Music Trades articles from January 2004

Music Trades archives from January 2004

Wal-Mart and its impact on school music.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Your article "Are Retailers Facing a New Threat?" in your November 2003 issue is great--a well-written analysis of what is currently a hot topic in our industry. The statistics presented are truly staggering--over 3,000 stores and 8 million...

Watch what you wish for.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Your editorial "Watch What You Wish For" in the November issue is right on the money. As an industry we want growth but complain about the increased competition that comes with growth. When I began my career in the MI/Pro Audio Industry in 1966...

What's wrong with piano dealers.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... I'd like to thank Bob Popyk for opening the door to a frank and open discussion about piano retailing. One answer to "What is it about piano dealers?" is that jewelers, car dealers, and electronics stores live in a different world than we do....

Correction of corrections dept.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2004... Lisa Argiris and Mark Thomson took strenuous objection to an article in the September issue of The Music Trades that detailed how their company, International Music Suppliers, had registered internet domain names associated with their...

Unique selling propositions.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Your October issue contained a very insightful and pertinent article regarding case design and a not-so-run-of-the-mill approach to selling cases to the music industry. While your article focused on case design, I couldn't help but let my...

Harrison's first guitar sold at auction.(Industry Briefings)
January 1, 2004... George Harrison's first guitar--"a real cheapo" his parents gave him--has sold at auction for more than $469,200. The guitar was part of an annual Beatles sale by music memorabilia firm Cooper Owen, conducted in late November at the Hard Rock...

Surging Internet sales activity.(Industry Briefings)
January 1, 2004... Shoppers logged onto the Internet in large numbers during an unusually early and robust start to the holiday season. Typically the online holiday season officially starts on the Monday after Thanksgiving, when many people start shopping from...

U.S. consumer confidence moves up, signaling rebound.(Industry Briefings)
January 1, 2004... U.S. consumer confidence surged to its highest level in over a year, exceeding economists' rosy expectations, as consumers grew more hopeful about the job market, according to a Conference Board report released on December 1. The report noted...

Music makes turkeys taste better.(Industry Briefings)
January 1, 2004... The National Farmers' Union is sending more than 100 farmers CDs with tracks entitled the "dawn chorus," "whale sounds," and "happy turkeys," an NFU spokesman said in early November. "It is well known that a stressed bird is more prone to...

Continued slump for recorded music.(Industry Briefings)
January 1, 2004... Informa Media Group reported on Tuesday that it doesn't expect to see any growth in global commercial music sales before 2005. The report estimates that 2003 will see the fourth consecutive year of falling recorded music sales revenue. It...

"Be Prepared," go to the NAMM show.(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... We recap some of the major stories of the year in our annual Review & Forecast, which begins on page 106 of this issue. But a few of headlines are worth recapping here. * Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sam's Club, three of world's largest and most...

Paul Calvin: vice-president & general manager, Yamaha Piano division.(Career Path)
January 1, 2004... At the dedication ceremony for an organ he had sold to Our Lady of Victory, a large Catholic church in Minneapolis. Paul Calvin finally decided he wanted to make a career in the music industry. Although he had worked for several retailers,...

Going to the NAMM show is a must! To position your business to take advantage of the coming recovery.(NAMM 2004 Preview)
January 1, 2004... Predictions are a risky business, but we're willing to go out on a limb here. All indications are that after three years of treading water, 2004 is going to be a strong year for the music products industry. Consumer confidence is on the rise,...

Official NAMM exibitor list.(NAMM 2004 Preview)
January 1, 2004... 4DB 1167 A & D Gitarrentechnologie 1564 A & S Case Co., Inc 4885 A Class Act ...

2004 marks Taylor Guitars' 30th year.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... TAYLOR GUITARS celebrates its 30th anniversary in October 2004, and the company will kick off a yearlong observance by unveiling the 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Series guitars at winter NAMM. The 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Grand...

Top college bands choose Yamaha drums.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... THE BAND & ORCHESTRAL (B&O) Division of Yamaha has a history of working closely with the finest collegiate marching bands in the country that dates back to the early 1980s, when Yamaha began selling marching percussion products to the top...

Why leave Nashville? On a press junket, we discover what Indianapolis and Austin have to offer and why they are well suited for the summer trade show.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS NAMM's Nashville Summer Session has thrived, and the industry has grown increasingly fond of Music City USA. So when NAMM announced that after 2004 the show would leave Nashville and alternate between Indianapolis and...

Guitar salon forms Tornavoz Music to supply all classical guitar needs.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... GUITAR SALON INTERNATIONAL (GSI) has formed a new wholesale division, Tornavoz Music. Over the last 20 years GSI has become the leading distributor of classical and flamenco guitars in the United States by consistently offering the finest...

Alvord acquires Midwest Music.(News Flash)
January 1, 2004... ALVORD, INC., acquired Minneapolis-based Midwest Music Distributors, Ltd., in August, with Jeff Alvord assuming the position of president. Jeff Alvord has over 20 years of purchasing and strategic sourcing experience and most recently was...

Godin celebrates 10 years in Japan.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... J.E.S. INTERNATIONAL, the Japanese distributor of Godin Guitars, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary of distributing Godin in Japan by hosting parties in Tokyo and Osaka. Robert Godin was on hand to welcome the 200 end users who attended...

Cerwin-Vega opens China office.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... CERWIN-VEGA! has opened an office in the Dongguan, Guangdon, region of China. Headed by industry veteran Jason Echols, the new office will serve as the Asian component of the new Cerwin-Vega! infrastructure being built to support the brand...

Soundcraft powers U.K.'s top retail venue--Virgin/Sound Control.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... SOUND CONTROL, one of the U.K.'s leading music instrument retailers, has just opened its flagship 12th venue in the basement of the Virgin Megastore on London's bustling Oxford Street. Aside from possessing the country's largest wall of...

First set of U.S.-made Slingerland Drums sold.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... THE FIRST SET of Slingerland Drums now being produced in the U.S. has been sold, launching a new era in the drum-maker's history. The inaugural set, a Buddy Rich Signature, was sold to Rick Braines of New Hudson, Michigan, who traveled to...

New website for Black Diamond.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... BLACK DIAMOND Strings given its website a complete makeover. The new site, www.blackdiamondstrings.com--is much easier to navigate through, with quicker speed. Useful show dates are given, and the download page features Black Diamond banners to...

Pro-Points rewards consumers for buying Pro-Mark.(News Flash)
January 1, 2004... TAKING A PAGE: FROM the airline's frequent flyer incentive programs Pro-Mark Corporation has announced a new "Pro-Points" program to stimulate percussion accessory sales. Pat Brown, director of sales and marketing, stated, "Pro-Points is a...

Noted engineer VornDick captures classic sounds for fishman.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... LARRY FISHMAN, founder and president of Fishman Transducers, journeyed to Nashville on September 25 to record key acoustic guitar sounds being used in the creation of the new Aura acoustic imaging blender. Fishman selected Mountainside Audio...

Mississippi trade council honors Peavey.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... THE MISSISSIPPI World Trade Center honored Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics Corporation, with its Guy Tozzoli "Peace Through Trade" Distinguished Leadership Award. "This award has a special meaning," said Liles...

Burns warns about imitators.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... BURNS LONDON IS concerned about the number of pickups bearing the "Burns" name that are imitations of the genuine Burns Tri-Sonic pickup the company makes. "Most of these imitations use interior magnets and windings, and they have an output...

Dixie Chicks on TV with Tacoma Papoose.(News Flash)
January 1, 2004... THE DIXIE CHICKS ON TV WITH TACOMA PAPOOSE THE DIXIE CHICKS were featured on NBC's Today Show on November 24. They used Tacoma Papoose guitars as they played songs from their multi-platinum Home album--"Truth No. 2," "White Trash Wedding,"...

Loss narrows at MakeMusic!(Corporate Earnings Digest)
January 1, 2004... Software producer MakeMusic! reported that revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 were $2,246,000, an eight percent decrease compared with $2,444,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The decrease was primarily due to a later release...

Share prices of publicly traded industry firms.(Corporate Earnings Digest)
January 1, 2004... PRICE AS OF P/E DECEMBER 4, 2003 RATIO Allen Organ Corp. $48.74 229 Avid Technology $50.95 53.9...

Weber piano shuts down.
January 1, 2004... Weber Piano Company will cease operations effective January 1, 2004 according to a statement made by Woo Chon Choi, vice-president. The announcement brings an end to the distribution company, which has operated as a subsidiary of Samsung...

Remo Belli receives "Music Has Power" Award.(Industry Forefront)
January 1, 2004... REMO BELLI, PIONEER of the synthetic drumhead and founder of Remo Inc., was honored with a Music Has Power Award at a star-studded presentation in New York City that was hosted by Oscar-winning acress Gwyneth Paltrow, and featured apperances by...

Guitar Center opens in Manhattan: 30,000-square-foot Union Square store projected to do $30 million in sales.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... STARTING SEVENTY-FIVE years ago, the large contingent of Broadway theater musicians made 48th Street an ideal place to open a music store, and the two-block stretch between Broadway and 6th Avenue has long been the hub of music retail activity...

1,000 turn out for Interstate's annual DrummerFest.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... WISCONSIN'S INTERSTATE Music held its third annual DrummerFest event on Saturday, November 15, featuring Mike Mangini, Dom Famularo, Steve Ferrone, and Steve Smith. The event has been a yearly highlight for drummers in the Greater Milwaukee...

Henry Steinway at Schmitt.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... HENRY STEINWAY was the guest of honor at a recent Schmitt Music "Midwest Steinway Event" in Minneapolis. The event celebrated both Steinway & Sons 150th anniversary and Henry's 88th birthday. At a dinner following the event, he look time to met...

Kretzer piano sponsors monthly concert series.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... KRETZER PIANO OF West Palm Beach, Florida, is presenting monthly concerts, "Music For The Mind," in the Harriet Himmel Gilman Theater for Cultural and Performing Arts at CityPlace. Held the third Tuesday of every month, the concerts feature...

AJ's Pro holds Weckl drum clinic.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... TAMPA, FLORIDA, percussion retailer AJ's Pro Percussion recently hosted a Dave Weckl drum clinic that sold out 400 seats, and another 25 to 50 walkups paid the $12 ticket price to stand and watch the renowned drummer perform. Sabian...

Gand completes fall clinics, concerts.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... GAND MUSIC & SOUND of Northfield, Illinois, recently completed its fall semester of clinics and mini-concerts. Starting with hi-tech, Nick Dika from Cakewalk faced an SRO audience to demonstrate the latest feature upgrades to the company's...

Jordan Kitt's has successful Steinway event.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... JORDAN KITT'S MUSIC conducted a highly successful Steinway Factory Selection Event on Columbus Day Weekend in the Washington, DC, and northern Virginia markets. The event produced impressive sales numbers: 30 Steinway grands, nine Steinway...

Music & arts adds stores in North Carolina.(Retailer Update)
January 1, 2004... MUSIC & ARTS CENTER held grand opening celebrations this October for its two newest North Carolina store locations, in Huntersville and Cary. The celebrations included live musical performances and prize giveaways of a $1,000 gift certificate,...

Outside events ... still profitable? Outside sales still work, but they're a bit like rolling the dice with a lot of money on the table. And, like in Las Vegas, you have to know when to change tables, change your strategy, or just plain quit.(Bob Popyk On Selling)
January 1, 2004... Over one-third of all pianos sold this past year were sold outside of a dealer's store. College sales, armory sales, hotel sales, and various "perimeter sales" still account for a large portion of a piano dealer's business. I recently made...

After a year of fits and starts, things begin to look up: a war, major natural disasters, and fears of an epidemic were just a few of the unanticipated events that wreaked havoc on the best laid business plans. Against backdrop like this, it's amazing the industry fared as well as it did. Now for the good news: Absent any unforeseen disasters, 2004 looks to be a strong year.(2004 Review & Forecast)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... The common lament in every quarter of the industry last year was that no one seemed able to sustain strong sales performance over an extended period. One month business would be great--traffic jams at the cash register, phones ringing off the...

In memoriam.(2004 Review & Forecast)
January 1, 2004... In 2004 the industry lost a number of remarkable individuals who made contributions that are difficult to fully value Vito Pascucci, founder and guiding light at G. Leblanc Corp. died on August 18th at age 80. Tom Walker, a founder of Music...

Percussion industry show's new beat in "Louavul".(Report From PASIC)
January 1, 2004... However you pronounce it, from "Looey-ville" to the slurred (and locally preferred) "Louavul," the Kentucky hotspot's pulse and pace quickened a bit as percussionists from around the world converged there for the first time for the recent...

Sound off! Top percussion execs at PAS discuss deflation, the economy, changing consumers and what the trends mean for drum sales.(Report From PASIC)
January 1, 2004... DAVID VAI, SKB "Deflation becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. About the time retailers start to examine their own pricing policy and manufacturers ask why their products are being so heavily discounted, here comes another supplier with a...

With the ability to produce any and every type of guitar imaginable, ESP guitar management isn't kidding when they say: "if you can dream it, we can build it!" Now the renowned custom builder is setting its sights on the rest of the market.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... In 1987 Kirk Hammett of Metallica was gearing up for the much awaited Monsters Of Rock tour. Stadiums had been booked, dates had been set, and the prospect of a blockbuster tour was all but assured. There was one small hitch; he couldn't find a...

Glenn Edward Horns: band instrument industry veteran Glenn Holtz translates decades of experience into a complete new product line designed to speed student progress, thrill educators, and build retail profits.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... What's in a name? The band instrument market remains wary of new names associating them (often justifiably) with poor-quality instruments that fall apart with normal school-environment usage and, due to a lack of spare parts or soft, fragile...

Huge investment spurs continued growth at Sejung: company adds new plants and enters concert arena with 9' grand.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... Just one year after completing construction of a 700,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and producing its first piano and guitar, Sejung Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company has embarked on a massive capital investment program that...

Combining the tradition of fine Italian Luthiers with the abundant tonewoods of Brazil Giannini guitars mounts a global export drive with high-value lines of guitars and strings.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... In 1890 a gifted woodworker named Tranquillo Giannini traveled from his native Italy to Brazil to explore its treasure of exotic woods. He was so impressed by the remarkable abundance, variety, and quality of timbers, some of which are unique...

How does Behringer do it?(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... While some audio manufacturers say Behringer is the company that's destroying the audio business with rock-bottom prices, Uli Behringer can't understand what the controversy is all about. "All we're trying to do is give the customer a better...

Stephanhouser expands sax production: vintage finishes, unique features, and premium quality spur retail demand.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... Most band instrument manufacturers don't identify 2003 as a banner year for business. Many dealers, having taken advantage of manufacturer incentives in the previous year, were sufficiently stocked in 2003 to tell suppliers, "Check back with me...

France's Pleyel nears two centuries of piano making artistry.(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... At the height of the Romantic period, gifted pianist and renowned piano maker Camille Pleyel established salons where famous virtuosi and composers were heard for the first time. After Camille Pleyel launched Chopin's career in 1832 with a...

Varon offers t-shirts & posters to promote music education.
January 1, 2004... NELSON VARON HAS launched a line of T-shirts, posters, and buttons that will profit retailers while promoting music education and the music industry. "I wanted to create a limited but focused range of products that would develop a viable profit...

Yamaha promotes finance exec Brian Jemelian.(People)
January 1, 2004... BRIAN JEMELIAN, vice-president of finance and regulatory in the Finance Division of Yamaha Corporation of America, has been promoted to corporate vice-president, finance and administration. He will now report to Yoshi Doi, president of Yamaha...

DiTomasso joins D'Andrea sales.(People)
January 1, 2004... FRED DITOMASSO has joined D'Andrea, Inc., as national sales manager for branded products. This newly created position includes marketing and domestic sales responsibility for the entire D'Andrea brand line of picks and guitar accessories and...

Knesel joins Aviom; 3 rep firms added.(People)
January 1, 2004... TOM KNESEL HAS joined Aviom, Inc., manufacturer of the A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System, as a regional sales manager. Based in Atlanta, Knesel will be in charge of sales for the Southern territory. Knesel's previous experience includes...

Neil Grover elected to pass board.(People)
January 1, 2004... NEIL GROVER, FOUNDER and president of Grover Pro Percussion, has been elected to the board of directors of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Grover, who had previously been a PAS board member for eight consecutive years, was elected to a two...

Moog names Vern Pyles new sales manager.(People)
January 1, 2004... ZON VERN PYLES is Moog Music's new Western Regional sales manager and the company's first direct outside sales person. Pyles, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, will be responsible for sales of Moog products in Arizona, California, New Mexico,...

Batusic, Allen join Gibson guitar.(People)
January 1, 2004... GREG BATUSIC and Michael L. Allen have joined Gibson Guitar Corp. Batusic is chief sales officer and senior vice-president for global sales; Allen is chief people officer and senior vice president for human resources. Both appointments were...

Phonic's new generation of mobile audio systems.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... PHONIC AMERICA WILL debut its new RoadGear series, the first in a new generation of portable performance systems, at the NAMM show in Anaheim. Powerful and portable, RoadGear is the ideal solution for live performers, schools, houses of...

Vox to show new combo amps at NAMM.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... VOX WILL EXHIBIT ITS latest Valvetronix combo amplifiers and the VC 12 foot controller at the NAMM show in Anaheim. The AD60VTX (60-watt) and AD120VTX (120-watt) combo amplifiers are the latest in Vox's Valvetronix line. They offer all the...

Exciting new releases from Hal Leonard.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... BREAKING NEW GROUND, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the first company to take the concept of a chord book to the DVD format with its new Guitar Chords DVD. The DVD format lends itself exceptionally well to learning a large number of chords,...

Zoom unveils PS-04 Palmtop Recording Studio.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... ZOOM'S NEW PS-04 IS a fully-loaded digital four-track workstation that is smaller than a portable CD player. At only 5-1/4" high x 3-1/4" wide x 1-3/8" deep, it is the smallest multi-track recorder on the market. The PS-04 has four tracks...

New concert tuba from Jupiter.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... JUPITER BAND Instruments has introduced the 482 3/4-size concert tuba featuring four valves with stainless steel contoured front action pistons. The 482 is ideal for smaller players and professionals. The smaller size gives even the...

Special drawings at Mel Bay booth.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... MEL BAY WILL HOLD special drawings at its booth, #3200, at the NAMM show in Anaheim. Dealers who place a minimum order of 100 units (excluding pocket books) will be entered in a drawing to win a $500 credit from Mel Bay. The credit must be used...

Snarling dogs revives popular stomp boxes.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... "BECAUSE SO MANY players have asked for them, we have reissued two Snarling Dogs stomp boxes," said Charlie Lusso, general manager of D'Andrea, owner of the Snarling Dogs analog effects pedals. The two models are the Tweed-E Dog and the Black...

Coda's Beta drums in new silver finish.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... CODA DRUMS, available from The Music Link, is now offering its student-favorite DS-200 Generation Beta five-piece drumset in a popular metallic silver finish. Built with durable mahogany shells, the drums have everything a student needs to get...

SKB introduces new pedalboards.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... AN INNOVATOR KNOWN for responding to the needs of the working musician, SKB has developed two new pedalboards: the SKB PS-35 Deluxe Pedalboard and the SKB PS-35MV Multi-Volt Deluxe Pedalboard. The SKB PS-35 Deluxe Pedalboard has four effects...

New Kona amps and player packs.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... FOLLOWING A GREAT 2003, Kona Guitars has added new products that are sure to be top sellers in 2004, including player packs. The K1PK includes the top-selling K1 dreadnought acoustic with a satin finish, gig bag, guitar strap, pitchpipe, six...

Cole Clark "Fat Lady" combines classic and new design features.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... COLE CLARK GUITARS new "Fat Lady" line of acoustic-electric guitars incorporates the best of Old World and contemporary instrument making principles for exceptional sound quality, playability, and value. Following the example of history's best...

Kemble pianos ready for NAMM.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... KEMBLE PIANOS WILL be showcasing its new 5'8" Conservatoire grand piano at the NAMM show in Anaheim. This piano is another milestone in Kemble's cooperation with Yamaha Corporation of Japan. The piano was introduced last summer and has been a...

Yamaha debuts DGX portable keyboards.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... YAMAHA WILL INTRODUCE the DGX203, DGX305 and DGX505 portable keyboards at NAMM. Targeting the first-time buyer in the market for a piano-oriented product, these products represent pan of a complete overhaul of the Yamaha DGX line. All three...

Ac-cetera introduces new music stand light.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... AC-CETERA HAS introduced the first optional shelf-amount or top-mount music stand lamp. The new model LM is part of the growing Lumin-Eze line of lights. The quick clamp-on design gives the musician the option of mounting to the shelf...

Brushworks method from Carl Fischer.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... CARL FISCHER MUSIC has introduced a new publication titled Brushworks, The New Language for Playing, Brushes by legendary drummer Clayton Cameron. This new title is a strong addition to the innovative publications for percussionists/drummers...

Deering Banjo unveils Tenbrooks line.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... DEERING BANJO'S NEW Tenbrooks line will be unveiled in a ceremony at the NAMM show in Anaheim. The line features an array of evolutionary refinements to the banjo that are historically unprecedented. Drawing on the knowledge of great banjos of...

Pacific drums offers new options and upgrades.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... IN AN ONGOING EFFORT to offer high-end features, unsurpassed quality, and maximum value to both retailers and consumers, Drum Workshop, Inc. has announced major upgrades to its highly successful line of all-maple Pacific drumsets. Made at DW's...

Cory adds designer gifts & promotions.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... CORY KEYBOARD PRODUCTS has widened its private label service to include designer gifts and promotions. Using the latest dye sublimation technology, gifts and promotions can be personalized to any marketplace and budget. The Cory design team can...

New reeds from Vandoren.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... 56 RUE LEPIC IS FAMOUS as the address of Vandoren's Paris offices, but the address is already becoming familiar as the name of Vandoren's newest Bb clarinet reed. Vandoren has also unveiled the ZZ soprano and baritone sax reeds. The 56 Rue...

Nordiska concert grand debuts at NAMM.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... Geneva International will debut the new Nordiska 9' concert grand piano to the U.S. market at the NAMM show in Anaheim. The Nordiska Model 275 concert grand has been in development for three years and is expected to generate even more...

BRTB intros Power-X cables.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... BRIB CANADA will unveil its new AC power cables named "Power-X" in January 2004. BRTB was founded in 1967 as a European manufacturer of electronic and electrical components. Today the company has grown into two divisions, Electronics and...

Electric Artist Bench thanks to Poeschl.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... POESCHL INDUSTRIES is revolutionizing the piano bench industry. It recently finished production on its professionally engineered new Electric Artist Bench. The bench, which is made in the U.S.A., adjusts to the pianist's preferred height with...

Dewey Decibel's backward guitar.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... Gear developer and recording artist Dewey Decibel has created a new line of guitars that is essentially a standard style guitar with the strange distinction of having the neck mounted on the butt end of the body. In other words, the thing is...

Vic Firth ultimate private label line.(Product News)
January 1, 2004... VIC FIRTH'S PLAYERS Label drumsticks allow drummers to have their own "signature" drumsticks. The sticks can bear the drummer's own name or the name of his or her band. They also make great gift items for a favorite drum instructor or a friend...