Music Trades articles from November 2006

Music Trades archives from November 2006

Setting the record straight--Kurland Salzman was not "troubled".(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... Your October article about the demise of Brook Mays Music Co., and the corporate and operational mismanagement that led to its bankruptcy improperly characterized our company Kurland-Salzman Music of El Paso, Texas. There is no truth to the...

More commentary on the Brook Mays debacle.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... Congratulations on a great article on Brook Mays Music. It was the first time I had seen anyone dare to question and/or blame the Brook Mays management for their downfall rather than simply taking quotes of Bill Everitt's explanation at face...

Quarterly retail sales data.(Market Intelligence)
November 1, 2006... AMERICANS HAVE YET TO SNAP SHUT THEIR wallets at music stores. However the combination of a slumping real estate market and rising energy costs have had a chilling effect on key segments of the music market. For the third quarter ended...

Falling gas prices good news for retailers.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2006... Falling gasoline prices helped ease American shoppers' worries in September, sending a measure of consumer sentiment higher than analysts expected, reports an Associated Press article on MSNBC.com. The New York-based Conference Board said...

Fees for school music illegal in British Columbia.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2006... British Columbia schools can no longer charge parents extra fees for things like musical instrument rentals following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling. The ruling means school boards and the B.C. Ministry of Education will have to fully fund those...

Concrete guitar.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2006... A civil engineering student at University of Bowling Green in Kentucky has created what is arguably the world's first concrete electric guitar. The guitar was part of a class project in materials. Richard Sloan, the student and designer working...

Musician loses tussle over prized trumpet.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2006... Border Police: 1, American jazz musician: 0, was the score announced today by a French police official, describing a tussle over a vintage trumpet at the Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris. Just before climbing aboard an afternoon Air...

Bill Schultz and the meaning of leadership.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2006... The Fender brand and product line enjoy such strength and position around the globe today that it's difficult to recall just how troubled the company was back in 1984. Quality was dismal, a lack of R&D had left gaping holes in the product line,...

PianoDisc back in production after devastating fire; suspicious fire destroyed PianoDisc's Sacramento plant, but thanks to herculean staff effort, production resumed in five days.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... PIANODISC WAS busy planning and carrying on business as usual five days after a fire on September 27 that destroyed approximately 60% of its headquarters in Sacramento, California. Fire investigators and the ATF are conducting...

NAMM offers membership cost-effective health insurance plan.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... NAMM HAS ANNOUNCED a new benefit to make health insurance available to its members. The new service will be offered by Mercer Health & Benefits, a leading health care solutions provider and subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Through...

Bullish on the high-end guitar market; PRS Guitars doubles capacity with 100,000-sq.-ft. expansion.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... PAUL REED SMITH GUITARS broke ground on a multimillion dollar, 100,000+ square-foot factory expansion on October 2. The expansion is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, and the finished building will be five times larger than...

Chinese piano maker outlines distribution plans: Hailun Distribution.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... HAILUN DISTRIBUTION, LLC, the U.S. distribution arm of Hailun Musical Instruments Co., Ltd., of Ningbo, China, has selected Lilburn, Georgia, in the Metro Atlanta area as the location of its first office in the United States. "As a...

Gemstone adopts MSP policy.(FLASH)
November 1, 2006... GEMSTONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, in an effort to support the profitability of its authorized dealers and to help those retail partners compete better in the market, has unilaterally adopted a Minimum Selling Price (MSP) Policy that will become...

Gretsch endows Kramer MBA chair.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... THE GRETSCH FOUNDATION has endowed a scholarship at Georgia Southern University in the name of Charles "Duke" Kramer. Kramer started working for the Gretsch Co. in 1935 at the tender age of 19. By the time he passed away in August 2005, he...

75th anniversary of electric guitar marked with gala at NAMM Museum: Rickenbacker.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... HUNDREDS OF ELECTRIC guitar enthusiasts, from Oakland to Auckland, came to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, on August 26 for a three-day Rickenbacker-sponsored celebration of the 75th anniversary of the electric guitar. ...

Wyman and WebOnlyPiano now offer player piano CD software online.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... WYMAN PIANO COMPANY and WebOnlyPiano have formed a strategic alliance to provide player piano CD software and promotional items for distribution with the new Wyman CD player system. "The new Wyman CD player system is not just another 'me...

Australian dealers tour Pro-Mark.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... PRO-MARK CORPORATION recently hosted top Australian music dealers at its Houston, Texas, plant. The trip was arranged by Dynamic Music, Pro-Mark's Australian distributor. Before getting down to business, the group was taken to a local airport...

Joint venture in Indonesia for manufacture of djembes: Meinl Percussion.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... MEINL PERCUSSION has announced a newly established joint venture in Java, Indonesia. The production facility will exclusively manufacture Meinl djembe drums. The exclusive production rights ensure Meinl percussion not only a constant supply...

Canadian association restuctures.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) has restructured the organization, setting up a new MIAC office in the Greater Toronto Area and adding full-time staff to replace existing contract suppliers. As a...

Music in Me documentary premieres at Carnegie Hall with NAMM support: HBO film showcases talented kids from across the country and salutes the joy of music making.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... HOW DO YOU GET to Carnegie Hall? Five very talented children recently answered that age-old question by performing there for family members and a broad cross section of music and entertainment industry representatives. Presented in Zankel Hall...

Young Chang North America moving to Southern California.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... YOUNG CHANG NORTH AMERICA is moving its warehouse and offices from Lakewood, Washington, to new facilities in Rancho Dominguez, California. The 42,000-square-foot facility will house offices, warehousing, and service for Young Chang and. Weber...

Synergy Brass Quintet endorses trumpets: Sonare Winds.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... TRUMPETERS BOBBY THORP and Chris O'Hara of the Synergy Brass Quintet are now using the Sonare TRC-800 as their trumpet of choice. Acclaimed for their technical virtuosity, outstanding showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass...

Drum month stresses health benefits of percussion.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... THIS NOVEMBER the Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) is celebrating International Drum Month 2006 by spreading the message that you don't have to be a professional percussionist to get a bang out of a bongo or a kick out of a conga. The...

Eldred to head expanded custom division: Fender.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (FMIC) has announced the creation of the new FMIC Custom Division. The new division will join together the global marketing, sales, and manufacturing efforts of all high-end and custom instruments created by FMIC's...

Trust Network builds international distribution networks.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... IN FEBRUARY LEVY'S Leathers enlisted the services of The Trust Network to review its distribution in China. By Frankfurt Musikmesse in late March Levy's was meeting with several top companies from the PRC. By mid-May the deal was done with Ivan...

Zildjian hosts annual New York artist session.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... THE AVEDIS ZILDJIAN COMPANY recently hosted its annual New York Artist Session. As at previous Sessions in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Nashville, the October 5 event at S.I.R. in Manhattan facilitated an informal gathering of Zildjian...

Golf tournament raises over $22,000: Kaman Music.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION held its annual charity golf tournament on June 26 to benefit the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. More than $22,000 was raised through the annual event. The organizations will each...

Share prices of publicly traded industry firms.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
November 1, 2006... SHARE PRICES OF PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E OCT. 13, 2006 RATIO Apple Computer Inc. ...

Madison Music Center band battle benefits Operation Music Aid.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE rocked out as nine bands competed in a "Battle of the Bands" concert at Cohanzie Fire Department-Pavilion in Waterford, Connecticut, in early August. The concert raised $16,000 in support of Operation Music Aid, with a...

Music teachers review Pearl River pianos: Frank & Camille's.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... CAMILLE SCHEIDEMANN of Frank & Camille's Fine Pianos (Carle Place and Melville, New York), recently hosted weekend events focusing on providing music teachers with an overview of the emerging Chinese piano industry and introducing Pearl River...

Print Music retailers suffer collateral damage in Brook Mays bankruptcy.(FLASH)
November 1, 2006... FOUR PRINT MUSIC retailers that had operated leasehold departments in various Brook Mays locations have been devastated by the bankruptcy filing of the Dallas-based chain. Although Accent Print Music, which operated as Brook Mays Print Music,...

The Pro Series. (The Choice of Pro Players: What do Toto, Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Vince Gill all have in common? Great songwriters, masterful guitar playing and EMG Pro-Series pickups.).(RETAILER UPDATE)(Sound recording review)
November 1, 2006... Versatile musician, guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer, writer and arranger Steve "Luke" Lukather. best known for his work with the rock band TOTO, uses a pickup combination that went beyond simply choosing a set of our pickups and...

Wisconsin kid's choir records at retailer; Full Compass.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY for its mastery of diverse and challenging choral music, the Wisconsin Children's Choir launched its annual summer touring season this year with a stop at Full Compass Systems in Middleton, Wisconsin, where members of...

25th anniversary marked Mapex clinic.(DRUM HEADQUARTERS)
November 1, 2006... DRUM HEADQUARTERS in St. Louis recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a huge weekend of events co-sponsored by Mapex. Mapex representatives were on hand to participate in the festivities. "Drum Headquarters stands as a benchmark for...

Saied Music presents prize to John Lennon Band contest winner.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... A $1,000 CHECK was donated to Broken Arrow Senior High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, courtesy of NAMM as the result of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus National High School Battle of the Bands. A local band, The Red Alert, first took the top...

Disappointing quarterly results at Guitar Center sparks dueling investor assessments: while analysts issue buy & sell recommendations, hedgefund Sageview Capital buys A 6.5% stake.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... GUITAR CENTER ANNOUNCED on September 30 that due to comparable store sales of 2.9%, its third quarter sales and profits would be below previously announced guidance. Management currently expects sales for the three month period to be...

Music Land & Hamilton bring store count to 94: Music and Arts Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... MUSIC AND ARTS CENTER, a division of Guitar Center, has acquired Music Land USA's two locations in Lindenhurst, New York, and Lake Grove, New York. It has also acquired Hamilton Band instrument Company's two locations in Cowers, Georgia, and...

"Easy play" gets them in the door; the enduring popularity of the harmonica illustrates just how interested people are in making their own music. How can you translate that interest into more sales at your store?(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
November 1, 2006... Recently, USA Today ran an article about the day in the life of a Transportation Security Administration screener at one of the nation's busiest airports. Most f the report was pretty predictable. The screener talked about confiscating small...

Numark industries salutes musical innovation: gala "Milestone" fundraiser at Berklee College pays tribute to musical pioneers including Bruce Swedien, Al Kooper, and Michael Brecker.(INDUSTRY EVENTS)
November 1, 2006... A GALA CONCERT HONORING some of the key innovators in musical production and performance was hosted by Numark, Alesis, and Akai Professional at the Berklee College of Music Performance Center in Boston. Billed as "Milestone," the September 22...

The eight steps to successful retail promotions; with razor sharp competition, more retailers are turning to special promotions to drive sales. Herewith, a checklist for planning and executing promotional events that will consistently add to your bottom line.(CREATIVE RETAILING)
November 1, 2006... Like many music retailers, you probably consider advertising to be one of the most effective ways to attract customers and inform them of the products and services that you offer. But in an era of reduced marketing budgets, more and more...

Drummer's paradise! After being ignored by salesmen who didn't want to wait on a "kid," Jim Pettit decided to open the kind of store he would want to shop at. With exceptional service and selection and a vibrant lesson program, he relized his ideals in creating The Memphis Drum Shop.(PERCUSSION 2006)(Cover story)
November 1, 2006... In 2004 Jim Pettit determined that he needed more retail space for his growing drum and percussion business. He considered, briefly, moving product into the store's second-floor performance room but instead opted to build a 4,000-square-foot...

Yamaha Drums--don't call them "corporate"; approaching its 40th anniversary, the Yamaha Drum Division finds success by operating as a "company within a company," dedicated to serving the percussion community.(PERCUSSION 2006)
November 1, 2006... In anticipation of its 40th anniversary in 2007, Yamaha Drums would appear to have every reason to party. Enjoying a reputation for quality that's second to none, exposure and endorsement by many of the world's top players, and a brand that's...

Must-have drum books: a few strategically stocked book racks can help keep drummers fired up and cash registers ringing. The following list represents the books major publishers identify as their best-sellers, most of which are packaged with a CD and/or DVD.(PERCUSSION 2006)
November 1, 2006... ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS: DRUMS by Dave Zubraski The Music Sales Group Book/CD This "owner's manual" approach to drumkit for beginners includes essential basic information on how to set up a drumkit, use sticks and the bass pedal,...

When Sabian was launched in 1981, the conventional wisdom was that the cymbal business would become a zero-sum game, dominated by a crushing price war. No one predicted that the flurry of innovative product development would trigger the biggest growth spurt ever. Herewith, a look at Sabian's role as a catalyst for change.(PERCUSSION 2006)
November 1, 2006... Nineteen eighty-one was hardly an auspicious year to launch a cymbal manufacturing business. A deep recession had hammered industry sales, and the majority of companies were struggling just to stay in the black. Making a dark scenario even...

Factory metal percussion: adding a new element to drummer's sonic palette.(PERCUSSION 2006)
November 1, 2006... Soon after Factory Metal Percussion President Jim Anderson sent a box of his products to Vinnie Colaiuta, arguably the best drummer on the planet, Colaiuta called to say he had incorporated several of the instruments into his drum set and was...

Allegro Acceptance ... In tune with the music industry; are all credit companies alike? Not according to Allegro Acceptance, the financial services division of Sherman Clay.(FINANCING OPTIONS)
November 1, 2006... In business, a degree of trust is earned through longevity. And by all accounts, piano retailing is still very much a "people" business. In the world of financial services, these two indisputable facts clearly favor Allegro Acceptance...

Ki Young Hong takes helm at restructured Young Chang.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... KI YOUNG HONG has been appointed the new president and CEO of Young Chang North America, formerly A N D Music. A former executive with the Hyundai Motor Company for 25 years, Hong has an extensive background in export, wholesale, and retail...

Humrichouser to head U.S. sales: Shure.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... MARK HUMRICHOUSER HAS joined Shure Incorporated as its new director of U.S. sales. He has 15 years of experience in sales, technology, and the audio industry. Most recently, Humrichouser was team manager for professional systems and the...

Horbachevsky to manage Long Island plant as veteran Penatzer retires: Steinway & Sons.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... ANDREW HORBACHEVSKY has been promoted to general manager of manufacturing at the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria, New York, upon the retirement of Ronald Penatzer. Bruce Stevens, Steinway president and CEO, announced the promotion and the...

Jun Yamato named VP & general counsel: Roland.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... JUN YAMATO HAS been appointed vice-president and general counsel of Roland Corporation U.S. He joined the Roland family in 1994 as general counsel. Prior to joining the Roland team he was a corporate attorney for two Los Angeles-based legal...

Mills named as sales consultant: Hailun Distribution.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... STEVAN MILLS HAS been named national sales consultant for Hailun Distribution, LLC. Located in the metro Atlanta area, the U.S. distribution arm of Ningbo Hailun Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. is moving forward with the development of its sales...

Mark Menghi promoted to art director: Samson.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... MARK MENGHI HAS been promoted to art director at Samson Technologies. He has been a graphic designer in Samson's marketing department since April of this year. In his new role he will direct all visual aspects of advertising, marketing, and...

Bescond & Hughes join international sales team: D'Addario.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... D'ADDARIO HAS NAMED two key industry veterans to service emerging aspects of the international market. Jean-Francois Bescond has been named European sales and marketing development manager for orchestral products, and Alun Hughes has been named...

Hankes new percussion product manager: Jupiter Band Instruments.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... CHRIS HANKES HAS been appointed percussion product manager at Jupiter Band Instruments. He will head up product management for Ross Mallet Instruments and Majestic Concert Percussion. Hankes has been an educator for high school and university...

Hasna Nahdi joins new Installation Division: Proel SpA.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2006... HASNA NAHDI has joined the new Installation Division of the Export Department at Proel SpA, the Italian manufacturer of audio/lighting systems. Nahdi has ten years of experience in products and international markets. She stated, "I am...

Music & video merged in unique VIMA Roland Keyboard.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... ROLAND HAS UNVEILED a new concept keyboard called VIMA (Video Interactive Musical Application) that blends various musical and visual content applications into one consumer-friendly Unit. Lynda Smith, vice-president in Roland's Contemporary...

VX-5 hand-held vocal condenser mic: Audix.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... AUDIX HAS DEBUTED the VX-5, a stylish and innovative hand-held vocal condenser microphone designed to handle a wide variety of live, studio, and broadcast applications. With a smooth frequency response of 40Hz-16.5kHz (plus or minus 3dB), the...

New professional clarinets designed by Morrie Backun: Leblanc.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THREE NEW PROFESSIONAL clarinets in the Leblanc line represent historic innovations in clarinet design. The new Leblanc instruments are a fusion of artistry, technology, and passion, designed by Morrie Backun. Director of product development...

Triple-trumpet wheelie bag from Talwar.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THE GARD TRIPLE-TRUMPET wheelie bag will prove a delight for the trumpet player wanting to remove the weight of three trumpets and the case from his back or shoulders and reduce unwanted tension in the body. Jens Lindemann, North America's...

"Extra-Life" Coated Strings from DR.(FLASH)
November 1, 2006... DR HANDMADE STRINGS has introduced "Extra-Life" Coated Strings. The new strings stand out for great sound and long life, and DR has gone a step further by offering coated sets in six different colors. The Extra-Life strings are available...

T-Rex FuelTank power supply for guitarists: Dana B. Goods.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THE T-REX FUELTANK from Dana B. Goods is the perfect power supply unit for guitarists who want to focus on their performance, not their gear--no more batteries to change, no more cables to trip over. Delivering 1.500mA through ten DC plugs,...

PCM-D1 portable recorder offers remarkable audio quality: Sony.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... SONY'S PCM-D1, instantly acknowledged as a significant advance in high-quality digital field recording, has captured the imagination of audio and broadcast industry professionals with its outstanding recording quality and unique physical...

Peace musical Nitro bass pedals.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... PEACE MUSICAL HAS added the Velocity Nitro Drive series of bass drum pedals. All double-chain drive, the three Velocity pedals--a single pedal (P-38970DC), a double pedal (P-38950DC), and a lefty double pedal (P-38950DCL)--are significantly...

Two new art ukuleles: Recording King.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... RECORDING KING HAS introduced two new art ukuleles, the Aloha Sunset and the Island Beauty. The Aloha Sunset (RU-100-AS) features a scenic beach view with surfers and an island girl playing a ukulele. The Island Beauty (RU-100-IB) features...

New packages commemorate Neil Peart/Rush tours: Pro-Mark.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... PRO-MARK HAS TEAMED with legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart to create two very special packages. Pat Brown, Pro-Mark's director of sales and marketing, said, "This is an absolute 'must' for fans of Neil and the band. The sticks in these...

Classic covers and acrylic kits: Tama.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... FROM A DISTANCE, you might think you were having a deja vu moment or, more appropriately, a '60s/'70s-style flashback. Tama recently introduced some blasts from the past combined with technology from the present. One blast is a set of...

Joe Nunez helps develop uni-badge: Slug Percussion.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THE UNI-BADGE from Slug Percussion, which will debut at the Winter 2007 NAMM Show, was developed with the help of Joe Nunez, drummer for the band Soulfly. The Uni-Badge is a universal-type vented impact pad that will work on toms, snare, or...

Independent ukulele distributor: Kala Music.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THE MUSIC TRADES' July 2006 issue mistakenly reported that Kala Brand Music Co. is a division of Crafter Guitars. In fact, Crafter only distributes the products of Kala Brand Music Co., an independently owned and operated business headquartered...

Two new speaker stand paks: On-Stage Stands.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... ON-STAGE STANDS has added two new speaker stand paks to its line of speaker stand products. The SSP7850 and SSP7950 each come with two height-adjustable speaker stands and one carry bag that holds both stands. Both stands are designed with a...

Levy's Nailhead guitar straps.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... LEVY'S LEATHERS LIMITED has introduced its new Nailhead line of guitar straps. The line features 1/16" round nickel nailheads in a variety of patterns. The straps are available in nine different styles and patterns. (204) 957-5139 ...

First two models in Pro Series; J3 Guitars.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... J3 GUITARS HAS unveiled the first two models in its highly anticipated Pro Series: the Pro 6 and the Pro 12. Both guitars feature bound mahogany bodies with carved tops and figured maple veneers giving the guitar stunning looks, great tone, and...

Odyssey "DJ Chair" reduces fatigue.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... ODYSSEY INNOVATIVE DESIGNS has introduced "The DJ Chair" featuring a standard multi-positioning system that reduces fatigue and stress on the back and legs during those long gigs. The DJ Chair also features a leg rest to relax the feet and...

Four titles added to Essential Home Library; Alfred Publishing.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... ALFRED PUBLISHING HAS added four new books to the Essential Home Library series. Grouped by time period, each book provides the lyrics along with piano and chord arrangements for some of the most popular songs ever written. Filled with songs...

Tom Packs let players replace Tom heads: Evans Drumheads.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... THE NEW TOM PACKS from Evans Drumheads are available in the most popular models, in contemporary fusion and standard configurations. The Tom Packs enable players to switch over a full set of tom heads at a significant savings while keeping...

W. Nirschl brass now available in U.S.: Gemstone.(PRODUCT NEWS)
November 1, 2006... WALTER NIRSCHL HAS teamed with Gemstone Musical Instruments to introduce the W. Nirschl brass line to the United States. This collaboration brings together the best of American design with German engineering. Walter Nirschl is well known for...

Protesting phony piano pricing.(100 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... The Executive Board of the National Piano Travelers Association has adopted a resolution calling for a "square deal" for piano buyers. "Resolved, that the association condemns the practice prevailing in many piano houses of charging excessive...

Television opens new sales vistas.(75 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... Television programs, including musical numbers by artists on sight and sound programs recently inaugurated over the Columbia Broadcasting System bring new sales opportunities to music merchants throughout the United States. "Television creates...

Losing the Hi-Fi market.(50 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... "Is the music dealer going to let the opportunity to sell Hi-Fi slip through his fingers as he did 25 years ago?" wonders W.J. Lee of Sherman Clay & Co. "The market for components is growing, but I still contend that the music dealer does...

Baldwin buys Green Stamp firm.(25 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... Baldwin-United, the parent corporation of Baldwin Piano & Organ, has continued its expansion into financial services with the acquisition of Sperry & Hutchinson Company, best known for its "Green Stamps" trading stamps. The cost of the merger...

Record guitar price.(25 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... Mandolin Brothers of Staten Island, New York, has set a new record for selling the most expensive guitar in history. The instrument in question, a rare 1930 Martin OM-45, went for a whopping $12,000. Stanley Jay, Mandolin Brothers president,...

Fender buys ARP in liquidation.(25 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... Fender has acquired select assets of ARP after the Lexington, Massachusetts, synthesizer pioneer was forced into liquidation due to business difficulties. "We have acquired the tradename as well as the highly regard Chroma polyphonic...

Guitar Center in Miami.(10 YEARS AGO)
November 1, 2006... Several thousand musicians turned out for the grand opening of the newest Guitar Center location in Hallendale, Florida, just minutes away from the Sam Ash location that opened last month. Guitar Center will open a second store in Kendall, a...