Music Trades articles from May 2008

Music Trades archives from May 2008

Accentuate the positive.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... In our March editorial we noted that economic pessimism might be a bit overdone in the general media, given rising personal income, surging U.S. exports, and high levels of consumer net worth, even after the housing slump. Apparently some...

Praising vertical price restraints.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2008... In last month's issue, Aaron Anderson of The String Shack wrote to complain about suppliers who refuse to sell to internet-only retailers. Herewith a reader responds. In your letter to The Music Trades, you ask, "Why should my [business...

Correction & amplification.(LETTERS)(Correction notice)
May 1, 2008... In "Beating The Market" in our April issue we incorrectly referred to Jupiter Band Instruments' XL Pro line of horns. The line's correct name is XO pro. On page 104 of last months' Music Industry Census, we mistakenly referred to "E-Flat...

Quarterly retail sales data.(MARKET INTELLIGENCE)
May 1, 2008... QUARTERLY RETAIL SALES DATA EST. DOLLAR VOLUME FROM EST. 2007-2008 SAME PERIOD ...

Latest retail sales data shows M.I. market is not slowing.(MARKET INTELLIGENCE)
May 1, 2008... Most economists believe a fall in retail sales marks the beginning of an economic downturn. And judging from the latest round of quarterly numbers from the country's largest retailers, the U.S. economy is clearly headed for a contraction....

Outsourcing finally hits even China.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2008... The Washington Post reports that higher costs are forcing some Chinese manufacturers to relocate operations outside of the booming Pearl River Delta region. Less than a three hour car trip from Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta was one of the...

Guitar hero: hazardous to your health?(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2008... A report from NBC news indicates that excessive rocking out on RedOctane's Guitar Hero could be hazardous to your health. Doctors say the wrist contortions gamers perform while holding chords commonly result in forearm strains and tendonitis...

Rising costs, low-quality ending cheap China" era.(Industry Briefings)
May 1, 2008... The era of China as the low-cost factory floor for the world has ended, according to a new study. A stronger Chinese currency and rising wages have pressured margins, but poor operational procedures among manufacturers are pushing up costs too,...

What kids really want.(EDITORIAL)
May 1, 2008... For the past decade, the Guitar & Accessory Marketing Association has been quietly training teachers to launch guitar programs in the public schools. The effort is not flashy, like an advertising program, and it isn't the kind of program that...

William F. Ludwig Jr. (1916-2008).
May 1, 2008... FOR YEARS, LUDWIG DRUM COMPANY used the slogan "Total Percussion" to convey the depth of its expansive product line. The catchy phrase could just as easily have been used to describe longtime company head Bill Ludwig Jr., who died last month at...

Target CEO raises $165 million to create world's finest Musical Instrument Museum: showcasing instruments from around the world, Bob Ulrich's interactive Phoenix museum aims to present music as the true "universal" language.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
May 1, 2008... GROUND HAS BEEN BROKEN in Phoenix for The Musical Instrument Museum, a lavishly funded institution that will present a global collection of musical instruments and celebrate music as the universal language. Set on 20 acres, the...

Gibson/TC merger called off.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... AS THIS ISSUE WENT to press, TC Group issued a statement declaring the termination of merger discussions with Gibson Guitar. A company spokesman said, "The decision followed an intensive effort by both parties to consummate the deal within the...

Gibson Sues guitar hero for patent infringement.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GIBSON GUITARS HAS FILED suit against the makers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, charging that the top-selling video games infringe on a 1999 Gibson patent that calls for a musicians "being able to simulate...

Seventh-generation Martin Graces Inc. cover.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... THREE-YEAR-OLD Claire Frances Martin, seventh generation of the renowned family of guitar makers, is on the cover of the June issue if Inc. magazine, a widely circulated publication aimed at small business owners. Inc. editors chose the...

Premier taps Grover pro to distribute school percussion.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... PREMIER MUSIC INTERNATIONAL Ltd. has partnered with Grover Pro Percussion for the exclusive distribution of its Marching & Orchestral products in the U.S. Combining Premier's brand and high quality instruments with Grover Pro Percussion's sales...

Blow-out fourth quarter raises Steinway 2007 earnings.(FOREFRONT)(Financial report)
May 1, 2008... STEINWAY MUSICAL Instruments closed 2007 with strong fourth-quarter results and a solid full-year performance. Sales in the fourth quarter advanced 14% to $121.3 million, compared to $106.1 million for the same period in 2006. Net earnings for...

Firth earns "pine tree" award for innovative woodworking.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... VIC FIRTH INC. is the 2008 recipient of the Maine Wood Product Association's Pine Tree Award. The award is presented each year to a Maine-based wood products manufacturing company that has taken innovative steps in the past two years to...

Slumping U.S. sales drive losses higher at Loud Technologies.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... REVENUES at Loud Technologies declined 3.2% to $208.2 million in 2007 compared with $215 million in the prior year. The company posted a net loss of $12.5 million for the year compared with a profit of $625,000 in 2006. The loss was due to a...

Brochure promotes benefits of Piano: Pearl River.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... IN A PROACTIVE EFFORT to communicate the benefits of piano playing directly to consumers, Pearl River Piano Group America is releasing a brochure entitled "Discover the Difference a Piano Can Play in Your Life." The brochure can be read and/or...

Marshank sales earns top producer honors: Audix.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA-based Marshank Sales is the winner of the Audix Top Producer Award for 2007. "In a market where some pundits are saying 'flat is the new up,' we are proud of the double-digit growth we experienced in 2007," said...

Washburn guitars: marks 125th anniversary: U.S. Music.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... WASHBURN GUITARS is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2008. The guitar maker Washburn was founded by George Washburn in 1883 near Chicago's Maxwell Street, which would emerge as the epicenter of the blues. Washburn was originally a division...

Educators' workshop comes to Memphis: Conn-Selmer.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... ON FEBRUARY 22, the Memphis City Schools system brought the Conn-Selmer Institute's in-service program to its music educators across the school district. Hosted by the University of Memphis, the workshop brought the district's band, choral,...

Bobby Shew endorses Ultra-Pure Oils.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... TRUMPETER BOBBY SHEW is the latest addition to Ultra-Pure Oils' list of top endorsers. "I think the oil is superb, and I could feel a big difference from the first time I put it on," said Shew. "Even in extra-dry New Mexico, it seems to last...

Harmonicas donated to outreach program: Hohner.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... AS A SPONSOR of the Tidewater Arts Outreach program, Hohner Inc. recently donated a case of harmonicas to the program for use at a workshop for morns and children at the Dwelling Place Shelter. "In a place where many families are cohabiting in...

Bob Taylor presents airport exhibit: Taylor Guitars.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... ON FEBRUARY 29 San Diego International Airport held a press conference and reception featuring Taylor Guitars co-founder and President Bob Taylor. The focus of the conference was an exhibit Taylor Guitars was invited to curate for the Commuter...

Remo Belli addresses Vandercook graduation.(FLASH)
May 1, 2008... IN HIS 2007 COMMENCEMENT address at VanderCook College of Music, Remo Inc. founder and CEO Remo Belli spoke of music as being not only beautiful but essential to human health. "Rhythm, melody, and harmony are embedded very deeply into the...

Sabian APX guillotine on world tour.
May 1, 2008... IN SUPPORT OF the new Sabian APX series of high-decibel cymbals designed to cut through hard rock and heavy metal music, the menacing APX guillotine is hitting the road this year for an international tour. At over 12 feet tall, the guillotine...

RapcoHorizon sold to RHC management.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... THE RAPCOHORIZON COMPANY, a wholly owned subsidiary of VTG Holdings Inc., has signed a definitive sale agreement with RHC Management, in conjunction with Midwest Mezzanine Funds and Busch O'Donnell Capitol Partners, both equity investment...

Hal Leonard acquires Europe's De Haske.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... HAL LEONARD CORPORATION has reached an agreement to acquire a majority equity position in Holland-based De Haske, Europe's leading print publisher of instrumental music. An accomplished composer and a conductor of concert bands and brass...

Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E APRIL 8, 2008 RATIO Apple Computer Inc. $154.81 34.01 ...

Shaunna Bolton endorses Wyman Piano: Wyman Piano.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... NASHVILLE SINGER/SONGWRITER Shaunna Bolton has signed on as the newest Wyman artist. "I've been playing the piano since I was big enough to climb up on the bench," said Bolton. "I have played just about every brand of piano made. l had the...

Innovative artist endorsement program: TRX Cymbals.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... TRX CYMBAL CO. has announced the introduction of a new program to support up-and-coming drummers called "'Rising Stars." According to company President David Levine, the project has been developed to put TRX's high-quality, custom-made Turkish...

Ultimate support to distribute Furman sound products.(FLASH)
May 1, 2008... FURMAN, A PROVIDER of power management solutions, has partnered with Ultimate Support Systems in a strategic move to continue expanding its market presence in the music industry. Under the agreement, Ultimate Support Systems will provide...

New owners for Allen & Heath audio.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... D&M HOLDINGS HAS completed the acquisition of Allen & Heath Holdings of Penryn, Cornwall, England, a leading designer and manufacturer of audio mixing consoles for professional sound engineers, live sound installations and DJs. D&M is a unit of...

Operation music aid receives $10,000 donation.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2008... FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, Operation Music Aid, a charity run by George Hauer, owner of Madison Music in Madison, Connecticut, has been supplying musical instruments to military personnel in Iraq as well as service personnel who are convalescing...

Argentina's Tevelam music turns 50: a case study in prevailing over challenging obstacles.(FOREFRONT)(Case study)
May 1, 2008... IN 1958, AS THE TELEVISION became a commonplace fixture in Argentinian households, Leonardo Martellotta and his wife Elvira Alonso identified an untapped market opportunity. That year they launched Tevelam to distribute television and radio...

Pecknel hosts Bob McGrath at music education conference.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)(Conference news)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BOB MCGRATH, better known as "Bob" of Sesame Street, was a keynote speaker at the general session of the 2008 South Carolina Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Convention, held February 7-10 at the North...

Bellevue American Music launches performance debut.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
May 1, 2008... LOCAL ICON/GUITARIST Jay Roberts and his cohort in music, Ben Lacy, were featured in March in the live debut of their new CD Pocket Deuce at Bellevue American Music in Bellevue, Washington. The two appear at NAMM together frequently and wow the...

Sales staff expands to meet demand: Sweetwater Sound.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2008... ON THE HEELS OF strong sales growth, Sweetwater has recently hired four new full-time employees, plus nine additional part-time employees. The new hires bring total employment at the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based retailer to to 333, up from 317...

Hoshino honors Bill's music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2008... BILL'S MUSIC in Baltimore, Maryland, recently welcomed members of the Hoshino company who work with Ibanez and Tama to design and make prototypes and custom musical instruments. Hoshino extended its appreciation to Bill Higgins, president of...

MARS founder Begelman may return to office depot.(RETAILER UPDATE)(Company overview)
May 1, 2008... MARK BEGELMAN, the storied retail executive who founded the now defunct MARS Music, has emerged in the center of a bitter proxy fight at Office Depot, the nation's second-largest retailer of office supplies. The Woodbridge Group, a private...

Ask not, get not: there are a lot of ways to close a sale, but all require that you approach the customer, engage them in conversation, and ask them for their business. Herewith, some thoughts on how to get more business from the people coming into your store.(ON SELLING)
May 1, 2008... I have a real interest in helping smaller music dealers create more business for themselves, and making their salespeople self-productive. This includes increasing their profit margins as well. I got to talk to hundreds of dealers at the past...

The musical "candy store" that appeals to a broad demographic: guitar enthusiast Cory Lake and his museum curator wife Stephanie have transformed Minneapolis-based American Guitar & Band into an elegant showplace designed to serve the entire spectrum of musicians.(RETAIL PROFILE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reps tell Cory and Stephanie Lake they might be the only people who ever started a music store with a business plan. They say it wasn't as methodical as it might appear. "I think because of our backgrounds it was...

Frankfurt fair: exhibits and new products were almost an after-thought as the industry debated the rapid decline of the greenback. The weak dollar has caused dislocations around the globe, from upended pricing to higher commodity costs, not to mention the specter of gray marketing. A look at how this will play out over the next 12 months.(FRANKFURT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With close to 2,500 exhibitors occupying eight cavernous conventional halls, Frankfurt's 2008 Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound showcased every conceivable type of music and audio product, not to mention a few that...

Sabian honors Wallace & Famularo.(FRANKFURT)(Awards list)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] AT ITS ANNUAL FRANKFURT reception, Sabian Ltd. presented its "Lifetime Achievement Awards" to Tony Wallace and Dom Famularo. Based in Switzerland and well known throughout Europe, Wallace played a key role in...

The changing shape of Europe.(FRANKFURT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] ALL-AROUND FINANCIAL guru and former Treasury Secretary Alan Greenspan recently said the collapse of communism and the Soviet Union was the single most transformative event of his lifetime. The Berlin Wall came down...

Gray market in the making?(FRANKFURT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Over the years, we have noted that European customers typically pay more for music and audio gear than their counterparts in the U.S. In the past, the differential, which ranged between 8% and 15%, could be...

Why they join why they quit what they think: exclusive consumer research offers new insights into the motivation of school music students, and demonstrates how what happens in school affects every segment of the music industry.(THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2008... The school music phenomenon traces its roots back to the early '20s, when an ad hoc coalition of pioneering educators, intellectuals, and instrument makers began persuading the public that studying music was an unambiguously beneficial...

School music dealers set the industry's pace: at the NASMD Convention in Orlando, school band and orchestra dealers outline strategies for overcoming economic challenges.(THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEEING HEALTHY SALES in the school band and orchestra market while other segments struggle tempts us to make apples-and-oranges comparisons and ill-fitting prescriptions. Indisputably, though, core competencies that...

Networking "CODE" cracking and customer service blues.(NASMD BRAIN TRUST: Business Building Ideas)
May 1, 2008... AUTHOR/SPEAKER Dean Lindsay presented two of NASMD's livelier educational sessions. The first gleaned insights from his book, Cracking the Networking CODE--4 Steps to Priceless Business Relationships. Lindsay's nmemonic "CODE" references:...

Don't forget mom!(THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2008... Liz Reisman of Creative Music Center and Joel Menchey of Menchey Music Service presented a session called "Is Your Store Mom Friendly?" Many top U.S. retailers including Lowe's and Best Buy are awakening to the importance of this powerful...

Small business growth rules: how to increase sales without putting your company at undue risk.(NASMD BRAIN TRUST: Business Building Ideas)
May 1, 2008... NASMD KEYNOTE speaker Steven Little laid out "The Seven Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth." Author of a book of the same name and the head of three fast-growth companies, Little studied small firms that have generated five or more...

Best ideas!(NASMD BRAIN TRUST: Business Building Ideas)
May 1, 2008... IN THE BEST IDEAS session, NASMD members are invited to share an idea that can help dealers run their business more effectively and profitably. Each is given just two minutes to present their idea. Three prize winners were selected from among...

Other sessions.(NASMD BRAIN TRUST)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN "IS YOUR BUSINESS Protected against Profit Loss?" Edmund DiMarco stressed that "the cost of doing business" should not include "shrinkage." The session covered a wide range of topics including zero tolerance for...

Cannonball attacks a bigger battlefield: best known for its innovative big bell saxophones, cannonball musical instruments has added distinctive trumpets and clarinets to its product lineup and some very impressive artists to its roster.(THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1996 Tevis and Sheryl Laukat mortgaged their home to finance their new company, Cannonball Musical Instruments. Most of their friends and family thought they were crazy. Operating out of their basement, they sold...

Can electrified violins amplify interest in strings? virtuoso violinist Mark Wood takes to the road to stir interest the violin with his innovative line of electric instruments.(THE SCHOOL MUSIC MARKET)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "IF YOU ARE A STRING TEACHER you need to do this! It has opened my eyes to so many possibilities! It also has shown me a different way to go about teaching music." These are the words of just one teacher out of...

Damiano, Dunn, And Lee promoted at Kaman.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] LONGTIME KAMAN MUSIC executives Paul Damiano and Larry Dunn have received promotions in recognition of their efforts in completing the company's recent acquisition by Fender Musical Instruments. Damiano is...

Kiesche heads Schimmel marketing.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
May 1, 2008... SCHIMMEL PIANOS has made Lothar Kiesche the new head of its marketing department. He takes responsibility for all marketing activities in the international market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kiesche started his career in the piano industry...

Cavanaugh discusses competitiveness with Florida Congressman.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... JIM CAVANAUGH, president of The Cavanaugh Company, recently met with Congressman Vern Buchanan of Florida's 13th District to discuss issues facing small businesses. Promoting a government stimulus package designed to help U.S. employees and...

Swerdfeger and Hager earn promotions: Taylor Guitars).(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... TAYLOR GUITARS has announced promotions for two members of its team. Brian Swerdfeger has been promoted to vice president of marketing, while Dave Hager will take on the position of national sales manager. Having consulted for Taylor since...

Packard & Sims Join Ludwig/Musser Division: Conn-Selmer.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... CONN-SELMER HAS WELCOMED two new additions to its Ludwig/Musser division. Kevin Packard has accepted the position of director of marketing, combo percussion, while Brandon Sims will take on the role of design engineer, percussion. Packard...

Chris Demaria named director of marketing: Fishman.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... CHRIS DEMARIA has been named director of marketing for Fishman. Prior to this appointment, DeMaria served successfully as Fishman's MarComm manager for the past three years. In his new role DeMaria will oversee all of Fishman's marketing,...

Power Group taps Carlson to lead sales and marketing.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... RICK CARLSON has been appointed by Power Group Ltd. to director of sales and marketing for the U.S. distribution division. Carlson will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for all U.S. brands, including Ashdown Engineering and MTD Basses....

Financial Times of London profiles D'Addario's Rick Drumm.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... THE CAREER TRAJECTORY and education of Rick Drumm, president of D'Addario & Co., was the subject of a lengthy feature in the March 17 edition of the Financial Times', the U.K. equivalent of the Wall Street Journal. An accomplished...

Gian Piero Staffa named vp of sales: Behringer.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2008... INDUSTRY VETERAN Gian Piero Staffa has been appointed to the position of Behringer vice president of sales, Europe. Active in the m.i. and pro audio industry for more than 30 years, Staffa will lead sales activities, growth, and development of...

Samson's StudioDock USB Monitor taps into iPod popularity.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMSON'S STUDIODOCK is a USB studio monitor specifically designed for today's music production needs. StudioDock allows users to play or "stream" digital audio via USB directly to the monitors, offering...

Onboard N-Tune now shipping worldwide.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... N-TUNE'S BREAKTHROUGH Onboard Chromatic Tuner is now available for purchase around the globe. N-Tune's domestic distribution will be handled in part by Audio Agent LLC. Additionally, distributor agreements have been reached with World Marketing...

Silverstar celebrates 20 years of SX 90 R: Keilwerth.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... THE NEW SILVERSTAR saxophone from Keilwerth is an anniversary model celebrating 20 years of the Keilwerth SX 90 R series of horns. Since 1925 Keilwerth has been dedicated to creating saxophones that allow the musician to shape his own sound...

Laptop stands join product line: The Music People.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... IN RESPONSE TO dealer requests, On-Stage Stands has added not one but two new laptop computer stands to its product line. Perfect for DJs and recording studios, these stands are lightweight, portable, and ideal for holding laptops, CD...

Edirol expands top-selling handheld recorder line with R-O9HR.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... EDIROL BY ROLAND has expanded its award-winning line of portable digital recorders. Featuring an updated design with an upgraded pro-quality stereo microphone and an onboard preview speaker for instant audio playback, the new R-09HR takes...

Levy's leathers new designer and metal straps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... REDESIGNED FOR 2008, each Levy's printed leather guitar straps feature one of 13 designs printed on garment leather and applied to a polypropylene webbing backing. Also, Levy's continues to appease the metal gods with its offering of more...

Quick Release Guitar Pick Necklace: Zoogee World.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... THE NEW QUICK RELEASE Guitar Pick Necklace from Zoogee World Inc. features a photo-quality print captured inside a transparent three-dimensional pick. Zoogee World's Rick Rock Guitar Picks are produced with a special liquid resin and...

SKB's 20" Rolling Shock Rack Case.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... SKB CORPORATION, a leader in the protection and transport of musical instruments, electronics, and gear, has begun shipping its new 6U 20" Rolling Shock Rack case. This new product (model 3SKB-R06U20W) enhances previous SKB offerings by adding...

Madarozzo line launched at Musikmesse: creative bags and cases.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... INTRODUCED AT THIS YEAR'S Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Madarozzo is an innovative range of products comprising more than 100 musical instrument bags and cases, as well as a selection of handcrafted acoustic guitars and guitar accessories. The...

House brand pickups offered on new guitars: Dean Guitars.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... DEAN GUITARS is now winding its own Dean brand pickups. Previously available only to the occasional high-profile artist, Dean pickups will now be featured on many 2008 Dean guitars, as well as being packaged and sold at the retail level to...

Cooley joins instructor lineup: Rock House.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... ROCK HOUSE, a leader in innovative music instruction, has added guitar virtuoso Rusty Cooley to its roster of instructors. One of the world's most popular and technically proficient players, Cooley will appear in Rock House's Fretboard Autopsy,...

Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner: Korg.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... KORG'S PITCHBLACK TUNER, part of its newly created advanced tuner series, combines high precision and functionality in a rugged die-cast aluminum package designed to withstand the rigors of road use. The pitchblack is the size of a compact...

Kava Laptop Studio Bag introduced: Namba Gear.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... NAMBA GEAR has introduced its debut offering of high-performance bags, backpacks, and accessories for musicians and DJ's. The Kava Laptop Studio Bag is a vertical-style messenger bag that is designed to hold up to a 17" laptop computer. The bag...

R.S. Berkley's Regina Carter violin collection.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... A NEW VIOLIN COLLECTION from RS Berkley draws on the virtuosity of jazz musician and MacArthur fellow Regina Carter. The Regina Carter Violin Collection will include violins modeled after the famous maker J' Guarneri, along with models of...

Cedar Hill series dreadnoughts: Morgan Monroe.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... MORGAN MONROE'S new Cedar Hill series comprises three dreadnoughts with solid cedar tops, rosewood back and sides, abalone rosette, herringbone purfling, bone nut and saddle, and a deluxe hardshell alligator case with a built in hygrometer....

Ralph Irizarry Signature Timbales: Tycoon Percussion.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... TYCOON PERCUSSION has signed all-star timbalero Ralph Irizarry to its growing roster of top international drum artists. The company has commemorated the partnership with its new Ralph Irizarry Signature Model Timbales. Tycoon's Ralph...

Musicorp Led Lighting Flower.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... THE NEW MBT LIGHTING LED Flower is a compact moonflower effect that projects colorful beams to brilliantly and impressively light up a stage or club. The Flower uses 3 x 3 watt bright LEDS (one red, one blue, one green) to project up to...

G-Tour multiple-position lift case: Gator.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... GATOR'S NEW G-TOUR Lift Case (G-TOURLCDLIFT50P) is a multiple-position lift case that uses non-electric hydraulic-assisted technology to lift and retract. The case locks at heights of 70", 64", 58", and 52" with a maximum height of mount center...

House of Troy "green" LED piano lamps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2008... AS CONSUMERS SEEK to combat climate fears and soaring energy prices with environmentally friendly products, House of Troy offers a new "green" product line of energy-efficient fluorescent and LED piano lamps. Each of the two new LED piano lamps...