MMR June 2010

June 2010

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

Survey: Lighting Summer Buyer’s Guide to New Gear Part 1

Spotlight:

Grayson Zeagler of Zeagler’s Music

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Contents Cover photo by Joli Livaudais Grisham, Monroe, La.

JUNE 2010 VOL.169 NO. 6

Features 20

Spotlight: Grayson Zeagler

Tone Gear’s Dave Chiappetta

Survey: Lighting

At a Glance: South Jersey Music

Casing the Case Market

MMR chats with Grayson Zeagler, owner of northern Louisiana’s Zeagler’s Music and current president of the National Association of School Music Dealers.

We check in with the founder and owner of Tone Gear, makers of the String Cleaner and distributors of the Spider Capo.

We speak with key suppliers of cases and bags, to hear their thoughts on trends and the overall state of the market.

Summer Buyer’s Guide to New Gear – Part 1

NAMM Exhibitor Listing

NAMM University Schedule

A summary of some of significant product introductions to check out at this summer’s NAMM Convention.

Departments www.MMRmagazine.com

4 Editorial 6 Upfront 16 People

68 Supplier Scene 74 Classifieds 80 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 ©2010 by Symphony Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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JUNE 2010

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Editorial

Volume 169, Number 6, June 2010 PUBLISHER Sidney L. Davis sdavis@symphonypublishing.com

It’s Not What you Buy; It’s What You Sell

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rick Kessel rkessel@symphonypublishing.com EDITOR Christian Wissmuller cwissmuller@symphonypublishing.com

“I

t’s not what you buy; it’s what you sell” – This quote is from an interview I conducted with Harry Karl, a legendary Hollywood figure who ran the nation’s largest privately held shoe store chain. Karl Shoe was one of a handful of large footwear operations moving aggressively into leasing departments in mass merchandisers and he was commenting on recent events (1970s) when one of the major publicly held shoe chains had to restate their earnings following an audit that questioned the value of their out of season inventory. His remarks hit home when the W.T. Grant chain of 1,073 stores was shuttered in 1976 – at the time the second-biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Ironically, William T. Grant founded the company in 1906 with the underlying principle of low prices and fast turnover. By 1936 the “five-and-dime” chain was generating $100 million in sales and, at its zenith, boasted 1,200 units. There was a combination of factors and events that led to the operation’s demise, not the least of which was the inability to reduce its inventory. As TIME magazine reported, “Its future could well depend on how profitably it manages to sell off its inventory of high-priced appliances.” The chain was also playing “catch-up” with its competitors, Kresge and Woolworth, who had already moved into larger size suburban outlets. Grant’s answer was to extend unchecked credit to its customers in order to increase store sales with little or no attempt to assess the customer’s ability to repay, much like the present-day sub-prime mortgage crisis. Ultimately the consortium of banks that extended credit to Grant grew skittish and moved the chain into bankruptcy proceedings, seeking to minimize their losses at the expense of shareholders and vendors. The effects of their actions resonate to present day. As reported in the RMA Journal (“The Impact of Working Capital Investment on the Value of a Company”), “The W. T. Grant bankruptcy is a grim example of the consequences of poor working capital management: its positive working capital was comprised of uncollectible receivables and un-sellable inventory that absorbed so much cash flow, it killed the company.” In February, 1976, the committee of Grant’s creditors, heavily influenced by the banks, decided to declare bankruptcy, a move that touched off what one trade publication termed, “the biggest liquidation in retail history.” Four months later, the chain ceased to exist, however the fi nal result was the birth of the liquidation industry. The Nassi Group started on the West Coast selling off $30 million in appliances from a closed discount chain. In what one of the Group’s management terms, “the watershed event,” they were chosen to liquidate Grant’s billion-dollar inventory. Their sales effort far exceeded what was forecast, leaving some retail observers to question whether the company might have survived under different management. A few years back I remember an exchange with a veteran music dealer who had acquired an old-time family business. I asked him what lesson he had learned from the acquisition. His answer: “They made the same mistakes we have – both of us have dead inventory in the back room.” Hearken to the words of the late Harry Karl: “It’s not what you buy…” And in a final note, we recap the life and times of the shoe merchant who had a better run in business than in his personal life: Married five times, including twice to Marie (the body) McDonald, and actress Debbie Reynolds, Karl lost thousands in card games at the Friar’s Club and compiled massive debts which Debbie partially paid for by acting in a Broadway play. At his passing in 1982, Harry Karl left $2 million in debt and a closet full of alligator shoes.

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 SYMPHONY PUBLISHING, LLC Xen Zapis • Chairman Lee Zapis • President lzapis@symphonypublishing.com Rich Bongorno • Chief Financial Officer rbongorno@symphonypublishing.com Corporate Headquarters 26202 Detroit Road, Suite 300, Westlake, Ohio 44145 440-871-1300 www.symphonypublishing.com PUBLISHING, SALES & EDITORIAL OFFICE: 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494 (781) 453-9310 Fax: (781) 453-9389 www.mmrmagazine.com

sdavis@ symphonypublishing.com

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JUNE 2010

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Upfront Reactions to Nashville Flooding In early May, record rainfall of almost 14 inches led to rising floodwaters throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and northern Mississippi. Thousands were evacuated and the floods claimed at least 17 lives in Tennessee. Losses in Nashville were widely reported and, with the upcoming Trade Show less than two months away, NAMM released the following statement:

Steinway Reports First Quarter 2010 Results On May 10, Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB), reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

The company reported earnings of $0.17 per share for the recently ended quarter. Dana Messina, CEO, said, “We are encouraged by the substantial improvement in our first quarter results… the priorities of protecting our financial health, reducing our cost structure, and improving our manufacturing efficiencies led to a significant improvement in performance.”

First Quarter Results • • • • •

Sales of $69 million, down 2& Gross margin increased to 31.1% from 26.6% Operating expenses reduced by 6% Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled, to $8 million Net income up 79%

A complete financial results earnings release has been posted to the Company’s Web site: www.steinwaymusical.com. 6 MMR

NAMM is monitoring the situation in Nashville very carefully and has been in constant communication with our contacts there. Reports as of noon today, Tuesday, May 4, indicate that the floodwaters are receding rapidly and they expect levels to return to normal by Friday. There has not been any A view of the flooded Opryland Hotel. (Photpo: Stephen Lee) damage to the Nashville Convention Center or any of the hotels downtown, with the exception of Nashville institutions experiencing some flooding to the Hilton parking gadamage from the past weekend’s rainfall rage. Currently, there are some power include the Opryland Hotel, the Country issues in the lower Broadway area, but Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, those are expected to be resolved shortly. LP Field, and the Schermerhorn SymAll public works services are expected to phony Center which, in addition to conbe back in full operation by the weekend. siderable water damage, reported losing Several of the restaurants and bars on the two Steinways to the flood. east side of 2nd Avenue have sustained On May, 10th, Nashville Mayor Karl flood damage and are closed, but are exF. Dean issued the following letter to pected to re-open within days. NAMM Members: At this time, there is every reason to beOn behalf of the people of Nashville, it lieve that the current flooding in Nashville will be my honor to welcome you to Muwill not impact Summer NAMM, however sic City next month for Summer NAMM, we will continue to monitor the situation June 18–20. closely. Our thoughts are with the Nashville As you know, our city endured a devcommunity and area NAMM Members as astating flood last week that has affected they begin the clean-up process. many families across the county. Fortunately, the convention center, our hospitalNashville’s Gruhn Guitar, home to ity industry and downtown businesses are one of the largest collection of vintage up and running, and we are looking forinstruments, remains high and dry deward to events such as yours. spite the heavy rains that have ravaged At this time, I would also like to exMusic City in the past week. Located at press our appreciation to the Members of 400 Broadway in the downtown area, the NAMM for your ongoing support and loylegendary music store is just two blocks alty to our city. While Summer NAMM is away from Second Avenue, where many an important event for the music industry, stores including the Hard Rock Café have for Nashville, it is an event that we hold been flooded. close to our hearts. In addition, we are Gibson Guitars is experiencing grateful for the business your event brings disruption in production due to the to our local merchants, many of which f looding. “Water did get into the facwere hard hit by the flood. In Nashville, tory,” Gibson USA general manager we share your pride and passion for music. Gary Fader told The Tennessean in the Be assured that you will still find plenty of first week in May. “We have not had a musical entertainment while you are here. chance to go into the building. There After all, music not only helps entertain, will be supply disruption for some but also helps heal the soul. We look foramount of time.” ward to seeing you soon. JUNE 2010

Upfront Secretary of Education Speaks at Advocacy Event On May 10, NAMM, the non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, and SupportMusic.com hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education Richard Riley and local Washington DC-area students on board the state-of-the-art recording facility. With the goal of keeping music and the arts as core curriculum in every child’s educa-

tion, Secretary Duncan spoke at the event held outside of the U.S. Dept. of Education about music and art education’s many benefits and why these subjects are essential. “I’d like to thank all the students, teachers and NAMM for your passion in this area,” said Duncan. “We’re trying to put a lot of money around giving kids a well-rounded education – not just high school, but our 5, 6 and 7 year-olds

too. I wish it wasn’t a fight, but let’s face it – it is a fight. This is about giving these kids a chance to develop their skills, their abilities and their self-esteem. Together, we have to win this and win it for every single child in this country.” NAMM continued its lobbying activities throughout the week with more than 80 meetings with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

SAICO to Distribute JHS

Former Secretary of Education Richard Riley, NAMM’s Joe Lamond, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

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Saico is set to distrbute the JHS guitar brands – Fret-King®, Vintage® and Encore® – in the French market, effective May 1st 2010. SAICO joins a family of distributors which sell Fret-King, Vintage and Encore in 57 markets worldwide. SAICO will be exhibiting Fret-King, Vintage and Encore at the Paris Music Show from November 19th to 22nd, with JHS managing director, Dennis Drumm, and designer Trev Wilkinson in attendance.

JUNE 2010

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Upfront LimeWire Loses File-Sharing Case A federal court has ruled in favor of the music labels in their fight against LimeWire, one of the most popular fi lesharing services on the Web. U.S. District Court Judge Kimba Wood found that LimeWire is indeed guilty of copyright violations: “LimeWire… (1)is aware that LimeWire’s users commit a substantial amount of copyright infringement;

(2) markets LimeWire to users predisposed to committing infringement; (3) ensures that LimeWire enables infringement and assists users committing infringement; (4) relies on the fact that LimeWire enables infringement for the success of its business; and (5) has not taken meaningful steps to mitigate infringement.”

Almost all of the music available on the service (93 percent, according to a study used in the lawsuit) and even more of the fi les actually downloaded (98.8 percent, via the same study) is protected by copyright and should not have been there. Court documents state that LimeWire generated revenue of $20 million in 2006.

‘Best Communities for Music Education’ Announced The NAMM Foundation recently announced the results of its 11th annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment to and sup-

port of music education in schools. The announcement came as a part of NAMM’s “National Wanna Play Music Week,” (May 3-7) a week-long promotion designed to encourage people of all ages and skill levels to experi-

ence the proven benefits of playing music. More information, as well as the complete “Best Communities for Music Education” roster is available here www. namm.org

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Upfront TEC Awards to Be Held at the 2011 NAMM Show The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that for the first time its 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards® will be held at the NAMM Show on Friday Jan. 14, 2011, in Anaheim, California. The TEC Awards®, founded in 1985, consists of two-dozen awards for achievement in audio products and projects. The TEC Awards is attended by manufacturers of audio equipment and software, as well as music producers, engineers, sound

mixers and musical artists. A highpoint of the show is the Les Paul Award, sponsored by Gibson Guitar, presented to musical artists and others whose careers have exemplified the creative application of audio technology. “The continuing advances in technology for all areas of sound and music production have vastly expanded the universe of both manufacturers and users,” said Hillel Resner, president of the TEC Foundation. “We are sure those attending

NAMM will enjoy sharing in the recognition of technical and creative achievement that the TEC Awards bestow.” Resner also announced that the eligibility period for 26th Annual TEC Awards nominations has been extended to June 30, 2010 from its traditional March 31 date. Online voting by various professional organizations—including eligible NAMM members—will take place in November. For more information, visit: www.tecfoundation.com

Target & FFI Settle with ESP In 2008 and 2009 the ESP Guitar Company filed infringement complaints against Target Corporation and Fortune Fashion Industries in California and New Jersey courts. As of April 2010 the parties have reached a

consensus and entered a settlement agreement, resolving the dispute. According to Matt Masciandaro, president & CEO of the ESP Guitar Company, “We have resolved the conflicts between

our companies. We will continue to enforce our intellectual property rights around the globe and are satisfied with the terms of this settlement.” The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Longtime music retailer Gil Ellman passed away at the age of 84 on April 30 2010. Ellman studied band instrument repair before opening Ellman’s Music Center in 1958. Soon after the store opened Gil began creating his own brand of instruments including bongos. In 1963 the store moved to Naperville, Illinois, where space was created for lesson programs. Gil and his wife Joan, who provided music lessons at the store for many years, were both present at the NAMM Show in 2008 when they were awarded the Milestone plaque for 50 years in business.

in Herrin, IL, a small community near Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. The store was one of the oldest Baldwin dealerships in the Midwest, operating continuously since 1937… During his 45-year career as a piano and organ dealer, Barras installed hundreds of organs in churches in his territory, as well as countless pianos. Their dealership occupied three buildings, extending most of a city block in Herrin, and included a 12,000 square foot showroom with over 200 new and used instruments on display.” Bill is survived by his longtime business and life partner, Bruce Steh, who will continue to operate the store.

likes of Carlos Santana, Three Dog Night, Paul Simon, and the Doors. Francisco was a widely recognized master conguero and bata artist and also a dedicated instructor. He led his own Latin Jazz Ensemble and when the opportunity arose he performed as a guest with the Conga Kings and wherever he was invited to perform. Francisco endorsed Pearl Drums since 2004 and taught Afro Cuban drumming at UCLA.

J.W. “Bill” Barras, Jr.

Francisco Aguabella

In early May, Craig Smith, regional sales manager for Wyman/Orla, got in touch to let us know of the passing of prominent longtime piano and organ dealer in southern Illinois, J. W. “Bill” Barras, Jr. on April 8, 2010 (two days after his 70th birthday) of heart failure. As Smith noted, Barras, “owned and operated Baldwin Piano & Organ Center

Conguero/Bata Master Francisco Aguabella passed away on May 7, 2010. He was 84. Aguabella performed with many great Jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, Lalo Schifrin, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, Bebo Valdes, and numerous others. He also performed and recorded with the

Trade Regrets: Gil Ellman

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Irwin Rabinowitz Irwin Rabinowitz was one of the last music engravers from the era of metal plates and chisels. Rabinowitz was personally hired by Irving Berlin to create the lead plates for the famed songwriter’s sheet music. Irwin’s craft was hand-chiseling each note, slur, and coda into metal plates that would then allow copies to be published. Irwin worked for a time for the Elvis Presley Music Group and several other publishers before his retirement. For many years he and his wife traveled to Israel to volunteer at area hospitals. He was on such a trip when he passed away in May 2010. JUNE 2010

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Upfront FDW Corp Distributing MicW Microphones FDW Corp has announced that earlier this year they began the exclusive distribution of the MicW line of microphones in North America. MicW, the Beijingbased manufacturer of recording, live and conference audio microphones, recently launched 11 new products at this year’s Pro Light & Sound/Musikmesse Exhibition in Frankfort, Germany.

TRX Cymbal Launches TRX Europe The TRX Cymbal Co. has announced the launch of TRX Europe. Based in London and operating in conjunction with Morico, Ltd., TRX Europe has been established to provide drummers and dealers throughout Europe with greater access to TRX’s full line of Turkish cymbals. Current plans call for Morico, Ltd. to continue to maintain a complete stock of TRX cymbals at its north-London offices while handling sales, dealer service, customer support, artist relations and marketing for the UK and eastern, western and central Europe. Please address all inquiries to TRX Europe, Unit 5 Knight Properties, Brewery Road, Hoddesdon, Herts, ENGLAND EN11 8HF, tel: +44 1992 461089, fax: +44 1992 467741, e-mail: trxeurope@trxcymbals.com. TRX Cymbals will continue to be distributed in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway by Osbeck Music; Sälgstigen 5, Växjö, SWEDEN SE-35245, tel: 46 470 777 661, fax: 46 470 777 661, e-mail lars@osbeckmusic.se. 14 MMR

JUNE 2010

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People Colin Schofield has been named to the position of business development manager for The Gretsch Company. In this newly created role, Schofield will be assisting company president Schofield Fred Gretsch in the development and execution of strategies to further build and strengthen the Gretsch brand worldwide. To this end Schofield will be working out of Gretsch company headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. John Garrison, a music industry veteran with over 30 years experience at both the wholesale and retail levels, has joined Wyman Piano/Orla USA as a regional sales manager. In his new assignment, John will be responsible for sales and distribution of Wyman pianos and Orla digital pianos in the Western Region. Larry Wiese has been named as regional sales manager for the Central & Southeastern Region. In this newly expanded region, Larry will be handling Wyman/Orla sales and distribution in the southeastern US from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana to states north including eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. American DJ Europe has tapped Simon Fletcher, a well-respected DJ, to be the area sales manager of its southern United Kingdom sales district. Fletcher will visiting dealers on a regular basis and building relationships with them, as well as interacting with the DJ community in the UK at shows and events, and soliciting feedback on how

the company’s products can best meet their needs.

Joe Fant has been appointed Pearl Corporation’s marching percussion marketing and product manager. Joe studied percussion at the University of Alabama and Jacksonville Fant State University and brings 15 years of DCI experience as a performer and teacher as well as 10 years of WGI experience as a teacher. Kerry Massey has been appointed Pearl Corporation’s corporate controller. He reports directly to the CEO and oversees all aspects of the company’s finance and human resourc- Massey es functions in addition to participating in other operational and business related activities. Bosch Security Systems, Inc., Communications Systems Division announced that Brian Divine has assumed the role of sr. product marketing manager, Divine communications. Wechter Guitars has appointed of Gerson Rosenbloom as managing director. Rosenbloom was the president and CEO of Medley Music and most recently was the president and sales Rosenbloom adviser for Spectrum Strategies, a music industry consulting firm, in Medford, NJ.

Breaking News Find it in the Hot News section of MMR’s Web site, www.MMRmagazine.com 16 MMR

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ADVERTORIAL â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 2010

visit us online at www.namm.org of times, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to promote our industryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in times like weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re experiencing now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absolutely critical.

Note from Joe â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? Encourages People to Come Out and Play Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? in Nashville, and we hope you are too! Why? Well, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? represents a new level of outreach to connect our industry with the people who use our products and services, and gives us the opportunity to promote the lifelong beneďŹ ts of making music to a new audience. All NAMM Members are connected to music making in a deep, meaningful way. We believe that what we bring to the world is important and has real beneďŹ ts for people of all ages. We promote this message throughout the year through public relations, advocacy efforts and market development programs that raise awareness and help create more active music makers. With the new â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sunday,â&#x20AC;? we will have another way to showcase our Members and help achieve our mission. In the best

There will be plenty to see and do during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;?. Our Members have really stepped up to the plate and created exciting programming and opportunities for attendees to immerse themselves in all things musical, including workshops on topics like â&#x20AC;&#x153;How to Lay Down Tracks,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Techniques to Hook Up Your Gear.â&#x20AC;? The day will also feature activities like free guitar set-ups and restringing, providing musicians with instrument support, and the chance to visit the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vintage Guitar Roadshow.â&#x20AC;? Attendees can have the chance to jam in The Best Band You Never Heard contest. The agenda is full of events, activities, workshops, live music and fun for all to enjoy. At the end of the day, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sunday,â&#x20AC;? will inspire people and remind them that music is something that will always be a part of their lives. It will send a powerful message to the rest of the world that music making is important and that NAMM Members are committed to seeing more people beneďŹ t from becoming active music makers!

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

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? Welcomes Music Students, Parents and %NTHUSIASTS TO 3UMMER .!-In an effort to broaden attendance at Summer NAMM, for the ďŹ rst time, NAMM is inviting and allowing its Members to invite more music students, parents, music advocates and enthusiasts to the 2010 event. Called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sunday,â&#x20AC;? NAMM will open its show ďŹ&#x201A;oor on Sunday, June 20, to these groups to see demonstrations of the latest products, watch unique live musical performances, attend valuable workshops taught by known professional musicians and talk with music products industry insiders. NAMM hopes to help its Members generate increased excitement for playing music and stimulate demand for many of the newly displayed products.

To help make this program a success, we encouraged all â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? attendees to visit their local NAMM Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; retail stores in order to receive special â&#x20AC;&#x153;50% offâ&#x20AC;? discount coupons containing promotional codes that could be used when ordering tickets online. To communicate this unprecedented opportunity, NAMM Members were also able to print out discount coupons to hand out to customers. Proceeds from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanna Play Music Sundayâ&#x20AC;? at Summer NAMM will go to support music education through the Wanna Play Fund.

NAMM News

June

2010

-date on the . To keep up-to tter shed by NAMM bli gital e-newsle pu Di is ck ws ba r PLAY NAMM Ne , sign up for ou ws ne try us . g ind tal@namm.org latest breakin at playbackdigi

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SPOTLIGHT

Not so Down-On-The-Bayou:

Zeagler’s Music

Grayson Zeagler

“Ever since I can remember I was surrounded with some sort of music,” Grayson Zeagler recalls. “My grandmother and then my mother were piano teachers.” His mother tells him that as a youngster he frequently “marched” around the back yard with the old marching snare drum … for hours. Zeagler is still marching for what he admits is a modest retail operation by “big city” standards. Zeagler Music is a full line operation located in northeastern Louisiana’s bayou country, between Shreveport and Jackson, Miss., and has become an important part of the fabric of this part of the state where the per capita income is lower then it is in most parts of the country. There Grayson’s advocacy for music making and just old fashioned business smarts has made him a pillar of the industry, and a leader who others can learn from. He’s currently finishing up his term as president of the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD), and has 20 MMR

served on several other industry boards. It’s all earned him respect from his peers. “I enjoy working with Grayson because he is a good team leader,” says colleague and fellow NASMD board member George Quinlan Jr. of Quinlan & Fabish Music. “He delegates tasks to board members that use their skills and strengths. This year’s convention was very well received by retailers and sponsors under his leadership.” He’s leading by example, too: An active music maker, he plays trumpet in the local community band, conducts, and sings in a Barber Shop Quartet. “Yamaha is proud to have Grayson Zeagler and Zeagler Music as part of our

retail family,” says Yamaha’s Jay Schreiber. “They’re a great example of how a well-run, service oriented retailer can benefit their community, employees, and suppliers. We’re especially proud of Grayson’s commitment to music education through his work as president of NASMD.” Yamaha’s Roger Eaton adds: “Zeagler Music’s family oriented style and community focus is a great example of best practices for music retailers. We’re happy to be a part of that success, and to help Zeagler Music continue their passionate support of their community and schools.” JUNE 2010

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we all have had a few rough years, but we who have been in business for 40 plus years know that you can come out of it leaner and more profitable.â&#x20AC;? JUNE 2010

MMR 21

History “My brother Fred and my mother Dorothy opened the business in 1968, with my dad Everett, working part time till around 1995 or so when he was there full time,” Zeagler says. “All of my older brothers and sisters played in the band and I think we were all members of the church choir and some of us even directed.” Officially he started on trumpet in fifth grade, which he still plays today in his local community band. Out of high school Grayson attended Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe majoring in music. During that time he had the “teachable moment” of getting a part time position as a school band teacher. It taught him that maybe he was better cut out for business. Three years into his degree, Zeagler Music’s band sales rep quit, and he took over calling on schools. Brother Fred today owns the Baton Rouge store and, while they are separate

Monroe:

corporations, they are friendly, and frequently buy together and swap inventory: “In 1976 Fred moved to Baton Rouge where he opened a small location and hit the road calling on schools.” In 1997 they opened a New Orleans area store and were doing well right up until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated the facility. “As you can imagine, with five feet of water in the store not much could be salvaged,” he says. Even when the water receded, authorities would not let them near the area. “If you know the south, you know there are 90-100 degree temperatures and loads of humidity. That grows mold and mildew.” To add to their woes, their insurance company informed them that they were going to cancel the policy if it was reopened. Meanwhile, their customers had disappeared. “Half the city had not returned after eight months still.”

Just the Facts

“Louisiana is not one of the wealthiest of states,” Grayson Zeagler says. “Ouachita parish [where Monroe is located] has more than 21 percent who live under the poverty level, with surrounding parishes that have between 24 and 28 percent. It is more difficult to sell instruments to customers who bring home less than $25,000 a year. Of course you have the school board that bought $95,000 of student band instruments from me to give to kids and therefore I do not rent any instruments in that school district anymore.”

Facts: • • • • • • • •

Monroe & West Monroe Population: 80,000 Monroe & West Monroe are split by the Ouachita River, and are referred to as the “twin cities” of northeastern Louisiana. Racial make up: 37 percent white; 60 percent African American; and rest Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and other. According to the 2000 census, there were 19,421 households out of which 32.3 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 3.26. The median income for a household in the city was $25,864, and the median income for a family was $33,263. The per capita income for the city is $15,933. About 26.3 percent of families and 32.3 percent of the population were below the poverty line. Monroe was founded in 1780 by the French and originally called Prairie de Canots, but was renamed for the first steamboat (the James Monroe) that made it there in 1819 (the locals were pretty impressed by it, apparently).

22 MMR

Today the Monroe store has eleven employees five of whom are family, including his wife Kristina and son Daniel. They have two other children, Phillip and Maria. They operate in a 10,000 square foot building on one of the main streets of Monroe. “We are full line operation with a good sales mix of all departments. I try to concentrate our effort on repeat customers and compete with Internet businesses.” He says school business is not as big as it once was. “Some declines are due to budgets but some are due to band boosters not raising as much money too.” They deal with a diverse customer base: “We have every kind of customer including the pierced face heavy metal crowd coming in for that grunge sounding pedal, the blue haired ladies from the church committee to look at the digital piano, and of course the band students, weekend players, and knuckle draggers (drummers).”

“Go Figure!” MMR: Tell us about what lines are doing well for you. Grayson Zeagler: The Allegro line from Yamaha is doing fairly well lately. I am having some trouble selling step-up clarinets for some reason. Yamaha and Cannonball saxophones are doing okay. We have very few orchestra programs in the area, but I still sell a few to fiddler wanna-be’s. Bluegrass is fairly common in this area so we sell a few banjos, mandolins, and fiddles. For those we carry Alvarez, Fender, and Kentucky brands. MMR: Is it safe to guess you do well with guitars? GZ: Our acoustic sales have risen a bit, with accessories about the same. For acoustics we sell Martin, Alvarez, Fender, and Ovation; for electric it’s Fender, Yamaha, and Peavey. We always sell the inexpensive guitar packages, but the high end seems to be hit and miss. We will have a strong week and sell four or five high-end guitars, then will not sell one for two weeks. I think the mix of brands is very important. I always have trouble with the second brand, not the first. For example we sell large number of Fender guitars, but I am always looking for that second brand to sell as well or close to that one. That is hard to find. MMR: Is the piano market doing okay in your neck of the woods? JUNE 2010

GZ: Recently we have seen a surge in piano sales – go figure!!! It’s always a guessing game with some of these products. Pianos account for about 20 percent of sales and when it’s good it sure helps the cash flow. The brands we carry are Kawai, Yamaha, and Pearl River. Ron Payne is our piano salesman and he does a real good job. MMR: How about drums? GZ: We just hired a young gentleman that is a “knuckle-dragger,” [laughs] and he has really put some excitement in the percussion department. I have missed many sales in that department since the last percussionist was here. I now look forward to going into the drum department because everything actually has a place and is properly marked. What a concept! MMR: Have you had to add or drop any lines? GZ: There are many things that have dropped off the inventory radar lately and I will not be replacing them. Can’t afford to. MMR: Tell us more about the staff. GZ: Employees are your most important assets. They are on the front lines everyday talking to your customers, and then the customers go out into the world telling everyone what kind of experience they had at your store. You better have a JUNE 2010

good relationship with your employees. I say this fairly often, but now I have the best staff I have ever had. We have a manager that is gung-ho and can’t wait to see what will work this time, a piano salesman that could sell ice to Eskimos, a guitar salesman (my son Daniel) that will move half the store around to make a display look “killer” then sell the item and start all over… I don’t want to forget the sheet music and accompaniment CD department where anyone can find anything because of my wife Kristina. The repair department that can fi x anything, and my most versatile person in the store is my band guy, Joey Culpepper, who knows everything there is in the store. What else could I want?

“Employees are your most important assets.”

“Looking Forward” MMR: What are the challenges you’re facing today? GZ: Our big issue right now is just no one coming in. Traffic is really slow. My newly hired manager, Rhonda Black, has a great mind for marketing and I am looking forward to working with her on some creative ideas to get people in. I think the Internet is a huge tool along with email marketing. We have the capability to do these things and I am sure that will be our first step.

Young Grayson with his parents, Everett and Dorothy. MMR 23

MMR: Any solid plans now? GZ: I want to do a monthly newsletter and then send out special monthly deals to those on our email list.

In the 1970s, Zeagler Music hosted an annual guitar throwing contest whereas whoever threw their guitar the furtherest got a Martin or Fender replacement.

24 MMR

MMR: All retailers everywhere are struggling, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to imagine that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even a little harder in a place like Monroe. GZ: I have learned real recently that you can make money even if your sales are half what they once were. Is it more fun when sales are increasing? Absolutely! Was I happier then? Absolutely! Do I want those sales back? Absolutely! I am watching inventory like a hawk. I spend more time now examining what we buy and how many. That is the key. My goal today is to see how much sales I can get with the smallest amount of inventory. But the focus for me is to always get the most out of everyone that walks in the door. People do not go to music stores to just look. They play something and that is our opportunity; show them something new and fresh.

JUNE 2010

MMR: You’re still active making music … GZ: I love to sing barbershop harmony, especially with my two sons, Daniel, my oldest who runs the combo department in the store, and Phillip, who is graduating from high school. The fourth member is my insurance agent, Ken Dorsey. Our quartet is called “Ripchord.” My dad, Everett, sang with our chorus for years and always said, “Here I am with the only hobby that doesn’t require any kind of musical instrument other than a pitch pipe, and I own a music store!” MMR: You get high marks for your work with the National Association of School Music Dealers. GZ: The NASMD board has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. The friends I have made over the years and the contacts with manufacturers and suppliers are priceless. The convention planning is grueling, but the product always seems to be educational and energizing. The president may be in charge but it is all the work the vice president and board does that makes it

JUNE 2010

all possible. You know they say “To be successful you surround yourself with successful people.” That is exactly what the NASMD board is, a group of successful people putting a fantastic convention together. MMR: There’s always been an up-anddown in school budgets for school music, how important is NASMD?

See us at NAMM Booth 230

GZ: NASMD has close ties with the Music Achievement Council and NAMM. Both have many ways that dealers can participate in music advocacy. NASMD is the organization of School Music Dealers who have these tools and the knowledge to increase the awareness of the importance of music education. Many of our dealers have just that at the forefront of their business model.

MMR 25

Every convention of NASMD has many sessions to express the importance and how to get more kids playing music. It is that important. MMR: From where you’re standing, what’s your take on where the industry is today? GZ: I think the combo side of the industry is very strong but the band instrument side has some more things to work out. The guitars have already gone though the overseas markets coming into the states and we have seen the good and bad of that one.

explaining why music is so important. I believe it will keep getting stronger despite cuts. MMR: What’s a career highlight for you? GZ: Being named president of NASMD is a true honor, especially being from a place like Monroe, which isn’t huge. I’ve actually spent six years on the executive board.

MMR: What’s your outlook going forward? GZ: I look forward to the next few years. I think in our area we have some good news coming with more manufacturing and hopefully that will mean more jobs. I think we all have had a few rough years, but we who have been in business for 40 plus years know that you can come out of it leaner and more profitable.

MMR: Have manufacturers responded to the economic crisis? GZ: The band instrument manufacturers I think are still struggling as to how to deal with it. The dealers demand a premium product. Now there is product that may not be premium but it is pretty close for onethird the money. MMR: Are you discouraged by all the school budget cuts looming? GZ: I think we’re on the way back up. We had a couple of years of down, but it seems the good teachers are getting more kids involved. And there’s more advocacy 26 MMR

JUNE 2010

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ToneGears’ Dave Chiapetta

Plays It His Way D

ave Chiappetta, of New York City, is a Broadway music arranger, guitarist, record producer, and was the staff arranger for “American Idol,” 2003 – 2008. Chiappetta is also the owner of ToneGear, maker of the String Cleaner, a string and fret cleaning tool. Dave’s background may make him seem like an unlikely inventor and entrepreneur, but necessity is the mother of invention. “I’m not an industrialist; I’m a musician”, he says. “Being disgusted with cleaning my strings with alcohol, rags, and my fingernails, I came up with the idea for the String Cleaner and began working on prototypes. A fellow guitarist saw me use it and offered to bankroll the venture. We released the product at Summer NAMM 2008 and the company really took off from there.” Business is good and Chiappetta attributes this success to creating a product that didn’t exist in the marketplace. A year after debuting at NAMM, ToneGear released the String Cleaner for bass guitar. Over the past year and a half, Dave has gained distribution in 35 countries and recently secured the position of exclusive seller of Spider Capos.

The String Cleaner for guitar. 28 MMR

In 2009 Chiappetta returned to the NAMM show where he was introduced to Peter Einhorn who was there debuting his Spider Capo — a product that allows a player to capo strings individually to create new sounds. Dave recalls, “Peter was in the same position that I was in a year before – he had an idea that he thought was great, and brought the product to NAMM – same situation as me.” Chiappetta was impressed with the Spider Capo. “It really opened up the guitar to a completely new world of tunings and chord structure.” Dave and Peter soon made a deal and now ToneGear is the exclusive international seller of the Spider Capo. “We plugged the Spider Capo into all of our distribution networks,” says Dave. “I showed the product to my distributors at NAMM, and all of them picked it up. In the future our companies may merge, but for now this is the way we have set it up. ToneGear’s mission is to become the go-to company for quality and unique guitar JUNE 2010

All ToneGear products are manufactured locally on Long Island and shipped out of Connecticut. Dave did price out China, which would have saved him roughly 30 percent in manufacturing costs, but as he puts it, “By manufacturing locally here and in the U.S., I’m putting about 20 people to work, and I like that.” The company does not have an official headquarters: There are eight people working for ToneGear, all from home offices. Chiappetta believes this type of work platform is what the future is going to be like. He has saved himself the overhead costs of an office, and with the Internet, Dave doesn’t feel the need for everyone to be working in the same room. Currently Dave is working on the music for a Broadway production, producing a pop/rock record, and running ToneGear full-time. How do all of these ventures work in harmony with one another? “I have a lot on my plate. I really don’t have a life other than my company and my work. I am lucky, though, because the music-making part acts as my free time – it’s what I really love.”

The String Cleaner for bass.

accessories. We’re not looking to add picks and straps. The only things that will be added to the ToneGear catalogue are products that I would personally use, that I think are new and interest-

ing. Right now I’m working on String Cleaner prototypes for the viola, cello, and upright bass. I’ll always be back at NAMM looking for products that may fit into our line too.”

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JUNE 2010

MMR 29

SURVEY: LIGHTING

Hit the Lights L

ighting and related Visual Effects are, to be sure, a “niche market.” Not every MI store even stocks Lighting – just 34 percent of the over-4,000 full line stores we contacted last month indicated that they carried Lighting/Effects gear – and even those that do are dependent on both local demand for such products, as well as their own ability to effectively market and promote them.

Given all of that, it’s not always easy to pinpoint any larger trends or draw a whole lot of hyper-specific conclusions about the Lighting market: Depending on who you speak with (and where their store is based, and what type of clientele it targets), you’re just as likely to hear that the market is terrible as you are to hear that it’s never been better. Nonetheless, our recent survey points to at least a few clear-cut truths. For one, “It seems that anything with LEDs is hot right now,” as Jon Hiller of Cowabunga Music in Anna, Illinois put it (and as 58 percent of his co-participants confirmed). Also, while churches and schools remain consistent consumers of Lighting gear, it’s the DJs and independent promoters who are accounting for the majority of purchases. Beyond that, there’s agreement… to disagree, vis a vis the current climate vs. the market at this same time last year. 36 percent report an increase in sales, 31 percent note a decline, and 33 percent claim little to no change (How’s that for definitive?). 30 MMR

Does your store currently offer Lighting products? Yes: 34% No: 66%

What buying trends have you been noticing in the past few months? What types of Lighting/ effects are “hot” right now? LED: 58% Lasers: 16% Moving Lights: 9% Fog Machines: 7% Trussing: 6% DMX Controlled: 4% JUNE 2010

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Why Don’t MI Stores Carry Lighting?

Overall, are Lighting sales up/down/level, compared to this time last year? Up: 38%

By Roy White, Product Manager, MBT Lighting MBT Lighting, a division of Musicorp, has helped several MI dealers integrate lighting into their stores to demonstrate how lighting can help increase sales. However, I’m still puzzled by the number of MI stores that do not display and sell lighting products. Some seem shy of lighting because they think it’s complicated and technical, but when he shows them it’s like plugging in a table lamp and turning it on, they get over that fear. Another objection I’ve heard is, “No one here knows lighting.” Again, I use the table lamp analogy and suggests a small, portable par can package or LED stage system for the showroom. When MI dealers see that it acts like a colorful, silent, extra salesman by itself pulling customers into the store, then they are sold. I strongly advise retailers to put the lights to work: for example, that lime green drum set that’s been sitting in the middle of the store for six months? Put a small stand with four flashing lights next to it and watch that beast roll out the door! Over the years, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with music retailers that don’t offer lighting products in their stores. When I talk to dealers not yet sold on the benefits of carrying lighting, this is my argument: The Five Points of MI Lighting The same customers who come into retail music stores are all prospective lighting customers. They are in bands playing weddings and clubs, church leaders and school groups, mobile DJs — all of whom will eventually need lighting.

Retailers who have lighting products bring in customers they wouldn’t normally see — those who want lights first and foremost. Would you like to see some fresh customers? Lights will attract them.

Lighting adds colors, brightness, excitement, and motion to a showroom floor. How many times has a MI store manager asked, “What can we do to improve the look of this place?” Add lighting products.

Lighting sets a music store apart from the competitors. If most other stores in town aren’t carrying them, and you’re all carrying basically similar product at the same price points, then this is a way to differentiate yourself from the others.

Lighting offers rental possibilities. Churches have that special event; schools and people throwing Halloween parties want that fog machine; bands performing at an especially high-profile showcase gig want that extra set of lights for accent. Rentals quickly pay for the equipment, and they often lead to sales as well.

32 MMR

Down: 29% Level: 33%

“Sales are up about 25 percent and even more in lasers. However, we can attribute our increase in laser sales to aggressive clearance pricing. “ Ken Udell Audio-Depot Madison, Wis. “Well you can’t really go by last year, but our lighting business is fine. Even last year was pretty good, considering” Sammy Ash, C.O.O. Sam Ash Music Corp. Hicksville, N.Y. “Very slow in this area... Many previous customers are ordering from catalogs or online.” Sonny Heller The “MUSIC BOX” Topeka, Kan.

Have you held any special promotions or sales specifically relating to Lighting? Yes: 27% No, but thinking about it: 52% No, and never will: 21%

Generally, who do you find to be the primary consumer for such product? Independent DJs, promoters:

55%

Clubs/venues: 18% Schools, Churches:

27% JUNE 2010

What percentage of your overall business does Lighting and related sales represent?

Less than 5%: 33%

“Lighting has started to finally catch on here in the cowboy capital land! Bands are upgrading and schools are purchasing a lot of the LED fi xtures as they upgrade older equipment.” Bob Josjor Lou Kraus Music Inc. Ogallala, Neb.

10%: 20% “It is getting very competitive and, although there are many new products, it seems margins are still a bit low when you consider the Internet and mail-order price matching!!” Dave Valdez Dave’s Music Center Brownsville, Texas

15%: 7% 20%: 20% 25%: 7%

“We have carried and sold some lighting products in the past, but we do not find enough demand to merit stocking these products at the present time. Special orders are a possibility.” Keith Weathers Weathers Music Corp. Salem, Ore.

More than 25%: 13%

Additional Comments? “Most people go to Guitar Center or order online. Best Buy could do well selling lighting products.” Bill Scotti Scotti Music Company Hamilton, Mass. & Exeter, N.H.

34 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1227

JUNE 2010

At A Glance:

South Jersey Music Who: Chris Basile What: South Jersey Music Where: Township of Washington, NJ When: 2004 Type: Full Line

That works: I play a little bit of guitar, drum, keyboards, and bass… just enough to sell them. I knew I wanted to be in music instrument business when… I started playing in bands as a teenager, then more so when I started working in a music store at age 19. Livin’ the dream: I’ve been married to my wonderful Linda for 12 years, who puts up with my workaholic ways. I have a 9-year-old daughter, Alicia, and a 21-year-old stepson, Dan. We have a Lhasa Apso named Sara and a new kitten, Cookie. Workin’ for a livin’: I have been in the music business in one way or another for over 25 years. I’ve held sales and management positions, owned an online retail business, and been a disc jockey for 12 years. Now I’ve owned a brick and mortar store for two years. How the heck does he do that? I also work a full time county government job as a 911 dispatcher. Career high point: Becoming an owner of a full line music store and expanding the business from our 1,200-square-foot store to a brand new 3,500-square-foot store. Best thing about my job: Making customers happy with their purchase and guaranteeing they return to our store.

“I

get total enjoyment

from putting a smile on a child’s face when mom or dad come in to purchase their first instrument.” 36 MMR

Most unpleasant part about my job: Having to fire excellent teachers because of their laziness and unwillingness to be on time. Proudest business achievement: Becoming part the Independent Music Store Owners (IMSO). What a perfect way to learn from other business owners who are your peers. IMSO has improved my business practices and bottom line over and over again. The most important things about managing a music store are: Customer service, inventory management, customer service, gross profit margin, customer service… and did I mention customer service? Holy fair deal, Batman: If I could change one thing about how MI business is done, it would be to even the playing field for music stores, no matter what their size is: same pricing, same buy-ins, same terms, same margins… same Bat channel, and same Bat time. JUNE 2010

Biggest pet peeve about the business: Manufacturers who won’t give you the time of day because you are not big enough. Who I admire most in this business: Chris Lovell, from Strings and Things in Memphis. Here is a businessman who had one of the largest music stores in the United States and lost it to an unfortunate situation, but that did not stop him from staying in the business. Instead he was fueled to rebuild. No matter how hard times are, he keeps plugging away to make a living and perpetuate what an independent music dealer really is. True or False: You can be happy AND rich in the music instrument business. Happy, yes. As a indie, I don’t think we will ever be rich. But I get total enjoyment from putting a smile on a child’s face when mom or dad come in to purchase their first instrument.

See us at NAMM Booth 1006

If I could lunch with any musician living or dead it would be: Living: Neal Schon of Journey. Dead: Buddy Rich. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me: Relaxing with the family and trying to catch up on some much needed rest (the sleep part doesn’t happen often). Favorite Quote: “I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” – American poet Diane Ackerman.

JUNE 2010

MMR 37

CASES & BAGS

Casing the Case Market M

anufactures have a lot to consider when moving their business forward – market trends, new technology, the global economy, and even issues as seemingly random as airport security. The latter is particularly true for case manufacturers. When MMR recently checked in with case manufacturers, we found that they seem to be recovering from the economic breakdown and are moving forward, but all seem to be heading in different directions.

“Our pro audio products continue to be a strong seller at this time. Our 3i Series of Injection Molded cases have been of great interest to the AV market including the Rane H4N Zoom Recorder case and the 3i-1711 Shure XLX cases. The accessory market is rebounding and there seems to be more interest in a broader range of products such as our Roto Rack Console and the Audio Visual Shelf. The market seems to be looking for lightweight air travel products such as SKB’s Injection Molded Watertight Guitar Cases with wheels, which will protect a musician’s gear.” Kathy Galbraith SKB Corporation

“We continue to innovate our case designs as new products drive us to be creative, not only in the protection of the item but in the application itself, as evidenced by the ever increasing popular38 MMR

ity of case designs such as our FlyPack Systems. This year we also fi lled out our iSeries musical instrument and DJ range to include many new guitar, bass, keyboard and other models, with one of the highlights being our Universal Guitar Case. We’ve also made improvements to cases, such as the fastening systems, which allow the user to more easily change out casters, racks, and rails.” Joe Calzone Calzone Case Company

“The airlines latest regulations and carry on restrictions are making cases that contain TSA latches very popular. The TSA latch allows the case to be locked while checked on

an airline, but can be inspected by TSA thus meeting the security standards. Gator currently offers many cases with TSA locks including guitar, keyboard, mixer, and utility cases. One interesting new trend is the increase in demand for ukulele cases. To meet this demand we have just introduced a new line of uke soft cases that are really fun with rigid sides and exterior pockets. Q1 of 2010 has been very strong in sales for Gator. We have been working incredibly hard to insure that we are the easiest and best case company to work with. We know that it is truly a buyer’s market and we want to insure that when a dealer has a choice they choose Gator.” Crystal Morris Gator Cases JUNE 2010

“In general, the case market continues to rebound after a disappointing 2009. We are seeing more new dealer inquiries, and we are seeing most all of our existing dealers reinvesting in product. This is a sign that consumers are going back into the brick and mortar store fronts and purchasing products again. While we expect 2010 to continue to show modest growth, we are really looking forward to 2011 when we expect to see substantial growth in our industry. We have postponed several new lines that are completely designed and ready to build, until later this year or early 2011. Lastly, the market for USA made products seems to be stronger than expected. This is perhaps an outgrowth of the average person realizing how dependent the American economy has become on foreign investors, and realizing that they can collectively make a difference by buying and supporting American made products. It is a new frontier of patriotism.” Steve Simmons Colorado Case Company

Mono’s EFX Series DJ Assault Gear

“Ace Products has weathered the economic storm very well and we are poised for growth. We are moving our offices into a larger facility next month and have hired more sales people to help handle the new business. Business is strongest for us in the mid priced Reunion Blues products down to the beginner Kaces bags. Our extreme high priced leather goods sales are still the weakest, which is why we have addressed this with aggressive pricing for our authorized Reunion Blues dealers. Overall, the market for cases and bags is holding steady and growing for us. Our new RB Continental cases are our best sellers right now. We started this line for guitar players, but have now expanded into the band instrument, percussion, and pro audio markets with cases for saxophone, trumpet, cymbals, sticks, and DJ applications. Edgy is the word we like to use, especially with our Kaces line of Grafi x bags and with our new Razor series bags for guitar and DJ applications. So far, the new Razor series is selling very well and we are looking forward to expanding that offer-

Gator’s Multi-FX

JUNE 2010

Mono Cases’ EFX series was designed for the professional DJ, producer, soundscapist, audiophile, and tech junkie. Laptops are becoming a critical compoment for live music creation. The EFX 385 fits laptops up to 17”, small stack of vinyls, Serato style interface components, hard drives, headphones, and cables. Removable inner divider creates extra space for a larger stack of vinyls, portable mixer or controllers.

www.monocase.com

Madarozzo Hardshell Case New this year from the makers of Madarozzo is the MA-W Series, a complete line of hardshell guitar cases designed and manufactured by Martin Ritter. Two of these are the W-010 Series and W-020 archtop Series guitar cases. Both feature multi-ply wood shell construction, black vinyl exterior with white thread trim, white fashion trims, embossed Madarozzo logo, chrome hardware, and black handle. While the W-010 Series has a black, contoured, padded, plush interior, the W-020 Series has similar features with a plush interior. The cases are designed to fit dreadnought, classic, electric, and electric bass guitars, A and F style mandolins, 4/5 string banjos, V-shaped electric guitars, and semi acoustic guitars.

www.madarozzo.com

Gator’s Multi-FX bag is made of rugged nylon and features a thick ½” padded interior and a large zippered accessory pocket providing storage for cables, tuners, and capos. The bag can be carried over the shoulder with its adjustable strap or on the side with a padded grip handle. The Multi-FX bag is available in three sizes for multi-effects pedal boards.

www.gatorcases.com

Case Logic’s Combo Case Case Logic combo case is designed to securely hold a flute/piccolo, laptop and all the other things a student may need. It comes with padded backpack straps, removable shoulder strap, organizational panels, and ample storage compartments for a music portfolio or books. The retail price is $59.95.

www.coloradocase.com

SKB’s Jaguar/Jazzmaster Guitar Case SKB’s 1SKB-62 is a hardshell guitar case for either the Fender Jaguar or the Fender Jazzmaster. The 1SKB-62 is molded with proprietary rubber-modified styMMR 39

rene. The EPS (expanded polystyrene) plushlined interior is designed to securely hold either a Fender Jaguar or Fender Jazzmaster guitar. The 1SKB-62 features SKB’s patented fiberglass reinforced nylon trigger release latching system with the inclusion of a TSA recognized and accepted locking latch. The TSA lock enables you to lock your case yet still be inspected for airline security. The TSA logo notifies TSA screeners that the latches do not need to be broken for a security check. A cushioned rubber over-molded handle, molded-in feet, and stacking wells are part of the exterior contours. The new 1SKB-62 is covered by SKB’s Million Mile Guaranty (Lifetime Warranty) and retails for $129.99.

www.skbcases.com

Calzone’s Guitar & Bass Hanger Calzone’s Guitar & Bass Hanger case is secured with a brace and a rubberized sleeve to protect the neck of the instrument. The mechanism folds into the accessory compartment, leaving ample room for straps, cables, etc

www.calzonecase.com

Levy’s Pro Series Gig Bags The new Pro Series gig bag from Levy’s features one inch foam padding, a neck stabilizing system, and strap pin suspension shock absorbers. Other features include a rain cape, hide-away shoulder straps, and multiple pockets. Pictured is model CPS20 for acoustic guitar. Levy’s Pro Series gig bags are available for acoustic, electric guitar, and electric bass guitar.

www.levysleathers.com

Kaces Expands Band Instrument Case Line Kaces is expanding its line of Polyfoam band instrument cases with the addition of several new color options for flute, clarinet, alto sax and trumpet. Features include heavy duty bolted handles, ergonomic backpack straps, MP3 player pocket with headphone port, and a six year limited warranty.

www.kaces.com

RB Continental Trumpet Case Reunion Blues is expanding their RB Continental line with the introduction of a trumpet case that combines contemporary design with instrument protection. On the outside, a one inch thick shock-absorbing Flexoskeleton exterior is lined with reinforced impact panels, and a knurled abrasion grid on the bottom is included to help resist scuffing. A large zippered “quick-stash” accessory pocket is also provided, along with an adjustable shoulder strap. 40 MMR

ing like we are with the RB Continental series in the Reunion Blues line.” John Maher Ace Products

“We have seen a growing consumer preference for hardshell wooden cases and have expanded our product range in this market segment throughout the last 12 months.” Martin Ritter Ritter Europe Ltd.

“Technology is changing the way we make music now more than ever. At the same time, musical styles are integrating and boundaries are blurring as musicians continue to innovate. With these new tools and evolving styles come new behaviors and needs that we must design for. We get inspired by those who are on the bleeding edge of music evolution, and our response comes in the form of product innovations. It is no accident that our EFX Series of “DJ Assault Gear” is sought after by bass players, drummers, guitarists, and vocalists as well as DJs.” Daniel Kushner Mono Cases

“The market remains a bit challenging, yet we’re witnessing a nice recovery across most of our case and bag segments. We’ve not identified any significant new trends, but we remain focused on providing our valued customers with the products, tools, and value added services that they need to ensure our mutual success. At Winter NAMM, we launched our new Vectramolded case series. During and after the show, we received extremely positive responses from artists, retailers, OEMs, and consumers. We also introduced our Graphic Enhanced Collection, which allows us to offer anyone, musician, artist, or group, the chance to create their own unique, one-of-a-kind case, displaying their personalized graphic image. Several bands, such as We Are The Fallen, have used our GEC cases as a marketing tool to support their new album releases.” Tom Dougherty TKL JUNE 2010

See us at NAMM Booth 1145

SIMPLY THE BEST UNIVERSAL MICROPHONE HOLDER

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Opens a full 2 inches • Protective clamp pads Holds any microphone • Guaranteed not to break Strong composition • Security lock

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See our other Clamp-on holders, no-creak goosenecks & lights at

Guardian Archtop Hardshell

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On the inside, there is a bell area suspension system, additional fitted interior pads for added protection, and a separate mouthpiece pouch, all crafted with a plush, quilted “double helix” velvet lining, one of the trademarks of the new RB Continental case line. A Ballistic Quadraweave exterior features corded edges and seams that are double- stitched with high tensile thread and reinforced at tested stress points, topped off with the RB Continental Zero-G palm-contoured handle designed with weight distributing foam core.

Work Light

Guardian’s Archtop Hardshell case features a three-ply, cross-grained wood construction for strength. The top is arched to give protection against exterior pressure or from a drop. Four gold-plated latches and one lock keep the top tightly secured. The rugged plastic handle has a comfortable grip and is tightly riveted to the body of the case. The Guardian Archtop Hardshell case is covered in classic black tolex.

The inside of the case features a grey plush lining, with multiple padding thicknesses for safety and fit. Dense foam cushions the sides of the instrument, and medium density foam provides the cushion underneath. The accessory pocket has room to fit a strap, picks, or a guitar tool. Guardian Archtop Hardshell cases are available for electric guitar, dreadnought, classical guitar, electric bass, and banjo, with a retail price of $59.99.

www.themusiclink.net 42 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 1420

JUNE 2010

We get it. There are not enough hours in your days. Your customers need you. Your employees need you. Everyone is pulling at you and you just want to make your work load easier.

Dana B. Goods is the exclusive US distributors for:

Dana B. Goods is here to help! With one simple call you

Guitars, Bass and Accessories

can order a wide variety of instruments and accessories. Our sales team are known for their low-pressure, fun attitude which makes ordering a pleasant experience.

By working with Dana B. Goods you get:

Michael Tobias Design

A wide variety of profitable, quality products Excellent customer support A painless, low-stress ordering process Tons of product training materials Aggressive product marketing A heck of a good time!

Analog Effect Pedals

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Call Dana B. Goods at (800) 741-0109 today and start having a good time all of the time! Dana B. Goods 4054 Transport Street, Unit A, Ventura CA 93003

danabgoods.com

sales@danabgoods.com

NAMM Buyers Guide

NAMM Buyers Guide PART 1

FRETTED Michael Tobias’ CRB & Saratoga Basses

Fleabass Street Bass The Fleabass Street Bass is a 34” full scale bass guitar available in four color combinations. The Street Bass has many of the same features as the Touring model at a more affordable price. Fleabass instruments feature Maple necks with Rosewood fingerboards, fully adjustable bridges, 20 frets, geared tuners, one single noise canceling pickup, and the Fleabass logo on the peghead. They also feature a string-through-body design and can also be strung at the bridge. The Street Bass is available in four high gloss color combinations: silver & black, black & white, blue & white, and white & black. The bass features a passive dual coil humbucking pickup with Alnico metal core, and also a fully adjustable cast metal bridge with large bridge-tobody footprint. www.fleabass.com NAMM Exhibit #1336 44 MMR

Bass builder Michael Tobias has created two new bass models for 2010 – the CRB and the Saratoga. The CRB features passive P-style pickups and is said to deliver a clean, powerful sound that sits well in the mix. The Saratoga is a passive bass with two J pickups, an ergonomic body and “is suitable for any style of music.” Both of these models feature carved basswood bodies, maple necks, and rosewood fingerboards. Players have the choice between four and five-string versions, each with 34-inch scale lengths. As for finishes, the CRB and Saratoga comes in either a tobacco sunburst or transparent black high polish finishes. www.danabgoods.com NAMM Exhibit #104

Kala Pocket Ukulele Kala Brand Music Co. has introduced the release of the Kala Pocket Uke. Measuring 16” from top to bottom the Pocket Uke is played on a Sopranissimo scale which totals 11” from nut to saddle. The Pocket Ukulele is constructed of solid wood and is available in three models, Acacia (KA-PU-ASAC), Mahogany (KA-PU-SM) and Maple (KA-PU-SSFM). The Pocket Ukulele is tuned in the same intervals as a baritone ukulele except in higher octaves. It can be tuned either DGBE (4th string to 1st) or F tuning (CFAD). Other features include a mahogany neck, rosewood fi ngerboard and bridge, 12 silver nickel frets, friction tuners with black buttons, satin fi nish, and premium Aquila Nyglut strings. A padded gig bag is included with each instrument. www.kalaukulele.com NAMM Exhibit #1328 JUNE 2010

Acoustar Collapsible Guitar The patent-pending Acoustar is a full scale acoustic guitar that features a neck that slides inside the body which then fits inside the included backpack. Both the full-size dreadnaught and the mini-dreadnaught models feature full scale string length of 25.5”. Collapsed, the full-size dreadnaught is 15.5” wide, 25” long and 5” deep. The mini is 12” wide, 25” long, and 4” deep. If the strings are over two weeks old, the Acoustar returns to pitch every time it is re-assembled. Included with every Acoustar are the string and neck protective covers, capo, ratchet wrench, and padded carrying bag. www.ministarguitars.net NAMM Exhibit #500

BAND & ORCHESTRA Phaeton’s Flugelhorn Models Phaeton’s new flugelhorn models feature a newly designed direct air column, which is said to improve volume control, projection, and focus in all ranges. Pistons are inter-

changeable for quick cleaning/lubrication, and solid brass machined finger buttons are coupled with heavy weight top/bottom caps. Phaeton flugelhorns are available in black onyx and matte silver plate. www.pjlamusic.com/phaeton NAMM Exhibit #330

Pearl’s Caloré Flute Headjoint Morgan Monroe’s Banjoleles and Banjolins Morgan Monroe has released six new models of banjoleles and banjolins. The four banjoleles offer two models with open back and two with resonators. These models are made of tonewoods such as rosewood, walnut, and maple. All models come with the 12 bracket configuration. The two banjolins are offered in maple or walnut, with quality hardware, and mother of pearl inlay. www.morganmonroe.com

The Caloré professional flute headjoint from Pearl was specifically designed for the needs of the American flute market. This style of headjoint is said to be capable of producing large amounts of sound without sacrificing the ability to play a wide range of dynamics. The cut features a large rectangular shape with large undercutting.

Fernandes Spalted Series Fernandes Guitars Spalted Maple models come in three body shapes and configurations. With the same specs and construction as Deluxe versions, the Ravelle, Monterey, and Dragonfly, Spalted feature Spalted Maple tops and matching headstock. The guitars also feature a mahogany body and set-neck, abalone splittrapezoid inlays in an ebony 24-fret fingerboard, locking tuners, Graph Tech trem nut, Tune-O-Matic bridge with stop tailpiece, EMG 60 in neck, and EMG 81 in bridge. The retail price is $899. www.fernandesguitars.com JUNE 2010

The new Caloré cut is coupled with the specially-designed curved taper found on other Pearl pro headjoints. The Caloré headjoint is a standard option on all Pearl’s Pro Japan made flutes. It MMR 45

NAMM Buyers Guide is available in standard and heavy wall models and can be customized with a variety of precious metal components, including sterling, pristine silver, gold, and platinum. www.pearlflutes.com

Knilling’s J. Rémy Carbon Fiber Bows J. Rémy all-carbon fiber bows are available in both solid and braided carbon fiber, and feature nickel-silver winding. They also feature a leatherette grip and

The Fastpack drums and hardware can be quickly and easily packed into three Mapex Fastpack drum bags. The bass drum and snare into fit into a padded rolling bag with wheels. The 8”, 10”, 12” toms all fit into a padded bag with a shoulder strap. A durable, easy-to-carry bag is provided for the hardware. This three-bag system is designed for fast and convenient transportation of the entire drum set. www.mapexdrums.com NAMM Exhibit #500

Anthem Snare Drum Kits

come with nickel-silver mounted ebony frogs with Parisian eye, pearl slide, and a three-part button. They are available for 1/2, 3/4, 4/4 size violins, violas, and cellos, and 1/2 and 3/4 size basses (French and German style). www.usbandsupplies.com

Mapex’s Horizon Fastpack portable drum set includes 20” x 12” bass drum, 8” x 6” and 10” x 7”mounted toms, 12” x 12” floor tom, 13” x 5” snare drum, and lightweight and durable Mapex 310 series hardware. The shells are constructed using a basswood and birch ply combination. The drums are covered with a durable, high gloss black covering, and the mounted toms feature the exclusive Mapex Isolated Tom Mount System (ITS).

46 MMR

Ludwig Add Rare Hardwood Veneers to Legacy Exotic Line Ludwig USA’s Legacy Exotic drum line adds rare hardwood veneers to the classic three-ply combination of inner and outer North American Maple and single Pop-

Anthem ASD-1K snare drum kits feature a 5.5x14” chrome plated snare drum with: hourglass shaped lugs classic style throw off with rubber comfort grip Durable butt plate

PERCUSSION Mapex’s Horizon Fastpack

factured from select grade straight-grained hickory. The stick is coated with SilverFox’s exclusive Duracrylix finish that is said to enhance durability and provide a smooth, easy-to-grip surface. The Nitestalk retails for $30 and the Thrasher for $15. www.groverpro.com

Double braced snare drum stand with locking snare drum basket, rubber feet, and height memory locking system Backpack style cordura case 2B drum sticks www.antheminstruments.com

Grover Pro’s New SilverFox Models Grover Pro adds two new models to the SilverFox line of sticks and mallets. The Nitestalk is a 16” long multi-rod with 25 nylon bristles secured to a 5/8” diameter high impact plastic handle. Nitestalks have a balanced, natural feel on both drums and cymbals. Each rod features a firmness adjustment band that controls the feel and flex of the nylon bristles. SilverFox’s Thrasher is a beefy double ended stick (16.25” length x .605 dia.), designed for high impact situations. Like all of SilverFox’s drumsticks, the Thrasher is manu-

lar core ply with solid Maple reinforcement rings. The three exotic hardwoods that make up the Legacy shell are vertical grain African Black Limba, Australian Lacewood, and Amazon Sumauma, each available in a choice of four different lacquer fi nishes. Every drum can be custom configured with the player’s choice of lugs and hardware. Prices vary depending on options, custom shell packs start at $4,999. www.ludwig-drums.com NAMM Exhibit #601

PRINT Hal Leonard Cheat Sheets Hal Leonard Guitar Cheat Sheets Top Hits: 45 Mega-Hits in Musical Shorthand series offers a combination of notation for each song. Lyrics, chord symbols, and chord voicings are included throughout, and any important riff is notated in easy-tofollow rhythm tab. No music reading is required, and all of the songs are presented on twoJUNE 2010

NAMM Buyers Guide page spreads to avoid page turns. Guitar Cheat Sheets Top Hits contains dozens of the recent hit tunes by artists such as Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, and more. www.halleonard.com NAMM Exhibit #1018

Part-by-Part Choral Director’s Resource Carl Fischer Music and BriLee Music have released the choral director’s resource: Part-by-Part, which consists of free partdominant vocal MP3s, full performance tracks, and piano accompaniment tracks. Choir members can use these part-dominant MP3s as home practice tools. Each track is sung by real, professional voices, so singers get the benefit of not only pitches and rhythms, but text, line, and

48 MMR

dynamics. There are no legal restrictions with respect to how these tracks can be used. Directors can post them on their Web sites, burn rehearsal CDs, send students to the site, and let them download the fi les, copy them to their own iPods, MP3 players, phones, and laptops. There are no hidden subscription fees and no free trial tricks; they are simply free. To find out if Part-by-Part exists for the song they’re working on, choral directors can look for the Part-by-Part logo on the front of the music. All of the latest 2010 titles from both Carl Fischer Music and BriLee Music are covered. www.carlfischer.com

Alfred’s Meet the Great Jazz Legends Alfred Publishing has re-released Meet the Great Jazz Legends, now available with a CD addition and lesson workbook. Dr. Ronald McCurdy illuminates stories about the lives, times, and music of great jazz musicians spanning the entire twentieth century, from early New Orleans jazz through the Golden Age of Swing plus the avant-garde and jazz fusion eras. Lessons include biographies of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, and more. A new

See us at NAMM Booth 327

CD addition allows students to listen to examples of recordings. For use in the classroom, the book is also available with reproducible activity sheets that reinforce the information in each chapter. Meet the Great Jazz Legends is available in the following packages: as a 72page book and CD package for $26.95, book only for $14.95, CD only for $14.95, reproducible activity sheets for $12.95, book and activity sheets for $21.95, and a deluxe classroom kit with all components for $39.95. www.alfred.com NAMM Exhibit #1118

Oxford’s Teaching Piano in Groups Teaching Piano in Groups provides a compendium of information related to all aspects of group piano teaching. Motivated by an ever-growing interest in this instructional method and its widespread mandatory inclusion in piano pedagogy curricula, Christopher Fisher highlights the proven viability and success of group piano teaching, and arms front-line group piano instructors with tools for practical implementation of a system of instruction in their own teaching. Contained within are: a comprehensive history of group piano teaching; accessible overviews of the most important theories and philosophies of group psychology and instruction; suggested group piano curricular competencies; practical implementation strategies; and thorough recommendations for curricular materials, instructional technologies, and equipment. Teaching Piano in Groups also addresses specific considerations for pre-college teaching scenarios, the public school group piano classroom, and college-level group piano programs for both music major and non-music majors. Teaching Piano in Groups is accompanied by an extensive companion Web site, featuring a multi-format listing of resources as well as interviews with several group piano pedagogues. www.oup.com JUNE 2010

Now

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Written and developed by the industry’s most talented and respected music educators Robert Sheldon, Bob Phillips, Peter Boonshaft, and Dave Black! Instrument-specific recordings and masterclass DVDs with renowned instructors and performers! First 100 lines of music included on SmartMusic! Available in both Standard and Director’s Choice editions. Director’s Choice allows music educators the chance to personally design their own method!

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NAMM Buyers Guide

ACCESSORIES AMV Sales’ Music Apparel & Accessories AMV Sales offers licensed and branded music apparel, posters, prints, cards, stickers, and buttons. They also offer music accessories and gifts such as Guistar Picks that feature authentic thumbprints from Elvis, Alice Cooper, and other rock stars. Their Rocky Mountain Slides are custom sized ceramic slides and tone bars with a glass-like feel and sound. www.amvsales.com NAMM Exhibit #1638

changes color from red to green when in tune. The new tuners are available in black, crimson Red, navy blue, silver, and pink. The tuners retail for $19.95 www.shsint.net

touch-sensor switches and SD-card recording media. Up to four tracks can be recorded or eight tracks played back simultaneously, plus an additional stereo track dedicated to the built-in rhythm generator. The recorder offers beginners an EZ Recording mode that interactively guides the user through the recording process. Other features include the Retry function, which re-cues automatically to fi x mistakes, and Song Sketch recording for instant, one-touch capture. There’s also a built-in stereo condenser microphone, plus a DR-880-quality rhythm generator for adding drum and percussion tracks to songs. Many of the effects are derived from BOSS’ flagship processors, including vocal effects from the VE-20, COSM guitar/bass effects from the GT-10 series, and modeled acoustic-guitar body effects from the AP-1 preamp. Connected to a PC, the BR-800 will function as an USB audio interface for recordings that utilize the internal effects. The BR-800 can also function as a control surface for DAW software. The retail price is $525. www.rolandconnect.com NAMM Exhibit #104

AmpliTube for iPhone

MXL’s Mic Preamp

The AmpliTube application for iPhone features stompbox effects, an amp-head plus cabinet, and a microphone. With AmpliTube fully loaded, the user can choose between five amp models (clean, crunch, lead, metal, bass) with full tone and drive controls, 10 stompbox effects (delay, flanger, phaser, overdrive, distortion, filter, wah, fuzz, octaver, chorus), five cabinets and two microphones (dynamic and condenser). The AmpliTube features a chromatic digital tuner and a metronome. It also has the ability to import and play along with songs or backing tracks, and create, save and, recall up to 36 presets. www.ikmultimedia.com

MXL Microphones’ MPAC-01 is a singlechannel microphone preamp/compressor for use in recording or mixing vocals and instruments. Built with metal construction, the MXL MPAC-01 is a standard 1RU sized unit that can be rack-mounted, placed on a desk, or other working surface. Features include an analog VU meter for signal monitoring, a variable high-pass filter to control unwanted low frequency, a -20dB pad for high decibel recordings, and switchable phantom power.

ergy transfer between the ToneRite and the instrument. The ToneRiteR is small enough to carry in a case, is nearly silent in operation, and can be attached to an instrument whenever it is not being played. The retail price is $185-$300. www.tonerite.com NAMM Exhibit #1336

New Colors from Tune Tech Tune Tech TT-10 tuners are available in five new colors. The TT-10 is a fully chromatic clip on vibration tuner with switch able modes that allow for tuning in the loudest environment. The TT-10 also features a bright back lit screen that

T-Rex Upgrades Room-Mate Tube Reverb Pedal T-Rex Engineering’s upgraded Room-Mate features enhancements based largely on user feedback. T-Rex has added a completely revamped spring mode. The Room-Mate emulates a shortspring reverb and longspring reverb. T-Rex has added a decay knob, which allows the user to adjust the length of the reverb trail in all four modes. A new hi-cut knob cuts the high notes on the tail of the reverb, giving the tail a smoother. A gain knob makes it possible to use the Room-Mate in an effects loop without overloading the pedal’s input stage. The retail price is $499. www.musiquip.com NAMM Exhibit #1618

ToneRite Improves Play-In Device ToneRite Inc. has released the third generation of its patented play-in device, the ToneRiteR. The redesigned model fits nylon and steel string acoustics, hollowbody archtops, thinlines, and acoustic bass. The ToneRite electronics have now been updated to allow for finer control of intensity and harmonic content. New Elastone Feet are said to fit better and be safe for long term use on instruments and also improve the en50 MMR

LIGHT & SOUND BOSS’ BR-800 Digital Recorder BOSS’ BR-800, a battery-powered studio to go, features a new design that includes

The MXL MPAC-01 also functions as a compressor to control dynamics. A compressor is an audio circuit that automatically adjusts or “compresses” the audio signal level for a more consistent dynamic range. The compressor function can be disengaged to use the MPAC-01 as a mic preamplifier only. www.mxlmics.com NAMM Exhibit #401 JUNE 2010

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NAMM Buyers Guide SHS Audio’s G2 Series Cabinets & SPM Mixers SHS International has added three new powered PA cabinets to their audio line up. The new cabinets feature a rugged ABS housing that is both impact resistant and light weight. A chambered inner air routing system delivers solid bass response and high frequency response. Also featured are balanced line in and out, XLR and RCA inputs, Vol, Low, Mid, and High EQ, as well as independent line and mic level controls. The new cabinets are available in 10, 12, and 15 two-way configurations ranging from 150 to 250 watts and offer crossover protected circuits, built in speaker stand cup, integral molded handles, steel mesh grills, and multiple cabinet angles for both main and monitor applications. Retail price is $229.95. SHS Audio’s SPM line of powered mixers includes three models, four channel 125 watts, six channel 150

watts, and an eight channel 200 watts. Features include a high speed cooling fan, five band graphic equalizer, digital delay, RCA in/out, effects loop, and headphone. www.shsaudio.com NAMM Exhibit #327

Irradiant’s RGB Mini Moving Head Irradiant’s newest LED powered mini moving head fi xture, the Irradiant SSDL-3201RGB, features 36 high output three in one RGB three-watt LEDs and produces 16.7M true 24 bit colors. This fi xture runs in DMX, Auto, or Sound Active modes and has a total of 16 built-in programs. It features a scan angle of 0~540°, a tilt scan angle 0~230°, and shutter speeds ranging from 10/sec ~1/10secs. Each three in one LED contains its own DMX controllable red, green, and blue nodes so the color mixing actually takes place within the LEDs themselves versus having the color mixing take place outside of the fi xture. This is said to make for better color mixing and true variable 16.7M color output. The retail price is $999.99. www.irradianthq.com

American Audio’s VMS4 Velocity MIDI Station American Audio’s VMS4 Velocity MIDI Station includes four MIDI and analog channels (MIDILOG), Virtual DJ LE software, Innofader cross fader option, and built-in mousepad. The VMS4 is both PC and Mac-compatible. Downloads of MIDI drivers for all popular DJ software titles are available on American Audios VMS4 Web site free of charge. Each of the mixers four channels is fortified with gain, treble, mid, and bass controls. All of the audio control faders, knobs, switches, and buttons are smoothed. MIDILOG channels are selectable either as USB or analog channels, allowing it to be used by computer DJs or as a regular analog mixer. Other MIDI features include 50 LED illuminated buttons, 34 assignable rotary controllers, five assignable linear fader controllers, four assignable rotary encoders, long-life MIDI-assignable touch strips, two 10-bit resolution pitch sliders, 62 assignable MIDI buttons and switches, dual MIDI controls on all buttons and switches, and dual 2000 point resolution touch-sensitive turntable search controllers. The retail price is $699.95. www.vms4dj.com NAMM Exhibit #518 52 MMR

JUNE 2010

World-Class

Guitars

from a

First-Class Distributor

For over 20 years, Lâg guitars have been cultivating an intense and loyal following in their native France and beyond. By combining old-world craftsmanship, select tonewoods, custom electronics and European flair, Lâg has created a range of exceptional guitars at surprisingly attainable prices. Korg USA is proud to be the U.S. distributor of Lâg guitars, and we would like to invite you to add the distinctive Lâg name to your store. Our sales and marketing programs are already in place and ready to help you maximize your profit potential.

Developed in collaboration with Shadow Electronics, the StudioLâg preamp provides instant access to five carefully voiced analog presets. Created using 31-band studio equalizers, each preset ensures a flawless presentation in your showroom. No fumbling. No guesswork. Just plug in and play.

NATURAL FOLK SOUND

MELLOW MIDS

STUDIO MID-CUT EFFECT

FINGER-STYLE PICKING

MELLOW JAZZ SOUND

Contact a Korg USA Sales Professional today at (800) 872-5674.

www.lagguitars.com

NAMM Buyers Guide

MISCELLANEOUS

Hohner’s Harmonica Pro Packs

Retail Up Solutions for Retailers

Hohner’s Pro Packs feature Marine Band, Blues Harp, Special 20, and Big River harmonica models. Each Pro Pack contains three harps in the keys of C, G, and A, and is priced to save consumers approximately four dollars per harmonica, 12 dollars total over the price of three individual harmonicas. The new Pro Packs are available nationwide in blister card packaging featuring pre-purchase selection information, a pocket product catalog, and a booklet of historical facts, notable figures, and stories about the harmonica. www.hohnerusa.com

Retail Up offers Web sites solutions for retailers. Web sites feature extensive product data and instrument rentals with live online forms that transfer customer information to a printed agreement and include associated accessories and books sales by school or instrument, drop-shipping from every supplier that offers it, e-newsletters, lead tracking, and lesson

scheduling. Retail Up also offers Point of Sale services featuring easy-to-use touch screens and menus, supported SQL database, and exports to QuickBooks, Peachtree, and Sage. www.retailup.com NAMM Exhibit #842

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

Worried about switching systems? Free import of your current customer data. View Online Training Videos & User Guide

Over 900 organizations switched to Jackrabbit

Super Easy web-based Music School Management Software “Jackrabbit web-based software is the most comprehensive, user-friendly program available; it's completed by constant enhancements, tireless support, and cutting edge technology.” - Matt Coker – www.CokerMusic.com Request a FREE trial at:

JackrabbitMusic.com

Orla’s Piano Accordion The KX10 Piano Accordion has been designed to allow accordion players to play without having to deal with the weight of the traditional accordion. The KX10 offers 128 general MIDI voices plus over 350 extra sounds from the exclusive ORLA Ultra XM sound library. The Sound Bank feature has 40 different

The Sound of Italy

18 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME AN ORLA DEALER 1. KX10 PORTABLE KEYBOARD 2. KX10 PIANO ACCORDION KEYBOARD 3. STAGE PLAYER 4. STAGE ENSEMBLE 5. STAGE PRO 6. STAGE PRO LITE 7. T3 TYROS STAND 8. CH176 CHURCH KEYBOARD 9. CLASSICAL 88 CHURCH KEYBOARD

10. CDP10 CONTEMPORARY 11. CDP20 CONTEMPORARY 12. CDP25 CONTEMPORARY 13. CDP31 CONTEMPORARY 14. CDP45 ENSEMBLE 15. GRAND 310 16. GRAND 450 ENSEMBLE 17. GRAND THEATRE ORGAN 18. COMPACT THEATRE ORGAN

accordion sounds. A variety of features such as Reverb and Octave Shift can be used to enhance the sounds. The built in USB disk port can be used to record musical data as well as being a SMF player. www.orlausa.com

E-mail: info@orlausa.com East coast office: 516.502.4001 West coast office: 513.543.0909 ©OrlaUSA 2010

54 MMR

JUNE 2010

See us at NAMM Booth 836

NEW!

Capo Tuner The ﬁrst capo wth an integrated chromatic tuner

Headstock Tuner

Tru-Strobe™ Pedal Tuner

Ultra-compact and accurate

Strobe tuning accuracy with an easy-to-read display

tuned for proﬁts ﬁnely

Universal II Chromatic Tuner Low on price, high on features

Metronome Tuner Easy-to-read supersized display

Our new tuner line delivers targeted features for the musician AND strong margins for you.

S.O.S Tuner

Tru-Strobe™ Tuner

LED strobe-on-string tuning

Great for pros, setups, & studio

Deluxe Tuner & Metronome The ultimate practice workstation

Y[[]kkgja]k 5 hjgÕ lk Contact your D’Addario sales representative today!

unparalleled customer service · orders in by 4:00pm out the same day · merchandising display options planetwaves.com I 1.800.323.2746 D’Addario & Company Inc. I Farmingdale NY 11735 I daddario.com D’Addario and Planet Waves are trademarks of D’Addario & Company, Inc. or its afﬁliates in the US and/or other countries. © 2010 D’Addario & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Exhibitor’s List

NAMM Exhibitor List Exhibitor 3RD POWER Amplification LLC Aboveground FX Absara Audio LLC Access Bags and Cases Acorn Pianos Advanced Plating Akai Professional Alesis LLC Alfred Music Publishing Co. Inc. Allen & Heath Alliance Rubber Company Amedia Cymbals USA American Audio American DJ Supply, Inc. American Guild of Organists American Music & Sound American String Teachers Association American Way Marketing LLC AMV Sales & Consultation LLC Analysis Plus Ansir Music AQUARIAN ART - Applied Research And Technology Art Strings Publishing Asterope, LLC Audio Media Avedis Zildjian Company Awesome Musical Instruments, LLC B & S USA B-Band, Inc. Bass Player Magazine Bazhou Basix Musical Inst. Co. Ltd Beamz Interactive Beard Guitars LLC BEiiMEiiUP Stuff, LLC Belcat Co, Ltd Benedetto Guitars Better Audio Technologies, Inc. Beyerdynamic Pro Big Island Ukulele Co. BigHeart Slide Company Bigsby® Blackstar Amplification BlueBook OnLine BML, Inc.

58 MMR

Booth# 1627 1635 1327 721 646 911 400 400 1118 900 223 505 518 518 150 900 150 230 1638 547 1705 713 300 1018 548 926 600 246 232 1123 926 1309 405 1422 212 1123 1546 1636 900 1610 1537 700 1524 838 1347

Exhibitor Bolt Boulder Creek Guitars Bourgeois Guitars Bourns, Inc. Brace Audio Corporation Breedlove Guitar Company Breezy Ridge Insts. Ltd. Bridgecraft USA, Inc BSX Burriss Amps & Effects Pedals C.F. Martin & Co., Inc. CADAUDIO Cakewalk Cascade Microphones Casio America, Inc. CE Distribution, LLC Cedar Creek Custom Case Shoppe Charles Dumont & Son Inc. Charles Navasky & Company Inc Cherry Lane Music Chesbro Music Co Christian Musician Magazine Cloud Microphones LLC Club World Cole Clark Guitars Collings Guitars Inc. Commercial Credit Reports, Inc. ConventionTV@NAMM Coopercopia LLC Cordoba Guitars Cort USA Curt Mangan D’Addario & Company, Inc D’Andrea Inc. D’Angelico Guitars Daisy Rock Girl Guitars DBZ Guitars LLC Dean B. Zelinsky Guitars Deering Banjo Company Diamond Amplification Inc Digitech Direct Sound Headphones LLC DJ Times DownBeat DR Handmade Strings

Booth# 437 1408 1405 1245 331 1210 1006 428 1309 1629 1200 322 318 312 736 1227 1205 918 443 1018 536 1138 308 838 1507 1201 CLUB 838 1702 1208 1309 1418 1401 1425 1248 1118 1119 1119 903 1119 1218 311 838 1029 1310

Exhibitor

Booth#

Drake Ceramic Instruments LLC Dream Cymbals and Gongs Eden Electronics Egnater Amplification Electro-Harmonix Elixir® Strings EMD Music Inc Emery & Webb, Inc. EMG Inc. Empirical Labs Inc Epilog Laser EQ Magazine Ernie Ball, Inc. Ernie Ball, Inc. Essential Sound Products, Inc. Evans Drumheads Extreme Isolation Headphones EZ Key Publishing Fargen Amplification Flavoreeds Flaxwood USA Inc. Fleabass Folkcraft Instruments Forge Fostex G-Wiz Electronics G7th Ltd Gall Tech LLC Gallien Technology Inc. Gallien-Krueger GAMA Teaching Guitar Workshops Gatchell Violins Co., Inc. Gator Cases, Inc. George L’s Musical Products GlassTones LLC Gold Tone, Inc. Goldfi sh Guitars LLC Grassroots Musical Distributor Gretsch Co. GretschGear.com Grip Studios Guangzhou Lang Qing Development Corp. Ltd. Guitar Edge Guitar Hands Guitar Player Magazine

239 704 906 1429 1518 728 1236 1045 1319 308 429 926 1600 1603 406 1401 311 1027 1449 744 1106 1336 907 437 900 343 1106 219 1513 1513 150 822 819 913 1224 1422 1110 214 700 700 1701 1344 922 1007 926

JUNE 2010

Exhibitor

Booth#

Guitars in the Classroom 150 GWW Group Inc. 1109 H & F Technologies, Inc. 810 H.E.A.R. - Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers, Inc 166 H.G. Leach Guitars 1501 Hagstrom Guitars 906 Hal Leonard Corporation 1018 Hall Crystal Flutes 743 Hamilton Stands 808 Hand Guitars 1244 Hanser Music Group 718 Hanson Musical Instruments, Ltd. 1626 Harmony 1309 Harris Musical Products, Inc. 1136 Headway Music Audio Ltd 1444 Heil Sound Ltd. 319 High Spirits Inc 1711 Holloway 1502 Holloway Harp Guitars 1502 Homespun Tapes, Ltd. 1018 Hosa Technology, Inc. 528 Hoshino USA Inc. 1318 House Band LLC 645 Howard Core Company 737 HOYER 526 HQ Percussion 1401 Hudson Music 1018 Hughes & Kettner 300 Humes & Berg Mfg. Co., Inc. 901 Hunter Music Instrument Inc. 828 IBC Trading Ltd 1106 IBMA 150 Indie Guitar Co. 1536 Innovation Strings 1505 International DJ Expo 838 ION Audio LLC 400 Jack Deville Electronics LLC 237 JamHub, LLC 410 JangleBox 1442 Jarrell Guitars LTD. 1528 Jay Turser 906 Jean Larrivee Guitars USA Inc 1000 Jeff Earl Design 1449 Jensen Musical Instrument Speakers 1227 John Pearse® Strings 1006 K and S Music 426 Kala Brand Music Co. 1328 KAM Instruments Corporation 345 Kelly Concepts, LLC 607 Keyboard Magazine 926 KEYS Program 150 KHS America 506 Kiwaya USA 1308 Koozee Armor Products, LLC 1716 Korg USA, Inc. CLUB Kurzweil USA 900 Kush Audio 308 Kyser Musical Products Inc. 1304 Lakland Guitars, LLC 1624 Lakota Leathers 1708 Lazy River Guitars 1712 Legacy Learning Systems, Inc. 1128 Les Basses Erizias 248 Levy’s Leathers Limited 1226 Line 6 1323 Line 6 RM213 Listen Hear 427 Lloyd Prins Guitar Company 1621 LM Products, Inc 725 Long Hollow Leather 1548

JUNE 2010

Exhibitor

Booth#

Lou Capece Music Low End Luanyu International Inc Ludwig Drum Co. Luminous Espial M Music & Musicians Magazine Mad Professor Amplification Ltd MADAROZZO Major Music Supply Mano Percussion

542 1437 825 601 446 240 1231 526 1209 906

Exhibitor

Booth#

Mapex USA Marshall Electronics Martin Ritter™ Meinl USA L.C. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Merano Musical Instruments Miami Audio Music Corp. Mighty Mite Miktek, LLC Miller Guitar Strap

500 401 526 610 928 719 1628 1309 209 224

Give Your Students the Instrument They Deserve

The First Step In Music www.eldoninstruments.com

A Quality Product by Antigua Putting quality instruments into the hands of students at prices their families can afford. Isn’t that what creating new music makers is all about?

Now available exclusively from: 877-526-2668

800-845-1922

MMR 59

Exhibitor’s List Exhibitor Ministar MJS Music & Entertainment, LLC Mobineko Mogami Cable Molten Voltage Moog Music Inc Morgan Hill Music Morpheus Motion Sound MP Audio Corp MTD Muse Inc Museum of Making Music

60 MMR

Booth# 906 924 336 401 206 CLUB 1408 437 437 347 CLUB 1326 150

Exhibitor Music Dealers Resource Group LLC Music Distributors Association Music for All, Inc Music Furniture Music Inc. Music Player Network Music Sales Corporation Music Teachers National Association Musical Distributors Group Musical Merchandise Review Musiquip Inc. MXL Microphones NAMM Foundation Pavilion

Booth# 334 150 150 1447 1029 926 1018 150 1436 1031 1618 401 150

Exhibitor

Booth#

National Association of School Music Dealers 150 National Piano Foundation 150 Native Music Rocks 150 Nektar Technology, Inc 646 NEMC 836 New Horizons International Music 150 NewBay Media LLC 926 Nord USA 900 Nova Strings Inc. 1446 Numark Industries 400 Old Jersey Music Lab 221 On-Stage Stands 800 Opus Enterprise 338 Orange Music Electronic Company, Inc. 1508 Oriolo Guitar Company 1400 Oscar Schmidt, Division of Washburn International 906 Osiamo LLC 332 Overture Guitars 1439 Pacer Concepts 1710 Paige Musical Products 1406 Pantheon Guitars, LLC 1405 Panyard, Inc. 604 Papa’s Boxes LLC 1606 Parker Guitars 906 Peak Music Stands 729 Pearl Corporation CLUB Peavey Electronics CLUB Pedaltrain 1511 Percussion Marketing Council 150 Performer Media 234 Perri’s Leathers Ltd 1531 Perry’s Music LLC 1611 Peterson Electro Musical Products Inc. 418 Phonic 906 Pick Guy, Inc. 1617 Pickboy 332 Pigtronix 1327 PJLA Music Sales & Marketing 330 Planet Waves 1401 Players Music Accessories 831 POWER Wrist Builders 709 Prat Basses LLC 1529 Premier Builders Guild 1428 Premier Guitar 922 Pro Audio Review 926 Pro Sound News 926 Pro Stage Gear LLC 1511 Pro-Active Websites 918 ProFile 906 PureSound 1401 PZTRONICS 200 Q Lighting 1629 Quik Lok 906 Rack Writer Inc. 204 Raising The Blues, LTD. 150 Randall Amplification 906 Rees Harps Inc. 827 Remo, Inc. 605 Retail Print Music Dealers Association 150 Retail Up! 842 Reunion Blues 1443 Reverend Guitars 1250 Rico Reeds 1401 Riptide Ukuleles By Boulder Creek 1408 Ritter Europe Ltd. 526 Rock House 1018 Rock It 422 Rock On Audio 202 Roland Corporation U.S. CLUB Rowdy Pickers Musical Products 226 ROX-XY G U I T A R S GmbH 1500 S.I.T. Strings Co. 1300 Sabian Ltd 710

JUNE 2010

Exhibitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List Exhibitor

Booth#

Saga Musical Instruments 1100 Salebug.com, LLC 320 Samick Music Corp. 636 Samson Technologies Corp 510 Santa Cruz Guitar 1211 Schneider Guitars 444 School of Rock 1144 SCORE 162 Score Mktg. 323 Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation 307 Shanghai Max Precision Instrument 729 Shenzhen Fzone Technology Co., Ltd 1544 Shoreview Distribution 207 SHS International 327 Shubb Capos 1010 SICA Speakers 1227 Sixth Street Ocarina 244 SKB Corporation 1145 Sonic Edge 1449 Sonoma Wire Works 408 Sony Electronics Inc. 207 Soul House Sound, LLC 1426 Souldier 1706 Sound & Communications 838 Source Audio LLC 442 St. Louis Music 436 Strings & Things Ltd. 1505 Strings by Aurora 1110 Studio-Blue 309 Studiologic 900 Supro 1327 Taixing Shenyun Stringed Instruments Co. Ltd. 829 Taylor Guitars 105 TC Electronic 229 TELEFUNKEN USA LLC 213 Telescript, Inc. 228 Testa Communications 838 The Case Brace Company 1527 The Club CLUB The Lampifi er Company 208 The Music & Sound Retailer 838 The Music Link 1336 The Music Link 1343 The Music People! Inc. 800 The Musician Network 1142 The Paige Capo 1406 The RapcoHorizon Company 411 TKL Products Corp. 1205 TMP Pro Distribution 800 ToneRite 1336 ToneRite, Inc. 1336 Tornavoz Music 1208 Traveler Guitar 1613 Tri-Technical Systems, Inc. 1037 Tropical Music 1307 Tunerguard 1704 TV Jones, Inc 1427 Two Old Hippies 1009 Tyler Retail Systems, Inc. 1043 U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies Inc. 436 Ultimate Ears 306 UltraSound Amplifi ers 1525 UpBeat Daily 1029 US Music Corp 906 V-Picks 1538 V.J. Rendano Wholesale Music 328 Vee Strap 1542 Veritas Instrument Rental Inc 818 Vintage Guitar magazine 238 VNewsletter 838 Voyage-Air Guitar, Inc. 1501 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. 728 Waldron Instruments, Inc. 1612 Warwick 718

JUNE 2010

Exhibitor Washburn International Wave Distribution Wavelength Audio, Ltd. WD Music Products Wechter Guitars Wedgie Products Wells Company Wild Ass Suits Williamson Works Willis Music Company Wilmington Fibre World Liberty Thailand Co., Ltd. Worldwide Music Services, LLC

Booth# 906 308 444 1420 1329 1408 1542 443 1445 1018 1229 236 1126

Exhibitor Wristies Xcel Drumsticks, LLC XP Audio, Inc Yamaha Corporation of America Yorkville Sound Inc. Zaolla Silverline Zuni Custom Guitars & Amplifiers ZZGuitarWorks

See us at NAMM Booth 536

Booth# 1707 210 437 618 300 528 1539 1703

MMR 61

NAMM University

NAMM University FRIDAY, JUNE 18 BREAKFAST SESSION

Breakfast 8–8:30 a.m. (first come, first served); Session 8:30–9:30 a.m. Grand Ballrooms, Renaissance Nashville State of the Industry Address Joe Lamond, President/CEO, NAMM, and Guests NAMM President/CEO Joe Lamond will lead the State of the Industry Address, discussing the changing economy, its impact on the industry and the upcoming challenges and opportunities as the music products community prepares for third- and fourth-quarter business.

IDEA CENTER SESSIONS

Booth #837 New sessions start every 30 minutes, unless otherwise noted.

10:30 a.m. What’s Working for My Store—Now! Presented by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks, with Panel No theory, no fluff, just actual tales from the front line of music retailers. Danny Rocks has assembled a panel of music retailers who will share the ideas that are actually working for them, now! Five ideas in twenty minutes! These are ideas you can quickly adapt—no matter the size of your store, the size of your trading area, or the range of your product lines! 11 a.m. How to Get a Crowd in Your Store Every Day! Presented by Bob Popyk, Founder of Bentley-Hall, Inc., and Columnist for Music Trades Magazine It takes some creativity and planning to generate business on those off days. Listen in for a dozen ways to keep the cash register ringing in the slowest of times. 11:30 a.m. 5 Ways to Get More Business out of Every Customer Presented by Bob Popyk, Founder of Bentley-Hall, Inc., and Columnist for Music Trades Magazine It takes a little effort to create that extra sale, otherwise you could replace your salespeople with vending machines. There’s more business than you might think coming in your store with every customer who

62 MMR

walks through the door. Bob will present some easy ways to maximize every sale to substantially increase your overall sale.

Noon (Double Session) Back to Basics: DNA of a Successful Music Store Presented by Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, PC Even though most music retailers are selling similar products and offering similar services, the way each retailer goes about their business is as unique as our DNA. However, in the final analysis, there are a few similarities found among financially successful retailers. From financial management to customer service, routinely performing some basic but important tasks separates the profitable from the bankrupt. Join music industry consultants Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe as they take the time in this double session to highlight these essential tasks and give you some insight that could change your music retailing DNA. 1 p.m. Basic Marketing for Smart Music Store Owners Presented by Scott Robertson, APR, Director of Marketing & Communications, NAMM Marketing is part science, part art, and just filled to the brim with a ton of jargon, acronyms and theory. And some of that stuff can be very useful in running your JUNE 2010

business. Learn the difference between goals, strategies, tactics—and why you should know and care about these terms. Don’t have a marketing plan for your store? No problem! We’ll walk through one together as you ask questions, learn from your peers—and have some fun.

1:30 p.m. Finding More Customers and Capital in a Continually Changing Economy Presented by Mark Dobosz, Executive Director of the SCORE Foundation and VP of Development for SCORE Whether in good times or bad, businesses need access to two important things: more customers and accessible funding. This session will give you practical tools and tips that can help you access FREE resources to boost your business marketing and identify new capital opportunities.

3 p.m. (Double Session) How to Manage Your Inventory for Maximum Profit Presented by George Hines, President, George’s Music Is it possible to manage your inventory profitably while continuing to offer your customers a good selection of products? The answer is “Yes!”—as long as you follow an

integrated strategy for purchasing, budgeting and measuring the performance of your inventory. Join George Hines, of George’s Music, as he provides answers to these questions: What is the proper amount of inventory for you to stock? What are the best strategies to follow when purchasing inventory? How can you maximize inventory turns and gross margins? What “key indicators”

2 p.m. Give Your Lesson Program a Profit Makeover! Presented by Robin Walenta, West Music Co. We’ve heard it all before: lessons bring traffic, not profits. But don’t stop there. Make your lesson center one of your biggest profit centers. Join Robin Walenta of West Music and learn different strategies on how to run a successful (and profitable!) lesson studio operation. 2:30 p.m. 5 Things to Consider When Placing a Purchase Order Presented by Peter Dods, Owner, Easy Music Center It’s one thing to know all about music products—but it’s another to be a savvy music products buyer for your business. If you want to feel confident about your store’s purchasing decisions, then this session will help you avoid the school of hard knocks! Learn the right questions to ask and the factors to consider before ordering, regardless of the economy. Join fellow retailer Peter Dods as he shares practical advice and real-life experience to avoid some of the buying mistakes and pitfalls, in order to manage a positive and consistent business climate for your staff and store. JUNE 2010

MMR 63

NAMM University should be in place to help you maximize your profits and customer satisfaction?

4 p.m. (Double Session) Improving Your Business Cash Flow through Your Music Lesson Program Presented by Pete Gamber, Owner, Alta Loma Music, and “The Lesson Room” Columnist, Music Inc. Magazine During ever-changing economic times, every retail business has the same

two immediate challenges: 1) How to get more consumers into your store; and 2) How to get more cash into your business from these customers. Pete Gamber will show you how your lesson program can meet both of these retail challenges by increasing your store traffic AND increasing sales and revenues! Join Pete as he walks you through practical ideas and tips to increase your rentals, print music, repairs, small goods, and yes, even your

LOCK DOWN MORE PROFIT

Now you can prot from your customer’s demand for Floyd Rose Become a Floyd Rose parts dealer and benet from: • A complete selection of authentic Floyd replacement parts Original, Lefty, 7-STG and Pro’s • New point of sale packaged high performance parts • Increase store trafc and prots • Original Floyd Rose tremolos now available in 2 new nishes: Black Nickel & Antique Vintage Bronze

Call and become a Floyd dealer today:

732-918-7001

NOW AVAILABLE IN ATTRACTIVE POINT OF SALE PACKAGING

info@FloydRose.com Floyd Rose Marketing P.O. Box 601, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 USA 64 MMR

large-tag items—all because of your lesson program—starting tomorrow!

SATURDAY, JUNE 19 BREAKFAST SESSION

Breakfast 8–8:30 a.m. (first come, first served); Session 8:30–9:30 a.m. Grand Ballrooms, Renaissance Nashville Driving Customer Traffic and Sales in This Economy with Destination Principles Jon Schallert, The Schallert Group, Small Business Consultant and Destination Business Expert This session takes Jon Schallert’s proprietary 14-step strategy to turn a business into a Consumer Destination and focuses on the most important tools that business owners must use in today’s economy to thrive and survive. Retailers will leave with concrete “to-do’s” they can immediately implement in their business to drive more customer traffic—despite today’s challenging economy. Jon promises to engage audience members in a compelling session that reveals their current business challenges and shows them how his Destination principles can be applied with amazing results.

IDEA CENTER SESSIONS

Booth #837 New sessions start every 30 minutes, unless otherwise noted. 10:30 a.m. Top 5 Marketing Ideas Using Social Media: If You Do Nothing Else, Do These! Presented by Jen Lowe, BoomBoom Percussion Join Jen Lowe for this special session as she shares real results from using social media from rock star retailers! These are simple and real-life marketing techniques that were applied by music industry retailers—each with unique success. Come away with the Top 5 ideas to use in your own business, and get inspired to start putting at least one of the suggestions into action right away! 11 a.m. Do I Have to…Be on Facebook and Twitter? Presented by Jim Hodgson, hodgsonco.com In this session, Internet specialist Jim Hodgson answers the questions he’s heard most from NAMM Members “Do I have to use Twitter?” “What does it mean for JUNE 2010

NAMM University my business if I don’t have a Facebook page?” “Is it always necessary to do the latest thing?” These questions and more will be addressed. Plus, Jim’s sessions always promise a lot of fun, so come join us!

11:30 a.m. Start Driving Customer Traffic Today with Facebook Presented by Mike Nessen, CEO, Rinforza Social Media Marketing With hundreds of millions of people visiting Facebook daily, you don’t want to miss out on learning how to use this vehicle as a way of driving traffic to your store. Join music products marketing and technology professional Mike Nessen as he shows you how it can be done by anyone, with littleto-no experience. This session will focus on easy steps to make an instant impact on Facebook, connect with new customers online, and build your business today! Noon How to Start Selling Your Products Online: A Checklist for Success Presented by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks Setting up an e-commerce Website to sell your products is not “rocket science.” However, there are certain key steps you do not want to overlook—you need a checklist to make sure you’re ready to sell and fulfill orders on day one. But what if no one shows up to buy on opening day? How do you attract paying customers to your e-commerce site? Danny Rocks of The Company Rocks will give you a checklist for this as well. 12:30 p.m. Your Business Budget: Plan to Make a Profit! Presented by Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, PC You’ve planned your instrument purchases for the rental season; you’ve planned your accessory buys for the holiday season; maybe you’ve even planned for a rainy day. But have you planned to make a profit? You would never build a house without a blueprint, so why would you run your business without a budget? By creating and diligently using a budget, you can practically assure profitability for your store instead of just “hoping for the best.” Join music industry consultants Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe as they JUNE 2010

walk you through a simple but effective budgeting tool for today’s music retailer.

1 p.m. A Creative Approach to Merchandising without Spending a Fortune Presented by Jen Tabor, Souldier Guitar Straps, USA Did you know that your store already houses many tools needed to revamp it? Get a fresh look with a few simple

ideas and tips that will cost you little, if anything. Your employees are part of this strategy too. With this in mind, now is the time to make some changes! Join Jen Tabor for creative tips for a shop makeover. No more business as usual. Topics include maximizing the potential of the “youth” in your store, and making the most of your store setup so you can spend less while increasing your cash flow.

Meeting the Needs of Students for More Than 30 Years ... Our Best-Selling SV-175 Cremona Violin! Cremona bowed instruments have set the pace for the vibrant student and rental markets for over 30 years. Strict adherence to international sizing requirements, domestic educational set-up standards and continuous quality improvement have made Cremona Violins, Violas, Basses and Cellos proven sales leaders. Our best-selling, ebony fitted SV-175 Cremona Premier Violin Outfit has recently been upgraded to include the J.LaSalle LB-13 Octagonal Bow and the TL-33 deluxe rectangular Travelite case.

Cremona SV-175 Violin Outfit: •All-solid carved, graduated construction •Seven sizes from 4⁄4 to 1⁄16 •Long lasting ebony fittings •Finetuner tailpiece for precise, easy tuning •Rugged TL-33 Travelite case •Well-balanced J.LaSalle LB-13 bow with ebony frog

249

Suggested Retail

SV-175

See us at NAMM Booth 1100

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

MMR 65

NAMM University 1:30 p.m. Build Your Customer Base and Increase Your Sales for Free Presented by Josh Vittek, Joshua Paul Vittek and Associates Generate the media press coverage you deserve. This discussion will cover how you can benefit from a public relations effort; what is public relations and how it differs from marketing; how to utilize your local print, television and digital me-

dia to generate ‘earned media coverage’; and how to integrate social media—all to build your store brand, your reputation, your sales and even your relationships with customers, neighbors and vendors.

2 p.m. (Double Session) Sales Strategies from the Top: Ten Secrets to Success for Selling More! Presented by Bill Hinely, Bill Hinely & Company

With the right sales strategies, you can be among the best when it comes to moving products! Learn the amazingly simple techniques and tactics that separate the super sellers (the top 1 percent) from rest of the pack. Join Bill Hinely for this dynamic session, based on studies of outstanding salespeople in various industries—including music products. Don’t settle for average sales when you’re just a few great ideas away from multiplying your results. This is a great session for salespeople and sales managers alike.

3 p.m. YouTube or Your Lesson Program: How to Sell Music Lessons to Your Customers Presented by Pete Gamber, Alta Loma Music, and “The Lesson Room” Columnist, Music Inc. Magazine In the world of YouTube, Craigslist, the local Parks and Rec department, and the dude at church, the basic question, “Why should I take lessons at your store?” will undoubtedly arise. Join Pete Gamber as he shows you how to train your staff to handle your store’s lesson program selling points versus other music lesson competitors. Together you’ll come up with a list of benefits to market to new students and to help staff and new trainees. You’ll leave focused on why your store’s lessons can help students and increase future sign ups! 3:30 p.m. Increase Your Store Traffic by Hosting In-Store Events Presented by George Hines, President, George’s Music Are you still waiting for customers to come into your store to shop? If so, you may be in for a long, lonely wait. Why not give your customers a reason to visit your store, so that you can help them buy your products? Why not invite your customers to attend an in-store event? Events will entertain and excite your customers while giving you the chance to showcase your staff and products. George Hines of George’s Music will show you how to pick the right in-store events; choose the right people to manage the events; and measure the effectiveness of your in-store events. 4 p.m. (60-Minute Session) How to Make a Quick Buck—or Two! 66 MMR

JUNE 2010

Presented by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks, & Panel Every store needs to find quick ways to generate revenue. How can you grab a fast sale without cheapening your store’s reputation? How can you create some retail excitement in your store to get customers spending? How can you make a buck by saving a buck? It’s the little things that count. Join Danny Rocks and his panel of retailers as they share details about ways to jump-start sales—when they are most needed! You will come away with ideas that you can put into action Monday morning!

SUNDAY, JUNE 20 BREAKFAST SESSION

Breakfast 8–8:30 a.m. (first come, first served); Session 8:30–9:30 a.m. Grand Ballrooms, Renaissance Nashville

be drinking the social media Kool-Aid. We might even get you to start using the word “tweet” in your daily conversation.

11:30 a.m. Streetwise Blogging Presented by Kenny Smith, Music Inc. Magazine Columnist Today everyone wants more store and Website traffic! “Streetwise blogging” can make a difference in turning that desire into reality. Join Kenny Smith, sales training guru and columnist for Music Inc. Magazine, as he reveals how blogging can rev up your store and your employees to blast your way into the blogosphere. He’ll share powerful blogging techniques you can use to generate more sales leads and local traffic, all for FREE! Attending this session could make a big difference in your bottom line.

The best capo for intonation for the past 30 years

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NOT STRETCHED OUT OF TUNE! learn more at: www.shubb.com/bestcapo

Best in Show: This Year’s Hottest Products Frank Alkyer, Publisher, Music Inc., with Panel With many exciting new products at the show, it’s sometimes difficult to make sure you’ve seen all the important new items. Join Music Inc. publisher Frank Alkyer and a panel of retail buyers, media and gear heads as they scour the aisles and dig into the merchandise to find the best products, ideas and trends. You know as soon as you get home, someone always says, “Did you see the new … ?” and you feel like you’re the only person who missed it. Here’s the chance to change that in this rapid-fire, 60-minute snapshot of what to see before leaving Nashville.

IDEA CENTER SESSIONS

Booth #837 New sessions start every 30 minutes, unless otherwise noted. 10:30 a.m. (Double Session) Social Media Update: People Who Won’t Say “Tweet” Support Group Presented by Scott Robertson, APR, Director of Marketing & Communications, NAMM Check in on the latest in social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and how these tools are being used in the music products industry. Bring your tough questions about control, risk, privacy and your general discomfort about this technology; by the time we fi nish, you’ll JUNE 2010

Noon Big-Time Social Media Results from Small-Store Resources Presented by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks Sure, you want to be on Twitter, and Facebook and YouTube. But you also need to run your store. So how do you fi nd the time and the technical know-how to take advantage of social media opportunities? Is it possible to get “big-time” social medial results without spending tons of time? Yes. Danny Rocks will share actual music dealer social media success stories with you in this session. Dealers of all size are welcome!

707-843-4068 info@shubb.com | www.shubb.com

See us at NAMM Booth 1010

America’s Premier Guitar & Bass Parts Supplier

Delta Series by GOTOH 1:21 ratio

12:30 p.m. (Double Session) 2010 Best Tools for Schools Awards Presented by Symphony Publishing Symphony Publishing editors and guests host the announcement of winning products in the annual Best Tools for Schools Awards. Come see what students and leaders in music education and business have chosen as the most relevant and innovative quality products being showcased at 2010 Summer NAMM. 1:30 p.m.–4 p.m. Wanna Play Sunday Workshops and Clinics Please check www.namm.org/wannaplaysunday for more details and updates.

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MMR 67

Supplierscene Deering Launches New Web Site Increased customer demand for more details, historical data on the banjo models, artist sound bytes, and informative videos prompted Deering Banjo Company to create and launch their new Web site. With over 100 models to choose from in the Deering, Tenbrooks, vintage Vega and Goodtime lines, the daunting project was recently completed and each banjo has pages with tabs for technical specifications, customer testimonials, and high resolution photographs so that they can see greater detail on each model. To help customers find an authorized Deering dealer anywhere in the world, a new “dealer locator” feature has also been added. The new Web site includes offerings from premium resources as well as the much needed proprietary Deering banjo parts customers have asked for over the years. The site has a secure server to protect customers’ vital information when placing orders for banjos and accessories. An extensive video library continues to be added to daily and current offerings include factory footage, artists playing banjos and will eventually include detailed footage on all banjos made by Deering as well as maintenance manuals and technical FAQs. Visit the new Web site at www.deeringbanjos.com.

Jim Wunderlich Joins Pearl & Adams Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments have added Jim Wunderlich to their roster of percussionists, composers, and educators. Jim is entering his fifth year as the Front Ensemble Caption Head and arranger for The Concord 68 MMR

Blue Devils. The 2007 & 2009 Blue Devils were awarded the honor of DCI World Champion Drum Corps, and the percussion section received the Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion Performance. For more information, visit www.pearldrum.com.

Inked By Evans Evans has launched the Inked by Evans program for B2B customers. Evans new program allows drummers to print a large, color graphic on bass drumheads with Ev-

ans new high-resolution printing system. This new opportunity for dealers will allow for one-on-one time with customers to get first-hand input and feedback on the hottest designs, allowing dealers to stock surefire favorites and optimize their customized head inventory. To purchase Inked by Evans, please visit www.inkedbyevans.com.

cian, Spece has performed in a variety of venues around the country including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Embassy of France in Washington DC, the Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Benaroya Hall, and Avery Fischer Hall among others. He has performed in numerous chamber music series including the Smithsonian Hirshorn Museum Recital Series, the Mozart Society of California Chamber Music Series, the Instituto de la Cultura Festival de Primavera, and the Summer Festival of Sacred Music in New York City. To find out more, visit www.conn-selmer.com.

FDW Reduces Price of Audient Zen Console FDW Corp has announced a price reduction for Audient’s Zen mixing console. The Audient Zen is an analog mixing console combining DAW I/O integration with optional moving fader automation, and transport control.

LÂG Guitars Chooses Elixir Strings LÂG Guitars has chosen Elixir Strings to outfit their acoustic steel string guitar models. LÂG made their U.S. debut in January 2010 with the unveiling of the Tramontane line of acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars. Based in France, LÂG has been making guitars for over 25 years under the guidance of master luthier Michel Lâg Chavarria. Named for a seasonal wind in southern France, the Tramontane line includes both steel string and nylon guitars. For more information, visit www.lagguitars.com.

To streamline production, Audient has discontinued two of their initial Zen models, focusing on the more popular Zen 16MP and Zen 16MPMF. According to Chris Walsh, director of sales for FDW, lower than expected production costs and a favorable turn in the exchange rate, have allowed FDW to substantially reduced prices. For more information, visit www.audient.com.

Dr. Richard Spece Named as Endorsing Artist for Conn-Selmer

Marshall & Dave Mustaine Sponsor Amp Contest

Conn-Selmer has added Dr. Richard Spece to its artist endorsement roster for Selmer-Paris clarinets. As an accomplished orchestral and chamber musi-

A special, one-of-a-kind Marshall amplifier cabinet was recently presented to the winner of a Dave Mustaine/Marshall Amplification contest. Minnesota-based JUNE 2010

Supplierscene

Recent Dave Mustaine/Marshall contest winner Bart Schneider and Cory Lake, the owner of Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Marshall dealer American Guitar and Band.

Marshall dealer, American Guitar and Band made the presentation. During the development of his signature Marshall cabinet, Dave Mustaine visited the Marshall factory in the U.K. and hand built a one-off cabinet with the help of the production staff. As is tradition at Marshall, the person building a cabinet signs his or her name to it, so the cabinet Mustaine built bears his signature, as well as that of Dr. Jim Marshall, OBE. The cabinet was offered as a prize for a contest that was run through the Megadeth’s and Marshall’s, Web sites.. The contest pulled over 4000 entries. The winner, Bart Schneider, who resides in Minnesota, was presented with the cabinet by Cory Lake, the owner of American Guitar and Band in Maple Grove, Minnesota. As an extra bonus, a special copy of the DVD that ships with all Mustaine signature cabinets was enhanced specifically for Schneider with additional foot-

age of Mustaine building the exact cabinet given away in the contest. For more information, visit www.marshallamps.com.

Ultrasone Expands Artist Endorsers Morris Hayes, keyboardist for Prince, and Maceo Parker have both chosen Ultrasone’s HFI-680 headphones. Blue Oyster Cult’s legendary guitarist Buck Dharma has selected Ultrasone’s PRO-750. For more information, visit www.ultrasone.com.

Joint Venture for Skullcandy & Roc Nation Skullcandy has partnered with Roc Nation. This first joint venture for the two brands affords both the opportunity to collaborate in the marketing as well as the creative direction of all merchandise. First up in this venture is the Roc Nation

HUNTER NEW YORK

QUALITY BAND INSTRUMENTS FROM HUNTER

Provide your customers with the highest quality instruments and the best possible price points. Hunter offers a full line of instruments that are made to the best standards. Call us today to find out how you can profit from Hunter Musical Instruments. Fast shipping available from our New York warehouse.

HUNTER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 3300 Northern Blvd. Long Island City, NY 11101 (718)706-0828 Q FAX (718)706-0128 www.huntermusical.com 70 MMR

See us at NAMM Booth 828

JUNE 2010

Aviator, designed with metals, polycarbonate headphone cups, plush memory foam ear cushions, and premium materials. For more information, visit www. skullcandy.com.

RS Berkeley’s Latest Artist Endorsers

and Zaolla Silverline brands throughout Singapore. Specializing in guitarist- and performer-oriented brands, BGW Guitars’ focus is on high-quality, value-driven products. BGW Guitars offers both retail and wholesale service to the region. The company will expand their distribu-

tion capabilities as they incorporate Hosa’s extensive lines into their line card. Hong Kong-based Hi-End Tech will now be distributing the Hosa Technology and Zaolla Silverline brands. In addition to the Hong Kong market, the company’s territories include the People’s Republic

RS Berkeley has signed Chops Horns’ Darryl Dixon, Dave Watson, Mark Williams, and William Helmers as their newest artist endorsers. Darryl Dixon and Dave Watson have over Dixon & Watson 30 years of experience creating horn arrangements. Mark Williams has displayed his talents in the world of hip hop as well as in the jazz community. William Helmers has been

Helmers

Williams

a member of the Milwaukee Symphony since 1980, performing on saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Mr. Helmers is also a member of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra and Present Music. www.rsberkeley.com

Hosa Technology Joins Asian Distribution Firms Hosa Technology recently granted distribution rights for the company’s range of products to two new distribution firms in the Asia Pacific region – BGW Guitars of Singapore and Hi-End Tech of Hong Kong. The agreements are expected to increase Hosa Technology’s presence throughout Asia. Singapore-based BGW Guitars will now represent both the Hosa Technology JUNE 2010

See us at NAMM Booth 1304

MMR 71

Supplierscene of China, Macau, and Taiwan (Republic of China). For more information, visit www.hosatech.com.

Lick Library Live Web Cast Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt will be the next presenter in the Lick Library Live Webcast series. Lick Library will be bringing this opportunity to interact with Rick in person on June, 1 2010. Rick will discuss

a variety of topics. Viewers will be able to ask Rick questions and interact with other viewers via a live chat feature. Performances from Rick Parfitt’s Rhythm Method DVD have been uploaded by Lick Library on to YouTube in preparation for this event. For maore information, visit www. licklibrary.com.

Hal Leonard Releases Sondheim Works Last spring, Hal Leonard Corporation reached an agreement with Rilting Music to exclusively represent Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim in print. Hal Leonard has released of five new Sondheim editions, commemorating this legends 80th birthday. Each of these songbooks has been given attention by Hal Leonard editors, as well as by Sondheim himself. All ti-

72 MMR

tles feature new music engravings, added songs and introductions, and detailed plot synopses. For more information, visit www.halleonard.com.

St. Louis Music’s Alvarez Guitar Giveaway at NAMM St. Louis Music is staging a drawing at Summer NAMM, and the winning dealer will go home with a free Alvarez AJ414CBK Black Cutaway Jumbo guitar with solid spruce top and electronics. Dealers can register up until two hours before the drawing. The drawing will be held at the St. Louis Music booth on June 19, at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact info@usbandsupplies.com.

The Fender Center & Steve Miller Launch “Text-To-Donate” Rock icon Steve Miller has launched a “text-to-donate” campaign to raise money and awareness for a national music education initiative. The “text-to-donate” campaign will benefit Kids Rock Free music programs at the Fender Center located in Corona, Calif. The campaign provides free and low-cost music lessons to students. Kids Rock Free has serviced over 12,000 kids and there are currently 800 waitlisted for the program. Miller who is a trustee for the Fender Center KRF program is challenging his fans and artists to donate money to expand the Kids Rock Free School nationwide.

JUNE 2010

Supporters of Kids Rock Free “textto-donate” can make a $10 donation directly from their mobile phone by texting ROCK to 50555. A one-time $10 donation will be added to mobile bills, messaging and data rates may apply. For more information, visit www.fendermuseum.com.

L-Acoustics Launches KARA/SB18 Pilot Program L-Acoustics has launched its KARA/SB18 Pilot Program, which will primarily involve existing members of the L-Acoustics Rental Network – in particular, dV-DOSC owners interested in advanced field testing of the new system for corporate and special events through to concert applications. The initial companies taking part are UK-based rental companies SFL and Plus 4 Audio, French events specialist Impact Evénement, Wilhelm & Willhalm from Germany, and global production company PRG, all of which are located near L-Acoustics headquarters and offices to facilitate close collaboration with the R&D team and technical support. Emphasis will be put on preset validation, system configuration and design, rigging, and general system set-up and operation. The KARA/SB18 Pilot Program is expected to run throughout the summer in preparation for KARA’s official launch, scheduled for September. For more information, visit www.l-acoustics.com.

Gretsch Foundation Supports Savannah Banjo Workshop The third Banjo Assembly Workshop presented by the Savannah Folk Music Society (SFMS) was held on Saturday, May 1. The event was held on the grounds of the Ships of the Sea Museum (SOSM) in Savannah, Georgia. JUNE 2010

The workshop focused on the construction of real, playable banjos by amateur banjo enthusiasts. Hank Weisman of SFMS and Tony Pizzo of SOSM were the workshop teachers. Twenty-three participants created instruments for themselves using banjo parts donated by the Gretsch Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Gretsch family. Fred and Dinah Gretsch are long-time supporters of the Savannah Folk Music Society. Based on the feedback from those who participated, as well as the availability of additional parts in Gretsch’s Ridgeland, South Carolina warehouse, plans are under way for additional workshops in 2011 and 2012. For more information on the Gretsch Foundation and the Gretsch Company, visit www.gretsch.com.

Music Rising Aids Nashville’s Musicians Music Rising, a campaign launched in 2005 to aid the musicians of the Gulf Coast region after the hurricane disasters of Katrina and Rita, has pledged support to the city of Nashville and its musicians affected by the lastest floods. Music Ris-

ing, co-founded by U2’s the Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, and Gibson Guitar CEO and chairman Henry Juszkiewicz, announced its partnership with MusiCares in cooperation with the Gibson Foundation to administer the Music Rising Nashville Flood Relief efforts that will

aid musicians with the repair and replacement of instruments damaged or destroyed in the recent Tennessee floods. Music Rising will donate $250,000 to MusiCares to be used specifically for Music Rising/Nashville Flood Relief. These funds will be earmarked to help musicians in the Nashville area repair or replace instruments lost to the flood waters. To make a donation or apply for assistance, visit www.musicrising.org.

Become a Dealer 800.558.3877 www.shoreviewdistribution.com

distributor Shoreview Distribution, Inc. 69 Elm Street Foxboro, MA 02035 See us at NAMM Booth 207

MMR 73

Classifieds

RATES: Classified Display: $30 per column inch for text only. $40 per column inch, 1 color, logo, graphics. $50 per column inch 4 color.

PAYMENTS: ALL ADS ARE PREPAID. Charge on Mastercard, Visa or American Express.

SEND YOUR ADVERTISEMENT TO: 21 Highland Circle, Suite 1, Needham, MA 02494/mjohan@ symphonypublishing.com.

QUESTIONS? Call Maureen Johan at 800-964-5150 x 34/ mjohan@symphonypublishing.com.

Accessories

CLASSIFIEDS on the MOVE! check

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Business Opportunities

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

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The UCL-S PorchBoard Bass offers analog, clean bass rhythm with the tap of a foot. Durable passive magnetic sensor system and 3-way frequency response switch eliminates low-end feedback and delay. Features both 1/4 inch and XLR outputs. No batteries, wall worts or external power supply required. Includes carry bag. $299.95. www.porchboard.com (608) 752-2229 MMR 75

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

Help Wanted

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Merchandise

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

Merchandise

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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

Breaking News

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

Repair Tools BOW REHAIRING Expert Bow Service

Order forms,Pricing and Shipping label at: Hunter Music Instrument Inc adds in an accordion line. From button accordion to Piano accordion, from Kid’s to adult, from entry level to professional, from solid color to combo, we have a wide selection for the accordion player.

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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

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JUNE 2010

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MOVING?

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FOR SALE Beautiful central Florida Well-known music store, Located 24 years on East Coast! All inventory/xtures, turnkey! Major brands, full-line. No real property. 8 + studios Owners have aging parents. Call PM only. Partner/investor okay. 321-725-3047

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Store For Sale

Wanted To Buy

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21 Highland Circle, Suite 1 Needham, MA 02494 (781) 453-9310 MMR 79

Adindex COMPANY NAME

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

PAGE

A Ac-Cetera Inc. Access Bags and Cases Al Cass Alfred Music Publishing Alfred Music Publishing Allparts Music Corp Amati’s Fine Instruments America Longxing Inc. American DJ Supply Inc. American Way Marketing LLC

www.ac-cetera.com www.accessbagsandcases.com www.alfred.com/dealer www.alfred.com/dealer www.allparts.com www.Amatis.us www.huntermusical.com www.americandj.com info@americanwaymktg.com

42 24 72 49 17 67 69 70 31 25

B/C Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd. www.jpstrings.com www.cedist.com CE Distribution LLC www.chesbromusic.com Chesbro Music Co.

37 34 61

D D’Addario & Co. Dana B. Goods Dunlop Manufacturing Inc.

www.daddario.com www.danabgoods.com www.jimdunlop.com

57 43 14

F/G Floyd Rose Marketing GCI Technologies Good for the Goose Products Greg Bennett Co.

www.floydrose.com www.gci-technologies.com www.chopsaver.com www.franklinstrap.com

64 60 37 cov 2

H H & F Technologies Inc. Hal Leonard Corp. Hal Leonard Corp. Hohner, Inc. Humes & Berg Mfg.Co. Inc.

www.audio2000s.com www.halleonard.com www.halleonard.com www.hohnerusa.com www.humes-berg.com

11 9 27 35 56

www.jackrabbittech.com www.ubass.com www.kmcmusic.com; www.kmconline.com www.kmcmusic.com; www.kmconline.com www.korg.com www.kysermusical.com

54 52

www.meiselaccessories.com

COMPANY NAME

E-MAIL/WEB ADDRESS

PAGE

Mel Bay Publications Inc. Miami Audio Music Corp. Musicorp Musiquip NAMM National Educational Music Co.

www.melbay.com www.miamiaudiomusic.com www.musicorp.com www.tanglewoodguitars.com www.namm.com www.nemc.com

10 8 33 7 18-19 55

O/P Oriolo Guitar Company www.oriologuitars.com PRS Guitars (Paul Reed Smith) www.prsguitars.com

47 5

R/S Retail Up Sabian Ltd. Saga Musical Instruments Samson Technologies Corp. Shoreview Distribution SHS International Shubb Capos SKB Cases

www.retailup.com www.sabian.com www.sagamusic.com www.samsontech.com www.shoreviewdistribution.com www.shsint.net www.shubb.com www.skbcases.com

16 13 65 3 73 48 67 41

www.tkl.com www.theStringCleaner.com

1 70

U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies www.usbandsupplies.com www.dansr.com Vandoren www.dansr.com Vandoren www.dansr.com Vandoren www.visualsound.net Visual Sound

29 63 14 66 cov 4

T TKL Products Corp. ToneGear

U/V

W/Y W.D. Music Products Inc. Wyman Piano Company Yamaha Corp. of America

www.wdmusic.com www.wymanpiano.com www.yamaha.com

42 54 15

J/K Jack Rabbit Technologies Kala Brand Music Co. KMC Music KMC Music, Inc Korg USA Inc. Kyser Musical Products Inc.

59 51 53 71

M/N Meisel Accesories LLC

80 MMR

JUNE 2010

SAVE THE DATE! The Jazz Education Network Annual Conference is moving to January!

2nd Annual JEN Conference January 6-8, 2011 New Orleans, LA Historic Roosevelt Hotel – Famed Blue Room Details on line soon! • Exciting Headliners • Enlightening Clinics/Panels • Exhilarating School Ensemble Performances • 20,000 sq. ft of Enticing Exhibits! All under one roof, two blocks from the French Quarter! Details following soon. Submission guidelines and applications available online May 1-June 15.

Check the website often for updates as they materialize! www.JazzEdNet.org your portal to the global jazz community!