June 2016 - 1

26
So, You Wanna Buy A Ukulele???
Chris Rooney started thinking about getting into
the ukulele sales business right about when
the craze was set to take off – 2007. Then gainfully
employed by Gibson Guitars, Chris smelled
the ukulele madness in the air and told his contemporaries
it was the wave of the future.
Nearly laughed out of the guitar vendor convention
by his contemporaries, Chris held firm
to his ideals and began Compass Music, which
featured the then not so popular “jumping
flea”. It didn’t hurt that a friend of his started
the now popular company, Kanile’a Ukulele.
As the economy pretty much tanked and people
sought cheaper, simpler entertainment
PLUS there was the leisure time afforded to
folks at the beach who were already retired –
bingo! Formula for success! The ukes were flying
off the walls. Chris also became known as
Photo courtesy of Compass Music
the guy to go to for instrument repairs, set up
and supplies. And he still is, offering exceptional
customer service in person that you just can’t
get from a website vendor. I can vouch for this
personally as he has installed ukulele pickups,
changed strings and done minor repairs for me
over the years.
Today Compass Music is alive and well and
Chris invites you to come on in and kick the
tires of his ukuleles. He stocks brands such as
Ohana, Snail, Eddy Finn, Oscar Schmidt, Kala,
and Makala.
Compass Music is located at 200 150 th Avenue
Suite D, Madeira Beach, Florida
www.compassmusicsales.com