Pearl River captured center stage at Music China 2024 with the introduction of the Mike Lawson Signature Series handmade guitars. Standing out among the 1,800-plus exhibitors at Shanghai’s New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), the new line of high-end guitars made affordable for the working musician attracted a swarm of luthiers, distributors, and industry experts to the Pearl River booth.
Heralded as a guitarist extraordinaire, Mike Lawson has recorded and or performed for decades with legends like Merl Saunders, Bob Welch, and Jorma Kaukonen. His career spans journalism, publishing, and music. Lawson leads top music education publications, has served over 20 years as a lifetime voting member of The Recording Academy, and is a former Grammy Trustee. On the show’s first day, visitors were drawn to a jam session featuring Mike Lawson and Marcelo Roascio, a guitar player, composer, and producer from Argentina. Both performed on Mike Lawson Signature Series guitars to a large crowd of representatives, dealers, and trade media.
“Pearl River has been long established as the world’s best-selling piano manufacturer,” said Leng Tshua, Pearl River’s Global Director of Sales & Marketing, who gave four media interviews to Music China-appointed media companies during the show’s launch party. “Our achievements in handcrafting string instruments such as violins, cellos, and now both acoustic and electric guitars is gaining ground.”
After challenging its luthiers to create a series of acoustic guitars that rival the best, Pearl River sent Lawson two prototypes for evaluation. Impressed with the near-Martin and Gibson quality, his suggestions became a collaboration that led to the handcrafted Mike Lawson Signature Model guitars.
Pearl River also introduced an upgrade of its silent piano player system. The new QU2 intelligent piano/silent system has been designed to maintain the acoustic integrity and structure of the piano with no adverse effect on the sound or keyboard touch. The system is available factory-installed on any upright piano or ordered for customer installation.
Leng Tshua described the improved QU2 Intelligent System as “the perfect blend of acoustic and digital.” He added, “It allows you to perform freely without disturbing others. Plus, with real acoustic action and built-in recording capabilities, there are no bounds to the creative potential.”
Now in its 21st year, Music China is one of the world’s leading musical instrument trade fairs, attracting suppliers, distributors, educators, musicians, and enthusiasts from 26 countries and regions.
