25 minute read
Under the Hood
SHURE’S MV7 PODCAST MICROPHONE
By Brian Berk
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Although the COVID-19 pandemic has, of course, been awful, it has resulted in an influx of many new guitar players, as has been often discussed. In addition, many people have also been experimenting with podcasting and at-home audio production during their time in lockdown.
To answer the increasing demand for audio streaming and recording solutions at home, in the studio or anywhere, Shure unveiled the MV7 podcast microphone, the company’s first hybrid XLR/USB microphone. Intended for both entry-level and experienced creators, the MV7’s intuitive design makes it incredibly user friendly and simple to set up and control.
Harnessing the company’s engineering prowess that developed the SM7B vocal microphone, the MV7 dynamic microphone delivers versatility and control, flexible connectivity options and highquality audio in a sleek, compact design, stated Shure.
“[In 2020], we witnessed a significant uptick in the demand for tools and accessories that support livestreaming and podcasting, especially as many continue to broadcast their talents from home,” said Soren Pedersen, associate manager, global product management, at Shure. “Regardless of the application, creators understand the importance of clear and intelligible audio. We’ve designed the MV7 to be laser focused on the user’s voice, so the audience always gets a clear and rich reproduction no matter the type of room they record in, so their audiences can focus on the content.”
The MV7’s features begin with Shure’s Voice Isolation Technology that elevates the user’s voice to help take podcasts or live streams to the next level, stated Shure. No matter the environment, the microphone’s pick-up pattern focuses solely on the vocals by bringing it to the forefront of the recording, for uninterrupted audio every time.
Because a user’s vocal level and mic position are always fluctuating, the MV7 features an Auto Level Mode that sets gains perfectly in real time, so the output levels stay consistent. This enables creators to focus on the content, and not on their mic technique, resulting in less time spent editing post-recording, and more time spent creating. Auto Level Mode also acts as a virtual audio engineer and adjusts audio levels on the fly, giving audiences a more consistent listening experience.
“The Auto Level Mode feature that can be enabled when connected by USB is one of our favorite features; simply select your distance from the microphone and vocal tone preference within the ShurePlus MOTIV Desktop app, and the microphone will adjust your level in real time,” Pedersen said. “What’s cooler than a microphone that saves you valuable editing time?”
Additional features include an integrated touch panel that optimizes control for quick, convenient adjustments. With just a few taps, the touch panel control lets the user adjust the gain, headphone volume, monitor mix and mute/unmute, with an option to lock customized settings.
Complemented by the new, free Shure MOTIV App for desktop, the MV7 offers the flexibility to control audio functions with the convenience of various preset modes. Users can select their tone (Dark, Natural or Bright), depending on if they want a deep “radio” voice or a crisp and clean sound. These settings are available in Auto Level Mode and can be selected with one click in the MOTIV app. Similarly, users may select their mic distance from the MV7 (Near or Far), depending on how they are positioned. For podcasters and streamers who like to be up close and personal with the mic, Near mode is ideal. For those who need a little more breathing room, Far mode offers a consistent level up to 18 inches. The MV7 is also certified by voice-overinternet-protocol (VoIP) solution TeamSpeak.
Compatible with virtually any device or hardware, the MV7 is easy to integrate into an existing technology setup, whether creating content in a home studio or recording on the go. The mic offers a professional XLR output for use with interfaces, mixers and professional audio equipment, making it a multipurpose solution for podcasting, radio, gaming, voiceovers and recording studios, stated Shure. It also supports a USB-A and USB-C output for Mac and PC. When mobility and onthe-go recordings are needed, the MV7 works with select Android devices. A Lightning cable is available separately for use with iPhones and iPads.
MI SalesTrak
truly something for every type of customer!”
“This year has been a huge year for our company in terms of new product releases,” relayed Rubinson. “The standouts for the Dean brand include the new Exile in satin black with Fishman Fluence pickups, the Kerry King signature V, and the Zero and Vengeance models, complete with stainless-steel frets, Evertune and Floyd options, and light-upside dot markers. The limited-edition Kerry King V has been one of the most indemand guitars we have ever seen, so I’m really glad we can finally release an affordable, high-quality import version.
“On the Luna front, we recently launched the Vineyard series of ukuleles, which is our crème de la crème, high-
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Amber 0.4% 0.2% 0.3% 0.6% 0.7% 0.5% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% Black 5.6% 5.7% 6.8% 5.8% 5.0% 4.7% 5.3% 4.5% 5.5% 7.5% 7.3% 6.9% 6.5% Blonde 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% Blue 0.8% 1.1% 1.3% 0.9% 1.1% 1.0% 1.3% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 1.3% 1.1% 1.6% Brown 0.7% 0.7% 0.9% 0.5% 0.7% 0.5% 0.6% 0.4% 0.7% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% Burgundy 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% Gray/Silver 0.4% 0.2% 0.9% 0.4% 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% Green 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.3% 0.5% Natural 77.9% 76.9% 74.8% 77.7% 75.5% 76.5% 77.3% 80.0% 79.0% 74.6% 72.5% 74.4% 73.7% Orange 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% Other 0.8% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 1.0% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% Red 0.9% 1.2% 1.5% 1.1% 1.0% 0.8% 1.4% 0.7% 0.6% 1.3% 0.9% 1.1% 2.2% Sunburst 11.6% 12.7% 12.4% 11.8% 14.4% 14.5% 12.1% 11.6% 11.5% 13.7% 15.7% 14.0% 13.4% White 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.5%
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MI SalesTrak
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Jan '20 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan '21 White Sunburst Red Other Orange Natural Green Gray/Silver Gold Burgundy Brown Blue Blonde Black Amber
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Amber 0.6 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.1 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.7 Black 19.5 16.5 17.1 18.6 17.2 16.8 17.4 19.1 17.7 18.8 19.6 22.5 20.2 Blonde 2.9 4.3 3.8 4.4 3.5 2.8 3.9 3.3 2.8 3.1 2.8 3.2 2.6 Blue 10.8 11.4 11.0 11.8 13.1 13.9 13.9 13.1 12.6 12.8 14.3 13.2 13.0 Brown 2.4 2.7 1.9 1.9 1.8 2.1 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.6 Burgundy 1.0 1.2 0.9 0.7 1.1 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6 Gold 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.8 2.1 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.1 1.6 Gray/Silver 4.1 3.8 4.6 4.3 3.8 4.2 4.1 4.3 4.0 3.4 3.7 3.5 3.9 Green 4.8 4.3 5.9 6.7 5.8 5.9 6.2 4.8 6.4 5.6 5.2 5.2 5.1 Natural 5.2 5.1 5.4 4.5 5.1 5.9 5.4 5.3 4.2 3.7 3.9 3.6 4.4 Orange 1.2 1.7 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.6 1.4 1.2 0.9 1.0 Other 5.3 5.9 5.6 5.4 5.7 5.6 4.8 5.3 6.2 6.4 5.9 5.6 5.5 Red 11.0 9.5 10.6 10.0 10.9 10.7 9.9 10.1 10.8 10.8 11.7 9.9 10.0 Sunburst 21.1 21.3 20.3 18.4 18.4 19.0 20.3 19.5 20.2 19.8 19.0 19.3 19.8 White 8.8 9.7 9.0 9.3 9.3 9.1 8.0 8.9 8.8 9.1 8.3 9.5 10.0 end concert and tenor models with a solid koa top, Fishman’s Kula preamp, and a nice bevel for comfortability,” continued Rubinson. “We also released a variant on our ultra-popular Vista series, called the Vista Stallion. This design concept spans ukuleles, travel guitars and full-sized acoustics. As for ddrum, we have placed a renewed focus on the electronics line with a new five-piece mesh-head e-kit, a new sampling multi-pad, and a facelift for our iconic triggers and trigger interfaces, all to be available later this summer.”
“We had a total revamp of our Tagima Acoustic Series. It offers improved quality with walnut back and sides that appear to be rosewood (each guitar is clearly labeled with walnut back and sides), lower pricing on Canada Solid Top Acoustics ($299.99 MAP, no EQ version), and the new Café Series solid top, back and sides with Fishman Infinity EQ system,” said Lansford.
Lastly, let’s get our respondents’ take on their main goals for the remainder of 2021 as well as the future, when we hope to move on from this pandemic.
“Our No. 1 goal for 2021 is to keep our employees safe as we expand production. After that, we are working feverishly to catch up to demand for both guitars and strings, and we continue to work to expand on our sustainability initiatives,” relayed Renner.
“I have stressed the importance of adaptation within our company during this pandemic,” said Rubinson. “No one truly knows what the remainder of 2021, and into 2022, looks like,
but I believe there is always opportunity, irrespective of circumstance. We have pivoted in certain areas and expenditures to better meet the current needs of our partners, consumers and artists alike. That, to me, is a very important part of running a company in any industry. After a record month in January, we are looking forward to carrying that momentum forward into the remainder of 2021.”
“Our primary goal this year will be to continue supporting our retailer network with bestin-class sales support, product innovation for committed players and an expanded commitment to bringing more players into the industry through Fender play. We believe this will grow our industry and drive the purchase of physical products,” said Van Donk. “We are also uber-focused on finding capacity to satisfy the strong demand we see continuing through 2021 and even into 2022. The commitment to our dealers remains top of mind as we support the evolution of their business onto ecommerce platforms and the return of traffic to their retail stores. And personally, [I plan to] go to a ton of concerts! I am very excited to welcome back live music events.”
“We are running our own race. We’re competing against ourselves,” Lansford concluded. “We work daily to live by our ‘H.I.T.O.P.’ mantra (Humility: We aren’t arrogant. We’re here to serve. Integrity: We will do the right thing regardless of cost. Level playing field pricing. No off sheet deals. Truth: Always tell the truth. If we mislead unintentionally, we apologize and make it right. Observe: Ask questions if something doesn’t ‘look right.’ Use the Air Force pilot ‘O.O.D.A.’ concept: observe, orient, decide, act. Perform: We must perform to serve well. We must work to outperform ourselves daily, even if by onetenth of one percent. Each day is a day for improvement from the day before. Each relationship can grow deeper with each transaction.) Yes, there are other runners in the field, which we acknowledge and honor, but they too are running their own race. We’ve met the competition and we’re it.”
PLUGGING INTO HIGHER SALES
(continued from page 28) that the audiences are ready to be entertained and the players are eager to perform. Music heals all! I hope that after we get through all of this, enough venues survive and can host live music.”
Lastly, we asked our respondents about their company; specifically, and what new products they recently released or are soon to release. “The one that comes to mind is our TriplePlay Connect. Players are using their guitars in so systems. The lack of live music was expected to negatively affect sales of these products, which are typically used for live touring productions or permanent installations in dedicated concert venues. However, many pro-audio manufacturers also sell portable speakers, a product category that seems less likely to be affected by pandemic-related restrictions on public gatherings. We asked Yorkville Sound’s Greenspan for his thoughts.
“With the absence of traditional
The spike in guitar sales in 2020 and thus far in 2021 leads to this question: Do good guitar sales also lead to good amp sales? It is the logical solution to make, but let's find out the answer for sure with the help of our panelists.
many new ways. With Connect, they can plug into an iPad or a computer and trigger a whole universe of virtual instruments and synths. It opens up a lot of creative possibilities for acoustic and electric guitarists,” stated DeMaria.
“Our PowerTap pickup systems allow players to use their guitars for percussive as well as melodic music-making. So many of our products cross over between super-functional performance and repertoire/palette expanders for those looking for something new to explore.”
“Not a new product, but we recently launched our ‘Effects for Strummies’ YouTube series that gives helpful insight to new users who may not know exactly what effects are used for,” said Arnold. “We have always received questions like ‘What is insert any effect name here and how do I use it?,’ so we teamed up with guitarist Connor Thomas to do a series of videos explaining all of the different effects and how they sound with the ToneWoodAmp, using popular songs as reference. So far, it has been a great resource for new potential customers or people inquiring about what the ToneWoodAmp does.”
Speaking Up
live gigs, PA took a hit; however, the pandemic put our EXM Mobile battery-powered line to the forefront,” he responded. “Our mobile speakers made gigs possible on driveways, porches — anywhere safe, socially-distanced shows were conceptualized.”
Greenspan added that the PA speaker market always relies heavily on live events. So how has Yorkville Sound weathered the COVID-19 pandemic storm? “We have a diverse product line and were able to focus on topical brands and products that [are suited to] end user’s pandemic projects,” he answered.
How will the hopeful return of live events in the future affect Yorkville Sound’s business? Does Greenspan think this will provide a huge addition to company sales when this happens? “Because Yorkville Sound is trusted and has a vast line of sound reinforcement for all applications, the return of live music will certainly have a huge impact on our PA sales,” Greenspan responded.
But one thing that has helped the entire MI industry is not only the influx of new players, but a huge rise in stay-at-home recording as well. How, as an industry, can we keep these people playing once we achieve a post-pandemic period?
“Learning an instrument or building a home studio is a lifelong adventure. During the pandemic, we facilitated webinars to introduce new gear and learning sessions,” relayed Greenspan. “There is always more to learn and interesting gear to add to the toolbox, and it is an exciting journey for everyone.”
We also asked Greenspan how manufacturers and dealers can work to add even more new players to the marketplace. “By keeping our end users engaged, informed and creating,” he replied. “Our end users are our most valued ambassadors, and they have a bigger voice than ever. It’s commonplace for the end user to share their work on YouTube, livestream or even collaborate with other musicians remotely by video. After over a year of at-home practice, rehearsals and gigs requiring PA will follow.”
Lastly, we asked Greenspan to tell us about some products that Yorkville Sound recently launched or plans to launch, and to describe what makes them cool. “We have a breakthrough in the battery-powered mobile speaker category with the EXM Mobile Sub, the first ever lithium-battery-powered subwoofer,” he concluded. “The EXM Mobile8 is a true threeway speaker in a landscape where most battery-powered compact speakers of this size are two-way models.”
The Best Selling OVERDRIVE
email us now to become a dealer! nobels@OSIAMO.com
Company Pg
AMAHI UKULELES ................45
ARMADILLO ENTERPRISES...C-II
AVID TECHNOLOGY..............C-III
B3 GUITARS.............................23
CE DISTRIBUTION .................28
CE DISTRIBUTION .................29
CHAUVET LIGHTING.............8
CHAUVET LIGHTING.............9
CHEM-PAK ...............................53
CONNOLLY MUSIC
COMPANY.............................17
DRUM WORKSHOP ................10
DRUM WORKSHOP ................11
FENDER....................................5
FISHMAN .................................33
GIBSON.....................................C-IV
HOSA TECHNOLOGY ............12
JJ BABBITT ..............................19
JMAZ LIGHTING.....................6
NAMM.......................................15
NEW SENSOR ..........................41
MANHASSET SPECIALTY
COMPANY.............................3
MUSIC NOMAD.......................18
OMG MUSIC.............................20
OSIAMO....................................51
PETERSON ELECTRO-MUSICAL
PRODUCTS............................22
PRS GUITARS ..........................25
PRS GUITARS ..........................27
QRS TECHNOLOGIES ............47
REVERB....................................37
TECH 21 ....................................21
TONEWOODAMP ....................7
VOCOPRO.................................13
While every care is taken to ensure that these listings are accurate and complete, The Music & Sound Retailer does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors.
MI SPY
(continued from page 35) page, Mesilla Valley Pro Music has grown with the Las Cruces community and is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary, a tremendous accomplishment. Other than guitars, it sells other music products, as well as pro audio, lighting and DJ equipment.
I clicked the “Shop Online” tab and discovered curbside pickup is available, as well as in-store sales, of course. There was a link to the store’s Reverb page, so I clicked it.
First, I checked the Reverb feedback rating; Mesilla Valley Pro Music has a lifetime 97 percent positive grade. Most every review was four or five stars. I had to scroll down to find a negative review. Once I found one, I saw that Mesilla immediately offered a full refund to the unhappy customer, who claimed a vocal effects processor they purchased from the store did not work. That type of response was certainly everything you could ask of a retailer. The customer left up the negative review, however, because he did not want to ship the product back for a refund. I had to go back all the way to August to find another negative review, which was based on UPS losing an item. Mesilla also refunded the price of this product, according to its response to the negative grade. Beyond those two negative reviews, I looked at about 50 positive reviews.
The Reverb site was clean and easy to navigate. As for product available on the Reverb site, there were 27 electric guitars for sale when I checked. Oscar Schmidt, Jackson, ESP, Epiphone, Ibanez, Yamaha, PRS and Fender were all represented, with prices ranging from $149.95 to $3,900. Fifteen acoustic guitars were for sale, a majority made by Yamaha, with Ibanez, Taylor and Fender sprinkled in. Prices ranged from $295.95 to $2,395.95. Also, 17 bass guitars were for sale, ranging from $199.95 to $1,249.95. Ibanez, Fender, Yamaha and Schecter Guitar Research models were available.
Hubbard’s Music-N-More 108 Wyatt Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005 hubbardsmusic-n-more.com facebook.com/Hubbards-Music-NMore-156640437701232 reverb.com/shop/hubbardsmusic
My last stop was Hubbard’s Music-N-More, founded in 1979. Before the mission, I exchanged a message with the Hubbards, and I was advised to check out Hubbard’s Facebook page and Reverb store instead of their website. I figured this is 2021, right? Let’s go for it.
I started with the Facebook page, which Hubbard’s created in 2010. I have to say, I liked the store’s approach to posting on social media. There were several posts that featured photos of guitars with messages like “Nothing compares to getting your baby back after a fresh repair.” “Who else just fell in love?” and “’Just browsing’ is a lie we tell our wallet to keep it happy.” These may seem like simple Facebook posts, but I found them enjoyable. They have a quality to them that the best internet memes tend to have: they’re simple and relatable, and they put a smile on my face. Isn’t that what MI retailers are in the business of? Putting smiles on people’s faces?
I then decided to check out Hubbard’s Reverb page. There was no Reverb link on Hubbard’s Facebook page, however there was a link to what looked like the store’s website, so I clicked that, thinking I would find the Reverb link on the website. However, the website link on the Facebook page didn’t work (it seems to be missing some hyphens that are supposed to be between words in the URL, which breaks the link). So, I turned to the old standby and did a Google search for “Hubbard’s Reverb page,” which of course proved successful.
The Reverb page featured a total of 33 products for sale; 12 were electric guitars, three were acoustic guitars, and there was one listing for a Gibson Thunderbird in the bass guitar category. Among the electric models for sale, Fender and Gretsch accounted for most of the listings, including several popular recent Fender launches, such as the Tash Sultana Stratocaster, H.E.R. Stratocaster, Brad Paisley Esquire and Parallel Universe Uptown Stratocaster. The acoustic guitars for sale were the RainSong CO-OM1000NSX, the Godin Rialto JR HG Q-Discrete acousticelectric and the Breedlove Frontier Concertina.
A humungous positive for Hubbard’s: Its Reverb feedback rating for the past six months stood at a perfect 100 percent, with a 98-percent lifetime feedback rating. I had to head all the way back to April 21, 2020 to find someone who did not leave a five-star review. That says a lot about Hubbard’s excellent customer service, at least according to its customers.
The Sale
When it comes to an online mission report, there is a major element missing from consideration: customer service. The winner could easily be totally different if actual, in-person customer service was a factor. However, this month, I am grading on the stores’ online presence alone.
I really liked Hero Music’s website, but the lack of an ecommerce offering was a detractor. I just felt it is too important to have an easily accessible ecommerce offering these days.
Hubbard’s Music-N-More has a fun Facebook page, and whoever handles its social media posts should be applauded for their excellent work. Based on its positive customer reviews, Hubbard’s might have easily won if I was able to visit the store in person. However, the offerings on its Reverb page were slightly limited.
That left my decision between Guitar Center and Mesilla Valley Pro Music. I really liked both websites a lot, and it’s hard to decide between the two. Should I flip a coin? Oh, right. Bad idea.
I ultimately decided to select Guitar Center as the winner due to its price match guarantee, as well as its sheer number of offerings. Of course, a big chain has a huge advantage there, but the availability of 4,804 electric guitars and even 202 left-handed guitars was too much for me to overlook.
FIVE MINUTES WITH
(continued from page 33) “National Treasure” fame], to figure that one out [laughs]. We have a lot of hypotheses. Was there really a ledger? Did it get burned? Did someone take it? But what is interesting is that out of this, a lot of people came out with more information about guitars and other things missing that help bring Gibson’s missing pieces together. So, we have not got the ledgers back, but we got a lot of information, connections and insights that are really relevant to our past that we can connect the dots and do a little “CSI” on. There is a lot of energy around that. I am hoping we still find them.
The Retailer: It is always tremendous to give back. You have really grown your charity arm, Gibson Gives, which is doing just that. Can you tell us what is going on there?
The Retailer: I can remember on a personal level, there are certain people or companies that paid attention a little more than average and you really appreciate it. At a time you really need it, somebody stepped in with help, support or providing something. It is a human condition that we learn how to pay it forward. For us, Gibson Gives’ central notion was giving the gift of music one guitar at a time. That’s what we do. We relaunched Gibson Gives in the summer of 2019 at Summer NAMM. We had a challenge to give away 1,000 guitars in 1,000 days. We have now given away 2,000 guitars in 500 days to those in need. We sync up with organizations like Guitars 4 Vets, whom we have an amazing connection with. Notes for Notes is another charity we support. And MusicCares, who supports artists whose livelihood depends on ticket sales and live tours. We are a big supporter of MusicCares.
But there are also less obvious platforms we support. It was about a year ago when a tornado ripped right here through Nashville. There we were, staring at piles of rubbish, with guitars in them. I woke up saying, “Anyone who lost a guitar deserves to get one back. Right now.” We put the word out in Nashville. If you lost your guitar legitimately [because of the tornado], come see us and we will get a guitar in your hands. It did not even have to be a Gibson or Epiphone. Whatever guitar they lost. It was amazing we could do that.
More recently, who would have thought that at the end of [2020], there would be a bomb in Nashville? One of our artists lives right next to the [site of the] bombing and lost everything. We were able to step right in. We can’t control the actions that took place and rebuild everything, but we did say, “We can get you some guitars and get your livelihood back.”
So, Gibson Gives is for the big platforms we want to support, but also little issues and actions we should be supporting. Off of that, we launched a new platform called Play it Forward, where we get lots of notes from people in challenging situations, and at the end of every month, we go through all these notes and determine who is the most deserving.
We also want to support our own team of about 1,600 folks around the world. A majority of them are craftsmen and craftswomen making guitars. If the factory shuts down, they are shut down. So, the first thing we did when our factory shut down — way before stimulus checks were handed out — was to put $1,000 into each of their hands. And just before the holidays, we launched a Gibson Gives back program for our employees. We said if they donate to Gibson Gives, they get a chance to spin the wheel with me. We had strings, T-shirts and guitars on it, but basically, everyone
MSR SPECIAL
(continued from page 54) in the fall of 2020 than 2021. I am not sure how, but they did.
That is the bad news. The good news: We are an 85-yearold business, so we can withstand a year, or even two years, of [a pandemic]. What has been surprisingly resilient has been the activity in our retail stores after we reopened last May and June. You mentioned guitars and keyboards. We are not a big guitar retailer. We sell a lot of guitars up to the $600 to $700 price point. We are selling a lot more of those and a lot of ukuleles and a lot of keyboards. In fact, if we got more keyboards, we could sell more keyboards. The biggest bottleneck has been product availability. While people were cooped up for a few months, they were looking for opportunities to occupy themselves. Learning a musical instrument seemed to rise to the top. We are grateful for that.
Probably the biggest challenge is keeping our staff enthusiastic and motivated during all of this. Our leadership team has done a great job of keeping people engaged and upbeat. It’s been a tough year. We will see what happens on the other side [of the pandemic], but we spent a lot of time regarding the staff.
The Retailer: Lastly, are you optimistic about MI in a postpandemic period? Perhaps a more normal school year, beginning in September, can help? Or is it a concern that students may not be vaccinated by September?
Menchey: It depends which week you ask me because I will change my answer. [Recently], I started to hear from some teachers who were concerned that next [school] year may be as challenging as this year. We are going in the right direction right now. I have to believe the majority of the adult population that chooses to become vaccinated will be by sometime this summer. You raise a good point about the students, but I think even a lot of students will be vaccinated. That is not to say there will not be, and should not be, safety precautions involved. But I think this country will look a lot different once we get to mid- to late summer. I am optimistic. was going to get a guitar. There were 700 employees who participated, and they all left with a guitar. We raised more than $100,000 from our own employees for Gibson Gives, and we were able to give them the gift of music one guitar at a time. I am really proud about it. There will be lots of energy behind Gibson Gives in the future.
The Retailer: Anything you would like to add?
Curleigh: I am a parent of teenagers. We are so connected to smartphones. I was talking to some people who say, “JC, I keep telling my kids to get off the phone and do something.” But if my parents told me not to do something, it was an indicator I would do more of it. So, I tell them to say, “Get on your guitar and play more,” and you have to have two hands playing the guitar for most people. So, if their two hands are on the guitar, they are not on the phone. If we steer it in the right direction, it can be a balancing act between screen time and song time by playing a guitar. We should think about the positive of what to do and not the negative of what not to do. I think it is a good message for all of us to remind ourselves.
