Music Trades articles from May 2006

Music Trades archives from May 2006

Mass merchants, risk, and the music industry.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Commentary has continued to flow in concerning our April editorial on mass merchants and their impact on the music industry. In the editorial, we noted that guitars in Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy, and others had adversely affected entry-level...

Ranking the industry's websites.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Are you aware that Alexa yields somewhat false readings. Depending on the architecture of your home page and product pages, it can yield a return of up to three unique visits/views from just one true unique visit. Although it is a valuable tool...

Quarterly retail sales data.(Market Intelligence)
May 1, 2006... Rising interest rates and energy costs have done little to slow consumer spending across the United States. In fact, in the face of rising costs and flat income, U.S. consumers have not adjusted their spending habits as evidenced by a...

Classical music to deter criminal activity.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2006... Residents of a neighborhood in downtown Hartford, Connecticut hope Beethoven and Mozart will help drive drug dealers out of a local park. Activists propose playing recordings of classical music in Barnard Park in hopes of annoying petty...

Amazon.com loses court case with Toys R Us.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2006... In a closely watched case, a New Jersey judge ruled that Amazon.com violated its agreement to give retailer Toys R Us the exclusive right to sell toys and baby products on Amazon.com's website. In 1999 Amazon.com took over the Toys R Us...

Canadian tax court calls computers "musical instruments".(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2006... Everyone would agree that pianos, violins, and tubas are musical instruments. But the Canadian tax court has added computers to the list, at least for tax purposes. Alan Belkin, a music professor at the University of Montreal, claimed a $2,088...

Lower taxes for songwriters.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2006... A bi-partisan panel of law-makers, prodded by the country music industry, has added a provision to the tax code that would lower taxes for songwriters. A 1950 law required makers of creative works, such as painters, novelists, and songwriters...

Engineers create an air guitar.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2006... Engineers at the University of Helsinki have created a virtual reality machine that helps air guitarists actually make music. To play, the air guitarist dons a pair of orange gloves and begins flailing away. A webcam records the hand movements...

NAMM gives you a new chance to be heard.(EDITORIAL)
May 1, 2006... The growing presence of guitars and to a lesser extent band instruments and digital pianos in the mass-merchant channel has drawn the ire of independent m.i. dealers. On the heels of a Christmas season that was characterized by disappointing...

The biggest market opportunity you're probably ignoring: hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the U.S. They currently number 41 million, have $356 billion in disposable income, and love music. If you're not addressing them, you're missing out.(UNTAPPED MARKETS)
May 1, 2006... "?TIENEN CUERDAS PARA bajo sexto?.... Pardon me?.... ?Cuanto cuesta para rentar una trompeta?" "Huh?" For the non-bilingual reader... the first question deals with how much a set of strings for a bajo sexto costs (a what?! * see...

Young Chang takes back U.S. distribution from Samick: after two years of tangled legal negotiations between U.S. Courts and the Korean Fair Trade Commission, Young Chang and Samick part ways, with Young Chang assuming U.S. distribution of the Young Chang, Kurzweil, and Weber keyboard lines. Simultaneously, Hyundai is exploring the purchase of Young Chang.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... ON APRIL 6 the American Arbitrators Association invalidated a two-year-old contract that gave Samick Music Corp. (SMC), exclusive North American distribution rights for the Young Chang product line, which includes Young Chang and Weber acoustic...

Gibson guitar presented to Bill Clinton.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... A GIBSON MUSIC RISING guitar was presented to former Bill. Clinton on March 19 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The guitar will be installed in the music room of the Clinton Presidential Library. The former President was in town support-Music...

Godlyke to distribute Nobels guitar effects.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... GODLYKE HAS ANNOUNCED an exclusive agreement with Nobels to distribute the Nobels line of guitar effects and accessories in the United States. An industry standard for more than 20 years, the Nobels German-designed products offer the user...

UAW employees on strike at Elkhart Plant.(Conn-Selmer)
May 1, 2006... CONN-SELMER, INC., a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., announced on April 3 that its employees with Local 364 of the United Auto Workers (UAW) are on strike. The company's labor contract with the union expired on April 1. ...

Ernie Ball moves to expanded Coachella plant: new building provides more space, more unity, and more community involvement.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... AFTER OPERATING ITS string manufacturing operations out of interim facilities in Indio, California, for the past three years, Ernie Ball, Inc. has moved to a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in nearby Coachella. Attractively landscaped with...

Behringer and Roland settle dispute over effects pedals.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... ROLAND CORPORATION and Roland Corporation U. S. and BEHRINGER USA, Inc. and BEHRINGER Holdings (Pte) Ltd. have settled a lawsuit over the trade dress of the parties' respective lines of guitar effects pedals. Roland had charged that a line of...

NAMM lobbying effort leads to House resolution supporting music ed.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... MEMBERS OF CONGRESS voiced their support for school music on April 6 at the U.S. House of Representatives by passing House Concurrent Resolution 355, which recognizes the benefits and importance of school-based music education. The resolution...

Pianomation pianos highlight Dada exhibition in DC.(QRS/Story & Clark)
May 1, 2006... SIXTEEN STORY & CLARK grand pianos equipped with QRS Pianomation Systems are being used to stage the fully robotic performance of George Antheil's "Le Ballet Mecanique" at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The twice-daily...

Geneva sues retailer to protect Nordiska & Petrof brands.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... IN AN EFFORT to protect the strength of its brand names, Geneva International Corporation filed a complaint against Asaph Music and Technologies, LLC, d/b/a Piano Superstore, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of...

EMG pickups marks 30th year with new Santa Rosa plant.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... EMG PICKUPS started off the year with the celebration of its 30th anniversary at the Winter NAMM Show and the relocation of entire manufacturing, shipping, and sales departments into a brand-new 50,0000-square-foot building in Santa Rosa,...

Denis Wick brass mutes & mouthpieces.(DANSR)
May 1, 2006... DANSR HAS SIGNED an agreement with Denis Wick, maker of the highest-quality brass mutes and mouthpieces, to become the exclusive importer for North America. The agreement will become effective in June. DANSR is planning a major launch at the...

Swedish dealers visit company headquarters.(D'Addario)
May 1, 2006... J. D'ADDARIO and its Swedish distributor, Crafton Musik, recently hosted 35 Swedish music retail dealers. The dealers enjoyed a tour of the D'Addario facilities in Farmingdale, New York, followed by product training sessions. The sessions...

New repair facility opens in Hope Mills, NC.(Edwards Music Company)
May 1, 2006... THE EDWARDS MUSIC COMPANY (EMC) opened for business on March 1 in Hope Mills, North Carolina, with a 19,000-square-foot office and shop space. The company specializes in the repair of brasses, woodwinds, strings, percussion, and electronics and...

Ebony grand featured in TLC's 16 children ...(Wyman Pianos)
May 1, 2006... A NEW WYMAN WG170 polished ebony grand piano was featured on the new show, 16 Children and Moving In, which premiered on The Learning Channel (TLC) on March ll. It was repeated five times throughout the month. The original TV episode...

Schulze Pollman pianos grace launch of newest Ferrari.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... FERRARI, THE ITALIAN AUTO manufacturer, selected Shulze Pollmann as the ideal partner to launch its stunning and elegant Ferrari 612 Scaglietti series. Schulze Pollmann, located in Fermignano, Italy, is one of Europe's foremost acoustic...

New name, new logo.(Cavanaugh Strings)
May 1, 2006... THE CAVANAUGH FAMILY of musical strings and accessories--Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. (Red Label), Black Diamond Strings, and Bari Woodwind Supplies--has taken on a new look. The new logo and name, The Cavanaugh Company, encompasses all...

Jimmy Sturr newest band instrument endorser.(First Act)
May 1, 2006... FIRST ACT HAS signed 15-time Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr as the first endorser for its line of Concert Series band instruments. "I love their clear and sparkling tone," said Sturr. "I wish they were available when I was in school." With five gold...

Kaman & Musicorp to distribute GHS Strings.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... KAMAN AND MUSICORP have announced the joint distribution of GHS Strings for the U.S. market. Dealers will have the option to purchase strings from Kaman, Musicorp, or directly from GHS. GHS produces a full line of strings for all fretted...

Share prices of publicly traded industry firms.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... SHARE PRICES OF PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E APRIL 11, 2006 RATIO Allen Organ Corp. $54.00 ...

American Music Conference showcases Best Communities for Music Education.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... PARENTS, TEACHERS, school administrators, and students from communities across the U.S. consider music education vitally important for a quality education. This was the resounding message from applicants that applied to be recognized as part of...

Major investment boost Pro-Mark capacity by 30%.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... PRO-MARK CORPORATION recently completed the purchase and installation of additional lathes. President Maury Brochstein stated, "These new lathes represent a big step forward for us. After nearly 50 years Pro-Mark continues to enjoy double-digit...

Purchase planner helps educators.(Jupiter Band Instruments)
May 1, 2006... JUPITER BAND INSTRUMENTS is now offering Purchase Planner, a tool to help educators plan their future school instrument purchasers. Educators and dealers can visit jupitermusic.com/budget and compare prices on a wide range of instruments,...

Saga Blueridge Guitar at World's Highest Gig on Mt. Everest.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2006... A BLUERIDGE GUITAR has played the highest note known to man by playing at an altitude of over 18,000 feet at this year's World's Highest Gig. With no stage, no lights, and a small crowd cheering, Martin Harley played a BR-163 and a BR-40B...

Saddleback Church features Yamaha Disklavier.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... SADDLEBACK CHURCH in Lake Forest, California, is one of the largest churches in the United States. Each weekend roughly 20,000 worshippers gather to celebrate their faith at 20 diverse, energizing, and inspiring services in a variety of musical...

DW names Cascio Interstate Music top Midwest Independent.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... CASCIO INTERSTATE MUSIC of New Berlin, Wisconsin, was named Midwest Independent Dealer of the Year for 2005 by Drum Workshop. The award was presented at the Winter NAMM Show. Cascio Interstate did the most business with DW/Pacific out of all...

Musician's Friend to open 700,000-sq.-ft. Kansas City distribution center.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... MUSICIAN'S FRIEND, the direct response division of Guitar Center, is currently in talks to lease a 700,000-square-foot distribution center in Kansas City. The facility, located in the 2,200-acre Northland Park industrial center, is set to...

Clint Black hosts clinic at Falcetti Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRY STAR CLINT BLACK made an appearance on March 16 at Falcetti Music in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fifty fortunate fans, winners of a WPKX radio promotion, were in attendance for a 90-minute sing-and-chat session. "Clint impressed me...

2006 drum clinic series announced.(George's Drum Shop)
May 1, 2006... GEORGE'S DRUM SHOP of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has announced its 2006 schedule of drum clinics, where amateur and pro drummers watch, listen, and learn from some of the world's foremost drummers. The clinics will be held in the Falls River Square...

Skip's Music and its "crashing" Marshall stack.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... SKIP'S MUSIC of California recently worked with Korg USA to create an arresting new look inside the entryway of its new Elk Grove, California, branch. Customers walking into the store are now greeted with the sight of a Marshall Mode Four full...

Special sale marks 30th anniversary.(Drum World)
May 1, 2006... DRUM WORLD PITTSBURGH recently turned 30 years old. To celebrate the anniversary, the store held its 10th annual "You Bought It, Now Beat It" sale. Twenty-eight of the drum industry's top manufacturer representatives turned out to help the...

Sales team strengthened with new managers.(Guitar Center)
May 1, 2006... GUITAR CENTER has made several new appointments to its management team. Three employees have been appointed vice-president/regional manager. Glen Peiser has been named vice-president/regional manager-West, covering Arizona, California, Idaho,...

Tryout centers for Vandoren mouthpieces.(Sam Ash)
May 1, 2006... THREE SAM ASH STORES became tryout centers for Vandoren mouthpieces in March. The stores are all in the Los Angeles area: Sam Ash Ontario Mills, Sam Ash Hollywood, and Sam Ash Cerritos. "Los Angeles is a difficult market," commented Michael...

Drummer Joe Bergamini in clinic & performance.(Bill's Music)
May 1, 2006... JOE BERGAMINI, legendary drummer of "Happy The Man," recently gave a clinic and performance on Tama drums at Bill's Music in Baltimore, Maryland. Bill's customers and drum students were mesmerized by Bergamini's skill and were introduced to...

Five-Star Drum Shop representatives visit Gretsch plant.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE Five-Star Drum Shop joined members of Kaman's Sales and Percussion Team to visit the historic Gretsch drum factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Paul Cooper, Gretsch's operations manager, led the group through a...

Kidder Music holds Sucherman drum clinic.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... KIDDER MUSIC in Sterling, Illinois, hosted a drum clinic with Todd Sucherman of Styx on March 15. Over 150 musicians attended. Sucherman discussed traditional grip vs. match grip, the importance of reading music, touring with Styx, practice...

Avoid crisis-driven advertising programs: sifting through all the advertising channels to reach your customers is more complicated than ever. Be sure to take your time and analyze carefully. Otherwise you'll burn through a lot of money quickly.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
May 1, 2006... I had a phone call from a music dealer in the Midwest recently. He has a small music store in a town with of about 100,000 people and a shopping population about twice that number. Business had slowed downto the point where he was really...

Unexpected thaw!(THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN EUROPE)
May 1, 2006... Unemployment is still in the double digits, the population continues to age, economies are mired in slow growth mode, and millions are demonstrating in the streets of Paris. Yet for reasons that elude the best brains in the industry, business...

Pro-mark holds "Fastest Hands" competition at Musikmesse.(THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN EUROPE)
May 1, 2006... PRO-MARK CORPORATION teamed with NAMM, TheMusicEdge.com, and the WFD to conduct a "Fastest Hands" competition at the recent Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. According to Pro-Mark's director of sales and marketing, Pat Brown, "For the last...

The ROHS Challenge.(THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN EUROPE)
May 1, 2006... UNDER THE BANNER of ROHS (Removal of Hazardous Substances), new regulations from the European Union promise to have a significant impact on most music and audio products. The regulations prohibit the sale in Europe of any products that contain...

Create your own money machine.(ACCESSORIES)
May 1, 2006... Why do candy purveyors, tabloid newspapers, and battery manufacturers get into brutal hand-to-hand combat to secure the smallest of beachheads at supermarket checkout counters? It s because they know that when you re dealing with small-ticket...

The mother of invention.(ACCESSORIES)
May 1, 2006... Accessory Inventors Discuss The Genesis Of Their Wares Whether big or small, the best music "small goods" are keys that open customers' imaginations, solve their problems, and enhance their music-making experience. Some items sport a clever,...

Seven steps to higher average selling prices: if you want customers to spend more with you, you have to address their needs from a musical, psychological, and financial standpoint. Here's a straightforward formula that shows you how.(CREATIVE RETAILING)
May 1, 2006... Every member of your staff can maximize opportunity during the sales process by using a straightforward seven-step strategy for addressing the customer. The best success lies in creating a shared culture among the entire team. Let's take a...

Normalcy returns to school market as dealers master new market realities: top retailers craft strategies for maintaining profitability in the face of inexpensive Chinese instruments, internet competition, school budget pressures, and a slow-growing market.(NASMD 2006: THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2006... NEARLY 400 HUNDRED school music dealers and manufacturers convened in Fort Myers, Florida, April 5-8 for the 44th annual National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) convention. For three days the highly focused group was immersed in...

Andy Zildjian takes helm at Sabian.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2006... ANDY ZILDJIAN has been appointed president of Sabian, Ltd. A leading manufacturer of cymbals, Sabian is headquartered in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada, and maintains offices in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and the Far East. Andy Zildjian...

Restructured Hohner has new president.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2006... HOHNER, INC., HAS elected Winfried Czilwa chairman of the board and appointed Clayman Edwards president. Czilwa is a member of the management board of Matth. Hohner AG in Germany. The appointments signal a change in the strategic direction of...

Gerardo Discepolo to head Gemeinhardt.(Gemstone)
May 1, 2006... DR. GERARDO DISCEPOLO has been appointed president and CEO of Gemstone Musical Instruments. He joined the Gemeinhardt Company in March 2005 as executive vice-president of marketing and product development. Bob McKinley, who had been president...

Pinto appointed V.P. of marketing.(Audio-Technica)
May 1, 2006... GREG PINTO has been appointed vice-president of marketing at Audio-Technica U.S. He will direct the company's marketing efforts with a definitive understanding of the factors that contribute to sustained growth. Applying progressive branding,...

Trevor Gibson named to head U.S. sales.(Peavey)
May 1, 2006... TREVOR GIBSON has been appointed North American sales manager at Peavey. He had been a longtime independent sales rep for the company. Gibson is 1990 graduate of Ball State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in...

Blackett new senior product mgr.(Seymour Duncan)
May 1, 2006... MATT BLACKETT has been named senior manager, new products, a new position, at Seymour Duncan. The company has quadrupled in size over the last decade, necessitating the new position. A year-long search for the right person led to Blackett. ...

Mitch McMichen named president.(Meinl USA)
May 1, 2006... MITCH McMICHEN, founder of TreeWorks Chimes, has been named president of Meinl USA L.C., Nashville, Tennessee. He originally moved to Nashville in 1993 to pursue a recording career. He has earned multiple Gold and Platinum records for drumming,...

Backun to head Leblanc clarinet R&D.(Conn-Selmer)
May 1, 2006... MORRIE BACKUN, one of the world's most respected instrument designers/technicians, has been named director of product development for Leblanc professional clarinets. Considered a leading expert in the woodwind world, Backun has worked with...

Alesis intros DM5 high-value electronic drumkit.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2006... ALESIS HAS INTRODUCED the DM5 electronic drumkit, designed for aspiring and professional drummers alike. The DM5 includes the DM5 sound module that contains a wealth of pre-programmed sounds and drumkits, along with five pads (snare, kick, two...

Cannonball's "Bavarian Lion" trumpet.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2006... CANNONBALL MUSICAL Instruments has introduced a new model in its Stone Series trumpet line. The 789RL, nicknamed the Bavarian Lion, features a reversed leadpipe design and a bigger Big Bell (larger diameter bell), which combine to create an...

GRBW Rolling Rack Bag series.(Gator)
May 1, 2006... GATOR'S NEW GRBW Rolling Rack Bag series features lightweight yet rigid bags that are constructed of 600-denier nylon with a polyethylene reinforced interior frame to protect effects processors, recording equipment, or sound modules. An...

Alex Weeden joins artist roster.(Curt Mangan Strings)
May 1, 2006... CURT MANGAN INC., creator of Curt Mangan FusionMatched premium strings for guitars and bass guitars, recently welcomed Alex Weeden to its Sponsor Artist program. Upwards of 800 artists have joined the program since the company's launch in...

Guitar finish protector.(Scratch Pad)
May 1, 2006... EVER HAD TO mark down a guitar when you discovered that some doofus with a belt buckle in the shape (and size) of Texas took it for a rough-ridin' demo? And ever wonder how many sales weren't closed because the customer wouldn't accept a...

Instrument stand covers.(Axe Hugger)
May 1, 2006... AXE HUGGER is the patented, revolutionary slip-on cover for an instrument stand cradle. Some instrument stands are made with rubber padding that contains chlorine, which can oxidize the finish of the instrument. Made of the highest-quality...

Clock displays pitches of chromatic scale.(Chromatic Watch Co.)
May 1, 2006... THE CHROMATIC CHIME Clock is the latest creation from the Chromatic Watch Company. It displays the pitches of the chromatic scale and "chimes" the time in the pitches depicted on the dial. Music lovers around the world can show their passion...

World music 4all offers Drum Manuscript Paper and Book.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2006... WORLD MUSIC 4ALL Publications has introduced the world's first Drum Manuscript Paper and the Ultimate Drum Manuscript Book. Both are specifically designed for drummers, teachers, and students to save time and effort in writing lessons and...

WA3A amp mount guitar hanger.(Wallacher)
May 1, 2006... WALLACHER GUITAR HANGERS has introduced the WA3A amp mount guitar hanger, which allows safe storage of a guitar on stage. The well-though-out design folds flat or can be easily stored in a case when not in use. It is perfect for stage use....

Get'm Get'm Wear's straps in leather, corduroy, & fur.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2006... GET'M GET'M WEAR is offering a funky, hip line of guitar straps with a wide variety of unique styles ranging from sexy leathers and vintage corduroys to colorful faux furs. New for 2006 are striped corduroy in dark blue and green, and...

New capo models debuted.(G7th)
May 1, 2006... G7TH, MANUFACTURER of premium guitar capos, has announced the latest additions to its current line of products: the G7th 12 String capo and G7th Classical capo. Both products expand on the revolutionary technology that has made the G7th the...

Cables 100% U.S.-made.(Ensotec)
May 1, 2006... ENSOTEC, THE CABLE MANUFACTURER, offers only great-sounding cables with matched wire and connectors. "Most manufacturers offer 'standard' instrument cables," said a spokesman. "They sell Good, Better, and Best lines, including different cable...

Markley hands free digital tuners.(FLASH)
May 1, 2006... DEAN MARKLEY STRINGS has augmented their accessory line with the addition of a new, small, lightweight digital guitar and an equally compact digital chromatic tuner. Markley's Digital Guitar Tuner offers hands-free automatic tuning with eight...

Kahler Locking/Floating tremolo bridge system.(PRODUCT NEWS)
May 1, 2006... KAHLER INTERNATIONAL has unveiled the all-new Kahler Hybrid Locking/Floating tremolo bridge system. Now players can have the best of both worlds in one bridge--on one guitar. The Kahler Hybrid 7200 stud mount and 7300 flat mount share all...

"Cowboy From Hell" honors Dimebag Darrell.(Dean Guitars)
May 1, 2006... DEAN GUITARS has introduced another guitar honoring the legacy of Dimebag Darrell as the company continues to establish itself as a leader in fine metal guitars. The "Cowboy From Hell" is an exact reproduction of Dimebag Darrell's customized...

T-50k high-performance impedance transformer.(Audix)
May 1, 2006... AUDIX'S NEW T-50k is a high-performance impedance transformer that adapts low-impedance microphones to high-impedance 1/4" inputs. Audix developed this product as a high quality accessory to its popular FireBall and FireBall V microphones for...

Entertainer's secret throat spray.(Farley's)
May 1, 2006... FARLEY'S MUSICAL ESSENTIALS has introduced Entertainer's Secret throat spray, billed as "The Black Tie of Throat Sprays." This time-tested product resulted from a collaborative effort of KLI Corp. and Nashville otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and...

"Spirit of Lily" 8-piece drumset.(Premier Percussion)
May 1, 2006... PREMIER PERCUSSION UNVEILED a new limited-edition drumset that re-creates the finish and configuration of a celebrated kit made for The Who's Keith Moon. Premier created the original "Pictures of Lily" drumset for Moon in 1967. Its hand-applied...

New Custom Shop lets players tailor their sets.(Elixir Strings)
May 1, 2006... ELIXIR STRINGS, the pioneer of long-life string technology, has announced a whole new way to buy electric bass strings. With its new Custom String Shop for electric bass strings, players now have the freedom to customize five and six-string...

LD-1 Distortion Pedal.(Landmine)
May 1, 2006... Landmine Pedal Co. has introduced the Landmine LD-1 Distortion Pedal. Setting a new standard in heavy distortion pedals, the Landmine LD-1 works great with both guitar and bass, and will produce a variety of powerful distortion types ranging...

Matching folios for latest Santana CD.(Alfred Publishing)
May 1, 2006... THE LATEST RELEASE from Santana, "All That I Am," reached the Number 2 spot on Billboard's Top 200 Chart in 2005 and has already produced the hit singles "I'm Feeling You" (featuring Michelle Branch and The Wreckers) and "Just Feel Better"...

HHX Legacy Heavy Ride.(Sabian)
May 1, 2006... NEW FROM SABIAN, the 22" HHX Legacy Heavy Ride cymbal was designed for drumming legend Dave Weckl. It features a low-profile design and dual hammering--combining traditional hand hammering with jumbo-sized HHX "Tone Projector"...

New cd recorder features MP3 playback.(Tascam)
May 1, 2006... TASCAM'S NEW CD-RW900 CD recorder answers the call of studios, installers, houses of worship, and schools that need a dependable, affordable CD recorder. Replacing the best-selling CD-RW750, the CD-RW900 offers a list of new features like MP3...