GAMA Launches New Website

Radial Names Stage Audio Works as Distributor for African Region

Harman Completes Acquisition of Martin Professional

Clinton Voigt

Steinway Reports Q4 Results

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB) has reported earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.

Tube Crunch for Lunch

‘Lunchbox’ Amplifiers – Turning Sales Up to 10

Offering genuine tube amp tone in a package – and at a price – more appropriate to many guitarists and bands not playing in mega-arenas throughout the world, micro- or “lunchbox” (some truly hate that term…) amps have really taken off over the past decade. These little guys are versatile units, which have in some cases gone on to exceed their manufacturer’s expected usage, and are now a regular sight on club and even stadium stages everywhere (Hey, if you have a PA and you’ve got " a mic on the guitar rig, who says you need a 100 watt fullstack?).

Deep Roots…

Acoustic Stringed Instrument Sales Thrive

.his recent poll easily elicited the highest response rate of any in the past year or so: Nearly 300 MI Retailers chimed in to share their thoughts on acoustic stringed instruments associated with folk and bluegrass.

This was also one of the more “positive” surveys in recent memory with nearly 90 percent of respondents reporting that sales within this category are either up or level. Other trends that emerged include: an increase in interest for these type of instruments amongst younger customers and female players; a general speculation that, while still going strong, the “ukulele craze” may have reached a critical mass (or at least begun to slow down); and that the banjo is becoming a hot item.

There’s a lot to sink your teeth into here, so read on…

Strumstick Founder Bob McNally

An instrument manufacturer’s take on the success of folk and acoustic instruments

.Bob McNally founded the Strumstick company in 1984, " promoting an instrument that he designed for easy mastery. The instrument features three strings tuned to either D-A-D or G-D-G and, like a ukulele, proved popular with beginners as well as experienced players looking for a simple, dependable voice for music making.

Do you feel like it’s been a good few years for folk instruments in general?

Absolutely. I think the salient phenomenon is the explosion in ukulele playing. Of course, that’s coming on top of 20-plus years of expansion of acoustic music already, going back even longer possibly. The ukulele brought attention to what I call an “informal” side of acoustic music. The Strumstick, along with the ukulele, is an instrument that is focused on bringing people into playing music, and I think both of those instruments’ sales are also generating future customers. Anybody who brings new people in is laying the groundwork for growth in the future.

Notable New Products for Fretted Gear in 2013

RS Custom 64 Supreme Guitar

Nashville’s Custom Red Special Guitars are handcrafted using the same designs used to build the ‘60s models they reproduce.
The 64 Supreme is built using custom- made Block board with Oak inserts layered to enclose the inner chambers of the guitar. It’s covered with select fine onepiece Mahogany Veneers, while the body is bound front and back with white binding.

Notable New Products for Fretted Gear in 2013

RS Custom 64 Supreme Guitar

Nashville’s Custom Red Special Guitars are handcrafted using the same designs used to build the ‘60s models they reproduce.
The 64 Supreme is built using custom- made Block board with Oak inserts layered to enclose the inner chambers of the guitar. It’s covered with select fine onepiece Mahogany Veneers, while the body is bound front and back with white binding.