Recent

Prestige Guitars Appoints Rod Washburn as VP of Global Sales

July 18, 2025

ESP Guitars Distributes Morley Pedals in Latin America

July 18, 2025

ProMark Marches Forward with BYOS ‘Scrapes’ and New DC PM1 Series

July 18, 2025

UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) Closing

July 18, 2025

DPA Microphones Welcomes Chris Kontopanos

July 14, 2025

Kepma USA Appoints Industry Veteran Marty Kloska as National Sales Manager

July 11, 2025

Geddy Lee and Tech 21 Present the Special Charity Edition MP40 Signature SansAmp

July 11, 2025

Guitar Center and The Offspring Launch ‘Why Don’t You Get a Job?’ Sweepstakes

July 16, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
  • Contact
MMR Magazine
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
MMR Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Class of 2013: Electra – A Legend Reborn

Christian Wissmuller by Christian Wissmuller
October 4, 2013
in Spotlight
0
Electra’s Ben Chafin, Gene Ymiolek, Mick Donner

Electra’s Ben Chafin, Gene Ymiolek, Mick Donner

939
SHARES
2.3k
VIEWS
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

Guitar aficionados may recognize Electra Guitars as the defunct brand of handsome guitars endorsed by artists like Peter Frampton and Leslie West back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. This spring, after he acquired the rights to the classic Electra name and logo, Florida luthier Ben Chafin relaunched the brand with his “Omega” model electric guitar. After a year of success, CEO Gene Ymiolek says there’s plenty more in store for the near future.

“Seeing the Electra Brand gain acceptance again by consumers and also artists has been very exciting,” he states. Not that it’s been much of a surprise – the name association has helped, but the first product out the gate was the striking Omega model, which boasted handcrafted features. “We refined our messaging, so it is very clear – Electra Guitars are boutique import guitars. By that, we mean we offer high quality woods, paint, appointments, electronics, and hardware. It is an extremely compelling value when you compare it to other choices in today’s market.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Ymiolek says that the variety of industry partners that Electra has worked with – along with a variety of endorsing artists – has been a refreshing part of the process of getting the company off the ground. “We’ve done a good job so far with companies like Babicz, GraphTech, and TonePros/Kluson,” he says. “We’re branching out from product relationships and have some cool upcoming promotions teamed up with Blackstar Amplification, Heil Sound, and Peterson Tuners.” Artists who are already onboard include Red Fang’s David Sullivan, Less Than Jake’s Chris DeMakes, and Dink Cook from Toby Keith’s Easy Money Band.

So far, Electra’s approach to guitar creation has been to update and improve on certain original models while doing their best to retain the look and feel of the original Electras. Subtlety is key: rather than working on radical departures in design that seemed cool 30 years ago, Ymiolek says the focus is on feasibility as well as value – look for built-in EQ, pre-amps, and pickup combinations as sly improvements.  Coming soon is a completely new design called the Talon, geared at “hard rock and metal players,” as well as updated designs like the Omega Prime, Invicta, the Phoenix guitar, and Phoenix bass, with a goal of offering “high value guitars” between $500 and $1,000.

electraguitar.com

The guitar market has continued to grow in 2013, to the delight of many in the industry. With that has come the usual proliferation of new companies, new models, and new tough choices for anyone working on making changes to their inventory this year.  We checked on smaller suppliers throughout the industry that are making big moves this year – determined visionary changes, fan-favorite reboots, big relocations, and even a couple of newborn brands – and ended up with a handful of guitar companies that deserve a special look. 

Tags: Electra GuitarsGuitars
Previous Post

Dennis Drumm on New JHS/LPD Music Distro Agreement

Next Post

Class of 2013: St. Blues – A Memphis Homecoming

Related Posts

Spotlight

‘You Need to Authentically Connect with Musicians and Support Them’

January 9, 2025
Fender CEO Andy Mooney and NAMM CEO John Mlynczak
Magazine Archive

Get Back: Andy Mooney and John Mlynczak on Fender’s Return to Anaheim and the Future of the NAMM Show

September 9, 2024
Spotlight

Riversong Guitars – A Dedication to Innovation and Quality

December 13, 2023
Magazine Archive

The Real ‘Influencers’: Tapping Into the Purchasing Power of Music Educators

September 8, 2023
Spotlight

Keeping MI Retail Contemporary: Menzie Pittman of Virginia’s Contemporary Music Center

June 14, 2017
Spotlight

Sweet Philly Soul

July 12, 2016
Next Post
St. Blues’ Tom Keckler (luthier), Jeff Cox (VP Operations), Bryan M. Eagle III (President) and Greg Mitchell, (Luthier)

Class of 2013: St. Blues - A Memphis Homecoming

Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) Closing

July 18, 2025

Sticking Around: Sales of Drum Sticks & Mallets in 2024

December 17, 2024

Guitar Center and The Offspring Launch ‘Why Don’t You Get a Job?’ Sweepstakes

July 16, 2025

Prestige Guitars Appoints Rod Washburn as VP of Global Sales

July 18, 2025

Prestige Guitars Appoints Rod Washburn as VP of Global Sales

ESP Guitars Distributes Morley Pedals in Latin America

ProMark Marches Forward with BYOS ‘Scrapes’ and New DC PM1 Series

UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) Closing

Prestige Guitars Appoints Rod Washburn as VP of Global Sales

July 18, 2025

ESP Guitars Distributes Morley Pedals in Latin America

July 18, 2025

ProMark Marches Forward with BYOS ‘Scrapes’ and New DC PM1 Series

July 18, 2025

UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) Closing

July 18, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
The Latest News and Gear in Your Inbox - Sign Up Today!
  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • March 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!

© 2005 – 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

This is Modal Title

Click Me
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?