Music Trades articles from November 2007

Music Trades archives from November 2007

Quarterly retail sales data.
November 1, 2007... QUARTERLY RETAIL SALES DATA % CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR THREE THREE THREE THREE MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS ...

Market intelligence.
November 1, 2007... A meltdown of the financial markets, coupled with surging energy rates and a flagging real estate market, did little to dissuade customers from buying musical instruments and sound equipment during the summer months. Sales advanced a...

Expect price increases from China.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2007... The made-in-China label could soon get significantly more expensive in the U.S. market. That's because of growing pressure from Congress and the American public to halt the flood of poisoned pet food, tainted toothpaste, and toys painted with...

Hot weather cools retail sales.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2007... September same-store sales, a key retail performance indicator as it excludes sales from new locations, may increase only about 2%, the International Council of Shopping Centers said. ICSC cut its estimate from as much as 2.5% after...

Music teacher guilty of stealing kids horns.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2007... Susan Stock, a school music teacher in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, has pleaded guilty to stealing and pawning close to $20,000 of musical instruments owned by her students and the East Grand School District. Stock was arrested last May at...

Crime spree in Southern California hits churches.(Industry Briefings)
November 1, 2007... Five churches in the greater Long Beach, California, area were robbed in six successive days in early September. The thieves knew what they wanted--musical instruments and audio equipment." On each occasion they've entered through open or...

Pushy salespeople and other urban legends.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2007... In interviews and off-the-cuff comments, not to mention advertisements, music retailers routinely describe their business as a "sales pressure free" environment." "You won't find any high pressure tactics or commissioned sharks in our store,"...

$8.0 billion deal to buy Harman International canceled: investors stunned as KKR & Goldman Sachs rescind acquisition agreement. Has the company been affected by "material adverse conditions?".(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... LEVERAGED BUY-OUT FIRM Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Goldman Sachs dropped a bombshell on Harman International shareholders on September 21 when it abruptly canceled its $8.0 billion bid to acquire the leading audio manufacturer. The...

Young Chang stages largest piano concert ever!(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... IN A REMARKABLE feat of logistic skill, the Young Chang Piano Company assembled 555 pianos and 555 pianists on a single stage in Incheon, Korea, to create the largest piano "orchestra" in history. The performance was held to celebrate Incheon's...

$10,000 gear giveaway for the obsessed: QSC.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... DOES PASSION HOLD you prisoner to your RMX Series amplifier? Is life just not the same unless your HPR loudspeakers are near? If sentiments like these strike a chord, don't feel alone. It is for just these kindred and compulsive souls that QSC...

Steinway art case auctioned to benefit Thoreau's Walden pond.(FLASH)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE FAMED CHRISTIE'S Auction House in New York has secured $510,000 for a unique Steinway-crafted "Walden Woods" artcase piano. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Walden Woods Project, which is in the process of...

Sneaker Pimps show sponsored in LA: Roland.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... ROLAND CO-SPONSORED the world's biggest touring sneaker show, Sneaker Pimps, in downtown Los Angeles August 3. The event kicked off a ten-city blast that will hit San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Washington...

Ace Pro lawsuit: ends in dismissal.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... ON SEPTEMBER 26, a United States District Court judge in Florida dismissed with prejudice a $1 billion lawsuit brought by Ace Pro Sound & Recording against Yamaha Corporation of America, Martin Albertson, Guitar Center, Korg, Electro-Voice,...

Industry-sponsored teacher workshops pave the way for school guitar.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THIS SUMMER 222 SCHOOL MUSIC educators attended the GAMA/NAMM/MENC Teaching Guitar Workshops. After the rigorous one-week seminar, designed to assist music teachers in starting guitar programs, GAMA conducted an exit...

Mapex & Fork's Drum Closet partner to aid Belmont University.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THIS FALL MARKS THE second year Mapex USA has joined with Fork's Drum Closet to supply new, pro-quality drum sets to the music department of Nashville's Belmont University. Belmont's main performance halls and...

ADK now official mic of B.B. King Recording Studio.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ADK IS NOW THE official microphone of the B.B. King Recording Studio at Mississippi Valley State University. The "Riley B. King Recording Studio" acquired its first ADK microphones after the 2004 Summer NAMM show in...

HW Products in new facility at Pacific Marina.(FLASH)
November 1, 2007... HW Products, Inc., maker of the HW Pad-Saver and HW Brass-Saver brands, has moved to a new location one block from the beautiful Pacific Marina in San Leandro, California. The new facility offers increased opportunities for product development...

Partnership benefits "Little Kids Rock": Sabian, Evans, & Drum!(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... SABIAN LTD., EVANS Drumheads, and DRUM! magazine have announced a partnership to benefit Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing free musical instruments and music instruction to public school students. A portion of the...

Distribution announced for G. Henle catalog: Hal Leonard.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... HAL LEONARD Corporation began U.S. distribution for the Munich-based music publisher G. Henle Verlag starting October 1, 2007. The agreement was reached by Hal Leonard President Larry Morton and Dr. Wolf-Dieter Seiffert, managing director and...

Mick box endorses Sonic NanoMAG: Shadow.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... URIAH HEEP'S MICK BOX is thrilled with the great sound of Shadow's revolutionary Sonic NanoMAG. Box is a founding member of Uriah Heep and has been the only constant member of the band, which has sold more than $30 million in 30-plus...

Artist Award goes to Nathan Knutsen: Mason & Hamlin.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... THE MASON & HAMLIN piano company recently established the Mason & Hamlin Prize, a cash award given to the winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs' Young Artist Award for Piano. The first Mason & Hamlin Prize was awarded to Nathan...

Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E 52-WEEK RANGE OCT. 18, 2007 RATIO HIGH-LOW Apple Computer Inc. $172.34 48.66 $173.04-$73.91 Avid...

Percussion Workshops underway in Malaysia: Evans & Vic Firth.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... EVANS AND VIC FIRTH have joined JS Music Sdn Bhd, Batteryheadz Music, and Present Malaysia as sponsors of the first annual Marching Percussion Workshop Tour. Workshops are scheduled through December. Participants come from 60% of the marching...

Sanecore appointed China distributor: Allen & Heath.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... U.K. MIXER manufacturer Allen & Heath has appointed Sanecore Limited as its new distributor in China, including Hong Kong and Macau. The company will manage the sales, distribution, and service of the complete Allen & Heath product line from...

New industry trade show to open in London.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... MB MEDIA LTD., in association with The Music Industries Association, will usher in a new era for consumer and trade exhibitions in the U.K. with the launch of The London International Music Show, May 8-11, 2008, at ExCel in London's Docklands....

Strings hold up for 12-hour gig record: Curt Mangan Strings.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... WHEN CURT MANGAN STRINGS last checked in with British pop-punk band Buck Brothers, they were preparing for a grueling test of endurance: The band had scheduled 30 gigs in one 12-hour period in an attempt to set a world record. After 28 gigs in...

Pro-Mark enters mallet market, acquiring percussion construction.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOUSTON-BASED Pro-Mark Corporation has initiated its own mallet production with the recent acquisition of Percussion Construction, an established mallet-wrapping company. Percussion Construction and its former owner,...

Distribution expanded, web tools upgraded: Music Minus One.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... MUSIC MINUS ONE has continued to grow in 2007, adding multiple distributors in the U.K. and Europe, including Music Sales in England and Schott/MDS in Germany. It also inked a deal with Hal Leonard for non-exclusive distribution in the U.S. and...

Walter Grand installed at Indiana Governor's mansion.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels recently selected a 6'4" Charles Walter piano, hand-crafted in Indiana, for the governor's residence. He is shown with Greg Durthaler and Brian Hostetler of Piano Solutions...

Lottery winner wins York's first euphonium: York/Schreiber & Keilwerth.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... York (Schreiber & Keilwerth) took the occasion of the 2007 British Open Championships in Birmingham, U.K., to present the winner of the lottery for the first euphonium produced under the York brand. The prize went to Huw Llyr Evans, who was on...

Top drummers "hang" at Ziljdian NYC Artist Session.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... 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 11 event at S.I.R. in Manhattan facilitated an informal gathering of Zildjian...

Bain completes $2.1 billion Guitar Center acquisition: the inside story of how Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson persuaded a reluctant board to sell the industry's top retail chain to a private equity firm.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GUITAR CENTER SUCCESSFULLY completed its merger with Bain Capital on October 9 in a transaction valued at approximately $2.1 billion. As of October 10, the parent company of Guitar Center Stores, Musician's Friend,...

Steinway Piano Gallery opens in Madison: grant billings carries on family tradition, returning to piano retail in Wisconsin.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ON SEPTEMBER 21 a shiny red ribbon was cut to open the newest Steinway Piano Gallery in Madison, Wisconsin. Managing Partner Grant Billings presided over the festivities attended by more than 125 local dignitaries....

Second store opened in 25th anniversary year: Fork's Drum Closet.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
November 1, 2007... FORK'S DRUM CLOSET of Nashville, one of the best-known drum shops in America and among the industry's most-recognized specialty retailers, recently opened a new store in Knoxville. Located approximately two and-a-half hours east of the original...

Memphis Drum Shop Opens cymbal vault.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
November 1, 2007... CURRENTLY CELEBRATING its 20th anniversary, Memphis Drum Shop has completed its new Cymbal Vault. The installation displays more than a thousand cymbals, crotales, and related effects and is complemented by www.MyCymbal.com, which lets...

All you have to do is ask! If you ask people to buy, believe it or not, your sales will actually increase. Thoughts on overcoming the fear of rejection that keeps salespeople from acting on this basic truth!(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
November 1, 2007... I visited a few different music stores last week looking for several things. On my list was a keyboard controller, keyboard stand, a couple of microphones, and a Melodica. That's what was on my mind, but I'm kind of an impulse shopper, and if...

"Experience PRS": a star-studded guitar extravaganza! Dealers, distributors, artists, and guitar lovers from all over the globe convene at the PRS plant in Annapolis for a celebration of the guitar.(CREATIVE MARKETING)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CLOSE TO 800 RETAILERS, distributors, performers, and hard-core guitar enthusiasts made the trek to the Paul Reed Smith Guitar factory in Annapolis, Maryland, for the company's first ever open house. Aptly titled...

Samick heads south to improve service & efficiency: new, centrally located Nashville headquarters will speed dealer deliveries and place the piano maker closer to the "heart of the market.".(CORPORATE EXPANSION)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE in the U.S. to do business than Tennessee. We're within 500 miles of two thirds of the population, we're affordable, and the quality of life here is second to none," said Tennessee governor...

Building a high octane brand buzz: how Larry Hartke has tapped the power of MySpace.com to generate thousands of hits and grass roots excitement for his line of bass amps.(CREATIVE MARKETING)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AT FIRST, NOBODY WAS SURE what Larry Hartke's videos were supposed to be. The main characters were Larry himself and his friends from the Old Canal Inn in Nutley, New Jersey, the Hartke founder's adopted office and...

Shaping the sound of percussion for 30 years: how old-world values molded Mike Balter, his company, and an entire industry.(PERCUSSION 2007)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Late jazz legend Lionel Hampton was buried holding a pair of Mike Balter 23R vibe mallets. As Mike Balter observes his company's 30th anniversary, he takes pride in this fact just as he takes pride in every...

Tama's commitment to brand integrity: by maintaining limited distribution and focusing on product quality and innovation, management adds to the luster of the Tama brand. A new factory in China enhances the company's position with improved product value.(PERCUSSION 2007)
November 1, 2007... In a 2002 Music Trades interview Hoshino USA President Bill Reim attributed Hoshino's success, in part, to "a rigid Japanese business ethic interacting with a crazy rock 'n' roll ethic." The yin and yang of that relationship, he says now, has...

Bechstein expands U.S. presence: Famed German piano maker opens elegant New York showroom in bid to win over discerning U.S. artists and piano buyers.(CORPORATE EXPANSION)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ONE OF THE OLDEST, MOST respected names in the piano industry has a new upscale home in America. On September 20, 2007, Berlin-based C. Bechstein officially opened its Bechstein America branch in New York. The gala...

Daniel Barker named president/CEO: EMD Music.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... DANIEL BARKER has been appointed President/CEO of EMD Music, Inc., and will be responsible for the overall operation of the U.S. company. EMD Music, Inc., is the U.S. subsidiary of EMD Music Group, one of Europe's largest musical instrument...

Lowrey Taps Cerone, Fioramonti, and Graves.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... LOWREY'S SALES AND marketing team has welcomed three new members in Andy Cerone, Dennis Fioramonti, and Lori Graves, all of whom join the company with substantial music industry experience. Cerone has been named regional sales manager for...

Lloyd Robbins new president: Rodgers.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... RODGERS INSTRUMENTS LLC has appointed Lloyd Robbins president. Robbins has been with Rodgers for a decade and is a well-respected music industry veteran with extensive sales and marketing experience with Wurlitzer, Aeolian Corporation, Hal...

Allan Ash named regional sales manager: Gemstone.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... ALLAN ASH has joined Gemstone Musical Instruments as the company's newest regional sales manager in Canada and Alaska. Ash will represent all of Gemstone's family of brands including Weril, its newest brass offering. "Allan brings with him...

Larry Fresch named national sales manager: AXL.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... LARRY FRESCH has joined the AXL team as national sales manager for Palatino Pianos. Fresch brings with him nearly five decades of experience in the piano industry, including positions at Wurlitzer Co., Young Chang, and Geneva International. He...

David Hall named national sales manager: Mechanical Music.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... MECHANICAL MUSIC, parent company of Pro-Active Software, has appointed David Hall to national sales manager. Hall brings over 25 years of experience in wholesale and retail music sales management. "We're extremely pleased to have David on...

Bob Yerby named VP sales and marketing: Remo.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... REMO'S BOB YERBY has been promoted to the position of vice president of sales and marketing. In his new position, Yerby will be responsible for marketing and sales activity on a global basis. During his 15 years with Remo, he has performed in...

Zhang and Sumoro named to "tag" team: Community Professional.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
November 1, 2007... COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL Loudspeakers has announced the appointment of engineers Tao Zhang and Hadi Sumoro to its Technical Applications Group (TAG). As part of Community's TAG team, Zhang and Sumoro will be responsible for providing applications...

The complex audio world takes the stage at AES: annual convention in New York addresses everything from Sgt. Pepper's to music and audio for video games.(AES IN NEW YORK)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CELEBRATING ITS 60TH YEAR, the Audio Engineering Society held its 123rd Convention October 5-8 at New York City's Jacob Javits Center. The show's theme, "Where Audio Comes Alive!" was borne out by the energized...

This is your brain on music!(AES IN NEW YORK)
November 1, 2007... BY WAY OF INTRODUCING the AES Convention's opening ceremonies keynote speaker--musician, record producer, neuroscientist, and best-selling author Daniel Levitin--123rd Convention Chairman and AES President-elect Jim Anderson took devilish...

Do yellow page ads work? Is a high-profile presence in the phone book vital, or can the funds be better spent elsewhere?(RETAIL Q&A)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... OLD CONVENTIONS die hard. American retailers have long relied on The Yellow Pages to link with customers in their local market, and, beyond the listing, on Yellow Pages advertising to raise their profile in relation to their competitors'. As...

GMS Racing Stripe Acrylic Drums.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MUSCLE CAR BUFFS will recognize the rally-pattern stripes on GMS's Special Edition G28 Acrylic drumsets and snare drums. Associated with the legendary GTOs, Firebirds, Camaros, and Cutlass Supremes of the '70s, this...

Sabian "Chopper" produces white noise effect.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... SABIAN'S NEW CHOPPER is an innovative multi-application percussion effect that delivers quick, focused white noise accents. Comprising three bronze discs--two of which are cut into propeller-like shapes--riveted loosely together, the Chopper...

New enhanced content method books: Rock House.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... ROCK HOUSE HAS released two new acoustic guitar method books. The beginner method book, titled Learn Rock Acoustic Beginner, is designed for people with little or no playing experience. It teaches the parts of the guitar, how to hold the...

KZX basses available at selected retailers: Power Group.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... POWER GROUP, in conjunction with Michael Tobias Designs, has introduced its limited-edition KZX models of basses. The KZX, available initially in a five-string version, is an evolution of the popular "Z" basses currently on the market. "I...

Peterson teams up on tuner: Grayson Guitars.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... GRAYSON GUITARS, LLC, has partnered with Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc., to create a proprietary version of Peterson's StroboSoft Musical Instrument Tuner. Grayson, the world's first guitar manufacturer to launch a proprietary version...

New high-gloss Adagio Pianos.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... ADAGIO PIANOS has introduced the KDP-8865, guaranteed by Adagio to be the most affordable high-gloss piano available on the market today. The 8865 has 88 hammer action keys, 64-note polyphony, and eight high-quality PCM voices. It also has a...

Rubber duckie triggers make a splash: Pintech.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... WHAT STARTED AS A JOKE from loyal customer Julian Styles has became a serious project as Pintech introduces a collection of novelty triggers, rubber duckie style. For drummers looking for fun ways to dress up their drum kits, these new...

New Axe Box on the market: A&S Case Company.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ENGINEERED WITH HANDS-ON input from professional guitar techs, the new A&S Axe Box was created with ease of use, flexibility and strength as it's main drivers. The A&S Axe Box has doors that slide back into the body...

Journeyman guitar tool combines common tools: Farley's Essentials.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... FARLEY'S JOURNEYMAN Guitar Tool, crafted by JP Tool, has been called "The Swiss Army knife for guitarists." Designed for guitar players who change strings often or need to make action adjustments, the Guitar Tool combines a carbide...

eNOTE Clip-On Chromatic Tuner: Eleca.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... ELECA INTERNATIONAL'S new eNOTE Clip-On Chromatic Tuner line, "a colorful twist to precision tuning," is a full-featured digital chromatic tuner that clips onto most acoustic and stringed electric musical instruments. The two key features of...

Fishman P-O-P drives Aura and Loudbox sales.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... FISHMAN HAS FULFILLED more than 200 orders for its new Point-of-Purchase Demo Station, originally introduced at Winter NAMM as a concept piece to drive sales for Aura Imaging products and Loudbox amplifiers. The unit was designed to the...

Metalien USB Guitar on the market: Behringer.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... THE NEW BEHR1NGER iAXE629BKLS Metalien USB Guitar features a sleek and stylish axe, state-of-the-art USB interface, and virtual stomp boxes and amps for one rockin' package. This model includes a threesome of single-and dual-coil pick-ups,...

Ten-piece series named for company patriarch: Zildjian.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... ZILDJIAN'S NEW ARMAND Zildjian Cymbal Series, named for the man who helped guide Zildjian into the 21st century, includes ten models and is based on the popular 19" Armand "Beautiful Baby" Ride. This series includes 20" and 21" rides, 16" and...

Vocal Acoustics Monitor improves voice quality: Vam Acoustics, Inc.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... THE VOCAL ACOUSTIC MONITOR (VAM) from VAM Acoustics is a patent-pending device designed to improve vocal quality and tone, allowing singers to deliver their best performance every time. Eliminating the need to cup the ears and mouth while...

Online school for instrument repair: CIOMIT.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... COLORADO INSTITUTE of Musical Instrument Technology (CIOMIT) is a web-based school of musical instrument repair. CIOMIT uses state-of-the-art web conferencing technology to offer live interactive training on the repair of brass, woodwind, and...

Postal Monkey "Leopard Fur" case: Everly Music Company.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... POSTAL MONKEY GRAPHICS Cases has added the Leopard Fur Guitar Case, featuring faux leopard fur surrounding the entire case, to its collection of wild and expressive ways to tote a guitar. Postal Monkey Graphics cases all feature unique images...

Latest catalog available on CD: David E. Smith Publications.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... DAVID E. SMITH PUBLICATIONS, LLC, has released its newest version of the latest catalog on CD. Included are the catalogs of DESPUB, Majestic Music Publications, Psalm 150, Washington Music Ministries, Rich Heffler Music, River Song Productions,...

Mm-3000 Professional 5 Channel Stereo Mixer: GCI/Gemini.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GEMINI, A DIVISION of GCI Technologies, has introduced the new MM-3000 Professional 5 Channel Stereo Mixer, tailored to DJs of all levels. Designed to satisfy a wide variety of mixing needs, this 19-inch...

Legacy classic drums debut at NAMM: Ludwig.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... LUDWIG DRUM COMPANY'S new Legacy Classic line incorporates the features and benefits of today's most advanced drum making processes to recreate the classic tone of the world's most famous drums. At its heart, the handcrafted, American-made...

New design introduced in cord and cable protection: Chordsaver.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHORDSAVERS ARE a unique new solution for protecting of all of a musician's cables and cords. Specifically designed to protect guitar, microphone, XLR, patch, PA, RCA, sound board snakes, and extension cords and...

Black Suede and Vintage heads: Remo.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... REMO'S NEW BLACK SUEDE drumheads applies the company's unique suede texturing process to its popular Ebony Series drumheads. Offered in Ambassador and Emperor weights, Black Suede drumheads provide focused warmth and enhanced mid-range for...

Six models available from Luna Guitars line: Musicorp.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... MUSICORP NOW carries six models in its Luna Guitars line, an artistically designed line of instruments dedicated to affirming and empowering players of all ages. Featured in the Musicorp catalog, the new guitar designs are made from the most...

Jodi Head's "Marty" strap line.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW FROM NEW YORK strap maker Jodi Head, the Marty line of guitar straps are modeled after a favorite strap used by Marty Stuart. The country music star asked Head to copy it for him, and he approved the strap for...

Orange County Chopper guitar: Peavey.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... THE LIMITED-EDITION Peavey Orange County Choppers Custom guitar, designed by Peavey and OCC and handcrafted in the Peavey Custom Shop, is now available through Peavey Custom Shop retailers. Adorned with a 5A quilted maple top and OCC-tooled...

Tube King distortion pedal: Ibanez.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... A REGAL NAME in stomp boxes, the Tube King recently rejoined the Ibanez product lineup. However, while the 2007 Tube King's name and purpose--to make any solid-state amp sound like a tube amp--are the same as the original 1990s models, the new...

Allparts Cord Loks saves plug, finish.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALLPARTS' NEW CORD LOK System provides a unique solution to an age-old problem for guitarists: Placing the cord behind the strap can actually damage connections and the guitar's finish. The patent-pending Cord Lok...

Kickstand guitar stand: Sound Innovations.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... AT SUMMER NAMM Sound Innovations introduced "the only guitar stand you'll never have to carry anywhere, ever again!" The revolutionary Kickstand attaches to a guitar's existing factory strap peg and stays there forever. No drilling, gluing, or...

Drivers posted for US-122L and US-144: TASCAM.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... TASCAM has posted updated drivers for the US-122L and US-144 audio interfaces that support Windows Vista 32, Microsoft's latest operating system. The interfaces are among the first to use the high-speed USB 2.0 format for low latency and up to...

Four-piece drum bag set introduced: KACES.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... KACES IS NOW OFFERING a new four-piece drum bag set that drummers can personalize and expand into five pieces with their choice of seven different Grafix snare bag design options. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Available in three different...

"I" series band cases come MP3 player-ready: Gator.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... GATOR'S NEW "I" Series Lightweight Band Cases come equipped with extras for iPods and accessories. This Series features an external iPod / MP3 pocket with viewable window and two battery-powered speakers (batteries not included) as well as...

Gel Kit designed for colored lighting: Times Square Lighting.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
November 1, 2007... TIMES SQUARE LIGHTING has introduced The Gel Kit, containing (48) 10"x10" Gel Sheets organized in a compact, 12-shelf storage cabinet. These filters are used to enhance or change the color of a projected light beam and are easily cut with...