FI V E M INUTE S W ITH
LYMAN GUITAR CO.’S STAFF
By Brian Berk South Carolina-based Lyman Guitar Co. had an excellent Summer NAMM show, with some MI retailers seeing the company for the first time and subsequently placing purchase orders. We reached out to the company to hear about its Summer NAMM success, the company itself, plus much more. In return, five members of the Lyman team joined us: founders Art Tantiyawarong and Sophia Woods, as well as marketing and sales representatives Marina Xaykosy, Jordan Atkins and Jake Hammett. Let’s learn much more about Lyman Guitar, which is actively seeking MI retailers to sell its products.
from China. We took the neck off and started over here [in the United States], because the quality control from China to the U.S. was not what we wanted. Anyone who plays our guitars will see we try to make the necks the best we can. We want to make sure beginning guitarists do not stop playing the guitar. Our guitars are easy to play and they fly off the shelves. They have been selling great for us. We are doing everything here in South Carolina.
The Music & Sound Retailer: Let’s start off with how the company got started: Sophia Woods: We got started as retailers. We have been in the MI industry for 15 years. Four years ago, we decided to try something new. First, we decided to distribute accessories. But alongside of that, we thought, What if we make amps? In order to do that, we had to put a lot of thoughts together involving manufacturing and more. We also came up with the name Lyman, which is the name of the town [in South Carolina] we work and live in. We wanted to name the company Lyman to contribute back to our community. Many supporters in town helped us during times of difficulties. Here we are now. In addition to making amps, we decided to make guitars to match the amps.
The Retailer: Having enough supply has been a problem for several companies. Do you have the supply ready to send to MI retailers? Woods: Yes, we definitely have the supply.
The Retailer: The guitars were on full display at your booth at Summer NAMM. Can you tell us more about them and what makes them cool? Art Tantiyawarong: We initially imported guitars 30
The Retailer: What were your thoughts about Summer NAMM and how did you do as a company during the show? Woods: We did great. It was our first NAMM together as a team. We have been to Summer NAMM [separately] three times, but this was our best Summer NAMM. We were just hoping to meet and greet people at the show to introduce the guitars and the amps. We did not expect so many people to come to us. It was a wonderful experience all around. Marina, Jake and Jordan were there as our marketing team, and we were looking for feedback. We wanted people to let us know what we can do better. We got great feedback from many dealers. Tantiyawarong: And we got great feedback from many [NAMM] Top 100 dealers. Eighty percent of the Top 100 dealers who visited us signed up with us. Marina Xaykosy: Marketing-wise, the feedback AUGUST 2021
