October, 2012 - Music & Sound Retailer

scrambled to move most or all of their productionoffshore.—PeaveyI wish I could say all products that are made in theU.S.A. are superior to overseas products, but that’ssimply not the case. Fortunately, as far as electric guitarsare concerned, it’s true. American-made electricguitars have always been known to have the highestquality standards, and we plan to keep that confidencegoing strong.—CookTrophy has gone out of its way to design and createproducts that have an obvious quality advantage. Thevery fact that an item is made domestically does notautomatically guarantee it is superior. It’s up to us, whomanufacture here, to strive beyond the limits in design,production and branding. If we do that, there arealways those who will opt for a product with greaterlongevity and style. There is no long-term benefitfor U.S. companies to engage in a race to the bottomin quality and price. If we, as consumers, purchasehigher-quality items, it grows our domestic economyin that we are not constantly replacing the sameinferior item. Therefore, we are more in control of ourdisposable income.—BorenI don’t think it is fair to generalize, painting the globalpicture based on our experiences alone. That beingsaid, one can make a compelling case for the opinionthat there is a significantly more positive customer perceptionof a product if it is Made in U.S.A. Through ourown experience, I would agree wholeheartedly.Realistically—again, through our experience—qualityis far more consistent and reliable when controlledin our own factories, right here in America. Thereasons for this conclusion are many, and do not haveanything to do with culture or ethnicity. Instead, theimproved quality is because there is less geographybetween the designer, the producer and the consumer.It is easier to communicate, freight costs are nearlyeliminated, runs can be shorter and faster, and materialsupplies are more reliable and consistent; theresult is superior quality.—D’AddarioManufacturing our Devilcat amplifiers and CMGguitars in the United States allows us to have completequality control from start to finish. We’ve noticed thatimported woods aren’t always what they appear to be.If a foreign manufacturer selects a different option forwood, they may not always offer the best tone. Unlessyou are there to hold the wood and feel its density,you won’t have any idea of what the end product willactually be. When we see our wood every day, speakto the workers every day and make decisions based onthe customer’s best interest, we have complete qualitycontrol. There’s no way around that.Manufacturers all over the world can producequality instruments, but we believe that the “Americansoul” of an amplifier or guitar can only truly beunderstood from the culture in which it originates.Sure, companies can copy. They can break somethingdown to its smallest element and reproduce it in somefashion. For example, think about Beethoven’s classicpiano work, “Für Elise.” You’ve probably been tocountless recitals whereyou’ve heard anyone fromfive to 15 years old completelybutcher it. Eitherthey don’t get the legatoright or the simple feel ofthe piece just isn’t there.It’s not that they’re notplaying the right notes.It’s that they’ve produceda carbon copy. When youlisten to a seasoned concertpianist play the exactsame piece, it becomes abreath of fresh air. It’s theartist’s interpretation andexpression that allows thepiece to flourish.Our employees makecreative decisions allthe time. Since we’re asmaller manufacturer,our instruments don’thave the automation thatmany large factories have.We still do much of ourwork by hand. Our circuitboards are printed, butour amps are hand-wiredwhere it is crucial. Ourtubes are chassis mounted,because it’s the bestway to do it, not becauseit’s the cheapest way.So, perhaps the questionshouldn’t be one ofa “distinct quality difference”but, rather, oneof simple distinction.shine a light(continued from page 40)don’t mean we are more emotional.” Asa great mentor, Senseney made a pointthat Supinie was active in his businessmeetings with vendors and othermerchants to make a smooth transitionof power when he retired. She also hada group of women friends who wereequally successful in college and life,never thinking about restrictive genderroles. With respect to her staff, the OperationsManager is also female, as aremembers of the repair shop. Looking atthe Web site, it looks like the managingstaff is equally split, men and women.Within the industry, Supinie connectswith other female owners whoare supportive of each other. She isvery active in the industry and wasPresident in 2009 of the Retail PrintOur amplifiers have that“American sound.” Ourguitars have that “Americanfeel.” And we’re proudto manufacture them inthe U.S.A.—MitchellThere’s no questionthat products madeoverseas have come along way. Ultimately, theconsumer wins. They geta quality instrument at amore affordable price. Itall depends on the specificproduct, though. There’sreally no way we couldproduce quality customdrums in any place otherthan in the U.S. It’s a verycomplex business modelthat involves lots of variables,such as an expansiveinventory of componentsand raw materials, ahighly trained workforceand a knowledgeablefront office staff to keepthe whole thing moving inthe right direction.From a marketingstandpoint, our CaliforniaCustom Shop is also abig plus. Once drummerswalk through ourfactory and see firsthandthe attention to detail andcraftsmanship that goesinto our products, they’refans for life.—DonnellQuality control! Qualitycontrol! In this day andage, that is what it’s allabout, although othercountries have madegreat strides in improvingthe quality of theirproducts. There is noquestion that you cancontrol the quality of yourproducts when they arebeing made in your ownbackyard.—PortnoyI believe [there is a qualitydifference]. It mightnot be so much the case inother industries, but, whenit comes to musical instruments,especially stringedinstruments, it is crucialhow they are made, inmy opinion. It is equallyimportant by whom theyare made, where they aremade and how the peoplewho make them arecompensated and treated.All these aspects have animpact on the feel, quality,value and market perception.—WolfMusic Dealers Association (RPMDA).She is a member of the National Associationof School Music Dealers(NASMD) and became a member ofNAMM’s Board of Directors in 2011.Plus, Senseney Music has been votedone of the top 100 dealers in the nation.Supinie believes in NAMM’s Circle ofBenefits.Lori Supinie believes we are a sharingindustry and that, in sharing information,we all win. And she was great aboutsharing information. “We do root eachother on,” she affirmed. Supinie encouragesall of us to participate in the shows,join our professional groups, be activemusic makers and continue learning.This makes sense for Senseney Music,and all of us.22 OCTOBER 2012