Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight - Music & Sound Retailer

SUMMER NAMM issue 

July 15, 2013 

Volume 30, No. 7 

Your Amp 

& Speaker 

Sales 

Have you seen it? 

Small Amps Are In; Powered Is Powering The Speaker Market 

By Brian Berk 

Although electric guitars and basses garner much of the press, those instruments wouldn’t 

sound the same if not for the help of a quality amp. And speakers are one of the most important 

things for a band, DJ or house of worship to have in order to sound great before a larger audience. 

Even Rihanna showed her appreciation during her 2005 song “Pon de Replay,” when she 

advised those at a fictional club to, “Let the bass from the speakers run through your sneakers.” 

(continued on page 53) 

n Five Minutes With Brian Gross P. 42 n MI Spy: Northern Virginia P. 48 

Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight 

By Dan Ferrisi 

We all know that the NAMM show in Anaheim delivers hundreds upon hundreds—if not thousands—of 

brand new products each January, drawing attendees from around the globe to southern California for 

a chance to take a peek at what will ring retailers’ registers in the months to follow. Well, Summer 

NAMM might be only a fraction of the size, but the exhibitors who make their way to Nashville 

have all the ingenuity and innovativeness of the Anaheim regulars, and we’re going to prove it 

to you here! For the second year in a row, we present Summer NAMM 

New Product Spotlight, in which we showcase the “headline news” of 

a sampling of companies exhibiting at the show. In most cases, that 

means a brand new product; in other cases, it might be something a bit 

different. In any event, though, these 34 companies should be on your 

radar screen…and particularly if you’re at the show! 

If you’re reading this while walking the halls of the Music 

City Center, note the booth number included with each 

item. That way, you can see everything 

for yourself! 

(continued on page 30)

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LATEST 

Zoom North America Launches 

A new company, Zoom North America, has been formed to distribute 

future product from Zoom Corp. (Japan) in the United States, 

starting with the H6 Handy Recorder. The H6 offers six tracks of simultaneous 

24-bit/96k recording to SDXC cards and features a unique 

interchangeable input capsule system that allows the user to attach 

any of four different input modules: X/Y, MS (Mid-Side), Shotgun or 

XLR/TRS combo. It will be available in stores this month. “It’s exciting 

to be working with Masa Iijima and all at Zoom. Zoom’s an innovative, 

dynamic company, and the products are exceptional in terms of quality 

and uniqueness,” stated Zoom North America CEO Scott Goodman. 

“I decided to establish Zoom North America in order to develop a 

stronger relationship with our U.S. customers,” added Zoom Corp. 

Founder and CEO Masahiro Iijima. “Our goal is to stay in constant 

contact with Zoom dealers for feedback and advice, thus continually 

improving our products and service.” 

Nakata Named Yamaha Corp. 

Japan President 

Takuya “Tak” Nakata has been 

named President and Representative 

Director of Yamaha Corp. Japan, succeeding 

Mitsuru “Mick” Umemura. 

The announcement was made during 

a meeting of the company’s board of 

directors. Umemura had been serving 

as President and Representative 

Director of Yamaha Corp. since June 

26, 2007, and is scheduled to become 

Special Corporate Advisor at the company. 

Under his leadership, Yamaha 

returned to profitability, with $42.3 

million in net income for its fiscal year 

ending March 31; sales were up in the musical instrument and AV/IT 

segments. Both appointments were finalized at a meeting of the Board 

of Directors on June 26, following the 189 th Ordinary General Shareholders’ 

Meeting. 

Nakata most recent served as President of Yamaha Corp. of America 

since April 2010, overseeing a period of growth for the company despite 

a difficult financial climate in the U.S. Throughout his tenure with 

the company, Nakata has been instrumental in all of the evolutions and 

innovations that have defined the digital/electronics side of Yamaha 

Musical Instruments. In 1981, Nakata joined Yamaha (former Nippon 

Gakki Co., Ltd., which officially changed its name to “Yamaha Corp.” 

in 1987) with responsibility for product planning and product development 

of electrical musical instruments. 

In 2002, Nakata was appointed Assistant General Manager of the PA– 

DMI Division and, in 2005, he became General Manager of the Division. 

In 2006, he was named Executive Officer of Yamaha Corp. In 2009, he 

was promoted to Director & Executive Officer of Yamaha Corp. 

Chauvet Tours With Miranda Lambert 

Performing scores of number-one singles and chart-topping albums, 

Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley kicked off the Locked & 

Reloaded Tour at the beginning of the year, with concerts scheduled 

throughout the country. Lighting Designer Chris Lisle carefully conceived 

a design to suit Lambert’s rock ‘n’ roll style and to capture her 

talent, also incorporating 66 Chauvet fixtures. Bandit Lites international 

lighting company, with headquarters in Knoxville TN, provided 

the Chauvet gear. “Miranda’s music can have a very rock ‘n’ roll feel,” 

said Lisle. “I wanted a design that can accentuate her music, while 

filling the space visually. We also use a lot of circular truss to make it 

look like a big rock ‘n’ roll concert.” 

For dramatic looks, Lisle uses 26 CHAUVET Professional Legend 

230SR Beam moving yokes that steal the show with their big, punchy 

beams. “Twenty of these powerful fixtures shoot bright, powerful 

beams from behind the band, while six are on the floor, at the front 

of the stage,” he said. Twelve CHAUVET Professional COLORado 

Batten 72 Tour linear wash lights uplight a large Plexiglas guitar built 

in the thrust. Twenty CHAUVET Professional COLORdash Accent 

low-profile fixtures warm the truss that frames the two video screens 

on each side of the stage. Eight CHAUVET DJ Geyser RGB pyrotechnic-like 

effect fogger/wash fixtures work for bold effects from a riser 

behind the band. 

Lisle has been very happy with Chauvet, saying, “Customer service 

has been fantastic and I look forward to using the products more.” 

Music & Sound Retailer 3

Inside 

VOLUME 30 NO. 7 

FEATURES 

ON THE COVER 

Amplify Your Amp & Speaker Sales 

The Music & Sound Retailer pays tribute to amps and speakers in this special feature, for which we interviewed 

a number of prominent retailers to get their opinion on where the products are going technologically 

and what sales trends have recently been manifesting themselves. Overall, the news is good. 

24 

ON THE COVER 

Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight 

For the second year in a row, we present Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight, in which we showcase the 

“headline news” of a sampling of companies exhibiting at the show. In most cases, that means a brand new 

product; in other cases, it might be something just a bit different. 

columns 

22 

23 

32 NAMM U Schedule At Summer NAMM 

36 Summer NAMM Exhibitor List 

38 The Music & Sound Independent Retailer 

42 Five Minutes With 

Bach to Rock is an innovative music school that suits students of all ages and musical tastes. We go in-depth with 

Brian Gross, President & CEO, about its aggressive expansion plans, core beliefs and unique offerings. 

48 MI Spy 

It may be summer vacation time, but there are no “time outs” for super sleuths. So, this month, MI Spy has been 

dispatched to Virginia to scope out guitar amps. They say “Virginia is for Lovers,” so let’s see what adventure, 

intrigue and, perhaps, romance the Spy finds. 

54 Special To The Retailer 

Long before Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., the principles of good social networking were alive, well and guiding 

The Gretsch Company to success. 

56 Shine A Light 

If anyone had asked John and Gail Bruno 10 years ago about their professional plans, owning 

and operating Route 1 Guitars might not have made the list. But, the store’s become a huge 

success. We share their story. 

58 Sales Guru 

If you show people you really care about them and want them to succeed, Gene Fresco believes 

they will be your customers for life. He details his ideas. 

60 Veddatorial 

Vedda’s Maxim states, “Consumer impatience grows in direct proportion to the maximum speed 

of fulfillment.” He discusses the “age of urgency” that we live in. 

70 Under The Hood 

Shure unveiled one of its newest introductions—BLX Wireless Systems—at January’s NAMM 

show and, now available to the MI retail channel, the series is already generating excitement. 

28 

buzz Latest 3 

People 18 

Products 22 

4 July 2013

Versatile, 

Compact, 

Scalable 

Array for 

the Masses 

Yorkville Sound’s Paraline Series PSA1 active full range loudspeaker 

system delivers the clarity, scalability and precision of a complex line array 

system in a compact, user friendly format. Integrated DSP and efficient 

controls allow ‘plug and play’ simplicity in a scalable vertical array – no 

additional external signal processing or on site programming required. 

The heart of the PSA1 design is the high frequency Para-Line lens. This 

innovative technology transforms a point source into a uni-phase plane 

wave, allowing multiple high frequency drivers to sum coherently in the 

vertical plane without self-interference. 

Ideal for mobile PA applications where complex trussing or roof rigging 

isn’t practical, Yorkville PSA1 cabinets mount quickly and securely on a 

typical high quality speaker stand. Up to two cabinets per stand can 

be arrayed when required. When rigging is available, innovative 

optional external bolt-on flyware allows up to four PSA1 cabinets to be 

configured easily in a 60°(v) x 110° (h) array for touring system or 

permanent install. 

Rugged injection molded ABS cabinet design, Class-D amplification, and 

Neodymium woofers minimize overall cabinet weight, ensures system 

transport and set-up can easily be handled by a single operator. Highly 

efficient amplifier design means each PSA1 draws less than 3 amps in 

typical operation allowing up to four cabinets to operate safely on a 

standard 15 amp service. 

www.yorkville.com 

Distributed in North America by Yorkville Sound 

MADE IN CANADA

editorial 

Summer Breeze (Makes Me Feel Fine) 

There may be no person in the music products industry—hell, 

the country, for that matter—who welcomes 

the summer months with greater joy than I do. Much 

like a school-age kid who longs for the pleasures of 

summer vacation, I eagerly anticipate three months of 

toasty warmth and blazing sunshine, complemented by 

refreshing soaks in a clear blue pool and walks along the 

luxurious, pristine beaches of…Long Island. Well, until 

Testa Communications opens a branch on the Hawaiian 

Islands, Jones Beach will have to do, right? As much as 

I love the summer, though, The Music & Sound Retailer 

and its Editor are anything but on vacation when the 

mercury pushes past 90 and the melodies of ice cream 

truck songs fill the air. 

As I write this, it’s early June and, in only a few days, 

I’ll be boarding a plane bound for Orlando to attend 

the InfoComm show, a trade exposition catering to the 

professional audiovisual communications industry. In addition 

to helping out my colleagues at sister publication 

Sound & Communications, with which I was associated 

for more than six years, I’ll also be visiting with companies 

in our industry that are attending, such as ADJ 

Products, CHAUVET, Peavey Electronics, Shure, QSC 

and many others. Catching up with old friends and colleagues 

is a great way to start the summer, even if, for a 

theme park junkie like me, I can’t help but be wistful that 

there’s no time for a spin through the Magic Kingdom or 

Islands of Adventure. 

“Start the summer” is the key phrase in that sentence, 

though, because no sooner will I have returned from 

InfoComm than I’ll be off to Nashville for Summer 

NAMM this month; perhaps you’re even reading these 

words from the show floor at the brand new Music City 

Center, which I, for one, can’t wait to check out. Granted…it 

doesn’t take The Amazing Kreskin to predict that 

Summer NAMM will be quite a small show as compared 

to its much bigger sibling, but that doesn’t mean the 

show doesn’t have real, genuine value. Having spoken 

recently to Joe Lamond, my belief in the viability and 

value of Summer NAMM was renewed and rejuvenated. 

From the cornucopia of opportunities for education and 

inspiration presented under the NAMM U banner to the 

Top 100 Dealer Awards, which recognize and positively 

reinforce industry excellence, there is much to lure one 

to Nashville…and that’s besides the hundreds of brands 

represented on the exhibit floor. 

As you’re walking the show, be sure to keep this issue 

of The Retailer handy because, as you’ve probably already 

seen, we’re showcasing some of the coolest, most innovative 

products bowing on the exhibit floor in our second 

annual Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight. This 

year’s group of 34 submissions represents a more than 

35% increase from last year’s inaugural edition, which 

may be an auspicious early sign for the show broadly. 

Following the show, I’ll be back with an in-depth report 

summing up the big news and providing perspective on 

the show’s trajectory moving forward. 

At the NAMM show this past January, a number of readers 

stopped by our booth looking for Assistant Editor Kate 

Blessing or me, wishing to share your thoughts on The 

Retailer and this crazy industry we call music products. 

Fortunately, at Summer NAMM, my schedule will be much 

less frenzied and, so, I encourage everybody to stop by 

the Testa Communications booth, #1233, and let me know 

what you think of sales prospects, the economy, Summer 

NAMM product launches or our most recent issue. 

And if I’m not at the booth, maybe scope out Jack’s 

Bar-B-Que. 

® 

New Dynamic Design. 

New Dynamic Price. 

Lightweight. 

Aerodynamic. 

Musician 

Approved. 

Dan Ferrisi 

dferrisi@testa.com 

Editor 

Kate Blessing 

kblessing@testa.com 

Assistant Editor 

BRIAN berK 

Contributing Editor 

George Hines 

Skip maggiora 

Editorial Advisors 

JANICE PUPELIS 

Art Dirctor 

STEVE THORAKOS 

Production Manager 

circulation 

circulation@testa.com 

fred gumm 

Brand Design & Web 

Development Manager 

July 15, 2013 

Volume 30, No. 7 

Robert l. Iraggi 

riraggi@testa.com 

Advertising Director 

DOUGLAS YELIN 

dyelin@testa.com 

Art/Production Assistant 

robin hazan 

rhazan@testa.com 

Operations Manager 

VINCENT P. TESTA 

President/Publisher 

Karissa Bellile 

Dave Duggins 

gene fresco 

Fred Gretsch 

jeffrey kyle, jr. 

Michelle Loeb 

Will Romano 

Dan Vedda 

Contributors 

Editorial and Sales Office: The Music & Sound Retailer, 25 Willowdale Avenue, Port Washington, New York 

11050-3779. Phone: (516) 767-2500 • Fax: (516) 767-9335 • MSREDITOR@Testa.com. 

Editorial contributions should be addressed to The Editor, The Music & Sound Retailer, 25 Willowdale Avenue, 

Port Washington, New York 11050-3779. Unsolicited manuscripts will be treated with care and must be accompanied 

by return postage. 

Visit us online at www.reunionblues.com, or call 1.800.950.1095 to learn more 

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Music & Sound Retailer, PO BOX 1767, LOWELL 

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6 July 2013 

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LATEST 

Elation Distributing 

Capture Software 

Elation Professional has entered into 

an agreement with Capture Visualisation 

AB, based in Sweden, to distribute 

the company’s Capture lighting design 

and documentation software. Available 

The Music Industry Remembers Phil Ramone 

Family and friends of multiple Grammy Award-winning music producer Phil Ramone came together 

in May to celebrate and honor his life. Ramone, who died on March 30, was most noted as a 

record producer, crafting recordings for artists including Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, 

Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, James Taylor and others. But Ramone, 

a classical violin prodigy who studied at the Juilliard School, was as deeply interested and gifted in 

the technology of music production. In addition to his 14 Grammy Awards (out of 33 nominations), 

Ramone was the recipient of a Technical Grammy for his many contributions to the science and art 

of recording. 

The memorial event, titled Phil Ramone, Music Memorial Celebration, was held at the Centennial 

Memorial Temple, a landmark Art Deco auditorium inside the Salvation Army’s Greater New York 

Division Headquarters. The choice of venue held a particularly special meaning because, in November 

2011, Ramone founded The Salvation Army Phil Ramone Orchestra for Children: the result of 

his lifelong dream to touch the lives of less-fortunate children in challenged communities by giving 

them access to music education. The program currently serves children ages seven to 12, and 

teaches these students how to play instruments through group and full orchestra lessons. 

The event read like a “Who’s Who” of the music industry. It drew a stream of luminaries who 

recalled Ramone’s gifts as a person and music professional, including Tony Bennett, engineer Ed 

Cherney (Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones), Josh Groban, Dave Grusin, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, 

Shelby Lynne, Matthew Morrison, Paul Simon, Kevin Spacey, Noel Paul Stookey, Nikki Yanofsky 

and Peter Yarrow. In attendance were family members Karen, BJ, Matt and Simon Ramone, who 

shared the stage and the love everyone felt for Phil Ramone. 

An all-star backup band accompanied many of the artists who performed, such as Billy Joel, Tony 

Bennett, Shelby Lynne, Paul Simon and Josh Groban. 

Reloop Inks Distribution Deal With AM&S 

Reloop, a manufacturer of DJ products and accessories that’s based in Germany, recently announced 

its new exclusive U.S. distribution partnership with American Music & Sound. “In the U.S., 

Reloop has not yet established desired market positioning since its introduction in the year 2010. 

To appoint American Music & Sound as sole Reloop distributor in the U.S. is an important step and, 

as a matter of fact, will create significant added value for retailers and end customers in the U.S.,” 

remarked Reloop Sales Director Lars Jacobs. Lynn Martin, President of AM&S, added, “The group 

at Reloop has done a spectacular job of establishing this product line as one of the most exciting and 

interesting offerings in the marketplace today. At AM&S, we are extremely happy to be able to fill 

out their strategy in the U.S. market.” 

Reloop was founded by a young group of music technology experts and, ever since, has stayed 

young in terms of R&D. Its development team is backed by numerous DJs, producers and sound 

engineers, all of whom are inspired with fresh ideas every day. 

Reloop wants to make innovations available to the mainstream of the DJ scene, such as the new 

Reloop Jockey 3 Remix controller and the Terminal Mix 4. Instead of focusing on a small elite of 

professional musicians, the company addresses the entire market, including newcomers, intermediates 

and pros. 

in versions for Windows and Mac OS X, 

Capture software gives lighting professionals 

the ability to work in real-time 

with all elements of their design, providing 

a streamlined environment for their 

creativity. 

“While some are still using napkins for 

their lighting plots, most of our customers 

are using various design software 

programs already, but the learning curves 

are often long and complicated, and the 

costs are high,” said Eric Loader, Director 

of Sales for Elation Professional. “Capture 

gives our customers what they need: It’s 

easy to use, fast, professional and affordable. 

It allows them to lay out and virtually 

design the lighting, truss system, stage 

and scenery for their show or installation 

project, so they can see how it all looks 

in a 3D environment with our lighting 

products turned on and plugged in.” 

With a library of more than 6,000 

fixtures from all major lighting manufacturers 

built into Capture software, users 

can create their lighting designs well in 

advance of their project. The software, 

thus, can be a valuable sales tool, allowing 

designers to put together “virtual” 

presentations for their clients so that 

they can see how the designs will look in 

a real-life environment. Once the lights 

have been set up, users can take Capture 

to their show to provide a complete visualizer, 

which can be linked to their lighting 

console. Capture software is available in 

three versions, based on users’ needs. 

8 July 2013

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LATEST 

Yamaha Keyboards Do The Trick 

By Karissa Bellile 

I am a young piano teacher who teaches both group and individual 

lessons at my family’s private music instruction studio. The studio is 

made up of 100 students, ages six through 18, who attend a weekly 

class with between two and six other students at the same age and 

level. Although this may appear to be a small class size, the limited 

staff of one teacher per class makes accommodating everyone a challenge. 

The goal is to give students a personalized, quality musical education, 

and I consider recording and performance in a group ensemble 

essential aspects of a young musician’s experience. When I introduce 

a new ensemble to the students, they eagerly gather around one of my 

Yamaha YPG-535 keyboards to watch me play all their parts for them. 

How did I accomplish playing all the parts at once? Using the simple 

recording features built into the keyboards, I was able to record all the 

parts to play back for the kids. After I show them the new ensemble, I 

send them back to their individual pianos. This is when the fun begins! 

They must record a song themselves. Someone might ask how on earth 

young elementary school children can record something on their own. 

Actually, all they have to do is follow the simple instructions on the wall. 

Thus, they have an early introduction to the recording process. 

I have found that the Yamaha YPG-535 keyboards fit my situation 

perfectly. They are light; thus, transporting multiple keyboards for 

concerts is a fairly painless process. Despite being light, though, 

they have weighted keys, and so do not feel like cheap keyboards. As 

noted, they have effective—yet not overly complicated—recording capabilities 

that make this keyboard a breeze for kids to use. I consider 

them relatively inexpensive for how professional they are; my family 

owns 12. Built-in speakers are convenient, yet powerful enough to use 

for performances. Students love the programmed drum beats and 

voices provided on the keyboard. I personally enjoy a chord identification 

program in the keyboard because I use it for a chording class. 

Yamaha YPG-535 keyboards are efficient, useful products well 

suited to my needs in teaching piano lessons. 

Sweetwater’s GearFest ’13 Was A Hit 

Sweetwater, the third-largest retailer of musical instruments and proaudio 

in the U.S., presented GearFest ’13, a celebration of musicians 

and the instruments and equipment they use to make music, on June 

21 and 22 at 5501 US Hwy 30 W., Fort Wayne IN. GearFest was free and 

open to the public. Part trade show, part entertainment event, part flea 

market and part musicians’ toyland, GearFest offered something for 

everyone. 

There was also an indoor/outdoor festival featuring live music, 

delicious food, prizes and lots of fun for the entire family. This year’s 

expo was bigger than ever, with two days full of dozens of informative 

workshops and seminars, scores of manufacturer exhibits, musical 

performances and special surprises. Sweetwater Founder and President 

Chuck Surack remarked, “We are proud to offer this event every 

year. It continues to grow, and there’s literally nothing like it elsewhere 

in the country. There’s certainly nothing this big, with so many great 

attractions, that is also free and open to the public. That’s why people 

come to GearFest from throughout the Midwest, and from around the 

entire country.” 

An event as big as GearFest calls for an equally big giveaway of free 

gear, and so it was. Sweetwater vendors provided more than $45,000 in 

gear that was awarded to lucky GearFest attendees. Hourly prizes were 

given away from more than 30 manufacturers. Individuals had to attend 

GearFest and register in person to win. In addition, Sweetwater offered 

sale pricing on many products, as well. 

Coming Next Month 

Our Review Of 

Summer NAMM 

DJ & Lighting 

Update 

Five Minutes 

With: 

Will Komassa, 

Blizzard 

Lighting 

MI Spy 

Travels To 

Columbus OH 

And Much, 

Much More! 

10 July 2013

LATEST 

AKG Helps In ‘Raiding 

The Rock Vault’ 

On the same stage where Elvis Presley set the Las Vegas record for 

consecutive sold-out shows, a collection of classic rockers from decades 

past are revisiting rock music 1,000 years in the future for “Raiding The 

Rock Vault” at the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH). Boasting “the greatest set 

list ever,” the show is exclusively mic’d with Harman’s AKG handheld, 

wireless and in-ear monitoring systems. “We’ve been impressed with the 

entire line of AKG, especially the wireless systems. We have a multimedia 

show here, and AKG is the perfect choice for every application,” said 

Keith Marks, Production Coordinator for Rock Vault. “With our intricate 

setup and the amount of frequency traffic in Las Vegas, the AKG systems 

are seamless, easy to scan and provide us with a fantastic sound.” 

Written by Grammy Award-winning producer David Kershenbaum 

and John Payne of Asia, “Raiding The Rock Vault” takes the audience 

back to Earth, which has been destroyed by a meteor. A search 

team, whose families were saved by a lottery system centuries before, 

are searching for time capsules left behind by today’s humans. They 

quickly stumble on the “Rock Vault” and an energetic flashback ensues 

with music from the 1960s through the ’90s. 

A full range of AKG microphones and wireless systems is deployed 

throughout the entire stage. Sixteen channels of AKG DMS700 V2 

wireless run through the venue for all of the guitars, which are connected 

through PT700 V2 transmitters. WMS4500 wireless systems are 

used for vocalists (12 channels in all), with HT4500 D5 and D7 capsules 

for the singers and PT4500 transmitters for the four actors. Twelve 

channels of IVM4500 are used for in-ear monitoring, with AKG’s new 

Helical antennas for transmission. 

“This show is an educational experience…a ‘rockumentary’ of 

sorts…and it’s important to express the significance of the music of 

each era with an amazingly developed sound rig,” said Payne. “These 

songs are the inspiration to rock ‘n’ roll, and AKG has been essential in 

helping us pay tribute to our colleagues and friends.” 

MIAC Show Set To 

Return To Toronto 

The Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) has announced 

the preliminary details for the upcoming 42 nd annual MIAC Show, 

held in conjunction with The PAL Show for the production technologies 

sector. This year’s event will take place September 8 to 9 at the 

International Centre in Toronto, and will feature a number of new 

initiatives to enhance the overall experience and return on investment 

for visitors and exhibitors alike. 

Exhibits will feature the latest in MI products and services from a 

broad range of suppliers to the Canadian industry. In addition, both 

days will offer a wide variety of educational seminars as well as networking 

events, industry-approved training programs, show specials 

and live demonstrations. 

“We are extremely excited about the 2013 MIAC Show,” commented 

Dale Kroke, Sr. VP & GM, B&J Music Ltd. (a KMC Music company) 

and Chairman of the Board of Directors, MIAC. “Our recent membership 

survey generated a lot of great feedback about what both exhibitors 

and attendees are looking for in a show, and we are working hard 

to make this our best yet. Working with our new show management 

partner, Matrix North Events, and with Norris-Whitney Communications 

handling seminars, marketing and social events, we are going to 

be focused and in touch with what members want like never before.” 

“I always attend the MIAC show and I find it very worthwhile,” added 

Jeff Long, VP of Sales and Marketing, Long & McQuade Musical 

Instruments, and a current member of the MIAC Board of Directors. 

“There are always some informative seminars, and seeing the products 

is great. However, what I really find valuable is the opportunity to 

interact with others from our industry. There is no better place to feel 

the pulse of the Canadian music industry than the MIAC show.” 


Latest 

Korg USA Launches New 

Consumer Awareness Initiative 

In an effort to combat the ill-effects of unauthorized online sales of 

musical instruments and help protect consumers and authorized dealers 

in the U.S., Korg USA has rolled out a consumer awareness initiative. 

The company is pushing out a consumer message via PR, social 

media sites, e-blasts and more, all to alert consumers about unauthorized 

sellers of its brands (Korg, VOX, Blackstar, Lag, HK Audio) and 

the hazards of purchasing products from them. They include voided 

warranties, inferior product quality in the case of counterfeit goods, 

ineligibility to participate in any manufacturer rebates or specials, and 

more. 

To protect dealers and consumers alike, all authorized Korg dealers 

have been given an “Authorized Korg Dealer” seal to display on their 

site. In addition, each brand’s Web site will now include a list of known 

unauthorized sellers so that, when consumers search for a local dealer, 

they will also be able to identify which online sellers are not officially 

sanctioned to sell the brands’ products in the U.S. 

Korg USA CEO Joe Castronovo said, “Korg USA values the relationships 

we have with our retail partners, and have enacted this ongoing 

initiative to create awareness for activities that would harm their business.” 

LaunchEquity Completes 

MakeMusic Acquisition 

LaunchEquity Acquisition Partners, LLC, Designated Series Education 

Partners (LEAP), a sponsored entity of LaunchEquity Partners, 

LLC, has successfully completed its previously announced acquisition 

of MakeMusic, Inc., for $4.85 per share. LEAP acquired MakeMusic 

through a tender offer and short-form merger. In the merger, each 

outstanding share of common stock of MakeMusic, other than shares 

held by LEAP and its affiliates and shares as to which dissenter’s 

rights are perfected in accordance with applicable law, was canceled 

and converted into the right to receive the same $4.85 per share cash 

price, without interest, that was paid in the tender offer. 

As a result of the merger, MakeMusic has become a wholly owned 

subsidiary of LEAP and the common stock of MakeMusic ceased trading 

on the NASDAQ Capital Market. MakeMusic will make necessary 

filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to end its reporting 

obligations. 

CRAFTER’S LATEST HEADSTOCK TUNER 

TG200K 

Larger screen with settings for 

guitar, bass, mandolin, ukelele and 

chromatic to tune any intrument. 

Getting millions in tune, 

one string at a time. 

Learn more: Call 888.798.2007 or visit crafterusa.com 

Sammy Ash of Sam Ash music stores, Jason Kennedy of KMCMusicorp/ 

FMIC, Waterside fifth-grader Christian Hernandez, music teacher Gary 

Heimbauer, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Principal Dana 

Gerendasi. 

NY Children Receive Gift Of Music 

Representatives of Fender Musical Instruments Corp., KMCMusicorp 

and New York music retailer Sam Ash recently presented 20 student-size 

Fender, Applause and Jasmine brand classical-style acoustic 

guitars, gig bags and electronic guitar tuners to the music program at 

the P.S. 317Q Waterside Children’s Studio School in Queens, NY. The 

school suffered significant losses due to Hurricane Sandy and funds 

are not currently available to completely rebuild the music program. 

In addition, five student-size Fender acoustic guitars, gig bags and 

electronic guitar tuners were presented to KidCare and Homes for the 

Homeless in support of KidCare’s ongoing work with Homes for the 

Homeless Summer Camps for inner-city kids. A representative of the 

sponsoring charity, KidCare, and Queens Borough President Helen 

Marshall were also there to thank Fender, KMCMusicorp and Sam 

Ash for their support. 

KidCare is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping underprivileged 

and homeless children. The organization is helping to support 

and rebuild the Rockaway community from the damage caused by 

Hurricane Sandy. 

DPA Microphones Opens 

New China Office 

DPA Microphones has opened a 

new regional office in Hong Kong, 

China. Headed by Ken Kimura, 

DPA APAC General Manager, the 

new office signals DPA’s commitment 

to its partners and customers 

by acting as a hub for sales, marketing 

and after-sales service. The 

office will also enable the company 

to expand its sales network and 

develop new business channels in 

market sectors. The hope is to bring 

the benefits of DPA’s microphone 

Ken Kimura 

technology and products to customers who have not yet discovered the 

offerings. Kimura, who was previously based in Shanghai, remarked, 

“Establishing our new office in Hong Kong makes sound economic 

and geographic sense. By basing our office here, we can significantly 

expand our reach and visibility within the entire region, thereby aiming 

our ambitions much higher.” 

DPA plans to supplement its existing team in Hong Kong with new 

sales staff and is interested in hearing from any suitable candidates. 

12 July 2013

Latest 

Graph Tech Celebrates 30-Year Legacy 

Spurred by the resurgence 

in popularity of tremolo guitars, 

and frustrated with existing nut 

and saddle technology, Dave 

Dunwoodie began experimenting 

with a variety of composite 

guitar nuts nearly 30 years 

ago, with a mission to produce 

a nut that would eliminate 

string binding and help keep 

a guitar in tune. Dunwoodie, 

now President of Graph Tech 

and celebrating the company’s 

30 th anniversary, experimented 

at his kitchen table to develop 

the best guitar nut. After a 

long and challenging history of 

trial-and-error experimentation, 

he successfully engineered a 

permanently lubricated nut…a 

formula five times more slippery 

than graphite. 

“My first three products 

were a Gibson nut blank, a 

Strat nut blank and an acoustic 

guitar nut,” said Dunwoodie. Although 

Graph Tech made sales 

progress, Nylon 66 tended to 

wear out quickly, especially 

with tremolo use. With the 

assistance of some engineering 

expertise, Dunwoodie came 

up with a black nut that did not 

wear down and was very slippery. 

The problem was, back 

then, no one put black nuts or 

saddles on acoustic guitars. 

Dunwoodie also decided to 

invest in acoustic frequency 

software so he could scientifically 

evaluate various materials 

and discover which material 

produced the best harmonics. 

“That’s how I settled on our 

TUSQ material formulation. I 

believe it sounds better than bone,” 

he said. With his sound meters, 

Dunwoodie was able to demonstrate 

that TUSQ produced more 

harmonics than real bone did. 

So what’s next for Dunwoodie 

and Graph Tech Guitar Labs? 

There are three new products 

lines: Chops professional hand 

care for musicians and its first 

product, PrePlay hand conditioner; 

TUSQ guitar picks; and Ratio 

Tuned Machine Heads. PrePlay 

is the first hand-care product of 

its kind to address the problem 

of hand acidity directly at the 

source. A two-in-one product, Pre- 

Play protects the instrument from 

acid and conditions the hands to 

improve playing performance (a 

little more slide and glide). 

Come visit 

The Music & Sound Retailer 

at Summer NAMM! 

Find us at Booth #1233! 


ADVERTORIAL • JULY 2013 

visit us online at www.namm.org 

Note From Joe 

Have You Heard the One About the Man Who 

Prayed to Win the Lottery? 

Day after day he prayed, “Dear God, help me win the lottery...” After months of prayer, 

he finally heard a thunderous voice from the sky. 

“Yes, I will grant your request to win the lottery, but will you do just ONE thing for me, 

please?” “Yes, God, anything.” “Will you PLEASE go buy a ticket?” 

The stage is set for an incredible learning opportunity in 

Nashville––will you “buy a ticket?” Perhaps that’s a bit of 

a stretch on how attending Summer NAMM will impact your 

life, but this much is clear: The wealth of educational 

opportunities, evening networking events and the chance 

to see brand-new and established suppliers eager for your 

business cannot be underestimated. 

Some of this year’s highlights include: 

• A New Venue: Summer NAMM moves into the state-ofthe-art 

Music City Center 

• Retail Boot Camp: This year’s intense pre-show training 

focuses on “Foot Traffic Formula,” getting buyers 

geared up for show opening the next day 

• Grand Opening Party: The fun starts Wednesday night 

with a “Nashville Tribute to Jimi Hendrix” with Billy Cox 

and the Gypsys, where you can take in the music with 

free food and drinks 

• NAMM Retail Summit: Thursday’s Breakfast Session 

delivers critical ideas for ending 2013 strong—walk 

away with a fourth-quarter business plan 

• Insight: Grab free drinks and food while tuning in to 

Thursday night’s “Hard-Earned Wisdom from Industry 

Icons,” moderated by country music legend Vince 

Gill and Two Old Hippies’ Tom Bedell 

• Take the Stairs: World-renowned strategist Rory Vaden 

puts you on the path to your goals at Friday’s Breakfast 

Session 

• 2013 NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards: This Friday night 

gala honors the industry’s most proactive and innovative 

music retailers—celebrate and network with peers while 

you enjoy free beverages and food 

• Best in Show: Panelists at Saturday’s Breakfast Session 

provide a snapshot of what to see before you leave 

Nashville 

The opportunity to learn from the best and brightest in our 

industry might be considered “winning the lottery” of good 

ideas. Our business is changing––and quickly—and those 

who seek out solutions and commit to implementing them 

will have a chance at a much brighter future. 

We look forward to three valuable and fun days in Nashville 

with our progressive dealers and the suppliers who support 

them. Hope to see you there! 

Joe Lamond 

NAMM PRESIDENT AND CEO 

JULY 11-13, 2013 • NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 

NAMM News July 2013 

NAMM News is published by NAMM. To keep up-to-date on the 

latest breaking industry news, sign up for our NAMM News e-newsletter 

at info@namm.org.

Hard-Earned Wisdom 

from Industry Icons 

Moderated by 

Nashville’s Own 

Vince Gill 

and Tom Bedell 

Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. • Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom • Nashville, Tennessee 

For the first time in history, these interesting, and sometimes outspoken, business leaders will all 

share a stage for an event guaranteed to both inspire and challenge retailers. We’ve invited each 

of these thought leaders to share a personal message with dealers to help further their success–– 

hard-earned wisdom you won’t want to miss. 

Sterling Ball 

Tom Bedell 

Co-Host 

Jim D’Addario Fred Gretsch Henry Juszkiewicz 

Chris Martin Hartley Peavey Bob Taylor Andy Zildjian 

Food and drinks 

provided courtesy 

of the generous 

support of the 

panelists and their 

companies. 

TOPICS INCLUDE: 

What I’ve Learned Being an 

Online Retailer 

Lean Strategies 

for Retailers 

Succession Planning 

Building Your Brand 

Creating Value 

Leadership through Change 

Panelists and topics subject to change 

A New Paradigm 

in Tonewood 

Selling Passion 

Lessons I Learned 

From My Father 

Event begins at 6 p.m. • Live music, food and beverage provided • Show badges required

Latest 

Loudbox At The Top Of The Heap 

According to MI SalesTrak, Fishman’s Loudbox family, nearly 10 

years after its initial launch and spurred by the popular Mini and Artist 

models, continued its number-one overall position in the acoustic 

guitar amp category by a wide margin, boasting a 27.5% share of unit 

sales; that was nearly 20% more than the next brand. The Loudbox 

Mini also maintained its lead as the top-selling acoustic amp model, 

with a 19% unit share; the Loudbox line led all category unit sales by 

price point, as well. Loudbox Artist ranked number-two bestselling 

amp at more than 7%. The Loudbox Mini and Artist amps are currently 

being used by Chris Traynor of Bush, Trampled by Turtles, Jerry 

Douglas, Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Wolf Marshall, The 

Decemberists, Monte Pittman and folk legend Happy Traum, to name 

a few. 

“From the Loudbox Mini to the Artist and new Performer models, 

the line continues to evolve in terms of features and performance, all 

of which explains why it is the industry leader in acoustic guitar amps 

and a major component in the growth and success of the Fishman 

brand,” said COO Jason Cambra. 

Beamz Interactive 

Engages Static Free Films 

Beamz Interactive has engaged Static Free Films, an L.A.-based 

creative production company, to create a family of commercials and 

videos for its next generation Beamz interactive music products. The 

campaign is scheduled for the second half of this year and is planned to 

include an integrated national TV, Internet and social media marketing 

program. The commercials and videos will be produced by Static Free 

Films’ seasoned director/producer Gobi Rahimi. “We are very excited 

about launching our partnership with Gobi,” said Charlie Mollo, President 

and CEO of Beamz Interactive. “We believe he will create a variety 

of great videos to launch our next-generation Beamz products, and that 

this will support a strong 2013 holiday season and a strong 2014.” 

“I’m ecstatic about working with Beamz, as it empowers anyone to 

create music,” said Rahimi, Founder of Static Free Films. “Now with a 

Beamz, I can play every instrument and make great music.” Static Free 

Films will be managed by Satya Direct, Beamz’s integrated marketing 

firm, which will promote these new commercials and videos as part 

of an overall marketing program announcing and promoting the new 

Beamz product offering and capabilities. 

“We are very fortunate to have a great talent such as Gobi Rahimi 

involved in this groundbreaking project,” said Satya Direct’s Co-CEO, 

Nancy Duitch. 

KHS America’s Distributor 

Partnership With BG Accessories 

KHS America, parent company of Jupiter band instruments, will be 

the exclusive U.S. distributor for BG Franck Bichon Woodwind Accessories. 

“BG is glad to announce the new partnership for distribution in 

the United States,” said Jessica Watts, Marketing and Product Specialist 

for BG Accessories. “Because of KHS America’s driven team, marketing 

expertise and expansive network, BG looks forward to growth 

within the U.S.” Focusing on ligatures, mouthpieces, straps and all 

instrument care products, BG offers a full line of accessories to fit any 

player’s needs. BG uses materials like 24K gold, silver, silk, microfiber, 

bamboo and leather to produce its products. 

“KHS America is very pleased to be the exclusive U.S. distributor of 

BG products. Our experienced inside and outside sales teams, along 

with our long-term dealer relationships, will allow us to bring BG to the 

forefront in the marketplace,” said Tabor Stamper, President of KHS 

America. “We look forward to forging a strong relationship with Franck 

Bichon and his excellent staff.” 

KHS America began distribution of BG Products in May from its 

facilities headquartered in Mt Juliet TN. 

D’Addario|Planet Waves Releases 

Guitar Pick Displays 

D’Addario|Planet Waves has released two new displays for its guitar 

picks. Planet Waves’ Large Countertop Display features a wood finish 

with 30 compartments for loose guitar picks. Each compartment can 

hold 50 to 75 picks. The display is available on its own or as a kit with 

a standard pick assortment for a retail price of $1,032. The company’s 

Wall Mount Display will be available in three configurations: on its own, 

or holding assortments of 10-packs or 25-packs of picks. The mount 

can be hung on standard slot walls. The Guitar Pick Wall display with 

10-packs will retail for $703.60; the wall display with 25-packs will retail 

for $959.09. Both of the new pick display offerings are available. 

16 July 2013

Latest 

Peavey, DC Comics Team 

Peavey Electronics has announced its all-new line of officially 

licensed musical instruments celebrating the iconic DC Comics 

Super Heroes. Available exclusively from Peavey—under 

license with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC 

Entertainment—these new musical instruments will capture 

DC Comics Super Heroes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, 

The Flash, Green Lantern and many more in highly detailed 

artwork on guitars, percussion instruments and accessories. The 

instruments will be specially designed for DC Comics enthusiasts, 

serious collectors and musicians of every skill level, from 

beginner to pro. 

“We are excited about bringing together these two iconic 

brands and creating something special,” said Hartley Peavey, 

Founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics. “Musicians, music fans 

and comic aficionados alike will be delighted and inspired by 

these new musical instruments featuring their favorite DC Comics 

Super Heroes.” 

The new product line will debut this summer with a half-size 

Peavey acoustic guitar featuring the DC Comics Super Heroes, 

followed by a three-quarter-size Peavey electric guitar and the 

full-size Peavey Rockmaster electric guitar. Peavey will also release 

guitar picks and straps featuring DC Comics Super Heroes 

and villains like Aquaman and The Joker, as well as The Watchmen 

and other fan favorites. 

PRS Continues GRAND-AM Partnership 

PRS Guitars has teamed up with In Tune Monthly magazine, DW (Drum 

Workshop) and Guitar Center to help celebrate its 2013 official partnership 

with GRAND-AM Road Racing. For four consecutive years, PRS has partnered 

with GRAND-AM Road Racing’s Rolex Sports Car Series by providing 

race-winning teams with unique, fully functional trophy guitars. Guitar Center 

is the exclusive retailer of a limited number of 2013 GRAND-AM replica 

trophy guitars, and hosts Guitar Center Fan Day events in select locations for 

the second year in a row. To heighten the excitement this year, PRS invited 

fellow manufacturer DW (Drum Workshop) to join the fun and help pump up 

Fan Day and “PRS Gear Heaven Party” events. 

One of PRS’ favorite elements of these partnerships is the “Race to the 

Stage” component, which gives one high school guitarist and one high 

school drummer the opportunity to win the chance to perform at a GRAND- 

AM Rolex Sports Car Series event in his/her city. In Tune Monthly, the publication 

for music students and teachers in grades seven through 12, and DW 

co-host the auditions at select Guitar Center locations. Guitar audition winners 

take home a PRS SE electric guitar, PRS SE amplifier and a PRS 18-foot 

instrument cable. Drum-playing winners get a DW All-Maple Performance 

Series four-piece Drumset in Pewter Sparkle FinishPly with 9000 Series 

Hardware and Pedals Performance four-piece tom pack with snare,16x20 

bass, 9500TB, 9100M, 9000, 9300, (two) 9999 and 9700 heavy-duty hardware, 

all from DW. 

Both winning teens have the opportunity to perform with PRS artist and 

blues phenom Davy Knowles. 

QUALITY 

SERVICE 

CHOICE 

10,000 PRODUCTS 

250 BRANDS 

info@stlouismusic.com Tel: 1-800-727-4512 

www.stlouismusic.com 

St Louis Music is a division of U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies, Inc. 


People 

Velazquez Keeps ADJ’s Future Bright 

Chuck Davies, Founder and CEO of the ADJ Group, recently announced that Toby Velazquez 

has been named President of ADJ, Elation and Acclaim Lighting. Velazquez, who joined the company 

shortly after it was started in 1985, has served the ADJ Group in a wide variety of capacities, 

having made critical contributions to its growth from a small business serving the mobile 

DJ market to an internationally known name in the lighting industry. “Toby has been a key part 

of our company from its earliest days,” said Davies. “He’s demonstrated extraordinary talent 

and leadership qualities in every job he’s done, and his passion for excellence is second to none. 

Based on his abilities and track record, I’m extremely confident that he’s the right person to lead 

ADJ, Elation and Acclaim Lighting into the future.” 

In recent years, Velazquez has shepherded the development of many of ADJ’s most notable 

products, including its LED fixtures, LED video panels and the industry’s first moving heads to use 

Philips’ Platinum MSR lamps. He is looking forward to building on these achievements in the future. 

“Our company has been built on innovation,” said Velazquez. “We’ve made it our mission to get 

to know our customers, understand their needs and create new, affordable, user-friendly products 

that contribute to their success. This will continue to be our guiding philosophy, and we’ll 

continue to look for new ways to make us even better at implementing it. I welcome this opportunity, 

and I’m thankful to be surrounded by such a dedicated group of talented co-workers.” 

Zoom Recruits Scott Hagen 

Zoom North America has appointed Scott Hagen as its Vice President of Sales and Strategic 

Planning. Hagen brings more than 18 years of experience in retail sales to the company. Most recently, 

he served as a Merchant Director for Best Buy, where he was involved in business strategy 

and development efforts and led the buying teams for home theater, mobile electronics, musical 

instruments and digital imaging products. Hagen is a graduate of the Recording and Music Production 

program at Music Tech of Minneapolis and is also a trained pianist. 

“Scott brings incredible experience in both retail and business collaboration,” stated Zoom 

North America CEO Scott Goodman. “His strong background in CE and MI, as well as his leadership 

ability, are exactly the qualities we were looking for.” 

“I’m extremely excited to join this newly formed team at Zoom North America. The products 

they deliver, along with their dedication to service and support for customers, is something I’m 

proud to be part of,” stated Hagen. 

John Powell Helps Power JBL 

Harman’s JBL Professional has appointed John Powell to Vice President of Sales. In this position, 

Powell will be responsible for sales planning and management, including close collaboration with the 

regional sales managers and manufacturer’s representatives in the domestic market, as well as international 

distributors and sales directors. Powell has been a member of the Harman sales team since 

2001, having first served as Director of Sales at Harman Music Group. More recently, he served as 

Director of Sales for Harman Professional, maintaining a direct relationship with key dealers and 

consultants in Canada and Mexico, and DigiTech for all of the Intercontinental territory. 

“John has held several positions with Harman for the past 12 years, demonstrating excellence every 

step of the way,” said Bryan Bradley, Vice President, GM Loudspeaker Business Unit. “John’s 

strong relationships within the industry and his deep understanding of the markets we serve make 

him an ideal choice for VP of Sales, and we anticipate his success will continue in his new role.” 

Powell holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from California State University, 

Northridge (CSUN) with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics. 

VanDerBosch Ready To ‘MakeMusic’ 

MakeMusic, Inc., has announced the appointment of Karen VanDerBosch as CEO. Following the successful completion of the acquisition of 

MakeMusic by LaunchEquity, Andy Stephens, Managing Member of LaunchEquity, announced the appointment. VanDerBosch was formerly 

MakeMusic’s COO and CFO, and has been acting CEO of MakeMusic since June 2012. “I’m very excited to have Karen VanDerBosch officially 

take the helm at MakeMusic,” said Stephens. “VanDerBosch’s background, with more than 20 years of executive management and financial experience 

in the technology and manufacturing industries, coupled with her deep understanding of our business and employees, provide the leadership 

and experience needed for this critical role.” 

“It’s an incredibly exciting time at MakeMusic, and I’m thrilled to accept this appointment,” said VanDerBosch. “Now that the acquisition is 

complete, the entire company feels a powerful sense of forward momentum. I’m confident that, with the innovation of our employees and their 

commitment to the future of our products, MakeMusic will continue to transform the world of music technology.” 

18 July 2013

People 

King Of The Mulvihill 

KHS America has hired Jeff Mulvihill as Percussion Product Specialist. Positioned in the 

marketing department for both the Mapex and the Majestic Percussion brands, responsibilities 

include product development, making contributions to advertising and promotions, conducting 

product training sessions and leading the social network marketing effort. Mulvihill brings both 

professional music performance and music industry experience to the post. After completing 

degrees in Music from both the University of Tennessee and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 

Mulvihill relocated to Nashville TN in 2000. Since then, he has served as Principal Percussion/Timpanist 

with the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra, performed as a percussionist with 

Aretha Franklin, been an active drum set player with a number of country artists and been a busy 

freelance percussionist all over the U.S. 

“I am very excited and inspired to join KHS America,” said Mulvihill. “The energy and company 

direction are very positive, and I am flattered to be a part of it.” 

In Memoriam: Michael Powers 

Peavey Electronics mourns the loss of one of its most celebrated instrument designers: 

master luthier Michael Powers, who died in April. Powers was an integral part of Peavey’s 

development of musical instruments throughout the last four decades. He will be remembered 

for his innovative guitar designs, uncompromising work ethic and warm nature. 

Powers’ first instrument was a $22 mail-order acoustic guitar. He soon moved to an electric 

and attempted his first refinish. Stripping away the paint, he spray painted the guitar red. 

Powers would go on to play bass on the Chicago club circuit while developing his keen 

instrument repair skills. After years of touring, Powers decided to shift his career toward 

repairing and designing instruments, which led to his first interaction with Peavey Electronics 

Founder Hartley Peavey. 

“Mike was part of the heart of this company,” shared Hartley Peavey, Founder and 

CEO of Peavey Electronics. “It’s hard to think about him not being involved in our next generation of products. He was a master craftsman and 

someone I could always count on to do his best and more. He will be sorely missed.” 

After joining the company in 1981, Powers went on to help design some of Peavey’s most iconic models. Throughout his career, Powers 

worked closely with artists like Randy Jackson, Michael Anthony, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Steve Cropper, Eddie Van Halen and Rudy Sarzo. Powers 

continued to develop innovative designs for Peavey into the 2000s while also overseeing its production facilities. 

New Hires Help Bach To Rock 

Bach to Rock, America’s music school for students of all ages, 

announced the addition of three new hires to its marketing and 

operations teams. These include Angela Sakell as Vice President of 

Marketing, Amy Hamilton as Vice President of Operations and Lu Wu 

as Senior .Net Systems Architect. “Angela, Amy and Lu bring a wealth 

of experience to Bach to Rock. As we focus our expansion efforts 

on franchise development in new markets like New York, Boston, 

Chicago and Atlanta, it’s critical we have a team in place to support 

our aggressive growth strategy,” said Brian Gross, President of Bach 

to Rock. “Bach to Rock experienced tremendous success in 2012, and 

I’m confident that Angela, Amy and Lu will help us raise the bar in 

2013.” 

Sakell brings more than 20 years of business development, marketing 

and advertising experience to her role at Bach to Rock. Prior to 

joining the team, she served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales 

for BoardSource, and held several senior-level marketing positions 

with Sylvan Learning for eight years. Hamilton spent more than a decade 

serving in various leadership roles with Sylvan Learning, as well, 

most recently as Director of Operations and Product Management. 

While at Sylvan Learning, she led the rollout of a new technology 

platform with the fastest adoption rate in the company’s history. Wu 

joins Bach to Rock with a strong background in Web development. As 

a Technical Lead for Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), 

a Fortune 500 company, Wu established frameworks to improve 

development productivity. He was also a Lead Web Developer and .Net 

Application Developer for the company for several years. 

20 July 2013

products 

Drums & Percussion 

Pro Audio 

V For Vendetta 

Overview: Celestion’s V-Type Guitar Speaker 

Specifics: Celestion has announced the V-Type Guitar Speaker. It’s been conceived and created 

by means of a careful balance of both traditional and contemporary approaches to loudspeaker 

design. Combining decades of experience building, playing and listening to guitar speakers with an 

understanding of advanced measurement, optimization and analysis techniques has resulted in a 

heady, exciting modern vintage sound. Featuring 70-watts power handling, the V-type is a sweetsounding 

speaker with a balanced sonic signature that also imparts vintage musicality to your tone. 

Clean sounds are true across the lows, mids and highs, with just enough upper-mid chime and HF 

sparkle to add clarity and definition. Crank it up for overdrive and raw rock tones, with plenty of 

smooth mid-band warmth to give body and substance to lead note playing. 

MSRP: $149 Ship Date: September 

Contact: Celestion, +44 (0)1473 835300, celestion.com 

Zip! Zam! Zoom! 

Overview: Zoom’s H6 Handy Recorder 

Specifics: Zoom North America’s H6 Handy Recorder is portable, offers 

six tracks of simultaneous recording and employs a system of interchangeable 

input capsules that can be swapped out as easily as the lenses of a camera. Four 

capsules are available: stereo X/Y and MS (Mid-Side), both included with the H6, 

and Shotgun and dual XLR/TRS combo capsules, available as options. The H6 can 

be attached to a camera strap or mounted directly to a DSLR or camcorder, and its 

large full-color display makes it easy to view recording and playback levels even 

in low-light environments. It records directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 

128 gigabytes in a variety of MP3 and BWF-compliant WAV file formats, including 

24-bit/96k for high-definition audio. Four XLR/TRS combo jacks enable the connection 

of external microphones or line-level devices. 

MSRP: Call company Ship Date: This month 

Contact: Zoom North America, 631.542.5270, zoom-na.com 

Scarlett Fever 

Overview: Focusrite’s Scarlett 18i8 And Scarlett 6i6 

Specifics: Focusrite has introduced two members of its Scarlett range of USB 2.0 audio interfaces: the 

Scarlett 18i8 (18 in, eight out) and Scarlett 6i6 (six in, six out). They differ primarily in their I/O 

configuration. Both feature Focusrite mic pres, designed for Focusrite’s computer music 

interfaces, and Focusrite’s precision 24bit/96KHz conversion for maximum transparency. 

In addition to Mac or Windows operation, both interfaces are compatible with iOS devices 

like the iPad. The Scarlett 18i8 is the first interface from Focusrite to include four mic 

preamps. It can also record up to four line inputs at the same time. The Scarlett 6i6 allows 

recording on a smaller scale. In addition to two Focusrite mic preamps, it features a stereo line 

input, enabling simultaneous capture of vocals, guitar and a digital piano. 

MSRP: Scarlett 6i6: $299.99; Scarlett 18i8: $449.99 Ship Date: Now 

Contact: Focusrite, 310.322.5500, focusrite.com 

Speak Up 

Overview: QSC Audio’s S8T, S10T And S12 Speakers 

Specifics: QSC Audio Products has added S8T, S10T and S12 loudspeakers to the AcousticDesign 

Series line of surface-mount loudspeakers. Suited for a variety of foreground/background 

sound-reinforcement applications, these models feature both constant voltage (70/100V) and low 

impedance operating modes and offer an appealing design combined with rugged durability. 

The X-Mount (included with every loudspeaker) enables the loudspeakers to be quickly and 

securely deployed either vertically or horizontally from a flat surface. Knurled surfaces on the 

X-Mount’s pivot points allow the loudspeaker deployment angle to lock in place in 7.5° increments 

and ensure that aiming stays fixed. Pan, tilt and yaw adjustments further ensure that 

the loudspeakers can be positioned to minimize sight-line impact. To complete installation, 

lift the loudspeaker onto the mount and it automatically locks it into place. 

MSRP: Call company Ship Date: Now 

Contact: QSC Audio Products, 714.754.6175, qsc.com 

22 July 2013

Pro Audio 

PRODUCTS 

Live In Concert 

Overview: Samson’s Concert 88 UHF 

Wireless Systems 

Specifics: Samson’s Concert 88 UHF 

Wireless Systems 

provide highperformance 

UHF wireless 

solutions for a variety 

of applications where the freedom 

of mobility is important. They are available 

in handheld, headset, lavaliere and guitar configurations. The 

frequency-agile Concert 88 system allows for up to 16 systems to operate 

simultaneously across two frequency bands with up to 300 feet 

separating the receivers and transmitters. At the core of the system 

is the CR88 half-rack receiver. Featuring a true-diversity design, the 

CR88 minimizes signal dropouts during performance. If a dropout 

does occur, the CR88’s tone key and auto mute functions eliminate 

any background noise until the signal is restored. The 

CR88 receiver’s front panel provides a Select button for 

auto syncing receiver and transmitter channels via an 

infrared signal. 

MSRP: Call company Ship Date: Call company 

#31105 - Pro Precision Contact: MSR_Layout Samson, 1 07/06/2012 631.784.2200, 15:51 samsontech.com 

Page 1 

Professional Loudspeakers 

Precision Engineered by Celestion 

Power And Portability 

Overview: Nady’s PSS-300 Portable Sound System 

Specifics: Nady Systems has released its PSS-300 portable sound 

system. The power and portability of this system suit it to church and 

school use, as well as live music/DJ and public address/speaking 

applications. The PSS-300 includes two full-range eight-inch speakers 

and one eight-channel 300-watt class D stereo powered mixer. Features 

include recessed speaker mount for easy transport; eight-inch woofer 

and one-inch titanium high-frequency driver; XLR mic, ¼-inch line and 

stereo RCA inputs (all with bass, treble, reverb controls); separate left 

and right ¼-inch master output; adjustable digital reverb with built-in 

peak limiter; and storage compartment for cables and accessories built 

into the speaker. The PSS-300 is lightweight (21lb. assembled) and 

set-up is quick and simple. The PSS-300 provides a combination of highquality 

audio and ease of use. 

MSRP: $649.99 

Ship Date: Call company 

Contact: Nady Systems, 510.652.2411, nady.com 

Celestion compression 

drivers deliver the high 

frequencies in many of 

the world’s leading sound 

reinforcement systems. 

Find out what 

Celestion compression 

drivers can do 

for you at 

www.celestion.com 

Find us on 

Facebook 

www.celestion.com 


products 


Miscellaneous 

The Swing Of Things 

Overview: String Swing’s CC37 Flat-Folding 

Guitar Stand 

Specifics: The new CC37 flat-folding guitar 

stand from String Swing is the latest product 

for musicians on the go. Developed on String 

Swing’s precision CNC automated bender, this 

sturdy product offers high quality, along with 

an economical price. Its design also allows for 

quick and easy transport between venues. 

MSRP: Call company 


Contact: String Swing, 888.455.6628, 

stringswing.com 

Ukulele 

Mania 

Overview: Kala’s Cedar 

Top/Acacia Ukulele Series 

Specifics: Kala Brand 

Music Co. combines striking 

design with distinctive sound 

in the Cedar Top/Acacia 

Ukulele Series. With a 

solid cedar top, acacia 

back and sides, and 

rich gloss finish, the 

design of these ukes 

complements their 

rich, full-bodied 

tone. Available in 

concert and tenor 

sizes, other design 

details include a 

distinctive slotted 

headstock with multiwood 

cap, as well as padauk binding on the 

body, fingerboard and rosette. A rosewood 

fingerboard, Aquila strings and Grover vintage 

open geared tuners are also standard 

on both sizes. Model numbers are KA-ACP- 

CTG for the concert size and KA-ATP-CT 

for the tenor size. 



Contact: Kala Brand Music Co., 

877.853.3853, kalabrand.com 

Accessorize 

Your Audio 

Overview: OSS’ SS7746 Subwoofer 

Pole And SSA20M M20 Speaker 

Cabinet Adapter 

Specifics: On-Stage Stands offers 

two accessories for M20 subwoofers: 

the SS7746 Subwoofer Pole with 

M20 Threads and the SSA20M M20 

Speaker Cabinet Adapter. The SS7746 

Subwoofer Pole with M20 threading 

meets the demand of the new mount 

subwoofers that hit the market with 

M20 threaded pole mounts instead 

of the older 1 3/8-inch socket design. 

The SS7746’s all-steel shaft telescopes 

from 30 inches to 54 inches, held tight 

with a friction locking knob backed 

up by a captive steel security pin. The 

M20 Speaker Cabinet Adapter is for 

sound professionals who need to upgrade 

their subwoofers. Customers’ 

existing 1 3/8-inch sockets can be replaced with 

the SSA20M threaded speaker adapter. They’re 

a direct replacement for most socket mounts; 

simply remove and replace. M20 threading 

provides a wobble-free connection between the 

subwoofer and compatible speaker poles. 

MSRP: SS7746: $32.99; SSA20M: $13.99 


Contact: On-Stage Stands, 800.289.8889, 

onstagestands.com 

On The Case 

Overview: Kaces’ Hardshell Wood Case 

Line 

Specifics: Music accessories manufacturer 

Kaces has announced the launch of its newly 

redesigned hardshell wood case line for electric, 

dreadnought, classical and bass guitars. 

Kaces’ hardshell wood cases feature tough 

five-ply wood construction, with a durable PVC 

outside covering. Reinforced outer valences 

are stitched through the wood to provide maximum 

durability, and a soft, padded interior 

and wide neck block cradle the instrument to 

ensure protection during transport. An ample 

interior storage compartment provides a place 

for accessories, and the case is finished with 

modern locking black plated latches, hinges 

and feet. All Kaces wood hardshell cases are 

backed by a one-year limited warranty. Kaces 

hardshell wood cases deliver both the style 

and function that guitarists demand. 



Contact: Kaces, 800.950.1095, 

kaces.com 

Stand By Me 

Overview: UDG’s Aluminum Laptop/Controller 

Stand 

Specifics: UDG presents its first laptop stand 

branded under its Creator series of DJ accessories. 

UDG’s aluminum Laptop/Controller Stand is the DJ’s 

computer-elevation station. Every performer who 

uses a computer, including DJs, producers and 

other musicians, can make use of this piece 

of equipment. This laptop stand for DJs 

balances solid, secure construction with 

being portable, foldaway and 360-degree 

rotatable, along with having a low-weight design. 

Features: solid and easy-to-assemble laptop/controller 

stand for DJs/producers; high-quality aircraft-grade anodized 

aluminum; height adjustable; angle adjustable; 

360-degree rotatable; removable sub tray; fits 13-inch to 

18-inch laptop, iPad or controller; airflow-constructed 

tray prevents equipment from overheating; protective 

neoprene sleeve included. 



Contact: UDG, 323.580.3760, mixware.net 

24 July 2013

Audix BP7 PRO Band Pack 

A Smart Mic Mix! 

The GasLight Anthem 

“The Audix BP7 PRO Band Pack is a smart bundle of Audix’s flagship dynamic 

microphones. The BP7 PRO kit is unique because it includes drum, vocal, and 

instrument mics, providing a complete solution.” 

John Gatski, Sound On Sound Magazine - Feb 2012 

Choosing the right vocal, drum, and instrument microphones is an essential component in the quest for great stage 

sound. Audix takes all the guesswork out of this process with its BP7 PRO Band Pack, a collection of seven flagship 

dynamic microphones designed to work well together. 

The OM series mics are best suited for lead and backing vocals, the i5 is extremely versatile (acoustic instruments, 

guitar cabs, drums, and percussion), and the D6 has the low end covered. Many bands solve their entire stage 

microphone needs with one BP7 Pro kit. 

All mics in the kit feature exclusive Audix VLM capsule technology, 

which produces clear accurate sound, and suppresses feedback. 

The seven mics, clips, and user guide are shipped in a rugged 

aluminum carrying case. 

The BP7 PRO kit contains: 

1 - OM5 lead vocal mic 

2 - OM2 background vocal mics 

3 - i5 drum and instrument mics 

1 - D6 kick drum and bass mic 

1 - aluminum road case 

To find an Audix dealer near you 

call: 1-800-966-8261 

www.audixusa.com 

© 2013 Audix Corporation. All rights reserved. Audix and Audix logo are trademarks of Audix Corporation. 


A LEGEND 

IS REBORN 

THE ROTOSOUND RFB1 

1960’s FUZZ REISSUE 

products 


DJ & Lighting 

Photography: Katarina Benzova 

I LOVE IT! 

‘ 

It’s very Tonebender-ish. Reminds me 

a lot of my MKII but with more hair 

and beef to it. I have a ton of fuzz 

pedals (both vintage and new), and 

the Rotosound has instantly become 

’ 

one of my go-to fuzz’s for sure! 

RICHARD FORTUS - GUNS N’ ROSES 

A Real American 

Overview: American Audio’s ELS15A Active 

Speaker 

Specifics: American Audio’s ELS15A is a 

lightweight, 15-inch active speaker that has 

everything necessary to establish a party 

groove using virtually any music player or audio 

source. The speaker features a high-efficiency 

design but sufficient power to cover small and 

mid-sized venues. The ELS15A features both 

XLR and RCA line inputs, so you can plug in 

controllers, DJ mixers, laptops and mobile 

devices like iPods. It also has XLR and TRS mic 

inputs to accommodate singers, emcees and 

more. The input controls (treble, bass and volume) 

are located on the rear of the unit, so DJs 

don’t require a separate mixer to set their levels 

and EQs just right. At the heart of the ELS15A 

is a high-power class A/B bi-amplified system that performs at maximum efficiency. 

There are separate high-frequency and low-frequency amplifiers. 

MSRP: $229.95 


Contact: American Audio, 800.322.6337, americanaudio.us 

SEE US AT NAMM 

BOOTH 1201 

WORLD FAMOUS MUSIC STRINGS 

WWW.ROTOSOUND.COM 

facebook.com/rotosound 

twitter.com/rotosound_uk 

PROUDLY MADE IN ENGLAND FIND OUT MORE 

It’s EZ As Pie 

Overview: CHAUVET DJ’s Battery-Powered EZ Series 

Specifics: The simple-to-use, battery-powered EZ series joins CHAUVET DJ’s collection 

of wireless uplighting. The series, which includes EZrail RGBA and EZpar 64 RGBA, 

eliminates the hassle of running cables, speeds up the set-up process and can be controlled 

wirelessly using the included IRC remote. EZrail RGBA and EZpar 64 RGBA emit 

pastels and rich colors to create a suitable lighting package for any event. Suiting area 

washes and uplighting, EZrail RGBA includes 160 RGBA LEDs and is controllable in up 

to four sections for enhanced effects. Fitted with 180 RGBA LEDs, EZpar 64 RGBA is an 

ultra-slim wash light that fits in places other fixtures cannot. It is available with a black or 

white casing to blend into any environment. EZrail RGBA weighs 5.6lb.; EZpar 64 RGBA 

weighs 4lb. 



Contact: CHAUVET DJ, 800.762.1084, chauvetdj.com 

July 2013

Guitars & Amps 

PRODUCTS 

The Missing Link 

Overview: Peavey’s AmpKit LiNK HD 

Specifics: Peavey Electronics and app developer 

Agile Partners are shipping the Peavey Amp- 

Kit LiNK HD. Featuring twice the fidelity of the 

original AmpKit LiNK, the pocket-sized AmpKit 

LiNK HD utilizes USB digital audio technology 

to eliminate crosstalk and feedback, resulting in 

good audio quality and zero latency. The AmpKit 

LiNK HD enables players to send a signal to a 

headphone output and a line output. The LiNK 

HD maintains high fidelity even with the authentic 

high-gain amp models in AmpKit, the amp modeling 

app. With AmpKit LiNK HD and AmpKit, guitar 

and bass players can jam wherever they go. It’s 

simple to connect a guitar or bass directly into the 

dock of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and, with 

AmpKit LiNK HD’s snug-fitting cable, the instrument 

will stay secure while maintaining a strong 

audio signal. 



Contact: Peavey Electronics, 601.483.5365, 

peavey.com 

‘Imagine’ The Sound 

Overview: Fargen Amplification’s Imagine 

Series Amp 

Specifics: Fargen Amplification has introduced 

the third and final guitar amplifier model 

in its line paying homage to John Lennon. The 

Imagine Series amp is available in limited edition, 

and combines fine woods, materials and 

components with a three-way Decade Switch 

to provide plenty of Lennon tone in one circuit. 

The Imagine amps are handmade in California, 

built by Ben Fargen himself. The Decade 

Switch augments the previously released ’60s 

and ’70s settings with a third setting for ’50s 

rock ‘n’ roll tone, providing the guitarist with 

three amps in one. The amp also features a 

proprietary WGS Alnico JL-15 speaker, custom 

white components and a master-built cabinet 

constructed from eastern soft maple with a 

Baltic birch baffle, finished in several coats of 

white and clear gloss lacquer. 

MSRP: $5,999 

Ship Date: Now 

Contact: Fargen Amplification, 916.971.4992, fargenamps.com 


products 


Keyboards 

A Grand Old Time 

Overview: Yamaha’s DGX-650 Portable Grand Digital Piano 

Specifics: Yamaha’s DGX-650 Portable Grand digital piano offers 

several features that make learning and playing more fun, including 

upgraded piano sound and CD-quality audio recording and playback, 

as well as the ability to play chords with a single keystroke and interactive 

software that helps players quickly learn songs of their favorite 

artists from many genres. It includes a stand and a sustain footswitch, 

and is available in two finishes: black with rosewood side panels or 

spotlight white. The DGX-650 has good touch and tone with PureCF 

sampling, which integrates the authentic sounds from the nine-foot 

Yamaha CFIIIS Grand Piano into this portable keyboard. Yamaha’s 

Graded Hammer Standard action provides the natural touch response 

of a full-size grand piano; the lower keys are heavier and the higher 

keys become gradually lighter through the different registers. 

MSRP: $1,299 Ship Date: August 

Contact: Yamaha Corp. of America, 714.522.9011, yamaha.com 

Have Your Back 

Overview: Roland’s BK-9 Backing Keyboard 

Specifics: Roland’s BK-9 Backing Keyboard is the flagship in the BKseries 

lineup of portable instruments with auto-accompaniment features. It 

boasts a large range of sounds and rhythms, intuitive user interface and dual 

LCD system, USB recording and song/rhythm playback, and more. Equipped 

with a pro-quality 76-note keyboard, the BK-9 is light and easy to transport, weighing 

under 21lb. It has more than 1,700 sounds and 70 drum kits, including 22 SuperNATURAL 

sounds and 500 new sounds from the Roland library. There’s also a Virtual Tone Wheel organ 

with harmonic bars for authentic organ performance, plus a User Tone area dedicated for future 

sound expansion collections from Roland. For accompaniment, there are 540 built-in rhythms—including 

25 that are new—and all the rhythms have been fully remastered for enhanced sound. 

MSRP: Call company Ship Date: Call company 

Contact: Roland Corp., 323.890.3700, rolandus.com 

Star-‘Krossed’ Lovers 

Overview: Korg’s Kross Mobile Keyboard Workstation 

Specifics: Korg’s Kross is a mobile keyboard workstation 

with audio/MIDI recording capabilities, AC or 

battery operation (6xAA), and a large selection of sounds. 

Available with 61 keys or 88 fully weighted keys, it’s the 

first battery-powered, full-featured Korg keyboard workstation. 

It boasts rich sounds and practical features like 

analog-style step sequencing and built-in audio recorder, 

all in a lightweight and portable package. A complete 

package of performance-ready sounds is provided. The piano, electric piano and drum sounds have been 

taken from some of Korg’s flagship instruments. Kross contains PCM data approximately twice as large 

as preceding Korg models, such as the X50 and the PS60. Essential sounds like rock/jazz organ, strings, 

brass and synth have all been upgraded and enhanced. Also included are instruments like toy piano, accordion, 

combo organ, church organ and even vintage instruments. 

Street Price: 61-key: $699; 88-key: $999 Ship Date: August 

Contact: Korg, 631.390.6800, korg.com 

28 July 2013

Publishing & Multimedia 

PRODUCTS 

Snap, Crackle & Pop 

Overview: Alfred Music’s Ultimate Pop & Rock, Ultimate 

Movie Instrumental Solos 

Specifics: Alfred Music expands its Pop Instrumental Solos 

series with Ultimate Pop & Rock Instrumental Solos and Ultimate 

Movie Instrumental Solos for wind and string instruments. Both 

collections contain arrangements of widely popular songs to 

encourage students to practice 

while having fun performing their 

favorite tunes. All instrument 

books contain a carefully edited 

part that is appropriate for the 

level two to three player, as well 

as a fully orchestrated accompaniment 

MP3 CD. The Ultimate Pop 

& Rock Instrumental Solos books 

contain 50 great songs. Titles 

include “Boulevard of Broken 

Dreams,” “Grenade” and “Jar 

of Hearts.” The Ultimate Movie 

Instrumental Solos books contain 

60 of some of the biggest movie 

songs and themes. Titles include “Follow the 

Yellow Brick Road/We’re Off to See the Wizard,” 

“Gollum’s Song” and “Hedwig’s Theme.” The 

included CD has a live instrumental performance 

and play-along track for each song. 

MSRP: $18.99 Ship Date: Now 

Contact: Alfred Music, 818.891.5999, alfred.com 

Back To The Lab 

Overview: eMedia Music’s 

Guitar Lab Instructional DVDs 

Specifics: eMedia Music 

Corp., in partnership with True- 

Fire, has 

released 

three new 

titles in 

the Guitar 

Lab line 

of guitar 

instruction 

DVDs: 50 

Voodoo 

Blues Licks 

You Must 

Know, 

50 Chord 

Tricks You Must Know and 50 

Progressive Blues Licks You Must 

Know. 50 Voodoo Blues Licks 

You Must Know is a contextual, 

hands-on and effective study 

program for blues players. With 

the 50 Chord Tricks You Must 

Know DVD, host Matt Brandt will 

get you playing the chord tricks 

that will impress fellow guitarists. 

Host Corey Congilio helps you 

up your blues game with the 50 

Progressive Blues Licks You Must 

Know DVD. 

MSRP: $24.95 

Ship Date: Now 

Contact: eMedia Music Corp., 

888.363.3424, emediamusic.com 


summer Namm New Product Spotlight 

(continued from cover) 

MOD Kits DIY’s Ring Resonator 

The Ring Resonator from MOD Kits DIY is an octave-up fuzz effect pedal kit in an all-analog design that 

captures those late ’60s octave-up fuzz tones. Transformer-coupled germanium diodes produce sounds that 

range from a subtle octave up to thick, harmonically rich sonic textures, and synth-like tones. Experimenting 

with different pickups and tone control settings on your guitar with the Ring Resonator can also produce 

sitar-like sounds. MOD Kits and Assemblies give novice and experienced musicians the opportunity to build 

or modify their own amps, effects pedals and guitars. All kits come with easy-to-follow instructions and use 

point-to-point wiring. All effect pedals and amplifiers come with a pre-drilled enclosure and all necessary 

parts are included. 

MOD Kits DIY . 480.755.4712 . modkitsdiy.com . Booth #1139 

Veritas Instrument Rental’s Latest Additions 

Veritas Instrument Rental (VIR) is demonstrating its latest addition to the VIR Affiliate Rental Program, Veritas 

U, or online training university. Affiliates can continue their education of the school music market through the 

convenience of online training courses. VIR is also previewing Educator Rewards, an online membership that 

rewards educators and schools for their rental activity at VIR’s online rental portal: www.rentfromhome.com. 

NAMM attendees can take advantage of VIR’s Signup Special: Approved applicants from the show will receive 

200 complimentary imprinted student music folders (a $200 value). Veritas Instrument Rental has been 

offering rent-to-own programs to parents, educators and music retailers for more than 20 years. 

Veritas Instrument Rental . 877.727.2798 . veritas-online.com . Booth #501 

Option Knob’s VKnob Guitar Volume Knob Controller 

Option Knob’s VKnob is a replacement for the volume knob on electric guitars. It enables any player to 

instantly execute fine-tuned volume control and lightning-fast volume swells. The player simply pulls off the 

factory volume knob, then pushes on the VKnob and he or she is ready to go. The “arm” design extends volume 

control closer to the strumming area, so it’s quicker and easier to adjust the volume on the fly. A player 

can rapidly move the arm up and down to create a tremolo effect on the volume, or couple his or her pinky 

finger with the notch on the tip of the arm to fine-tune the volume on every individual note the player picks. 

Option Knob, Inc. . 800.398.8501 . vknob.com . Booth #1132 

Mimaki USA’s Flatbed Printer 

Mimaki USA, along with partner “Art Guitar,” is showcasing a Digital UV cure LED flatbed printer capable of 

printing high-resolution color graphics and designs on acoustic and electric guitar bodies. This printer has 

the capability of printing up to six inches in height and the flatbed printer is capable of handling most guitar 

products made of wood or plastic substrates. The Model UJF-6042 Printer suits the printing of promotional, 

custom or artistic images on guitar bodies and can print with white inks along with CMYK colors. The UJV- 

6042 can also print on many musical accessories, such as guitar picks, drum sticks, capos, harmonicas and 

other musical items needing permanent color decoration. 

Mimaki USA . 888.530.3988 . mimakiusa.com . Booth #1206 

SwirlyGig Industries’ SwirlyHook 

SwirlyGig Industries, manufacturer of the SwirlyGig mic stand beverage holder, has launched the SwirlyHook, 

a new way to store headphones, tambourines and cables right where you need them. The SwirlyHook is easy 

to install: no moving parts and nothing to assemble. Just slip the hook onto a mic stand or any 5/8-inch tube. 

It stays in place using friction and gravity. Use it to hold headphones, tambourines, cables or other items 

around the studio or stage. The SwirlyHook comes as a four-pack or as a single. 

SwirlyGig Industries . 612.721.5012 . swirlygig.com . Booth #727 

Lawing Musical Products’ Zexcoil T-Bucker 

Adding to the company’s line of patented, noise-free, one coil per string S- and T-style pickups, Lawing Musical 

Products presents the Zexcoil T-Bucker. The T-Bucker provides noise-free humbucker and single-coil 

tones in a drop-in replacement for standard T-style guitars. The Zexcoil T-Bucker uses the same tone voicing 

technology that makes the company’s Juicy Bucker a great humbucker tone in an S-sized package. The 

T-Bucker also comes standard with the company’s Silent Split option to deliver a noise-free single-coil tone 

at the flip of a switch. Provides pure, noise-free tone from the most efficient hum-canceling design available. 

No dummy coils or excessive shielding. A full range of tonal options using the company’s tone engineering 

technology. 

Lawing Musical Products . 302.533.7548 . zexcoil.com . Booth #1160 

Edwards Audio Research’s LE-10 Series Mic Preamps 

Edwards Audio Research presents the Edwards LE-10 Series Microphone Preamps. These Vacuum Tube 

preamps, available in both stereo and mono, have a frequency response that surpasses the digital audio 

spectrum. The quiet performance allows you to hear your microphone without hearing the noises often 

introduced by microphone preamps. The characteristic warm sound of Edwards’ tube preamps is accompanied 

by the clear and transparent highs, giving these preamps a very musical, natural sound. Edwards’ 

power supply provides the high voltages that the tubes demand for operating at peak performance, giving 

the engineer plenty of headroom for those high transients. Features: -20dB pad, isolated instrument jack, 

trim and gain controls, and 6dB per octave bass cut. 

Edwards Audio Research . 562.857.2284 . edwardspreamp.com . Booth #625 

30 July 2013

CAD Audio’s GXL-V, GXL-U Wireless Systems 

CAD Audio’s GXL-V and GXL-U wireless systems offer easy, flexible use while providing a high-performance 

solution in a dual system configuration. The GXL-V VHF receiver features two channels of VHF wireless 

engineered into one chassis. It includes XLR and ¼-inch discrete outputs and XLR as a mix output of the two 

channels. The GXL-V receiver has RF and AF indicator lights and volume controls. The GXL-U UHF receiver 

features two channels of UHF wireless engineered into one chassis. It is outfitted with XLR and ¼-inch connectors 

as discrete outputs and XLR as mix output of the two channels. The receiver also includes RF and AF 

indicator lights and volume controls. 

CAD Audio . 800.762.9266 . cadaudio.com . Booth #900-A 

X-Tempo Designs’ pok Wireless DAW Foot Controller 

X-Tempo Designs’ pok is a wireless DAW foot controller. The pok allows DAW users to control their playback 

or recording session hands-free. For solo studio musicians, the pok allows for new freedom in recording. 

Recording sessions can be run from an iso booth or remote location up to 100 feet away from the DAW. Live 

performers can use the pok to foot-control the computer up to 100 feet away from stage, without power or 

data cabling. The pok uses wireless USB technology in concert with a DAW’s command keys. The pedal 

buttons are customizable and compatible with most Mac or PC-based DAWs, including Pro Tools, Digital 

Performer, Logic, Cubase and Ableton Live. pok Editor Software is included. 

X-Tempo Designs . 866.234.4198 . xtempozone.com . Booth #821 

ARJ Percussion’s Fusion Series Cajón 

ARJ Percussion is the maker of wood percussion instruments and home of the Fusion Series Cajón. The Fusion 

Series Cajón came about because of a desire to create a cajón that would contain the “X Factor.” It is an 

original and unique line of cajóns (box) designed for the percussionist who is looking for a distinctive box that 

can produce a variety of sounds. The player will obtain bongos, congas and bass sounds that very closely 

resemble the original skin instruments. Snares and projection tubes are added to the mix to further optimize 

the cajón to create a crisp and rich sound in every area of the instrument. It’s like playing a set of drums all at 

once. 

ARJ Percussion . 407.476.1428 . arjpercussion.com . Booth #321 

Pro-Active Websites’ Mobile Readiness 

Cutting-Edge Solutions, parent company of Pro-Active Websites, has announced that Pro-Active Websites are 

now mobile ready. Pro-Active dealers can now enhance their Web site shopping experience with the new mobile 

format option. This coincides with the number of smartphone users growing close to one billion. Pro-Active’s 

system offers more than 200 features and provides dealers with good value and ease of use. The new mobile 

format helps shoppers quickly find what they’re looking for in an easy-to-navigate format. 

Cutting-Edge Solutions . 847.398.5444 . pro-activewebsites.com . Booth #729 

Blueberry Guitars’ Handmade Instruments 

Blueberry Guitars has introduced handmade and custom instruments with carving to create a unique musical 

and aesthetic experience. More than 1,200 musicians around the world have already discovered them. 

Blueberry Guitars was founded by Danny Fonfeder in 2007. All Blueberry guitars are finely crafted by skilled 

luthiers to produce an instrument that is easy to play, has a broad depth of sound, uses a variety of exotic 

woods and is delicately carved to create a musical and artistic experience. Now in its seventh year, Blueberry 

is opening new channels of distribution through selected retailers. 

Blueberry Guitars . 514.578.1259 . blueberryguitars.com . Booth #1507 

Impact Picks’ ‘Micro-Grip’ Series Flat Picks 

Impact Picks presents the “Micro-Grip” series flat picks, designed specifically 

for strumming acoustic guitars, as well as the new Precision 1.2M jazz 

pick for lead work. Made of an Acetal Copolymer so tough that it’s used as 

wear surfaces on machinery and countless other parts, including guitar 

picks. Impact Picks are tough, flexible, wear- and crack-resistant picks that 

will last longer than you can keep them in your pocket. The products are 

designed by guitarists for guitarists. Ask for a free sample pack at Summer 

NAMM and see how they can enhance your playing style. 

Impact Picks . 651.322.0829 . impactpicks.com . Booth #1624 

Corbin’s Educator Series Guitars 

Corbin’s Educator Series guitars feature spruce tops, nato-mahogany back 

and rims, bi-directional/dual action adjustable truss rods with superior action 

and intonation. Sizes available in steel-string models include 34 inches, 36 

inches (3/4) and 39 inches. Nylon-string models (classical) are available in 36 

inches and full-size 39 inches. Classics also come with bi-directional adjustable 

truss rods. The company’s CG12 Pro (1/2 Size, 31-inch length) featuring 

spruce top, agathis back and sides, and now an adjustable truss rod offers 

good playability for the younger student. 

Corbin Musical Instruments . 866.859.1857 . corbinguitars.com 

Booth #1167 



2013 Summer NAMM University Sessions 

Published as supplied by NAMM; last updated May 29. 

2013 Breakfast Sessions 

Davidson Ballroom, Music City Center 

Breakfast 8–8:30am (first come, first served) 

Main Session 8:30–9:30am 

THURSDAY, JULY 11 

BREAKFAST SESSION 

8–9:30am 

FREE breakfast served until 8:30am (first come, first served) 


8:30–9:30am (Main Session) 

The NAMM Retail Summit 

Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO, with guests 

This year alone, retail has seen an explosion of mobile, integrated commerce 

and social media. The music products industry is no exception, and all of these 

trends will affect business in the coming fourth quarter. Are you ready? Join 

NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond for an inside look at the people and 

companies that are thriving in this hyper-competitive business climate, and their 

ideas for ending 2013 strong. You’ll walk away from this session with a plan for 

the critical holiday season that will carry over into the new year. 

IDEA CENTER SESSIONS 

Booth #1254 

Open 10:30am–5pm 

New sessions start every 30 minutes, unless otherwise noted. 

10:30am 

Fifty Shades of Facebook 

Cris Behrens, Summerhays Music Center 

Join Cris Behrens, sales, marketing and store manager for Summerhays Music 

Center, as he presents creative ways to get more “Likes,” “Shares” and traffic 

for your Facebook page. Like most music retailers, Cris wears many hats at the 

store, so he’ll pass on ideas that don’t require tons of time and money to implement. 

If you want to walk away with the best tips, keep your Facebook fans 

coming back for more, have a laugh and use those ideas before you even leave 

Summer NAMM, then this session is for you. 

11am 

What to Do When You Have Too Much to Do 

Donovan Bankhead, Springfield Music 

Are you overwhelmed by the daily responsibilities of running a music store? 

Do you spend all your time putting out fires instead of actually working on your 

business? If you have the right tools, managing your time is much easier than 

you think, and it can impact your bottom line. Join Donovan Bankhead of Springfield 

Music to learn about his favorite resources—everything from Google Calendar 

to the latest apps—so you can stay on top of your business, and your life. 

11:30am 

Tips for Increasing Your Business by 25%! 

Bob Popyk, Founder of Bentley-Hall and Columnist for Music Trades Magazine 

Sales consultant and Music Trades columnist Bob Popyk delivers simple but 

often overlooked ideas for cranking up the cash register right away without 

spending a dime—they’ve worked for countless retailers, and now you can 

apply them to your store. It starts with finding creative, easy ways to get more 

customers through the door. This session focuses on the greatest source of 

new business you may not be aware of, how to get more add-on business and 

ways to boost your referrals. 

Noon 

How to Plan Holiday Promotions That Work 

Moderated by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks, with panelists 

Do you want to learn how to plan and deliver successful holiday promotions for 

your market? Would you like to learn how to create excitement and a sense of 

urgency for your holiday promotions? Plan to attend this focused and personal- 

32 July 2013

ized session. Join Danny Rocks of The Company Rocks for a panel discussion 

with retailers who will share their secrets for success when planning and 

executing holiday promotions. 

12:30pm 

5 Ways to Boost Your Lesson Sign-ups 

Gayle Beacock, Beacock Music 

Are you losing more students than you’re keeping in your lesson program? Are 

sign-ups slow? Are you running a solid program but looking for simple ways to 

keep a consistent flow of new students coming in? Then this session’s for you. 

Join Gayle Beacock of Beacock Music to learn how she has grown her awardwinning 

lesson program. She’ll share creative promotions that you can try in 

your store right away. 

1pm 

How to Host the Ultimate Rock Camp 

Menzie Pittman, Contemporary Music Center 

Keep the excitement of rock camp going year-round. Menzie Pittman, founder 

of Contemporary Music Center, shows how he hosts a summer program that 

drives growth and new business by getting students to take total ownership of 

their bands. He’ll also look at how to keep students involved once the back-toschool 

season starts up again. Menzie’s unique model is perfected from lessons 

learned along the way. 

1:30pm 

10 Cheap and Easy Ways to Better Your Business Now 

Leslie Faltin, Instrumental Music Center 

Leslie Faltin of Instrumental Music Center in Tucson, Ariz., shares 10 simple, 

inexpensive ideas to boost your bottom line and market share. Learn the most 

cost-efficient ways to revitalize the sensory experience in your store, make 

consumer connections through exceptional email and online marketing, slash 

unnecessary costs and processes, turn stagnant inventory into cash, and reach 

new customers. 

2pm (Double Session) 

10 Financial Rules Every Retailer Should Follow 

Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, PC 

Do you ever feel as if you’re making business decisions that just don’t feel 

right? You’re not alone—many owners and store managers find themselves 

second-guessing their decisions all the time. If this sounds like you, join industry 

accountants Alan Friedman, CPA, and Daniel Jobe, who just came off a tax 

season servicing scores of music retailers. You’ll learn the “Top 10 Financial Retailing 

Musts” for improving your store’s profitability and cash flow. Plus, you’ll 

walk away with the knowledge and confidence to make better financial decisions 

starting the minute you get back to your store. 

3pm 

10 Ways to Buy Smart and Sell Smarter! 

Tracy Leenman, Musical Innovations 

Creating a model inventory and open-to-buy system for your business helps you 

keep inventory at the perfect level, get the best possible pricing and make the 

most money. Tracy Leenman of Musical Innovations will help you get started 

by taking you through the process. She will also show how to maximize your 

profit— and have exactly what your customers want, when they want it. 

3:30pm 

Effective Training Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank 

Colleen Billings, Billings Piano Gallery 

Do the words “employee training” equate to “expensive” in your mind? They 

don’t have to! With a little creativity, affordable training opportunities for your 

team can be low pain and high reward. There are many ways to develop staff 

on a tight budget and find low-cost and even free training opportunities that 

improve employee engagement and your bottom line. This idea-packed session 

will explore dozens of ways that you can provide the development activities 

your employees crave, while keeping the checkbook in mind. 

4pm 

How to Train Salespeople and Influence Customers 

Ernie Lansford, Purple Shoes Leadership 

As you get ready for the crucial fourth-quarter selling season, it’s 

vital that you prepare your salespeople with the knowledge and skills 

to lead customers to the right buying decisions. Industry veteran Ernie 

Lansford will reveal his “secret sauce” for getting your sales staff up 

to speed. You’ll learn to build a team that turns “lookers” into buyers 

and influences customers to make informed decisions. Now, rather 

than ringing up transactions, your trained sales staff will be developing 

customers for life. 

4:30pm 

Simple Secrets to Managing Your Cash Flow 

David Wilson, GE Capital 

Multiple factors impact your business, and this session will reveal 

simple secrets to help you manage your cash, liquidity and profitability, 

as well as establish a clear path for growth. You will learn the top 10 

reasons why businesses fail, why cash flow management is important 

and what you can do to manage your cash flow. 

FRIDAY, JULY 12 


8–9:30am 




Take the Stairs 

Rory Vaden, Co-founder of Southwestern Consulting, New York Times 

best-selling author of Take the Stairs 

We live in an “escalator world,” one that’s filled with shortcuts, quick 

fixes and distractions that make it all too easy to slide into procrastination 

and mediocrity. And yet there’s one common characteristic that 

virtually every single successful person must have before accomplishing 

his or her goals: self-discipline—the discipline to do the things they 

don’t want to do. In this hilarious and compelling session, best-selling 

author of Take the Stairs and world-renowned strategist Rory Vaden 

shares key insights and erases common misconceptions about how to 

build lasting self-discipline. You’ll learn how to disregard fear and take 

immediate action, develop an awareness of your creative avoidance, 

stop making excuses, adopt an overall results-oriented attitude, and be 

more disciplined—so you’ll learn to “take the stairs” more often in your 

life. 


Booth #1254 


New sessions start every 30 minutes, unless otherwise 

noted. 

10:30am 

Navigating the Social Media Maze 

Grant Billings, Billings Piano Gallery 

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+...Grant Billings of Billings Piano 

Gallery will walk you through the social media maze. Learn how to 

easily develop the best social media strategy for your store and how to 

use that strategy on a daily basis to connect with your customers and 

grow your brand. The best part? You don’t have to be sitting in front of a 

computer all day to do it. 


2013 Summer NAMM University Sessions 

11am 

How to Sell Your Toughest Customers—90% of the Time 

Bob Popyk, Founder of Bentley-Hall and Columnist for Music Trades 

Magazine 

Are your customers getting tougher to sell? Competition today comes 

from the Internet, the catalogs, the classifieds—anything that gets in 

the way of a sale. Bob Popyk offers simple ways to close a high percentage 

of those tough customers who beat you up over price, tell you 

they’re “just shopping around” and walk out the door without buying. 

Putting even a few of these ideas into place will take your sales up a 

notch right away. 

11:30am 

How to Stay on Top of Your Priorities 

Rory Vaden, Co-founder of Southwestern Consulting, New York Times 

best-selling author of Take the Stairs 

Join thought leader Rory Vaden as he talks about “priority dilution,” a 

dangerous form of procrastination that has nothing to do with laziness 

or avoidance. Don’t trade your to-do list for emergencies. Rory will 

show you how to rethink your calendar, feel more confident about what 

to say “no” to, control your workflow, procrastinate strategically to 

protect your priorities, shift your thinking from urgent to relevant and 

redefine how you prioritize. 

Noon 

Music Lessons: Are You Prepared for Back-to-School? 

Pete Gamber, Music & Arts and Columnist for Music Inc. magazine 

The back-to-school season is your single biggest make-or-break opportunity 

with music lessons. What you do to prepare during the coming 

weeks will ultimately affect your store’s program for the entire year. Are 

you ready? Join music lessons guru Pete Gamber, who will share an 

easy plan for building your lesson program during this busy time. 

12:30pm 

What Do I Do About My Website? 

Moderated by Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks, with panelists Brad 

Boynton, Rhythm Traders; Leslie Faltin, Instrumental Music Center; and 

Whitney Grisaffi, Ted Brown Music 

You want to improve your store’s website but don’t know where to start. 

Do you go the e-commerce route or use your site simply as a local 

calling card? Do you hire outside help for the site or do it yourself? How 

much do you invest? If this sounds familiar, join Danny Rocks of The 

Company Rocks for a panel discussion with retailers who are making 

their websites work for them. Learn from their best practices. 

1:30pm 

Take the Hassle Out of Hiring 

Peter Dods, Easy Music Center 

You need quality people in your organization, but you have no time to 

devote to the hiring process. Peter Dods of Easy Music Center shows 

how to cut to the chase. He’ll explore how to learn about potential applicants 

with minimal effort and weed out unqualified candidates faster 

than you’d thought possible. 

2pm 

40 Tips for Music Professionals 40 and Under 

NAMM Young Professionals CJ Averwater, Amro Music; Ryan West, 

West Music; and Cris Behrens, Summerhays Music 

This fast-paced session will look at 40 different ideas that you can 

take home and use in your business next week. Join CJ, Ryan and Cris 

as they present their unique and fresh outlook on the music industry 

and share tips, online resources and book suggestions that have been 

proven to work for these up-and-coming music industry pros. The 

session is presented by NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP), a networking 

group of NAMM members, all under the age of 40—who are committed 

to the successful future of the music industry. If you’re under 40 or just want to 

know how the next generation of young professionals views the industry, this is a 

must-see! 

2:30pm 

How to Turn Facebook ‘Likes’ Into Sales 

Rick Camino, Hello Music 

In the U.S., there are 175 million active monthly Facebook users. For many, especially 

today’s youth, social media is fast becoming their media of choice. In just 

two years, Hello Music has built a Facebook musician community of over 400,000, 

which currently drives 25 percent of Hello Music’s sales daily. If you’re not leveraging 

the benefits of social media, you are missing out. Join Rick Camino as he 

presents tried-and-true tips, tricks and tactics to turn Facebook ‘Likes’ into sales. 

3pm 

Use Google to Bring Customers Inside Your Store 

Myrna Sislen, Middle C Music 

A customer does an Internet search for your store and gets a complete, virtual 

360-degree tour of your showroom. Google now offers this technology at an affordable 

price, and Myrna Sislen of Middle C Music has used it to maximize her 

store’s local visibility. She’ll walk you through the steps to add this feature to your 

Google page, company website and social media channels. 

3:30pm 

Easy Purchasing Tips to Save Money 

Mike Guillot, Mississippi Music 

Smart buying can be the first step in running a profitable music retail business. 

Purchasing guru Mike Guillot of Mississippi Music will walk you through simple 

ways to save money during the buying process by partnering with vendors, maximizing 

rebates and taking advantage of freight savings programs. 

4pm 

How to Increase Sales With Contrast Selling 

Mitch Brashers, Springfield Music 

Giving customers too many choices puts them into a state of analysis paralysis. 

If you want to close more sales, make buying decisions easier for your customers. 

Join Mitch Brashers of Springfield Music to learn about comparative selling 

strategies, so you can quickly establish yourself as the expert, get the right 

products into customers’ hands and increase upselling. 

4:30pm 

Converting Social Media Into Sales Using Video 

Nick Failla, Collected Concepts 

Learn how to create powerful, inexpensive videos that help you convert your 

social media efforts into sales. Nick Failla will show you how to take advantage 

of the simple tools available to today’s music retailers and amp up your social 

media’s effectiveness. 

SATURDAY, JULY 13 


8–9:30am 




Best in Show 

Frank Alkyer, Publisher, Music Inc., with panelists 

This is the session everyone talks about! Six industry experts reveal their picks 

for “Best in Show” at Summer NAMM. Join Music Inc. Publisher Frank Alkyer 

and his panel of respected gearheads and retail buyers, who’ve scoured the 

show floor to bring you the standout and trendsetting products and services. 

34 July 2013

They’ll discuss their top picks from 

each of the four categories: Best 

Add-on or Accessory, Gotta Stock 

It, Companies to Watch, and Best in 

Show. Listen in as “Best in Show” 

picks are presented live, and hit the 

exhibit floor one last time before you 

leave Summer NAMM. 


Booth #1254 


2pm 

Drums Across America: Your Biggest Source of 

New Customers & Students 

Percussion Marketing Council, Moderated by Dave Jewell, with panelists 

Join the Percussion Marketing Council for a fun, interactive session to kick off 

Drums Across America. An expert panel will show you how to use this program 

to create more drummers in your community, develop more customers and sign 

up more students for lessons. Drums Across America can be conducted at local 

arts and music festivals, shopping malls, school events, and related educational 

gatherings. Nick Lauritano from Nashville retailer Fork’s Drum Closet will show 

how it works, providing free 5-minute drum lessons from 2:30–3:30pm Don’t miss 

this special opportunity! 

10:30am 

I Like This Product—Should I 

Buy It? 

Alan Friedman, Friedman, Kannenberg 

& Company, PC 

You just saw the hottest new products 

at “Best in Show.” Now, learn the 

“magic formula” for perfecting your 

last-minute inventory buys. Join 

gearhead and CPA Alan Friedman for 

the ultimate answer to such critical 

questions as, “Should I purchase this 

product?” “How many should I buy?” 

and “Will I have enough cash to pay 

for it?” Learn to buy with confidence! 

11am (Double Session) 

Best Social Media Examples 

From Music Retailers 

Jen Lowe, BoomBoom Percussion 

Looking for a great Facebook marketing 

idea? A Twitter strategy? A 

YouTube concept that works? Then 

look no further than your fellow music 

retailers. In this double session, Jen 

Lowe reveals the best social media 

examples from within the industry. 

She’s combed hundreds of social 

media channels to bring you the most 

effective ideas that you can try right 

away at your store. 

Noon (90-Minute Session) 

Practice Personalities: Effective 

and Efficient Ways to Practice 

According to Your Personality 

Thornton Cline, Clinetel Music, with 

panelists 

Are you getting the most out of your 

practice time as a musician? Did you 

know that your personality can affect 

the way you practice? This session 

is a must for instrumental musicians, 

students, teachers, parents and retailers 

with lesson programs. Nine practice 

personalities are presented— 

based on observations and interviews 

with over 1,000 music students and 

25 years of teaching experience. Join 

Thornton Cline and a panel of music 

educators and students for an interactive 

and fascinating session. Thornton 

will share his principles from his book 

of the same name, Practice Personalities: 

What’s Your Type? You will 

hear powerful strategies to motivate 

and inspire you and other musicians 

to practice more effectively and efficiently 

based on personality type. 

DREAM 

IN COLOR 

HOG2 transports your axe to a technicolor 

universe of fantastic sounds. Play single 

notes or chords and it creates 10 totally 

polyphonic octaves and intervals soaring 

from two octaves below to four above your 

instrument’s pitch. Each voice is completely 

independent. Use them individually or in 

combinations — with or without your dry signal. 

New algorithms, our most advanced ever, 

elevate the quality of the HOG2’s sound 

generation and Freeze functions to 

unprecedented levels, while tracking is 

telekinetic. Polyphonic perfection awaits! 

• 10 fully independent voices: –2 Octaves, 

–1 Octave, Original, +5 th , +1 Octave, 

+1 Octave+5 th , +2 Octaves, +2 Octaves+3 rd , 

+3 Octaves, +4 Octaves. 

• 7 Expression modes: Octave Bend, Step Bend, 

Volume, Freeze+Gliss, Freeze+Volume, Wah 

Wah and Filter. Expression pedal included. 

• Full MIDI control over all parameters 

and presets. 

• Freeze modes: hold a note or chord and play 

over it or glide to a new one with gliss. 

• Master volume for added convenience. 

• Separate lower and upper harmonic amplitude 

envelopes to sculpt attack or decay speeds. 

• Dedicated resonant filtering with sweepable 

frequency control. 

Save and recall up to 100 preset programs with 

the optional Foot Controller. 

Music & Sound Retailer 

WWW.EHX.COM

2013 Summer NAMM Exhibitor List 

(Courtesy of NAMM) 

Directory Name 

Booth No. 

12 Tone Music Publishing, LLC 1622 

9250-3891 Québec Inc 619 

Abbatron 1105 

Ac-cetera 723 

Ace Products Group 1427 

ADK Microphones 1000-A 

ADK Microphones 1169 

Advanced Plating Inc. 1307 

AEA - Audio Engineering 

Associates 825 

AER Audio Electric Research 305 

Agner Drumsticks 204 

AirTurn, Inc. 713 

Alfred Music 1236 

All Days Music Inc. 614 

ALLBRARY 1332 

Alvarez Guitars 600 

AMBROSONICS, LLC 827 

American Express Open 1261 

American Songwriter Media 1200-A 

Amptweaker, LLC 1071 

AMV Sales & Consultation LLC 1410 

Analysis Plus 1105 

Anderson Musical Instrument 

Insurance Solutions LLC 1460 

Antelope Audio 925 

AQUARIAN DRUMHEADS 200 

Aria Guitars 1529 

ARJ Percussion 321 

Arriba Cases 1100-A 

ArtGuitar 1573 

Artiphon 1028 

Ashdown Engineering 305 

Asterope 1336 

Atlas Apps 1334 

Audiopipe 1032 

Aurisonics, Inc. 1109 

Aurora Strings 1548 

Avalon Design 1004 

Axe Heaven 1267 

AXL Guitars 1436 

AxMax LLC 965 

Band World Music 

Instruments, Inc 927 

Batson Guitar Company, LLC 1506 

Baudier Guitars 1129 

Beamz Interactive, Inc. 1025 

BearFoot FX 1054 

Benado Effects 1669 

Best-Tronics Mfg., Inc. 1560 

Beyma America 1113 

BG Franck Bichon 404 

Big Joe Stomp Box Company 936 

Bigsby 1200 

Black Diamond Strings, LLC 1311 

Blue Book Online 1233 

Blueberry Musical Instruments 

Incorporated 1507 

BMW of Nashville 1638 

BoloPick, LLC 1400-C 

Born Custom Guitars 961 

BOSStosh, Inc. 1655 

Boulder Creek Guitars 1536 

Boulder Music Group, LLC 1536 

Bourgeois Guitars 1309 

Breezy Ridge Instruments, Ltd. 1212 

Bump Cases 1631 

Burrell Guitars 1628 

C.B.I. Professional Wiring Systems 1125 

C.F. Martin & Co., Inc 1300 

C.R. Alsip Guitars 965 

Cactus Ampworks LLC 963 

CAD Audio 900-A 

Cannonball Musical Instruments 601 

Casio America, Inc. 910 

CE Distribution, LLC 1139 

CEC Amplification, LLC 1067 

Cedar Creek Custom Case Shoppe 1301 

Chairman Instruments Trading 

Limited 509 

Cherry Lane Music 1218 

Cherub Technology 1133 

Chordbuddy 1619 

Chris Campbell Guitars 1149 

Civilized World Inc 1149 

Concept-Logic, LLC 1000-C 

Connolly Music Company 500 

ConventionTV@NAMM 1233 

Coopercopia LLC 1201 

Cordoba Guitars 1412 

Course Technology PTR 1236 

Crafter USA 1400-A 

Creative Tunings Inc 1100-C 

Crush Drums 305 

CruzTOOLS, Inc. 1632 

Cupit Music 1661 

D’Addario & Company, Inc. 1400 

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars 1236 

Dana B. Goods 1169 

Daredevil Pedals 1163 

Dawner Prince Effects 1054 

Decibel Eleven 941 

Deering Banjo Company 1308 

DGI 425 

Digital Audio Labs 1118 

Disaster Area Designs 1058 

Dixon Drums and Hardware 600 

DJ Times 1233 

DownBeat 1234 

DR Handmade Strings 1519 

Drum Channel 1236 

DrumMax 210 

Earasers by Persona Medical 208 

EarthQuaker Devices 1155 

Earthworks, Inc. 1111 

Eastman Guitars 1512 

EDG Guitars 1667 

Edwards Audio Research 625 

Eighth Note Publications 1236 

EKO USA Guitars 1544 

El Rey Effects, LLC 1567 

Electra Guitars 1159 

EMD Music 310 

Emery & Webb, Inc. Insurance 1462 

Emotiva Pro 1024 

Empirical Labs Inc 1104 

Empress Effects 1069 

Engler Innovations LLC 1523 

Enormous Door Audio 1054 

Epilog Laser 1039 

Equator Audio Research 923 

ESP Guitar Company 1044 

Essential Sound Products, Inc. 935 

Eventide 1107 

Faber Piano Adventures 1218 

Falbo Guitars 1213 

Fantastix Drum Stick Company 108 

Fargen Amplification 1154 

Farley’s Musical Essentials 1236 

Fishman 1336 

Four Force, LLC 962 

Fretlight Guitars 1221 

Fuchs Audio Technology, LLC 1631 

Full Scale AV 811 

Futhark Guitars 960 

FXConnectx, LLC 1124 

G-Technology 929 

GAMA - Teaching Guitar 

Workshops 51 

Garven Guitars 1033 

Gatchell Violins Co., Inc. 603 

Gator Cases, Inc. 1237 

GE Capital 52 

George L’s 1418 

Geyer Electronic America, Inc. 819 

Giannini USA, Inc 1522 

Gibson Guitar Corp. 1526 

GJ2 Guitars 931 

Godin Guitars 1143 

Gold Tone, Inc. 1501, 1504 

Golden Ark Inc. 1623 

Gretsch Co. 1200 

GretschGear.com 1200 

Griffin Technology 938 

Guitar World DVD’s 1236 

Guitars For Vets 51 

Guitars in the Classroom 51 

GWW Group Inc. 1409 

H & F Technologies, Inc. 813 

Hal Leonard Corporation 1218 

Hammond USA 1012 

Hanson Musical Instruments, LTD 1531 

Harris Musical Products, Inc. 1544 

Hayden Amps 305 

Hiscox Cases 305 

Hiwatt USA 958 

Hoffee Cases, Inc. 1630 

Homespun Tapes, Ltd 1218 

Hosa Technology, Inc. 1219 

Howard Core Company 513 

Hudson Music, LLC 1218 

Humes & Berg Mfg. Co., Inc. 1215 

Hunter Music Instrument Inc. 400 

IBMA 51 

IEBA (International Entertainment 

Buyers Association) 51 

Impact Picks 1624 

Imua Ukulele Co. 1505 

J. Rockett Audio Designs 1063 

JamHub Corporation 1056 

Jamie Gale Music 955 

Jensen Musical Instrument 

Speakers 1139 

Jodi Head-Guitar Wear 1634 

John Marshall Custom Guitars 1500-B 

JP Guitar Tool 1236 

JP Musical Instruments 525 

Kala Brand Music Co. 1511 

KAM Instruments Corporation 1000-B 

Kanile’a Ukulele 1613 

Kay Vintage Reissue 1555 

Kelly Concepts, LLC 202 

KHS America, Inc. 300 

Klops Drums 120 

Knilling String Instruments 600 

Knowledge Of Music Inc 1326 

König & Meyer GmbH 500 

Korg USA, Inc. 900 

Kremona Trade Inc 508 

KSM Guitars 1569 

Kyser Musical Products Inc. 1518 

La Bella Strings 1300-A 

Lace Music Products 1045 

Lakewood Acoustic Guitars 1169 

Lakland Guitars, LLC 1531 

Lakota Leathers 1614 

Lanikai Ukuleles 1404 

Latch Lake Products Inc. 806 

Lava Cable, LLC 919 

Lehle Switchers 1169 

Levy’s Leathers Limited 1318 

Little Walter Tube Amps 953 

Long Hollow Leather 1300-B 

Lotus Pedal Designs LLC 1073 

M Music & Musicians magazine 1621 

Magic Valve Audio 823 

Mapex Drum Company 300 

Maple Leaf Strings 607 

Marching.com 51 

Marshall Electronics 800 

MatTea Vocal Luxury 721 

Mayas Music Publishing, Inc 1236 

Mayones Guitars 1149 

Meadowbrook Insurance Group 55 

Merano Musical Instruments 505 

Metalin’ Guitars 1031 

Mey America 1600 

Mighty Bright 1236 

Mighty Bright 725 

Miktek, LLC 905 

Mimaki USA 1206 

ModKitsDIY.com 1139 

Mogami Cable 800 

Mojo Hand Fx 1161 

Mojotone 1575 

Moku Ukuleles 1200-C 

Monoprice, Inc. 712 

Morley 1047 

MottAudio LLC 814 

Mr McGees 207 

Music Dealers Resource 

Group LLC (MDRG) 1167 

Music Inc. 1234 

Music Sales Corporation 1218 

Musical Distributors Group 1430 

Musical Merchandise Review 1335 

Musicvox, LLC 1645 

Musiquip Inc. 305 

MXL Microphones 800 

NAMM Foundation 51 

Nashville Music Stand 

Company, LLC 610 

Nashville Musicians 

Association, AFM 257 1605 

Naxos 1236 

NEMC 1255 

Neutrik 1110 

New Life Digital Media 928 

36

NewBay Media 1229 

Nickel Cigar Box Guitars 1429 

Nik Huber Guitars 957 

Nova Strings 1204 

Odyssey Innovative Designs 1122 

Ohana Music, Inc 1604 

OMG Music LLC 1201 

On-Stage Stands 700 

Option Knob, Inc. 1132 

P3 Amplifiers 937 

Paige Musical Products 1202 

Pantheon Guitars, LLC 1309 

PartnerShip LLC 53 

Paul Jennings Music 225 

PDS Equipment 1210 

Peak Music Stands 943 

Pedal Stop 1330 

Pedaltrain 1048 

Peerless Distribution LLC 1554 

Penguin Group USA 1236 

Percussion Marketing Council 51 

Percussive Arts Society 51 

Percussive Guitar INC 1626 

Perri’s Leathers Ltd. 1510 

Pete Schmidt Music Accessories 1406 

Peterson Electro Musical 

Products Inc. 1049 

Peterson Signature Guitars, Inc. 967 

Pianokingdom 1225 

Pick Punch LLC 959 

Pigtronix 950 

Pintech USA, Inc 319 

PJLA Music Sales & Marketing 621 

Pladd Dot Music 1527 

Playground Sessions 521 

PMI Audio Group 519 

PocketStrings.com 1236 

Portastand Inc 1236 

Power Woodworking LLC 1469 

Powerfingers System5 523 

Praxis Musical Instruments Inc. 944 

Precision Pearl Inc. 1200-B 

Premier Guitar 1235 

Prentice Practice Pads 221 

PreSonus Audio Electronics 1115 

Prism Media Products 804 

Pro Stage Gear 1048 

Pro-Active Websites 729 

Proel S.p.A. 305 

Professional Audio Design, Inc 1106 

Q-Parts, Inc. 1135 

QSC Audio, LLC 918 

Quiet Technologies 1027 

Quilter Labs, LLC 930 

R S Custom Guitars 1533 

Raimundo Guitars 1149 

Rain Riser Systems, LLC 808 

Re-Axe Products 1636 

Recording King 1436 

Recovery One, LLC 623 

Recycled Sound of Arkansas 1162 

Remex Collection Services 1471 

Remo, Inc. 106 

Resident Audio 1126 

Retail Up! 1257 

Retrospec 1029 

Reverend Guitars 1038 

Rhoades Audio Designs LLC 815 

Riptide Ukuleles 1536 

Risson Tube Amplifiers 1034 

Riversong Guitars 1508 

Rocco Guitars 1369 

Roché-Thomas Corp. 1454 

Rock House 1218 

Rock On Audio 622 

Rock Science 1236 

Rockbox Electronics 1149 

Rowdy Pickers Musical Products 1269 

S.I.T. Strings Co. 1408 

Sabian Ltd 100 

Saga Musical Instruments 1500 

Saint Blues Guitar Workshop 934 

Saint Louis Music 600 

Samick Music Corp. 1444 

Schertler 1512 

Score Mktg. 711 

sE Electronics 800-A 

Sensaphonics Hearing 

Conservation 1010 

Shanghai Max Precision 

Instrument 943 

Shiverware 719 

Shubb Capos 1313 

SICA Speakers 1139 

SKB Corporation 1100 

Sony Electronics, Inc 1101 

Souldier Straps 1305 

Sound & Communications 1233 

Sound Enhancement 

Products, Inc. 1047 

Sound On Sound Magazine 1223 

Spain Manufacturing Company 915 

Stage Player II 1236 

Stephallen Guitars 1561 

Stetsbar 1061 

Stomp Labs 1060 

Stonebridge Guitars 

International Inc. 1606 

Strings by Aurora 1548 

Superior Vocal Health, LLC 1328 

SuperVee 1532 

CONNECT 

WITH 

CONFIDENCE TM 

www.KirlinCable.com 1.800.969.6688 

Swan Song Guitars 1367 

SwirlyGig Industries 727 

T-Rex Engineering 305 

Tactical Black LLC 1431 

Tanglewood Guitar Company UK 305 

TASCAM 1000 

Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems 1426 

Taye Drums 301 

Taylor Guitars 

201A 

TC Electronic 1008 

Telescript West, Inc. 800-B 

TERI 51 

Testa Communications 1233 

The Deli’s Stompbox Exhibit 1054 

The DJ Expo 1233 

The KEYS Program 51 

The Loar 1436 

The Magic Fluke Co., LLC 1620 

The Music & Sound Retailer 1233 

The Music Link 1436 

The Music People Inc. 700 

The RapcoHorizon Co 1112 

Thomastik-Infeld 500 

TI:ME - The Technology Institute 

For Music Educators 51 

Tianjin Fell Musical Co., Ltd. 1657 

Timber Tones 1544 

TKL Products Corp 1301 

TMP Pro Distribution 700 

Tone Bakery 829 

ToneConcepts Inc. 1571 

ToneLounge Musical Instruments 1062 

ToneRite 1616 

Towner USA 1500-A 

Tri-Technical Systems, Inc. 1454 

TROMBA 612 

TSYS Merchant Solutions 54 

TV Jones, Inc 1137 

Two Old Hippies 1310 

Ultimate Support 1236 

UpBeat Daily 1234 

US Music Corp 

203A 

V-Picks 1435 

ValveTrain Amplification 1136 

Van Rosa Innovations Limited 1171 

Ventura Guitars 1530 

Veritas Instrument Rental 501 

VH1 Save The Music Foundation 51 

VHT Amplification 1436 

Vibrance Guitars 1467 

Virgin Musical Instrument 

Company LLC 1108 

Vivid Amps 1059 

Vnewsletter 1233 

Volume & Tone 1037 

Voodoo Lab 1134 

Walden Guitars 300 

Wampler Pedals 1036 

Warrior Guitar 945 

Warwick GmbH & Co Music 

Equipment KG 1144 

Wave Distribution 1104 

WD Music Products 1422 

Wedgie Products 1536 

West Coast Pedal Board 1154 

Westheimer Corp 1138 

Willis Music Company 1218 

X-Tempo Designs LLC 821 

Xcel Drumsticks LLC 223 

Yamaha Corporation of America 1244 

Yellow Jackets 1139 

Yichun Jiangnansizhu 

Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. 219 

Yorkville Sound Inc. 1018 

Zexcoil Pickups 1631 

Zuercher Amplification LLC 969 

Zuni Custom Guitars & Amplifiers 1665 

ZVEX Effects 939

sevenTy-sixth edition 

In The Spotlight: 

Redbone Guitar Boutique 

By Dave Duggins 

Before Redbone Guitar Boutique officially opened its doors in 

September 2008, Owner Richard Turner had envisioned a very 

specific purpose for the space he’d created at 4343 McCullough Ave. 

in San Antonio TX—and it had nothing to do with selling guitars. 

“Originally, it wasn’t even going to be a store,” Turner said. A veteran 

producer, his plan was to build a production facility and music 

school. “The cost of doing a full recording studio would have been 

astronomical,” Turner recalled. “And when we got in there, I saw 

the potential for a cool, quirky retail space.” 

Turner’s love for the music of The Beatles 

guided his vision for Redbone Guitar Boutique. 

His radio show, called “Best of The Beatles,” 

has been a staple of KSYM 90.1’s Sunday morning 

programming for more than 25 years. “My 

friends encouraged me to bring that into the 

store,” Turner said, “and I had tons of Beatles 

memorabilia.” 

The result is one part instrument retailer and 

one part Beatles museum. Assistant Manager 

Neal Walker, one of two veteran retailers who’ve 

helped Turner run the store since it opened, Richard Turner 

called it “a destination.” The business is away from the usual shopping 

areas, he said, so it doesn’t get a lot of casual traffic. “You come 

here because you’ve heard about it, and want to check it out,” he 

declared. 

Turner’s showroom design concept included an alcove constructed 

to recall the interior of the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, 

England, where The Beatles played regularly. “We did the archway, 

with a small stage at the back, like a miniature of the actual venue,” 

Turner said. The mock “Cavern Club” helps establish the visual 

theme for customers. 

The next step was to stock the right instruments. Turner established 

relationships with Guild, Rickenbacker, Hofner and 

VOX, among others. The store carries newer models, but Turner 

wanted to create a motif that represented popular instruments of 

The Beatles’ heyday, including reissues of George Harrison’s 1962 

Gretsch Country Gentleman, the Rickenbacker Hamburg 

325 favored by John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s Hofner 

violin bass. 

With the store’s initial inventory in place, Turner went 

to work on staffing. Turner knew Neal Walker and Dausin 

Ramirez, the store’s current Assistant Managers, from his 

retail experience as a musician. “Those two are the perfect 

team,” Turner said. “I know everybody says that about their 

staff, but it’s true. They have the knowledge and the chemistry. 

They make Redbone work.” 

Making Redbone work over the past five years has definitely 

had its challenges. “It’s been a long, slow recovery 

for the economy,” Turner said. “And our business is not 

designed to weather that well.” The difficulty in being independent 

lies in staying independent, while also staying solvent. 

This has sometimes meant making concessions. For a time, Redbone 

was a Gibson dealer, until changes in that company’s business 

model made it unprofitable. Similarly, the store had a brief relationship 

with Fender, but changing requirements eventually made it 

untenable. So, the store returned to its independent roots, offering 

a diverse assortment of gear from familiar names like Rickenbacker, 

Hofner and G&L, along with items that are less familiar, including a 

series of beautifully designed custom steel-body guitars by French 

luthier James Trussart. 

“I took a lot of risks and made a lot of mistakes,” Turner said. “But 

we’re about to celebrate our fifth anniversary. We’re still here. We like 

being a smaller independent. It’s easier to manage the business, and 

it keeps our vendors happy.” 

38 JuLY 2013

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Gretsch Drums Hosts Retailers At U.S. Factory 

On April 1, Gretsch Drums invited 14 of its top independent 

retailers to its factory in Ridgeland SC for three days of events 

with KMCMusicorp sales and percussion management in and 

around the Gretsch facility. As part of a hands-on tour of the 

Gretsch drum factory, retailers were able to design their own 

custom snare drums. Attendees were also eligible to win special 

prizes, including two one-of-a-kind Gretsch USA Custom snare 

drums created specifically for the event. The group was treated to 

a rousing performance by Gretsch artist Keith Carlock, as well as 

a guided tour of nearby Savannah GA. 

“Each aspect of the trip was very informative and enjoyable,” said 

Peter Treuden of Interstate Music, a division of Cascio Music Company. 

“I came away with a much better understanding and appreciation of 

Gretsch Drums. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the products 

and the process of how they are made. Simply great craftsmanship.” 

John Palmer, Gretsch Director of Product, said, “Gretsch Round 

Badge independent drum retailers represent Gretsch Drums in the 

best possible light. This event brought supportive dealers together 

to celebrate Gretsch Drums, develop new Gretsch strategies, and 

share information in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Keith Carlock 

was musically inspiring as always, especially with this group setting of 

Gretsch devotees and Gretsch factory staff.” 

Gruhn Guitars Reopens 

At New Location 

Gruhn Guitars has 

moved to 2120 8 th Ave. S. 

in the up-and-coming 8 th 

Ave. S. corridor of Nashville 

TN. The company 

began renovations on the 

new space early this year 

and reopened in its new 

location on June 15. The 

store remained open at 400 

Broadway until June 8. A 

grand reopening celebration featuring a number of 

instrument and accessories vendors, a re-stringing 

clinic and several giveaways is scheduled to take 

place from July 11 to 13, with the store open for 

extended hours during those three days. 

The 2120 Building has been renovated to suit 

the specific needs of Gruhn Guitars. The ground 

floor of the new store features a larger showroom, 

allowing the store to display its full inventory of 

vintage, used and new instruments and providing 

additional space for instrument trial rooms and an 

appraisal inspection area. The 2 nd floor includes 

a high-end showroom, administrative offices and 

instrument case storage. The top level houses 

Gruhn Guitars’ renowned repair shop, shipping 

and receiving, and a photography studio. Ample 

customer parking is available on site. 

George Gruhn opened his first downtown location 

on 4 th Ave. in January 1970 and moved the 

store to its second location at 410 Broadway six 

years later. Gruhn Guitars had been doing business 

in its former location at 400 Broadway since 

1993. 2120 8 th Ave. S. formerly housed the alternative 

weekly publication Nashville Scene and was 

most recently occupied by Emma, a local e-mail 

marketing firm. 

Fork’s Drum Closet, Mapex 

Support Musicians Corner 

Fork’s Drum Closet and Mapex Drums teamed up to support the Musicians 

Corner Music Festival in Nashville TN. Since 2010, this festival has created a 

global music landmark and community gathering space in Centennial Park, where 

musical performers can illustrate the diversity, passion and fellowship associated 

with Music City. Performances can vary from The Delta Saints to Street Corner 

Symphony. “We feel it is our duty to support live music activities here in Nashville 

and the musicians who perform at them,” said Gary Forkum, Owner of Fork’s 

Drum Closet of Nashville. “It’s more than just supplying a great drum set and hardware 

for these drummers to use; it is showing them that we care about the music 

they play and how they sound.” 

Musicians Corner is a central point, free and open to all, where Music City gathers 

to perform and enjoy its music. “Mapex Drums is honored and proud to have a 

Saturn set and hardware on stage at this amazing live music activity here in Music 

City,” stated Joe Hibbs, Brand Manager for Mapex Drums. 

Matt Clise, Derick Louanglath, Shawn Drover and Mike Washkevich. 

Coming Out in ‘Droves’ for Drover 

Catonsville MD-based Bill’s Music recently welcomed Shawn Drover, clinician and 

metal drummer for Megadeth. Representing the ddrum brand, Drover executed complex 

drum grooves, fills and licks for an enthusiastic crowd. More than 150 people 

gathered around Bill’s outdoor bandstand to hear some great music, win giveaway 

contests and pick up new techniques from the drum clinician and performer. 

40 July July 2013 2013

fiVe minutes with 

Brian Gross 

President & CEO, Bach to Rock 


In most Five Minutes With stories, we 

zero-in on a manufacturer in the music 

products space, talking to an executive 

about the company’s history, strategic 

positioning in the market, new product 

releases and so forth. This month, we have 

something a little bit different—but equally 

valuable—for you. Bach to Rock is an innovative, 

passion-fueled music school that 

suits students of all ages and musical tastes. 

We go in-depth with Brian Gross, President 

& CEO, about its aggressive expansion 

plans, core beliefs, unique offerings and 

more. I, for one, can’t wait to revisit this 

article in a few years to see just how much 

Bach to Rock has grown…and how many 

music-makers it’s brought into the fold. 

The Music & Sound Retailer: To 

start, give me an overview of your history—both 

personal and professional— 

and the journey you took on the way to 

becoming President of Bach to Rock. 

Do you come from the world of music 

and performance? Are you more from 

the business side? Tell me about the 

path you’ve taken. 

Brian Gross: I definitely come from 

the business side. My background is fairly 

diverse. I’ve had roles in everything from 

banking to consumer marketing, with 

companies like Bank of America, Procter 

& Gamble and Kraft, and started my own 

company that my wife now operates. We 

design, manufacture and wholesale children’s 

shoes. I also spent time in franchising 

with Sylvan Learning Centers. All of my 

past experience has come together to serve 

me well in my role at Bach to Rock. We are 

a start-up, franchise system, service retail 

business in the education space. Each of 

the skill sets—from banking to marketing 

to running my own business, and certainly 

franchising with Sylvan—has enabled me 

to take on this challenge of getting Bach to 

Rock off the ground and growing toward a 

national brand and business. 

On the personal side, an interesting note: 

I was the exact type of student whom we 

aim to help at Bach to Rock. As a child, my 

parents thought it would be of great value 

for me to take music lessons. For color and 

background, it was the early ’80s and I was 

into heavy metal. The teacher who came 

to my house was into folk music, so I had 

to play the acoustic guitar out of a John 

Denver songbook. Needless to say, after a 

year of hating music lessons, I was finally 

able to get my parents to let me quit. When 

we start to talk about how Bach to Rock 

approaches music, you’ll see why I wish this 

had been available to me when I was a kid. I 

probably would be a musician today. 

The Retailer: What are your dayto-day 

duties and responsibilities as 

President of Bach to Rock? What’s the 

best part of your job each day? 

Gross: I’ll start with the best part. The 

best part is that I work with a lot of people 

who have a passion for music, for what we 

do and for working with students. That is 

incredibly energizing and invigorating. It’s 

similar to the passion I saw at Sylvan, with 

educators who are looking to help children. 

But that was focused more on remediation. 

Bach to Rock is about enrichment, and the 

passion and energy of the students is a lot 

higher. Students can’t wait to come to Bach 

to Rock, and that energy and enthusiasm is 

contagious. Every day, you get a story from 

a parent, a video clip or a picture and it’s 

always happy smiles, enthusiasm and love 

of what we do. 

As for my day, it’s really diverse. Being a 

small company, we all do wear many hats. 

I spend a lot of time working to expand the 

company nationally through franchising. 

We are constantly identifying, meeting with 

and cultivating new franchisees who have 

42 July 2013

The studio at Bach to Rock’s Bethesda MD location. 

a passion for what we do and can 

take the brand and grow it across 

the country. We also work with 

franchisees who are currently in 

the system to ensure that they’re 

successful in implementing our 

processes. I’m also involved in 

the day-to-day operations of our 

company-owned schools. In total, 

we own six schools, and oversee 

everything from marketing to the 

proprietary software system that 

runs the schools, making sure it’s 

reflecting all the current business 

needs. And, as is the case for any 

President, managing personnel is 

the biggest responsibility. We do 

our best at identifying, cultivating, 

growing and keeping the best 

talent. In our company, we are fortunate 

to have great people. My 

biggest job is making sure that we 

keep those great people, motivate 

and challenge them, and identify 

new people to add to the team as 

we grow. 

The Retailer: Before getting 

into details of the Bach to 

Rock method and approach to 

teaching, tell me a bit about 

its history. How long ago 

was Bach to Rock founded? 

What was the vision behind 

its conception? Has it mostly 

adhered to that vision? Has it 

changed over time? Give us a 

10,000-foot overview of Bach 

to Rock. 

Gross: Bach to Rock opened 

its first corporate-owned location 

in Bethesda MD in 2007 and, 

since, has grown to six corporate 

schools: two in Maryland and 

four in Virginia. There are also 

three franchisee-owned schools in 

Port Washington NY; Wayne PA 

slated to open this summer; and 

Sacramento CA slated to open this 

winter. Cambridge Information 

Group (CIG), a private equity firm 

that has a 40-year track record 

of growing education-focused 

concepts, owns Bach to Rock. 

Our brand philosophy since day 

one has been that students learn 

best when playing the music 

they love most. Our vision was to 

transform music instruction into 

a team sport by coupling rigorous 

individual instruction with band 

practice that keeps students motivated 

by playing in a group. 

Our first school in Bethesda 

MD still exists in our system 

today. Since then, Bach to Rock 

and CIG expanded on it, opening 

five additional company-owned 

schools. The idea was to refine 

and professionalize the concept 

so that we could grow nationwide. 

Once we perfected that approach, 

we started franchising in late 

2011. 

The Retailer: Share some 

details about the Bach to Rock 

method, discussing why you 

feel it’s “not just an ordinary 

music school.” Zero-in on 

things that make Bach to Rock 

unique as compared to its 

peers. 

Gross: There are four core 

beliefs we have that make Bach to 

Rock unique. The first of which is 

that students should play music 

that they like. Because, at the 

end of the day, you can learn just 

as well whether you’re studying 

classical, country, hip-hop, rap or 

anything else. The motivational 

factor of playing music you like 

engages students at a higher 

level and, therefore, students are 

more successful. The second is 

that students should combine 

individual instruction with group 

instruction. Whether that group 

is a choir, an ensemble or a rock 

band, the group component 

brings a lot of elements that, 

personally, I didn’t get when I was 

taking lessons as a kid. 

It provides everything from 

socialization to motivation to even 

some peer pressure to make sure 

you maintain your part of the 

team. We use a sports analogy 

to share the benefits of playing 

with other students. If all you 

did was stand in your driveway 

and shoot baskets, you might 

become proficient at shooting 

baskets, but you are in no way a 

skilled basketball player. It’s not 

until you’re learning to play with 

other people—whether it’s passing 

the ball, cutting to get open, 

helping out another player on 

defense—that you truly become a 

basketball player, and the same is 

true for a musician. You become 

a better musician by playing with 

other musicians. 

The third is, we’re a performance-based 

school. All of our 

students play public performances. 

That can range from our own 

performance space, which each of 

our schools has, to internationally 

renowned music venues like the 

9:30 Club and the Fillmore in the 

Maryland and Virginia areas. In 

fact, in June, we had our semiannual 

Battle of the Bands, with 

44 July 2013

more than 100 bands competing. 

More than 1,500 paying spectators 

came and watched the competition 

over three days. These 

kids can really hone their craft by 

taking lessons and participating 

in groups, but then really display 

their talents through public performances. 

Our fourth tenet would be that 

each of our schools includes a 

recording studio. Our proprietary 

curriculum includes original 

songwriting, and we really leverage 

the two. As a student is learning 

to write original works, we 

also put him or her in the studio. 

The benefit is twofold: It’s a great 

learning experience and it’s also a 

great way to track progress over 

time. And as they grow, they even 

start working to record original 

albums. 

The Retailer: How expansive 

are Bach to Rock’s 

programs, with respect to age 

of students, breadth of instruments 

taught, genres of music 

covered and other variables? 

Is Bach to Rock appropriate 

for people from toddlers to 

senior age…whether they want 

to learn guitar, take up drums 

or become a DJ? 

Gross: It really is for everyone, 

and that’s the niche we wanted 

to carve out in the marketplace. 

There isn’t anyone serving a 

broad spectrum of students today. 

We have programs from as early 

as six or nine months old all the 

way up through senior citizens. 

We truly do have a full range 

of instruction in instruments 

ranging from classical to rock, 

and we are piloting a DJ school 

in two of our locations. Students 

can choose from a large variety of 

instruments, from drums, guitar, 

piano and voice to cello, trumpet, 

violin, clarinet and flute. The goal 

of all our programs is always the 

same: to have a fun, motivational 

and social approach to learning 

music. All our programs include 

a performance component, as 

well. In our Battle of the Bands, 

although the competition is for 

kids in elementary, middle and 

high school, we do allow other 

bands to showcase during the 

sessions. We’ll have adult bands 

that’ll perform, plus DJs and 

soloists. We really do take our 

core philosophies and apply them 

throughout our business. 

The goal of all our programs 

is always the same: to have a 

fun, motivational and social 

approach to learning music. 

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The Retailer: You currently 

have locations in five states. 

How are they run and managed? 

Who operates each 

Bach to Rock location: an 

individual owner, a designated 

manager/supervisor or someone 

else? If I wanted to open a 

music school, could I open a 

Bach to Rock? 

Gross: Our system is split into 

two types of schools: corporateowned 

schools and franchiseowned 

schools. There are five 


The lobby in Bethesda. 

states in which we either have schools or are opening schools this 

year. The corporate-owned schools are in Maryland and Virginia. 

They are run by a school director who is a hired employee of Bach 

to Rock. These are the schools that were opened first and used to 

refine our concept for nationwide expansion through franchising. The 

franchise-owned locations are in Pennsylvania, New York and California. 

Franchisees may decide not only to own a Bach to Rock, but 

also to serve as the school director, or they may elect to hire a school 

director. At the end of the day, what we’re looking for in franchisees 

are people who are passionate about music and children, who have a 

successful business track record and who have the financial wherewithal 

to open and support a school. We do have territories available 

nationwide. For anyone interested in learning more, they should visit 

us at b2rmusic.com or contact us at 855.227.7570. 

The Retailer: If you had to articulate the value that music 

making and being part of a band or music ensemble presents, 

how would you describe it? Evangelize on behalf of being a 

music maker, discussing the benefits it can bring to people 

young and old. 

Gross: I think the best way to answer that question is through a 

story of a parent who called me. She has two sons. The oldest was 

an “A” student, star jock, revered in social circles and was sort of the 

jewel of the family. The second son didn’t do as well in school, wasn’t 

very athletic and always sort of felt out of place…like he didn’t have 

his role. He started lessons at Bach to Rock, took private lessons and, 

ultimately, joined a band. As part of our curriculum, he and his band 

performed at the 9:30 Club in our semi-annual Battle of the Bands. His 

band placed and he played well. His older brother actually became, in 

a good way, jealous of his younger brother. He viewed his brother as a 

rock star, and envied the success he was enjoying. He thought it was 

so cool that his brother was able to get on stage in front of so many 

people and perform the way he did. The mother was telling me about 

the confidence that the younger brother had developed over his time 

at Bach to Rock. He had really found his place in life and found what 

made him happy, and was able to express himself artistically. It was 

life changing. It wasn’t until he found his place in music that he really 

became the person he was meant to be. I think anybody who gets 

involved with and falls in love with music—whether it’s playing it or 

making it or even just appreciating it—can relate. It is a really unique, 

very personal experience, and it’s incredibly expressive and artistic 

and motivational. The emotions that music can bring out in people 

are unlike much else that you can experience in life. So, that’s part of 

the passion I talk about with the people who work at Bach to Rock, 

and why it’s such a great place to come to work every day. You get 

to experience this on a day-in and day-out basis. Very few people are 

fortunate enough to experience this in their entire careers. 

The Retailer: Does Bach to Rock have any partnerships or 

46 July 2013

working relationships with 

music products retail stores, 

whereby one might be able to 

funnel people into the other 

and complement each other’s 

efforts at creating new musicians? 

Gross: We have partnerships 

with local, regional and national 

retailers. We work with partners 

ranging from Casio and Music & 

Arts and D’Addario, to local music 

stores that offer sheet music 

and instrument rentals. While we 

have some national partnerships, 

we also encourage all our local 

schools to develop partnerships 

with the retailers in their area. At 

the end of the day, we don’t want 

to be a retail outlet. We don’t 

want to sell or rent instruments. 

We’ll sell some consumables, 

like picks and drum sticks, but 

very small, minor items. For 

everything else, we’re looking to 

develop symbiotic relationships 

where we can refer people to 

them, so our customers can get 

quality products and services 

and customer service. In return, 

hopefully, they’ll refer us for 

lessons and when people are 

looking for performance opportunities. 

Our schools should be a focal 

point within the community when 

it comes to music, music education 

and serving the community. 

What I mean by that is, for example, 

one of our schools works 

with a local recreational council 

and provides a PA system for the 

local sports leagues. In return, 

our kids perform every Saturday 

morning before and after the 

baseball or soccer games. It’s 

about being ingrained in the community, 

not only for our business 

success but also just to be a good 

community citizen. 

The Retailer: Prognosticate 

about where Bach to Rock 

will be five years in the future. 

What do you foresee? What 

would you like to see happen? 

Gross: We expect to continue 

the rapid growth of our franchise 

network. We have multiple openings 

scheduled for later this year 

and are forecasting even more 

openings in 2014. Within the next 

five years, we expect to have 75 

to 100 Bach to Rocks across the 

country. As I look further out 

onto the horizon, we envision 

400 to 500 Bach to Rocks in the 

U.S. alone. But the beautiful thing 

The beautiful thing about music 

is that it’s a universal language. 

We could just as easily open a 

Bach to Rock in Europe as we 

could in Asia as we could in the 

Middle East. 

about music is that it’s a universal 

language. We could just as easily 

open a Bach to Rock in Europe 

as we could in Asia as we could in 

the Middle East. So, ultimately, I 

envision Bach to Rock as a global 

brand that has schools across the 

world. Additionally, I would expect 

our product offering to continue 

to expand. I mentioned earlier 

that we are piloting a DJ school in 

two of our locations, and that has 

shown a high level of promise. 



mi spy 

Virginia Is For 

Amp Lovers 

I had just returned from a secret 

assignment, one in which I saved the 

Organization’s petunias, and I was 

beginning to question my mission. 

After all these years, it never ceases 

to amaze me how challenging this 

job can be. Call me a crazy fool, but 

I’m always expecting more than 

just empty congratulatory lines 

like, “Well done, Spy.” I need some 

validation, appreciation, motivation! 

See, even Spies can get fatigued and 

burned out. 

Sitting around, sulking and feeling 

sorry for myself, I suddenly perked 

up (like the manifestation of Pavlovian 

conditioning) when the phone 

rang. I seized upon the opportunity 

to plead my case and, maybe, 

receive a commendation or a raise. 

Instead, The Chief flatly stated the 

assignment and locale: “Northern 

Virginia. Guitar amps.” 

Always the pro, I momentarily 

jumped off my train of thought and 

got with the Spy program. “Ah, 

Virgin-I-A,” I said. “The state for lovers…amp lovers!” 

“Are you prepared for your next mission, Spy?” The Chief, 

his usual deadpan self, asked. 

Just to get under The Chief’s skin, I didn’t respond 

Guitar Center 

immediately, bringing about an awkward silence. I was 

hoping that this verbal game of chicken would force The 

6272 Arlington Blvd. 

Head Honcho to offer me some personal recognition. I Falls Church, VA 22044 

waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then, willing 

to concede the game, I blurted out, rather appropriately, 

“I’ll wait.” 

“You’ll wait for what?” The Chief fired back. 

“What do you think?” I snorted rather smugly. 

There was a pause, and then The Chief said, “Yes, OK, Spy. 

Thank you for a job well done. But listen to me: You’re only as 

good as your last mission. So, that means no goofing off and 

no unnecessary knob twiddling on this one. Got it?” 

The Chief hung up. No goodbye. No nothing. That wasn’t 

exactly the response for which I was aiming, but, I reasoned, 

such is life. “I better pack my stuff and gas up the car: I’ve got 

a couple hours’ drive ahead of me,” I thought. 

With HQ passing me over for a promotion…again…all I 

had to say was, “Come on, Virginny, give me a sign. Show 

me some love!” And away I went once again, out into the wild 

blue, hoping to be renewed and refreshed by another Spy 

mission. 

Driving around Virginia was, if not a joy, at least a breath of 

fresh air. I saw rolling and well-manicured lawns, I felt the penetrating 

rays of glorious sunshine and I marveled at 

peoplefolk who seemed busy and determined, even 

if they were not particularly in any rush. I liked the 

semi-laidback vibe. The population seemed chilled 

out, but not static. 

My navigation device warned me that I’d come 

upon my destination, but it was difficult to believe. I diverted off 

to the left, into a strip mall, but I couldn’t spot the Guitar Center. 

“Is this the correct place?” I asked myself. 

I drove through the parking lot to investigate and noticed a 

construction project well underway. The entire façade of the strip 

had been gutted and the steelwork grid exposed. “I must really 

be in the wrong place,” I thought to myself. “The store moved and 

navigational aids haven’t been updated to reflect it!” 

It was fight or flight: “Do I seek the store’s (possible) new 

home or wander around further?” I asked myself. Being the tenacious 

Spy that I am, I chose the latter and parked the car. (The 

Chief would have been proud.) From my vantage point, I saw that 

many of the stores in this retail outlet were open for business, 

including (to my relief) a Guitar Center. 

When I eventually entered the store, I made a beeline for the 

amp section and immediately began performing my usual Spy 

duties, checking out tags and looking closely at the prices and the 

features of items. I darted my eyes back and forth to see who was 

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around me. I noticed a few customers bopping from one row of amps 

to another. I also spied a guy, in a tie, evidently on his lunch break, 

ambling through the department with a cord and a guitar, trying 

different amp models. There was also a guy behind the amp/guitar 

sales counter, who seemed tied up with a customer. “Not sure about 

this one,” I hissed under my breath. “The vibe here is…interesting.” 

One thing is for sure: GC in Falls Church had a great selection 

of amp heads, cabinets, combos and what have become known in 

the MI biz over the last few years as “lunch box” amp heads (i.e., 

affordable, mobile amps that still pack some punch). Just some of the 

store’s stock included a Marshall MG50CFX 50-watt combo ($399.99) 

with carbon look, and a slew of other models at various price points: 

a 30-watt VOX AC30C2 Custom tube combo with 2x12 Celestion 

speakers, onboard effects, reverb and tremolo ($999.99); some Line 

6 Spider IVs; a 15-watt Orange Tiny Terror TT15C-12 combo with a 

Celestion G12H 1x12 speaker ($899.99); and others. 

I immersed myself in the delights of amplified goods, but I was 

sobered by the lack of staff support I had received at this point. I 

continued to peruse the section as the static-y, compressed sounds of 

the Temple of the Dog song “Hunger Strike” played over the store’s 

sound system. 

“I’m goin’ hungraaaaaay…” rattled my brain. Hmmm. How appropriate! 

Is it mere coincidence that this song should have been playing 

at this store during my service-starved visit? (Sometimes I wonder 

about these things….) 

After a few more minutes, I was suddenly made aware of how 

much time had elapsed since I’d entered the store. By my best estimate, 

GC had eaten up well over a half-hour of my day, and what did I 

have to show for it? Just Tie Guy shadowing me and not so much as a 

“Howdy do?” from anyone (and that includes Tie Guy)! 

I decided to make the best of it anyway and checked out the used 

amp section, beginning the process of documenting the store’s inventory 

once again. I noted a 50-watt Marshall JVM205C with 2x12 speakers 

($939.97); a Fender FSR Blues Jr. combo ($449.99); a Fender Greta 

Pawn Shop Special Series Guitar combo with a 1x4 speaker ($149.97); 

and a 20-watt Egnater REBEL-20 tube amp head ($339.97). 

I became more and more emboldened by the lack of any staff 

response. In fact, I was so engrossed by the inventory that I made 

very little attempt to conceal my sleuthing. Some of the used gear 

was pretty amazing. I noticed a 50-watt Orange Rockerverb 50 MKII 

head ($1,449.99); a 100-watt, two-channel, spring reverb (foot switch 

included) all-tube Marshall MA100H amp head ($679.97); a 60-watt 

Peavey 6505 Plus 112 combo (with a 12-inch Sheffield speaker) for 

$579.98; an Egnater REBEL-112x cab with a 1x12 speaker ($249.99); 

and a 40-watt Egnater Tweaker-40 tube amp head ($599.99). 

Breaking with Spy protocol, my actions had become more conspicuous 

than ever. I was practically flapping my arms to draw attention. 

I was half hoping to get caught, maybe even thrown out of the store 

for some form of low-level MI espionage. That, I reasoned, would at 

least count as a reaction from the staff. Instead, what did I get? Nada. 

(Even Tie Guy had abandoned me.) 

Despite the cold shoulder, I had warmed to the idea that Guitar 

Center would undoubtedly have the best inventory and widest selection 

of the day. Ultimately, however, I suppose my experience at this 

store can be summed up by the sentiment of that song: I’d grown 

hungry, and I certainly hadn’t been “feeling the love.” 

It was an enlightening, if slightly frustrating, visit, to be sure. But it 

was time to get the heck out of there. 

Next stop: Crossroads Guitar Shop. It might just be the place for 

better vibrations. 

Crossroads Guitar Shop 

5610 Scoville St. 

Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041 

B E A D E A L E R 

As soon as I rolled up to a parking space, a few slots away from the entrance of Crossroads, I was 

feeling pretty bummed. The outward appearance of the store was a letdown, and I hoped this was not a 

reflection of an inferior interior. (I had actually hoped that, with a name like Crossroads, the place would 

be more souped-up or mysterious.) My gut reaction was half confirmed, I suppose, as the store did seem 

a bit crammed once I entered it, even if it was well lit. However, as I moved further into the establishment, 

I noticed that an instructional video featuring iconic guitarist Allan Holdsworth was playing on a 

TV screen at the back of the store. (“Maybe I’ll really dig this store after all,” I thought to myself.) 

I circled around the small stash of amps located dead center of the floor and caught a glimpse of a clerk 

repairing an acoustic guitar in the back room. The guy didn’t notice 

me at first, as his line of sight was obstructed by something akin to 

cabinetry. I wondered whether I should clear my throat to call attention 

to myself or continue to patrol the floor quietly. I proceeded with 

the latter and, as I gazed upon the store’s small collection of amps, I 

noticed a fairly sizeable, computer-operated machine adjacent to the 

store’s repair area. The box-y contraption was semi-enclosed by glass 

(or heavy plastic) and looked like a massive escapee ’droid from the 

set of an upcoming Syfy film. It was then that the guy in the repair 

shop acknowledged my presence. 

“I didn’t see you there…sorry,” Repair Guy said as he dropped 

what he was doing to talk with me about amps. I gave him my spiel 

and he directed me toward a three-watt VOX MINI3 CL combo 

($115) that was perched on a raised platform just behind me, not far 

from the television set and away from most of the other amps. “It’s a 

versatile little box,” said Repair Guy. 

“I’m sure these are great, but what if I’m looking for a bit more 

bite?” I asked. 

Not thrown by my request, Repair Guy turned my attention to a 

forest-green, 18-watt AXL Medway Special ($499); a 12-watt VHT 

Special 12/20 head that could be upgraded to a 20-watt amp with 

a simple change of tubes; and a VHT head ($179.95) and cabinet 

($249.95) with variable wattage control. (A booster pedal would 

change the output from one watt to six watts.) “You can get a great 

clean sound,” I was told, “and it comes with stomp box for effects.” 

Repair Guy paused mid-pitch for a few seconds and said, “It might 

Brian Reardon - Monster Music 

NAMM Top 100 Dealer Award Winner 

be worthwhile for you to hear how these things sound, so you can 

make a better decision.” 

50 July 2013

I took that under advisement 

even as I sought to ask a few 

more questions about the reliability 

of the brands and whether 

any of the amps were used. “You 

really should hear ’em,” Repair 

Guy said with what I perceived to 

be restrained jubilation. 

Ducking to the side of the amp 

section, Repair Guy grabbed a 

guitar from one of the racks: It 

was a black-and-white Danelectro 

reissue that, as the song goes, “… 

looks a lot like the one used by 

Jimmy Page.” Jimmy P. plugged 

into the VHT amp and cab system 

and generated a really meaty, but 

clean, tone. He also demonstrated 

on the AXL, chugging along to 

a blues-rock riff. He explained 

that it had no onboard effects, 

but it did have a foot pedal for 

reverb control. Both of the amps 

sounded great, and the AXL, in 

particular, “is cool. Some guys 

use this exclusively, because they 

find they don’t need anything 

else.” 

OK, I wasn’t totally buying that 

one, but Jimmy P. seemed like a 

good egg, so I shifted the conversation 

toward that Star Wars-type 

machine near the repair section 

of the store. His eyes lit up as 

he told me that it’s a computercontrolled 

repair device, called 

a Plek Pro (or plek pro), which 

is used for making fine adjustments 

to guitars and for fret 

redressing. It actually reminded 

me of a computer-operated 3D 

printing unit. (Similar technology, 

I guess.) I wanted to ask more 

questions about the Plek Pro, but 

thought for sure I’d give myself 

away. So, I simply asked Repair 

Guy for his card. 

I left thinking that, for all its 

unassuming qualities, this was a 

pretty cool store. Besides, how 

many MI retailers in the Mid- 

Atlantic region can offer customers 

such accurate repair services? 

I calculated that as I charted a 

course for my next stop: Action 

Music in Falls Church. 

Action Music 

212-B North West St. 

Falls Church, VA 22046 

It was the middle of the 

afternoon as I charted a northwest 

route on Arlington Blvd. 

in Northern Virginia. The sun 

was blazing, the sky clear and 

blue, and the air warm (but not 

heavy). It was simply a gorgeous 

day. It didn’t take long to get to 

Action Music, but, as I pulled 

into the store’s parking lot, I saw 

a faded reddish and (off) white 

sign, plus concrete loading bays 

for large haulers. I skimmed the 

lot and received flashbacks of 

Guitar Center: “Am I at the right 

address?” 

Creeping around the corner 

of this massive building, I finally 

spotted Action Music’s storefront, 

maybe 200 or more feet 

in front of me, in the distance. 

The dazzling Virginia afternoon 

sun blinded me a bit, making it 

tough to get an initial read on 

exactly what kind of store this 

would be. Further blurring my 

judgment was the fact that the 

entrance to the store was below 

street level, sunken like some 

buried ancient Egyptian tomb. 

(Could this retail bunker hold 

vast MI treasures, or would I be 

cursed for even having set foot 

in this vault? I’d have to do some 

more digging to know for sure.) 

As I entered the store, I was 

struck by how orderly and vast 

the space was…not at all what 

I had been expecting. After a 

minute or two of focusing on 

this cache of amps, a young man 

approached me. Before he could 

get a word out, the front-desk 

phone rang. The clerk made a 

gesture toward the front desk, 

but stopped himself and asked 

another employee to answer the 

call for him. (A man of action, so 


to speak.) 

“Can I help you?” Action Man 

asked in an upbeat fashion. 

Given the lack of 

assistance at Guitar 

Center, it was good to 

have some face time 

right from the outset. 

I told him that I was looking for 

an electric guitar amp. Nothing 

too fancy and nothing too 

cheap; something versatile but 

affordable. “Which ones do you 

recommend?” I asked. 

Action Man told me to 

check out the 15-watt Marshall 

DSL15C combo with a 1x12 

speaker ($580), as well as 

the 40-watt Marshall DSL40C 

combo ($675). He also pointed 

out a 15-watt Egnater Tweaker 

head ($399) and matching 

cabinet ($249). 

“You can’t go wrong with the 

brand names or the onboard 

features, or that tube sound,” 

Action said. 

“What else ya got?” I replied. 

“Well, we also have these 

other amps over here,” the 

sales guy remarked. 

“Those look used, though,” 

the contrarian in me said, 

perhaps just to throw him off 

his game. 

They were used, but Action 

assured me that the merch 

was solid. Even though some 

of the equipment had been 

manufactured as early as in 

1990, the amps were all pretty 

well maintained, reliable and 

suitable for my needs, he said. 

As Action spoke, I concentrated 

on a Fender Pro Junior ($350), 

which seemed to be Action’s 

fave, an Egnater going for $499 

and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 

that was not in stock at the 

time of my visit but, normally, 

would run anywhere from $400 

to $500. 

I gave that some thought as 

I asked for the clerk’s business 

card. With that, he bolted 

to the front desk, returned to 

the amp section, doled out a 

slice and I was out the door, 

having fled these catacombs 

of electronic units—and the 

chipper crypt keeper—feeling 

as though I had been reborn. 

Another solid visit. 

“Let’s see if we can continue 

this streak,” I told myself. My 

next destination was also my 

last: Contemporary Music 

Center. 

It was a bit of a hike to Contemporary Music Center given rush-hour traffic patterns. But once I 

arrived at CMC, I was struck by how impressive the storefront was. That will earn you points right 

there! 

Contemporary Music Center 

14155-J Sullyfield Circle 

Chantilly, VA 20151 

CMC, located within an industrial park loaded with neat and (seemingly) 

recently built office buildings, possessed the most curb appeal of any store I’d 

seen the entire day. Some might have viewed the CMC building as simply a 

giant white cube, but its dimensions spoke of something much more vital. As 

I would come to learn, CMC was not just a retailer, nor just a repair and service shop: It was also an 

education center, with two locations in Virginia. (At the time of this writing, the Haymarket location 

was expanding to include a performance and audience area in its lower level.) 

When I entered the lobby of this huge “cube,” I saw a few women seated against the wall, apparently 

waiting for their children to finish music lessons. It was a totally different atmosphere in CMC 

than in, say, Action or Crossroads. Shadows were beginning to emerge, and it was tight quarters 

within the establishment. Crossroads may have been small, but I didn’t feel claustrophobic in it! I 

felt restricted, confined…and there weren’t a whole lot of amps, either, as far as I could tell. 

My silent search for amps began at the front counter, where I glimpsed some guitar gear; then, 

my attention turned to some drum equipment and even some hanging guitars. I then walked past 

the ladies, turned a slight corner and headed toward the back of the store, only to realize that I’d 

stumbled across CMC’s lesson suite. 

“No amps that way,” I thought. 

When I returned to the lobby, a bespectacled gentleman behind the counter asked, “Can I help 

you?” It was just a vibe, but it almost seemed to be more out of a guarded curiosity than a genuine 

desire to offer assistance. Given a (now likely) suspicious staff and the (seemingly disapproving) 

prying eyes of the ladies, I downplayed the specifics of my request and decided simply to ask for 

whatever items the man had available. 

He directed me to a row of small boxes that lined the raised platform behind the ladies. That’s 

it? I thought. He and the young lady standing next to him, who remained silent for my entire visit, 

must have sensed my frustration—if not utter befuddlement—because the guy went straight into 

his pitch mode. He began to describe the virtues of the Roland Micro Cube combo with effects going 

for $139.99 (a mini “cube” somehow seemed appropriate given the architecture of the store). 

“Can this little amp really do the trick?” I asked. 

“Believe me, it can blow this place out,” he said. 

I asked who would get the most out of an amp like this, and I received the patented “it’s good 

for everyone” line. “But I would stay away from playing with a drummer unless you mic your amp. 

The drums may drown out your guitar.” (As far as I could see, the Chantilly locale didn’t sell microphones. 

I didn’t see any in the front glass counter or on the shelves.) It seemed that CMC was 

perhaps more about educating young minds than about being a retailer. Nothin’ wrong with that! 

After I asked for his business card, he said I should e-mail him with any questions. (What I perceived 

to be his guarded curiosity, even suspicion, had, in fact, given way to a sincere desire to be 

helpful.) I thanked him for his invitation and waved to both his sidekick and him. I was out of there; 

I drove straight for the heart of the slowly setting sun, visor down. 

It’s amazing just how beautiful the Mid-Atlantic sky appears when in the final hours of the day’s 

rays. It did this Spy good to see it and experience places like CMC, which operate with a certain 

degree of selflessness. It helped to restore my faith in the MI biz, and in myself as a Spy. (Well, 

maybe a teeny bit, anyway.) 

As I left Chantilly, with the glow of the early evening surrounding me, I thought, “I could stay 

here forever. Just my amps and me. The Chief could come and visit every now and again. Actually, 

just on special occasions. Well, let’s not make it a habit….” 

The Sale 

I don’t think I need to deliberate very long about the winner and runnersup 

for this month. Two of the four stores would be crossed off the list almost 

immediately: one based on lack of staff support and the other based purely on 

inventory. Guitar Center had the largest inventory, and CMC is a credit 

to the local community, but I’m drawn most to Action Music and Crossroads 

Guitar Shop. The laidback vibe and high-tech allure of Crossroads 

appeal to me, although the merch at Action might speak to a wider range 

of potential customers. The verdict? Since Crossroads seems to be more of a 

repair shop (and, I have no doubt, a first-rate one), it looks like we’re getting 

a little “Action” this month. Fitting for a Commonwealth billed as the state for 

lovers! 

Can’t wait for my next assignment…. 

52 July 2013

amplify your amp & speaker sales 

(continued from cover) 

The Music & Sound Retailer 

also pays tribute to amps and 

speakers via this special feature 

as part of our Summer NAMM 

issue. Fortunately, there is some 

excellent news to report. 

Although 2013 might not 

remind anyone of the late 1990s 

boom period, the economy is 

seemingly recovering well. That 

means customers might be more 

likely to ring up amp and speaker 

sales at your store, instead of 

simply holding onto or fixing 

their older equipment. However, 

with the plethora of information 

at their fingertips, customers 

today are perhaps more discerning 

than ever before. 

Hence, MI retailers must sell 

the right amps and speakers that 

are sure to move from the shelf to 

a customer’s hands at checkout. 

To get a better idea what those 

products might be, and to learn 

much more about this segment of 

the industry, we enlisted the help 

of three retailers. Providing the 

answers were Donovan Bankhead, 

Vice President of Springfield 

Music Inc. in Springfield 

MO; John Bond, Manager and 

main pro audio salesman at Ken 

Stanton Music in Marietta GA; 

and the tag-team combination 

of Mark Fullerton, Purchasing, 

Marketing and Sales Representative, 

and Mike Kay, Pro Audio 

Manager, at Ted Brown Music in 

Yakima WA. 

Regarding guitar and bass 

amps, all panelists clearly agreed 

on one thing: good things do 

come in small packages. Or, in 

this case, big sound comes in 

small packages. “Customers want 

low-wattage amps,” said Bankhead. 

“Big sound in a small package. 

The days of 100-watt stacks 

are falling by the wayside.” 

“I definitely think that the trend 

is going smaller, even in a tube 

variety,” added Fullerton. “With 

the ability to get big sounds out 

of smaller packages, there isn’t 

a need carry the big stuff for the 

visual anymore.” 

Bond extrapolated this trend 

a bit further. “Tube combo amps 

are selling well, and the Fender 

Mustangs continue to outsell 

other modeling amps,” he stated. 

“Customers definitely want smaller, 

lightweight bass gear, since 

the sound has improved and the 

venues are small in our area.” 

So, we definitely learned that 

smaller is better regarding amps. 

But with an improved economy— 

as well as a love for sound—are 

consumers willing to open their 

wallets more to buy high-end 

amps? The answer to that question 

appears to be no. “We aren’t 

seeing much call for super-highend 

boutique amps, so $500 to 

$999 seems to be about as highend 

as customers can afford,” 

answered Bond. 

At Springfield Music, high-end 

amps do not offer the same spark 

as in previous years, said Bankhead. 

“Plus, prices always go up, 

never down. Customers know 

that. These days, a customer 

can get a great amp for less than 

$1,000. That being said, it seems 

that the super high-end amp 

[more than $2,000] has a market 

if you are catering to a national/ 

international audience. But, 

locally, it’s probably a ‘no go’ for 

most independent local retailers.” 

With success from Odyssey and its dealers 

came imitators looking to capitalize on the 

brand, resulting in a series of successful 

lawsuits protecting Odyssey’s patents, 

trademarks, intellectual properties, 

and brand identity. 

Fullerton reported that his 

store primarily caters to the 

entry-level and upper mid-level 

players. Hence, his store rarely 

sells high-end amps. So what 

amps does Ted Brown Music 

move? “Our bestsellers are Line 

6, Fender, VOX, Blackstar and 

Yamaha,” said Fullerton. “The 

new Yamaha THR5A acoustic 

amp is really cool, selling well 

and offers something other than 


Patent infringement and knockoffs are 

not only bad business but illegal. 

You deserve the best from the originators 

so never accept imitators. 

As pioneers of innovative solutions for the 

Pro Audio, MI and DJ community, Odyssey 

has set the highest standards in quality and 

design, resulting in a strong and 

successful dealer base. 

With success from Odyssey and its dealers 

came imitators looking to capitalize on the 

brand, resulting in a series of successful 

lawsuits protecting Odyssey’s patents, 

trademarks, intellectual properties, 

and brand identity. 

Patent infringement and knockoffs are 

not only bad business but illegal. 

You deserve the best from the originators 

so never accept imitators. 

Odyssey Innovative Designs, also known as ODY-USA. 

is an industry-leading design and 

manufacturer of professional mobile accessory solutions for the DJ, musical instruments, and pro audio 

markets. Founded in 1995, Odyssey has brought to market hundreds of unique products and continues to lead 

the industry with innovative patented products. With numerous technology and design awards, Odyssey has 

established a worldwide reputation for innovation , quality and design. The Odyssey group of companies 

Odyssey Innovative Designs, also known as ODY-USA. 

is an industry-leading design and 

manufacturer of professional mobile accessory solutions for the DJ, musical instruments, and pro audio 

markets. include Show Founded Solutions in 1995, and Odyssey BC Cases has brought to market hundreds of unique products and continues to lead 

the industry with innovative patented products. With numerous technology and design awards, Odyssey has 

established a worldwide reputation for innovation , quality and design. The Odyssey group of companies 

include Show Solutions and BC Cases 

809 West Santa Anita Street San Gabriel, CA 91776 Tel: 626.588.2528 • Fax: 626.588.2525 • www.odysseygear.com 

809 West Santa Anita Street San Gabriel, CA 91776 Tel: 626.588.2528 • Fax: 626.588.2525 • www.odysseygear.com 


special to the retailer 

Gretsch Celebrates 130 

Years Of ‘Social Networking’ 

By Fred Gretsch 

It’s been said that good networks are the 

foundation of good business. Robert Kiyosaki, 

author of the popular book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, 

wrote, “The richest people in the world look 

for and build networks. Everyone else looks 

for work.” This year, as Gretsch celebrates 130 

years of family-owned business, it occurs to me 

that long before the “social networks” of Facebook, 

Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc., which 

are transforming the way business is done, the 

principles of good social networking were alive, 

well and guiding our family business to success. 

Visual Marketing Still Works—In 1924, 

Sam and Rose Ash started a small music store 

in Brooklyn. That same year, my grandfather, 

Fred Sr., was 44 and Gretsch was listed as the 

largest manufacturer of musical instruments 

in the United States. Our catalogs, which were 

sometimes up to 184 pages long, contained all 

the popular instruments 

of the day, 

including ukuleles, 

saxophones, banjos, 

drums, guitars 

and mandolins. We 

reached out to our 

customers and provided 

a visual sales 

tool that helped us to 

expand our business. 

Today, brands are 

using Pinterest and 

Instagram to tell their 

stories with compelling 

visuals that can 

be easily shared by 

friends either on the 

desktop or through 

their mobile devices. 

But the idea of using 

visuals to connect 

the customer to our 

products in meaningful 

ways isn’t really 

that new at all. 

Networks Provide 

Unexpected Business 

Opportunities—In 

the 1940s, 

my father and Ted 

McCarty were good friends. In fact, we have a treasured family photo of 1947 New Year’s Eve; 

both families were celebrating together. As many people know, Ted gives my dad credit for 

his being hired at Gibson and, in 1999, Gretsch purchased the Bigsby Vibratos business from 

Ted: a true win-win for both companies. Today, business deals may be forged over LinkedIn 

or e-mail, but the core concept is the same. Get to know people and like them, and great business 

opportunities will always present themselves. 

Personal Gifts Become Lasting Memories—While on a business trip to visit Peavey 

in Meridian MS, we learned that my dad had once sent Hartley Peavey’s dad a baby book to 

keep pictures of Hartley when he was born. These days, gift giving might be a little less personal. 

Ordering something online with a printed-out gift tag might lack the tangible nature of 

a physical gift, but, if the genuine thought behind the gift is there, that’s what will be remembered 

and cherished for years to come. 

Sharing Creates Connection—In 2000, the year of the millennium, a shared memory for 

Henry Steinway, Chris Martin and me was the fact that, 100 years earlier, at the turn of the 

century, our grandfathers were running businesses that still bear our family names. These 

are the moments that cannot be duplicated and that should be treasured. Today, ideas, photos 

and thoughts can be shared with friends and colleagues with the click of a mouse, and that’s 

great because sharing things can connect us in very deep and personal ways. 

Fred and Dinah Gretsch. 

Manias Can Still Drive Business—In 1964, “Beatlemania” 

was born on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” George Harrison’s use 

of a Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitar ignited a 

frenzy among aspiring guitarists. Today, the audience is much 

more fragmented, but “manias” still happen in the new socially 

networked world…and smart marketers can still capitalize. For 

example, the folk music mania that is currently dominating popular 

music—driven by artists like Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters 

and Men, and the Lumineers—is really creating a “what’s old is 

new again” mania among guitarists, with more of them seeking 

out vintage-sounding gear. And one thing you can be sure of is 

this: The next mania will be coming soon! 

Partners Can Do More Together—As most people know, 

for more than a decade, Gretsch has enjoyed a very productive 

partnership with Fender and KMC to manufacture and market 

Gretsch guitars and drums. And the business model, although 

very innovative for its time in the industry, is something that 

more companies are discovering through social media. It’s not 

crazy to work with a “competitor” anymore. No one can be an 

expert in absolutely everything, so it just makes sense to have 

partners that can specialize and deliver unique value for companies 

and brands. 

For 130 years, The Gretsch Company has enjoyed an amazing 

and rich history in the music products industry. From our origin 

as a small musical instrument maker in Brooklyn to our growth 

into a world-recognized brand, the tenets of good business built 

from good networks and relationships have always guided our 

family. May the next century of Gretsch family members continue 

this tradition and take the brand to even greater heights. 

54 July 2013

shine a light 

The Road To Success 

By Michelle Loeb 

If anyone had asked John and 

Gail Bruno 10 years ago about 

their professional plans, owning 

and operating a musical 

instrument store would not have 

likely been at the top of the list. 

Gail had been working in the 

corporate world for more than 

a decade, whereas John was a 

local musician who worked in 

computer and software support 

and occasionally taught guitar. 

However, when they heard that 

a beloved local mom-and-pop 

retailer was shutting down, their 

love of the arts—and the community—took 

over. 

“My whole life, I loved going 

into mom-and-pop guitar shops 

and really did not love the huge 

chain stores,” said John, who 

had been a customer of Milford 

Music Studio since his good 

friend and distant cousin, Michael 

Nunno, opened the shop in 1990. 

At the time, Milford Music Studio 

was one of three local independent 

music stores. But, by the 

end of the decade, a Sam Ash 

and a Guitar Center had opened 

up in nearby towns. “They really 

destroyed the retail business 

and the store was on the verge 

of closing, surviving mostly on 

lessons,” he said. 

“When Mike told me about his 

decision to close, I was shocked,” 

John continued. “So, I made him 

an offer to purchase his entire inventory, 

officially closing Milford 

Music Studios and opening Route 

1 Guitars. I just couldn’t let one of 

the last private shops disappear.” 

Route 1 Guitars officially 

opened in September 2005 and 

it was a steep learning curve for 

John and Gail, who, to this day, 

remain the store’s only two employees. 

Gail, the store Manager, 

took guitar and bass lessons to 

educate herself on the products 

she was selling, while John, the 

store Owner, read books, did research 

and relied on the advice of 

friends to get up to speed quickly 

on how to successfully run the 

type of business he so loved to 

frequent. 

“A good friend of mine, Jon 

Stafford, who used to work in 

the store before I purchased it, 

was the first one to really talk 

to me about retail margins and 

MAP policies; before that, I was 

clueless,” said John, who taught 

guitar at the store for a while to 

get things going. At the start, the 

store had very little inventory 

and was mostly surviving on lessons. 

John soon secured his first 

vendor relationship (with KMC) 

and began stocking strings and 

accessories. Soon after, he began 

talking to other guitar and bass 

companies to secure inventory. 

“I must say, one of the best 

ways I have found to secure 

relationships with vendors is the 

NAMM show,” he said. “It is a 

great place to see and sample the 

lines, and actually talk face-to-face 

with the builders and salespeople. 

I have found that to be invaluable.” 

The Brunos made the decision 

to specialize in guitars, basses, 

amps and accessories, creating a 

niche retail experience that has 

become popular with the local 

community. “We carry more boutique 

lines that the larger stores 

do not carry,” said Gail. “We have 

more than quadrupled our inventory 

over the last eight years. And 

even if we do not carry something, 

we make an effort to call 

around or go online to help obtain 

what that customer needs. We do 

special orders daily.” 

Route 1 Guitars even does special 

orders for instrument categories 

that it doesn’t carry, added 

John. “Drums and keyboards, I 

don’t keep in stock. But, I am able 

to special order for customers,” 

he explained. “I do try to keep 

drum sticks and limited heads in 

stock just as a convenience for 

the area players.” 

Personal customer service like 

that is one of Route 1 Guitars’ 

calling cards. The store offers 

guitar servicing—including setups, 

restrings and pickup installations—in-house, 

and John is 

always available to his customers 

to help their shopping experience 

go as smoothly as possible. “I always 

match minimum advertised 

prices on all instruments, and I 

just try to be as honest as possible 

and let the instruments sell 

themselves,” he said. “A customer 

never feels pressured when they 

shop with us, and they can be 

assured that they will get the best 

price possible.” 

“You can’t go to a big chain 

and ask to speak to the Owner, or 

work out deals with someone with 

Route 1 Guitars 

189 Bridgeport Ave. 

Milford, CT 06460 

203-783-9828 

www.route1guitars.com 

Mon-Thurs 12pm to 7:30pm 

Fri 12pm to 6pm 

Sat 10am to 6pm 

John Bruno, Owner 

Gail Bruno, Store Manager 

a vested interest in keeping you 

as a customer,” he continued. “I 

think that is a big plus for us.” 

Maintaining strong relationships 

with the community is the 

number-one goal for Route 1 

Guitars, whether it is through 

offering fair pricing, setting up 

a lounge area where local bands 

and musicians are invited to 

post gigs and other services, or 

participating in local charities and 

events, such as the area’s annual 

Oysterfest. The Brunos are happy 

to work with the community to 

make their store accessible to 

as many people as possible. Just 

look at how they altered their lesson 

program for the good of the 

community. 

When the economy began to 

falter, John said that they realized 

“it is very hard for parents to pay 

for lessons a month in advance.” 

He continued, “So, we changed 

all of our lessons to pay as you 

go.” John currently works with 

four of the area’s top instructors, 

including Michael Nunno. “The 

students come in, pay and have 

their lesson, one at a time. We 

believe this makes it easier for 

everyone,” John added. 

Gail summed things up, saying, 

“Continuously putting smiles on 

our customers’ and students’ faces 

is what matters to us most.” 

56 July 2013

sales guru 

Investment Time 

By Gene Fresco 

I received only one suggestion on how to get 

customers during the summer “slow” period. I 

know the reason why, too. 

The music business is so competitive these 

days that you don’t want to give your competition 

any good ideas that they might use against 

you! 

Ron Lukowski wrote me and told me a story 

about an AV Rep, known for his excellent barbecuing 

skills, who would get permission from his 

dealers to set up a lunch for their employees, allowing 

them to feast on his excellent barbecue. 

He said that the rep called it his “Investment 

Time.” 

I believe retailers have to develop “Investment 

Time” for their customers, too. 

Stealing Ron’s friend’s idea, I suggest that, 

some Saturday, you have a hamburgers and hot 

dogs event for your retail customers and invest 

in getting their good will. You can send e-mails 

inviting them to your store, have a few bands 

playing and maybe have some drawings to win 

strings, sticks or other accessories. 

When I entered the music business, there 

were friendly competitors who actually helped 

An AV Rep, known for his excellent 

barbecuing skills, would get 

permission from his dealers to set up 

a lunch for their employees, allowing 

them to feast on his excellent 

barbecue. The rep called it his 

‘Investment Time.’ 

one another. If a dealer didn’t have a product that a customer wanted, he or she would send that 

customer to the competition, and so would the competitor do the same. 

Unfortunately, these days, that is not the case anymore. 

Remember this: People buy from people they like and people they need. 

You have to become that person. I believe that, if you get customers to like you and trust you, 

you won’t have to worry about competition. 

I believe that, if you use your “Investment Time” wisely, your customers will appreciate you 

and your business. 

Here is a secret you must know: America has been prosperous for so many years because 

industry has made people “WANT THINGS!” All kinds of things. 

When automobiles were invented, people thought they would never replace the horse…until 

industry made people WANT them. 

When television was invented, people thought a radio was all they needed…until industry 

made people WANT them. 

What we have to do is do a better job of making people WANT to play a musical instrument. 

If you concentrate all your endeavors on making people WANT to play an instrument, competition 

won’t be a problem. There will be plenty of business for everybody. 

I started in this business as a music lessons enroller. 

My job was to make people WANT to play an instrument. 

I knocked on thousands of doors and enrolled thousands of students, both young and old. 

This is what is truly missing in our industry today. 

The only way you can get people to WANT to buy an instrument is to assure them you will 

help them learn to play it. 

When we talk about the five strongest emotions—survival, recognition, love, sex and greed— 

all of them apply to playing a musical instrument. 

So, we have a product everyone needs to make their lives more rewarding and more enjoyable. 

When dealing with professional musicians who make a living playing their instruments, you 

must become the most knowledgeable salesperson in town. 

Learn about all the advances in music, sound, lighting and accessories. Help their careers in 

any way you can. Know all the club owners by name who hire musicians and recommend bands 

to them. 

I managed bands for a period, and I personally know the drama in trying to get a band known 

and making money. 

Here is something I learned from a musician in Kansas City. He was a one-man band. He 

could guarantee a club owner that if at least 1,500 people came to see him, the club owner 

would not have to pay him. Crazy, huh? 

Well, I went to a new club he was playing at and there were more than 1,500 people. 

How did he do it? I’ll tell you! 

He had a sign-in book at all his gigs where people would write down their e-mail addresses. 

He had more than 10,000 e-mail addresses. 

If he heard one of his fans was in the hospital, he would go and play for him or her. He put 

on a great show and you could see his fans loved him. Talk about “Investment Time”! He was a 

master at it. 

That is what it’s all about. As a salesperson, your success will be determined by how many 

fans you have. 

If you show people you really care about them and want to see them succeed, they will be 

your customers for life. 

That is what salesmanship is all about. 

Love what you do, and do it with love. 

Have a smile and a kind word for everyone you meet. 

Have a strong desire to succeed, but be helpful and sincere when you are in a selling situation. 

Selling is easy when you know how. 

I hope you use these summer months to create friends and new customers, and you don’t 

worry about the competition. Just don’t worry at all. 

I wish you good selling. 

58 July 2013

DJ Times magazine presented its first DJ Expo 

in 1990. Now, 23 years later, the Expo remains 

the DJ industry’s best-attended, most-successful 

trade show. Each year, the Expo presents more 

than two-dozen educational seminars, an exhibit 

hall filled with the latest DJ, pro audio and studio 

gear, and three evenings full of sponsored events. 

This year’s show, set for August 12-15 at the 

Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ, will include 

the best of the best, plus a few special surprises. 

WHO ATTENDS? 

THE MOBILE DJ 

Meet, network with & learn from fellow entertainers who 

have made their marks on the industry. From moneymaking 

tips to brand new performance ideas, it’s all 

here at The DJ Expo. 

THE BEDROOM DJ 

You have to start somewhere, right? Each year, The DJ 

Expo seminars & workshops educate this hungry group 

— the very future of the market. 

THE CLUB DJ 

These trendsetters connect with the industry’s movers 

and shakers at The DJ Expo & pass along the inside 

scoops on music, gear & more. 

REMIXER • PRODUCER • EDM ARTIST 

They create the hits that push the trends and, at The DJ 

Expo, they share the knowledge that put them on top. 

THE CORPORATE EVENT DJ 

These upper-tier event planners and performers 

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for the year—find out why at The DJ Expo. 

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/djtimesmag

veddatorial 

The Age Of Urgency 

By Dan Vedda 

For decades, a driving force behind consumer 

behavior has been price. “We’ll beat any price!” 

has blared out at us from TVs, scrolled across our 

desktops and splashed across billboards, print 

ads and store windows. But another force is rising 

in prominence and, increasingly, it even trumps 

price when we make choices about goods and 

services. Getting impatient waiting for me to get 

to the point? Very on-trend of you, 

because I’m talking about speed…or 

perhaps it would be more correct to 

refer to it as “wait reduction.” 

Computer pundits drag out 

Moore’s Law (processor capacity 

doubles every two years) when talking 

about the tremendous growth 

in computing power, speed and 

capacity over the last few decades. I 

don’t know if there is a parallel “law” 

for need gratification (nor would I 

be cheeky enough to name one after 

myself), but I’d envision it as such, 

“Consumer impatience grows in 

direct proportion to the maximum 

speed of fulfillment.” 

Whether it’s the ad-stream I observe 

in the media or my own observations 

within my store, evidence bears this out. 

We see marginally older kids grumpily observe 

that the little kids don’t know what it means to 

wait for a download pre-Uverse. Our friends revel 

in the speed and connectivity of their phones, dissatisfied 

with a product that doesn’t allow everything 

and anything to be instantly accessible with 

minimal swipes and taps. Revenue for expedited 

and overnight shipping is growing dramatically, 

and it’s a key component in the presentation of 

products for sale online (“order by 8pm to receive 

by…”). We don’t just want it…we want it cheap, 

easy and, ideally, beamed down from the space 

station warehouse to materialize next to us when 

we click “Buy Now.” 

The online retail industry knows this. It’s why 

the express shipping option is so prominently 

displayed, and why algorithms pre-select accessories, 

suggest related titles, and ping us with the 

status and tracking of our order in progress. It’s 

showing up in smartphone apps designed to ID 

you when you enter a store, suggest purchases on 

the fly and, once you tap “OK,” have it waiting at 

the door for you, already checked out. No lines, 

no waiting…and more and more people would be 

willing to spend a little extra to make it so. 

Don’t think so? Remember that many of us now 

pay...how much?...for television, cell phones, DSL and other connectivity services that once 

were either free or unknown. The “gotta have it now” mentality is one of the big reasons for 

the decline of slower-mode “traditional” businesses, from newspaper and news magazine 

publishing to the Post Office. We’ve been seeing a paradigm shift in consumer behavior, 

and it’s going to the next level soon. 

Amazon, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and likely others (I would guess Rite Aid and CVS would 

jump on this) are rolling out a system of relays and local delivery that can deliver the 

product you ordered within hours. Getting close to that beam-down point, isn’t it? In beta in 

selected cities, it’s still an experiment, 

As much as our 

customers want to 

‘support small 

business,’ they are 

less likely to do so if 

we make them wait. 

They want to 

walk in, buy 

their stuff 

and get on 

with their 

digital 

lives. 

but it’s easy to see the appeal. 

It’s not just a trend. It’s an alteration 

in our psyche and habits. Consumers 

are impatient, and growing ever 

more so. We increasingly choose 

our destinations, products, foods and 

more based on speed and its corollary 

convenience. And all so we can bingewatch 

an entire season of “Game of 

Thrones” whenever we want. OK… 

it isn’t my lifestyle, but I get the allure 

of it. 

So, what’s the takeaway for our 

industry? Well, we can’t play that 

game across the board, although I 

imagine GC and some others might 

have the infrastructure to muster a 

version of same-day delivery. But we 

need to address the ramped-up expectations whenever possible to try to deliver ahead of 

the “impatience threshold.” 

Here’s where our industry’s diversity fails us. Although we have companies that are 

always working to improve fulfillment, others are so far back in time that it’s ludicrous. 

Certainly, small companies might not have the resources to computerize out at the bleeding 

edge. I don’t blame them for that. But I’m…impatient with companies that fall behind 

because they don’t want to change or work harder. We still see suppliers that close for 

several days for inventory, holidays and other reasons. I have more than one supplier that 

CLOSES FOR LUNCH every day. That’s old school—and when I have the customer standing 

with me and I can’t get stock confirmation, I can lose the sale because they can check 

Amazon from their phone before I get off hold. Although some companies have a way to log 

in and check directly on their system, it’s cumbersome to ask questions in real time—and a 

knowledgeable rep trumps a 50-character capsule description every time. 

I’m not asking suppliers to invest in expensive computerization (although it is a little 

silly when the only way one company can tell me if an item is in stock is to walk into the 

warehouse and check). I don’t even expect people to eat lunch at their desks. Just stagger 

lunches, as we did for floor coverage at Sears 30 years ago. But, please, step it up. 

As much as our customers want to “support small business,” they are less likely to do 

so if we make them wait. They want to walk in, buy their stuff and get on with their digital 

lives. Suppliers that make me wait increasingly cost me both money and goodwill. We can’t 

afford to take that hit, and I don’t have time to call several suppliers until I find one that can 

fulfill (and we aren’t even talking about pricing here!). 

The upside: People are so impatient that they don’t even want to wade through a Web 

search that produces too many results. They want someone to pre-chew for them. Here’s 

where our knowledge and expertise—and my mantra about concierge-level service—can 

help us win customers and profits. 

Next month: infusing our stores with urgency! 

60 July 2013

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Company 

Ad Index 

Pg 

ACE PRODUCTS GROUP..........6 

AMERICAN DJ...........................C-IV 

AMERICAN LIGHTING............67 

AUDIX CORPORATION............25 

CASIO.........................................55 

CE DISTRIBUTION...................68 

CELESTION................................23 

CHAUVET LIGHTING...............21 

CHAUVET LIGHTING...............11 

CHEM-PAK.................................65 

CHORDBUDDY..........................27 

CRAFTER GUITARS..................12 

FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS......45 

GALAXY AUDIO.......................3 

GEORGE L’S...............................16 

GIBSON PRO AUDIO.................39 

GODIN GUITARS.......................57 

GRAPH TECH.............................46 

GROVER MUSICAL 

INSTRUMENTS.......................10 

GWW GROUP.............................66 

HOHNER.....................................7 

KIRLIN INDUSTRIES................37 

LITTLITE....................................44 

NAMM.........................................14-15 

NEW SENSOR............................35 

ODYSSEY INNOVATIVE 

DESIGNS..................................53 

PETERSON ELECTRO-MUSICAL 

PRODUCTS.................................51 

PRS GUITARS............................9 

RAIN RISER SYSTEMS............43 

RAPCO/HORIZON COMPANY.20 

REVEREND GUITARS..............50 

RESIDENT AUDIO.....................41 

ROTOSOUND.............................26 

SABIAN.......................................C-III 

SAINT BLUES GUITAR 

WORKSHOP............................67 

SHURE........................................19 

STRING SWING.........................47 

TKL PRODUCTS........................C-II 

TROPHY GUITAR STRAPS......69 

U.S. BAND & ORCHESTRA SUP- 

PLIES...........................................17 

VOCOPRO...................................13 

VOCOPRO...................................29 

WHIRLWIND..............................49 

YORKVILLE...............................5 

While every care is taken to ensure that 

these listings are accurate and complete, 

The Music & Sound Retailer does not accept 

responsibility for omissions or errors. 

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swerbin@elderly.com 

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For advertising rates 

and deadlines… call Rob Iraggi 

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64 July 2013

summer Namm New Product Spotlight 

(continued from page 31) 

Amptweaker’s TightMetal Pro Pedal 

Since introducing the TightMetal distortion pedal in 2011, Amptweaker has received many requests for a 

two-button version. Whereas most dual distortions simply have a boost pedal added, Amptweaker’s has two 

boost knobs: one before and one after the distortion. So, it’s easy to boost the gain and volume for good solo 

tone. There’s also a midboost button that works with the output boost knob, to help solos cut through the mix. 

The added three-band EQ allows for much tonal variation, with its Thrash button for more traditional, deeperscooped 

mids. A switch to cut the high-end sizzle gives a warmer edge. Amptweaker’s standard noise gate 

from the original TightMetal is also included, with the hard stopping Chomp setting to help keep the rhythm as 

tight as possible. 

Amptweaker . 513.410.3377 . amptweaker.com . Booth #1071 

Crafter’s TG200K Headstock Tuner 

Crafter has announced its new Headstock Tuner, the TG200K. It’s everything you loved about the TG200H, but 

with improved features and a lower price. Crafter made the screen 20% bigger and improved the resolution, 

so it looks extra sharp now. A bigger, better screen isn’t all that’s new: A ukulele tuning preset is built in, adding 

to the selection of guitar, bass, mandolin and chromatic. Microphone plus Pickup Vibration tuning options, 

combined with the superior accuracy and response of its predecessor, put the TG200K in perfect pitch with 

any instrument you play. 

Crafter Guitars . 888.798.2007 . crafterusa.com . Booth #1400-A 

ValveTrain Amplification’s Trenton Amp 

The ValveTrain Trenton has been designed in the tradition of the masters, but it’s priced within reach of the 

masses. The hand-crafted, handwired, 6V6 Trenton provides voices inspired by the ’50s and ’60s. The Trenton 

is a flexible amp for both studio and home, and boasts four distinct switchable voices through its hand-wired, 

all-tube circuit. 

ValveTrain Amplification . 407.886.7656 . valvetrainamps.com . Booth #1136 

Mapex’s Rebel Series Drum Sets 

Mapex designed the Rebel line to get a beginning 

drummer off to a good start. These drum 

sets are completely outfitted with double braced 

hardware, a set of cymbals including a ride and 

a pair of hi-hats, a throne and a pair of sticks. 

The drums have a mix of specifications, including 

fully adjustable tom mounts, telescoping 

bass drum spurs and triple flanged hoops. Rebel 

shells are constructed of poplar for strong, full 

tone and are precisely engineered for accurate 

and faster tuning. The snare drum features a 

white-coated head for strength and attack; the 

toms feature clear heads for pure tone; and the 

bass drum head is self-muffling and powerful. 

All heads are made by Remo. Rebel kits are 

available in three set-ups. 

Mapex . 800.283.4676 

usa.mapexdrums.com . Booth #300 

Saint Blues Guitar Workshop’s 

Juke Joint Series 

Saint Blues Guitar Workshop’s Juke Joint series guitars offer 

dealers an entry point for a high-quality, U.S.A.-made guitar. 

The Juke Joint Series are unbound and finished in a Crystal 

satin finish, unlike the high-end Workshop Series that are 

double bound and finished in Nitro-cellulose. The company 

added Wilkinson bridges, Wilkinson graduated height tuners 

(no string tree) and Kent Armstrong pickups. The Bluesmaster 

is a 25.5-inch scale alder body with dual, tapped, single-coil 

pickups. Finishes: Honeyburst, Tobacco, Delta Rust and Black. 

The Mississippi Bluesmaster is a 24¾-inch scale mahogany 

body featuring dual splittable zebra Humbucker pickups. Finishes: 

Cherryburst, Walnut, Natural and Black. The Legendary 

Bass is a 34-inch scale alder body featuring single coil P&J 

pickups. Finishes: Honeyburst, Tobacco, Delta Rust and Black. 

Saint Blues Guitar Workshop . 901.578.3588 

saintblues.com . Booth #934 


Goby Labs’ Thingy Series Accessories 

Goby Labs, distributed by Hosa Technology, is showcasing its Thingy Series accessories. The Thingy Series 

includes the Goby Labs Guitar-hook Thingy and the Stand-top Thingy for iPad. Featuring a patent-pending 

pole grip that forms a closed loop around most mic stands, the Guitar-hook Thingy relies on the strength and 

leverage of the microphone stand to which it is attached. The Goby Labs Guitar-hook Thingy has the ability 

to support the weight of most electric guitars and pairs well with a Goby Labs Microphone Stand. Derived 

from Goby Labs’ GBX-300 Tablet Frame for iPad, the Goby Labs Stand-top Thingy for iPad enables displaying 

lyrics, chord changes or merely a set list using one’s tablet. The Stand-top Thingy features a compact stand 

adaptor instead of the Goby Labs pole grip for portability and simplicity. 

Hosa Technology . 714.522.8878 . hosatech.com . Booth #1219 

DrumMax’s ‘Bullet’ Bass Drum Beater 

DrumMax has launched “The Bullet,” a new bass drum beater design. The Bullet is designed specifically 

for drummers who want more speed and power from their bass drum beater. The Bullet features an innovative 

design with a shorter shaft and added weight, making it faster and more powerful than standard bass 

drum beaters. Plus, its aerodynamic design adds a “cool factor” to the mix. The Bullet is available now. 

DrumMax . 317.721.7672 . drummax.com . Booth #210 

Yamaha Guitars’ APXT2 

Yamaha Guitars offers the sleek, three-quarter size APXT2. A smaller version of the bestselling APX500II 

acoustic-electric guitar, the APXT2 suits travel, practice, busking and even gigging. Packed with features, 

the model includes Yamaha’s proprietary Acoustic Resonance Transducer (A.R.T.) System68 pickup system 

with built-in tuner, Spruce top, Meranti back and sides, Mahogany neck and a Rosewood fingerboard and 

bridge. It also comes with a sturdy, padded gig bag. The System68 A.R.T. includes a one-way active preamp 

and transducer contact pickup system that features mid-boost EQ for tone shaping and a precision chromatic 

tuner. The transducer system delivers a natural acoustic tone by dampening excessive vibration from 

the soundboard while picking up small resonances to achieve good sensitivity and dynamic balance. 

Yamaha Corp. of America . 714.522.9011 . http://4wrd.it/apxt2 . Booth #1244 

Cupit Music Group’s Travel Guitar 

From Cupit Music Group, the Cupit Travel Guitar’s patented design joins the end of the neck to the body, 

creating an all around brace, removing the need for a truss rod. This makes the instrument virtually free 

from warping. The three sound holes in the top side create a better listening perspective for the player. The 

round hole and F hole help to spread and distribute the tones equally along the front of the instrument. This 

briefcase guitar fits everywhere: airplane overhead bins, motorcycle saddle bags, under seats, closets and 

under beds. The custom-fitted case repels waters and protects guitar. The back straps and handle make for 

easy carrying. 

Cupit Music Group . 615.731.0100 . cupitmusic.com . Booth #1661 

Rain Riser Systems’ Sound-Dampening Risers 

Rain Riser Systems has introduced its line of sound-dampening risers. Named after the raindrop shape 

incorporated into its internal structure, the Rain Riser combines elements of a classic studio partition—absorption, 

diffusion, decoupling and bass trapping—within the form of a non-resonating elevation system. 

This design effectively provides acoustical isolation for drums, amplifiers and any other instruments and 

performers from the stage surface below; in doing so, it improves the sound quality of those instruments 

and electronic devices. A rugged road case houses this vibration-reduction treatment, as well as electronics 

packages including such options as LED lighting panels with DMX controls, as well as onboard XLR 

audio inputs, returns and a multi-pin connector output. 

Rain Riser Systems . 615.686.0707 . rainrisers.com . Booth #808 

66 July 2013

On-Stage Stands’ Uke Accessories 

On-Stage Stands has put together a pack of accessories for the ukulele. The UKE bundle includes the GS6000 

Mighty UKE Stand, the GBU4104 Uke gig bag, the GA200 Uke Capo and the GTA6000 Tuner. The A-Frame design 

of the GS6000 Mighty UKE Stand ensures stability and strength. It also means the GS6000 folds small enough 

to fit inside the gig bag, a backpack or even a back pocket. For carefree mobility, the Uke gig bag is included, 

featuring both a padded handle and removable backpack straps. The Uke Capo’s spring-loaded design allows 

for a quick change to any key you want. Finally, the compact GTA6000 chromatic tuner has a wide sensing 

range, perfect for ukes, mandolins, banjos and guitars. 

On-Stage Stands . 800.289.8889 . onstagestands.com . Booth #700 

tattletale’s Portable Alarm Systems 

Portable alarm systems from tattletale make mobile security possible for the music industry. Originally developed 

to protect commercial jobsites, tattletale portable alarms are now finding a home in the music industry. 

This system of alarms and sensors is being used by bands like the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, recording 

studios and music shops all across the country. This American-made alarm protects every piece of gear a 

band needs. The tattletale uses cellular technology to connect to its 24/7, U.S.-based call center so a hardwired 

phone connection is never needed. This means that the 

tattletale is completely portable and can be moved all across the 

country while still protecting what it needs to protect. 

tattletale . 888.835.5668 . tattletale.com . Booth #1426 

MOGAMI’s Gold Instrument Silent Series Cable 

MOGAMI Cable has announced the Gold Instrument Silent Series 

Cable. The cable will be offered with either straight or 90° angle 

Neutrik Silent Plugs. The Neutrik Silent Plug allows hot-swapping 

guitars without the earsplitting pop or risk of blown speakers. 

Previously, the silent plugs were available only on Mogami 

Platinum level instrument cables. Now, Gold Instrument Cable 

users can enjoy the convenience of “silent swapping” on stage 

or in studio. The Neutrik Silent Plugs have an internal switch that automatically 

silences the cable until it is connected. Combined with MOGAMI’s signature 

noise-free cable, Silent Plugs ensure that the only sound coming from the 

cables is made by the instruments. 

MOGAMI Cable . 800.800.6608 . mogamicable.com . Booth #800 

Sony’s DWZ Wireless Series Additions 

Sony has added two packages to its DWZ wireless microphone series: the 

DWZ-B50I instrument set and the DWZ-B50GB guitar set. Each set offers 24-bit 

linear PCM digital audio transmission, two selectable RF modes and 

Sony’s data processing for 

reliable RF transmission, 

a five-band equalizer and 

robust metal body transmitter. 

The DWZ-B50I instrument 

set includes a cardioid 

condenser microphone 

with flexible gooseneck 

and two-way clip for use 

with trumpets, saxophones 

or other wind instruments. 

The DWZ-B50GB guitar set 

also includes a cable tone 

generator for matching the 

sound from wired and wireless 

systems. Sony’s 2.4 GHz 

DWZ series includes combinations of handheld mics, bodypack transmitters, 

and rackmount or compact size receivers. 

Sony Electronics . 201.930.1000 . sony.com/proaudio . Booth #1101 

507 

Odyssey’s Professional Protective Cases 

Odyssey Innovative Designs is releasing new professional protective cases 

for several musical instrument segments, including pedal boards, keyboards 

and guitar amplifiers. Odyssey’s FZGPEDAL Guitar Pedal Cases are ATA Flight 

Ready, designed to safely store pedals connected and mounted to the slanted 

pedal board. The cases include Velcro strips to attach pedals to boards. Odyssey’s 

FZKB Keyboard Cases feature rugged reinforced plywood panels, interior 

interlocking memory foam customizable to accommodate various keyboard 

shapes, and heavy-duty spring-loaded handles, corners and casters. Odyssey’s 

FZGC Guitar Amplifier Cases accommodate amp head and guitar combo amps, 

and feature fully lined interior interlocking memory foam to fit various amp 

sizes; the case lid converts to become a riser for extra height. 

Odyssey Innovative Designs . 626.588.2528 . ody-usa.com 

Booth #1122 


KSM Music’s KSM Foundation Bass Bridge 

KSM Music’s KSM Foundation Bass Bridge suits independent bass builders looking to set themselves 

apart and for bass bridge upgrades. An instrument that is retrofitted with the KSM Foundation Bass 

Bridge will have enhanced characteristics. For example, if the instrument tends to sound low and 

punchy, those characteristic tones will sound clearer and more refined. All moving components lock 

into position with a clamping system after final adjustments are made to prevent any part from vibrating 

loose after extended use. 

KSM Music . 435.753.6813 . ksmmusic.com . Booth #1569 

All Days Music’s Model JA621 Guitar 

All Days Music’s Model JA621 Guitar suits almost any player, offering big sound at an economical 

price. This 40-inch acoustic guitar comes with solid spruce top, Araucaria back and side, Nato neck 

with Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, stainless steel frets, Synthetic Bone nut and upgraded tuning 

machines. Gig bag, instrument cord, pitch pipe, picks and strap are included. 

All Days Music . 855.518.6872 . alldaysmusic.com . Booth #614 

Walden Guitars’ 800 Series Acoustic Guitars 

Walden Guitars is debuting its 800 Series acoustic guitars. The 800 Series is designed for the player 

that favors boutique-style guitars. This new series features all solid-wood construction, Indian rosewood 

back and sides, and models featuring Engelmann Spruce, Sitka Spruce or Western Red Cedar 

tops. The 800 series also features the classic Walden glass-reinforced necks, and Fishman preamps on 

cutaway models. The 800 series will also offer both Dreadnought and Grand Auditorium Body styles to 

accommodate a variety of playing styles. 

Walden Guitars . 888.925.3369 . waldenguitars.com . Booth #300 

Recording King’s Dirty Thirties Series Instruments 

Recording King’s Dirty Thirties Series instruments encompass everything from rugged guitars to tough, 

vintage-styled banjos. Dirty Thirties guitars and banjos suit singer-songwriters, folk stylists or traveling 

troubadours. The Dirty Thirties guitars are available in three shapes: Dreadnought, OOO and Single O. 

Each starts with a solid spruce top and rosewood fretboard with bone nut and saddle. They’re finished 

with classic extra-large fretboard dots, aged ivoroid binding, satin sunburst finish, vintage-inspired 

tuning keys and historic Recording King headstock. The Dirty Thirties resonator and open-back banjos 

are also road-ready. With a satin finish, tube-and-plate flange design, maple neck and Remo Recording 

King banjo head, the Dirty Thirties banjos have traditional banjo punch in a lightweight package. 

Recording King . 888.552.5465 . recordingking.com . Booth #1436 

AMBROSONICS’ Pickup Director 

AMBROSONICS, LLC, has introduced the Pickup Director, now available in different models with 

expandable options. Pickup Director is a programmable and re-configurable pickup switching system 

with patented optical switching technologies. It fits onboard many guitars and basses and runs from 

a single 9V battery. AMBROSONICS also offers a remote power pack so no battery is required in the 

instrument. The Pickup Director allows 

pickups to be wired in series, parallel, 

series/parallel, in-phase or out-of-phase, 

and to blend piezo pickups, as well. The 

push/pull POT puts you into MENU mode 

and, by turning the POT, auditions the different 

sounds. Push the POT down and it 

stores to the Three-Position Bank Select 

switch provided and your Five-Position 

Blade Switch or Three-Position Selector 

in SG/Les Paul guitars. 

AMBROSONICS, LLC . 860.752.9022 

ambrosonics.com . Booth #827 

Generations of Tone 

Yesterday 

Today 

68 July 2013

amplify your Amp & speaker sales 


just an amp ‘box.’ Ampeg, GK and 

Fender [also sell well in the] bass 

category.” 

Bond said Fender tube and 

modeling amps, VOX tube amps 

and some Blackstar products provide 

plenty of register rings in the 

guitar amp category. “As for bass 

amps, Ampeg and Orange [sell 

well]. Sound, as well as portability, 

seems to be the main driving 

force for customers.” 

Bankhead also cited Fender 

and Line 6 as top amp sellers. 

“Especially the Mustangs and 

Spyders,” he responded. “They 

are great for beginners, and 

also as a practice amp for more 

experienced players. Other than 

that, lighter-weight tube amps 

that sound great at reasonable volumes 

and work well with pedals 

are always solid sellers.” 

The Vice President at Springfield 

Music Inc. specifically 

spotlighted the Fender Excelsior 

as a recent amp introduction that 

“always intrigues customers. [It is 

a] low-wattage, retro-looking amp 

that sounds huge. The vintage 

amps are getting a nice buzz (no 

pun intended) because of artists 

like The Black Keys, The White 

Stripes, etc.” 

However, Bond responded 

that there is not much customer 

interest in new amp models in 

his store, and that a majority of 

customers stick with a more traditional 

approach. 

That leads us to the question 

of what innovation our panelists 

would like to see, or what manufacturers 

could be doing better 

to help amps fly off the shelves. 

“I think when it comes to amps, 

designers got it right back in the 

’50s and ’60s,” said Bankhead. 

“The sound of a tube amp ‘breaking 

up’ is what music is all about. 

I would like to see the companies 

improve upon that design to be 

more reliable. Tube technology is 

an old technology, making it fragile 

and requiring maintenance. 

But that’s the sound guitarists 

want.” 

Bond offered a different take. 

“I think better foot control with 

more channels available on the 

amp is the biggest thing people 

would like to see.” 

“I think some of the ‘tech’ amp 

manufacturers could do a better 

job of updating their products,” 

responded Fullerton. “Some of 

the modeling stuff has slowed a 

little as of late, but the biggest 

manufacturers of these products 

have not given them a facelift in 

years.” 

Where there’s an amp, there’s 

often a speaker to go with it. The 

two clearly go hand-in-hand. With 

that in mind, we asked our panelists 

to do double-duty by updating 

us briefly on that segment, 

as well. Do you want to know 

the hottest trend in the speaker 

market? Look no further than 

powered speakers, said Kay of 

Ted Brown Music. 

“Powered speakers are now 

available at all price points from 

many different manufacturers,” 

he said.”Yamaha and QSC are 

making amazing-sounding products 

that are leading the charge. 

On the less-expensive side, we 

have Powerwerks and the Mackie 

Thump series. All of these companies 

are bringing outstanding 

‘price to performance’ with their 

products.” 

Customers are always interested 

in what kind of speaker 

comes with an amp, added 

Bankhead. “Celestions are always 

winners,” he said. “[But] aftermarket 

speaker sales are slow and 

sporadic.” 

When looking for an area of 

growth in speaker sales, retailers 

often mention clubs and houses of 

worship as a top source. Quality 

speakers are always a main 

component of any installation, and 

both types of venues are aware 

that even a minor mistake when 

completing an installation can cost 

a massive amount of money to fix. 

Therefore, clubs and houses of 

worship often turn to MI retailers 

for advice. In turn, MI retailers 

grab subsequent sales. 

This fact, along with the improved 

economy, is the primary 

reason that Bankhead and Kay 

feel positive about the future of 

this sub-segment of MI. “From 

what I’ve seen, the [speaker 

business at clubs and houses 

of worship] is pretty strong,” 

Bankhead said. “There are many 

more churches than clubs in 

[Missouri]. I think customers 

look up to our advice and product 

knowledge when choosing what’s 

right for them.” 

“The house of worship and 

club market is starting to heat up 

again,” concluded Kay. “Economic 

uncertainties have always affected 

how freely our customers spend 

and donate. Over the past five 

years, we have seen a tightening 

of the belt in most of our 

institutional and entertainment- 

under the hood 


from its quality to its ease of use,” 

noted Vaveris. Nagel said that, at 

the NAMM show, “People were 

just amazed at the quality of the 

photography; it’s really impressive. 

It’s designed to be simple 

and get the message across. It really 

speaks to that individual user, 

and it’s designed to grab your 

attention, jump off the shelf, and 

be something you want to look at 

and consider for a purchase.” 

Nagel summed things up with a 

nod to Shure’s enviable reputation 

and the responsibility associated 

Five minutes with 


The Retailer: Is there 

anything I’ve forgotten to ask 

about that you would like to 

add? 

Gross: I would add that you do 

not need to be a musician in order 

to own and operate a successful 

Bach to Rock. I am not a musician, 

and I couldn’t even begin 

to enumerate the rewards I have 

received from this job. We are 

looking for people who have a passion 

for music and kids, but who 

are really business-centric. At the 

end of the day, you are running a 

service retail business. And that is 

the most important thing. 

A similar comment also applies 

on the consumer front. Many 

people have a difficult time conceptualizing 

that relative beginner 

driven sales. Lately, more of those 

customers are making upgrades 

rather than just keeping the existing 

systems running.” 

with being a household name in 

microphones and audio electronics. 

“We’re obviously known for 

microphones in the industry,” he 

observed. “We appreciate that 

people have come to trust us 

over the years. That’s something 

to which we hold ourselves very 

highly. We have to keep gaining 

that trust. So, every time, we 

strive to improve in all facets of 

product development.” 

Without a doubt, BLX Wireless 

Systems live up to Shure’s reputation. 

Prices begin at $374 MSRP. 

musicians can form a band and 

play together. But if you look at 

any other activity—particularly 

ones that kids will join—it is commonplace. 

First-year soccer players 

still have a wonderful time, 

learning and building their skills, 

because they’re doing it as part 

of a team. The same holds true 

in music. Beginning bands are 

developing their skills, learning 

and growing as musicians. 

In the end, we need to break 

down these barriers and bring 

awareness to the misconception 

that you have to be a really good 

musician to be in a band, or you 

have to be a musician to own a music 

school. Those are just fallacies 

and the more we communicate this, 

the more people will dive in and 

enjoy the learning experience. 

trophyTM 

Straps 

Cotton=Comfort! 

Break the Nylon 

Strap Habit! 

www.trophystraps.com 

P: 414.313.1799 

E: info@trophystraps.com 

Made in 

the USA 


under the hood 

Shure’s 

BLX Wireless Systems 


Shure, founded in 1925 and renowned for 

its microphones and audio electronics, including 

products that, like the SM58 vocal microphone, 

have become veritable legends, has not 

slowed its aggressive pace of product innovation, 

coming up with exciting new launches at 

seemingly every trade show. Shure unveiled 

one of its newest introductions—BLX Wireless 

Systems—at January’s NAMM show and, now 

available to the MI retail channel, the series 

is already generating excitement. It combines 

high-quality design and construction with 

easy set-up and operation, delivering reliable, 

rugged wireless performance. To get more 

details, The Music & Sound Retailer spoke to 

Erik Vaveris, Category Director for Wireless 

Products, and Mike Nagel, Product Manager, 

Wireless Products, both of whose enthusiasm 

for BLX was immediately evident. 

“We were trying to raise the bar in performance 

for affordable wireless,” responded 

Vaveris when asked about how BLX had been 

initially conceived. “We challenged ourselves 

to deliver a level of audio quality and stability 

that rivaled much higher-end systems.” He 

remarked upon the excitement of the development 

process, saying the engineers continually 

came up with innovations and improvements to 

facilitate the series’ principal goal: making great 

performance available to everyone, in terms 

of both technical accessibility and affordability. 

“For a customer who wants to be wireless 

because they want the freedom of movement 

and to look more professional,” Vaveris began, 

“the BLX system gives them really professionalgrade 

audio quality, outstanding RF performance 

and reliability, and does it all in a simple, 

easy-to-use package.” 

Nagel was actually working the NAMM show 

when BLX bowed, and thus got a firsthand look 

at how prospective retailers (and customers) reacted. 

He noted that one of the big “wows” was 

how much ground the series covers in terms of 

options. Transmitter options include the BLX1 

Bodypack Transmitter and the BLX2 Handheld 

Transmitter; both boast lightweight, rugged 

construction. The BLX1 has a TQG connection 

for use with Shure lavalier, headset, earset and 

instrument microphones and guitar cables. 

Also in its feature set are a tactile on and off 

switch and adjustable gain control. The BLX2 

has integrated microphone capsule options that 

include Shure’s PG58, SM58 and Beta58A. It 

boasts -10dB gain attenuation. 

Receiver options are also varied, but among their commonalities is one of the most attractive 

innovations that BLX delivers: one-touch QuickScan frequency selection. “The receiver 

will check all the available frequencies to which it can tune, put you on the cleanest one and 

then it’s a matter of a button press to get the transmitter on the same frequency,” explained 

Vaveris. “We really streamlined it to the point where you shouldn’t need any particular training, 

and it’s very intuitive.” A tool like this is critical because of continued spectrum congestion, 

a trend that’s showing no signs of abatement. 

With regard to receiver options, there are three: the BLX4 Single-Channel Receiver; the 

BLX88 Dual-Channel Receiver; and the BLX4R Single-Channel Receiver in a half-rack size for 

installed applications. Common across all three are up to 12 compatible systems per frequency 

band, as well as XLR and ¼-inch output connectors. The BLX4 and BLX88 feature two-color 

audio status LED indicators and LED display. The BLX4R, Nagel said, is “a metal half-rack 

that can be put into any standard rack your customers would use, and also is able to interface 

with all our standard RF accessories.” Expanding upon the benefits, Vaveris added, “The halfrack 

systems have the great benefit of being able to connect to a more sophisticated antenna 

system. They include the half-rack hardware and cables you would need to connect it to an 

antenna distribution system or to mount antennas to the front of the rack.” 

Given the versatility and flexibility of BLX Wireless Systems, they, as one might imagine, 

potentially suit nearly any wireless user. “We’ve certainly targeted any vocalist or musician 

who’s looking to go wireless and wants to buy a system that they’re going to own and operate,” 

said Vaveris. “BLX is a fantastic choice because it’s easy to use, provides great performance 

and includes everything you need.” Shure made a concerted effort to facilitate the last 

part, providing everything a user needs—from a carry case to rack hardware—right in the 

box across the various system configurations. BLX delivers a performance range of up to 300 

feet and its cost of ownership is attractive. As Nagel noted, “The battery life is great. We’ve 

tested with several types of batteries, and we’re getting 14 hours. That’s key.” BLX runs on 

two AA batteries. 

Keeping the day-to-day concerns of music products retailing in mind, Shure also expended 

considerable effort to get the BLX series’ packaging just right, and in a variety of ways. The 

company wanted the quality of the imagery to match the quality of the product. It also wanted 

the description of the features and benefits to be extremely concise, conveying the quality and 

performance but also being straightforward in a way that accords with the simplicity of BLX 

itself. “We tried to ensure that the packaging itself would help convey the story of the product, 


70 

July 2013

Summer NAMM New Product Spotlight - Music & Sound Retailer

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