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FOR EVERYONE IN THE MI BUSINESS | ISSUE 173 | OCTOBER 2014

67$57(5 3$&.6 Are guitar packs a great solution for new customers or a missed opportunity for some added value sales?

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%A “ &5FA47D REGULARS: Analysis 6 ȧ MIA 8 ȧ The Sales Man 8 ȧ Appointments 9 ȧ Events 9 ȧ Secret Dealer 37 ȧ Backline 48 ȧ

IN THIS ISSUE Daniel Gumble Deputy Editor

daniel.gumble@intentmedia.co.uk

6 Philip Randall Designer

philip.randall@intentmedia.co.uk

Darrell Carter Publisher

darrell.carter@intentmedia.co.uk

Show business Is desire for a big UK showcase really gathering pace? And, if so, who can deliver it?

karma.bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk

Enquiries to: MI Pro, NewBay Media, Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA. Tel: 01992 535646 (Editorial) Tel: 01992 535647 (Sales) Fax: 01992 535648 Š NewBay Media 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of MiPro are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2YHA

Secret Dealer Is the MI industry guilty of making guitar heroes out of the wrong people?

45 New Gear New offerings this month from Pioneer, Aria, Carlsbro, D’Addario, Gator, Chord, Waldorf and Focusrite

RETAIL

FEATURES

RECOMMENDED

37 Retail Analysis

11 Marshall plan

31 Keyboards

41 5HWDLO 3URˉOH

15 Brand Licensing

Marshall’s line-up with Softube signals a new GLUHFWLRQ IRU WKH ˉUP

Tim Slater drops in on Herts Music Centre in St Albans for a chat Karma Bertelsen Account Manager

37

38 Advisory board

Are out of town store locations now better than the High Street?

42 Mystery Shopper Our undercover brother check outs stores in that there big London

The British amp giant ORRNV OLNH LW LV ˉQDOO\ getting its act together Ahead of Brand Licensing Europe, we look at how MI brands might add extra revenue with new branded lines.

20 Artist Interview Hot Chip singer and instrumentalist, Alexis Taylor, talks to MI Pro

23 BPM/PRO

A vignette of this year’s DJ, pro-audio and lighting event at the NEC.

New products from Yamaha and Korg in a vital sector.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Brand stand

AT A TIME when a lot of dealers are looking for a point of difference in-store and distributors are also seeking stand-out in their product line-up, licensed product is certainly worth looking at. For manufacturers, the true test of a brand’s strength is in being able to use it effectively in often completely unrelated, areas. White goods is a million miles away IURP DPSOLˉFDWLRQ EXW 0DUVKDOOČ V IULGJH LV not only the best example of a successful licensing tie-in in this market, but also stands up pretty well elsewhere. Both Peavey and JHS are enjoying great success with their character-licensed instrument ranges and they have become a cool entry point for beginners. It’s important to get the link between product and brand correct or you can cause damage to both, but a sensible, structured, licensing programme with a recognised licensing agency can add a completely new revenue stream. Big names in MI are waking up to this, Fender, the aforementioned Marshall; even Gibson is now called Gibson Brands (although, strangely, it claims to not to have a dedicated licensing programme). It will though. The Gibson brand is too strong to do anything else. On 7th-9th October at Olympia, the European licensing industry puts on its annual showcase of brands and products from a huge variety of sectors. It is well worth a visit. It is a market that has become too important to ignore. Even for MI.

Ronnie Dungan Managing Editor ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

Mi Pro is a member of the PPA

Follow us on Twitter @MIProfessional

ANALYSIS

Event horizons News that The Music Show has been canned for this year, demonstrates how tricky the event sector can be…

Manchester will once again play host to a show next year, but will it work? BY RONNIE DUNGAN THE EVENT SECTOR continues to be somewhat unpredictable, as demonstrated by the cancellation of this year’s Music Show in Manchester. The show, which made its debut last year at Manchester Central, won’t happen this year, but aims to re-emerge as the Musical Instrument and Technology Show in November next year at the nearby new venue of EventCity. Event manager Chris Martin said: “We made the decision to postpone the show so that we can take the time to refocus the event, ensuring that it offers visitors and exhibitors alike a truly interactive experience, with a packed programme of features for musicians and music teachers, as well as those pursuing music industry careers. We’re also expanding to run over three days instead of two, which means we can put on a more substantial event for the industry.” Figures from last year’s show showed total visitor numbers of 2,500 over the two days. The visitor mix included schools, teachers, families, aspiring musicians and established professionals says the organiser. Exhibitors at the show included AVID, ABRSM, Allianz, BIMM, Black Cat, Castle Rock Studio, Chord, Faber Music, Korg, Dawson’s, Forsyth’s Schimmel Pianos, Synthax Audio, The Sound Post, pBone, Royal Northern College of Music, Source Distribution, Take It Away, Tom & Will, Kawai, Stentor and Vincent Bach International, and more. However, critics of the show complained that the focus of the event was unclear, being part consumer show, part trade and part educational with Music Mark, the UK

association for music education running its main annual conference alongside the event. Ultimately, it seems visitor numbers of 2,500 were not enough to sustain interest in the show in its current format. The event calendar continues to be somewhat fragmented in the UK. It’s not that there’s no public appetite for events, it’s more that the industry has not come up with something that will appeal to a broad crosssection of punters.

If next year’s revamped Manchester show delivers a more focused experience it may well turn into something bigger 6R WKH JDS LV ˋOOHG E\ D QXPEHU RI HYHQWV dedicated to niche audiences – acoustic guitar players, drummers, etc. None of which can accommodate any sort of trade element. Events are cyclical in their nature, particularly trade events, which often start small and grow until the cost of attending offers little or no ROI. There are some who would like to see the UK once again showcasing itself at a largescale consumer and trade event. Right now, it seems no-one (except the Manchester show) is willing to risk trying to put that on. $QG WKDWȢV QRW VXUSULVLQJ JLYHQ KRZ GLIˋFXOW it can be to get even small scale shows off the ground. But if next year’s revamped Manchester show delivers a more focused experience it may well turn into something bigger.

OCTOBER 2014 ::: 0, - 352 &2 8.

08 MIPRO

Recommended Keyboards

PAGE

31

The MIA is the trade body for the UK musical instrument industry, servicing and representing the interests of manufacturers, importers, publishers, UHWDLOHUV DQG VXSSRUWLQJ EXVLQHVVHV

MIA Conference 2014 This year’s MIA industry event features former *XLWDU &HQWHU DQG )HQGHU chief, Larry Thomas, among the speakers and workshops, plus advice on retail and legal matters‌

THE EVENT TAKES place on Wednesday 1st October at the British Library Conference Centre at 96 Euston Road, London. It is free to all MIA members, with a ÂŁ50 fee for non-members, which is refundable if they join the MIA. Places are limited to 270, contact 01403 800500 for more information or visit www.mia.org.uk

THE SPEAKERS

THE SALES MAN COLIN REES has conducted sales training in the cycle industry for the last 15 years and is a business consultant specialising LQ LQFUHDVLQJ SURˉWDELOLW\

The perfect shop Here’s a few questions to ask about your in-store experience‌ I AM OFTEN asked by owners when visiting bike shops IRU VDOHV WUDLQLQJ VHVVLRQV Č&#x;ZKDWČ V \RXU SHUIHFW VKRS"Č It can be quite helpful to run through a few areas with an owner for him to compare the environment he knows so well to an outsiders’ view with no historical baggage, commercially savvy, intent only on producing DV PXFK QHW SURˉW DV SRVVLEOH 7KH VWDUWLQJ SRLQW LV IRRWIDOO PDUNHWLQJ ,V WKDW owner waiting for people to come in or stimulating people to visit him? Does he welcome and encourage EURZVHUV RU VHH WKHP DV D ZDVWH RI WLPH " 'RHV KH actively go out to attract people into the store? There DUH VR PDQ\ ZD\V WR GR WKDW Once in a store, what is the customers’ experience?

Conference speakers include former Fender chief, Larry Thomas and a number of other experts

DAVID HAMID

We are proud to announce David Hamid, one of the most successful retail entrepreneurs we have in the UK, David has a legacy of retail successes, most recently as a founding partner of a private equity company focussing upon retail turnarounds. David spent the majority of his career with Dixons Group and over a 17 year period he managed a number of the Group’s GLYLVLRQV JDLQLQJ VLJQLˋFDQW turnaround experience.

David will bring his vast experience to our Conference to talk about the changing role of bricks and mortar outlets as part of a multi-channel retailing strategy. He will also discuss the trends and challenges our industry must face in order to thrive in an ever-increasing competitive marketplace.

LARRY THOMAS

The man who ran Guitar Center, the world’s largest MI retailer‌and then went on to become CEO of

Fender, the world’s biggest guitar brand. A passionate music fan and advocate, an active lifelong musician, who participates on several music-related boards. Larry will be discussing his thoughts and insights into the future of our industry from both his retail and manufacturer perspective and experience.

RAFAEL RUIZ AND EILEEN MCKENDRY-GRAY

The Birketts legal experts will host a special session on European Competition Law and its effect on the relationships between, and activities of, manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the music industry.

RICHARD POOLEY

Meanwhile, Richard Pooley will be running a series of interactive workshops dealing with recent developments in contract law, with a focus on European-wide consumer protection laws, including distance selling.

Do staff look the part or are they wearing the same white trainers they wore last year? What you wear says ZKR \RX DUH 'R VWDII VPLOH DW PH DP , ZHOFRPHG RU OHIW WR P\ RZQ GHYLFHV" &DQ , ˉQG ZKDW , FDPH in to buy? Are associated products grouped around mainstream products? Is the pricing clear, can I judge the value to me, are the shelves full? Do I feel comfortable? Do the staff think they are there for customers or themselves? What is the underlying attitude of the WHDP " ,V WKHUH D WHDPZRUN HWKLF LQ WKH VWRUH" $UH young staff mentored by more experienced people? Is there induction training, on- going training, a customer care approach, time planning, regular meetings, career progression, involvement in decision PDNLQJ D SURˉW VKDULQJ VFKHPH" +DYLQJ D FRQYHUVDWLRQ VXFK DV WKLV FDQ RIWHQ ˉQG RWKHU DUHDV ZKHUH QHW SURˉW LV EHLQJ PLVVHG SHUKDSV E\ ZDVWDJH RU MXVW LQ WKH ZD\ WKLQJV DUH GRQH A widely read marketing book once said: “There is nothing more damaging to a growing business than is encapsulated in the phrase; we’ve always done it like that.� Colin Rees Sales trainer and business consultant. Colinrees7@gmail.com www.colinrees7.wordpress.com

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 09

APPOINTMENTS/EVENTS

Polar Audio promotes Kaukis John Kaukis will head up MI and consumer sales for the distributor. POLAR AUDIO has announced the promotion of John Kaukis to its new head of MI and consumer sales. The appointment comes as part of a recent internal restructuring for the company, which has seen it re-aligned into two distinct sectors – MI and installation. In his new role, Kaukis will be responsible for managing every aspect of Polar Audio’s MI portfolio, which includes the recently acquired Mackie and Ampeg brands, whilst also heading XS D WHDP WR ORRN DIWHU WKH ˉUPČ V UHVHOOHUV With a strong background in PA systems, live sound, recording and high-tech sound equipment, Kaukis spent six years working as UK sales manager for Loud Technologies before joining Polar Audio just over a year ago. Polar Audio managing director, John Midgley, commented on the appointment: “John brings an abundance of knowledge and experience to this new role. “Given the remit of the job at hand, it was

HVVHQWLDO WKDW ZKRHYHU ˉOOHG WKH SRVLWLRQ KDG a forensic understanding of each and every aspect of the product range, as well as being a good communicator and team leader. Ȣ-RKQ LV PRVW GHˉQLWHO\ WKH ULJKW PDQ IRU this extremely demanding position.â€?

EVENTS DIARY 2014

8th-11th October

Music China 2014 Shanghai New International Expo Centre Music China 2014 has recently added a ninth exhibition hall for what will be the show’s largest outing to date. The nine halls will cover 98,000 sqm at the event, which takes place from October 8th-11th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China.

1st October

MIA Business Conference The British Library Conference Centre, London This year’s MIA Business Conference will take place at The British Library Conference Centre in London on Wednesday, October 1st. Free to attend for all MIA members, the event is open to retailers, suppliers and manufacturers and will feature small-scale stands for industry services such as shipping, legal, insurance etc, but no expo element.

5th October

The Leeds Bradford Guitar Show

on the day, offering special show bargains, workshops and demos.

Dawsons Corner, Pudsey 23rd November 2014

The Merseyside Guitar Show

Now in its eighth year, the Leeds Bradford Guitar Show will once again take place at Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawsons Corner, Pudsey, LS28 5TA, on Sunday, October 5th 2014 from 10am to 4.00pm. Attendees will be able to buy, sell and trade new, used and vintage guitars, amps, effects and accessories at bargain prices throughout the show. More than 70 exhibitors and dealers will be present

Aintree Racecourse Exhibition Centre, Liverpool Celebrating 12 succesful years at the same venue, the 2014 Merseyside Guitar Show will once again take place on Sunday, November 23rd 2014 from 10am to 4.00pm at Aintree Racecourse Exhibition Centre, Ormskirk Rd, Liverpool, L9 5AS. 1RZ ˉUPO\ HVWDEOLVKHG as one of the UK’s biggest regional events dedicated to guitars, the Merseyside Guitar show boasts four ˊRRUV IHDWXULQJ PRUH WKDQ exhibitors, collectors and dealers.

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MIPRO 11

FEATURE

Louder

and clearer $W ORQJ ODVW 0DUVKDOO VHHPV WR EH ˉ QGLQJ UHQHZHG LPSHWXV DQG IRFXV DZDNLQJ IURP LWV YHJHWDWLYH VWDWH WR UHDOLJQ LWV VDOHV WHDP FRRUGLQDWH LWV PDUNHWLQJ DQG PRVW FUXFLDOO\ SURPLVLQJ LWV PRVW DFFHVVLEOH SURGXFW UDQJH ODXQFK IRU PRUH WKDQ \HDUV Ronnie Dungan IRXQG RXW ZKDW KDV FKDQJHGȨ

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

12 MIPRO

FEATURE

EVEN OUTSIDE OF the music market, there can’t be many brands in the world with the resilience of Marshall. Brands with enough residual goodwill and equity to withstand the harshest of critical and commercial bufferings. It’s fair to say that Marshall, in the UK at least, has become somewhat... enigmatic, to put it kindly. The perception was of a company that was guarded, stuck in its ways and not keeping up with market trends. Never mind playing ‘one louder’, IRU WRR ORQJ QRZ WKH Ë‹UP KDV EHHQ playing on one. In the US and worldwide, the strength of the brand is propping up its market share, but here in its QDWLYH 8. LW LV UHJDUGHG DV D Ë‹UP trading off former glories, in need of the direction and drive provided by its much-loved founder, the late Jim Marshall. With a product offering that focused too much on the high end and obsessed over limited edition amp runs, and a dealer network that was placing its faith in more rangebased brands, Marshall was badly in need of a clearer vision. Everyone in the trade knew it. All except those on the board of Marshall, it seems. They know now. And change is afoot. The addition of Michael Clapham (below, right) as sales manager, working in tandem with brand director, Craig Glover (left), has JLYHQ IUHVK LPSHWXV WR WKH Ë‹UP DQG they are putting in place measures to revitalise the product range and the Ë‹UPȢV DSSURDFK WR WKH PDUNHW That process started with its GHDOHU EDVH ZKLFK WKH Ë‹UP KDV pared right back down to around 80 stores and categorised into three different levels - Elite, Premium and Selected. “We came to the opinion that less was more,â€? says Clapham. “It’s based an old idea by Jim [Marshall] that you look at the dealer per town quota. And you look after the dealers that look after the brand. “We looked at the geography of it and the dispersal and it wasn’t working. There was too much clutter. Marshall had become the dirty old brand in the corner. And other guys have come along and upped their game. Our peak was ten years ago.â€? “It’s down to the product plan nowâ€?, adds Craig Glover. “There aren’t many brands with Marshall’s brand equity. And we certainly want to capitalise on that, but without the range of products to back it up any brand will ultimately erode and fail.â€? The perceived imbalance of product offerings has been a

V\PSWRP RI WKH Ë‹UPȢV IRFXV RQ WKH top end of the market and it hopes to put that right with a new range launching and, here’s the crucial part, available for retailers to sell, at NAMM. “There hasn’t been a product roadmap that’s market driven, and WKDW IXOË‹OV GHPDQGČĽ VD\V *ORYHU “It used to be the case that when Marshall products came out, you knew you wouldn’t be able to get enough stock because demand outstripped supply.â€? “On the R&D side, we’ve changed the whole way the company works,â€? adds Glover. “The appointment of Santiago Alvarez as Technical Director has galvanised the R&D process and structured it in such a way that it’s no longer about just the current product or the one after that, LWȢV D Ë‹YH \HDU URDGPDS ČĽ

There aren’t many brands with Marshall’s brand equity...but without the range of products to back it up, any brand will ultimately erode and fail. Craig Glover - Marshall Brand Director

Essentially, Glover and Clapham have brought back some much QHHGHG VWUXFWXUH WR WKH Ë‹UPȢV GD\ WR day sales and marketing activity. “It’s about the team and what we need going forward,â€? says Glover. “It’s about micro-management and better communications; it’s about aligning the UK with the global; it’s about the constant stream of information that allows us to measure performance, react to the market, and to predict the market’s behaviour.â€? Clapham adds: “The way we’ve changed the sales-force is very positive and the guys are working really hard. We’re looking at everybody’s potential and how we can unlock it.â€? “There has been a lack of communication from Marshall for a very long time and we’ve been seen to be almost arrogant in our approach, which has been ‘we are 0DUVKDOOȢ :KLFK LV Ë‹QH EXW LW depends on how you say it,â€? says Glover. ,WȢV D WKLQ OLQH EHWZHHQ FRQË‹GHQFH and arrogance, but the two are positive that what it unveils at

NAMM will signal that Marshall is indeed, back. “We have one key range of products at NAMM. And it will put Marshall back to where it needs to be,� he enthuses. “This range of products has great USPs, at key price points, with good margins.� “Another big difference now is that we won’t be

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 13

FEATURE

The way we’ve changed the salesforce is very positive and the guys are working really hard. We’re looking at everybody’s potential and how we can unlock it releasing a product unless it is in the warehouse and ready to sell. Everything has to be in place. If the marketing elements aren’t right, we won’t release it. We want to launch at NAMM and for the warehouses in the US and Europe to be full.� This whole new approach, which is the vision of managing director, -RQ (OOHU\ LV QRW FRQˋQHG WR WKH Marshall amp brand but also to its Eden bass amp brand and the Natal drum brand. Recently, of course, WKH ˋUP WRRN RQ GLVWULEXWLRQ RI WKH Lag and D’Angelico guitar brands for Algam in the UK. It’s part of DQRWKHU JURZWK DUHD IRU WKH ˋUP DV a distributor for third party brands. “We’ve realigned ourselves as a distributor in the UK as well. So we will be at NAMM as purchasers as well as sellers. We want people to

come to us with brands and ideas,â€? explains Clapham. Both ranges will unveil new products at NAMM. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WKH Ë‹UP FRXOG EH about to enter the modelling amp market, having tied up with Swedish WHFKQRORJ\ Ë‹UP 6RIWXEH Marshall is describing the partnership as a “long term project with long term goalsâ€?, and says there are already a number of products in development. Softube has been developing patented cutting edge software for the music industry since 2003. 7KH Ë‹UPȢV SURGXFW URVWHU LQFOXGHV PRGHOOHG JXLWDU DPSOLË‹HUV DQG professional audio mixing plugins that are used by artists such as Adele, Robyn, Black Sabbath and others. $QG LWȢV D PRYH WKDW H[HPSOLË‹HV Marshall’s change in attitude. In a market that has already embraced modelling technology and seen some noticeable successes from it, Marshall’s previous attitude was one of ‘they’re modelling our sound, so why would we need to do it?’. 7KH Ë‹UPȢV FXUUHQW RXWORRN KDV little time for that kind of sentiment, which has only served to hold the Ë‹UP EDFN A thriving, competitive Marshall, making the right kind of noises, is exactly what the UK market needs right now. Let’s face it. Things have been a bit too quiet of late.

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MIPRO 15

BRAND LICENSING

Strike up the brand The world of product licensing can provide both incremental revenue for brand owners and a marginmaking added-value range for retailers. Only a handful of MI brands carry the weight or heritage to license their brands, but the potential is there. Samantha Loveday, editor of market-leading trade site, Licensing.biz explains more… IT’S PROBABLY FAIR to say that, historically, the music business and licensed merchandise have co-existed rather than collaborated. With the amount of cash being made from record sales, a mere merchandising deal would hardly have made a dent back in the day. However, the two industries have slowly come together and there is now a potentially very lucrative movement – and one that musical instrument retailers should be ready to make the most of. In 2013, sales of licensed products in the US and Canada rose for the third year in a row, according to industry trade body LIMA. Sales grew to an estimated $5.655 billion in royalty revenue, translating to $115.75 billion in retail sales (an increase of 3.3 per cent and 3.25 per cent respectively above 2012 levels). Character and entertainment brands – such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob Squarepants, The Beano and Peppa Pig – have already begun to make the leap from

toy and clothing aisles into musical instrument departments. JHS has been something of a driving force here, enjoying solid success with its range of branded musical instruments. And in the US, Peavey has also recently ramped up its licensed collection of electric and acoustic guitars, ukuleles and accessories, with Guardians of the Galaxy joining Star Wars, Spider-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in its stable. There is now a pretty comprehensive range of artist licensed merchandise on the High Street, too – over and above what is usually sold at venues as tour items. Traditionally a poster specialist, GB Eye has branched out to include products such as tattoos, badges, credit card holders and sticker packs – all of which provide an opportunity for low price, everyday purchase. MD of licsensinge trade body LIMA, Kelvyn Gardner, explains: “If you’re in the business of selling guitars and keyboards, a modest selection of such items can help tie up a sale on

even a casual shopping visit to your store. “I’m also looking at wider opportunities here, too. Amateur musicians, and I count myself among them, can be as keen brand advocates as any consumer. I like my Gibson t-shirts and plectrums, and I’d probably be open to buy more Gibson-branded merchandise. Good timing, as they, Fender and others, have started moving into this space. Marshall, too,

In 2013 sales of licensed products in the US rose for the third year in a row. Translating to $115.7bn in retail sales from the other aspect of playing, are on the scene with among other things their rather wonderful DAB radios.” So, where should MI retailers who might be looking to branch out

head for further information? Brand Licensing Europe – the only panEuropean trade exhibition dedicated to the licensing industry – takes place at London’s Olympia from October 7th to 9th and would be an ideal starting point. “For anyone new to licensing, or considering dipping their toes in the water, we would certainly recommend a visit [to the show],” says event director Darren Brechin. “It will give you access to hundreds of potential opportunities. There are a number of free seminar sessions in our educational programme designed to help you understand the business, and the show itself, as well as an Advice Centre.” Brechin admits that over the next few years he expects to see growth within the musical instrument sector

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16 MIPRO

BRAND LICENSING

at BLE. “What’s so fantastic [about licensing] is that it transcends all categories, no matter how farreaching or unlikely brand tie-ins may initially sound. I hope to welcome more instrument owners to the H[KLELWRU OLQH XS WR GLVFRYHU ˉ UVW hand, how licensing can give their brand longevity.� For further details on Brand Licensing Europe, head to www.brandlicensing.eu. So what of MI? There are really only a handful of brands that have enough equity and heritage to make the leap to other product sectors and

they’re not all that hard to 0DUVKDOOČ V IULGJH LV name – Fender, Gibson, D JUHDW H[DPSOH RI Marshall and, at a push, a EUDQG OLFHQVLQJ LQ few iconic guitar brands, DFWLRQ maybe Rickenbacker or Martin perhaps? Gibson Brands, as it is now calling itself, you would have thought would be steeped in licensing its brand across a broad range of product categories. But QRW VR 7KH ˉ UP VD\V LW has no product licensing programme. Which is intriguing. Not so its big rival Fender which has worked with a number of topname brands as part of its licensing activity. “It is a very exciting time for music licensing,â€? VDLG WKH ˉ UPČ V GLUHFWRU RI remains business development, relatively new, Beanstalk’s %ULDQ 7HGHVFKL Ȣ$V ZH GHˉ QH KRZ understanding of the Fender brand music enhances our lifestyles, has allowed them to develop a plan opportunities to create consumables to focus on key lifestyle categories WKDW VXSSRUW WKHVH GHˉ QLWLRQV DULVH WKDW HPERG\ )HQGHUČ V LQËŠ XHQFH RQ Consumers actively use fashion, music.â€? consumer electronics, art, and Fender also works with Brand collectibles in order to celebrate their Licensing Team (BLT) in other musical tastes. It is these categories territories. where Fender sees the greatest “When we strategically pursue a opportunities regarding brand licensing opportunity, the product extensions. must effectively communicate “Presently, our global licensing Fender’s historical impact on the initiatives have lead to a series of evolution of modern music. If this can successful lifestyle extensions be accomplished, the product must that include dozens of partners then be presented in a way the music and feature a Who’s Who of enthusiast will understand and be world-class brands, including passionate about. As you can imagine, Volkswagen, Panasonic, we are approached by hundreds of UNIQLO, Lucky Brand, companies; the vast majority of ideas T-Mobile, and Pyramid QHYHU OHDYH WKH FXWWLQJ URRP ËŠ RRU International. Needless to say, you will never see 7KH ˉ UP ZRUNV ZLWK a Fender cigarette or Stratocaster UK licensing agency guitar-shaped chicken nuggets.â€? Beanstalk in Europe, Marshall has also enjoyed success which helps identify in the licensed product sector with potential areas for headphones, phone covers and of products to bear the course, the Marshall fridge. Fender name. 7KH ˉ UP KDV D QHZ FDWDORJXH RI “Europe represents products coming out next year which a key growth area,â€? includes three new Bluetooth audio says Tedeschi. “We devices - Stanmore, Woburn and have collaborated Acton. All are named after parts of Jim with the prominent Marshall’s life. Acton - where he was global brand born; Stanmore where he spent time licensing agency, in hospital as a child and Woburn Beanstalk, in ZKHUH KH KDG KLV ˉ UVW VWRUH order to create Marshall works with a Swedish opportunities manufacturer called Zound, which it for high KDV EHHQ ZRUNLQJ ZLWK IRU ˉ YH \HDUV quality, Brand director, Craig Glover says: music-centric “It’s very important because it gets products us into a different area and it’s WKDW UHËŠ HFW incremental revenue. It’s a huge part consumers’ of the business and a very interesting passion side as well. for music. “The products are a want as While the relationship

opposed to a need,� adds sales and marketing manager, Michael Clapham. “It’s very powerful for the brand. People do think of it and associate it very much with rock and roll. Glover sounds a note of caution, however: “If it’s the right product in the right areas then licensing works, otherwise it can really damage the brand equity.�

$V ZH GHˉ QH KRZ PXVLF HQKDQFHV RXU OLIHVW\OHV RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR FUHDWH FRQVXPDEOHV WKDW VXSSRUW WKHVH GHˉ QLWLRQV DULVH %ULDQ 7HGHVFKL GLUHFWRU RI EXVLQHVV GHYHORSPHQW )HQGHU 7KH ËŠ LS VLGH RI WKH OLFHQVLQJ JDPH is bringing entertainment licences to music products. Peavey has enjoyed success with its range of Marvel-licensed guitars, which it recently added to with a line of Guardians of the Galaxy instruments and accessories. The new product line features branded guitars, ukuleles, straps and plectrums. JHS has also had success marketing branded SpongeBob Squarepants and Beano instruments licensed from Nickelodeon and DC Thomson, respectively. 7KH ˉ UPČ V *DY &RXOVRQ VD\V “At JHS we have long established history of distributing quality entrylevel products such as guitars, both full-sized and junior, ukuleles and drum kits. The obvious advantage of associating the product with an iconic character or brand such as Dennis

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 17

BRAND LICENSING

Pro Wallplanner 2013_v1_Music Week Wallplanner

2013 18/09/2013 10:35 Page 1

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Dates correct at time of going to press

The MIPRO 2015 Wall Planner Put your brand in front of the whole MI industry, for a whole year The MI Pro wall planner has always been an essential part of the MI industry, providing an accurate diary of the most important events and shows throughout 2015. The benefits of being on the wall planner include: z Unrivalled low cost, all year round exposure z Proven to raise brand awareness to the whole MI industry z Constant reminder of your company and services

This large pull-out calendar will be distributed in our end of year issue, with 6,300 copies being distributed to our print subscribers

Only a limited number of positions are now available. Costs start from just £300, contact Karma now for more details

For more information on the available options please contact

karma.bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk or call 020 722 67246

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

18 MIPRO

BRAND LICENSING

Head to Brand Licensing Europe to connect with brand owners and licensing agencies that can link your product with a moneymaking brand or vice versa.

The Menace and The Beano, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or our old friend SpongeBob SquarePants is that you bring the opportunity of music creation to a whole new audience who may have never considered playing a musical instrument, but KDYH EHHQ DWWUDFWHG E\ WKHLU DIˉOLDWLRQ to the character. Arguably, without the character, they would never have given music making a second thought. “There may also be an argument that parents feel more positive about purchasing something as potentially creative and life-enhancing as an instrument, rather than acquiescing to demands for the usual pester power toy or other branded item.” The rewards can be plentiful, but of course a brand doesn’t come for free, so there has to be an initial investment and of course, with that, comes an element of risk exposure. “Everything’s a risk,” adds Coulson. “However, with such great characters as Dennis The Menace et al, you know you are working alongside

The obvious advantage of associating with a brand or character is that you bring music creation to a whole new audience who may never have considered playing a musical instrument. well-established and popular brands. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, enjoys a great slot in the Nickelodeon channel’s scheduling, and the brand QHZ IHDWXUH ˉOP KDV UHSRUWHGO\ WDNHQ £65 million in its opening week; that’s real popularity and brand strength. SpongeBob is now part of the lexicon, known by generations, a part of our lives really; an icon and the SBSP Real Musical instruments are a known and trusted brand.” For retailers, licensed product makes a point of difference from the usual array of MI brands and Coulson believes they also attract a different customer base to the store. “By and large the dealers love the products. The fact that they are genuinely playable real musical instruments means dealers are happy to recommend and customers can buy ZLWK FRQˉGHQFH ȣ ‘Serious’ musicians may scoff of course, but there’s no doubt that licensed product can provide a muchneeded alternative revenue stream for all parts of the business. And for MI there is huge, untapped potential.

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INTERVIEW

Alexis Taylor Hot Chip, About Group, solo artist

BY DANIEL GUMBLE

Hot Chip singer and multi-instrumentalist, Alexis Taylor, recently unveiled his new solo record Await Barbarians. Daniel Gumble caught up with him to talk gear, Hot Chip and ‘real music’... FOR TEN YEARS NOW, Alexis Taylor has been primarily known as the face and chief songwriter RI 8. HOHFWUR SRS RXWË‹W +RW &KLS It’s a job that’s kept him busy too, KDYLQJ UHOHDVHG Ë‹YH LQWULFDWHO\ crafted, genre-bending albums during that time, all of which have been the subject of much critical DQG FRPPHUFLDO VXFFHVV In amongst his hefty recording and touring schedule, he’s also managed to squeeze numerous extra FXUULFXODU DFWLYLWLHV &RQWHPSRUDU\ jazz buffs will likely be familiar with his improv collective About Group, while his skills behind the desk were recently brought to the fore on folk artist James Yorkston’s new album The Cellardyke Recording and Wassailing Society +HȢV DOVR IRXQG WLPH WR SXW RXW two solo albums – 2008’s Rubbed Out and this year’s follow-up Await Barbarians – not to mention the wonderfully titled Nayim from the Halfway Line (3 LQ $V , VD\ KHȢV EHHQ EXV\ Picking up where his debut left off, Await Barbarians doesn’t so much build upon its predecessor’s minimalist brand of brittle balladeering and infectious pop as LW GRHV UHË‹QH LW :KHUHDV Rubbed Out had the feel of a charming, RFFDVLRQDOO\ ËŒDZHG SLHFH RI homemade experimentation, Await Barbarians boasts an DOWRJHWKHU PRUH SROLVKHG YHQHHU And, while it may have taken longer than anticipated to deliver, Taylor insists there was never any question as to whether his sophomore solo HIIRUW ZRXOG VHH WKH OLJKW RI GD\

Ȥ,ȢYH EHHQ PDNLQJ +RW &KLS DOEXP DIWHU +RW &KLS DOEXP DQG ,ȢYH DOVR done three About Group albums, and , MXVW GLGQȢW KDYH WKH WLPH WR Ë‹QLVK a solo record before now,â€? Taylor H[SODLQV Ȥ,ȢYH EHHQ IDLUO\ EXV\ with all the other things I do, but I’m always trying to make new solo UHFRUGLQJV ,WȢV VRPHWKLQJ WKDWȢV been bubbling away IRU D ZKLOH I had a break in the tour and the ULJKW VRQJV FDPH P\ ZD\ ČĽ Although six years in the making, Await Barbarians serves very much as D Ë‹WWLQJ VXFFHVVRU WR Rubbed Out, bearing scant resemblance to the

I didn’t feel it sounded as good as the version I’d made on my own, so I stuck with the home recording, which was me playing all of the parts, rather than bringing in other PXVLFLDQV ,ȢP DZDUH RI WKH VKRUWIDOO of doing something like that on your own, but also I’m aware of the things you can get right by doing LW \RXU RZQ ZD\ 6RPHWLPHV WKH things you get wrong can end up sounding more appealing than if you do things the right way, if that makes sense!â€? The new album also provided an opportunity for Taylor to

I wanted to make a record that was an overall improvement, in terms of both composition and production. more immediate, bombastic sound ZLWK ZKLFK IDQV RI +RW &KLS DQG $ERXW *URXS ZLOO EH PRUH IDPLOLDU “I think it’s just the type of music that, when I’m left to my own GHYLFHV , FRPH XS ZLWK 7KHUHȢV D general softness to the music, as I don’t really have aggression in my VRXQG , ZDQWHG WR PDNH D UHFRUG that was an improvement in terms of composition and production for WKLV DOEXP EHFDXVH WKH Ë‹UVW RQH ZDV TXLWH OR Ë‹ DQG WKLV LVQȢW VXSHU KL Ë‹ DQG ZLGHVFUHHQ VRXQGLQJ EXW it’s an improvement in terms of SURGXFWLRQ DQG UHFRUGLQJ TXDOLW\ “The main thing was getting the VRQJV WR KDYH WKH ULJKW IHHO 7KH IHHO RI VRPHWKLQJ LV PRUH VLJQLË‹FDQW WR PH WKDQ DQ\WKLQJ HOVH , WULHG one of these songs with a band and

showcase his talents as a multiLQVWUXPHQWDOLVW (YHU\WKLQJ \RX hear on the album was written, performed and recorded by the man KLPVHOI XVLQJ ȤUHDOČĽ LQVWUXPHQWV “Nearly every sound is a real instrument, rather than something IURP LQVLGH WKH VRIWZDUH 7KHUH are two soft synths on the album, EXW WKH UHVW DUH UHDO LQVWUXPHQWV There’s a Prophet 8 synthesizer E\ 'DYH 6PLWK ,QVWUXPHQWV ZKLFK is all over the record, along with a 5RODQG &5 GUXP PDFKLQH DQG D <DPDKD &3 HOHFWULF SLDQR “I used a Gibson non-reverse Firebird guitar, a Fender Pro Reverb DPSOLË‹HU D 6WHLQZD\ XSULJKW SLDQR and a Domino, which is an old $PHULFDQ ČĄ V EDVV JXLWDU DQG VRPH SDQ SLSHV , ERXJKW LQ D FKDULW\ VKRS

There’s also some mellotron strings on one track as well, but it’s all me SOD\LQJ WKRVH LQVWUXPHQWV Ȥ, DOVR SOD\HG GUXPV DQG FRQJDV I had drum machines that I would make a pattern with then run through an effects pedal so it would have a phaser on it or something like WKDW ZKLFK FKDQJHV WKH SLWFK I also used a Moogafooger Murf pedal quite a lot on the keyboards and I use LW RQ WKH JXLWDU OLYH D ORW WRR ČĽ 6R ZDV WKH GHFLVLRQ WR SOD\ every note himself outside the box underpinned by a traditionalist devotion to authenticity? Not so, VD\V 7D\ORU “It’s not like ‘I’m all about real’, it’s just that I don’t know how to use MIDI very well, so everything LQYROYHG LV MXVW PH SOD\LQJ ,WȢV DQ ROG IDVKLRQHG DSSURDFK , VXSSRVH A bit like using the computer as a WDSH PDFKLQH ČĽ :ULWWHQ DQG UHFRUGHG WR WKH EDFNGURS RI WZR +RW &KLS DOEXPV and three About Group albums, Await Barbarians proved to be a labour of love for Taylor, such was LWV IUDJPHQWHG SURGXFWLRQ SURFHVV “It was done between going on WRXU DQG GRLQJ IHVWLYDOV ZLWK +RW &KLS DQG PDNLQJ WKH ODVW $ERXW Group record, so it probably took about a year, but it wasn’t a year RI FRQVWDQW ZRUN 7KH VRQJV ZRXOG take just a couple of minutes to write and then I’d start recording straight away, as soon as a new idea FDPH LQWR P\ KHDG 7KH PL[LQJ would be the longest bit, just because it was something I hadn’t made my mind up about – whether I would hand it over to someone else

Images: Brian DeRan WR PL[ RU QRW ,Q WKH HQG , FDUULHG RQ PL[LQJ WKHP DOO LQ WKH ER[ P\VHOI “The mixing took a while but that was because I didn’t do any of it LQ DQ XQLQWHUUXSWHG EORFN RI WLPH If I brought it down to hours it’s probably about a month’s work, but LW IHHOV OLNH D ORW ORQJHU WKDQ WKDW ČĽ The album also gave Taylor the chance to indulge a different way of working, compared to the more FROODERUDWLYH DSSURDFK RI +RW &KLS Ȥ:KHQ ,ȢP ZRUNLQJ ZLWK +RW &KLS RQH RI WKH WKLQJV , OLNH LV WKH production and the ideas that Joe comes up with when he begins an idea, and then coming up with lyrics, melodies and keyboard SDUWV RQ WKH VSRW 7KDWȢV REYLRXVO\ very different from starting from VFUDWFK RQ \RXU RZQ %XW WKHQ the similarities with working with

+RW &KLS DUH WKDW , VWLOO EULQJ VRQJV in my style that we add to and build RQ WKHP WRJHWKHU “The hardest thing is when you are getting close to realising an idea on your own in demo form and then bringing it to other people and it starts to feel like it’s getting changed unnecessarily or it’s not in keeping with what you imagined LW ZRXOG EHFRPH ,Q D ZD\ WKDWȢV the danger of doing a lot of stuff on your own; you end up knowing already what it should be like so it’s KDUGHU WR RSHQ LW XS WR RWKHU SHRSOH For that reason it’s fun to step into somebody else’s beginning of an idea and contributing from that SRLQW RQZDUGV ČĽ %RDVWLQJ D PRUH SUROLË‹F RXWSXW than most bands these days, +RW &KLS DUH VWLOO Ë‹QGLQJ QHZ ZD\V

of working together; something that is key to the eclectic, ever-evolving QDWXUH RI WKHLU VRXQG “You’re always trying to change what you’re doing, you’re way of working, and that sometimes means you don’t arrive at results as quickly DV \RX PLJKW KDYH H[SHFWHG “Your hopes and dreams for an album are not always the same from record to record, and with the latest recording we are making, part of the process that’s different is going into a room and working up a version of a song live together as a band, or just jamming in a room WRJHWKHU DQG UHFRUGLQJ LW 7KDWȢV a bit different from our previous methods of working, which were much more like one or two people at a time working on ideas, rather than Ë‹YH VL[ RU VHYHQ SHRSOH ČĽ

:LWK D QHZ +RW &KLS DOEXP tentatively mooted for release next year, fans could be waiting a ZKLOH IRU D QHZ VROR RIIHULQJ 6WLOO 7D\ORU PDLQWDLQV WKDW KHȢOO continue to release solo material IRU WKH IRUHVHHDEOH IXWXUH Ȥ:KDW ,ȢG OLNH WR GR ZLWK WKH next solo project is record with other people in a studio, rather WKDQ DW KRPH :KHQ , ZDV ZRUNLQJ with James Yorkston producing his new album I really enjoyed the experience of using the studio and EHLQJ ZLWK D EDQG RI SHRSOH “I’ll probably pursue that method a little bit more next time around, rather than just working from a KRPH VWXGLR VHW XS $V ORQJ DV WKH ideas come along I’ll continue to PDNH +RW &KLS $ERXW *URXS DQG VROR PXVLF ČĽ

ProMagTM

ce in the hol

e industry standard acoustic sound hole picku Dean Markley, conceived and crafted in the U l ProMag pickups in the range deliver superbl mooth, high-end response with perfect balanc cross all the strings. And like all Dean Markle ucts, you can expect the same generous marg

In the whiskey distilling process, the “lyne arm” allows vapour to be converted into real spirit. That’s the aim of the Lyne series of JN guitars; transforming what you have in your mind into real music ! All Lyne models feature a distinguished design, traditionally constructed with a gorgeous Engelmann solid spruce top and satin finish neck. Combined with a rosewood back and sides, these guitars give an authentic sound to your soul ! Join us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/jnguitars Distributed exclusively by EMD Music - Unit 1 South Lodge Court - Ironsbottom - Reigate - Surrey - RH2 8QG - Tel 01293 862612

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 25

GUITAR STARTER PACKS

Absolute beginners $Q LGHDO VWDUWLQJ SRLQW IRU PDQ\ ˉUVW WLPH SOD\HUV JXLWDU VWDUWHU SDFNV KDYH EHFRPH D VWDSOH SDUW RI PDQ\ D GHDOHUČ V VWRFN RIIHULQJ DQ DIIRUGDEOH HQWU\ SRLQW WR WKH ZRUOG RI PXVLF IRU EHJLQQHUV Daniel Gumble VSRNH ZLWK VRPH RI WKH QDWLRQČ V WRS UHWDLOHUV WR ˉQG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH FXUUHQW VWDWH RI WKH PDUNHWȨ THEY MIGHT NOT be every dealer’s cup of tea, but for many, the humble starter pack is something of a secret weapon in the battle to draw Ë‹UVW WLPH EX\HUV DZD\ IURP WKH ZHE and onto the high street. By making a lasting impression RQ VWXGHQWV DQG HQWU\ OHYHO SOD\HUV vendors can at the very least give WKHPVHOYHV D Ë‹JKWLQJ FKDQFH DJDLQVW the Amazons and Thomanns of the world by introducing said buyers to an excellent retail experience and a superior level of customer service. ,PSUHVV HDUO\ RQ WKHQ \RX FRXOG Ë‹QG yourself with a customer for life. Of course, there are some that believe starter packs set beginners off on the wrong foot, and would sooner turn their attention toward something a little more pricey but of higher production quality. After all, if the product feels cheap, it could UHËŒHFW EDGO\ RQ WKH VHOOHU Then there are those that like to

Whichever way you look at it, the ability to set oneself apart is vital, particularly amongst new players. mix and match their own packages, bringing together combinations of different brands and products to offer consumers a bespoke service WKDW EHVW ˋWV WKHLU QHHGV DQG ZRUNV to their budget. Whichever way you look at it, the ability to set oneself apart from the competition these days is vital, especially amongst new players. 7R ˋQG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH development of the guitar starter pack market, MI Pro spoke to some of the nation’s top retailers to get their take on the current state of the sector and what it has to offer dealers in today’s tough market‌

Starter packs can serve as a great way of generating new business for dealers.

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 27

GUITAR STARTER PACKS

MARK HEDGE

Cookes Band Instruments Guitar packs are a useful product but they do not sell in the kind of quantity they did 15 years ago. This type of box is available now from so many sources/retailers that people who are walking into a serious MI shop are generally looking for a more serious solution. Fender/Squier is our version of Coca-Cola; all end users know the name so WKH SDFN LV D YHU\ HDV\ VHOO %HFDXVH RI WKH SURˉW PDUJLQ DYDLODEOH ZLWK WKLV type of sale, the last thing you want to be doing is having to explain the item in too much depth. The essential Items are a guitar, amp and a cable, but all packages come with extras like bags, tuners, tuition, strings, strap, cable, so lots of add on sales are lost when a guitar pack is sold. We tailor packs using different price points, brands and so on to make sure the customer walks away with a solution that will inspire and help them to play; securing future business for us all and enriching someone’s life

DAVE BAMFORD

Symphony Music

On the surface, starter packs are a great concept, but I believe there are much better ways to target customers. In recent years, the entry-level market has become increasingly competitive and differentiating between good and bad product is harder with self-contained packs. For that reason, the lower cost often wins, so we have chosen to leave it. The most recognisable packs are from Squier and the JHS Blaster packs, although most brands seem to offer starter packs of their entry-level guitars. We rarely carry them, although Epiphone has done some innovative packs that we’ve taken, including the new Slash ones, that are great value. We do, however, create our own packs, as we can choose products from leading manufacturers that offer good margin, great features and value for the customer. Some retailers prefer to steer clear of ready made starter guitar packs, instead compiling their own bespoke kits based on the needs of the buyer.

MIKE PODESTA

Cranes

Starter guitar packs are a great help when attracting new musicians. Affordable and playable instruments will tempt and then help these musicians to succeed and hopefully become loyal customers. Parents generally purchase our starter packs for their youngsters. Older beginners do feature, but they are a minority for us. I would say that the older players are overwhelmingly beginners, rather than born again musicians. It’s essential that these packs are set up correctly and sound good. We always have examples on display, ready to demonstrate. We tune and check the setup of each pack sold, which is time consuming but worth the extra effort to make sure that the ˉUVW OHVVRQ LV D VXFFHVVIXO DQG enjoyable experience. Sales in recent years, however, KDYH GHˉQLWHO\ GHFOLQHG :HE offerings look very similar to the untrained eye, so we’re constantly battling to get the message across that our packs may cost more, but are very good quality with after sales back up. This isn’t easy, but if you get the opportunity to have the conversation, the customer can usually be convinced that what we offer is worth the extra purchase price. For us, the most popular options are the Hudson ST3 and LPX packs and the Epiphone offerings, which are excellent value. We also make bespoke packages and often suggest a more substantial bag, especially if the student is travelling to and from school. A good tutor book in addition to the DVD provided is always offered.

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GUITAR STARTER PACKS

ADRIAN BAMFORD

Neath Music

Guitar starter packs play a key part in attracting and keeping new buyers. The fact that the quality of these inexpensive packages is, for the most part, very good, usually comes as a welcome surprise to the purchaser. The brand doesn’t seem to be so important, at least not in the store, which is great news as there is considerably more margin available in lesser-known brands. If you can HVWDEOLVK EUDQG FRQˉGHQFH DW the start, it can also work for subsequent sales.

Guitar starter packs play a key role in attracting and keeping new players. Given the challenging market, sales have held up pretty well, DOWKRXJK RXU RYHUDOO ˉJXUHV KDYH IDOOHQ :H GHˉQLWHO\ ORVH VDOHV to online traders, but the upside is that they generally arrive in a dreadful state and we pick up business from set-ups in January. For us, starter packs are the green shoots of new business. 90 per cent of the time the customer is delighted that they can get involved with guitar for such a small outlay. If you build on that with some advice and a chat, you have a new, loyal customer. Up-selling has to be scrupulous. If you’re just trying to take money off customers who are suggestible that’s all very well, but you’ll only get away with it once. We’d take long-term customers over that any day. If ZH ZDQWHG WR ËŠHHFH SHRSOH ZHČ G have gone into banking.

Providing the right starter pack can be crucial in developing a long-standing relationship with the customer.

LEE ANDERTON

Andertons

Despite the market being very competitive and often low margin, it’s essential that new players get a great starter pack and have a great experience in-store or online. If we don’t make everything about learning a new instrument as cool as possible, we will lose these customers to other passtimes. We stick with the big brands and the simplest-to-sell packs. In recent years we’ve almost exclusively gone with the Squier packs as they include everything a new player needs and, most importantly, have got aspirational branding, so the new player will want to play it. At peak times we sell dozens of packs a day, so we avoid anything that slows up the sale.

TOM RAMSAY

JG Windows

As a general MI store, we do a lot of promotional work aimed at encouraging people to take up an instrument. It’s important for us to provide a good choice and ready-made packs are a key part of this product mix. The fact they can be sold as a single, all-encompassing item makes them perfect in situations where too much choice can hinder a sale. If there is an opportunity to go into more depth about the differences between alternative models and go up the range then we would always try to do this. We have always had a good trade with starter packs and being regarded as a family friendly store has stood us in good stead with this. I would say it is PRUH GLIˉFXOW QRZDGD\V WKRXJK LQ WKDW FRQVXPHUV KDYH D ODUJHU FKRLFH RI outlets than ever before, what with wholesale retailers like Argos and Costco getting involved. The undercurrent of second hand websites and the Internet in general has made it ever more challenging to keep a foothold in the market. For this reason, sales on starter packs probably aren’t what they were ten years ago, but in more recent times have been stable year-on-year.

COMING SOON The essential guide to manufacturers, distributors, events and service companies in the uk musical instrument market MI SOURCEBOOK is published as a premium print book distributed with select reader codes of MI PRO and distributed at key shows including Musikmesse. 12,000+ copies are printed and the guide will be a free digital resource ensuring maximum exposure. PRICES start at ÂŁ500 12,000 copies + year-round support in MI PRO print and online

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OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 31

KEYBOARDS

MI PRO

RECOMMENDED

YAMAHA PSR F-50 %DVHG RQ D VLPSOH FRQFHSW WKH ) NH\ERDUG IURP <DPDKD KDV EHHQ RQH RI WKH ˉUPČ V NH\ UHOHDVHV LQ UHFHQW \HDUV

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amaha’s F-50 keyboard has been designed to offer entrylevel players a high-quality option at an affordable price point. 7KH ˋUP VD\V WKH GHVLJQ concept was simple; build a starter keyboard that is easy to use, ideal for learning and inspiring to SOD\ $ ˋYH RFWDYH IXOO VL]H keyboard was essential, as was the instrument’s ability to capture the player’s imagination. With 114 backing tracks based on music from all over the world, the F-50 aims to provide players with a plethora of genres and musical styles to discover and get to grips with. Furthermore, its 120 VDPSOHG VRXQGV EHQHˋW from technology utilised in larger Yamaha instruments, as does Duo Mode, which creates two identical keyboards side by side for play and copy teaching scenarios. With an RRP of less than £95, the Yamaha F-50 is ZHOO VXLWHG WR ˋUVW WLPH players looking for an instrument packed with powerful features at a competitive price.

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: ÂŁ93.60 Keyboard: 61-note, full-size Display: LED Sounds: 120 sounds with AWM Stereo Sampling Backing styles: 114 Preset: Reverb and chorus Number of songs: 30 Features: Duo Mode, Transpose, Tuning Power: Mains adaptor included (also operates on batteries) Output: Headphones

ALSO IN THE RANGE: PSR- E243 PSR- E343 PSR- E443 EZ-220 PSR- A300

Contacts ÂŁ137 ÂŁ183 ÂŁ274 ÂŁ186 ÂŁ305

Address: Yamaha Music Europe (UK), Sherbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, MK7 8BL Telephone: 0844 811 1116 (UK) / 01526 2449 (ROI) Website: www.uk.yamaha.com

OTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 33

KEYBOARDS

MI PRO

RECOMMENDED

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he new Pa3X Le keyboard from Korg boasts a substantial collection of onboard sounds, whilst also providing a generous 192MB of space for either the user’s own samples or a variety of widely available add-ons. With more than 410 builtin styles (and room for 1,200 in total), users can cover almost any musical style. The Pa3X Le’s feature set includes a TC Helicon Vocal Harmoniser, a dual MP3 player and recorder, a powerful Dual Crossfade Sequencer and much more. The user interface is driven by a large colour TouchView Widescreen TFT display, which has been specially designed to provide the player with ˋQJHUWLS FRQWURO Users can utilise the video output to display lyrics or score on an external monitor, rendering it ideal for karaoke or band leading. On-stage, the Pa3X Le has been engineered to provide a professional

aesthetic with a sturdy black aluminium case and wooden side panels. Meanwhile, for keyboard players that would like to take full advantage of the optional PaAS speaker system for the Pa3X Le, this can be attached to the rear of the cabinet in order to provide a cable-less connection via the unique locking system. The PaAS from Korg IHDWXUHV Ë‹YH VSHDNHUV two HF drivers, two mid range and dual coil sub woofer, delivering a more than ample 80W of power (2x40W, 1x40W). Elsewhere, Korg also offers a number of additional models in the range to suit varying styles and budgets. These range from the entry level Pa300 system at ÂŁ649.99, to the mid range Pa600 (ÂŁ849.99) and Pa900 (ÂŁ1,579), right up to the ËŒDJVKLS 3D [ ZKLFK LV currently available in 61 RU NH\ FRQË‹JXUDWLRQV (ÂŁ2,999.99 and ÂŁ3199.99 respectively).

ALSO IN THE RANGE: PA300 PA600 PA900 PA3X (61 KEY ) PA3X (76 KEY )

RRP ÂŁ649.99 RRP ÂŁ849.99 RRP ÂŁ1,579 RRP ÂŁ2,999.99 RRP ÂŁ3199.99

FACTS & FIGURES Keyboard: 76 key (E1 G7) semi-weighted System: Upgradable Operating System; RX (Real eXperience); DNC 'HˉQHG 1XDQFH &RQWURO 0XOWLWDVNLQJ ORDG ZKLOH SOD\ IHDWXUH Tone generator: .RUJ ('6 (QKDQFHG 'HˉQLWLRQ 6\QWKHVLV VRXQG JHQHUDWRU ˉOWHUV ZLWK UHVRQDQFH WKUHH EDQG (4 IRU HDFK WUDFN PD[LPXP SRO\SKRQ\ YRLFHV RVFLOODWRUV Effects: 8S WR VWHUHR GLJLWDO PXOWL HIIHFW EORFN V\VWHPV PDVWHU HIIHFW W\SHV DQG JOREDO effects; YRLFH SURFHVVRU WHFKQRORJ\ E\ 7& +HOLFRQ 5 ZLWK HIIHFWV WKUHH SDUW KDUPRQLVHU UHYHUE GHOD\ FRPSUHVVRU (4 Styles: 2YHU SUHORDGHG VW\OHV PXOWL SDG DVVLJQDEOH SDGV VWRS EXWWRQ SDG UHFRUG IXQFWLRQ General controls: 0DVWHU YROXPH IDGH LQ RXW HQVHPEOH RFWDYH WUDQVSRVH PDVWHU WUDQVSRVH VW\OH FKDQJH TXDUWHU WRQH DQG $UDELF VFDOH PHPRULVHG LQVLGH SHUIRUPDQFH 676 UHDO WLPH FRQWUROOHUV MR\VWLFN SLWFK PRGXODWLRQ PLF YROXPH ); YROXPH PLF RQ RII PLF SUHVHW KDUPRQ\ RQ RII Assignable Switches

Contacts Address: 1 Harrison Close, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK5 8PA Telephone: 01908 304601

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OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 35

retail

Secret dealer P37 Retail advisory board P38 New gear P45

Barnes & Mullins to breath new life into Shergold guitar brand UK distributor to resurrect the British guitar line for the 21st century, having ceased trading in the late 1980s. BY DANIEL GUMBLE BARNES & MULLINS HAS aquired Shergold Guitars, with the promise of reinvigorating the British brand for 2014. Joint managing directors, Brian &OHDU\ DQG %UXFH 3HUULQ ˋQDOLVHG the purchase of the Shergold Guitar Company in late August from David and Philip Golder (pictured) – two of the late Jack Golder’s sons. Shergold Guitars ceased trading back in the late 1980s, but in their halcyon days they regularly shared WKH VWDJH ZLWK KLJK SURˋOH EDQGV such as Genesis, Joy Division and New Order. The brand was led by Jack and Norman Holder, and was part of the pair’s rich heritage of UK-built instruments, which included names such as Burns, Hayman and Ned Callan. Originally distributed by Barnes & Mullins, Cleary claims that the history between the two companies stands the brand in good stead for the future. “Back in the 1970s and 1980s we was the supplier for Shergold Guitars, so we have links with Shergold and the Golder going back many years,� he told MI Pro. “Personally I have always been DQ HQWKXVLDVW ZLWK P\ YHU\ ˋUVW electric guitar being a Shergold Masquerader.� With the new line currently at prototype stage, Cleary is adamant

Left to right: Brian Cleary, Philip Golder, David Golder and Bruce Perrin seal the deal for Shergold Guitars. WKDW WKH Ë‹UPȢV QH[W JHQHUDWLRQ RI guitars will showcase Shergold as a brand for the 21st century, as

“Back in the 1970s and 1980s we were the supplier for Shergold Guitars, so we have links with Shergold and the Golder going back many years.�

opposed to a appealing solely to the nostalgia market. “The new designs will have echoes of the original Shergolds and a shared DNA,� he continued. “We don’t want to introduce Shergold as simply a retro brand, as the original guitars were great and of their time. We want to take Shergold forward and establish it as a current and relevant brand for today’s players.� While electric guitar sales have hardly given much cause for H[FLWHPHQW RI ODWH &OHDU\ EHOLHYHV that now is as good a time as any

to re-introduce Shergold to the market. “We know that electric guitar sales have not been particularly H[FLWLQJ RYHU WKH SDVW IHZ \HDUV EXW these things are cyclical, and we know that the appetite for them will return sooner rather than later. Ȥ, DP UHDOO\ YHU\ H[FLWHG DERXW this project.â€? The resurrection of the Shergold Guitar brand follows last month’s announcement that Selectron UK has taken on distribution of the Guild guitar brand, following its sale by Fender earlier this year.

FIVE SECOND FACTS

The magic numbers in MI that caught our eye this month...

2

Promark has added to new artists to its range of Signature sticks

70

Over 70 brands will be exhibiting their wares at the Leeds Bradford Guitar Show

19

Leighton Park School became the latest school to join Yamaha’s Music Partner Programme, purchasing 19 pianos

3

Vox recently unveiled a trio of new products, including an amp, pedal and amPlug

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 37

RETAIL

Marshall deal hints at move into modelling amp market Amp giant announces strategic partnership ZLWK 6ZHGLVK WHFKQRORJ\ ˉUP 6RIWXEH MARSHALL HAS SIGNED a new strategic agreement with Swedish technology specialist, Softube, in a move that signals a possible move into the modelling amp market Marshall has described the deal as a “long term project with long term goals,� stating that there are a number of new products already in

GHYHORSPHQW ZLWK WKH Ë‹UP Softube has been developing patented cutting edge software IRU WKH PXVLF LQGXVWU\ VLQFH 7KH Ë‹UPȢV SURGXFW URVWHU LQFOXGHV PRGHOOHG JXLWDU DPSOLË‹HUV DQG professional audio mixing plug-ins that are used on million selling albums by artists such as Adele,

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SECRET DEALER

I WAS VERY encouraged to hear that the guitar has overtaken the violin as the instrument of choice IRU NLGV WR OHDUQ RQ WKHVH GD\V :H GRQȢW UHDOO\ VHOO YLROLQV VR LWȢV JUHDW QHZV IRU XV +RZHYHU , FDQȢW KRQHVWO\ VD\ WKDW ,ȢYH VHHQ D sudden upsurge in interest in guitar VDOHV 0D\EH LW KDV EHHQ D JUDGXDO WUDQVLWLRQ DQG ,ȢP VXUH WKDW WKH increasing popularity of the ukulele as the gateway instrument (leading on to the harder stuff, with pickups and amps etc) has had something to GR ZLWK LW , FHUWDLQO\ GRQȢW WKLQN LW KDV anything to do with inspiration from a new generation of guitarists EHFDXVH IURP ZKHUH ,ȢP VWDQGLQJ , FDQȢW VHH DQ\ RI WKHP 7KHUHȢV D chance that - being a bit long in the tooth - I might not be as hip as , XVHG WR EH EXW LW GRHVQȢW ORRN WR PH WKDW WKHUHȢV DQ\RQH FXUUHQWO\ making kids want to pick up a JXLWDU I have a theory that maybe it is EHFDXVH PXVLF LVQȢW VR JHQHUDWLRQ VSHFLË‹F DQ\PRUH 5HPHPEHU WKH way you used to scoff at your old PDQȢV UHFRUG FROOHFWLRQ" +DWLQJ his Roger Whitaker records and his 0DWW 0RQURH"

7KHVH GD\V D 'DGȢV FROOHFWLRQ LV more likely to have a lot of classic URFN DQG LQGLH LQ LW 6R D ZKROH QHZ generation of would-be musicians are growing up listening to the OLNHV RI +HQGUL[ 6ODVK 2DVLV 7KH Stones Roses, The Smiths, Metallica – a whole host of musicians from DQRWKHU JHQHUDWLRQ Ë‹OOLQJ WKH JDS WKDW KDV \HW WR EH Ë‹OOHG E\ D QHZ ORW ,ȢYH QHYHU VHHQ WKH EHQHË‹W RI brands that market themselves using musicians that are largely unknown outside of studio circles or are in bands that are not so much

Maybe music isn’t so JHQHUDWLRQ VSHFLˉF anymore KDV EHHQV EXW QHYHU ZHUHV There is a place for presenting a select number of vintage artists or even just those still performing that have probably crossed over into EHLQJ ČĄYHWHUDQVȢ The way guitars are marketed WKHVH GD\V LWȢV DQ DEVROXWH PLUDFOH that any kid wants to pick up the instrument, because we seem to be doing our level best to make it DERXW DV XQFRRO DV LW FDQ EH

Robyn, Black Sabbath and countless RWKHUV Jonathan Ellery, MD of Marshall, said: “For over 50 years Marshall have been innovators and leaders LQ JXLWDU DPSOLˋFDWLRQ 2XU partnership with Softube will not only strengthen our offering and give Marshall access to world

leading technology but it will also SXW XV RQ WKH GLJLWDO PDSČĽ 2VFDU ˜EHUJ &(2 RI 6RIWXEH added: “We are excited and more than a little proud to form this partnership with the most wellNQRZQ FRPSDQ\ LQ RXU LQGXVWU\ Great times lie ahead for all JXLWDULVWV ČĽ

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

38 MIPRO

RETAIL ADVISORY BOARD

Q

Are out of town retail park units a better prospect than a good high street location?

Simon Gilson PMT I’ve been in retail nearly 35 years and have seen a great many changes, the most extreme of which are taking place now. Thanks to years of shortsighted town planning, we now have high streets beyond repair and retail parks with rents that are completely beyond the reach of our industry. To add to this grim picture, the kind of properties that would be affordable in the right positions are being gobbled up

Properties that would be affordable are being gobbled up by supermarkets. by supermarket chains. Involved as I am on a dayto-day basis, it’s frightening that retail rents in suitable locations are beyond any sensible return on investment, and the last years of recession have done nothing to educate landlords that they are cutting their own throats in the very near medium term.

Out of town retail locations can offer some key advantages over city centre outlets, such as easier parking and accessibility.

Mike Podesta Cranes We had the NATO summit in town recently, with the most elaborate and costly security measures I’ve ever seen. Interestingly, the heads of state were having dinner in Cardiff Castle, but obviously the 14-foot thick walls are not enough protection for these VIPs. The media advised people to stay out of town for the two days the motorcade graced our streets. No thought for the impact on businesses. This disruption, including lane road closures, went on for two weeks.

City centre retail is often faced with these challenges and it can be hard to work around them sometimes, but you have to remain positive. President Obama’s entourage alone was allegedly 1,000 Apple pie-munching, cocktail GULQNLQJ EODFN VXLWHG RIˋ FLDOV Every hotel in Cardiff was booked up for the duration. Restaurants RYHUˌ RZHG ZLWK $PHULFDQV ZLWK hearty appetites (and a handy NATO expense account) so I was rather hoping that some of this cash PRXQWDLQ ZRXOG ˋ OWHU LWV ZD\ EDFN onto the high street. We have often looked at out of town locations, which have obvious advantages in terms of parking and accessibility, but there are a

Our close proximity to local music venues gives us a steady supply of touring musicians and music enthusiasts. few things I would miss that you get with a city centre location. Our proximity to local venues gives us a supply of touring musicians and music enthusiasts. Being a XQLYHUVLW\ WRZQ DOVR KDV EHQHˋ WV So, while Mr Obama was unlikely to call in to buy a guitar, we will get over the disruption and hopefully gain from this event in the long term (I hope!)

OUR PANEL OF RETAIL ADVISORS...

Alex Marten Red Dog Music

Mark Hedge

Cookes Band Instruments

Nick Durant Allegro Music

Chris Jones Coda Music

Dave Passera

Wembley Drum Center

Andy Bushell

Make Some Noise

Adam Masters South City Music

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 39

RETAIL ADVISORY BOARD

Dave Bamford Symphony Music

Mark Hedge, Cookes Band Instruments There are positives and negatives for both. An out of town retail unit usually has parking, ZKLFK LV D KXJH EHQHË‹W EXW they can be a soulless place for staff to work. Happy customers come from quality, happy staff. The Cookes Band Instruments building is an old pub, which has been built onto at the back, so has lots of character and

I’ve looked at out of town retail units and found them to be uninviting DQG GLIˉFXOW WR make look very appealing. is an exciting place to visit. I’ve looked at retail units and visited businesses who trade from such premises and found them to be uninviting and GLIˋFXOW WR PDNH WKHP ORRN very appealing. A store on a street is part of a community, which can make for a fun experience for the customer. A great business comes from great staff but the location is also very important.

Adam Masters South City Music Having worked in both town centre stores and retail parks, I know the difference is massive. Music shops were traditionally in towns and cities and often batched together and interestingly, despite the new age of Internet shopping, these were the most prosperous times for this industry. Having music

Richard Thompson Sheehan’s

Adrian Bamford Neath Music

I suppose, like anything, it depends on what you are trying to achieve. There is no doubt that for those with deeper pockets who wish to offer an all-encompassing experience, the larger out of town premises are ideal; they are often a plainer ‘blank canvas’ with which to work and generally offer the vast open spaces that can be appealing, especially to marketing departments of the larger brands. Furthermore, accessibility is often easier, with dedicated arterial road systems and plentiful free parking. However, I am a high street fan at heart and, while the political will of the recent past has driven the consumer out of the town centres,

City centre stores give a characterful canvas. As long as the store isn’t too hidden away there’s no need to be hindered by cost.

Andrew Bushell Make Some Noise

I’m hopeful of a renaissance. I believe town centre stores give a characterful canvas and the nature of our business - a sea of independents - means we can thrive and make any premises individual enough, regardless of uneven shapes, provided we are creative enough and don’t use them as an excuse. Music shops don’t need to be in prime locations on the high street, so as long as the walk isn’t too far and the store isn’t hidden away, there’s no need to be disadvantaged by cost.

&LW\ FHQWUH GHDOHUVKLSV FDQ EHQHˉW IURP EHLQJ SDUW RI D ZLGHU FRPPXQLW\ shops on retail parks just doesn’t Ë‹W WKDW PRXOG ,I ZH ORRN DW PRGHUQ retail, these parks are becoming the norm for former high street brands i.e. Argos, Currys, Asda et al, and putting the name of a music shop in ZLWK WKRVH MXVW GRHVQȢW Ë‹W However, now that this is becoming the next phase for major chains, it leaves me wondering where we go next? A lot of customers that visit music shops do not like this culture, as we are a specialist industry that requires

Roy Chudobskyi Nevada Music

a lot of one-on-one interaction. Having discussed this with my own customers, they say the same thing. It doesn’t have the personal feel that shops like ours have. The other problem is that there is so much to go at that customers left empty handed, as they are confused by the sheer volume of products. It comes down to the same argument. We are a specialist industry that is on the brink of becoming a box shifting exercise that takes away the integrity of our sector.

Rupert Bradbury JG Windows

Simon Gilson PMT

Having worked on a retail park, they tend to be very quiet during the week and really busy at weekends and bank holidays. This can mean very KLJK ZHHNHQG VWDIË‹QJ FRVWV WR make sure you maximise every sales opportunity. With central

Ultimately, it depends on the precise location of the retail park and whether they sit on a main route or off the beaten track.

locations, the footfall is usually a little more balanced with an obvious spike at the weekend. I also believe that you may lose a lot of ‘I’ll just drop in and grab some..........’ trade by heading out of town. Advantages, of course, are that retail parks usually come with a large free car park for customers and easy access loading bays for delivery/collection of goods. Ultimately, it depends on the precise location of the retail parks in your area and whether they sit on a main route into town or are a little more off the beaten track.

NEXT MONTH Do you welcome the resurrection of previously defunct brands? If you would like to pose a question to the RAB then contact Daniel.Gumble@ intentmedia.co.uk

Dave Bamford Symphony Music

Mike Podesta Cranes Music

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To make a booking, please contact karma.bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk or call +44 (0) 207 226 7246

MAY 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 41

RETAIL PROFILE

Peterborough Music Peterborough Music is a well established part of the Fenland MI retail landscape. Sales assistant, Jake Monson, tells Tim Slater why he thinks his store has continued to thrive whist rivals have fallen by the wayside... PETERBOROUGH MUSIC HAS existed in one form or another since the mid 1970s and has established itself as one of the Eastern Counties’ most impressive MI retailers. Now more a dedicated guitar shop than a general-purpose store, Peterborough Music still offers some limited drum and percussion alongside a smattering of brass and woodwind. According to sales assistant Jake Monson, the store sets its stall by offering a wider choice of brands compared to many of its local competitors. “We try to do things a little bit differently,� Monson explains, “Rather than have Taylor or Martin we offer a little bit of variety and it’s good to offer a selection of nice guitars.� The decline in popularity of brass and woodwind has necessitated Peterborough Music’s expansion of its guitar department, but says Monson, the store takes a healthy turnover on folk instruments. “We still order woodwind in, we still sell violins but we try and keep a nice open market. Being one

of the only music shops in Peterborough, it’s handy to have somewhere that people can buy a bit of everything. We don’t just aim at the rockers.� Taking a glance around the store’s prodigiously VWRFNHG DPSOLˋ HU URRP one brand seems to stand out above all - Blackstar. Monson believes that product training by the UK-based amp designer’s sales and marketing team has helped him and his colleagues make Blackstar one of his stores best selling brands. This writer FDQ FRQˋ UP IURP KLV RZQ experience working in MI retail that distributors who offer proper product training are virtually guaranteed an advantage by removing the guesswork from understanding their products USPs. ‘Empowerment’ may be an over-used term these days, but in terms of giving your sales staff the

FUHGLELOLW\ DQG FRQˋ GHQFH to sell successfully, handson product training is still a powerful tool. “The guy from Blackstar came in and went through everything on their new amps and it was handy for us because there were so many features within the amps that we didn’t know. It was good to sit down and have a good go on them. To be honest there hasn’t been a lot of training from suppliers, a lot of it is learning on the job. When I started working here I didn’t know anything about violins or anything like that; it was just a case of building your knowledge as you go. Blackstar also offered us the chance to dedicate an afternoon, whereby we advertise it as a Blackstar product demo and one of their guys would spend a few hours going through the products in front of our customers.� The thorny subject

Peterborough Music prides itself on offering a diverse selection of brands.

Address: 4 Cattle Market Rd, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1TW Telephone: 01733 345385

of online selling isn’t something that seems to trouble Peterborough Music. Monson says that, at best, online sales are somewhat erratic. “Internet sales for us are up and down at the moment; we can have two months where we don’t sell anything, and then in D ZHHN ZH VHOO IRXU RU ˋ YH different things. What we actually sell on the Internet ranges from sheet music to our higher end guitars.� The vibe is relaxed, but it’s clearly a well run store. The premises is well stocked and staffed by a helpful team. We’ll give Monson WKH ˋ QDO ZRUG RQ ZKDW customers can expect when they drop in. “One thing we try push with customers is honesty. We don’t give the usual sales pitches, we make sure they get to sit down with what they want and feel happy that they’ve been given the time to make their own decision. That’s not to say that we won’t help them; if someone comes in who is clueless about what type of guitar they want, we will give them our advice.�

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MYSTERY SHOPPER

CAPITAL GOLD 2XU P\VWHU\ VKRSSHU WDNHV WR WKH FLW\ RI /RQGRQ WR ˉQG RXW ZKDW WKH capital has to offer besides Denmark Street‌

Duke of Uke LOCATED A SHORT WALK from the east end’s bustling Brick Lane, Duke of Uke boasts a superb array of ukuleles and related accessories, DORQJ ZLWK D VPDOO VPDWWHULQJ RI acoustic guitars and other folk lines. Stocking everything from budget models not far north of the £20 mark, WKURXJK WR WULSOH ˉJXUH LQVWUXPHQWV for seasoned professionals, the store is ideal for players of all ages and skill levels.

Featuring a small but neatly ODLG RXW VKRS ˊRRU WKH VWRUH LV ZHOFRPLQJ DQG HDV\ WR EURZVH ZKLOH WKH VKRSNHHSHU , PHW ZLWK ZDV ZDUP DQG IULHQGO\ +DYLQJ TXLFNO\ HVWDEOLVKHG WKDW , ZDV LQ VHDUFK RI something at the entry-level end of ukulele spectrum, he explained WKH GLIIHUHQFHV EHWZHHQ &RQFHUW DQG 6RSUDQR PRGHOV ZKLOVW DOVR SURYLGLQJ VRPH XVHIXO WLSV RQ ZK\ VSHQGLQJ D OLWWOH H[WUD FRXOG EHQHˉW

me in the long-run. +H WKHQ SLFNHG RXW DQ assortment of models for me to try out, encouraging me to play as many as possible in order to discern exactly ZKLFK W\SH RI LQVWUXPHQW ,Č G EH PRVW FRPIRUWDEOH ZLWK 'HVSLWH VSHQGLQJ at least half an hour experimenting ZLWK YDULRXV PRGHOV KH UHPDLQHG SDWLHQW WKURXJKRXW DQG LQ EHWZHHQ JUHHWLQJ QHZ FXVWRPHUV DV DQG ZKHQ they entered the store, continued to FKHFN LQ ZLWK PH WR VHH LI , UHTXLUHG any assistance.

RATING

4/5

)ULHQGO\ ZHOFRPLQJ DQG IXOO RI FKDUP (YHU\WKLQJ D VSHFLDOLVW 0, store should be.

Westend DJ WEST END DJ is an absolute treasure trove for those in the business of DJ, electro and high tech studio gear. Whether it’s headphones, decks, synths, monitors or mics that you’re after, this store has it. ,Q VSLWH RI LWV FRPSDFW VSDFH Westend DJ manages to cram in an impressive amount of stock, SURYLGLQJ LW ZLWK D EXV\ DWPRVSKHUH ZLWKRXW EHLQJ WRR FURZGHG $IWHU EURZVLQJ WKH PXFK RI WKH YDVW DUUD\ RI SURGXFW RQ RIIHU , VHW DERXW P\ VHDUFK IRU D QHZ VHW RI studio monitors. Though the majority RI WKHVH ZHUH VLWXDWHG QH[W WR WKH FRXQWHU EHKLQG ZKLFK DW OHDVW WKUHH PHPEHUV RI VWDII ZHUH VDW QRW RQH

of them approached me to offer their assistance. After ten minutes of ZDLWLQJ , DVNHG RQH RI WKH DVVLVWDQWV to talk me through the various RSWLRQV DYDLODEOH WR PH ZKLFK KH GLG VR ZLWK D GHPRQVWUDEOH GHJUHH RI NQRZOHGJH DQG H[SHUWLVH ,W ZDV MXVW D VKDPH WKDW QRQH RI the staff on-hand made the effort to greet me or offer their assistance in WKH ˉUVW SODFH

RATING

3/5

Very good product offering, EXW VOLJKWO\ OHW GRZQ E\ WKH DWWLWXGH RI WKH VWDII , HQFRXQWHUHG

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MYSTERY SHOPPER

The London Guitar Studio A CLASSY OFFERING for classical and acoustic guitar players, The London Guitar Studio can be found just off of Bond Street. Featuring a highly impressive selection of instruments, this is a great store for professional players in search of something at the higher end of the market, yet it still offers plenty for those on their second or third

Hobgoblin THETOTTENHAM COURT Road EUDQFK RI +REJREOLQ ERDVWV HYHU\ ELW DV PXFK FKDUDFWHU DQG FKDUP DV ,Č YH come to expect from the folk and traditional instrument specialist. Situated little more than a stone’s WKURZ DZD\ IURP :HVWHQG '- +REJREOLQ LV GLDPHWULFDOO\ opposed to its high tech QHLJKERXU LQ PRUH ZD\V than its product offering. The moment , HQWHUHG WKH VWRUH , ZDV PHW ZDUPO\ E\ WKH shopkeeper ZKR SURYLGHG PH ZLWK some excellent

DGYLFH RQ ZKDW WR ORRN IRU LQ DQ entry-level mandolin. Not only did he go to great lengths to understand WKH VW\OH RI PXVLF , ZRXOG EH XVLQJ LW IRU KH DOVR GLVFXVVHG ZLWK PH WKH GLIIHUHQFHV LQ WRQHZRRGV DQG ZKDW SULFH UDQJH , ZRXOG QHHG WR consider buying into in order to get WKH EHVW YDOXH IRU PRQH\ , ZDV WKHQ RIIHUHG D VHDW DQG DV ZLWK 'XNH RI Uke, encouraged to try out as many GLIIHUHQW PRGHOV DV SRVVLEOH WR ˉQG WKH LQVWUXPHQW WKDW ZDV ULJKW IRU PH %HIRUH , OHIW WKH VWRUH , ZDV DOVR given a card and told to call the store VKRXOG , KDYH DQ\ IXUWKHU TXHVWLRQV

RATING

4/5

An excellent in-store experience. Thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in purchasing a folk instrument.

JXLWDU ,W DOVR VWRFNV D YDVW DUUD\ RI sheet music and other educational PDWHULDOV VXFK DV '9'V DQG &'V FRYHULQJ D ZLGH UDQJH RI VW\OHV DQG genres for musicians of all abilities. +DYLQJ VSHQW VRPH WLPH SHUXVLQJ WKH VKHOYHV , ZDV DSSURDFKHG E\ WKH IULHQGO\ VKRSNHHSHU ZKR KHOSHG me to pick out a trio of top-end FODVVLFDO JXLWDUV WR SOD\ ZLWK $IWHU , KDG ˉQLVKHG ZLWK WKHVH , WKHQ VSHQW

D ZKLOH EURZVLQJ WKH VKHOYHV DQG DGPLULQJ WKH ZDUHV VXFK ZDV WKH TXDOLW\ RI SURGXFW RQ GLVSOD\ :KLOH WKH ËŠRRU VSDFH LVQČ W H[DFWO\ ZKDW RQH ZRXOG FDOO H[SDQVLYH WKH VLPSOH DQG HDV\ WR EURZVH layout manages to incorporate a KLJK TXDQWLW\ RI HTXLSPHQW ZLWKRXW feeling cluttered or cramped.

RATING

4/5

This highly impressive offering features something for players of all DJHV EXGJHWV DQG DELOLWLHV ZKLOH LWV VWDII ZHUH ERWK YHU\ SROLWH DQG extremely helpful.

CONCLUSION

The city of London is home to a particularly diverse assortment of MI dealerships.

THOUGH IT MAY only provide a VQDSVKRW RI ZKDW /RQGRQ KDV WR offer outside of Denmark Street, my excursion to the capital proved that the overall standard RI 0, UHWDLO DFURVV WKH FLW\ LV extremely high. 7KH KLJKOLJKW RI P\ WULS ZDV XQGRXEWHGO\ +REJREOLQ LQ ZKLFK the varied and diverse product RIIHULQJ ZDV SHUIHFWO\ PDWFKHG E\ WKH KLJK TXDOLW\ RI VHUYLFH from the shopkeeper. By simply addressing customers in the right ZD\ DQG PDNLQJ WKH HIIRUW WR XQGHUVWDQG WKHLU UHTXLUHPHQWV

retailers can make a genuinely lasting impression and VLJQLˉFDQWO\ LQFUHDVH WKH FKDQFHV of repeat custom. $OVR LPSUHVVLYH ZHUH P\ H[SHULHQFHV ZLWK 'XNH RI 8NH and The London Guitar Studio, ZKLFK HDFK ERDVWHG SHUVRQDOLW\ and charisma in abundance, DORQJ ZLWK ZDUP KHOSIXO DQG KLJKO\ NQRZOHGJHDEOH VWDII 0\ RQO\ PLQRU JULSH ZDV ZLWK :HVWHQG '- 7KH VOLJKWO\ RIˉVK QDWXUH RI WKH VWDII , HQFRXQWHUHG ZDV LQ FRQWUDVW WR WKH VKRSNHHSHUV , PHW ZLWK

at each of my other locations, ZKLFK RQO\ VHUYHG WR KLJKOLJKW their shortcomings. That said, ZKHQ , HYHQWXDOO\ DSSURDFKHG a member of staff, he proved to be particularly helpful and H[WUHPHO\ ZHOO HGXFDWHG LQ WKH ˉHOG RI KLJK WHFK VWXGLR HTXLSPHQW ,Q VXPPDU\ WKLV WULS demonstrated that there is indeed much beyond London’s PRVW IDPRXV 0, ODQGPDUN especially for those on the lookout for something outside of the standard rock ‘n’ roll market.

Contact Karma Bertelsen, 020 7226 7246, karma.bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk

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new

GEAR COMMENT

DANIEL GUMBLE, '(387< (',725

Guitar heroes PAGE 46 ARIA’S NEW ASA 18 H parlour guitar ERDVWV D VDWLQ ˉQLVK DQG LV PDGH IURP 6DSHOOL ZRRG &RPSOHWH ZLWK D FRYHU the guitar is available at a retail price RI e

PAGE 46 THE SCARLETT SOLO from Focusrite is the most affordable DXGLR LQWHUIDFH LQ WKH ˉUPČ V 6FDUOHWW UDQJH

PAGE 47 STRIKE A CHORD 7KH QHZ $'. %. ˉYH SLHFH GUXP kit from Chord is available now at a UHWDLO SULFH RI e

BEING OUR guitar starter packs issue, the last couple of weeks have had me thinking about what it was WKDW ˉUVW VSDUNHG P\ REVHVVLRQ ZLWK PXVLF DQG PRUH VSHFLˉFDOO\ WKH JXLWDU /LNH PRVW \RXQJ JXLWDULVWV , UHPHPEHU ZDWFKLQJ YLGHRV RI P\ IDYRXULWH SOD\HUV DQG GUHDPLQJ WKDW RQH GD\ , PLJKW SOD\ JXLWDU LQ D EDQG RI P\ RZQ 0\ personal heroes came in the form of Kurt Cobain, -RKQQ\ 0DUU 1RHO *DOODJKHU DQG 3HWHU %XFN ZKRP , ZRXOG ZDWFK DQG OLVWHQ WR REVHVVLYHO\ $QG ZKLOH WKH\ PD\ QRW KDYH EHHQ W\SLFDO RI PRVW WHHQDJHUVČ JXLWDU LGROV Č? +HQGUL[ 3DJH 6DWULDQL HWF Č? WKHUH ZDV VRPHWKLQJ DERXW KHDULQJ DQG VHHLQJ WKHP SOD\ that inspired me to pick up an instrument and form a JURXS ZLWK P\ IULHQGV 5RFN Č&#x;QČ UROO WRGD\ KRZHYHU DSSHDUV EHUHIW RI DQ\ WUXO\ LFRQLF ˉJXUHV DW OHDVW LQ D WUDGLWLRQDO VHQVH 7KH UHDVRQV IRU WKLV DUH P\ULDG DQG FRPSOH[ QRW OHDVW EHFDXVH RI WKH ,QWHUQHWČ V DELOLW\ WR SURYLGH LQVWDQW DFFHVV WR PXVLF QR PDWWHU KRZ QLFKH RU REVFXUH On the one hand, this has made music a more XELTXLWRXV HQWLW\ WKDQ HYHU EHIRUH RQ WKH RWKHU LW has diminished WKH P\VWLTXH and aspirational qualities SUHYLRXVO\ associated with LW %XW WKDWČ V D discussion for DQRWKHU WLPH :KDWČ V LPSRUWDQW QRZ LV WKDW UHWDLOHUV DQG EUDQGV PDUNHW LQVWUXPHQWV WR NLGV LQ D ZD\ WKDW LV DVSLUDWLRQDO DQG PRVW LPSRUWDQWO\ UHOHYDQW ,Q WKH DEVHQFH RI DQ\ FRQWHPSRUDU\ URFN LFRQV PDQ\ FDOO upon dinosaurs of the past to promote their products Č? DQ DSSURDFK WKDW LV QRW RQO\ OLNHO\ WR SDLQW D picture of a brand obsolete, but also alienate those ZKR ZRXOG OLNH WR JHW LQWR JXLWDU EXW DUH SXW RII E\ the image of bearded fat bloke staring them down IURP EHKLQG WKH FRXQWHU ,I WKH DUFKHW\SLFDO JXLWDU KHUR LV D WKLQJ RI WKH SDVW ZK\ QRW OHDYH LW WKHUH" 3HUKDSV DQ XSGDWH WR WKH NLQG RI LPDJHU\ XVHG DURXQG JXLWDUV LV ZKDWČ V QHHGHG 7KHUH KDV EHHQ D JURZLQJ QXPEHU RI SURPLQHQW IHPDOH JXLWDU EDQGV RI ODWH EXW WKLV LV \HW WR EH UHËŠHFWHG LQ WKH PDUNHWLQJ PDWHULDOV RI PDQ\ EUDQGV $QHFGRWDO HYLGHQFH VKRZV WKDW PRUH DQG PRUH JLUOV DUH YLVLWLQJ VWRUHV VR ZK\ QRW DSSHDO D OLWWOH ELW PRUH WR WKHLU VHQVLELOLWLHV WKDQ WKRVH RI WKH DJLQJ PHWDOOHU"

It’s vital that retailers and brands market instruments in a way that is aspirational and relevant.

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PRODUCTS

NEW GEAR 2 1

1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo

RRP: ÂŁ79.99 Focusrite has introduced its most affordable Scarlett audio interface to date – the Scarlett Solo. SPECIFICATIONS: Available at a retail price of ÂŁ79.99, the Scarlett Solo IURP )RFXVULWH LV WKH ˉUPČ V PRVW affordable audio interface to date. Equipped with a dynamic range of 106dB, it is designed to provide users with the same preamp quality and signature red metal case as the rest of the Scarlett range. Key features include: two-in/twoout USB interface; 106dB dynamic range, -125dB EIN and -97dB THD; genuine Focusrite Scarlett mic pre; high headroom instrument input: +14dBu; 24-bit audio with sample rates up to 96kHz; and direct latencyfree monitoring. uk.focusrite.com

2. Pioneer DDJ-SX2

3. Aria ASA 18 H

RRP: ÂŁTBC Pioneer has unveiled its new DDJ6; FRQWUROOHU Č? WKH ˉUVW WR JLYH '-V native manipulation of the Serato Flip expansion pack. SPECIFICATIONS: The paid for Serato Flip software for Serato DJ allows users to record and replay hot cue sequences on the go. The four-channel controller inherits two key features from 3LRQHHUČ V ''- 6= SHUIRUPDQFH pads with multi-coloured cue point LEDs and on-jog digital cue point markers. It also comes Serato DJ DVS upgrade-ready and improved jog wheel latency. )XUWKHUPRUH WKH ˉUVW units will come bundled with a free voucher for the Serato Video Expansion Pack, worth ÂŁ119. www.pioneer.eu

4. Waldorf Streichfett String synth

RRP: £129 $ULD 8. KDV MXVW UHFHLYHG WKH ˉUVW stock of its new ASA 18 H Parlour guitar.

RRP: ÂŁ199 Waldorf has announced the availability of its new Streichfett String synthesizer.

SPECIFICATIONS: The brand new ASA 18 H parlour guitar from Aria LV D VDWLQ ˉQLVK 6DSHOOL ZRRG WUDYHO guitar, which also comes supplied with a cover. The scale length measures 580mm, meaning that it can be positioned both as an ideal travel instrument and as a suitable option for summer travellers. The Aria ASA 18 H will come with a retail price of of £129. www.ariauk.com

SPECIFICATIONS: The new synth is designed to deliver distinctive, classic string synth sounds in a compact and cost-effective package. Its dual sound engine features a 128-voice polyphonic strings section (Choir, Organ, Brass, Cello, Viola, and Violin presets) and an eight-voice polyphonic Solo section. The Ensemble effect handles WKH Č&#x;OXEULFDWLRQČ RI WKH 6WULQJV section, while the Effect section adds adjustable Phaser or Reverb. 6WUHLFKIHWWČ V UREXVW FDVLQJ PDWFKHV its Rocket Synthesizer and 2-Pole Analogue Filter siblings and comes with MIDI In and MIDI Out, plus USB connectivity for integration into any modern-day DAW-based setup. www.waldorf-music.info

3

4

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PRODUCTS

5

5. Chord ADK5-BK

RRP: ÂŁ379.99 Chord has added to its catalogue ZLWK D QHZ ˉYH SLHFH GUXP NLW SPECIFICATIONS: 7KH ˉUPČ V $'. BK drum kit aims to deliver quality performance at an affordable price. $LPHG DW ˉUVW WLPH SOD\HUV LW comes with double braced legs, eight lugs on the bass drum and black metal shell hardware with plastic coated cast metal lugs. Available in gloss black or white, the kit will retail for ÂŁ379.99. Included equipment: 22â€? kick drum; ČŁ ËŠRRU WRP ČŁ DQG ČŁ WRPV ČŁ snare; 14â€? hi-hats; 16â€? crash cymbal; stands; pedal beater; padded drum throne; drum sticks; drum key; and hex key. www.avslgroup.com

6. D’Addario Pro-Arte Carbon Classical Sets

7. Gator Cases * 7RXU ''-6=

RRP: ÂŁ19.49 'Č $GGDULR KDV DGGHG WR LWV SRUWIROLR with two new Pro-Arte Carbon Classical sets. SPECIFICATIONS: The new EJ45FF Normal Tension and EJ46FF Hard Tension strings have been engineered to deliver superior tone with powerful sustain in both live and studio settings. )HDWXULQJ 'Č $GGDULRČ V ËŠXRURFDUERQ trebles for enhanced intonation and responsive attack, the strings also ERDVW WKH ˉUPČ V '\QDFRUH EDVVHV which aim to offer a rich tone with optimised tuning stability. Both the EJ45FF Normal Tension and EJ46FF Hard Tension string sets are available now at a retail price of ÂŁ19.49. www.daddario.com

7 8

RRP: ÂŁTBC Gator Cases has announced availability of a new G-Tour heavyGXW\ URDG FDVH FXVWRP ˉWWHG IRU 3LRQHHUČ V ''- 6= FRQWUROOHU SPECIFICATIONS: A traditional wood road case offers maximum protection, with laminated panels and heavyduty twist latches. EVA padding lines the interior WR KROG WKH ''- 6= VHFXUHO\ ZKLOH a removable front panel provides full access to the front controls and headphone jack. The case also includes a rubber gripped metal tow handle and wheels at one end. 7KH * 7285 ''- 6= FDVH LV available now from authorised Gator Cases dealers. www.gatorcases.com

6

8. Carlsbro Apex

RRP: £TBC Heavy metal festival Bloodstock SURYLGHG D ˉUVW JOLPSVH DW WKH QHZ Apex tube head and cab range. SPECIFICATIONS: Carlsbro utilised the event as a platform to showcase its new Apex Series. The 100W head design is designed to deliver a rich sonic palette and VSRUWV D GDUN ODFTXHUHG ZRRG ˉQLVK All three channels of the all-tube head design feature independent Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle and Treble, plus Resonance and Sharpness controls. Pricing is yet WR EH FRQˉUPHG EXW &DUOVEUR VD\V the Apex will be highly competitive, coming in under the £1,000 mark. www.studiomaster.com

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$ 0217+ ,1 7+( WORLD OF MI

BACKLINE

It’s not often an MD from the industry comes up with something musically decent, but Rotosound’s Jason How has, with his self-recorded new album. See below. Also, if anyone fancies buying Geoff’s shop...they’d be mad....

Roto sounds HE MIGHT BE leaving it a tad late to make a charge on the WRS WHQ EXW GRQČ W UXOH LW RXW FRPSOHWHO\ EHFDXVH 5RWRVRXQG ERVV -DVRQ +RZ KDV SURGXFHG D QHZ DOEXP ZKLFK LV UHDOO\ rather good. Available now, The Tall English Sun, is described as “neoSV\FKHGHOLFČŁ GUDZLQJ KHDYLO\ RQ PXVLFDO LQËŠ XHQFHV IURP $UWKXU /HH WR 6\G %DUUHWW WKH 6WRQH 5RVHV DQG HOVHZKHUH The album features ten songs with titles such as Viaducts of Your Dreams, Telescope Eyes and Mesmerised. You might even arrive at the conclusion that Jason has somehow been H[SDQGLQJ KLV FRQVFLRXVQHVV +H GULQNV D ORW RI 'DUMHHOLQJ DSSDUHQWO\ $QG UHFHQWO\ ZHQW RQ D WDEOH WDSSLQJ ZHHNHQG near Bognor with Arthur Sultan. When commenting on the album, artists such as Paul Gray

7KH 'DPQHG VDLG Ȣ$ JHQXLQH SRSDGHOLF GHOLJKW IURP VWDUW WR ˉ QLVK FKRFN IXOO RI ORYHO\ PHORGLHV VSUDQJO\ JHHWDUV DQG FDWFK\ XSEHDW WXQHVČŁ 6WHYH +XQWHU /RX 5HHG WKRXJKW LW ZDV ȢPDJQLˉ FHQWO\ EHDXWLIXO ČŁ DQG 'DYH 3DWRQ 3LORW VWDWHG Ȣ1R ˉ OOHUV RQ WKLV &' ČŁ -DVRQ SOD\HG WKH JXLWDUV EDVV YRFDOV DQG NH\ERDUGV DV ZHOO DV KHOSLQJ WR SURGXFH WKH DOEXP ZLWK OHDGLQJ VRXQG HQJLQHHU .HLWK 0RUH 3DXO 0F&DUWQH\ 1DWDOLH ,PEUXJOLD /HQQ\ .UDYLW] 7LQD 7XUQHU HWF 5RWRVRXQG VWULQJV ZHUH XVHG exclusively throughout the album, (naturally) as were both WKH QHZ 5RWRVRXQG :REEOHU WUHPROR SHGDO DQG WKH .LQJ +HQU\ SKDVHU SHGDO 7KH DOEXP LV DYDLODEOH QRZ RQ L7XQHV DQG KDUG FRSLHV RI WKH &' FDQ EH SXUFKDVHG GLUHFW IURP ZZZ MDVRQKRZ FRP

WE COULD ORDER IT IN‌

8. THE GRAVIKORD Don’t get caught out by that enquiry for something really specialist‌ THE GRAVIKORD WAS invented and is built by Bob Grawi. The instrument is 54 inches long, weighs around ˉ YH SRXQGV DQG KDV D welded stainless steel frame, wood tuning block, guitar W\SH WXQLQJ PDFKLQHV DQG D FDUYHG EULGJH ZLWK SLH]R HOHFWULF SLFNXS

It is an electric double KDUS GHYHORSHG IURP WKH West African kora, and has been featured in the New <RUN 0HWURSROLWDQ 0XVHXP RI $UW 6RPH SHRSOH KDYH GHVFULEHG LW DV ȢD KDUS IRU D ERQJR SOD\HUȣ DOVR DV ȢWZR KDUSV RQ D VWLFN WR JR ȣ RU ȢD KDUS IRU DFWLYH SHUVRQV ȣ

It has a 24-string three and a half octave range of notes, and the general tonal structure of an African kalimba or imbira (you thought you recognised it, right?) where notes of a scale alternate from side to side making adjacent strings always in intervals of major

or minor thirds. The tonal arrangement makes it a very sweet DQG RSHQ LQVWUXPHQW WR OHDUQ $SSDUHQWO\ Because you can’t UHDOO\ WKURZ VKDSHV DQG make guitar hero stances ZLWK D SURSHU KDUS FDQ \RX" Makes sesnse.

The Beat goes on WITH THE CANCELLATION of this year’s Music Show in Manchester, the world record charity drumming event 'UXP%($7 ZKLFK ZDV to run alongside the show at 0DQFKHVWHU &HQWUDO RQ VW 1RYHPEHU WKLV \HDU DSSHDUHG WR EH LQ VRPH MHRSDUG\ +RZHYHU WKH UHFRUG DWWHPSW LV VWLOO WDNLQJ SODFH EXW GXH to the logistical constraints RI 0DQFKHVWHU &HQWUDO DQG RI course, the fact that there’s QR 0XVLF 6KRZ WDNLQJ SODFH at the same time, it has PRYHG WR QHDUE\ (YHQW&LW\ <RX FDQ VWLOO VLJQ XS WR WDNH SDUW DQG LWČ V DOO IRU D JRRG cause. Visit www.drumbeatuk.org for further details.

OTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - 352 &2 8.

>> SEND US STUFF

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THIS STUFF DOESN’T FRPH RXW RI WKLQ DLU \RX NQRZ :H PDNH PRVW RI LW XS WR EH KRQHVW %XW ZH ZRXOG OLNH RXU ORYHO\ UHDGHUV WR JHW LQYROYHG (PDLO Ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

THE APPRENTICES Geoff Pipe The next generation of MI dealers are already coming to the boil QLFHO\ LQ WKH 0,57$6 DSSUHQWLFHVKLS VFKHPH (DFK PRQWK ZH FKHFN RQ RQ WKHLU SURJUHVVȨ Nathan Raven at Musicport Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Tell us a little about yourself. 0\ QDPH LV 1DWKDQ 5DYHQ \HDUV ROG IURP /HLFHVWHU originally, but now live in Whitby, North Yorkshire. I am currently doing an DSSUHQWLFHVKLS DW 0XVLFSRUW Whitby. I am a very much into the music industry and the retail side of things. I DP KRSLQJ WR FRPSOHWH WKH DSSUHQWLFHVKLS ZLWK JUHDW TXDOLW\ DQG EH DV KHOSIXO DV SRVVLEOH RQ WKH ZD\ , DP YHU\ SURXG WR EH RQ DQ DSSUHQWLFHVKLS LQ WKH VWRUH WKDW , DP DW ZLWK VXSSRUWLYH HPSOR\HUV WR KHOS PH DFKLHYH the best knowledge I can. How did you come to be working at Musicport on the MIRTAS apprenticeship? *URZLQJ XS , KDYH DOZD\V had a strong bond with music DQG LQVWUXPHQWV )LUVW SLFNLQJ XS D JXLWDU DW D \RXQJ DJH RI DURXQG ˉ YH \HDUV ROG DQG ZDWFKLQJ P\ IDWKHU SOD\ ZKR DOVR SOD\V JXLWDU DQG EDVV KDV KHOG WKH PRVW LQVSLUDWLRQ for me to become a musician. , DP D VHOI WDXJKW %DVV SOD\HU SOD\LQJ LQ D EDQG IURP WKH DJH RI , VWXGLHG DW

/HLFHVWHU &ROOHJH RQ D WZR year Performing Musician course, which is where I met all of the band members, and carried on with the band to SOD\ ORWV RI JLJV DQG HYHQ JRW WR SOD\ WKH 1HZ $FWV 6WDJH at Glastonbudget festival. 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ ZH EURNH XS DV a band after the festival due to musical differences and how far we wanted to go in the industry. After moving to Whitby a year and a half ago P\ )LDQF«H EHFDPH SUHJQDQW and during antenatal classes I met a mother who owned and UDQ D PXVLF VKRS ORFDOO\ 6R through that I asked if there was any chance of having a job there and she offered PH WKH DSSUHQWLFHVKLS which is great. I am currently FRPSOHWLQJ DOO RI P\ workbooks whilst enjoying P\ DSSUHQWLFHVKLS What do you most enjoy about your apprenticeship placement? , HQMR\ HYHU\WKLQJ DERXW LW Being a musician and working around instruments that I get to either give advice on or talk about is great. Also

while working here I get WR H[SHULHQFH OLIH ZLWKLQ D PXVLF VKRS DQG JDLQ ORWV RI SURGXFW NQRZOHGJH ZKLFK LV a big bonus for me if I have the chance to make a career RXW RI LW 7KH HPSOR\HUV KHUH KDYH KHOSHG PH ZLWK JHWWLQJ to know the store. What do you hope to gain from the apprenticeship? , KRSH WR JDLQ DOO WKH OHYHOV RI NQRZOHGJH , QHHG WR SURJUHVV further into the industry so WKDW , FDQ HIIHFWLYHO\ H[SODLQ to customers about anything they may need to know within the store. What have been some of your challenges along the way? The biggest challenge for me is the customer enquiries involving knowledge about VSHFLˉ F WKLQJV $V WKHUH are so many different instruments and accessories in the music instrument industry, some I didn’t even know about, it was hard to start with but as you study more and more on VSHFLˉ F SURGXFWV \RX JHW WKH knowledge you need.

telling it like it is What this man doesn’t know about MI UHWDLO LV SUREDEO\ WKH UHVXOW RI KLP QRW SD\LQJ DWWHQWLRQ DW WKH WLPH

I’M THINKING OF VHOOLQJ WKH VKRS %XW WKHQ ,È YH EHHQ WKLQNLQJ RI VHOOLQJ WKH VKRS IRU WKH ODVW \HDUV , ˉ JXUHG LI ,È P VWUXJJOLQJ WR VHOO WKH FRQWHQWV RI WKH VKRS LQGLYLGXDOO\ , PLJKW KDYH D EHWWHU FKDQFH VHOOLQJ off the lot all at once. But who is mad enough to want to get into music retail right now? 7KH RQO\ WKLQJ WKDW VWRSV PH RWKHU WKDQ WKH ODFN RI DQ RIIHU DERYH e LV WKDW , GRQÈ W ZDQW WR VHH WKH SODFH WXUQHG LQWR D 6WDUEXFNV RU D FKDULW\ VKRS 0LQG \RX WKH FKDULW\ VKRS GRZQ WKH URDG IURP PH VHOOV PRUH JXLWDUV WKDQ , GR 'RQÈ W JHW PH VWDUWHG RQ WKDW So I’m looking to sell it to someone who wants WR UHWDLQ LW DV D PXVLF VKRS , IHHO LWÈ V D YLWDO SDUW RI WKH IDEULF RI D FRPPXQLW\ WKDW WKHUH LV D PXVLF VKRS DYDLODEOH (YHQ LI QRQH RI WKH FRPPXQLW\ DFWXDOO\ JR in it. I think that might be one of the reasons why no-one wants to take it on. So I guess I’m stuck with it for bit a longer. I’ve thought about relocating it, but even WKRXJK ,È P VSRLOHG IRU choice with the amount of HPSW\ VKRSV LQ EHWWHU ORFDWLRQV DURXQG KHUH WKH UHQW LV VWLOO SURKLELWLYH DQG VR LV WKH KDVVOH RI PRYLQJ ,W KDV EHFRPH D ELW OLNH KHUSHV ,È P MXVW VWXFN ZLWK WKH VKRS ,È P DOVR DFWXDOO\ VWXFN ZLWK KHUSHV DV ZHOO +H\ LW ZDV WKH VHYHQWLHV 'RQÈ W MXGJH PH I asked Jason to make some enquiries at a FRPPHUFLDO HVWDWH DJHQWV IRU PH $ERXW WKH VKRS QRW WKH KHUSHV /LNH , VDLG WKDWÈ V KHUH WR VWD\ 6LQFH WKHQ ,È YH EHHQ RIIHUHG VR PDQ\ SULPH ORFDWLRQV WKDW , FRXOG HDVLO\ EHFRPH WKH 8.È V ODUJHVW PXVLF UHWDLOHU LI , WRRN WKHP XS RQ LW But no-one is the slightest bit interested in buying WKH VKRS LW VHHPV ,È P SUD\LQJ IRU WKH GD\ ZKHQ VRPHRQH DSSURDFKHV PH ZLWK D FRPSXOVRU\ SXUFKDVH RUGHU EHFDXVH WKHUHÈ V D VKRSSLQJ FHQWUH EHLQJ EXLOW 2U LQGHHG DQ\ NLQG RI SXUFKDVH RUGHU 2QH IRU D VHW RI strings even. If you know someone who’s thinking of buying a VKRSȨWHOO WKHP WR JHW WKHLU EOHHGLQJ KHDG WHVWHG

The charity shop down the road sells more guitars than I do. Don’t get me started.

OCTOBER 2014 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

50 MIPRO

FORWARD FEATURES

UPCOMING The features you need to look out for in the October and November editions of MI Pro INTERVIEW

MUSIC CHINA

FEATURES LIST

Also on the way... DECEMBER 2014 2014 RETAIL SURVEY 0, 3UR FRQQHFWV ZLWK WKH QDWLRQČ V 0, UHWDLOHUV WR ˉQG RXW ZKLFK OLQHV KDYH EHHQ EHHQ ËŠ\LQJ RII WKH VKHOYHV RYHU WKH past 12 months and how the market has fared during yet another tough year for the industry.

:H VSHDN WR 2UDQJH $PSOLˉFDWLRQ PDQDJLQJ GLUHFWRU 'DPRQ :DOOHU DERXW WKH ˉUPČ V QHZ SURGXFWLRQ IDFLOLW\ LQ &KLQD DQG LWV ˉUVW IRUD\ LQWR WKH ZRUOG RI VWDUWHU JXLWDU SDFNV

AS EVER, we will be providing a comprehensive report from the annual Musikmesse Music China event. Expect news of all the major product launches and announcements from the Shanghai show.

BRASS AND WOODWIND December’s MI Pro Recommended product special focuses on the brass and woodwind sector.

MIA AWARDS 2014 A rundown of the night’s big winners.

MI PRO RECOMMENDED: PORTABLE PA OUR RECOMMENDED SECTION shifts its focus to the world of portable PA. As ever, we’ll be identifying some of the fastestselling lines on the market – both new and established. For more information, contact Karma Bertelsen on 020 7354 6001 or Karma.Bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk.

The international monthly magazine for music instrument professionals and everyone in the MI business MI Pro has a monthly circulation of well over 6,000. It is distributed in the UK and internationally to MI retailers, industry professionals and carefully selected pro audio executives and resellers.

Managing Editor Ronnie Dungan

Designer Philip Randall

Deputy Editor Daniel Gumble

Production Executive Elizabeth Parker

Account Manager Karma Bertelsen

Publisher Darrell Carter

ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

daniel.gumble@intentmedia.co.uk

karma.bertelsen@intentmedia.co.uk

philip.randall@intentmedia.co.uk

elizabeth.parker@intentmedia.co.uk

darrell.carter@intentmedia.co.uk

Copyright Š 2014 NewBay Media Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2YHA

Marketing & Circulation Curwood CMS

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SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: ÂŁ50 Europe: ÂŁ60 Rest of World: ÂŁ90 Enquiries: mipro.subscriptions@c-cms.com Telephone: 01580 883 848 Charges cover 12 issues MI PRO is published 12 times a year

MIPRO is a member of the PPA Š NewBay 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of MiPro are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord, NP12 2YHA

ISSN 1750-4198 Enquiries to: MI Pro, NewBay Media, Saxon House 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA. Tel: 01992 535646 (Editorial) Tel: 01992 535647 (Advertising) Fax: 01992 535648

NEW TIONS

Expertly hand-hammered, Stagg’s new SENSA cymbals offer the modern drummer a perfect blend of sensitive response and crystal clear definition. Join us on Facebook ! www.facebook.com/StaggMusic

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