Music Trades articles from October 2008

Music Trades archives from October 2008

The status of choral music.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... While I applaud Emily Crocker's letter in the August, 2008 issue of The Music Trades citing recent surveys on the vibrancy of choral music currently, I have searched the article in the June, 2008 issue of The Music Trades that she says quotes...

Correcting the top 200 rankings.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... We were pleased to see Musicnotes included in the "Top 200 Biggest Retailers" ranking in the August Music Trades magazine. However, we did want to correct some numbers for future reference. Our sales in 2006 sales were $5.7 million, not the...

Let's hear it for made in the USA.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... Kudos to Rudy at Capitol Music Center for his remarks in your July issue concerning the dearth of products in our industry that can be labeled "Made in the USA" Everyone seems so quick to want to move everything to China these days. When you...

Articulating industry sophistication.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... Your September issue... wow! The Best Buy story, the piece on D'Aaddario's distribution center--these articles articulate the sophistication of our industry. Really well done. Scott Goodman President Samson Technologies Corp. ...

Remembering Bill Davis.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... It was with much sadness that I learned of the death of Bill Davis. During his many years with Kaman Corporation he traveled the world and was a wonderful ambassador for his company and the USA musical instrument industry. He was shrewd,...

Guitar imports surge again!(IMPORT TRACKER: What's Coming Into The U.S. And From Where?)
October 1, 2008... RESULTS OF THIS SECOND QUARTER analysis of musical instrument and sound equipment imports to the U.S.A. reveal that importers of musical instruments are clearly betting on relatively strong third and fourth quarters. The economy may be tough,...

Piano takes center stage at Beijing Olympics.(Industry Briefings)
October 1, 2008... Resplendent in a Chinese silver robe, renowned virtuoso Lang Lang and five-year-old Li Muzi provided the musical transition of the opening ceremony performances from a celebration of ancient China to the modern era for the opening night of the...

Stressful music to relieve stress.(Industry Briefings)
October 1, 2008... Clinical research and conventional wisdom suggest that the melodious strains of great classics from the likes of Mozart and Chopin are ideal for relieving stress. A new CD compilation aptly titled "Stress" turns that theory on its head by using...

American prevails in Air Guitar World Championship.(Industry Briefings)
October 1, 2008... Stealing the Olympics' thunder is this bulletin from another international competition: San Francisco native Craig Billmeier won the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland, defeating two-time champion Ochi (Dainoji) Yosuke of Japan....

Thieves steal grand from hotel lobby.(Industry Briefings)
October 1, 2008... Creative thieves in Spokane, Washington, made off with a grand piano from a hotel lobby. The missing Steinway weighed close to 1,000 pounds and required an array of specialized equipment to move. Kevin Rindlisbacher of Spokane's Steinway Piano...

Rot enhances violin tone.(Industry Briefings)
October 1, 2008... A dose of rot can make for a better-sounding violin, say Swiss researchers who have used fungal infections to change the acoustic properties of wood. The treatments make the wood less dense, and have a similar effect to the cold climate that...

Good fortune favors the prepared.(EDITORIAL)
October 1, 2008... Ever since he took his first train ride in 1904, accompanying his father to call on a New York City lumber yard, Christian Frederick Martin III was fascinated by railroads. When I visited with him on a cold rainy November day in 1983, his desk...

$10 million bond offering to help finance major PRS plant expansion: State of Maryland helps provide financing for PRS as part of larger job creation initiative.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE STATE OF MARYLAND has issued a $10 million bond issue to finance a major factory expansion at Paul Reed Smith Guitars that was initiated in 2006. The bond, issued through the Maryland Department of Business and...

Gibson Guitar to add 200 to Nashville staff.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... CITING CONTINUED GROWTH of its guitar line, Gibson Guitar is holding job fairs in the Nashville area to recruit an additional 200 employees for its manufacturing and administrative staffs. CEO Henry Juszkiewicz told the Nashville Tennesean, "We...

Sterling Ball's second career in golf.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS Sterling Ball honed his marketing skills as he built Ernie Ball strings and Music Man electric guitars into two of the industry's top brand names. However, as one who spent his entire adult career at the company his...

Guitar Center grant funds school guitar clinic program.(FLASH)
October 1, 2008... THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) has agreed to expand the Teaching Guitar Workshop Program to include 12 workshops, up from ten in previous years. With the expansion, 600 school music teachers...

Musical icon Bob Dylan inks first endorsement pact ever with Hohner.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... THE SOULFUL STRAINS of Bob Dylan's harmonica work on anthems like Blowin 'In The Wind, and The Times They Are A Changin' are instantly recognizable to millions and practically define a generation. In a groundbreaking development, the seminal...

Guitar Hero ships controller without branding.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... WHEN THE ORIGINAL Guitar Hero game debuted in 2005, it came equipped with a Gibson Les Paul-shaped guitar controller, complete with a Gibson logo on the plastic peghead. Since Gibson has initiated a lawsuit against the game maker early this...

Harman pro sales and profit advance, automotive division earnings down.(FOREFRONT)(Financial report)
October 1, 2008... HARMAN INTERNATIONAL Industries posted net sales of $4.113 billion for the year ended June 30, an increase of 16 percent compared to the prior year. Net income for the year was $109 million, after $60 million in restructuring charges, versus...

Beach Boys, James Burton, Dan Smith join expanding Fender Hall of Fame.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... FENDER MUSICAL Instruments Corp. (FMIC) has announced the 2008 inductees into the Fender Hall of Fame. New honorees include The Beach Boys, James Burton, Bill Carson, Don Johnston, Robert "Bob" Perine, and Dan Smith. The 2008 class will be...

New OEM factory opens in China: IBC Trading.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... IBC TRADING LTD. continues to expand its Chinese operation with the addition of an OEM high-end guitar factory in southern China. Headed by Dave Ingham, the former production manager of Lowden and Avalon Guitars in Ireland, the new facility...

Baden and Pantheon collaborate on new premium guitar line.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE has been formed between Baden Guitars and Pantheon Guitars. Pantheon Guitars is now handcrafting in the U.S. an exclusive line of limited-edition, handmade guitars for Baden Guitars. The first of these instruments was...

PianoDisc educational initiative with "Piano Guy" instructional video.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... PIANODISC, MANUFACTURER of retrofit systems for acoustic pianos, is collaborating with TV star Scott Houston on a new line of instructional videos designed to provide piano lessons that interact with PianoDisc player systems. Houston is known...

Zelinsky launches DBZ Guitars.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... NOTED GUITAR MAKER Dean Zelinsky has formed DBZ Guitars LLC to manufacture a broad range of electric and acoustic guitars. The new DBZ website, currently revealing only a glimpse of the new line, also includes the "DBZ Guitar Forum," where...

Hamilton stands online margin calculator.(FLASH)
October 1, 2008... HAMILTON STANDS has created an Excel format Quick Calculator on its website that helps retailers quickly analyze the effects of price and cost changes on gross margin percentage, gross margin dollars, and units required to maintain current...

sE mics used in Soweto orphanage project: Sonic Distribution.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... WHEN TWO-TIME Grammy winning producer Robin Hogarth needed help capturing a special track for a recording and film about a remarkable choir at a South African orphanage, sE Electronics pitched right in. Hogarth enlisted Ludwig Bouwer's One Big...

Vandoren Artist Otis Murphy: honored as "Musical Ambassador".(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... VANDOREN PERFORMING artist Otis Murphy recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive two awards from the S & R Foundation, a nonprofit organization that encourages and stimulates scientific and artistic endeavors among individuals who...

Instruments selected for Macy's Parade: Jupiter/Mapex.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... MACY'S HAS SELECTED Jupiter and Mapex to provide instruments for more than 200 student musicians chosen to perform in the Great American Marching Band, which will lead the 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Organized by Music...

Gretsch and Carducci wrap up 17-city tour: Gretsch.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... IN CELEBRATION OF The Gretsch Company's 125th anniversary, Fred Gretsch, president, and Joe Carducci, marketing manager, Gretsch Guitars, embarked on a 17-city summer tour of the United States. Their in-store events were well attended at select...

Summer Clarinet Academy hosted: Buffet Crampon.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... THE SECOND ANNUAL Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy was held August 4-9 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. This year's Academy featured another world-class collection of artist faculty from major orchestras throughout...

Offering of Hohner products expanded: M & M Merchandisers.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... M & M MERCHANDISERS, Inc. Hohner Inc. and have agreed upon a distribution deal for Hohner's highly successful line of guitars, mandolins, banjos, and harmonicas. M & M Merchandisers has been a longtime distributor of Hohner Accordions and will...

Artistic Highland Guitars line redefines "Made in China".(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... WHATEVER STEREOTYPE the "Made in China" label is supposed to evoke, it probably isn't this. In 2007 Ontario-based distributor Power Group introduced the Highland Guitars line to Canada, and later the United States. A year in, its most frequent...

Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E SEP. 8, 2008 RATIO Apple Computer Inc. $155.21 30.35 Avid Technology ...

Montreal Guitar Grand Prix: Godin Guitars.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... CANADIAN-BASED GODIN Guitars presented the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix. In its third year, the free event, held September 27-28, was open to guitarists of all ages. The SIMM (Montreal Musical Instrument Show), whose mission is to encourage...

New custom shop open for business: Breedlove.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... IN AN INNOVATIVE new fusion of Breedlove service and custom capabilities, Breedlove Guitars has opened its 20,000-square-foot custom shop. The unique custom shop experience now showcases the exotic wood bending in the Breedlove Great Room....

Supporting the troops operation: music aid: Kyser.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... KYSER "CAMO" CAPOS are a huge hit with the U.S. troops overseas. Canton, Texas-based Kyser Musical Products recently donated $3,600 worth of its acclaimed capos sporting Camouflage and Stars & Stripes finishes through Operation: Music Aid, the...

Parker guitar national "Shred" contest.(FOREFRONT)
October 1, 2008... PARKER GUITARS teamed up with the National Guitar Workshop this past summer to sponsor a "Rock Summit Shred-Off Competition" at the annual NGW gatherings around the country. Parker donated an assortment of import and U.S.-made guitars including...

Best Buy targets 67 sites in 26 states: consumer electronics giant on its way to 75-85 stores by year end.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
October 1, 2008... SINCE ANNOUNCING plans to open up to 85 music stores by year end, a primary topic of conversation in the industry has been, "Where will they be opening?" Spokesman Justin Barber says that Best Buy management is reluctant to reveal the specifics...

Guitar Center intros private-label Raven amps.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
October 1, 2008... CONTINUING TO EXPAND its selection of private label offerings, Guitar Center is now offering the Raven line of guitar amplifiers. The six-product line is also being offered by the company's Musician's Friend division. The entry-level RG20,...

Vintage Guitar Gems opens in California: new retailer offers high-end guitars in an inviting boutique setting.(RETAILER UPDATE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] COMFY LEATHER COUCHES, guitars accessibly displayed in floor racks "like fine wine," walls adorned with rare rock 'n' roll memorabilia, free beverages, and surround sound 5.1 Blu-Ray rock concerts for clients,...

Joly replaces Galster as head of stores: Guitar Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
October 1, 2008... GENE JOLY HAS RETURNED to Guitar Center retail as the executive vice president of stores. The industry veteran will be leading the GC retail sales organization and bringing with him a wealth of industry experience. Joly started his m.i. career...

"Flat" is the new "up": lessons in a positive attitude from Canadian retailers and some insights into reaching markets you may currently be ignoring.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
October 1, 2008... I like Canadians. They have a little different outlook on the state of the economy and the music industry in general. It's more positive than negative. I found this out last month when Al Kowalenko and Chris Griffiths invited me to do a couple...

Guitar Hero! The video game has become a cultural phenomenon with more than 14 million units sold. Its success obviously reflects the general interest in music. But, how will this affect the sale of music products?(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... With more than 14 million units sold since its introduction in 2005, Guitar Hero is more than just another video game: it's become a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Bars across the country have unplugged their karaoke machines to host Guitar...

Martin guitar turns 175.(THE GUITAR MARKET)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... In 1833 Christian Frederick Martin immigrated to the United States and began crafting exquisite guitars. Six generations and 175 years later, the business he founded has come to occupy a unique position in the music industry, in popular...

From the trenches: the challenges of high gas prices and slumping home values have been amply documented in the press. But how are they affecting the guitar market? We put the question to a cross section of independents and received some surprising answers. Bottom line: It's not easy, but creative strategies and diligence continue to yield good results.(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... "Consumers Are Voting With Their Checkbooks" East Coast Music Mall Danbury, Connecticut Like the proverbial canary in the mineshaft, the music industry showed signs of an economic slowdown a good 90 days ahead of the rest of the...

Driving traffic with unique events.(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... Huber and Breese Music Fraser, Michigan Just outside the automotive capital of the world, Michigan's Huber and Breese Music is holding its own despite the well-documented struggles of the auto industry around it. "Being in this area, you...

There's still disposable income to be spent!(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guitar Showcase San Jose, California There's disposable income to be spent around Silicon Valley, but the guitar buyers who have it tend to be the ones shopping at the upper end of the price scale, says Jack van...

Basic black: access bags and cases translates dedication to simplicity into no-nonsense dealer relations.(THE GUITAR MARKET)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Henry Ford famously told early automobile shoppers that they could have a car in any color they wanted, as long as it was black. Marty Harrison took the same philosophy to gig bags and guitar cases. At least one...

Pushing the boundaries of acoustic amplification: from transducers to effects processing to amplification, Fishman has revolutionized the way acoustic musicians perform and record.(THE GUITAR MARKET)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Larry Fishman thrives on being dissatisfied. Not impressed with the products available to amplify his acoustic bass in the early '80s, the Berklee-trained musician founded Fishman Transducers to develop his own...

Capturing the "kooky guitar" market: Eastwood Guitars creates playable replicas of forgotten instruments from National, Valco, and Mosrite, serving those who want "something different. "Founder Mike Robinson says, "Some get it, some just don't.".(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "When you walk down the street, you see that 5% of the people dress completely differently from everybody else," observes Eastwood Guitars President Mike Robinson. "It's no different in the guitar world." Ironic...

Who's your real competition? Independents are rightly worried about getting swallowed by whales like Guitar Center and Best Buy. Maybe the real worry should be getting nibbled to death by all the little guys selling online.(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... Independent guitar dealers, who's your competition? Is it Guitar Center? Is it Best Buy? Or is it some guy you've never heard of with a laptop and an apartment full of guitars? Just consider the case of Matthew Paul, a senior at Brown...

Curt Mangan's: 'small is beautiful' strategy: as a newcomer in a crowded market, Mangan finds market support with an independents-only sales strategy, flexible terms, and a big-time focus on customer service.(THE GUITAR MARKET)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... When Curt Mangan launched his own musical instrument string company, he reasoned that "it didn't have to be big to be successful." In fact, he insists that a lot of its business comes from "thinking small." Catering exclusively to independent...

Top sellers in Europe, spear guitars debut in U.S.: with styling that evokes the shred machines of the '80s, distinctive Spear guitars offer a new take on "retro".(THE GUITAR MARKET)
October 1, 2008... It's easy to assume that communication is now instantaneous and distances meaningless, but that isn't always the case. Consider Spear Guitars, ranked number one in two categories by Total Guitar, Europe's leading guitar magazine, yet virtually...

Tepid market fails to cool spirits at 37th annual MIAC Show.(REPORT FROM CANADA)
October 1, 2008... "Flat is the new up." While hardly qualifying as a 2008 MIAC convention "theme," this phrase was repeated by enough attendees and in enough settings to represent something of a consensus on the state of the Canadian music products...

Yamaha reorganizes sales staff: Heller moves to Piano Division, Shalhoup to head PAC division sales team.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
October 1, 2008... TO ENHANCE SALES, marketing, and dealer relations, Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, has appointed industry veteran John Shalhoup as the division's new director of national sales. He is responsible for the independent...

Olsen replaces Engen as Loud CEO.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
October 1, 2008... Rodney Olsen has been named chairman and CEO of Loud Technologies, replacing Jamie Engen, who stepped down on August 15. Olson joins Loud Technologies, the parent company of Mackie Designs, EAW, Martin Audio, and St. Louis Music, after a decade...

Grothe and Goodwin promoted: Harman Music Group.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... HARMAN MUSIC Group has promoted Reed Grothe to executive vice president of sales & marketing and appointed Harman Professional veteran Buzz Goodwin to vice president of domestic m.i. sales. According to Rob Urry, President of the Harman Music...

Clynes joins Pearl River sales team.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... PEARL RIVER PIANO Group America has appointed Chuck Clynes district sales manager for its northeast territory. Clynes brings with him an extensive background in the piano industry with in-depth experience in retail sales and management. He has...

Cross, Pritikin, Fekete in new roles: Samick.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... SAMICK MUSIC Corporation of Gallatin, Tennessee, has named Jay Cross vice president of sales and marketing for the Keyboard Division. Since coming to SMC from Young-Chang in 2004, Cross has served as Midwest regional sales manager for four...

Aresti promoted in merchandising group: Kaman Music Corp.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... KAMAN MUSIC Corporation (KMC) has promoted Frank Aresti to merchandising/product manager. Aresti joins KMC/MCP's merchandising team, which is responsible for developing product opportunities and promotions to help maintain KMC/MCP's market...

David Skidmore named general manager: Bechstein.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... DAVID SKIDMORE HAS been appointed general manager for the Bechstein Piano Centre in New York City. Ken Ambrose, chief executive officer of Bechstein America, LLC, explained, "We selected David because of our supreme confidence that his...

Stephen Morris to direct worldwide sales: JBL.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... HARMAN PROFESSIONAL VETERAN Stephen Morris has been promoted to executive vice president of sales for JBL Professional. Morris takes up the position after successfully leading group-wide sales and marketing for Harman Professional's cinema...

Breedlove guitars improves high-value Atlas Series.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BREEDLOVE GUITARS has an all new Atlas Series comprising four packages: Stage, Studio, Solo, and Retro. These newly voiced instruments come with the new LR Baggs Stage Pro Element pickup with stealthy chromatic...

Yamaha's MM8 "Mini Mo".(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
October 1, 2008... YAMAHA CORPORATION of America has followed the success of its MM6 "Mini Mo" synthesizer by introducing the new MM8 Music Synthesizer. Like the MM6, the MM8 features sounds from the popular Motif Series real-time control, street-smart grooves,...

Blackouts Metal guitar pickups: Seymour Duncan.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... SEYMOUR DUNCAN'S newest rock 'n' roll weapon, the AHB-2 Blackouts Metal humbucker, has joined the popular Blackouts line of nine-volt active guitar pickups. This pickup is a totally updated, redesigned, and re-launched version of the LiveWires...

BG Franck accessories for flutists.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... BG FRANCK BICHON has introduced several attractive new products for flutists. Inviting flutists to "replace your cigarette paper," BG presents an alternative in BG Universal Pad Dryer/Cleaner (A65U). This washable fabric product is very...

Guyatone mighty micros effects pedals: Godlyke.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... GODLYKE, INC. has introduced the new Guyatone mighty micro series of compact effect pedals. Based on Guyatone's award-winning Micro Series effects, the mighty micros offer professional-grade features and exceptional sound quality in an...

Levy's Deedra signature and Nailhead straps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... LEVY'S LEATHERS HAS introduced new polyester guitar straps featuring the art of accomplished sketch artist, painter, sculptor, and filmmaker Deedra Levy. Levy's is also offering a new Nailhead line of straps. Each is fashioned with 1/16"...

Hutchins guitars now available in the U.S.: C&J Distribution.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... THE HUTCHINS GUITAR dream began in 1996 for Gary Hutchins of the U.K. A veteran of the music recording and producing business, Hutchins envisioned a series of guitars that would marry classic vintage styling with 21st century technology. With...

Samson posts product videos on YouTube channel.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... WITH IMPRESSIVE new gear and new artists to show it off, Samson has put together a media showcase to demonstrate its new products. Samson media is now easily accessible thanks to the company's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/samsontech. With...

Eleca's lightweight CGT-2 guitar.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... ELECA INSTRUMENTS, Inc., based in Southern California, has introduced a new double-cutaway electric guitar, model CGT-2. The CGT-2 is designed to be appreciably lighter and slimmer than others of similar style on the market. The lighter weight...

Sparrow Guitars now available in the U.S.: LPD Music.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... LPD MUSIC International is bringing Sparrow Guitars to the U.S. market as the newest addition to its product lineup. The Sparrow Guitar Company, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, manufactures a complete line of unique, high quality...

LightWave's optical pickup system for guitars.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... THE NEW ATLANTIS electroacoustic guitar from LightWave Systems, featuring LightWave's proprietary Optical Pickup System, is the first guitar to use infrared light technology to sense string vibrations. This infrared system 'sees' the vibration...

Electro-Harmonix unveils new bass effects pedals.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... ELECTRO-HARMONIX is famous for its guitar effects pedals, but E-H has been expanding its line of pedals for bassists as well. Great on guitar and bass, the Bass Big Muff features the drive of the original Muff and the earthy support of a...

Big Bends "Techstation for Guitars".(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... BIG BENDS GOT its start by helping musicians end string breakage and stay in tune with its popular Nut Sauce lubricant. The company is now branching out with a complete line of maintenance products, including a 16 oz. economy size Gloss...

K&M introduces Ring Lock system: Connolly Music.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... MUSICIANS EVERYWHERE know the aggravation of setting up their speakers in exactly the right positions, only to have them slip during the performance. Konig & Meyer has a solution in a speaker stand to keep the speaker firmly in place. This...

Ibanez re-creates Satriani "Black Dog" guitar.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AFTER YEARS OF CALLS from the legions of Joe Satriani fans, Ibanez has created a collector's edition of the virtuoso rock guitarist's storied "Black Dog" electric guitar. The Ibanez JS "Black Dog" Tribute is a...

Electric guitars and motorized display: Michael Dolsey Designs.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... MICHAEL DOLSEY DESIGNS has introduced the SSS-G3 Stickstand, a unique motorized three-guitar display stand. Because moving displays are proven to be more eye-catching than stationary models, the Stickstand is ideal for classy presentation of...

New Grafix guitar cases: Kaces.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... KACES' GRAFIX DESIGN collection has been expanded with exciting new models. They combine striking Grafix designs on the front and back with high-end protection. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Created to satisfy the expressive nature of...

Peter Thorn selects Eventide's time action pedal: Eventide.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PETER THORN is one of the world's most in-demand guitarists, having worked in the studio and toured with Chris Cornell, Alicia Keys, Brian Ray, Ben Jelen, and many others. He is currently using Eventide's new effects...

New strap designs from Get'm Get'm.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... GET'M GET'M Wear invites guitarists to "express themselves in black & white" with its strikingly beautiful Malaga, Lola, and White Picadilly model guitar straps. Representing a "pure infusion of rock and world flavors," these new styles, like...

Diversity Series keyboard mallets: Pro-Mark.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... PRO-MARK CORPORATION'S new Diversity Series is the latest addition to its growing line of keyboard mallets. Designed by the percussion staff of the Concord Blue Devils, the Diversity Series is part of Pro-Mark's new System Blue line of marching...

RAT 2 distortion pedal: Pro Co.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... WITH ITS CLASSIC RAT tone, Pro Co's RAT 2 represents an industry standard in distortion devices. Used in thousands of recordings, the RAT 2 has helped define the sound of the past three decades' most influential bands. "I have always loved...

Uber Bass 210T cabinet: Genz Benz.(NEW PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2008... GENZ BENZ has expanded its new line of Uber Bass enclosures to include the GB 210T-UB model. The Uber Bass series features classic design and powerful output, packaged into lightweight touring cabinets finished in a black "nubby-textured vinyl"...