 2.9 series has been further enhanced,” Dougherty says. “Now with the additional musician-friendly features such as our newly designed ergonomically-balanced, deluxe padded handle, along with structurally reinforced ‘D’ rings, these cases are sure to become the choice of musicians who need the ultimate in protection, ease of use, and the peace of mind. During the past few months, we also expanded our fretted instrument offering to include Dobro and Banjo cases.” They have also released a 25th Anniversary Series that features a

“ Our dealers want quality, service, inventory availability, and most of all, profit.”

The DJ Case Market: Changing, but Thriving As for the DJ Market … “In a word? Slammin” Mono’s Daniel Kushner says. “Musically, there is vast uncharted territory that DJs are starting to tap into. This has big implications on any company making gear for them, especially cases. Our newest product line, the EFX series, was created to address new needs we’re seeing emerge in the clubs.” “DJs want solutions for their laptops and DJ controllers such as Vestax VCI300s and Numark NS7,” says Agatha Gerutto, marketing director of Road Ready. “ A lot of DJs want to carry their laptop/multiple laptops and or a laptop tray. To address this we have come out with several new laptop cases that carry single and or double laptops. DJs also want trays to organize all their gear and optimize space. To answer JUNE 2009

this need we designed our new Smart Stand Series to help organize DJs laptops, turntables, CD players, DVJs, DVJs, and EFXs… once and for all!” “Lighting cases are selling very well, from the innocent PAR cans up to the most elaborate intelligent fixtures,” says Joe Calzone of Calzone Cases. “We’re doing cases for combinations of various fixtures, from multiple PARs up to singles and doubles for the moving lights. In addition to that, the control consoles are quite elaborate and expensive, and we’ve built many cases for those as well.” Frank Grund, president of Grundorf, recounts the case market for DJs like this: in the 1990s they were focused on cases for professional touring acts when the DJ business exploded, and they dove in early with great success. But now that’s

been erased to near zero narrowed by DJs moving from heavy hardware to being able to stow all their music on a lap told. “About 25 years ago, Grundoff came out with cases that held many CDs, and everybody at the time said, ‘who would need to carry that many CDs?’ but they were very popular.” For David Saghian of Marathon Professional, the sheer continued proliferation of people wanting to be DJs has been good for business. “When you have a 15-year-old who has wanted to be a DJ all his life, is really passionate about it, he or she will do the research and buy the essential things like a good CD player, a mixer, a amp, etc. And then by being really passionate about it, he or she will invest in cases that will take good care of that gear. In short, gear can’t live without a case.” MMR 45

Fishman’s Amp Covers & Carry Bag for Loudbox

Fishman Acoustic Amplification is now offering slip covers for its Loudbox 100 and Performer amplifiers, and a padded shoulder bag for the Loudbox 100. Custom designed for Fishman by Gator Cases, the Loudbox covers are made from durable 600 denier ballistic nylon. Each features an opening for the amp handle for easy carrying and a Velcro flap to keep dust out when not in use. Also included are an embroidered Fishman logo and piping around the seams for a more elegant appearance and added durability. The Loudbox 100 padded shoulder bag features thick protective foam sandwiched between rugged 600 denier ballistic nylon on the outside with a soft tricot padding inside. Easy access is provided via a Velcro lined top cover which also includes amp handle access and a dust flap. Seams are stitched with high-grade materials and reinforced with piping for added durability. Additional features include a large gear pocket on the rear with a heavy-duty zipper, solid rubber skids to protect the bottom of the case and an adjustable shoulder strap. www.fishman.com

Guardian’s Fiberglass Banjo Case

Guardian’s Professional Fiberglass Banjo Case (CG-065-J-LGY) is impact-resistant and water-repellent with a fiberglass shell. The water-

46 MMR

tight valance allows safe traveling in all types of weather. Six separate latches and one lock help to keep the banjo secure, and the leather handle makes traveling comfortable. The case offers interior protection as well, with multiple padding thicknesses for safety. Dense foam cushions the sides of the resonator, and it is supported by medium density foam underneath. Extra soft foam helps to hold down the neck for protection. The list price is $399.99. www.guardiancases.com

Gator’s G-Pro Rotationally Molded Polyethylene Rack Cases

Gator has unveiled a new line of rotationally molded, polyethylene rack cases with 19” rack-able depth. T h e s e roto molded cases come complete with recessed Penn Elcom twist latches, front and rear removable lids, and molded-in ergonomic side carry handles. The G-Pro Series is engineered with interlocking tops and bottoms allowing secure stack-ability. All cases include heat treated 10/32 screws with protective washers and a free rack rail offer. Cases are available in a wide range of sizes such as 2U, 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U. www.gatorcases.com

Fusion Cases

Fusion Products Company Ltd. of the United Kingdom offers four ranges of soft cases, for guitar, keyboard, cello, brass, and woodwind instruments. What is im-

mediately apparent is the quality of these soft cases and the choice that each range offers. Fusion’s Fuse-on system features a selection of five accessory bags, four of which can hold a laptop, and can be attached across the guitar, brass, and woodwind ranges. Smaller instrument cases can also be attached to larger cases. Design elements include lumber supports, practicable grab handles, numerous large pockets, and hidden compartments for straps. Fusion is now seeking a distributor to introduce the cases to the U.S. market. www.fusion-bags.com New Cases from SKB Since installing their new Hydraulic Toggle Injection Molding System SKB has introduced two new larger sizes to the 3I Series of Watertight Utility Cases, the 3I-2918-14B that was introduced in January and now the 3I-2317-14 Watertight Case. The inside dimensions of the 3I-231714B Watertight case are 23” x 17” x 14” ( 2 1/2” deep top over 11 1/2” deep base) and the 3I-2918-14B case is 29” x 18” x 14” (2 12” deep top over 11 1/2” deep base). The interiors of both cases are available empty or with cubed foam. Utilizing SKB’s new Custom Foam Shop individual specifications can customize empty cases. These new Pro Audio Utility Cases are molded of polypropylene copolymer resin, feature a gasketed, water and dust tight, submersible design that is resistant to corrosion and impact damage, and an automatic ambient pressure equalization valve to assist with moisture control. There are three protected hinges with stainless steel pins to provide lid stability and five of SKB’s “trigger release” latches for added security. Any or all of the trigger JUNE 2009

release latches can be retrofitted with our TSA accepted key locking latches and the padlock holes now include stainless steel padlock protector clips. A 10â&#x20AC;? wide two handed lift handle on the front of these cases help to balance a heavy load. Both cases include an industrial strength injection molded pull handle and four wide set in-line skate style wheels offer the solution to transport pro audio equipment, video equipment, cables, or hardware. The new 1SKB-80A and 1SKB80F Mandolin cases from SKB include patented fiberglass reinforced nylon trigger release latching system with the inclusion of a TSA recognized and accepted locking latch. The TSA lock enables users to lock their cases and still be inspected for airline security. The exterior is constructed from a molded ABS polymer that has been

JUNE 2009

engineered to provide protection during transportation. Both cases also feature SKBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injection molded cushioned rubber over-molded handle, injection molded feet, and bumper protected valance. The interior of the 1SKB-80A and 1SKB-80F Mandolin cases feature plush lining to cover the molded EPS foam interior that cradles the contours of the arch top teardrop shape of the A style mandolin and the florentine shape of the F style mandolin. The molded interiors provide neck support and also have an accessory compartment for carrying extra strings, picks, or cables. www.skbcases.com

MMR 47

recently developed super-rugged, deluxe durahyde covering, and other features. “Adequate padding using quality foam, robust zippers, heavy duty stitching throughout, luggage grade scuff, and a water resistant exterior,” answers Ritter when asked what durability means to him. “You need internal end-pin, headstock and bridge protector in polyester, and quality nylon interior. We make sure that all those features are incorporated in our comprehensive range of Madarozzo bags.”

The Importance of Green At Kases, they have found that green issues are becoming more important to everyone as time goes by. “Fortunately, our Reunion Blues brand is already known for going green, especially with our natural merino wool guitar straps,” Maher says. “Reunion Blues bags also last a lifetime so not having to replace worn out bags every two or three years is also a green concept for the case business.” “Dealers are certainly conscientious of the ecological footprint created by manufacturing at all levels of the musical instrument market,” Patrino says. “All of our manufacturing

techniques are particularly sensitive to environmental issues. Currently the European RoHS guidelines are in some ways even stricter than the U.S. guidelines. Everything we make is bound by both domestic and international guidelines. “But what many people in today’s market seem to be the most concerned about, however, is price, and we are proud to be one of the companies that are able to pay close attention to environmental concerns while still maintaining low prices for our dealers.” At Creative Bag, Ritter says they are environmentally conscious when buying raw materials but have to carefully consider which market segment requires which product. “Typically you will fi nd that green products have a low availability and high prices. We have recently introduced our Madarozzo Signature Couture in cotton canvas and genuine leather and are working on a program to develop ‘greener’ bags in the coming years and hope musicians will consider the higher price worth the green benefits.” Kushner sees ecological issues as an opportunity. “I believe that ecological constraints can be creatively transformed into desirability. For example, we decided one of the biggest ways we can affect the social and environmental impact of our cases is to make them without using any animal products. This was a difficult

“ We’ve always seen

a demand in the market for highquality, durable protective cases, but now more than ever, it seems customers are seeking an element of increased value for their dollar.”

48 MMR

JUNE 2009

move in a category where leather is the primary material used to connote ‘premium’ in the mind of the consumer. But as a result, Mono has been able to create a new aesthetic language around the notion of performance, with hybrid cases that are lighter, more durable and more weather resistant than leather alternatives. “Are the ecological aspects a selling point? I don’t believe they should be. Many people value our animal-free commitment, but the product needs to sell itself.” SKB has just had a major upgrade to their facility in Orange, Calif., that features a massive new energy-saving hydraulic toggle injection Molding System, which launches a new era in manufacturing capabilities for SKB, says Massano. “The machine’s high efficiency, technological advantages and energysaving capabilities; improved repeatability due to the servo motor closed loop operation; has quick response time; and a much lower noise level in low-speed applications which allows SKB to develop innovative and cost-effective new products for the market

JUNE 2009

sectors in which they specialize.” In addition to that aspect, he adds that this major investment allows the company to expand into new market sectors with increased productivity and help insure the long-term growth of the company without sacrificing the attention to detail that SKB is historically know for over the past 30 years. It is the future for SKB. “This device features high-efficiency electric servo pumps and is one of the most impressive machines of its kind currently in operation and one

of the largest in the United States. The initial case production run will require a 27,000-pound mold. The unit offers 2.25 million pounds of clamping pressure and a twin cylinder balanced injection system operation. It features an eight-axis robot with a 44-pound payload rating and 175,000-pound capacity permanent electro-magnetic (neodymium rareearth) clamping platens. Recently delivered and installed at our main factory, the new addition to SKB’s equipment family weighed in at 225,000 pounds.” But does it come with a case?

MMR 49

SURVEY: MICROPHONE SALES

Is This Thing On…? Taking a break from the all too familiar “wow, the economy sure is awful” perspective on business, MMR took the opportunity to focus on microphone sales this month, surveying almost 3,000 of our readers to gauge the market.

“Microphones, unlike other items, remain a constant good seller.” Not that microphone sales are exactly “booming” or “recession proof,” but it does represent relatively vibrant segment of the MI world. Why? Built-in customer base. For many, microphones aren’t a luxury or an option; they’re a necessity. If you’re a gigging or recording musician, you pretty much need to own at least one mic. Of course, if you’re putting on performances of any type at a venue of any sort (club, church, arena, school), or working in a recording studio, you also need mics – and plenty of them. The folks we spoke with told us some things we already assumed we knew (the SM58 is a strong seller – shocking!), some

50 MMR

things we suspected (wireless microphones are accounting for more overall sales than ever before), and some things we only had guessed at (according to many, direct-to-computer USB compatible mics are all the rage right now). While preferred methods of displaying, promoting, and selling microphones understandably vary from one retail outlet to another, by most accounts mics remain a “strong” overall product, even during these shaky economic times.

JUNE 2009

Do you stock/sell microphones?

What is your best-selling mic (make and model)?

No:

17%

Yes:

Shure SM58

83%

Shure SM57 Sennheiser EW 135G2 Samson Q7 Shure Beta 58

What types of microphone are your strongest sellers, in terms of volume? (e.g. dynamic, condenser, ribbon, et cetera)

Dynamic: Condenser:

Audix OM2 Rode NT1-A

73%

Audio Technica ATM Peavey PVi XLR

17%

Wireless:

Ribbon:

Avlex MR515MHh202 Peavey PVM22 Audio Technica MB1K Heil PR22 Stagg 500

What types of microphone provide the biggest profit margin?

Dynamic:

66%

Wireless:

Condenser:

Tube:

JUNE 2009

Shure PG48

Do you find microphone sales commonly lead to tie-in purchases (cables, stands, clips, et cetera)?

No:

18%

Yes:

82%

5% MMR 51

How do you display microphones in your store (display case, behind counter, dedicated area, et cetera)? Dedicated Area: Slatwall/ Wall Display:

32%

Display Case:

59%

32%

“We make use of a device created by Bob Heil called ‘The Comparator. It’s in the PA section of the store. It allows eight mics to be compared against the others. It is awesome.” Mitch Brashers Springfield Music, Springfield, Mo. “We stack boxes up high with the models and photos showing. We like vendors/manufacturers with a consistent look throughout their line because of this. Customers can see we have a huge inventory and selection, and will generally ask staff to pull something down for a demo or to purchase.” Jeff Simons Watermelon Music, Davis, Calif.

“It’s polarizing – most sales are either of well known brands or off brands with cheaper prices/great value.” Kristin Platzer BCR Music & Sound, Lemoyne, Penn. “We’re seeing much more interest in studio mics.” Jerry Besser Tone Music, Owatonna, Minn. “The only trend that I’ve seen is that we can’t sell them at what people can buy microphones for on the Internet.” Mitchel Banks Don Banks Music, Tampa, Fla. “USB compatible mics are selling to home recordists.” Larry Gosch Encore Music Center, Auburn, Calif. “Microphones, unlike other items, remain a constant good seller.” Larry Letson Bibb Music Center, Macon, Ga. “Sales of low- to mid-priced condensers for home recording are up significantly.” Marcum D. Havens Matt’s Music, Inc., Monroe, La.

“We display mics in various places dependent on packaging and price. Clamshell packaged mics on hooks of gondolas that are easily accessible to customers help with impulse purchasing. All handhelds are displayed on the wall behind our Pro Audio counter using String Swing locking mic display brackets. Recording mics are also behind the counter in glass display cases or on wall using String Swing individual mic brackets. Wireless systems are displayed on shelves taking advantage of POP boxes and some are unboxed in glass display cases.” John Bond Ken Stanton Music, Marietta, Ga.

What are some significant, recent trends you’ve noticed in microphone sales? “Customers want a mic with plenty of range and will pay the price for quality. $125 to $200 is the price point.” Don Whaalen Swansboro Music Center, Swansboro, N.C. “Everyone wants the cheapest. Also, the confusion over the FCC auction of airwaves is preventing some wireless sales.” Terry Lewis Firehouse Guitars, Grandville, Mich. “Lower priced small brands are outselling the older established brands and often have equal or better performance at a much better margin to the independent dealer.” Bob Josjor Lou Kraus Music, Ogallala, Neb. 52 MMR

JUNE 2009

WHEN DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

S AV E 15%

Flute PROPACK *6

U " 9Ê Ê Ê A 32 F ÊÊ-7 U Ê 1/ Ê-7 A 32 HP A 62 U , Ê "/ U * Ê ,9 , U Ê*"- / "

A 65 U , A 15

www.bgfranckbichon.com

A M E R I C A N WAY M A R K E T I N G YA M A H A C A N A D A

800 331 0664 416 298 1311

www.americanwaymktg.com www.yamaha.ca

Dealers : MUSICIAN’S FRIEND / PRO WINDS / SAXFORTE / WEST MUSIC COMPANY FRED WEINER / MUNCY WINDS / RDG WOODWINDS / NIELSEN WOODWINDS

Facebook : BG France

www.bgfranckbichon.com

SHOW REPORT: RPMDA

“Yes We Can”

RPMDA Theme at Salt Lake City Convention

T “Educators are at basic basis survival mode, this is the time (for (formusic musicdealers) dealers)totobebeheroes.” heroes” Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

54 MMR

he recently concluded Retail Print Music Dealers (RPMDA) Salt Lake City convention was more typical of a “gathering of the clan” than a trade show and seminar session, as dealers and suppliers met and exchanged more hugs than handshakes during the three-day meet held April 29 to May 2nd. The official count was 233 attendees with 126 print dealers and 107 associate members. Typical of the times, attendance was down approximately ten percent from last year’s meeting in Boston. As in the past, the group had an international flavor with registrants from Canada, France, and Germany, as well as the U.S. Two of the highlights were a special performance for RPMDA members by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, arranged by local print dealer Ruby Beeson of Best in Music, and the appearance of “Sesame Street’s” Bob McGrath, who recently completed his 38th year on the PBS series. McGrath’s appearance was sponsored by NAMM, which is a major supporter of the “Sesame Street” show. JUNE 2009

Eric Abel, NAMM and Tracy Leenman, Musical Innovations.

Dave Cox and Ron Koppes, Tri-Technical Systems, Inc.

RPMDA L to R. Becky Lightfoot, Penders Music (past president) Lori Supinie, Senseney Music (president) and Madeleine Crouch, executive director

Troy Bakker and Krista Montgomery, Shawnee Press.

What the organization lacked in numbers was more than compensated for by the enthusiasm at the sessions which included a bevy of speakers with a message similar to the past presidential election: “Yes, we can!” Educator Dr. Tim Lautenzheiser delivered the keynote address exhorting the group to lock arms and move ahead, challenging attendees to think beyond their every day comfort zones. He noted that educators, in particular, are in a basic survival mode and that dealers have an opportunity to become “heroes” by helping them through a difficult economy. He urged the assembly to remember that, “We are selling success as

Lou Fifer and Mildred Lee, Oxford University Press.

part of a music education” and pointed out that the United States is only one of our four countries that promote music in the schools, “and we must preserve it.” Danny Rocks, former Alfred Publishing executive and principal in TheCompanyRocks, conducted a session on store design, presenting a series of before and after photos of recent store remodelings. Dealers included in the presentation were West Music, Long & McQuade, Beacock Music Rick’s Music World, and Penders Music. Danny Rocks was aided by panelists Valerie Johnson, West Music; Bob Kohl, Long & McQuade; and Gayle Beacock, Beacock Music. The consensus of

RPMDA 2010 Directors President Lori Supinie, Senseney Music, Wichita, KA Vice President/Secretary, Gayle Beacock, Beacock Music Company, Vancouver, WA. Vice President/Treasurer, Carol Wilbur, Pender’s Music, Denton, TX. Past President, Becky Lightfoot, Pender’s Music, Denton, TX. Member at Large, Myrna Sislen, Middle C Music, Washington, DC Member at Large, Jeff Stonier, Northwest Music Services, Ltd., Vancouver, BC, Canada Associate Member at Large, David Jahnke, Hal Leonard Corporation.

L to R; Karl Kjos, David Gereghty and Timothy Kjos, Neil A. Kjos Music Company. JUNE 2009

Randy Navarre and Bill Heese, Northeastern Music.

Associate Member at Large, Steve Loweth, Mayfair Music Publications, Inc.

MMR 55

Veronika Gruber, Advance Music and Craig Cornwall, Kendor Music.

Jim Fullerton, AIM Gifts.

Annekathrin Mascus, Breitkopf & Hartel.

Rachelle Gayer and Anne Sobel, Carl Fischer Music.

Robin and Leon Gallison, Music Gifts Company of England.

Lauren Keiser, Keiser Publishing.

Petra WoodfullHarris, Barenreiter.

Pierre Cotelle, Arpeges-Diffusion IMD.

“With single minded determination anything is possible.” Gayle Beacock, Beacock Music.

Bernhard Mueller, Schott Music.

Ron Manus, Daniel Frohnen, Johann Gouws and Antonio Ferranti, Alfred Publishing.

David Jahnke, Hal Leonard Publishing and Don Eubanks, Hutchins & Rea Music. 56 MMR

Steven Loweth, Mayfair Music Publications.

the group was to, “keep the presentation simple,” rotate inventory to keep a fresh look within the store, color block merchandise when feasible, and feature new product with forward facings as opposed to library type spine displays. One of the more popular sessions was the “Best Ideas” hosted by Hal Leonard’s David Jahnke where members submitted their ideas and three winning ideas are selected by the group. The eventual “Best Idea” was to make a video of the store and post it on YouTube, submitted by Julia Moessner, Stanton’s Sheet Music. Other winning ideas including Tracy Leenman’s (Musical Innovations) suggestion of a package of money-saving coupons and Liz Reisman’s (Creative Music Center) idea to present a business card with a $5 store savings to new customers. Other ideas included: Myrna Sislen’s (a VIP reward card for frequent buyers); Ruby Beeson’s of Best In Music (a rotating wall of new product); Becky Lightfoot’s of Pender’s Music (posting publishers’ brochures on the store Web site with a hyperlink, so that prospective customers can review the catalog); Steve’s Music’s Norm Zimmerman’s (visiting elementary and day care classrooms to supply them with musical items); Pete Gamber’s of Alto Music (a three-hour invitation-only sale); and Rick Valentine’s, Dowling Music (recycle old, un-saleable sheet music as wrapping paper and for displays). JUNE 2009

RPMDA panelists, Valerie Johnson, West Music, Bob Kohl, Long & McQuade Ltd and Gayle Beacock, Beacock Music.

“Let the show begin” RPMDA Executive Director in her traditional “Dr. Pepper” ring master attire.

Richard and Karen Gore, Penders Music and Ken Anderson, Flesher-Hinton Music.

Steve Wilson and Phil Smith, The Music Sales Group.

Two of the sessions stressed the importance of new technology. Kathy Condon, a motivational speaker, urged the group to create a LinkedIn meeting place on the site. Past RPMDA President Becky Lightfoot responded that RPMDA has a group and invited all to join (ed note: MMR also maintains a LinkedIn group) Ron Cates, an executive with Constant Contact an e-mail delivery system noted that 225 million people use e-mail almost every day in the U.S. Ninety one percent of the age group 18 to 64 send and read e-mail and that the fastest growing seg-

ment of the market is the 65 and older set. According to Cates the return on investment in using e-mail as a marketing tool is $57.25 for every $1 spent. Gayle Beacock, co-owner of Vancouver, Washington’s Beacock Music conducted a spirited session, “Give Your Business An Energy Drink,” leading off with a video outlining the founding of the business by her mother and father some 30 years ago to present day and a new store opening. She reminded the group of similar economic hardships in the early 80’s showing letters to suppliers explaining

Keith Mardak, CEO of the Hal Leonard Corporation, pictured with RPMDA’s 2009 Sandy Feldstein Service Award honoree Dan Del Fiorentino, historian for NAMM and curator of NAMM’s Oral History Project.

Francois Leduc and Kimberly Botelho, Alphonse Leduc/ Robert King Music Sales. JUNE 2009

“A prime tenet of merchandising, get them to hold the merchandise” Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks

the company’s credit crunch at that time. Gayle reminded the group that, “Customers are worried about us” and stressed the importance of remaining positive at all times. She advocated changing displays frequently and using hard to stock areas of the store with signage and visual aids and to have a “single-minded determination that anything is possible,” pointing to the store’s successful café operation which has become a meeting place for shoppers. Next year’s RPMDA convention will be held in April in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Gordon O’Hara, Retail-Up.

Hal Leonard Publishing; David Jahnke, Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg and Doug Lady.

Winners of the Best Ideas session l to r, Julia Moessner, (first place) Stanton’s Sheet Music and Tracy Leenman, Musical Innovations. MMR 57

COMPANY PROFILE

Hughes & Kettner

Innovative Design, German Quality Control

s you are winding through the idyllic countryside towards the town of St. Wendel, Germany, you can’t help but notice the hundreds of wind towers and acres of solar panels that dot the landscape. Situated within this ancient small town of about 30,000 citizens and the grave of Saint Wendelin, is the factory of Hughes & Kettner amplifiers and HK Audio which was started by Lothar Stammer in his father’s garage in 1979. Since that time, the company has grown to 200 employees and become known worldwide for high-quality, made-inGermany guitar amplifiers and pro audio speakers and equipment.

“Every amplifier is actually play-tested by a musician who checks and re-checks every function to make sure that it works to its full specifications.” Cutting Edge from Day One

Paul Arie, quality control director, with a tongue-in-groove piece of an amplifier cabinet. 58 MMR

In 1984, in the early stages of the venture, the company went international and launched the Hughes & Kettner brand of guitar amplifiers. One year later it introduced the groundbreaking AS64 guitar amplifier, which was the world’s first fully programmable amp on the market and was unique in that it had no knobs and 64 memory indications with up/down but-

tons with all parameters for full memory. It featured a tube preamp stage and solid state power amp stage. This early amp was so radical in design that many guitarists weren’t quite sure what to make of this product, but it did draw a cadre of loyal fans and helped the company move quickly into this competitive market. After the AS64, Hughes & Kettner set the goal of making all-tube amplifiers which could provide the JUNE 2009

tone that guitarists wanted along with more flexibility than other amps on the market. Fast forward to 2009 and you will find a company on the cutting edge of the highend guitar amplifier market with a highly skilled workforce and a talent for quality control and innovative products. 100 percent of the amps Hughes & Kettner ships today are made in Germany, which allows the company to manufacture to strict standards of quality. The company, which is now owned by the founder, Lothar, along with his brother, Hans, is divided into two different divisions, one for pro-audio under the HK Audio brand and one for the Hughes & Kettner guitar amplifier brand. Both have dedicated R&D, manufacturing, sales, and marketing teams that allow them to focus on the specific needs of their markets. The company generates approximately 80 percent of its revenues from the HK Audio division and 20 percent from the guitar amplifier division. The facilities that the company occupies are in St. Wendal are modern and hightech with very practical workflows which allow for cost-effective production.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a Name? One might ask who or how the name Hughes & Kettner came into being? Ste-

fan Fischer, the marketing Director indicated that in the early days they were looking for a name that would combine the softer sounding, English name like Hughes, perhaps from Howard Hughes, along with a stronger Germanic name like Kettner and so was born the name Hughes & Kettner. This name gave the company the image they were looking for in the international music market.

Name that Tone Gaining a knowledge and understanding of guitar amps was the first priority when launching their amp line so they brought in Thomas Blut, a known â&#x20AC;&#x153;toneâ&#x20AC;? guru to bring their amps a trademark sound. According to Paul Arie, directory of quality control, testing and re-testing for quality and reliability is one of the highest priorities at the company, and it spends a tremendous amount of time and energy in making certain that each of the components in its amps is going to work right out of the box. Each component of an amplifier is given a risk factor rating in which the level of the possibility of failure is rated on a scale of 1 to 4. Vacuum tubes of course occupy to highest level of risk and so this is addressed by the company with the highest level of testing.

Phil Betette of Hughes & Kettner/Yorkville Sound with Lothar Stammer, owner, and Stefan Fischer, marketing director.

Attention to Detail The cabinet making process for the amps as well as the pro audio cabinets is highly automated with CNC machines handling many of the processes. An automated paint system has the ability to paint a cabinet every 60 seconds with a variety of over 60 cabinet designs and three colors. At the end of every pro audio assembly line each cabinet is tested utilizing a state-of-the-art Klippel System to test function. Every cabinet is driven at full load to make sure it works to full

H&K Pro Audio cabinet assembly line. JUNE 2009

MMR 59

Stefan Fischer inside the anechoic chamber used for testing H&K products.

Tube testing system.

capacity. A subsequent rattling test is used to make sure that nothing is loose or rattles in the cabinet. The final test is a full frequency spectrum test after which the cabinet gets a quality certification. On the amplifier side of the business, every amplifier gets a custom shop treatment, meaning that the amplifier is actually play-tested by a musician who checks and re-checks every function to make sure that it works to its full specifications. The company also has a special chamber which is set up to drive amps and pro audio cabi-

prep and test tubes before installation in an amp. Tubes are “cooked” for ½ hour, agitated with a special hammer device to make sure nothing comes loose in the tube. The device also measures several parameters of the tube and has 3,000 volts passed across it so that the tube will be ready to have the bias set so that it remains stable. According to the company, “H&K developed TSC (Tube Safety Control), the onboard tube management. This all-new circuit constantly measures the characteristics of the tube and adjusts the bias accordingly, thus providing the best pos-

Automated cabinet painting system.

“100 percent of the amps Hughes & Kettner ships today are made in Germany, which allows the company to manufacture to strict standards of quality.” nets to a full load for 48 hours to make certain that the products can survive. All Hughes & Kettner amps are built with a suspension system that allows them to survive the shocks and bumps that often accompany bands that travel on the road. Additionally, temperature and humidity simulations are used to make sure that the amps can survive very cold climates as well as tropical situations. If an amp doesn’t pass this fi nal check, it is sent back to a technician to determine and correct any problem. Since tubes are the heart and soul of their guitar amplifiers, Hughes & Kettner goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure that the tubes that are shipped with each amplifier are working to their fullest degree. According to Paul Arie, the company had a specialized device designed to 60 MMR

sible tone under all conditions. If a tube fails during a gig TSC identifies the defective valve, indicates it with its LED display and switches it off. The amp will still function. Once the bad tube has been replace, the amp may be turned on and will function as normal. Also a nice-to-have feature: Using a plectrum you can recall each tube’s characteristics and have them displayed via LEDs.” The first amplifier to incorporate this groundbreaking technology is the Switchblade TSC which is now available to the US market. Today, the company offers a series of amplifiers, including the Trilogy, Switchblade and Statesman, which serve different segments of the guitar playing market, from the more traditional, vintage type amps to more high-tech amps with cutting-edge features.

An original AS64, which was the company’s first guitar amplifier. JUNE 2009

NEMC

Why We’re #1 $30,579,118.00

NEMC Over

50 Years

(Paid to our Licensed Affiliates) The financially stable program of choice for discerning dealers whose eye is on the future. Now is the time to get out from under the financial RISK and BURDEN of running your own rental program.

The NEMC Afﬁliate Program Offers:

SIN

Q U A L I T Y

S E R V I C E

1957

Be A Part Of Our Next Successful 50 YEARS!

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

Plus:

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

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

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

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

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

Ask For Gene Garb

NEMC

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

www.nemc.com

Broadway Junior:

Bringing The Great White Way Into The Classroom

n 1998 Hal Leonard partnered with Music Theatre International (MTI) to create Broadway Junior – a series of abridged Broadway musicals formatted for elementary and middle school students. MTI is a dramatic rights organization administering performance rights for musicals in amateur and professional markets. MTI also works with composers and Broadway production people to repackaged Broadway shows in a way that they can travel, whether it be for dinner theatre, colleges, or summer stock productions. Hal Leonard and MTI paths naturally overlapped – ultimately they are both in the business of music education. Hal Leonard and MTI began working together with the concept of simplifying Broadway shows in such a way that elementary and middle school students could perform them. The process of editing and condensing a Broadway production is more complicated and onerous than one might think. A twoand-a-half-hour show is cut down to 60 or 70 minutes, which means the script must be streamlined, songs need to be shortened, and musical keys are changed to suit an adolescent voice. The process is a team effort between Hal Leonard and MTI. MTI employs theatre specialists who may spend a couple of years or more on one Broadway Junior production. MTI then brings it to a creative team at Hal Leonard who works 62 MMR

with the music, crafting the key choices and modulations that are necessary for younger singers to work with. For educators who may not have any experience directing a show or managing such a production, Hal Leonard came up with a “show kit” which is a box set of everything that is needed to produce a show: student and director scripts; musical accompaniment CDs; an instructional choreography DVD; and a director’s guide. Also included in the kit is a cross-curricular guide to serve students

academically. In Annie Junior, for example, students are able to learn about orphanages, the Great Depression, and FDR within the context of the show. Hal Leonard’s president Larry Morton also notes, “Not all kids get exposed to a real Broadway show. How many kids get the opportunity to go to New York and see a Broadway show?” This also may explain why composers have been willing to cooperate and work with Hal Leonard on these productions; all Broadway JUNE 2009

Junior productions must be approved by the original composer or their estate. Many composers view Broadway Junior as a way gateway - a way to spark a child’s interest in theatre and music. As Larry sees it, “These young kids are being exposed to this wonderful music and theatre. When they are older, they will look back and say ‘I was in that show. I sang in Guys and Dolls when I was in middle school.’ They will be more likely to go to the shows and buy the recordings. The whole theatre experience in broken down into a manageable, doable thing.” With the purchase of all Broadway Junior productions there also comes a licensing fee that the school must pay for in order to perform the show. Hal Leonard quickly realized that they could not shoulder the licensing process onto a dealer, with all of the administrative aspects that are involved. Larry explains, “We got dealers on board as sales agents. The way it works is the dealer takes the order; the order is sent to us, but before we ship it we send the license directly to the school. Once the school has signed off on it, we ship the kit to either the school or the dealer. We bill the dealer and the dealer bills the school. The dealer is really selling a concept and not something off of the shelf.” There is no physical inventory to be responsible for, but dealers do have to sell the product and walk educators through the process. For this concept selling, Hal Leonard equips dealers with demo CDs, DVDs, and brochures. In the beginning, there was some resistance from dealers, but Larry Morton after some successful demonstrations from Hal Leonard, dealers were on board. Currently, the largest number of the Broadway Junior sales come from Hal Leonard’s dealer network. JUNE 2009

Hal Leonard’s approach to marketing to dealers has mainly been product demonstrations, according to Emily Crocker, vice president of choral publications at Hal Leonard. “Now it’s easier because the sales model has been established. Now most dealers are just eager to know when the next show is coming out.” As an incentive, Hal Leonard also offers dealers some financial support for marketing the product. Educators are a bit different as Emily explains, “The way we market to teachers is we will create a mail piece and coop with a dealer, dividing things geographically. We have also just improved our Web site, which now has audio samples and more resources. When a new Broadway Junior is released, we travel to schools and host workshops. We also target state educator’s conventions.” Due to the eternal tight budgets that most educators must contend with year after year, purchasing a Broadway Junior Kit, with prices ranging from $495 to $550, can be big investment, which was very apparent in the early days of the products release. “We had a lot of educating to do because the whole process was so different,” Emily recalls. “We spent a lot of time explaining the product in our educator workshops. We explained the license and how it would work, walking them through the whole thing.” In terms of the trepidation educators had Emily adds, “Yes, there was resistance to the high price, but we tried to show them that even though it seemed like a much higher price than anything that Emily Crocker they were spending money on, the value they got was so worth the investment. We do some of the performances from Broadway Junior at the workshops, and when teachers were able to see it, they understood the value of it.”

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

N E W ! HYBRID BARI Saxophone Mouthpieces

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

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

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e d i u G s ’ r e y Bu Summer

to New Gear

Fretted Epiphone’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” The Epiphone Guitar Company has released their limited edition “Oh, Pretty Woman” 12-string acoustic guitar. Produced in cooperation with the legendary singer/songwriter Roy Orbison’s estate, this signature guitar is based upon Roy’s own 1962 Epiphone “Bard” 12-string acoustic guitar. Orbison used his original Epiphone acoustic guitar to write and perform many of his most well-known

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songs including perhaps his biggest hit, “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The new Epiphone “Oh, Pretty Woman” is a faithful reproduction of the 1962 original and features a solid spruce top, a solid mahogany back, a rosewood 12-string bridge, and vintage tuners. For this limited edition release, the back of the guitar’s head-

stock includes a replica of Roy Orbison’s signature and the notation for the first measure of the world famous “Oh, Pretty Woman” introduction riff. Also included in this limited edition offer is a hard case with Roy’s signature and “sunglass” icon on it, a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Roy’s widow, Barbara Orbison and Roy’s son, Roy Orbison, Jr., a black & white photo of Roy with his original Epiphone Bard 12-string, a “sunglass” lapel pin, and a copy of the “Oh, Pretty Woman” sheet music. The certificate and photo come in a leatherette presentation binder. The Roy Orbison limited edition 12-string package has a U.S. MSRP of $1,332. www.epiphone.com

JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide

B.C. Rich Marks 40th Anniversary with Limited Guitar Run Commemorating its 40th Anniversary, B.C. Rich announces a new series of handcrafted instruments to mark the milestone. The special guitars are a tribute to models originally developed by com-

pany founder Bernardo (“Bernie”) Rico and are limited to a production run of 40 guitars per model. The four handcrafted anniversary guitars represent the first original designs offered by B.C. Rich: the Seagull; Eagle; Mockingbird; and Bich. Each guitar features a 40th Anniversary

commemorative logo on the back of the headstock, a special serial number, and certificate of authenticity. Two of the anniversary models feature solid Koa with Maple accent stripes (stringers) and utilize DiMarzio Dual Sound pickups. Additional design details include the classic B.C. Rich Diamond fingerboard inlays, Grover Super Rotomatic tuners, and vintage Cal Rad knobs. The B.C. Rich Anniversary Series instruments each have a MSRP of $4,200. www.bcrich.com

Bag End’s Environmentally Friendly Minima One Bag End Loudspeaker Systems’ Minima One amplifier has been upgraded to make it RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) compliant, 80-84 percent power efficient, creating less heat while drawing less electrical power, and yet delivering the same output result. The smaller size and weight of the Minima One lowers the shipping cost of speakers and the amount of packaging

material needed. It also enables speaker cabinets housing the Minima One to be reduced in size. Lower energy demand lowers the impact of producing that energy. Incorporating patented technology, the comparison circuit of the Minima One

module corrects each individual cycle. On average, every four microseconds, the one-cycle modulator transforms and amplifies the input signal into the natural pulse width modulation. Switching at 250 kHz with the single cycle error correction insures low distortion and reliability. www.bagend.com

New from the Peavey VYPYR Series The Peavey VYPYR Tube 120 and VYPYR Tube 60 combos are a pair of tubepowered modeling guitar amplifiers in the Peavey VYPYR Series. The VYPYR

JUNE 2009

Tube 120 2x12 and VYPYR Tube 60 1x12 combo amplifiers feature 24 amp channel models, plus 11 editable preamp stomp box effects and 11 editable post-amp rack effects with dual-parameter control, global reverb, and global delay. The VYPYR Tube 120 and Tube 60 utilize a 6L6GC tube power amp styled after the Peavey 6505 and a preamp that combines 12AX7 tube and patented TransTube tone.

VYPYR amplifiers are based on 32-bit, floating-point SHARC processors. Players can add the optional Peavey Sanpera foot controllers to activate the on-board looper and expand the amp’s 12 built-in presets to up to 400 programmable, with five simultaneous effects. The VYPYR also acts as its own computer audio interface, with a builtin studio-quality USB 2.0 output that is recognized by computers as an audio device. They carry an MSRP of $799.99 for VYPYR Tube 120 and $599.99 for VYPYR Tube 60. www.peavey.com MMR 65

Kala Travel Ukulele The Kala Travel ukulele features an ultra-thin thin body and can be carried in a backpack, suitcase, or briefcase. These ukuleles feature a 1 ¼” to 1 ¾” arch-back thin-body depth, a solid spruce top, and

die-cast tuners, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, red and black purfl ing, and custom fret board position markers. All Kala Ukuleles come standard with Aquila Strings and a custom Kala logo bag. Retail prices range from $199-$399. www.kalaukulele.com NAMM Exhibit #1528

New Models from Recording King

mahogany or solid lacewood back and sides. Both woods are offered in soprano and tenor size. The Mahogany models have die-cast tuners, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and black and white binding. The lacewood models feature

Recording King introduces three new models to their guitar line. The new models, RD-06-M, RD-06-W, and the RD-07, feature solid spruce tops, ultra-thin “C” profile mahogany necks, scalloped spruce forward X-bracing, and rosewood fret boards, available with either Rosewood (RD-07) or Mahogany (RD-06) back and sides. Upgraded features include a bone nut and saddle, die-cast tuners, and tortoise shell body. The new options available for the RD-06 are a matte finish (RD-

06-M) or a widened sound hole (RD-06W) for increased volume and projection. The RD-06 can also be purchased in a cutaway style with an optional four-band B-Band EQ. RD-06/07 models start at $319.99 and have a lifetime warranty. www.recordingking.com NAMM Exhibit #1336

WaveAngle’s Radian Wireless Guitar System WaveAngle is now shipping the Radian Gold Series Wireless Guitar System. The Radian system is an compact, wireless device designed for use with electric guitars and basses. Designed from the ground up, the Radian Gold Series system applies digital RF technology by using the 2.4GHz bandwidth, QoS engines, advanced frequency hopping, and incorporates a design that is simple to use. The transmitter

WITH PRIVATE LABEL INSTRUMENTS UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR GUITAR. The TUSQ® saddle and TUSQ® bridge pins in our Acoustic Supercharger Kits are speciﬁcally designed to unlock the harmonics and tone of any guitar. www.graphtech.com p 604.940.5353

Your Name Here Your Name Here

Your Name Here Your Name Here Your Name Here

Have Your Store Logo on Flutes, Saxophones, Trumpets Clarinets…

Send us a logo and your order, and it will be ready in 3 days! Completion of assembly in our New York warehouse. One year warranty included, $50 one time set-up, and $5 per instrument.

AMERICA LONGXING INC.

3300 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101 (718)706-0828 ■ FAX (718)706-0128 www.huntermusical.com 66 MMR

The Evolution of Guitar Performance.

JUNE 2009

Eastwood’s Limited Edition Airline Custom

and receiver pair easily fits into an accessory pocket, requires no wall wart, operates on a single AAA battery for a life of up to 20 hours, and does not require additional rack mounting gear. With the Radian systems new technology, live sound managers are able to operate up to 10 systems simultaneously on stage. www.waveangle.com NAMM Exhibit # 260

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Airline brand, Eastwood Guitars has released 50 limited edition Metallic Gold Airline ’59 Custom 2P guitars. These individually numbered collector edition models ship in the Deluxe Airline formfit hardshell case and include a certificate of authenticity personally signed by the founder of Eastwood Guitars, Mike Robinson. The Gold Airline 2P features a rubber binding that surrounds the tone chambered mahogany body. The vintage style of the pinstriped pickguard, along and the chrome tone switch, are tributes to the original 1959 models. The guitar features ALNICO Hot-10 pickups, vintage tuners, and the classic 25 ½ scale. You can also customize this guitar through Eastwood’s custom shop, with a pair of

Airline Vintage Voice Single Coil pickups and a Bigsby Tremolo. www.eastwoodguitars.com

Schecter Guitar with Graph Tech’s Ghost ResoMax Bridge Graph Tech Guitar Labs is now supplying Schecter guitars with the ghost ResoMax bridge for the C-1E/A guitar. The ghost ResoMax bridge is a Tune-O-Matic bridge that delivers acoustic tone for an electric guitar with rapid tracking and string to string balance. Graph Tech’s String Saver technology is said reduce string breakage and increase harmonic content. The bridge base is made from a high strength, light weight alloy designed to maximize harmonic content. By encapsulating the custom-engineered ghost pick-ups in a set of Graph Tech’s patented String Saver saddles, the pick-ups use a natural com-

Cut custom inlays with a laser engraving system Find out how companies like yours are using lasers for musical instrument customization.

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JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide pression. The Acousti-Phonic Modular Pre-Amp is said to capture the natural acoustics of an electric guitar, which can then be amplified or recorded direct, without feedback or mic placement problems associated with a live or studio amplified acoustic guitar. The tone is warm, fullbodied, and features automatic switching for mono or stereo applications. www.graphtech.com

Piano & Keyboard Steingraeber Piano Introduces the Steingraeber Phoenix In 2006, English engineer Richard Dain presented his bridge agraffe principle to Bayreuth piano manufacturer, Steingraeber & Söhne. Over the last two years, Steingraeber and Mr. Dain have incorporated this concept, creating a special Steingraeber Phoenix piano. The development of the bridge agraffe has allowed further acoustic expansion of the piano. The Steingraeber Phoenix piano incorporates a carbon fiber soundboard, adjustable hitch pins and a half blow pedal system. These concepts are said to produce a piano with a greater dynamic range, more control of pianissimo playing, and a soundboard not affected by humidity and dryness. The Steingraeber / Phoenix piano will have its U.S. debut at the 52nd Annual Piano Technicians Guild Convention, July 15 – 19, 2009 in Grand Rapids, Mich. www.steingraeberpianos.com

dealer sales or advertising of Vosi on the Internet. The Vosi product line consists of three flutes ranging from $659 to $799; a new ABS Clarinet featuring a Free LaVoz mouthpiece and Rico H ligature kit at $699; the new Student Alto Sax featuring redesigned palm keys for student’s hands,

lacquered body with nickel keys at $1299; a matching tenor sax at $1799: and two trumpet models with choice of stainless steel or Monel pistons at $679 and $845 respectively. All Vosi instruments come in an ABS case and are covered by the Antigua 5 + 1 limited warranty. www.antiguawinds.com

Hear the Changes ANNE DRUMMOND Powell 14K Sonaré 708

LEW SOLOFF Sonaré TR-800

Band & Orchestra Antigua Winds Vosi Line for Students Antigua Winds introduces Vosi, a new line of instruments specifically designed for first time students. Vosi Band Instruments are produced in Antigua’s new state-of-theart factory in China and are designed specifically for the student band market. Antigua has a policy banning any JUNE 2009

just kinda different.

w w w . s o n a r e w i n d s . c o m MMR 69

Yamaha’s YCR-9435 Cornet The Yamaha YCR-9435 cornet was designed with help from John Hagstrom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This new custom cornet incorporates design elements from the “Chicago” series Artist Model trumpets. The trumpet

mouthpiece receiver provides an ease of transition between trumpet and cornet. The MC1 lead pipe taper from the “Chicago” series Artist Model trumpets gives this custom cornet a strong and complex sound. The Artist Model style thumbhook and ring helps bring a consistency

of feel to the transition between trumpet and cornet. The one-piece bell provides tonal colors and improved response. www.yamaha.com NAMM Exhibit #104, 136

Vandoren’s Java Red Reeds The Java Red is the first file-cut jazz reed from Vandoren. The driving force behind this design was to offer more sonic possibilities while keeping the qualities of the original Java design. This new cut is said to be more flexible than the original Java and have more tonal body while still offering a full, rich, centered sound with

excellent projection and precise attacks. These reeds are available for soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. www.vandoren.com

Vincent Bach New York Model #7 Trumpet The LT180S77 New York Model #7 is the newest offering in the line of Bach Stradivarius Bb trumpets. The New York Model #7 combines the historical qualities of the original trumpet with modern day performance features. Continuing the legacy of Vincent Bach, this instrument incorporates the lightweight #7 bell and #7 leadpipe, made popular in the 1930s.

…more than just a gig bag! US and Canadian distributor wanted! Visit us online at www.fusion-bags.com

E “TH 70 MMR

AM” E T G NIN N I W JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide The Model #7 comes with a narrower classic tuning slide with a single brace, lightweight slides, bead rings on all tuning slides, first and third slide finger rings, and a vintage 30s style mouthpiece receiver. www.bachbrass.com

Percussion Grover Pro’s New Triangle & Bronze-Pro Hammered Grover Pro Percussion Inc. has announced the release of a new Bronze-Pro Hammered model triangle that represents the collective experience of over 30 years of hand-crafting some of the world’s finest triangles. Grover Pro Bronze-Pro Hammered triangles are manufactured from a ½” diameter special high-grade bronze alloy. Prior to hand bending, the solid alloy rod is repetitively and meticulously hammered in a compact randomized pattern. This insures that the inherent fundamental pitch is dampened and that the instrument’s intricate and complex harmonic structure is enhanced. After fabrication, each and every triangle is hand tested and precision engraved with the Grover logo and a unique serial number. The Bronze-Pro Hammered triangle sings with “sonorous harmonics” and “ubiquitous overtones.” Available in both 6” and 8” sizes, this new Grover triangle was designed for professionals and other percussionists who demand an instrument capable of full expression and ultimate musicality. www.groverpro.com

alternative to the standard G2 Clear and Coated, prompted the Evans team to experiment with a variety of black films and coatings before settling on a combination that not only results

in a new aesthetic but also a new sound for the Evans line. A micro-clear coating gives the Onyx heads a matte black appearance and is said to produce a more low-end and punchier attack. Available in sizes 6” – 20”, the Onyx tom and snare

Meeting the Needs of Students for More Than 25 Years ... Our Best-Selling SV-175 Cremona Violin! Cremona bowed instruments have set the pace for the vibrant student and rental markets for over 25 years. Strict adherence to international sizing requirements, domestic educational set-up standards and continuous quality improvement have made Cremona Violins, Violas, Basses and Cellos proven sales leaders. Our best-selling, ebony fitted SV-175 Cremona Premier Violin Outfit has again been upgraded to include the new LaSalle LB-15 Octagonal Bow and the TL-33 deluxe rectangular Travelite case.

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

Evans’ Onyx Series, GMAD, and EC1 Reverse Dot Snare Heads The new Onyx Series, created with the original intent of developing a black JUNE 2009

Still

195

Suggested Retail

SV-175

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

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heads are pitch black. Also part of the Onyx series is a front bass drum head to complete the overall look. Designed using the EQ3 Reso construction, it’s a 7.5 mil single-ply head with internal control ring and a 5” offset microphone port. It is available in sizes 18” – 26”. The GMAD is a synthesis of the EMAD and G Plus concepts. By utilizing the same exclusive 12 mil film used to produce the G Plus, the GMAD has greater punch, depth, and durability relative to the original. Like the original EMAD, the GMAD features an improved version of Evans’ patented EMAD, Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping system. A black plastic sleeve holds the player’s choice of two foam damping rings of different widths that control attack, low-end, and sustain. The newest addition to the EC1 line is the EC1 Reverse Dot Snare head. The patch produces a focused and attack heavy center for fat backbeats, while the perimeter of the patch produces an articulate, but sensitive response for playing ghost notes. www.evansdrumheads.com

HQ Percussion’s EcoPad HQ Percussion’s new recycled EcoPad practice pads are more eco-conscious. They are comprised of rubber made from recycled tires and a base made from residual wood waste. HQ’s EcoPad models include a six inch one-side mountable pad, a 12” two-sided pad, and a nine inch adjustable snare pad. All models are packaged using a simple recycled paper band and come in their own POP corrugate display box. www.hqpercussion.com

Pearl Offers Free Add-On Tom Pearl is offering a free 8”x7” or 10”x8” tom with the purchase of a new Vision Series drumset (VX, VSX, Vision Birch or Vision Maple) with mounting hardware. Running now through July 31, 2009, customers can download the offer coupon from Pearl’s Web site and mail it in with their original receipt to receive their free

drum. This offer will only be available through authorized Pearl dealers. After July 31st, and for the rest of 2009, Vision drum sets will ship to stores with the free add-on tom. Vision five-piece shell packs start at $1,329. www.pearldrum.com

Sabian’s AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride Cymbals Sabian’s AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride cymbals are the newest addition to their AAX Series. The Raw Bell Dry Ride design offers versatility at virtually any volume and in any style of music. Being an AAX series model, this cymbal includes Sabian’s AAX Dynamic Focus design, to help ensure optimum response and a consistent sound. Fully hammered from edge to center, the 21-inch AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride is crafted from pure Sabian B20 bronze and is available in natural finish or glossy brilliant finish. www.sabian.com NAMM Exhibit # 710

Print Hal Leonard Releases Two Martin Guitar Books Traditional look............Non-traditional Sound! Contact: QMP Sales 866.668.4452 www.qmpsales.com US Distribution: US Band & Orchestra Supplies / St. Louis Music 800.844.9653 www.usbandsupplies.com 72 MMR

The second edition Martin Guitars: A History and Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference have been published in conjunction with Hal Leonard Publishing. Both books will be available as a collectible boxed-set, housed in a deluxe slipcase featuring the artwork of Robert F. Goetzl. Part of a two-book set, Martin Guitars: A History covers the people, the JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide places, and the stories of C.F. Martin & Co in an illustrated full-color, 220-page hardcover book. Beginning with the early days in New York circa 1833, this fabled story comes to life in the revision of the Martin History book. Originally published in 1987, this new edition is completely updated and redesigned by authors and industry experts Mike Longworth, Richard Johnston, and Dick Boak. Having complete access to authorized archives, this version is the most accurate and detailed reference on the topic. Leading up to sixth-generation president Chris Martin IV, the revitalization of the 1990s, hundreds of archival photographs and documents effectively show the people and the guitars that made the company famous. The second book, Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference, provides detailed information on guitar bodies, necks, headstocks, bridges, and woods, as well as chapters covering models by style, the Custom Shop, and limited editions in a full-color and black & white 304-page hardcover book. In-depth research on all the highly collectible and lesser known instruments such as Martin archtops, electrics, mandolins, and ukuleles also is included. The book ends with comprehensive appendices covering production numbers, retail prices, and instrument specifications. Martin Guitars: A History retails for $30, Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference retails for $35 and the deluxe collectible boxed-set will retail for $70; all are available for purchase nationwide, at book retailers and on-line. www.halleonard.com NAMM Exhibit #1018

Lick Library’s Learn to Play AC/DC DVD’s Learn to Play AC/DC volume one, features tracks such as “Back In Black;” “Highway To Hell;” “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be;” “Let There Be Rock;” and “Whole Lotta Rosie.” This volume provides in-depth tuition and tutorials to provide a guide to learning AC/DC tracks. Volume two opens up with “Thunderstruck” and reveals a step-by-step guide JUNE 2009

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to the intro riff using open string alternate picking to get an authentic Angus Young sound. Volume two also covers “Shoot to Thrill;” “Sin City;” “The Jack;” and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” Volume three helps readers learn to play AC/DC songs with the right sound and right technique. The learn to play series has easy to follow lessons which dissect the songs into sections covering note by note, power chords, quick fingered blues, and riffs. Volume three also covers “You Shook Me All Night Long;” “For Those About To Rock;” “T.N.T.;” and “Who Made Who.” Lick Library also offers a Jam with AC/DC volume in a two DVD/CD format which comes with live recorded backing tracks allowing the user to play along with a band in real time. The complete backing tracks are recorded with a professional session band, and the accompanying track tutorials offer advice and tuition on how to play the songs. Individual Jamtrax CD’s can be purchased separately as well. www.licklibrary.com

Carl Fischer & Theodore Presser’s Wind Band Select Series Carl Fischer Music and Theodore Presser Company have announced their latest joint-publishing venture, The Wind Band Select Series. This series features music by today’s newest composers of music for wind band. Standard sets of parts, and large size full scores, are sold as separate items for ease of use and ordering. Wind Band Select publications are showcased on the newlylaunched Web site with complete recordings and PDF files of scores, to enable conductors to preview before purchasing. The site will also serve as a portal for wind band conductors to discover other works in the Carl Fischer Music and Theodore Presser Company rental catalogs. www.windbandselect.com

New Addition to Alfred’s FlexAbility Series The newest installment of Alfred’s Flex-Ability series, Flex-Ability Classics, is a way to learn the best of classical pieces in an ensemble setting. Each book contains 11 themes from opera, symphony, piano, and lute compositions, arranged in rock, jazz, swing, and other contemporary styles. Each piece also includes composer biographies and program notes.The Flex-Ability series gives players of various abilities the opportunity to play together using any combination of instruments. Each song is scored in four parts, in varied levels of difficulty, enabling all players to play the part with which they are most comfortable. Books can also be used for solo practice/performance, using the accompaniment track on the play-along CD (sold separately). Books are available for the following instruments: Oboe/Guitar/Piano; Flute; Clarinet/ Bass Clarinet; Alto Sax/Bari Sax; Tenor Sax; Trumpet; Horn in F, Tuba;Violin; Viola Cello; and Percussion. www.alfred.com NAMM Exhibit # 1019

Accessories Planet Waves’ Chordmaster Planet Waves’ Chordmaster is a hand-held guitar chord library for iPhone and iTouch. The Chordmaster offers a comprehensive and accurate library of over 7,800 guitar chords, displaying notes and fingerings on a virtual fret board. While allowing users to view each chord in every position up and down the guitar neck, players can strum the virtual strings to play and hear each 74 MMR

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Buyers Guide chord. The library, separated into root, chord type, and chord variants, allows users to navigate to any chord and comes complete with a “lefty mode” for left-hand guitarists. Users can log into their iTunes store account and search Planet Waves to download the application for $1.99. www.planetwaves.com/ iphonechordmaster

part of the Lava Solder-Free Pedal Board Kit this combination virtually eliminates signal loss. The Lava Solder-Free Pedal Board Kit with the Right Angle Lava Plug comes with 10 feet of Mini ELC cable, 10 each Right Angle Lava Plugs, and a stripping tool. Like all Lava Cable products, the Lava Solder-Free Pedal

Board Kit with the Right Angle Lava Plug comes with a lifetime warranty. The kit retails for $89.95. The Right Angle Lava Plug can be purchased individually for $7.50 each and Mini ELC cable can be purchased in bulk for $1.90 per foot. www.lavacable.com NAMM Exhibit #1307

Meisel’s MST-10 Tuner Meisel Accessories’ new MST-10 chromatic clip-on tuner small enough to fit in most instrument cases, and offers the option of built-in microphone or clip tuning. Using the clip, no background noises are picked up, only the instrument. The microphone can be used for acoustic instruments. It’s calibrated for guitar, bass, and chromatic. It will tune low-B and high C bass notes. www.meiselaccessories.com

Lava Cable’s Right Angle Lava Plug Lava Cable has introduced a new version of the Right Angle Lava Plug. This new version incorporates design changes that make cable assembly much easier to include assembly with the Lava Mini ELC cable in blue. The Right Angle Lava Plug provides for aligned pedal spacing at about 1” and less than ½” when pedals are staggered. The Right Angle Lava Plug is also lower in capacitance.

Like the Lava Plug, the new version of the right angle version uses a 360-degree sleeve instead of a set screw for the ground connection. Matched with the Lava Mini ELC low capacitance cable (15 pF/ft) as JUNE 2009

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New Displays from AIM Gifts AIM Gifts has added two new POS displays to its line. The Reading Glass Display holds 12 pairs of glasses with note or keyboard designs in black or white colors. Magnification starts at 1.25 through 2.50. The Air Freshener Display holds 12 different designs for a total of 72 pieces.

There are over 30 different scents from Apple Grove Banjo to Winterberry Firebird Guitar. AIM has no minimum order. www.aimgifts.com NAMM Exhibit #226

N-Tune’s “Artist Series” Zero Crossing Inc, maker of the N-Tune on-board chromatic guitar and bass tuner, is has announced the addition of the “Artist Series” edition tuner into its aftermarket product line. This model, previously only available to professional artists and through direct sales to manufacturers, will now be available to the general public through authorized retail outlets. The new “Artist Series” tuner offers an accurate, low profi le design, which fits around a standard three-way toggle

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switch (rather than beneath the volume or tone knob, like the regular N-Tune models). The kit includes black and crème colored tuning rings, a specially designed three-way toggle switch, and a 500k potentiometer. www.ntune.com

New Capos & Tailpiece from Wittner The Capo ULTRA from Wittner is offered in two versions: No. 996 for guitars with regular fingerboard and the No. 996F for folk guitars with a curved fingerboard. The Capo is small and light, and design is said to allow easy, quick, and precise one-handed positioning Now that some violin manufacturers have started offering five-string violins Wittner has added a five-string tailpiece to their product line. The tailpiece is

JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide

constructed from the same light-weight composite material as the Capo ULTRA. The 5-String Tailpiece features five builtin string adjusters and comes with the corresponding nylon tailgut. www.wittner-gmbh.de

New Digital Tuners from BOSS BOSS has announced the availability of a new full line of tuners for every price range and level with the TU-1000, TU12EX, TU-12BW, and TU-88 digital tuners. TU-1000: Professional Stage Tuner features a high-intensity LED meter for visibility on dark stages or outdoors, the flagship TU-1000 offers accurate motion and brightness. Its floorboard design powers up to six effects processors and includes two audio outputs. TU-12EX: Chromatic Tuner for Gui-

tar and Bass features the BOSS needletype meter and LED tuning guide in a thin-line body and compact size. New features include a flat tuning function, reference tone, auto-off, and Accu-Pitch, which helps musicians verify their tuning by sounding a beep when the correct tuning is reached. TU-12BW: Chromatic Tuner for Brass and Wind features an expanded tuning range to correspond to a wide range of brass and wind instruments. Featuring the BOSS needle-type meter and LED tuning guide, the TU-12BW also includes a contact mic and dedicated holder to attach on music stands. TU-88: Micro Monitor and Tuner brings LCD tuning to musicians at an affordable price. In addition to authentic BOSS’ tuner and metronome features, JUNE 2009

the TU-88 features a built-in headphone amplifier, so players can directly monitor or record sounds from stomp boxes or electric guitars with the built-in speaker simulator. Guitarists can also jam along with songs from a CD or MP3 player with the new mix input function. www.bossus.com

Light & Sound Rolls RA102 Headphone Amp The Rolls RA102 is a 10-channel professional headphone amplifier. The RA102 is designed with volume controls and 1/8”

Is this what your cash flow feels like? Everyone knows the feeling. You invest in product for back to school or for the holiday season and then hope to see a revenue stream before all the bills pile up. It’s a vicious cycle. At DANSR we understand and can provide a wide array of financing plans that can put your payments in your cash flow season. Of course, great financing plans wouldn't be much use to you if we didn’t supply world-class products like Vandoren reeds and mouthpieces and Denis Wick mouthpieces and mutes. With great products and flexible, sensible ways to manage ordering and paying, DANSR can make sure every season is a cash flow season.

headphone outputs on the front of the unit, along with 1/4” headphone outputs on the back for each channel. The RA102 has the connections for any professional application. The join function allows many RA102’s to be linked together with out any signal loss or impedance issues. XLR balanced inputs and RCA stereo inputs are on the back of the unit. www.rolls.com

AKG’s Perception 820 Tube Microphone

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AKG has announced the most recent addition to the Perception Series of microphones with the introduction of the Perception 820 Tube. The Perception 820 Tube joins the Perception Series family, which includes the P 120, P 170, P 220, and P 420. Each microphone features a 20 dB attenuation pad and a low cut filter for an extensive range of microphone capabilities, including vocals, brass instruments, electric guitar amps, and overhead micing. The dual one-inch True Condenser Large Diaphragm capsule delivers a clear and accurate signal for lead vocals, brass instruments, overhead micing, and many other applications. The ECC 83 dual-triode tube circuitry and the output transformer emphasize even-order harmonics for smooth, threedimensional sound. The remote control unit allows selection of nine different pickup patterns from omni-directional, to cardioid, to figure eight. In addition, it also controls the switchable second-order bass-cut fi lter and the switchable attenuation pad. Moreover, a ground lift switch prevents unwanted hum if necessary. The brush-fi nished, anodized aluminum front plate and the all-metal housing unit ensure shielding against radio frequency interference. The Perception 820 Tube comes complete with a metal carrying case, a spider-type shock mount,

Go to www.mmrmagazine.com and sign up for the free weekly enewsletter today.

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JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide a microphone cable, and remote control unit. www.akg.com

Mighty Bright Band Stand Spinner Mighty Bright’s new product display, Band Stand Spinner, is a two-sided wire spinner with a music stand desk on top, with their Duet music light attached to the music desk. It demonstrates a music light in action. The space-friendly display includes 39 music lights ready to sell. Customers can choose from the Duet2, Duet, Pedal Board Light, XtraFlex Music Light, Triple LED, Classic Music Light, or Roadie Lights. There is no charge for the stand or drop shipping. www.mightybright.com NAMM Exhibit #266

ter-Slave modes. As another option, it can be run with American DJ’s UC3 remote controller (sold separately) to control blackout and other functions. It also comes with a 12-beam angle installed, plus a six-beam angle lens. The LED Beam Scan includes a convenient userfriendly four-button DMX menu for easy operation, In/Out IEC power connection

to daisy-chain power, and multi-voltage operation: AC 100V-240V, 50/60Hz. Its LED lamp consumes only 15W of power and has an operating life of 50,000 hours. Compact and lightweight, the unit measures just 6.75L x 6.25W x 7.25H, and weighs three pounds. The battery-powered Pinspot LED BP is suitable for outdoor events, fashion run-

Looking for better margins?

American DJ’s New LED Pinspots American DJ introduces two new 3W white LED pinspot models - the Pinspot LED BP and LED Beam Scan. The Pinspot LED BP is battery operated and not limited to being used only in places where electrical power is available. The LED Beam Scan puts the pinspot in a new type of motion with its panning head, which allows the unit’s bright 3W LED to scan back and forth a wide-ranging 270. Featuring DMX-512 protocol, the LED Beam Scan offers other effects as well, such as a strobe and 0-100% electronic dimming. With its panning head, the LED Beam Scan can sweep its powerful 3W LED beam across a dance floor, stage, exhibit, or grand opening celebration. Or it can be used as a simple stationary spot to highlight performers, illuminate a display, or project onto a mirror ball at a disco.The coolness of its LED lamp assures that dancers and performers will remain comfortable, and that illuminated objects will not be damaged by heat, even at close range. The LED Beam Scan can be operated a variety of different ways: in three- or five-channel DMX modes, or without a DMX controller in Sound Active or MasJUNE 2009

Denis Wick products make more profit with less effort. They consistently sell closer to their retail prices than the competition while maintaining low costs to you. Dealers across the U.S. and Canada are making margins up to 30% on readily available Denis Wick products. To learn how you can make better margins on your brass products, contact a DANSR representative at 888-707-4455 or email us at sales@dansr.com.

Products in Demand. Performance by Design.

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

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ways, store openings, exhibition halls, and other places where electrical outlets are scarce. It operates on either 8x 1.5V AA batteries or 8x 1.2V Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (batteries not included). With a six-eight hour battery life, it can handle most concerts and shows without interruption. Like the LED Beam Scan, it comes with an installed 12 beam angle plus an extra six beam angle lens, and has a long-life 50,000-hour LED lamp rating. Featuring a compact high-tech plastic case design, the Pinspot LED BP is amazingly bright for its size weighing two pounds and measuring 5.5L x 4W x 6H. Both the LED Beam Scan and Pinspot LED BP come with a hanging bracket for mounting on truss and can also be set upright on a table or floor. The MSRP of the LED Beam Scan is $199.95. The MSRP of the Pinspot LED BP is $199.95. www.americandj.com NAMM Exhibit #518

Fitness Audio’s Aeromic/Cyclemic Gets Even Better Fitness Audio’s Aeromic and Cyclemic 3, have been upgraded with PHAT frame

technology as well as Waff le-Mesh element screen. PHAT frame technology increases the frame strength of the microphone three times of the original Aeromic and Cyclemic design, thus making them more durable with the constant instructor-to-instructor re-fitting required for heavy-duty everyday fitness center use. Waff le-Mesh element screen improves element protection over previous Aeromic and Cyclemic designs. Backed by a warranty, Aeromic and Cyclemic microphones are warranteed for 50 classes per week for two years against sweat failure. Both can be terminated for most brands of wireless microphone transmitters. Fitness Audio Distributors, LLC offers a complete line of audio products designed for the fitness industry. Brands include: Aeromic, Cyclemic, E mic, Fitness Audio wireless systems, Baqua Pak

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

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

waterproof aquatic mic system, E gloop, Aeromix mixers, and an assortment of neoprene mic belts for fitness and theater. A complete line of affordable cardio/wireless entertainment products have recently been added for dealers to offer a complete AV solution for health and fitness facilities. www.fitaud.com

Audio-Technica’s Subminiature OmniDirectional Lavalier Audio-Technica introduces its smallest lavalier offering to date, the BP896 Subminiature Omni-directional Condenser Lavalier Microphone. Intended for capture of high-quality audio with unobtrusive profi le, the BP896 provides intelligibility and clean, accurate reproduction for broadcasters, lecturers, church/house of worship users, actors, and presenters. The BP896 capsule measures 2.5 mm in diameter, making it suitable for applications requiring minimum visibility. The microphone operates on phantom power and includes a complete accessory kit. The BP896 is available in black and beige wired and wireless models. The wireless offerings include a multitude of terminations designed to work with Audio-Technica and other manufacturers’ wireless systems. The ruggedly designed BP896 handles high SPLs and offers a wide frequency response. The subminiature omni element is enclosed in a durable, low-profi le housing with internal construction designed to minimize noise from handling, clothing, and wind. The microphone plugs into the included AT8539 power module, which provides a low-frequency roll-off switch and an

“You’ve Gotta Hear This Thing!” go to

www.wymanpiano.com/digital Distributed by Wyman Piano Company 80 MMR

Contact: info@wymanpiano.com 941.661.0200 JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide integral XLR3M connector supplying a low-impedance balanced output. The accessory kit includes a clothing clip base, viper clip base, three single mic holders, two double mic holders, two windscreens, and six element covers (two each in black, white, and beige) for blending in with users’ attire. A protective carrying case is also included. www.audio-technica.com

voices at ranges of up to 300 feet. Like all Line 6 Digital Wireless systems, XDR955 features 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion and a compression-free broadcast. Its wide dynamic range of over 115 dB provides a sound equivalent to that of a high-quality audio cable connection. The system also features multiple layers of protection that shield its signal from

static, interference, and dropouts. DualRF anti-jam technology lets XDR955 broadcast dual signals to four receivers that work simultaneously to avoid signal dropouts. Plus, the system uses a proprietary digital data stream that only recognizes signals embedded with a unique digital signature. The XDR955 includes all rack-mounting hardware, batteries,

Dazzler Microphone Cords from Wireworks Wireworks introduce Dazzler Microphone Cords featuring. The f lexible MusiLUX microphone cable is embellished with Neutrik’s crystalCON connector. Designed to replace a traditional microphone cord that connects to a hand-held microphone, Dazzler cords present an eye-catching element to any presentation or performance with crystalCON, an XLR that is encrusted with genuine Swarovski crystals. Wireworks new Dazzler Microphone Cords are available with crystalCON on both ends or only on the microphone end with a regular male XLR connector on the other. The f lexible PVC satin finish outer jacket is available in black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, and white, to match studio/venue décor or for signal identification. Standard lengths range from 25 to 100 feet with custom lengths to order. www.wireworks.com

Handheld Microphone System from Line 6 Line 6, Inc. introduces the X2 XDR955 handheld microphone system with rackmountable receiver, the latest addition to its XDR95 series of digital wireless systems. XDR955 digital wireless system is suitable for singers, orators, and presenters. The system, which includes a cardioid microphone with a transmitter at its base and a powerful rack-mountable receiver, features an extended frequency response of 10 Hz - 20 kHz for clear JUNE 2009

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and antennas. The XDR955 carries an MSRP of $859.99. www.line6.com

Shure Upgrades Unidyne It’s been 70 years since the original Unidyne – the first single-element unidirectional microphone -- debuted in 1939. Shure has taken the 55SH body that has been in production since 1951, dropped in a new supercardioid motor, and added some blue color. The new model is the Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone. The Super 55 features tailored frequency response for natural vocals and speech; neodymium

magnet and output transformer for increased sensitivity; chrome-plated design with blue color additions; supercardioid polar pattern; internal shock mount; and rugged die-cast steel casing. The Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone is now shipping and carries a twoyear limited warranty. The current 55SH Series II model will continue to be available. The Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone retails for $249. www.shure.com

standards as the TM-1 but in a smaller body to facilitate movement in, around, and over a drum set, acoustic guitars, and wind instruments. The upgrade on the TM-2 becomes the TM-LE which has a reconditioned K67 capsule. The new Pearlman TELE 20 and P Pearlman Cinemic church mic are reproductions of the microphones from the 1950s. www.pearlmanmicrophones.com

The Pearlman TM-1 Microphone

DPA’s 4099 Series

The Pearlman TM-1 microphone is pointto-point wired in the fashion of classic recording equipment. Vintage NOS tubes similar to the VF-14 from the U-47 are used to produce deep, rich tones. The Pearlman TM-2 is another tube microphone that was built to the same

DPA Microphones introduces a new range of instrument microphones known as the 4099 series. These multipurpose microphones feature super-cardioid polar patterns for gain-before-feedback and are capable of handling high SPLs. The 4099 models are rugged, small in size, and are

The Capo Company

The G7TH Nashville Capo designed for accuracy & speed

www.G7th.com In Pursuit of Excellence

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JUNE 2009

Buyers Guide

“AMAZING” “INNOVATIVE” “REVOLUTIONARY”

A power cord that can unleash your rig’s full potential?

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Dealer inquiries are welcome. t: (248) 375-2655 e: info@essentialsound.com w: www.essentialsound.com

New! lightweight. The gooseneck provides stable positioning so the microphone won’t stray from the instrument, yet can easily be unclipped and repositioned. www.dpamicrophones.com NAMM Exhibit # 311

Breaking News Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com JUNE 2009

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One listen, and nothing else will do.

Retailers are delighted. Just ask Mr. Russell Kassman, owner of R. Kassman Purveyor of Fine Pianos in Berkeley, California. He couldn’t be happier about the way these beautiful pianos have been received by his customers. Mr. Kassman travels the world selecting pianos that reﬂect his standards for craftsmanship and precision technology. He raved that, “So far, every single person who touches the Ritmüller is amazed.” If you would like to know more about the all new Ritmüller line, call 800.435.5086 or visit RitmullerUSA.com

Get the first, and the most read enewsletter in the industry! Go to www.mmrmagazine.com and sign up for the free weekly enewsletter today.

MMR 83

RETAIL: BASS DYNAMICS

Bass Dynamics Brings Brazilian Basses to U.S.

ames Carrothers is a long time bass player which currently plays with the jazz/R&B band Mama’s Shirt, who released their first CD last year. Recently, though, he has found himself unexpectedly in the MI business.

but are not practical to play.” He’s equally sold on the company itself. “It’s two guys by the beach building basses – it doesn’t get much easier than that. They build everything in house by hand so there’s know worry about what your getting.” Carrothers never planned this. “I got involved in the MI business on a whim,” Carrothers says. “In 2005 I went to

“Similar to the Hair Club for Men, I’m the owner and a user.” “Similar to the Hair Club for Men, I’m the owner and a user,” Carrothers deadpans about the basses he’s distributing. Then he makes a passionate case for the instruments, which plays at all his gigs, church services, and recording sessions. “The key is they are easy to play. A lot of custom basses look good, 84 MMR

Rio de Janeiro and saw that a bass company headed its operations there. I contacted D’Alegria after seeing the basses online on their Web site. The light bulb came on and I pitched the idea about representing them in the U.S. I had never been on the business side of music, but decided to use the MBA I have and see what I could do.” JUNE 2009

D’Alegria was founded in January 2003 in Rio de Janeiro by partners Daniel Alegria and Rodrigo Werneck, and Carrothers ordered two basses sight unseen. He waited four months for their arrival. “When they arrived I waited about a week before opening the boxes for fear of being disappointed. I plugged them in and they have been the easiest basses I’ve ever played.” The next step was forming Bass Dynamics, with the purpose of selling D’Alegria basses in North America. Based in Charlotte, N.C., it is currently the typical family organization with Carrothers getting help from not only wife Valerie, but also twin 13-year-old daughters, Jasmine and Janey. In 2006 he trekked to the NAMM show as a visitor with his two basses in toe. By

James Carrothers JUNE 2009

chance he shared a flight with Ricky McKinney of the Blind Boys of Alabama, and soon a D’Alegria bass was in the hands of the band’s bass player, Trae Pierce. Pierce became their first endorsee. “In addition to meeting the Blind Boys, I lucked out and met Shawn Whitley with Epifani Custom Sound,” explains Carrothers. That led to a meeting with Nick Ephifani, and before long, Carrothers was playing the basses in their booth that year. “That was a big boost, and Shawn gave me some pointers for doing my business.” Though new to the industry, Carrothers has a clear understanding that many have come before him and faltered. But his uncompromising belief in the product fuels him. Carrothers states, “At the 2007 NAMM show, pretty much every bass player that came by said that the basses were the best at the show in terms of looks and playability. I describe them as the way basses used to be made. By the time a player gets to the level of wanting a custom bass, our value in terms of price and accessibility is another edge.” Part of the appeal is the green aspect of the instruments. “With the Amazon Rain forest as a backdrop, Brazilians have been at the forefront of the green revolution given the interdependence of the land and people. The diversity of plant species is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants. D’Alegria’s hand crafted basses use selected indigenous certified

woods from Brazil that provide unique sound qualities, while being respective of nature that the provides woods.” At this past NAMM show, he brought over a dozen four-, five-, and six-string basses in a variety of colors. The show went well for him, he said, and he looks forward to continuing building his company in the future (which is also including a new line of clothing called Brotherman Bass Gear, aimed toward the bass enthusiast). Carrothers continues to establish dealer relationships, having already made arrangements with two top bass shops in the U.S., and is in conversations with getting some of the instruments in selected Sam Ash stores. “By the nature of the product, this is not a mass produced bass. There is a comfort level that can be supplied without losing quality and that is what we shoot for.”

D’Alegria founders Daniel Alegria and Rodrigo Werneck MMR 85

Supplierscene Queens Award for UK Company UK capo company G7th Ltd has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2009. The award recognizes the achievements of G7th in international trade. Exports have doubled in just over two years – 85 percent of G7th’s production is now exported to 30 countries worldwide. Sales are set to increase by a further 30 percent this year despite the economic downturn. G7th launched their first capo in 2004, and have been picking up awards

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Lava Cable Now Distributing VOVOX

zerland. Several years of development have led to the production of the VOVOX Sonorus Protect A instrument cable, which retails at $159.95 for a 15-foot cable and can be purchased from select Lava Cable dealers and direct from Lava Cable’s Web site. For more information about this or other products, visit www.lavacable.com.

Lava Cable is now the United States distributor for VOVOX, manufacturer of cables developed and engineered in Swit-

Jensen’s New Web Site

ever since, including the UK Guitarist Magazine gold award, and most recently a double gold award in 2009 from the US Acoustic Guitar magazine. To find out more, visit www.g7th.com.

Jensen Musical Instrument Speakers has announced the introduction of their new Web site. This new, modern Web site is designed to help each player fi nd the right speaker for their own personal tone. The site features new sound samples for each of the almost 40 speakers available. It also has an interactive tone chart and detailed specifications for all Jensen models.

JUNE 2009

SHUBB the

America’s Premier Guitar & Bass Parts Supplier

To visit the new Web site, go to www.jensentone.com.

CAPO

Delta Series by GOTOH 1:21 ratio

Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Joins Sfarzo String Sfarzo Guitar String Company has announced that Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers Band will be using Sfarzo Guitar Strings on his 2009 tour. Sfarzo’s string design allows a tighter wrap winding that reduces the chance of acid and sweat getting onto the core wire, which can cause oxidation and rot the string from the inside out. This results in very powerful tone while achieving a bright output sound. Sfarzo has been providing guitar players with quality guitar strings since 1984. For more information, visit www.sfarzo.us.

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Hamilton Stands and DANSR Team Up Hamilton Stands and DANSR have announced a new distribution partnership. With the alliance DANSR will provide marketing, sales, and distribution services for Hamilton’s products in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For additional information, contact DANSR, headquartered in Chicago with distribution facilities in Champaign, IL, at 888-707-4455. You can also fi nd them on the Web at www.dansr.com or www.hamiltonstands.com.

Nik Huber Guitars Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Elixir Strings Nik Huber Guitars enters into its 10thyear anniversary with the introduction of its electric Orca guitar, which is outfitted with Elixir Strings. Offered JUNE 2009

Get the first, and the most read enewsletter in the industry! Go to www.mmrmagazine.com and sign up for the free weekly enewsletter today.

MMR 87

Supplierscene in a limited run of only 10 guitars, the new Orca, built with 50-year-old Brazilian rosewood, comes outfitted with nanoweb Coated Elixir Strings electric in light gauge. The new 10th anniversary Orca features a hand-cut “Orca Family” inlay

made of onyx, silver, black pearl, and mother of pearl. For more information, visit www.nikhuberguitars.com.

Sennheiser Names “Dealer of the Year” The U.S. subsidiary of Sennheiser has named Berlin, Connecticut-based, The Music People! Inc., its 2008 “Dealer of the Year” for exemplary sales, customer support, and comprehension of Sennheiser’s music industry products To express its thanks, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation will make a generous donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of The Music People! Inc. The donation will support children suffering from cancer and other devastating diseases. The Music People! Inc. has served the needs of music professionals throughout the world for over 30 years. As a distributor of some of the finest brands in the music industry, The Music People! Inc. supplies sound contractors, audio product dealers, and other professional audio services with high-quality products and customer service. Sennheiser has also named top dealers for its six other business categories. Those honored are: Sonic Circus, Inc. (Sennheiser professional products business); Total Video Products, Inc. (Sennheiser installed sound business); Stereo Advantage, Inc. (Sennheiser consumer electronics business); Harris Communications, Inc. (Sennheiser

Tired of Paper? Allow your customers to sign up and pay online!

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Pictured from left to right: Bob Murray, The Music People! Inc; Jeff Alexander, VP-Sales, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation; Jim Mingo, The Music People! Inc.; Warner Swain, Area Sales Manager, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation.

audiology business); MyPilotStore.com (Sennheiser aviation business); and Computer Discount Warehouse (Sennheiser telecommunications business). Additionally, Sennheiser has announced that Baycom, Inc. is the first-ever recipient of the Sennheiser Marketing Award. Baycom is an enthusiastic proponent of the Sennheiser Tourguide product line and has a reputation for providing excellent service and support to both Sennheiser customers and its own patrons. For more details, visit www.sennheiserusa.com.

St. Louis Music Now Distributing C. F. Martin & Co. Products U.S. Band & St. Louis Music are now a full line distributor for accessories and strings produced by C. F. Martin & Co. This union makes St. Louis Music one of only five Martin full line distributors in the U.S. It includes the complete Martin string catalog for guitars and other fretted instruments, plus dozens of Martin branded accessories, and the Martin Backpacker travel guitar. Martin’s complete catalog of strings and accessories is immediately available from St. Louis Music. To speak to a St. Louis Music sales representative, call 1-800-844-9653.

Dillion Guitars’ 14th Anniversary Dillion electric guitars are Korean handcrafted replicas and variations of contemporary and vintage instruments. JUNE 2009

Their acoustic electric guitars are handcrafted in small quantities. Dillion is currently experimenting with new models, colors, and exotic woods. For a free color catalog and price sheet, call their toll free number 888-289-1995 or visit their Web site www.dillionguitars.com.

Drum Diplomacy Builds Peace in Iraq As troops prepare to withdraw from Iraq, music is moving in. A program called Ashti Drum, which means “Peace Drum” in Kurdish, is generating great success in conflict resolution, leadership development, youth empowerment, and therapeutic rehabilitation through the simple use of the drum. Since 2007, author and music therapist, Christine Stevens has been working in Iraq with an inspired American team

JUNE 2009

to train Iraqis in the art of drum circle leadership. In the first music-based conflict resolution training in a war-zone, Stevens trained 38 Iraqis from seven different governances across Iraq in leadership of the drumming programs. The pioneering program was the vision of Melinda Witter. According to one man, “I was amazed to see people from conflicted areas making music together.” This year, Stevens will return to Iraq with ethnomusicologist and drum

maker Dr. Craig Woodson to expand Ashti Drum programs in Halabja, Darbandi Khan, Sulaym n yah, and Koya. Stevens will offer women’s empowerment drumming through the Kurdistan Women’s Union. Creating the first music therapy program in Iraq, Stevens will also train and supervise therapists at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center. Woodson will meet with Kurdish craft centers to develop the drum making industry for economic development. According to Stevens, “Music rebuilds the human soul. This is the greatest testimony to the healing power of music I’ve ever seen. We are establishing a model for global diplomacy through music.” This project is supported by NAMM, REMO Drum Company, Humanity Unites Brilliance, and private donors. To fi nd out more about the program, visit www.ashtidrum.com.

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Classifieds

Classified Advertising To place an ad, please call Maureen at 800-964-5150 x34 or email mjohan@symphonypublishing.com

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

Payment by: Visa, MC, Amex or Check Classifieds must be paid in advance. Symphony Publishing 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 • Fax: (781) 453-9389

Business Opportunities The beleaguered economy has made available one of the industry’s most respected executive sales management professionals. If you are a forward-thinking company looking to bolster your pool of talent, this is your perfect opportunity. Contact MMRMag@gmail.com

90 MMR

JUNE 2009

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Business Opportunities

For Sale Music Store Owner Retiring

High trafď&#x192;&#x17E;c area, very successful. We are a full line music store, 10,000 sq. ft. free standing building, Band instrument rental program 14 lesson rooms with over 400 students major lines guitars, drums and accessories, Established 21 years, includes tuning business, piano moving with truck and band and instrument repair dept. Can be subdivided: 4,000 sq. ft. and 6,000 sq. ft. Call 631 495-3223 New York

For Classified Sales Call Maureen

800-964-5150 ext. 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com JUNE 2009

www.ukes.com URL and Website For Sale THIS IS A VERY POPULAR WEBSITE FOR SELLING UKULELES. Price includes $100,000. in inventory $500,000 For info 808-870-5953 MUSIC STORE FOR SALE ON MAUI Have you ever dreamed of living in Hawaii? This could be your chance! Full Line Music Store in Paradise. All inventory and ď&#x192;&#x17E;xtures included. Most major lines are represented. Established in 1979 $500,000 plus inventory For info 808-870-5953

MUSIC SCHOOL/STORE for SALE (in operation since 1986)

Housed on its own PRIME REAL ESTATE property in a beautiful, affluent suburb of Houston, TX 25-plus teachers for almost 600 students; half-acre back lot ideal for store expansion or rental space. Call Owner at 832 445-5668

Guitar Show Operators

Promote your show dates and reach every guitar dealer in the US through the classified pages of MMR. Call Maureen

800-964-5150 ext 34 MMR 91

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

DVDs

Help Wanted

CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE! check www.mmrmagazine.com for daily updates!

Help Wanted Great Opportunity Will train energetic person to run a small\music store and give them an option to purchase. Southern California locale. Contact Joel at (949) 290-2945

STEINWAY PIANOS: Sales and Management positions. Represent the industry’s most desired products, in Canada’s most lucrative, exclusive territory with area’s leading piano house. Unique opportunity for ambitious, energetic person w. proven sales experience. eMail Resumes: jobs@remenyi.com 92 MMR

Guitar Show Operators

Promote your show dates and reach every guitar dealer in the US through the classified pages of MMR. Call Maureen

800-964-5150 ext 34 JUNE 2009

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

Merchandise ACCORDIONS, CONCERTINAS, & BUTTON BOXES new, used, buy, sell, trade, repair, tune, CASTIGLIONE DISTRIBUTING CO. 13300 E 11 MILE WARREN, MI 48089 PH # 1-586-755-6050 WWW.CASTIGLIONEACCORDIONS.COM

1,000,000+ And Counting! Over one million posts on our world famous Piano Forums, and growing. More than 11,000 unique visitors stop by Piano World every day. Be smart, advertise your piano related business on the most popular piano web site in the world.

PianoWorld.com Home of the world famous Piano Forums.

Ready to Advertise, or Still Need Convincing?

HARD SHELL PLASTIC CASES Flute $9.00, Piccolo $6.00 Clarinet $10.00, Oboe $12.00

ELKHART CASES 1-800-582-0319

Oboes & Bassoons

We create the finest hand-crafted Oboes & Bassoons. Also replacement 5K Bassoon Bocals.

Linton Woodwinds Corporation, Jack Linton 1013 Alma St. Elkhart, IN 46514 U.S.A. PH: 1-866-220-2909 Fax: 574-266-7658 E-Mail: info@lintonwoodwinds.com www.LintonWoodwinds.com

Visit www.PianoWorld.com/advertising ... Today!

equatone@earthlink.net

For Classified Sales Call Maureen

800-964-5150 ext. 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com JUNE 2009

MMR 93

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

Merchandise

Repair Tools

YAMAHA–KAWAI

BOW REHAIRING

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PIANOS

Order forms,Pricing and Shipping label at:

& MORE

Asian High Quality No other supplier offers superior service before, during and after the sale. You get what you pay for!

Expert Bow Service

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

“An industry leader since 1967” 467 Grant Avenue, Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 Tel: 908-322-4469 Fax: 908 322-8613 e mail: info@bowrehairing.com

www.mmrmagazine.com

GUARANTEED LANDED QUALITY

Reps Wanted

1-800-782-2694 North American Music 11 Kay Fries Drive Stony Point, NY 10980 Fax: (845) 429-6920

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Miscellaneous BAND INSTRUMENT REPAIR VIDEO Save $$$ on repair expense. Earn extra income. Journeyman repairman offers “How To” videos on the repair of brass and woodwind instruments. For information write to: B.I.R.V. Co. 880 Slater Rd. Bellingham, WA. 98226 (360) 384-6707

Sales Representatives Wanted!! For 60 years we have provided musical instrument repair tools to technicians and musicians around the world. We have a wide selection of pads and other supplies in addition to our repair tools. Contact us today for a FREE CATALOG.

Michigan-based Brass, Woodwind and accessories line. Join a great new organization with an “artist-endorsed” product. Competitive Commissions with incentive. Contact: toya@dymusicusa.com 734-384-1705

INDEPENDENT SALES REPS Sales Reps Wanted Band & Orchestra Instruments Most territories open A Great Job! AMERICA LONGXING

(718) 706-0828 Ask for Paul shanlin0596@hotmail.com

Repair Tools FAST TURN-AROUND ON STOCK REPAIRS NATIONWIDE NAPBIRT member, 26 Years Experience Contact: Dan Rieck, 801-733-4243 dan@utahwoodwindrepair.com

For Classified Sales Call Maureen 800-964-5150 ext. 34 mjohan@symphonypublishing.com 94 MMR

JUNE 2009

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Services

Vintage Instruments

Wanted To Buy Wanted USED TUBAS

LOCAL & NATIONWIDE PIANO MOVING • CRATING • STORAGE •

ANY CONDITION-CASH PAID

(800) 222-2888

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

(310) 830-3362 (FAX) • http://www.pianomove.com

WE, BUY, SELL, TRADE

SHIPPING YOUR PIANO

and ship worldwide. Written APPRAISALS available. GRUHN GUITARS,

with Lone Wolf Trucking

is a “grand” idea!

400 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

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

(615) 256-2033

fax (615) 255-2021

1-800-982-9505

www.lonewolftrucking.com Alamogordo, New Mexico. 88310

www.gruhn.com

Classified Advertising To Advertise Call Toll Free 1-800-964-5150 x34 Deadline: Fourth Friday of every month

ICC MC-256289

PLACE YOUR AD BY MAIL OR FAX: PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE MasterCard, Visa, American Express accepted

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

AD RATES $30.00 per inch (1 inch minimum). $40.00 per inch if one color, logo or graphic added. Add $1.00 per bold face line. Display classified: $50 per inch. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE.

Please charge my:

Breaking News Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com JUNE 2009

Mastercard

Visa

AMEX

Credit Card #: _________________________________________________________ Expires_____/_____ Authorized Signature: _____________________________________________________________________ Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________________________________________ Street: ___________________________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________________________State:__________ Zip Code: _______________ Telephone #:________________________________Fax # _______________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ MMR 95

Adindex COMPANY NAME

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

PAGE

A Ac-Cetera Inc. Acoustics First Corp. Al Cass Alfred Music Publishing Allparts America Longxing Inc. American DJ Supply Inc. American DJ Supply Inc. American Way Marketing LLC Anderson Silver Plating Antigua Winds, Inc.

www.ac-cetera.com www.acousticsfirst.com

www.antiguawinds.com

32 28 87 19 87 66 7 23 89 86 75

www.BGFranckBichon.com

www.TrapsDrums.com www.coloradocase.com

89 48

www.alfred.com/dealer www.allparts.com www.huntermusical.com www.americandj.com www.americandj.com info@americanwaymktg.com

B/C BG Franck Bichon Cappello Music Co./ Traps Drums Colorado Case Company, Inc.

www.daddario.com www.extremeheadphones.com www.jimdunlop.com

29 32 18

E Eleca International Epilog Laser Essential Sound Products

www.eleca.com www.epiloglaser.com www.essentialsound.com

82 68 83

www.fitaud.com www.fusion-bags.com

70 70

www.g7th.com www.georgels.com www.ghsstrings.com www.godlyke.com www.mightybright.com www.chopsaver.com www.graphtech.com www.grotro.com

82 18 33 cov 4 28 88 66 73

F Fitness Audio Fusion Products Company

G G7th Ltd. George L’s GHS Corp. Godlyke Inc. Gold Crest LLC Good for the Goose Products Graph Tech Guitar Labs Grover

H/J H & F Technologies Inc. Jack Rabbit Music

www.audio2000s.com www.JakRabbitMusic.com

17 88

PAGE

Lava Cable Levy’s Leathers Ltd.

www.lavacable.com www.levysleathers.com

21 9

www.metromusic.com www.musicorp.com

44 11

M Metropolitan Music Co. Musicorp LLC

N NAMM www.namm.com National Educational Music Co. www.nemc.com

24-25 61

P Pearl River Piano Group Pearlman Microphones Perri’s Leathers Ltd. Peterson Strobe Tuners Petrof USA PJLA Music Products

www.PearlRiverUSA.com www.pearlmanmicrophones.com www.perris.ca www.petersontuners.com www.petrof.com www.pjlamusc.com

83 52 67 36 43 36

QMP Sales Rolls Corporation

www.qmpsales.com www.rolls.com

72 76

S Sabian Ltd. Saga Musical Instruments Samson Sennheiser Elec Corp Shaker Microphone, Inc. Shane Music Products Shubb Capos SKB Corp. Sonaré Winds Super-Sensitive Musical String Co.

www.sabian.com www.sagamusic.com www.samson.com www.sennheiserusa.com www.shakermicrophone.net www.shanemusic.com www.shubb.com www.skbcases.com www.sonarewinds.com

13 71 3 cov 2 78 78 87 37 69

www.cavanaughcompany.com

www.tkl.com www.theStringCleaner.com

5 74

www.dansr.com www.dansr.com www.dansr.com www.wittner-gmbh.de www.wymanpiano.com

47 77 79 49 80

www.yamaha.com www.yorkville.com www.NTUNE.com

15 1 76

T TKL Products Corp. ToneGear

V/W Vandoren Vandoren Vandoren Wittner GmbH & Co. KG Wyman Piano Company

Y/Z

K Ken Smith Basses Ltd. Kyser Musical Products Inc.

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

Q/R

D D’Addario & Co. Direct Sound Headphones Dunlop Manufacturing Inc.

COMPANY NAME

www.kensmithbasses.com www.kysermusical.com

73 81

Yamaha Corp. of America Yorkville Sound Inc. Zero Crossing

L 96 MMR

JUNE 2009

Jazz Education Network

The

is dedicated to building the jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences. The Jazz Education Network was founded in the spirit of collaboration and excellence. Our goal is to be a vital resource for a constantly evolving art form that lives globally.

Who we are: students, teachers, directors, musicians, composers, authors, fans, media, industry...WE are YOU!

Full Individual Membership (18 and up) - $50

lead the transformation of the jazz education culture

eJEN Membership Levels:

(18 and up) - ($35/25)

Partner Membership Levels:

Festival/Event- $100

Institutional - $300 • Corporate - $500

Afﬁliate - $25 Annual Fee + $10 per person/member 17 and under categories to be launched soon! Please check the web site for updates.

JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK

www.JazzEdNet.org

For complete membership information/beneﬁts please visit us at: www.JazzEdNet.org

PROGRESSIONS OF POWER The Power-All® System provides you with a compact, affordable solution for powering your effect pedals and accessories. Using only one outlet space, our advanced digital circuitry delivers clean, quiet, energy-efficient power anywhere in the world. Save money on batteries while using less energy! The Power-All® is available in a variety of configurations designed to meet every player’s power demands, whether it’s a single stompbox or a multi-voltage pedalboard monstrosity!

PA-9S Power-All® Digital Power Supply Our 9 volt DC supply offers 2000 milliamps of current to power more pedals more consistently! Specially designed low-noise circuit delivers clean, quiet power. Includes 10 foot power cord with ferrite noise filter and locking jack. Auto-sensing circuitry runs off 100–240 volts, use it anywhere in the world. (Available in US, UK, European, and Australian plug types).

PA-9B Power-All® Basic Kit Everything you need to power 5 pedals out of the box. Includes: � PA-9 Power-All® Digital Power Supply. � Cable-5/R Daisy Chain Connector with spring-loaded right-angle jacks. � Cable-Red/R reverse polarity (tip positive) cable with spring-loaded right-angle jack. � Cable-Blue 1/8" (3.5mm) phone plug cable. � Cable-Green reverse polarity cable with 2.5 internal diameter spring-loaded jack. � Cable-Grey battery clip cable.

ACCESSORIES Sold separately. Power-All® Jumper Cables 28AWG gauge cable with oil-resistant vinyl sheaths and spring-loaded jacks to assure secure, trouble-free connections. Available with straight and right-angle connectors in a variety of configurations to fit every pedalboard.

� Insulator Caps (3) for unused male barrel connectors on the Daisy Chain.

IP-1 Iso-Pump Voltage Converter ™

Use with the Power-All® to power pedals that require 12, 18, or 24 volts DC! Isolated output allows operation of pedals with opposing grounds.

PA-9D Power-All® Deluxe Kit Everything you need to power 11 pedals out of the box. Includes: � PA-9 Power-All® Digital Power Supply. � Cable-11/R Daisy Chain Connector with spring-loaded right-angle jacks. � Cable-Red/R reverse polarity (tip positive) cable with spring-loaded right-angle jack. � Cable-Blue/R 1/8" (3.5mm) phone plug cable with right-angle jack. � Cable-Green reverse polarity cable with 2.5 internal diameter spring-loaded jack. � Cable-Green/R reverse polarity cable with spring-loaded right-angle jack. � Cable-Grey battery clip cable. � Cable-Black/R extension cable with spring-loaded right-angle jack. � Insulator Caps (5) for unused male barrel connectors on the Daisy Chain.

UTA-1 Universal Travel Adaptor Plug in your Power-All® or other electronic devices anywhere in the world! Modular design features 9 different plug types.

GH-1 Ground Hound™ Ground Isolator Allows connection of pedals with opposing grounds off a single Power-All.® (not pictured)

All of our products feature professional-grade construction designed to withstand the rigors of the road. We are so confident that the Power-All® is superior to any other switching power supply on the market that it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Complies with these national and international safety and environmental directives.