Supplier Scene

JHS to Distribute Graph Tech in UK

John Hornby Skewes and Co. Ltd. began distributing the full range of Graph Tech Guitar Labs products in the UK from 1^st August 2014.

Graph Tech Guitar Labs produce some of the industry's most innovative and reliable nuts, saddles bridge pins, bridges and pickup systems and are used on some of the biggest names in the guitar world. Through patented methods and proprietary techniques, Graph Tech has designed specific tone and performance enhancements. 

Sennheiser and Full Compass to Co-Sponsor Recording Clinic

Sennheiser and Full Compass Systems have announced that they are co-sponsoring a special audio recording clinic on Thursday, September 11th at the Full Compass facility in Madison, Wisconsin. The event will feature Grammy® award-winning sound engineer Leslie Ann Jones, who will demonstrate recording techniques and best practices when recording in the studio and Wolfgang Fraissinet, president of Marketing and Finance at Neumann, who will discuss microphone choice and techniques for recording large orchestras, among other topics.

Roland Announces Full AIRA Update

Roland has announced that the entire AIRA family has been updated with exciting and useful new features requested by users from around the globe. Easy to install and free for all users, this AIRA update includes enhancements for the whole line, such as backup and restore facilities, and better overall MIDI management. It also provides a wealth of product-specific enhancements, such as external MIDI pitch control for VT-3, tuning control for TB-3, and instrument gain control for TR-8.

Rickenbacker Bob Hawkins Benefit Auction

Rickenbacker International Corp. proudly presents for auction a Model 360 Jetglo electric guitar signed by the original members of the band R.E.M. to benefit musician and uninsured heart attack victim Bob Hawkins, who will receive 100% of the proceeds of this auction.

The auction began on July 17 and will take place online through eBay, through July 27. 

Continuing Momentum & Demand for Asterope Cables

Over the last 12 months, Asterope has seen increasing momentum among both dealers and online retailers for its premium instrument and XLR cable products, the company announced at Summer NAMM in Nashville. Dealers across the US, as well as online retailers, including Musician’s Friend, Amazon, Sweetwater and SamAsh.com, have added Asterope to their product portfolios over the last year.

Nambacker Nation Launches Autograph Sweepstakes Promotion

Nambacker B2B Networking Group has launched a unique Nambacker Nation  “Autograph Sweepstakes” consumer promotion offering instruments and swag featuring signatures from a diverse collection of artist endorsers provided by all participating Nambacker B2B members.  http://nambackerb2b.com/sweepstakes/2014-autograph-sweepstakes/

Every participating company is distributing the same graphics provided by Nambacker B2B through their individual consumer mailing list and social media channels in an orchestrated plan of attack. This cooperative artist autograph approach marks the first of its kind by an industry-wide MI networking group and is designed to increase 3rd quarter sales and help Nambacker B2B members gain more market exposure as a group than they could achieve by going it alone.

Yamaha Dealers Piano Pros Training Tour

Yamaha Corporation of America’s Keyboard Division recently completed a six-city Piano Pros Training Tour, which offered Yamaha dealers enhanced marketing and sales strategies, in-depth product demonstrations, technology training and education, and a sneak peak at soon-to-be-launched instruments, including Yamaha’s all-new Clavinova CLP-500 Series.

“Yamaha prides itself on being a learning organization, and that approach seems to be shared by our dealer network as well,” said Bob Heller, director of national sales, Yamaha Keyboard Division. “This tour was very successful in presenting dealers with the exclusive opportunity to broaden their knowledge, boost their marketing and sales skills and take advantage of all the dealer resources that Yamaha has to offer.”

Hal Leonard and Barbershop Harmony Society Expand Distribution Deal

Hal Leonard Corporation has reached an agreement with the Nashville-based Barbershop Harmony Society to expand the scope of products in its global distribution deal.

Hal Leonard has had a relationship with the Barbershop Harmony Society since 2007. Hal Leonard has used the Society’s arrangements in its popular Close Harmony for Men choral series, and in its innovative Sing in the Barbershop Quartet series. These sing-along collections let men sing four-part a cappella harmony with a professionally recorded barbershop quartet. The books include TTBB parts and the CDs feature full performances.

Rev. Jimmie Smith to Perform at Hammond Event at Summer NAMM

It must be difficult to possess (almost) the same name as the acknowledged master of your chosen instrument, in this case, the Hammond Organ; but those who hear the Rev. Jimmie Smith perform never raise the issue. Yes, he is that good. In addition, during the Summer NAMM Expo on Thursday July 17, Rev Jimmie will record a live a tribute to that master, Jimmy Smith.

Sabian Celebrates 20 Years of AAX Cymbals

When AAX burst upon the scene in 1993, it launched the modern era of cymbal-making. Innovative SABIAN design and technology propelled AAX cymbals to new levels of brightness, cut and musicality – and the widest dynamic range ever achieved!Twenty years later AAX remains one of the top-selling cymbal series from any brand.

Hal Leonard to Announce ‘M4’ Campaign at Summer NAMM

At both NAMM Shows last year, Hal Leonard was lauded as a Best in Show “Company to Watch” for its pioneering work in expanding the availability of software and technology products to thousands of music dealers. Now the music print publisher and product distributor makes it easier than ever for all retailers to get up and running in this profit-rich category.

At Summer NAMM, Hal Leonard will unveil its M4 Campaign, which encourages dealers to get started in the Mobile Music Making Market. The company has put together a bundle with the bestselling products from industry heavy hitters such as IK Multimedia, Griffin, Alesis, Line 6, M-Audio, Samson, JamHub and others.

Peavey Composite Acoustics and Raincatchers Bring Guitars to Haiti

Composite Acoustics (Peavey's line of premium carbon fiber acoustic guitars) recently partnered with members of the clean water organization Raincatchers to bring guitar instruction and enjoyment to the people of Haiti. While on a Raincatchers trip to Haiti to teach members of local communities how to collect rainwater and provide clean water on a daily basis, team member Chad Dohring learned just how much experiencing guitar meant to the townspeople when he brought out his acoustic guitar. While many of the residents had never seen or heard a guitar before, they were equally amazed and delighted by the instrument.