mi pro issue 109 - june 2009
DESCRIPTION
Musical Instrument ProfessionalTRANSCRIPT
PLUS: MUSIC FORCE KEMBLE BOSE HOOTERS SHEET MUSIC
Dave W
eckl, Terry Bo
zzio, Jo
jo M
ayer and
Vin
nie Pau
l end
orse Sab
ian cym
bals
INSIDE
OFFICIAL SHOWGUIDE
THEY CHOSE SABIANSABIAN CHOSE WESTSIDE
WHY?
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR EVERYONE IN THE MI BUSINESS
No. 109 • JUNE 2009 • WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK PRINT • ONLINE • MOBILE
To find out more about the MG range contact:Marshall Amplification plc Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK11DQ or visit the official Marshall website: www.marshallamps.com
Innovation, functionality and tone – just a few words that help sum up the brand new range of solid-state MG amplifiers from Marshall.Combining years of experience in analogue amplification with cutting-edge digital technology has resulted in the creation of an
all-encompassing amplifier series, ideal for the beginner and gigging pro alike. Specially voiced digital effects, intuitive footswitchingtechnology and four adjustable and storable channels are just a few of the features to be found in the new MG range.
From a punchy 10 Watt combo through to an effects-laden, soul-pounding 100 Watt head, this series has it all.
When Sabian appointed Westside as its strategic partner (and
subsequently its UK distributor) eyebrows were raised among the
drum trade. The two sides explain the reasoning of the partnership
MI Pro’s unique collection of news and interviews concerning the
business and work being done on MI’s front line
NEWS 6Ashton becomes a Force, Kemble &Company to close, Newmoon Insurance,Music Man hits the mid-range
DISTRIBUTION 10Music Force and Engl, Active and Ortega,Hiwatt chooses Freestyle
DRUM NEWS 12Westside percussion sales team,Bisonette at Drumfest
BOSE 27Audio giant revamps its top MI seller
LIMS SHOW GUIDE 37Everything you need to know about theLondon show
I WOKE UP THISMORNING 63Sennheiser’s marketing man takes usthrough his day
CODA 88The last word in MI Pro – and all the funof the industry
MORE THAN BUSINESS 15
RETAIL
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65 68
8
10
COVER STORY
ISSUE 109 JUNE 2009
70
37
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT • PRINT 31Virtually recession proof, there has never been a better time to stock
sheet music. Leading players reveal the benefits
PRODUCTSACCESSORIES 72 DRUMS 74
BASS & GUITAR 76 BACKLINE 77
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT • AMPS 21The UK does nothing better than make guitar amps. Here’s a
rundown of some of the mass of launches this year
NEWS 65World Guitar’s team, The Firm’s firstconference
HOOTERS 68A retailer that goes a lot further to dothings right
FRONT LINE 69Our spy behind the counter
INDIE PROFILE 70Mansons of Exeter – the Mecca of guitar stores
…more than just a gig bag!
Style!Distributed byTelephone + 44 (0)1483 238720
Visit us during LIMS: StandH2, 11 - 14 June 2009 at Excel, Londonor online www.fusion-bags.com
Summertime blues?
Something of a special issue this month, I am sureyou will agree – yes, this is the 101st issue of MI ProI have worked on… Oh and it’s a special LIMS
edition, too. Pages 37 to 58 contain everything the MIprofessional will need to help him or her around the show,from stand to stand and event to event. There’s even arecap on travel and accommodation for those of you whostill haven’t booked your tickets or rooms – you will haveabout a week left once this mag hits your desk.
Judging by the words and whispers that filter throughthe MI Pro office and by which I gauge (utterlyunscientifically) the general state of the industry, it wouldappear that the recession is finally starting to bite theindustry as a whole, compounded by the good weather ofApril. Until that cruellest of months, people remained veryupbeat about business, but now those encouraging wordsseem to have stopped and the trade is hunkering downfor a harsh summer.
This means that there has never been a better time forthere to be a significant trade show for the UK – and it’syou that will make it significant by simply being there.
It is also a good time to make the most of yourstocking options. This is the major reason why thisissue contains a sector spotlight on the sheet musicmarket (page31).
It might be strange to some, but music in print andmusic books never seem to suffer to the extent ofinstrument sales. It’s probably the simple fact that amusician is a musician and will always be on the lookoutfor new repertoire or to find ways of improvingtechniques, but for whatever reason, with the multitudeof options available, there is something for any store tosell through, however specialised. All of the majorpublishers will be at the show, so there’s more reason toget along.
Summer is traditionally the quiet season for MI, so thepositioning of LIMS at its beginning means that clues canbe garnered there to make the best of it – and also to getplans in place to really cash in once the busy autumn toChristmas market kicks in, in September. No man is anisland, John Dunne said, and a retail outlet less so. Getalong and build some new bridges.
Andy Barrett
The encouragingwords seem to have
stopped and thetrade is hunkeringdown for a harsh
summer.
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EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
ANDY BARRETT
EDITOR AT LARGE
GARY COOPER
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ROB POWER
DEPUTY EDITOR
ROB HUGHES
ADVERTISING MANAGER
DARRELL CARTER
PRODUCTION MANAGER
HELEN FRENCH
PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE
ROSIE MCKEOWN
DESIGNER
CLAIRE BROCKLESBY
CIRCULATION
PAUL LITTLE
CONSULTANT
GRAHAM BUTTERWORTH
PUBLISHER
DAVE ROBERTS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
STUART DINSEY
MI PRO CONTACTS
LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILEBookmark us in your phone:
MOBILE.MI-PRO.CO.UK
The Force is with Ashton
TO ACCOMMODATE its growing
family of international brands,
Ashton Music has rebranded as
Music Force Distribution as part
of an overall restructuring of
its business.
The company is investing in
new technology systems, a new
website and taking on additional
staff in key areas. The name
change is seen as a complement
to these updates.
Explaining the reasons for the
change, Jon Gold, Music Force’s
MD, said: “When we started over
three years ago, Ashton was our
sole brand and the company was
a subsidiary of Australis Music.
Following the management
buyout in 2007, however, by me
and Roger Seekings, the long-
term plan was to build on our
success and become a fully
fledged distribution company.
“While Ashton remains a key
part of our business, the trading
name doesn’t really reflect what
the company has now become.
With the addition of three more
established brands in GigSkinz,
Indie and Engl already this year,
we felt that the time had come
for a new name that best
represents what we now are and
one that gives equal prominence
to all of our brands, while being
less confusing for our customers.”
He continued: “We have also
invested greatly in a new
customer service management
facility that will come into effect
at the beginning of July and a
new website that can also be
accessed by our retail partners –
seven days a week, 24 hours a
day – to check stock, place
orders and download manuals,
artwork or price lists.
“These are exciting times for
our company and we are
extremely grateful to our loyal
team and our retail partners who
have helped us achieve so much
over the past few years. We fully
intend to repay that loyalty with
even more support and improved
service for them. With the
infrastructure in place, we will
look to add more brands in
future if they complement and
enhance our existing portfolio.”
With this announcement
made on June 1st, the very first
public (and trade) outing for the
newly branded company will be
the London International Music
Show to be held at the Excel
Centre in London on June 11th
to 14th. The brands mentioned
above will be on show, as will
Ashton, Sparrow and Mariner. The
new website can be found at
www.musicforcedistribution.com.
All other contact details remain
the same.
MUSIC FORCE: 01780 781630
NEWS
UK supplier rebrands operation to better portray its expanding market position and promote products equally
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GARETH JONES, formerly
general manager of Allianz and
a director of British Reserve, has
started Newmoon Insurance, a
new specialist musical
instrument insurer. It will be
targeting musical instrument
retailers and repairers with, the
company explained, an
‘exclusive arrangement’ to offer
one month free insurance on all
instruments they sell or repair.
“With the closure of the
Allianz office and staff
redundancies at Tunbridge
Wells, together with the
transfer of the Allianz and
British Reserve business over to
Pet Plan, I felt passionately that
we should try to retain the
experienced team that had
provided the retailer market
with service and claims
handling,” said Jones. “The
Newmoon team understands
musical customers and our
products have been designed to
meet their needs, with
premiums starting as low as
around £15 per year.”
“We want to work with
retailers to expand our repair
network and to add real value.
We offer retailers the opportunity
to earn commission on both
new and renewed policies, which
we sell to customers as a
consequence of leaflets
displayed by the retailer. My
team and I hope that retailers
will remember the service we
provided them in the past and
support us now by signing up
with Newmoon,” he added.
The free insurance offer is
only available to participating
partner retailers and repairers.
Newmoon Insurance offers
policies suitable for all kinds of
musicians, from touring
professionals to beginners and
students. It covers instruments
against loss, theft and accidental
damage, with no excess and
includes options for public
liability and personal accident
cover. Further details can be
found online at www.newmoon
insurance.com or by phone.
“We are confident that we
will offer excellent value and we
are determined to operate a fair
and ethical claims service –
something we know is
important to retailers,”
concluded Jones.
NEWMOON: 0845 072 8540
Newmoon for MI insurance
JONES: “We hope retailers will support us now and sign up”
Former Allianz executive launches music trade-centred insurance with introductory offer for retailers and repairers
“We felt that the time had come for a
new name that best represents what we
are now and one that gives equal
prominence to all of our brands.”
Jon Gold, Music Force
“Our team understands musical
customers and our products have
been designed to meet their needs.”
Gareth Jones, Newmoon Insurance
NEWS
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THE ASSOCIATED Board of the
Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM),
celebrating its 120th anniversary
this year, has launched a new
brand identity that it hopes
‘reflects the perceptions of
ABRSM’s stakeholders’, after a
two-year international process of
research and consultation.
The association’s marketing
manager, Ben Selby, told MI Pro
that the rebranding was more
than a mere logo change: “We
consulted thousands of people
and while the overall perception
was generally positive, it was
clear that we needed to be a
little bolder in our way of facing
the outside world.”
As a result, the three logos
representing the different
divisions of the organisation have
been replaced by a single, more
simple and striking logo and
there’s also been an overhaul of
the language style the association
uses – particularly visible in the
in-house publication, Libretto, and
on the revamped website, which
has benefited from a simpler
layout and bolder imagery.
The association also brought
together its disparate marketing
departments last year into one,
under Selby.
ABRSM: 020 7636 5400
Kemble & Company to closeLast British manufacturer to cease production from October 2009 as part of Yamaha’s global manufacturing strategy
FOLLOWING the announcement
in March of the impending 30-
day review of the Kemble &
Company manufacturing
operation in Milton Keynes, the
Yamaha Corporation of Japan has
decided to close the factory as of
October 31st 2009.
The decision was made by the
corporation as part of its global
manufacturing strategy and was
one that was based ‘purely upon
economics’. The Kemble brand
will, however, continue into the
future, manufactured at one of
Yamaha’s Far Eastern plants.
“Two and a half years ago,
Yamaha had six piano factories,
in Taiwan, China, Indonesia, the
USA, Japan and the UK,”
explained Mark Rolfe, the
director of the piano division of
Yamaha Music Europe. “Last year
the US factory closed and this
year Taiwan and now the UK
operations have closed.
“I think it is important to stress
that this is no way a reflection
upon UK manufacturing, the
craftsmanship involved nor the
products being made. The mid-
priced piano market has been
heavily squeezed – and that is
where Kemble operates.”
“The problem is that to
manufacture in the UK, you need
to be either high volume or high
end – and Kemble is neither,”
said Brian Kemble. “It is the same
as in 1986, when Yamaha
stepped in to save the Kemble
business. In fact, the volume of
Kemble pianos being made then
was greater than now.
“We were losing money then
and we would lose money now
as a standalone business.”
A dealer meeting was held for
the Kemble dealer network on
May 7th, where three main
issues were raised and
confronted. First, there was the
concern that Kemble pianos
would no longer be made in the
UK. “I explained that, sadly, the
UK is not an option,” said
Kemble. “Most of the buying
decisions are made because of
sound and look and we will be
faithful to the high specification
of our pianos. In our research
sound was considered by most
purchasers of Kemble to be much
more important than being made
in England.”
The second concern then was
the maintenance of that popular
Kemble ‘sound’. “I reassured the
dealers with an explanation
about the sound difference of
the Kemble KC173,” continued
Kemble. “The KC173 is made in
Japan for us, but it has a very
different sound from the C2 on
which it is based. I think the key
thing is to look at the products
and then judge them.” He added
that the fact that European
components will be used is an
important consideration.
The all important issue of
dealer margin came up and
retailers were reassured that the
current Kemble contract
conditions, which allow for a
very good dealer margin, would
be upheld. “Yamaha recognises
the value to our customers of
being a Kemble dealer and wants
to do all that it can to continue
those benefits,” said Kemble.
The UK’s Kemble dealers,
although sad about the factory
closure, are prepared to support
the Kemble brand. The outlined
scheme, they felt, offered a
solution to their mid-range needs
and they recognised the
importance of the brand in UK.
All of them are equally keen,
however, to see that the actual
pianos are faithful to the
Kemble sound.
KEMBLE: 01908 371771
Future’s first half profit
drops 70 per cent
FUTURE PUBLISHING has
revealed a year-on-year drop of
70 per cent in pre-tax group
profits for the first six months
of its fiscal year. Despite this,
the UK office enjoyed a three
per cent profit rise in the
period, with the downturn
firmly fixed on the tough
market conditions in the US.
The group posted a £1.2
million pre-tax profit for the
six-months to March 31st,
2009, compared to a £4.1
million figure a year before.
Revenue for the period dropped
two per cent to £76.6m.
Results were affected by
weaker advertising revenue in
the US and disruption to US
newsstand distribution following
a dispute among wholesalers
and distributors, the firm said.
The official statement added
that the problem was “now
largely behind us.”
Future’s UK business, which
comprises 68 per cent of group
revenue, reported a three per
cent rise in profits – but
revenues dropped by six per cent.
“The underlying strength of
our special-interest business,
our ability to mitigate revenue
disappointment swiftly, and
continuing progress in our
strategy all give me confidence
that when the economic storm
does finally clear, Future will be
well-positioned to benefit,”
said the statement. “While our
outlook for the second half
must remain cautious, we are
still on course to meet
expectations for the full year.”
Music qualification association unites activities
and creates bolder customer facing image
ABRSM rebrands
The Kemble factory may close, but the brand will live on
“This is in no way a reflection upon UK
manufacturing, the craftmanship
involved nor the products being made.”
Mark Rolfe, Yamaha Music Europe
Six-month revenue dips, but UK office enjoys slight profit rise
THE STERLING by Music Man
line of guitars and basses is now
shipping. The new range,
introduced by Ernie Ball Music
Man, is a licensed product line,
manufactured in Indonesia,
distributed worldwide by Praxis
Musical Instruments of Orange,
California and in the UK through
Strings & Things.
The new line
features classic
Music Man
designs, parts
and components
and is designed
and approved by the Music
Man team. Four guitar models
and three bass models were
originally introduced at the 2009
Winter NAMM Convention and
received a very positive response
from dealers and players alike.
Working closely with the
Music Man team, many parts
and components are identical to
the USA instruments. The bass
pickups use the same bobbins
and covers (supplied by Music
Man), are wound with the same
wire and with the same number
of turns per pickup.
The three-band active bass
preamp offers boost and cut to
treble, mid and bass frequencies
and the instruments have a solid
wood construction – no
laminates. The components are
made in Korea and final
inspection and set-up takes place
in California.
Ernie Ball Music Man has
conducted a few experiments
with entry-level and mid-priced
guitars in the past, notably the
OLP licensed entry level
instruments and the more recent
Ernie Ball Music Man made Sub
range.
The company
feels that now it
has the blend of
US design and
quality control
that it desired,
combined with Far Eastern
manufacture and pricing, pretty
much spot on.
The instruments begin at
around £400 and rise to about
£700, marking them firmly in the
mid-priced section of the
market, but with the added value
of being Music Man approved
and checked instruments.
The four guitar models are the
AX20 (based on the Axis Super
Sport), the AX40 (based on the
Axis), the Silo 20 double cutaway
and the JP50 John Petrucci
signature model, which utilises
the same forearm and
contouring found on the
USA version.
On the bass front, there is the
Ray 34, a remake of the classic
four-string Stingray model and
the Ray 35, which is the five-
string version.
The last instrument on the list
is the SB14, based on the Sterling
model, but with a downsized
basswood body.
STRING & THINGS:
01273 440442
NEWS
Adam Hall appointment
for Eminence products
ADAM HALL UK has appointed
Trevor Riley as its product
manager for Eminence
loudspeakers, with a remit to
establish focused marketing
and sales activities for the
prestigious brand.
Riley, who will report to
Adam Hall’s general manager,
Andrew Richardson, has worked
within the electronics industry
for 30 years, 25 of which were
in sales and the last 14 as
sales director.
“Trevor is perfect for the job
because he brings a wealth of
experience and professional
organisation to our company,”
commented Richardson. “His
business acumen is without
question and his drive,
determination, ability and sense
of humour set him apart from
the crowd.
“He will fit in extremely well
within this industry because of
his sense of humour. Generally,
you will hear Trevor coming
before you see him. That’s the
kind of big character this
industry loves.”
“I have always enjoyed a
new challenge and joining
Adam Hall with the
opportunity to be involved with
an industry legend such as
Eminence was an opportunity
that I couldn’t miss,” added
Riley. “I hope I can bring a lot
to what, for me, is a new
industry and an exciting
market. I very much look
forward to being a part of it at
Adam Hall.”
ADAM HALL: 01702 613922
Trevor Riley takes up responsibility for supplier’s latest line
THE NEWLY relaunched speaker
maker, Fane, has announced the
return of its Medusa series of
backline speakers.
The Medusa was integral to
many classic British amps of the
1960s, including Hiwatt,
Jennings, Sound City, WEM, Vox
and Laney and the relaunch, the
company claims, remains
completely faithful to the
original blueprints and
incorporates the same British
manufactured cones, made in
exactly the same way as the
originals 40 years ago.
“Old Fane speakers were
selling for a fortune on eBay,”
remarked Neil Barnes.
“People believed they could
no longer be duplicated, so we
went back to the handwritten
archives. We identified a number
of speakers we knew could be
winners if we could make them
again, so we went to see if we
could still get the original Muller
cones and found they still had
the tooling.
“As a result, we can make
exactly the same speaker, right
down to the original Sheffield
steel frames.”
Interested parties, whether
retailers or OEM, should contact
Fane by email or at the phone
number below.
FANE: 01924 224618
Medusa reflects
relaunch strategy
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Re-established speaker manufacturer, Fane,
decides to return to a backline classic
Trevor Riley (left) is welcomed by Andrew Richardson (right)
The new line features classic Music Man
designs, parts and components and is
approved by the Music Man team.
Ernie Ball Music Man makes latest and definitive move into mid-price market
“We can make
exactly the same
speaker, down to the
original frames.”
Neil Barnes, Fane
Strings & Things announces Sterling
UK gains guitar range
from Meinl stable
ORTEGA GUITARS, the classical
guitar brand owned by the
Meinl company, has appointed
Active Music as its UK
distributor – Active is also the
UK distributor for Meinl’s
cymbals and percussion.
Commenting on the
acquisition, Active’s Lee
Worsley said: “Our partnership
with Meinl is strengthened by
the addition of this fantastic
line. The range consists of a
number of lines and designs
that are now being offered
from one source to the UK
trade, along with some modern
twists to the classical design.”
In addition to conventional
classical guitars, Ortega
incorporates unusual design
features such as coloured
bodies, cutaways,
truss rods and
electric pick-up
options. There
are also
mandolins and
ukuleles
available.
Retail prices
range from £139 to
£3,199. All of the
instruments come with
a gig bag and are
supported by colour
packaging.
Retail marketing is
backed up with a full
catalogue, comprehensive
website, product DVDs
(complete with product
images and text options for
web use) and full product
training on offer to all stores
taking on the line.
Worsley concluded
by saying: “The
Ortega range
offers retailers a
great opportunity
in a market where
product choice is
limited by offering
innovative designs,
along with full
marketing support,
great margins and
consistent quality
and supply.”
ACTIVE MUSIC:
020 8693 5678
ENGL AMPLIFICATION has joined
the rapidly increasing list of
brands distributed by Music
Force (Ashton Music) in the UK.
Announcing the deal, which is
effective immediately, in an
official statement, Ashton said
the new agreement will see Engl
widely available in the UK and
Ireland and being supported by a
dedicated field sales team,
service centre and major
marketing campaign. The latter
will include a large presence at
next month’s LIMS show, where
there will be live demos and
guest appearances of some of
Engl’s leading endorsers. LIMS
will also see a world exclusive –
the launch of the new Engl
Fireball amp head.
Commenting on the move,
Ashton Music MD Jon Gold said:
“I have long admired the Engl
brand and the quality it stands
for. Its growth in the USA and
Europe over the past few years
has been phenomenal and we
are very excited about the
prospect of working with the
Engl family and key UK retail
partners to replicate this
success here.
“We have some great
initiatives planned to help reward
and support the existing dealers,
which is our initial objective,
before introducing other quality
retailers to the joys of Engl at
LIMS and afterwards.”
Chris Schlossarek, Engl’s MD,
said: ‘We are very excited at the
prospect of bringing Engl to the
next level in the mother country
of rock n roll and we now have a
partner that shares the same
passion, ideals and vision as Engl.
We are very confident that the
future of the brand and its
customers in the UK is going to
be very exciting and rewarding
for all and the forthcoming
London show is a great place
to start.”
MUSIC FORCE:
01780 781630
DISTRIBUTION • NEWS
Active to
distribute
OrtegaFast-growing UK distributor gains Engl amps and now hopes to repeat its US success
Music Force adds Engl Amps
SANDARAC will be launching
the French brand Dupont guitars
and amplification systems from
stand D12 at this year’s London
International Music Show (LIMS).
They might be new to the UK
market, but Dupont instruments
have been played by well-known
artists such as Eric Clapton and
Steve Miller and the range of
products includes a jazz archtop
(the Be Bop) guitar, along with
the Auditorium and ABJ flat
tops, the folding ‘Volante’
Double Bass, a retro Jaxx Stimer
amp and a retro Selmer style
pickup (as played by Django
Reinhardt).
In tribute to the new line,
the Sandarac stand will be
themed as a jazz cafe and
visitors will be able to hear all
the gear being played by top
instrumentalists from the jazz
world, who will be dropping by
for a jam on the public days,
and also to catch up on all the
jazz news from Jazzwise
Magazine, which will also be
available on the stand.
Sandarac chose last year’s
LIMS to launch its
innovative battery-less, re-
chargeable pickups and is
the UK supplier for a range
of orchestra stringed
instruments and
classical guitars.
SANDARAC: 01787 238350
New distributor for historic British amp maker
HIWATT UK has announced
that the UK distribution of its
products has been awarded to
Freestyle Music with
immediate effect.
Freestyle will hold stock of the
full range of products with UK
custom, hand-wired models
continuing to be built to order.
Mark Lodge, the general
manager of Hiwatt, said he sees
this as a strategic move in the
development of the brand in the
UK and looks forward to working
closely with Freestyle.
Phil Pilsworth, MD of Freestyle
Music, added: “It is a fantastic
opportunity to work with Hiwatt,
a brand name with legendary
status. And, with the number of
high profile users growing daily,
the future is exciting. We’ll be
exhibiting Hiwatt at LIMS, to
introduce Freestyle as the UK
distributor of this iconic brand.”
FREESTYLE: 01924 455414
Hiwatt goes Freestyle for supplier
Phil Pilsworth and Mark Lodge shake on the deal
L to R: Engl’s Chris Schlossarek, Ashton’s Roger Seekings and Jon Gold
Stringed instrument specialist takes on French luthier’s guitars and amps
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Sandarac chooses Dupont
“I have long admired the Engl brand
and the quality it stands for.”
Jon Gold, Music Force
Year Established: 1992
Number of employees:
Nine. All located in Chesterfield.
Is business up or down compared
to last year?
UK sales are up on last year’s end-of-
year figures, whereas the export end
of year total is slightly down. The
European market, along with some
of the Baltic and Eastern European
countries, is still growing and has
remained a good market for us over
the last several years. Where we
struggle is with deep sea markets –
mainly North and South America,
plus Canada. Exchange rates coupled
with high freight costs and the
current economic climate are making
market penetration a little awkward,
which is very frustrating as we
receive many requests on a daily
basis for Hardcase products.
Which are your best selling lines?
The 14-inch snare drum case is the
biggest seller, but sales of all models
in the distinctive corporate black
with gold webbing (which we are
extremely proud of) seem to keep
growing. We recently introduced a
new range of colours which are
capturing the end-users’
imagination, plus our fully-lined
Hardrock range never ceases to
amaze with sales growth.
Apart from your products, what
are your strengths as a
distributor?
We are actually the manufacturer
and because we only have a small
team we take great pride in being
able to offer and provide a more
personal/one-to-one service. Plus
our commitment to detail by each
team member is paramount.
Do you think it’s been a
particularly tough year for
retailers?
Yes, especially with the internet
becoming a major player in the
retail market. I also feel that the
national media don’t help the cause
with too much scaremongery about
the nation’s economy – in fact,
about the global economy overall.
The country as a whole is aware
that the economy is in trouble but
the press keep pushing the knife in
even deeper.
Is the internet the biggest
challenge facing the industry
today?
It certainly is very high on the list
where sales are concerned, but it’s
part of everyday life. Technology is
moving forward all the time, which
is fantastic, but call me old
fashioned as I still prefer to pop into
your local High Street music store,
have a chat and take a closer look
at what they have to offer. Musical
instruments and equipment are
tactile and I feel that part of the
enjoyment in making music is
checking out, listening and having a
play with gear before making a
decision. It would be a great shame
if retail outlets were to disappear.
In a perfect world, what product
lines would you add to your
portfolio?
This is a difficult one to comment on
as there are so many areas where
we know our technology could be
adapted to produce a suitable case.
What are your aims for the next
12 months?
Quality, support and new products
where possible.
SIGN UP FOR THE MI PRO NEWSFLASH SERVICE AT WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 11
PROFILE • DISTRIBUTION
Address: Broombank Road, Chesterfield Ind. Estate, Sheepbridge Lane,
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QJ
Phone: 01246 451234 Fax: 01246 572457 Email: [email protected]
Contact: Dave Eyre – UK Sales Manager/Artist Relations
MI Pro asks the team at Hardcase how business is doing, about the impact of
the failing economy and whether technology can ever replace traditional retail...
CONTACT DETAILS
WESTSIDE DISTRIBUTION, the
UK distributor for Sabian, has
confirmed Jay Lewington and
Dave Stewart as area managers
for its percussion sales and
brand management team.
Based in Leigh-on-Sea,
Lewington, who set up PMT’s
House of Drums and has a CV
including American Percussion,
Active Music and Arbiter, will be
handling Sabian sales for the
south. Nuneaton-based Stewart,
formerly manager of Glasgow’s
Drum Central and sales manager
for Pearl, handles the north.
Both are active drummers,
with Lewington’s band playing
original material, while Stewart,
whose career credits include
Camel, Fish (Marillion) and
Deacon Blue, occupies his spare
time with sessions.
“With significant investment
in brand marketing and
promotion, plus the great team
of Jay Lewington and Dave
Stewart on the road, Andy
Gillespie co-ordinating from our
Glasgow office and a steady
supply of inventory to fill the
orders, Sabian customers around
the UK are now enjoying the
high standard of service they
deserve,” said Westside’s
director, Phil Hay.
“Choosing Jay and Dave –
both longtime friends of Sabian
– and teaming them with Andy
Gillespie is a reminder that
focused brand management is
an attribute that makes
Westside Distribution a great
choice to represent Sabian in
the UK,” added Sabian’s senior
marketing manager, Wayne
Blanchard.
Westside: 0141 248 4812
UK supplier flying Sabian’s flag with recognised, experienced and specialist drum division sales team now in place
Mikedolbear.com Billy
Cobham exclusive
THE MIKEDOLBEAR.COM
website has posted an
extensive interview with the
jazz drumming legend, Billy
Cobham. In the interview,
Cobham explains how he sets
up his kit (Cobham plays the
‘open hand’ technique), talks of
his most influential teacher
(the late Louis Bellson) and his
approach to composition.
“First and foremost my
natural tendency was to be
comfortable – I didn’t want it
to be work,” he explained.
“My dad was a pianist and
he knew many New York
musicians. They told me I had
to play traditionally. When I
asked ‘Why?’ they said,
‘Because that’s the way you do
it’.” Needless to say, Cobham
soon abandoned this approach.
As well as the interview, the
mikedolbear website lists
‘appraisals’ of Cobham’s work
and influence, from drummers
at the very top of their game,
such as Gary Husband and
Derrick McKenzie.
Westside confirms percussion team
DRUM NEWS
12 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
Drum City new store TO CELEBRATE the opening of its
‘bigger and better’ drum shop,
Drum City invited all customers
and music fans to attend the
launch day on May 30th.
The day gave those attending
the chance to meet some special
guests, including Steve White,
Craig Blundell, Darrin Mooney
and Pete Riley. The store also put
on some opening offers for
customers to take advantage of.
The store’s new contact
details are: Drum City, 42 High
Street, Romford, Essex RM1.
Drum City: 01708 747700
Jazz legend talks to drum specialist website
about his 40-year career at the drumkit
THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY MIKEDOLBEAR.COM, THE LEADING ONLINE RESOURCE FOR EVERYTHING DRUMS.
VISIT WWW.MIKEDOLBEAR.COM FOR MORE DETAILS.
ONE OF THE MOST acclaimed
session drummers, Gregg
Bissonette, known for his wide
range of styles from rock to jazz,
latin to funk, joins the roster of
artists set to perform at
Drumfest 2009 on July 12th at
the NIA, Birmingham.
Bissonette has performed and
recorded with a variety of artists
including Santana, James Taylor,
David Lee Roth, Toto, Joe Satriani,
Don Henley, Hans Zimmer, Brian
Wilson, Celine Dion, Steve Vai –
and even Spinal Tap.
Bissonette long held the
ambition to play with his
brother, Matt (a pro bassist) in a
band. In 2003, the dream came
true when the brothers were
asked to play in Ringo Starr’s
Band. They did a tour of the US
promoting Starr’s album "Ringo
Rama". In addition to playing
drums while Starr sang, the
drumming pair also played
double drums on Beatles hits.
For more information on
Drumfest visit drumfest.net.
PMT: 0121 3595056
2009 drum show adds another top
drummer to roster of impressive artists
BISSONETTE:
Who hasn’t he
played for?
STEWART AND LEWINGTON:
Longtime friends of Sabian
Gregg Bissonette to
perform at Drumfest
Some saw it coming, but Sabian’s
announcement earlier this year that
Westside Distribution was to be its
new exclusive UK distributor was still a
real left hook. Though Glasgow/London-
based Westside had been appointed some
months earlier as the ‘strategic logistical
partner’ for the Canadian cymbal brand,
surely Sabian wouldn’t quit a legendary
distribution giant with extensive retail
reach (Arbiter), in favour of an outfit
specialising in guitar-related brands? But it
did. And – almost serendipitously – it
turned out to be a union forged on
friendship, trust and respect, rather than
Sabian hopping on board with a big-name
percussion distributor – many of whom
were likely knocking on its door. At its
core, though, it was a bold new direction
for big brand distribution in the UK.
The UK-based Sabian director of sales
and marketing, Jackie Houlden, gives his
synopsis of what happened: “An ongoing
situation with our former distributor
resulted in UK dealers not being able to
access Sabian product on a reliable basis.”
As simple as that? “Other than we
tolerated a deteriorating relationship
until it eventually forced our hand, yup,
that’s it.
“Our challenge then was to find a
distributor Sabian could partner with, not
just someone to simply stock and sell.
Having seen Westside operate in its
strategic logistical partner role, there was
no doubt it deserved a shot at the full-
time gig. Together we’re now increasing
the market value of the Sabian brand in
the UK. That’s what matters,” he asserts.
“Our real concern was the management
of the Sabian brand and the effect on its
value in this market,” interjects Sabian’s
senior marketing manager, Wayne
Blanchard. “Westside understands the
value of a great brand. It knows how to
sell them and it knows how to manage
them. Just look at its portfolio: Mesa-
Boogie, Martin, Levy, Elixir, Schecter and
Aer. In a passionately personal and
aspirational business like music, people
don’t buy products, they buy brands. And
Westside knows brands.”
Its seems that Westside recognised that
Sabian was a big brand. “Just look at its
current ‘What’s Your Sound?’ ads,” says
Westside’s director, Phil Hay. “Spend time
with its cymbals. It’s all brilliant stuff,
rooted in years of traditional hand
craftsmanship, innovative design and
creative marketing. Sabian is all about
creativity and quality, two key points
behind any major name. We love this
brand and our focus is on maximising its
potential for our dealers.”
Though lauded in the guitar trade,
Westside was all but unknown to
percussion dealers. “That was never a
deterrent,” says Houlden. “We wanted a
distributor who would partner with us to
build the brand, service the market, assist
the media – really do the job that needs
to be done.”
“Yes, people were asking why we chose
Westside,” adds Blanchard, but one could
also ask ‘why did Westside choose
Sabian?’ After all, it has a portfolio of
high-profile brands and a tremendous
reputation in the guitar industry – it
certainly didn’t need to be getting into
cymbals.”
For Sabian, Westside represented the
opportunity to sidestep the usual
manufacturer/distributor relationship and
collaborate with a highly effective partner
with ideals and energy for branding that
matched its own. “It’s focused. It’s friendly.
It plays a clean game – and Westside
cares,” observes Houlden, himself known
for the sort of Glaswegian tenacity that
suggests he isn’t easy to please. “Westside
understands core values, resource
investment, communication and
stimulating dealer and consumer
awareness about its brands. In short, it
does brand management and value
creation very, very well.”
It’s an opinion that runs throughout
Westside’s other suppliers, too. Guitar
strap guru Harvey Levy of Levy’s Leathers
agrees: “Westside are the best. I couldn’t
design a better distributor if I tried.”
Similarly, Chris Martin, of CF Martin
Guitars, says: “Westside was a young
company when met, but even then we
sensed a level of business acumen that
has since proved we made the right
choice.” Ditto Randall Smith at Mesa-
Boogie: “Phily and Jonny seem like down-
to-earth guys with good basic integrity.
We relate to them because they seem like
us. We share the same values.”
Such kudos suggests a massive,
resource-rich structure, but it's not like
that, says Hay. “For Sabian we have a tight
team of highly respected specialists to
manage the brand, support the dealers and
supply the goods. Even the most critical
dealers are now happy to get a call from
Westside or have reps Jay Lewington or
Dave Stewart walk through their doors,
SABIAN • COVER FEATURE
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 15
Go west, young manThere was surprise among the drum retail fraternity when Sabian chose Westside as its new UK distributor - but there was a lot
more to the deal than simply selling cymbals. MI Pro talks to the Sabian and Westside teams to hammer out the full story…
COVER FEATURE • SABIAN
probably because they recognise that we
offer answers for their business concerns.
Then there’s Andy Gillespie managing
logistics from our head office. Like Dave
and Jay, Andy has an extensive percussion
background and a mind that is very
capable of rationalising and reconciling
business with reality. He’d previously
done a lot of project work for Sabian,
so he’s like a secret weapon, primed
to respond to any situation. We
also have strong and very close
support from Sabian.”
Westside sits under the
steely grey, rumbling
skies of central Glasgow,
a stone’s throw from
the busy Argyll Street
and the murky waters of
the River Clyde.
Anonymous to the
point of being invisible,
it’s easy to miss the
building. This sort of
anonymity almost caused
Sabian to overlook
Westside.
Holden says: “If it
weren’t for Wayne
introducing me to Phil a
few years ago, we would
likely have a different
distributor.” Blanchard has
known Hay since 1976, when
the latter was drum manager for
James Grant Music in Edinburgh
and Glasgow. The introduction of Hay
and Houlden was quite innocuous – a
family luncheon. “I felt they should know
of each other, if only because they lived in
the same city. And… well, just in case.” As
for the low profile of his company, Hay
confirms this is by intent. “We’re all about
the brands,” he says. “It’s not about
Westside. We aren’t selling Westside,
dealers aren’t selling Westside and the
customers in the shops aren’t buying
Westside. No, we’re selling brands and the
customers are buying brands. So why
focus on anything but those brands?”
This ‘brands first’ philosophy was the
magnet that attracted Houlden’s
attention: “That ability to focus on what
matters most is just one of Westside’s
many assets.”
Hay is a quiet man. But behind that
reserve is a mind working overtime. Along
with London-based partner Jonny van der
Schoot (alias Jonny X), he had a vision of
distributing Sabian long before meeting
Houlden. “I really wanted percussion in our
portfolio and Sabian was where I wanted
to start.”
While the restless shifting of brands
from distributor to distributor (witness the
seismic changes resulting from the
acquisition of Kaman by Fender) has
prompted some to claim distribution is a
risky business, Westside continues to make
the traditional approach work.
Hay is not worried by this trend of
brand migration. “Our portfolio consists of
personal brands, not big corporations.
They’re owned by people, not shareholders
and banks and we deal directly with those
people.” As for issues such as the pan-
European approach adopted by the likes of
Fender and Yamaha, he sticks true to type.
“I can only say that Westside is totally
committed to its brands. We like to feel
that by doing a good job there is little
need for them to adopt a pan-continental
approach. Sabian is a perfect example of a
brand that is very workable in the UK.
Managed correctly, it has the potential to
be a real profit driver for its dealers.”
The brand strength Hay admires likely
exists because when Sabian was launched
in 1981, it had a singular vision, summed
up in the slogan ‘the finest cymbals for
the finest drummers’. That happened when
Robert (Bob) Zildjian was forced out of the
Zildjian family business because, he
maintains, he was a vociferous opponent
of a plan to put quantity before quality.
“There were things I cared about that they
didn’t care about,” Zildjian says, being
uncharacteristically tactful. “As far as I was
concerned, we could make better cymbals,
but my father and brother weren’t
16 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
Bob Zildjian has always put quality first Westside’s Andy Gillespie manages logistics
SABIAN • COVER FEATURE
interested – they just wanted to make
more cymbals. So for me, it was a quality
issue.” The parting settlement offered two
options: “A big pile of money and get the
hell out of the business. Or a small sum
and keep the Zildjian (AZCO) plant in
Canada. They figured I’d screw everything
up and nobody would hear anything more
from me.”
But they were wrong. Retreating to the
AZCO plant he’d set up in 1968 in eastern
Canada, Zildjian kicked his ideas into gear.
“We had 15 of the best craftsmen. It’s
hard to believe, but that small team was
making 40 per cent of Zildjian’s output.
They did all the difficult stuff, like thin
crashes, chinese cymbals and the K
Zildjian line, which was hand-hammered
back in those days.” For a name, Bob
Zildjian looked to his offspring. “We came
up with Sabian, from the first two letters
of each of my kids’ names: Sa (Sally), Bi
(Billy), and An (Andy).” And the Zildjian A
series cymbals made in Meductic became
the AA (“Yeah, twice as good,” laughs
Zildjian) and the K became HH (“All the
hand hammering guys stayed with
Sabian.”) Having been the Zildjian
company’s link to the international
business world, many distributors readily
aligned themselves with Bob Zildjian and
his new company.
The first 11 years saw Sabian continue
along its traditional path, with a heavy
reliance on marketing to define its brand.
Then, in 1993, it introduced AAX, a new
series cited as the ‘first modern cymbal’.
With its ‘dynamic focus’ design and
modern bright sound, AAX was an
immediate hit and would prove to be the
catalyst for a brand-defining move that
would point the company in a more
creative direction. “We were no longer just
making cymbals; now we were designing
them and putting out new sounds that
really excited drummers,” says Zildjian.
AAX was followed by the darker
sounding HHX and other lines, all designed
in the Sabian Vault. “Our innovation is
relevant,” proclaims Zildjian. “We’re not
into gimmicks, which is why Dave Weckl,
Neil Peart, Jojo Mayer and other drummers
who know their stuff play our stuff.”
The Sabian company sees its name as
synonymous with innovation. Taking that a
step further, Blanchard says this is the key
to understanding the true vision and value
of Sabian: it is ‘the modern, innovative
cymbal brand… with traditional of roots.’
The company was also the first cymbal
maker to win three MIPA awards for
‘Outstanding Cymbal’ (HHX, HHX
Evolution, HHX Legacy).
Fast forward to 2009 and the Sabian
announcement that Westside was its new
UK partner. If that wasn't big enough
news, the following day’s headlines
delivered the real clincher. Arbiter, Sabian’s
longtime distributor, was going into
receivership. “There were some very good
people at Arbiter,” offers Houlden, “but…”
In a recent day-long session, just a
stone’s throw from Tower Bridge, Sabian
and Westside defined their combined
strategy. Houlden and his UK and
European team of Nadine Metayer,
Christian Koch and Bruce Parry were
joined by Blanchard, who flew in from
Canada. Phil Hay and Jonny X were there
with Westside’s percussion marketing
manager Andy Gillespie and the sales
team of Dave Stewart (formerly with
Pearl) and Jay Lewington (formerly with
Arbiter). Blanchard’s comment from the
day appeared to sum it up for all involved:
“It’s like putting a new band together –
and we’ve got the best players in town.”
Westside is rapidly converting doubters.
“When the change was announced,” says
Pete Lewis of the SoundAttak store, “we
simply shook our heads. But Jay Lewington
is great, orders are delivered on time and
Andy Gillespie’s been a big help. Westside
has turned out to be everything Sabian
said it would be – which is fantastic.”
So is this a new approach to business
partnering? “It may be,” laughs Houlden.
“At least from our experience. These are
people we know, respect and enjoy doing
business with because they get the
business done.” It’s Westside’s ability to
‘be the brand’ that works for the dealers.
Even matters such as Sabian’s artist
relations and media product reviews have
been given a new priority to put things
back into perspective.
Westside wasn’t the only distributor to
solicit the Sabian account. Houlden
comments: “We appreciated their interest.
It’s not like they weren’t qualified or
tempting, but Westside – because it
wasn’t a percussion distributor – struck us
as being more suitable. I know that sounds
like a contradiction, but we started to
realise that we would rather be in a one-
of-one situation than one-of-ten. Sabian
now gets the dedicated attention it
warrants and we see this as a sustainable
profit-making partnership between Sabian,
Westside, and the UK dealers.”
So what’s in the wings for Act Two? “All I
will tell you,” Hay says, “is that we won’t be
doing some of the things people will expect
us to do. We’re only interested in
maximising the value of our brands and
ensuring the success of our dealers, so don’t
expect any unnecessary flag waving from
us.” Which, according to Houlden: “suits
Sabian just fine, thank you very much.”
WESTSIDE: 0141 248 4812
“ Sabian now gets the attention it warrants and
we see this as a profit-making partnership
between Sabian, Westside and the UK dealers.”
Jackie Houlden, Sabian
Westside’s area sales managers: Dave Stewart (left) and Jay Lewington (right) Sabian’s Jackie Houlden and Westside’s Phil Hay have high hopes for their partnership
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 17
Join us on Stand H16 at LIMS, 11-14 June 2009
GUITAR AMPS • SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
While no records are kept, NAMM and Musikmesse 2009 might have
produced more new guitar amps than ever before – hundreds of them.
Rob Power takes a look at the arrivals and what they have to offer…
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 21
There can be little doubt that after a
new guitar, a new amp is one of the
most satisfying things a guitarist can
purchase. After the scrimping and saving
and endless test sessions in the shop,
walking away with that all new, yet to be
blown up amp really is a thing of beauty.
The tonal possibilities flood the mind,
whilst the creative matching of favourite
axe to new amp with a few pedals thrown
in for good measure allows new
combinations, new sounds and happier
players. Amplifiers are the essential
conduit for the electric guitarist, essential
to rock n roll and a great big barrel of fun
besides. Here, we’ll be taking a stroll
through the market to find out what’s
making the most noise in the world of
guitar amplifiers…
MARSHALL
Marshall is the biggest name in British
amplification and, as is befitting such an
institution, has plenty of new product to
take a look at. The Haze range provides
portable, all-valve tones for pro guitarists
looking to replicate their studio sounds
while out on the road. Comprising the
Haze 40 combo and the Haze 15 head,
these are slightly smaller than average,
allowing players to have that extra bit of
portability when gig time rolls around and
there’s only a car on hand instead of a
van. The Haze15 contains three ECC83
preamp and two 6V6 power amp valves,
which are bolstered by a Marshall eq
section. The MHZ112A and B speaker cabs
have been designed specifically for the
Haze15 head and produce the thick bass
and full mid frequency response required.
Both cabs come loaded with a 12"
Celestion G12T-66 Marquee speaker,
developed for the Haze Series and capable
of delivering the amp’s wide tonal range.
Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine has gained
a piece of Marshall history in the form of
the 1960DM signature cabs. Hand built in
the UK, the cabs are hand-sealed with the
baffle fixed inside the housing and loaded
up with G12-V30 Marshall Celestion
custom Dave Mustaine Vintage Speakers.
This sealed construction gives tightly
focused, aggressive projection to the
sound and is sure to prove popular among
the legions of Megadeath fans out there.
HIWATT
Having become home to the mighty
Hiwatt, Freestyle has a genuine British
amplification legend in its hands and is
sure to find plenty of success with it.
One need only glance through the list
of previous and current players – Noel
Gallagher, the Arctic Monkeys and The
Who to name but three – to get an idea
of the quality inherent in the Hiwatt
brand. Its line-up includes the formidable
Hi-Gain series, home to the High-Gain Ser
50 head and combo. Aiming to marry the
best parts of Hiwatt’s traditional qualities
with newer technologies, the series was
developed alongside intense research and
customer feedback to appeal to as wide a
portion of the market as possible.
Accutronics reverb, an FX loop, push/pull
normal and bright settings and the classic
tonal qualities of Hiwatt’s Custom series
are all present and correct, making for an
amplifier that has class to spare.
STAGG
Stagg remains one of the names that up
and coming musicians are most familiar
with, thanks to the staggering amount of
kit the brand covers. Its guitar amplifier
range offers up reliable, easy to use,
affordable amplification that is a great
starting point for players looking to
purchase that all important first amp. The
40 GA DSP, for example, retails at well
under £200 and features two channels
with 16 internal DSP effects and a three
Amp Duty
band eq, ideal for the first timer looking to
find an introduction to amplification that
is versatile and pleasing to the ear. Slightly
further up the chain is the Stagg 60 GA R,
booming out 60 Watts with a spring
reverb, effects loop and two channels
selectable via the front panel or a
footswitch. Stagg’s amps continue to sell
well and usher many guitarists into the
wonderful world of amplified sound and
should not be underestimated in terms of
both customer appeal and sales volume.
ASHTON
Ashton’s Bluetongue range is an
affordable, quality way for guitarists to get
their hands on some unmistakeable valve
action. The Bluetongue 50 has a
surprisingly full and rich tone, with its
single 12” Celestion Seventy80 speaker
being pushed to the limit by a pair of
EL34s. Spring reverb, hi and lo input jacks,
two channels and a three band eq show
that you don’t need to be selling out
Wembley every night in order to get your
hands on some fine amplification. The
Bluetongue 100H head is the perfect
companion to the VQ240 Quad and
combines all the features of the 50 with
twice the power and is worth it for
guitarists looking for a set up that won’t
require the sale of a major internal organ.
KUSTOM
The Kustom range continues to appeal to
the ears and pockets of many a guitarist
and there are a few new models around
for fans to sink their teeth into.
Kustom is set to expand its high-end
guitar amps with the imminent
introduction of the Sport Coupe and
Double Cross 100-Watt valve amp. The
Sport Coupe is a Class A valve combo with
an 18-Watt output from a single 6L6 valve
feeding its single 10-inch speaker, which
shares many of its features with its bigger
brothers, including XLR out with speaker
emulation and vibrato and tremolo.
The Double Cross is a feature-packed
100-Watt valve amp, with two lead
channels and a rhythm channel in a high
gain, high output format.
Kustom is also introducing Celestion-
loaded extension speaker cabinets.
Designed to match the Coupe’s looks,
these 12-inch and 2x12 cabs are crafted
from a single sheet of birch to ensure big,
rich tonal qualities.
Meanwhile, the High Voltage (HV)
hybrid series generates the tone and
response of classic valve amps, but with
less weight and a more achievable price
than many all-valve designs. HV series
combos aim to provide professional tone,
features and boutique styling in versatile
and, importantly, affordable packages.
Kustom’s HV100T combo represents
the top-of-the-line High Voltage HV
combo. 100-Watts of power and two 12-
inch Celestion speakers provide tight, high-
volume valve tone with total control. The
heart of the HV100T is its 12AX7-
based valve preamp. There’s a
neat, variable speed
rotary speaker effect available here too,
with a built-in octaver.
LANEY
There’s plenty on offer from Brit brand
Laney, which has been busy putting
together a whole new range, as well as
upgrades, to satisfy the needs of gear
hungry electric guitarists.
First up is the Cub range, which has its
feet firmly planted back in the early days
of tube amp production. The Cub 8, which
features a single-ended Class A design and
is loaded with a single ECC83 in the
preamp section and a single 6V6GT in the
output section, generating five Watts of
much sought after tube tone. With a
simplified control panel housing a tone
control, a volume control and hi and lo
inputs, it’s easy to see what the company
is looking to do with this range – back to
basics indeed.
The range also features the Cub 10, a
Class A/B amp that produces 10 Watts
from a preamp loaded with two ECC83s
and a pair of 6V6GTs. The preamp
complement comprises a tone control,
volume and gain. With both amps retailing
for well under £250, there is a great
opportunity here for guitarists looking for
vintage tone on a budget.
Also of interest from Laney is the new
LH50. The rejuvenated LH50 offers 50
Watts of Class A/B valve tone and a power
amp loaded with a pair of EL34s, while its
ECC83-loaded preamp comprises twin
channels each with their own dedicated
drive control and three band eq.
PEAVEY
Currently performing well for Peavey is the
Vypyr range, which, with a tube version
soon to hit the market, looks set to
continue being a popular choice among
the Peavey faithful and doubtful alike.
One big feature on the new Vypyr is
the 24 amp models it includes, which
cover the clean and distorted sounds of
12 popular amps, alongside 11 editable
stomp box models and 11 post amp rack-
type effects. An on board looper and built
in USB output alongside a MIDI I/O makes
this a pretty versatile beast.
Also new to the Peavey line-up is the
6505 112, introduced at NAMM as a
smaller brother to the high gain 6505, this
is the first time it has been available in a
1x12 combo and as the full size version is
played by the likes of Trivium and Bullet
for My Valentine, it’s a good bet that this
will prove to be awfully popular. With five
select 12AX7 preamp valves and a pair of
6L6GC power-amp valves providing the
tonal foundation for the combo, patented
circuitry, such as Peavey's resonance
control, allows players to tweak the sound
to taste. Additionally, both the lead and
rhythm channels feature independent
three-band eq, pre/post gain controls and
presence and resonance adjustment.
ROLAND
A raft of new amps have cropped up from
Roland recently, including the Cube 80X, a
further expansion of the massively
successful Cube range. Taking a step up
from the Cube 60, the 80X is, as you
might have guessed, 80 Watts worth of
Roland goodness funnelled through a high
performance 12-inch speaker. As is to be
expected from any Cube, this is a versatile
amplifier, which includes a looper, built-in
reverb and delay with tap tempo, an
automatic tuner and the ever handy
auxiliary input for connecting up MP3
players and blasting away.
Elsewhere at Roland, a clutch of ultra
mobile mini amplifiers have appeared,
giving buskers in search of a great
sounding portable amp new hope. First up
is the Microcube R, which is essentially a
new paintjob for the Microcube and
features seven amp models, six DSP
effects and a digital tuning fork. The
Mobile Cube is a battery powered stereo
speaker that can be used to amplify pretty
much anything from electric guitars to
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT • GUITAR AMPS
There’s plenty on offer from Brit brand Laney,
which has been busy putting together a whole
new range as well as upgrades.
22 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT • GUITAR AMPS
keyboards and computer audio. It is also
laden with features and has built-in
effects. The last of Roland’s new additions
to the mobile end of its line-up is the
Cube Street, once again battery powered
and packed out with dual digital power
amps and a pair of neodymium speakers
underneath a slanted cabinet design.
ORANGE
Orange has a long history of launching
innovative products and 2009 has been a
particularly busy year, with plenty of new
gear unveiled to the waiting world.
January saw the launch of the next
generation of the Tiny Terror concepts,
including the Tiny Terror hardwired and
new Dual Terror, a twin channel 30-Watt
head, switchable from 30 to 15 or seven
Watts, giving more choice and sound
options than the original.
Further to the (now oft impersonated)
innovation of the Terror series, Orange also
proves that it can pose with the best and
has made its (previously) exclusive white
vinyl cosmetics available for sale for a
limited run. The stunning white finish has
already been used by artists as diverse as
Madonna, Monte Pittman and The View
and under the avalanche of requests, the
UK maker is offering its amps and cabs at
the same price as existing Orange gear.
LIMS will also see the unveiling of
Orange’s new Crush Pix amps, which have
had the full overhaul treatment and are
ready to rock once more.
MESA BOOGIE
Mesa Boogie has long been home to amps
small in stature, but big in sound that
know, above all else, how to make the sort
of rock n roll noise that grabs you and
throws you around the room. A couple of
new additions to the range further cement
the brand’s reputation for innovation and,
importantly, tone.
The Mark V, the latest in Mesa Boogie’s
much loved Mark range, continues the
series’ tradition of packing an awful lot of
amplifier into a relatively small space.
Calling itself a ‘Simul-Class’ power amp, it
features the ability to choose between
three power and three operating class
options, with channels assignable via 10,
45 or 90-Watt power switches. Three fully
independent channels with nine modes, a
footswitchable five band graphic eq and
an aluminium chassis are only a fraction
of the features on offer here and, of
course, quality is well to the fore.
The Electra Dyne is another
demonstration of Boogie’s Simul-Class
idea. The amp offers two power tubes
operating in Class A/B producing 45 Watts
or four tubes on the Simul-Class power
that blends the best of Class A and Class
A/B to produce 90 Watts. Mesa Boogie
has, once again, demonstrated how much
it knows its amplification onions.
STIMER/DUPONT
As part of its new deal to distribute
Dupont guitars, Sandarac gains by default
the rather splendid Stimer retro jazz
combo. As the owner of the Stimer
trademark Michele Dupont decided to
bring back this distinctive, iconic valve
amplifier and accurately reproduce the
original tonal quality of the old masters,
such as Django Reinhardt. The result is the
Stimer M.10, made by hand in Dupont’s
Cognac workshop. The combo is
constructed of parts made to the original
specification with original components. It’s
a 12-Watt combo with a 12-inch speaker
and distinctly Hot Club de Paris looks – as
it was designed specifically for Rerinhardt
back in the 1930s. Dupont also makes its
own brand Le Jazz combo, a 20-Watt
jazzer that is more than suitable for other
styles of play as well.
RANDALL
For those about to rock, Randall pretty
much ticks all the boxes. Loads of tube
driven power, big, credible name endorsers
– Metallica’s Kirk Hammett for one – and
a range of tones from sweet and full of
sustain to frankly brutal distortions. The
RM100M is a great indicator as to what
the MTS range is capable of. Three
independent, modular channels that can
be loaded up with the player’s choice of
preamp to give a wide range of rhythm,
lead and hi-gain choices. MIDI
connectivity thanks to in/thru jacks is an
extra bonus, while players can also select
and reconfigure presets, channels and
external effect via a footswitch. A user-
friendly power tube bias section also
makes replacing and biasing tubes a
simple task. The RM 100M is sure to be a
huge hit with guitarists who know exactly
how they want their amp to perform.
HAYDEN
Providing further proof that no-one makes
guitar amps like the British, Hayden might
be the new brand on the block, but the
nods to classic tones, while modern
circuitry keeps things distinctly up to date,
makes for a series of amps and combos
that axemen (and ergo retailers) would do
well to consider.
The latest offering from Hayden is the
Mofo, which is almost hydra-like in the
number of nods it manages to perform. A
tiny metal box of an amp, this 30-Watt
all-valve power pack provides bell like
clean tones with real depth to plexi-esque
classic rock crunch, right up to full on
metal mayhem. With four, cascaded gain
stages and the footswitchable Mofo mode
for even more gain, the amp has four EL84
valves and eight and 16-Ohm speaker
outputs, which means it can drive a wide
range of cabinets from a boutique single
12-inch in the studio right up to a 4x12
on the concert stage.
The Mofo is the latest in the Hayden
UK Hand-wired series, which also includes
the Petite and Cotton Club models. The
Peacemaker series gives users (and
dealers) the opportunity to get their hands
on the same, impressive sounds, but at
Far-Eastern-manufactured prices.
24 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
CONTACTSMARSHALL ..............................................................................01908 375411
EMD (STAGG) ..........................................................................01293 862612
ASHTON ..................................................................................01780 781630
JHS (KUSTOM)........................................................................0113 286 5381
FREESTYLE (HIWATT) ...........................................................01924 455414
HEADSTOCK (LANEY) .........................................................0121 508 6666
PEAVEY ...................................................................................01536 461234
ROLAND ...................................................................................01792 702701
ORANGE ...............................................................................020 8905 2828
WESTSIDE (MESA BOOGIE) ...................................................0141 2484812
SOUND TECHNOLOGY (RANDALL) ....................................01462 480000
HAYDEN ....................................................................................01245 441155
SANDARAC (STIMER/DUPONT)...........................................01787 238350
The new MoFo by Hayden is an all-valve guitar amp with a whole lot of attitude.
But unlike other mini guitar amp heads, the MoFo is definitely not a one trick pony.
From stunning bell like clean tones with real depth to plexi-esque classic rock
crunch, right up to full on metal mayhem, the 30 watt MoFo head does it all.
PPETITE 2 PETITE 5 COTTON CLUB 7/15 COTTON CLUB 15/30 SPEAKEASY COMBO SPEAKEASY 212 RIG CLASSIC LEAD 80 RIGCLASSIC LEAD 80 COMBO
MORE FROM THE NEW 2009 HAND-WIRED RANGE
BOSE • COMPANY PROFILE
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 27
There are surprisingly few truly iconic
brands in music, considering its
significance in peoples’ lives –
certainly not on the scale of the Apples,
Sonys and BMWs of this world. But one of
the few is Bose – the pioneering US
company founded in 1964 by Amar G
Bose, a professor of electrical engineering
at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Bose has never taken the easy
route to solving audio problems and its
unconventional products have earned it a
place as a globally recognised icon.
The company’s involvement in the
performing side of the entertainment
industry began in the 1970s with a range
of small PA speaker systems that
revolutionised high-end portable PA. But
the company’s reluctance to churn out
endless new products for the sake of it,
coupled with its equally historic tendency
to high prices, gradually rendered Bose less
of a force for music retailers. Until 2003,
that is, when the astonishing L1 system
made its debut. Billed as a personalised
amplification system – it is, in effect, a
highly portable in-line vertical array. At a
stroke it challenged the very concept of
the oft-used point source speakers, mixer,
power amps and monitors for small
and medium gigs and was received
with incredulity at first and then
widespread acclaim.
Realising that the L1 was very
different from anything else on the
market, Bose decided that it had to be
sold by the company’s traditional method
– don’t read the specifications, listen to
the product – which meant it needed
specialist demonstrators. Cue an exclusive
deal with Sound Control, which was,
apparently, going just fine until the
retailer’s collapse a year ago. Faced with
having to build a new dealer network
almost overnight were Bose’s business
development manager, Sue Harrison, and
Andy Rigler, who is the company's live
music market specialist.
We began by asking how Bose had
picked up the pieces following the Sound
Control debacle.
“The reason why we’d gone for Sound
Control was because we needed a partner
who could relaunch us quickly and
effectively back into the MI marketplace –
and, clearly, size came into play,” says
Andy Rigler.
“We hadn’t lost our way, but we
weren't quite as popular as we had been,
so the brand had to be re-launched and it
was important that a product like the L1
had nationwide coverage. We had a lot of
support from Sound Contol in that
respect,” adds Sue Harrison.
“Sound Control was absolutely the right
partner at the start,” insists Rigler. “When
it folded, what we lost initially was a lot of
impetus, but we were already talking to
other retailers at the time – with its
knowledge and blessing.”
Bose’s revolutionary L1 system was riding high before Sound Control’s collapse. But what is possibly audio’s most
innovative company has rebuilt its UK dealership team and is set to make waves with an exciting new model.
It wouldn’t say no to more retail partners, either. Bose’s Andy Rigler and Sue Harrison talk to Gary Cooper…
Black is back
“When Sound Control folded we lost impetus,
but we were already talking to other retailers at
the time – with Sound Control’s blessing.”
Andy Rigler, Bose
Nonetheless, come April 30th when the
retailer collapsed, Bose found itself with a
highly acclaimed system to sell, but one
that needed real expertise on the art of
the people charged with explaining it to
the public. Rigler estimates that they lost
three or four months worth of
momentum, but says that since then Bose
has assembled a new team of specialist
retailers. What is particularly interesting is
that it hasn’t yet reached the optimum
number – though both Rigler and Harrison
stress that they aren’t far from being
fully covered.
“By the time of last year’s LIMS, we’d
signed-up the main people that we
wanted to have,’” Rigler says. “So we now
have 36 stores and 29 accounts – our
furthest north is in Aberdeen and our
furthest west is Sound Pad in Torquay and
Barnstaple.” They admit that central
London remains a problem, however –
which is ironic considering that anyone
gigging in the capital would find an L1
perhaps the most useful piece of
equipment they could possibly own.
GOOD THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES
One possible reason why Bose needs a
few more dealers is the potential about to
be generated when the latest
development of the L1 system becomes
available in a few weeks’ time – the L1
Compact. In a vaguely Darth Vader’s
helmet-shaped enclosure, the L1 Compact
threatens to change a lot of people’s idea
of what constitutes the perfect solo
performance system. Armed with the basic
box (light enough for even a child to
carry), the L1 Compact system features a
14-inch line array and offers two set-up
configurations: extended (68-inches tall)
with two poles carried in a small shoulder
bag, for larger venues, or collapsed (17-
inches tall) for smaller venues. It can even
be placed on a table to operate. The
system uses no leads, other than a mains
cable and is simple enough for granny to
use – featuring a single eq control, a
jack socket, an XLR socket and a pair of
phono inputs.
All this, coupled with the inimitable
Bose styling, makes the L1 Compact a
natural for any wine bar
soloist – but it is also going to
have a huge appeal for
schools, colleges, community
centres – in fact anywhere
where high quality sound and
ultra-portablity are needed.
And if the prospect of
selling the L1 family isn’t
tempting enough, there is also
access to some other Bose
products, which have a
similarly high ‘I have to have
one of those’ factor, including
headphones and in-ear phones,
plus some of the company’s
stylish iPod player systems. As
potential profit generators
outside of the typical MI
arena, they can’t
have many peers.
“We’re not in a
hurry to sign
people,” insists
Andy Rigler.
“They are partners – not stores –
we work together and the whole model
is a partnership.”
Almost every distributor today seems
to say something similar, but in Bose’s
case it is clearly meant. It’s not a case of
ordering a few boxes and waiting for
customers to ask for one. Bose insists that
its products are well displayed and
encourages retailers to put the L1 not in
with all the rest of the PA gear but,
perhaps, on its own in with the guitar
section. It makes a lot of sense, too, as
guitarists will want to hear one as soon as
they see it. And that is, as ever, Bose’s
secret weapon. Don’t read the
specifications – listen to the product –
and once someone has heard an L1
and grasped the idea, a sale can be very
close. And to help make that happen, a
Bose trained member of staff (called a
‘Bose champion’) is expected to be in
every store.
But how attractive is a premium
product like the L1 in a recession? “Price
tends to be one of the less important
things to us,” Rigler says. “We’re in a
recession, but sales are holding up.”
“We’re two or three years into creating
an awareness of this new concept,” says
Sue Harrison. “We’re at the stage now
where, even though there’s a recession,
the understanding of the concept has got
around. A lot of people are seeing it at
events and actually, when you compare it
to the cost of a traditional set-up, it’s not
actually that expensive.
You don’t get a lot of product, but you
do get a lot of quality and a lot of value.”
And what musician could possibly
regard not getting a lot of PA product to
hump into a van at midnight as a bad
thing? Bear in mind, too, that Bose buyers
tend to be older, wealthier, willing to pay
for quality and protective of their backs.
The solo performer who buys a Taylor
or a Martin without needing artificial
respiration is just the buyer Bose is after
for the Compact – while a three piece
band of older guys playing nicer venues
would be spot-on for the larger L1
systems. That said, even DJs are starting to
buy L1s – apparently finding them ideal
for wedding gigs and the like.
“And then there’s the corporate world,”
adds Andy Rigler, explaining how many
systems are being sold for presentation
use. Sue Harrison, meanwhile, points out
the tremendous potential in schools for a
multi-use system like the Compact or the
Model 1, which can be used throughout
the establishment, undertaking countless
tasks, while always being easy to use.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
Bose says it is looking for an unspecified
number of new dealers – but that’s likely
only to be in single figures. True, it requires
a real commitment and understanding to
sell and, equally true, it won’t be right for
the majority. But there is also that special
factor in the deal which is hard to
quantify – that selling an international
icon like Bose suggests to a customer that
he or she is dealing with an altogether
classier kind of establishment.
It’s the same for the end-user, when
they are booked to play in a luxury bar or
corporate environment. Instead of turning
up in a rusty Transit with a mixer, a pile of
gnarled boxes, miles of wires and a
scrapyard of tottery stands, they arrive in
a car with a sleek, stylish black box that
somehow manages to fill the room with
crystal-clear sound, almost regardless of
where in that room, a listener is
positioned. It’s not a sales pitch that will
appeal to every retailer, nor to every
customer, but it doesn’t take a genius to
see for whom it would.
With consumer advertising in Acoustic
and Performing Musician, plus an amount
of regional live promotional events, Bose
has got behind its L1 range in a big way
and seems to have not just recovered the
ground lost after Sound Control's failure,
but even to have made headway since.
With a presence at LIMS, the Bose
brand is firmly back in UK MI. Where will
L1 go from here? The one thing you can
say with safety is that there will be the
way everybody else does it and then there
will be way Bose does it. That’s one of the
ways you get to be an icon.
BOSE: 0870 741 4500
COMPANY PROFILE • BOSE
28 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
“Even though there’s a recession, the
understanding of the concept has got around.
You don’t get a lot of product, but you do get a
lot of quality and value.”
Sue Harrison, Bose
GET THE BEST DEAL ON THESE TITLES AND MANY MORE FROM HAL LEONARD BY VISITING THE MUSIC SALES STAND AT THE LONDONINTERNATIONAL MUSIC SHOW 11TH -14TH JUNEMUSIC SALES TRADE SALES HOTLINE: +44 (0)1284 705050 EMAIL: [email protected]
GROW PRINT SALESALL AROUND YOUR STORE!
INCREASE ADD-ON SALES & PROFIT!
As many had expected, the bite of
recession has taken a while to
nibble through to the MI trade, but
now it seems the squeeze is well and truly
on. Any theories as to why musical
instruments fare so well when downturns
hit are merely that, theories, but some do
seem to hold water.
During this crunch, many people have
put plans for the two big spends (houses
and cars) on hold. So while estate agents
and the automotive industry have been
having a torrid time of it, the third element
on the personal spending list, leisure and
hobbies, has enjoyed some continued
spending. Whether it is people returning to
playing music or taking it up for the first
time, there was something of a rush on
instruments during the latter part of 2008.
With that rush now seemingly over,
stores have to focus on the staples of their
trade to keep the cash flowing. For MI,
these staples are accessories and sheet
music – two spheres that seem all but
immune from the pains of recession.
For sheet music, this seems to be fairly
accurate if one looks at the attendance of
the main publishers in the UK as far as
major trade shows are concerned. They
were all at Frankfurt and they were among
the first to book their spaces for the
London International Music Show. Are
they really doing well in a struggling
market, or is it simply a case of bravado in
the hope that appearances can hoodwink
economic forces?
The publishers are adamant in their
position that sales are indeed holding out,
but reading between the lines one can see
that there is a specific area maintaining
this position. It boils down to three words
(if one is to conform to the adage):
‘education, education, education’.
Hal Leonard’s European sales and
marketing director, Mark Mumford, makes
the point: “Education is a constant – a very
stable sell through. But this doesn’t happen
by itself. We invest a lot and work hard to
get teachers and, from there, students to
buy. This brings a continual stream of
customers and it keeps us expanding and
growing. Now around 50 per cent of Hal
Leonard’s catalogue is education.”
“At times like these, I think the smaller,
instrument-specific stores – particularly
rock and pop – are starting to find things
a little more difficult, but bigger stores
with sheet music departments and sheet
music specialists are doing well,”
comments Roberto Garcia, the sales and
marketing director at Schott. “Schott and
Boosey & Hawkes are very geared towards
education and classical and we have seen
no real changes.
“The peripatetic market is normal, so I
think it is fair to say that education is
holding the fort at the moment. We
attend all of the education shows and
there are the same number of delegates
attending and there doesn’t appear to be
any pessimism in that market at all.”
“There are rumours that budgets might
be cut in the future, but certainly not for
next year. This means schools are still
buying for the classroom, so I suppose you
could say that education is key, but it goes
further than that,” suggests Phillip
Littlemore, FM Distribution’s sales director.
“Even when times are hard, parents will
forfeit their own luxuries to let their kids
do what they want to do, whether that is
playing football or learning the trumpet. It
is worth saying that there are an awful lot
of good publishers out there making an
awful lot of good product and it is being
bought. Sheet music is still selling.”
SHEET MUSIC • SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
NotabeneWith High Street figures for April looking up, it is probably
to be expected that reports from MI say that things are
finally getting a bit tight. With sheet music holding firm,
Andy Barrett discovers that stocking some could be the
best thing you do in these troubled times…
“Education is a constant – a very stable sell
through. But this doesn’t happen by itself. We
invest a lot and work hard to make sales.”
Mark Mumford, Hal Leonard
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 31
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT • SHEET MUSIC
ABRSM, of course, deals almost
exclusively in educational material and has
the benefit of its own syllabus to which
teachers are somewhat captive. The
association’s marketing manager, Ben
Selby, while sensing things might be
proving a little difficult for instrument
sales, also sees educational materials as
the most buoyant in the market at
present. “I think by its very nature,
education is more resilient than pop, for
example, and it stays strong through
recessions. It was the case in the ‘90s and
seems to be holding true now.”
As for his captive market, Selby points
out that this means more work and
expense, but that the trade definitely
benefits from it, too. “We change the
syllabus regularly up to every two years for
some courses, but this is largely expected
by the teachers. They need to keep their
subjects fresh and interesting. We have
recently updated our technical
requirements too, and this supports the
publications behind that. With about 95
per cent of our sales going through the
trade, however, there are a lot of positives.”
Generally, then, things are looking good
for those selling sheet music in any
significant amount and anyone looking for
a boost in turnover might do well to
discuss the possibility of stocking
educational titles (if you aren’t already).
Perhaps one of the most important things
to consider is that music publishers are
anything but exclusive. Information, advice
and choice are available in spades from
any of them.
MEL BAY
With Chris Statham, Mel Bay UK’s MD, up
to his eyes with maintaining the colossal
growth of his two year-old operation,
while hiring new staff and moving office
simultaneously, word from the American
tutor specialist is that business is
positively booming.
At LIMS, Mel Bay will be offering the
usual incentives to come along and
personally place trade orders during the
show, including a free gift for each trade
order, along with the chance to win a
‘credit crunching’ £350 credit note for one
lucky trade account. Mel Bay will also be
exhibiting its UK distributed catalogues,
namely Walton’s, Mally’s and Mayas Music,
AMA Verlag, AMPD (All Music &
Publishing, Australia) and Sasha. Rodney
Branigan will be performing on the stand,
demonstrating his unique ambidextrous
two-guitar technique and promoting his
brand new DVD.
New titles for June include an Irish
Mandolin tutor from the School of…
series, a Bodhran tutor (Bodhran: The
Basics) and the First Jams Ukulele book. As
well as a new Encyclopedia of Bass
Arpeggios, the publisher is also touting a
new bass tutor DVD, focusing on African
bass styles with The African Bass Bible.
MUSIC SALES
Healthy sales are not limited to the UK.
“The UK is steady for us at the moment,”
explains Music Sales’ Chris Hargrave. “But
as the biggest sheet music publisher in
Europe, it is worth looking at the wider
picture. France and Germany are having a
fantastic time, with Germany in particular
enjoying the benefits of our publishing
schedule. We have a publisher, Bosworth,
which targets the German market and it is
having an exceptional year. We also had a
really successful Frankfurt – again, mostly
because of European customers.”
Hargrave went on to comment that
growth in the UK was largely down to
existing accounts, particularly the larger
outlets (despite having been hit by some
of the big closures in the past year or so).
“It’s a month-by-month thing,” he
continues. “We talk to all our dealers and
some are up and some are down. Overall,
April was a slower month, what with
Easter and the good weather, but there are
no real signs of things slowing. We’ve got
a strong schedule planned and you’ll be
seeing some key titles soon.”
For June, Music Sales will see the
release of the new Gigbook range, an A5
format, red vinyl covered chordbook with
melody notation, following directly in the
wake of the popular Little Black Book
series. On the tutor side of things, there
will be the Junior Complete Guitar player,
aimed at the eight to 12 year-old market,
which, Hargrave explains, will fill a definite
gap for youngsters to teach themselves
and will use both current and back
catalogues.
Finally, the Really Easy Piano Tutor fits
into the Really Easy series of compilations
and artist-based titles, but now using the
catalogue for learning purposes.
HAL LEONARD
Hal Leonard, in the main, nestles very
happily in the Music Sales distribution
stable as far as Europe is concerned, but
with such a diverse catalogue (and
orchestral music shipping out through
Studio Music) the company has a lot
to say for itself as regards its activities
and publications.
“It is so important for us to get the
message out that a £1,000 investment
brings a quick, positive return,” says Mark
Mumford. “In times when cash flow is a
problem, sheet music really comes to the
fore and I would seriously recommend
dealers to consider a change of tack.”
Mumford says that while there is
unpredictability on the pop market, there
are titles such as the recent Twilight
musical (not to mention the Guitar Hero
and High School Musical books that fall
into similar categories) that simply take
on a life of their own. “They are hard to
predict, but they add a lot of weight to
the argument for stocking,” he adds. “With
the success of the wider brand of these
publications, simply having these books in
your shop window can generate business.
“The strength of Hal Leonard is not just
the creativity of product, which it is very
good at, but our ability to expand the
appeal of the brand. You have to let people
know who you are and where you are –
really promote yourself.”
The next batch of titles worth watching
include the Kings of Leon’s new album and
a collection of ‘audition’ songs from the
Andrew Lloyd Webber collection (for men
and women) and taking the education
theme slightly left of field, a series of
DVDs aimed at Pro Tools users, showing
how to get the most out of the audio
workstation program.
Of special note for Hal Leonard is the
exceptional coffee table The Story of Paul
Bigsby: Father of the modern electric
solidbody guitar. The title alone gives an
indication of how controversial this book
could be, as it illustrates, quite
compellingly, how Bigsby (he of tremolo
fame) actually preceded Les Paul (and
Gibson) and Leo Fender to the
manufacture of the first electric guitars as
we know them today.
SCHOTT
Aside from the educational aspect of
Schott’s and Boosey & Hawkes’ business,
both publishers have their roots firmly in
the classical tradition, as well as some of
the healthiest jazz lines around. “There is a
lot for dealers to look at,” says Roberto
Garcia. “The classical pocket scores and
32 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
“I think by its very nature, education is more
resilient than pop, for example, and it stays
strong through recessions.”
Ben Selby, ABRSM
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34 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
piano books are holding up extremely well.
People can’t really afford to buy new
instruments at the moment, but they can
afford to buy new music and it’s keeping
the market going.”
New titles from the Schott stable
include the rather excellent Exploring Jazz
tutors by Ollie Weston for sax, trumpet
and flute intermediates. Weston includes
step-by-step lessons of key concepts,
while avoiding jargon and getting straight
into improvisation. Each book also
comes with a live jazz trio CD for
accompaniment.
For Booseys, Christopher Norton
continues in his prolific manner with two
new books in the Microjazz series,
Microswing and Microlatin, containing 20
new pieces of piano miniatures, aimed at
helping the learner to gain new repertoire
with some moderate challenges.
Continuing with education, B&H also
has the new Voice Coach series, with
selections and notes by Mary King. While
labelled as a ‘coach’, the series will
compile into a collection of repertoire that
itself teaches technique and
interpretation. Each piece is discussed at
length and suggests methods of
approaching their performance.
From the classical repertoire comes
Boosey’s Vuelvo al Sur, a book of tangos
for accordion, piano, clarinet and more,
arranged by James Crabb. The book takes
ten pieces by the Argentine master of
tango Nuevo, Astor Piazzolla, including
two pieces from the soundtrack of the
film Sur.
ABRSM
Fresh from its recent image overhaul and
high on the celebrations of its 120th
anniversary this year, the Associated Board
has consolidated its marketing and sales
structure, as well as having revamped its
corporate look. “It’s a lot more than just a
logo change,” explains Ben Selby. “We
spent a good couple of years consulting
teachers and traders and everyone
connected to us to get an idea of how we
are perceived overall. The result was,
happily, generally positive, but there was
an obvious need for us to be bolder in the
face we portray to the customer and the
outside world.
“Previously, we had three logos,
representing the three arms of the board,
but the outside world saw us as one
organisation, so we have created a single
image. We have altered the language we
use, too, which will be very noticeable
when you look at Libretto (ABRSM’s in-
house, trade-facing magazine) or our new
website, both of which are simpler and
bolder in their imagery.”
High in the section labelled ‘push’ at
ABRSM is the new publication Raising an
Amazing Musician: You, your child and
music, a book that targets parents who
want to bring music into the life of their
children. No musical knowledge is
assumed and advice and support is given,
though the 20 short chapters, on how to
support a child musically from birth to
early adulthood. It’s well worth
considering this one, whether you’re a
retailer or a parent.
FM DISTRIBUTION
With the sheer weight of catalogues and
titles on its books, Faber Music
Distribution is never allowed the luxury of
taking anything for granted. “You have to
work hard for every sale,” says Phillip
Littlemore. “This is why we work closely
with our retailers through good reps and
good products.”
It’s a simple system, but it clearly works
as Littlemore goes on to report good sales
right across FMD’s catalogues, not just
Faber. The company has been
concentrating on promoting itself to the
consumer of late with e-shots to
peripatetic teachers and schools and is
getting a lot of response from that.
Littlemore is also looking forward to
LIMS and, following on from the last point,
is looking at the show as a consumer
activity, with any trade business done seen
as a bonus. For those who think that sheet
music is not a sexy sector of MI, try
suggesting such to Littlemore. “Yes, you
will get crowds gathering around for a new
guitar launch or for some showy,
gimmicky demo, but people don’t go to
shows with £500 in their pocket to buy a
big product. The extra bit of cash they
might take with them is for the smaller
items that really make the event special.”
Aside from the hope that the new
Green Day album will be ready for LIMS
(which depends upon getting the thumbs
up from the band – never an easy task),
Faber will be showing the new Ukulele
Playlist book (yes, ukes are still going very
strong), a guitar tab and notation edition
of Queen: Greatest Hits, an Authentic
Playalong series edition of Rush: Guitar,
with every note of six numbers of the prog
rockers and Nirvana: Complete Chord
Songbook. The You’re the Voice series
continues with ten songs in the style of
Katherine Jenkins and The Piano Sessions:
Contemporary ballads are worth a look.
CONTACTSMEL BAY: ..............................................................................020 8323 8010
MUSIC SALES: ......................................................................01284 702600
HAL LEONARD (EUROPE): ...................................................01494 730143
DE HASKE: ..............................................................................01536 260981
STUDIO MUSIC COMPANY: ...................................................01582 432139
ABRSM: ................................................................................020 7636 5400
FABER: ....................................................................................01279 828989
SCHOTT: ................................................................................020 7534 0744
“You have to work hard for every sale. That’s why
we work closely with our retailers through good
reps and good products.”
Phillip Littlemore, Faber Music
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LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
ABRSM: STAND D46
ABSOLUTE MUSIC: R4
Absolute Music was originally set up by a
group of passionate audio professionals
to deliver better service and greater
value than anywhere else. So it’s no
wonder it’s now grown into one of the
UK’s leading music retailers.
The Poole store boasts a huge guitar
and bass showroom, acoustic guitar
room, guitar workshop, pro audio studio,
keyboard/piano showroom and live
stage. In our nearby warehouse, there are
thousands of products in stock, most of
which are available for next-day delivery.
WWW.ABSOLUTEMUSIC.CO.UK
ACCESS TO MUSIC: E2
Access to Music is the UK’s largest
popular music college, providing exciting,
practical and relevant music training at
over 20 music centres. It offers a wide
range of further education courses based
around a unique suite of Rockschool-
accredited Music Practitioner
qualifications. These courses are
government-funded and are often free or
heavily subsidised.
There are also a growing selection of
higher education and music teacher
training courses, including foundation
degrees with the Royal Northern College
of Music and University of Westminster
and an A&R-based Artist Development
programme. ATOM Events is ATM’s events
wing providing national performance and
industry opportunities. Access to Music
welcomes partnerships with education
providers and the music industry.
WWW.ACCESSTOMUSIC.CO.UK
ACTIVE MUSIC : STAND K8
ADAM HALL: STAND J8
Adam Hall was founded in the mid-
1970s, and is based in Southend, Essex.
With over 100 employees worldwide
in 2009, Adam Hall has become known
as one of the largest producers of flight
case hardware and fittings.
In addition, Adam Hall manufactures
and distributes a wide range of well-
known audio event and industrial
products, which include its own hugely
successful audio brand LD Systems,
Adam Hall Stands, Adam Hall Cases,
Beyma and BMS speakers, Defender
cable crossovers and Palmer audio tools.
For those witrh a pro audio bent,
there is also the opportunity to find out
about LD Systems latest high-end sound
reinforcement systems.
WWW.ADAMHALL.COM
ALCHEMEA LTD: F14
ALFRED PUBLISHING: (SEE FABER)
Alfred Publishing is a leading worldwide
music publisher with corporate offices in
Los Angeles and additional
sales/marketing offices in Germany, the
UK (with European distribution through
Faber Music), Singapore and Australia.
And in over 80 years of successful
publishing, Alfred has acquired
worldwide distribution agreements with
an impressive array of other publishers.
In 2005, Alfred acquired ownership of
the Warner Brothers print music division,
thus promoting Alfred to world leader in
the provision of popular and educational
music. With a roster of artists such as
Peter Erskine, Steve Gadd, Nickelback
and Katy Perry, plus products like Alfred’s
Guitar Method, Premier Piano Course and
Jazz, and Rags & Blues, Alfred Publishing
creates the music books and DVDs to
educate the next generation.
WWW.ALFRED.COM
ALLEN & HEATH: F16
British pro audio manufacturer Allen &
Heath will be exhibiting a selection of its
new mixers. Launched at last year’s
show, the award-winning ZED-R16
Firewire recording mixer will take pride
of place, alongside other models from
the ZED range of compact USB-equipped
mixers for live performance, recording
and production, including the ZED-14
and ZED-12FX. Allen & Heath will also
be demonstrating the Xone:4D
mixer/controller and Xone:22 DJ mixer.
WWW.ALLEN-HEATH.COM
ALLIANZ MUSICAL INSURANCE:
STAND H20
ALLPARTS UK: H40
Allparts UK is the UK and Ireland
distributor and retailer for parts supplied
by Allparts in America, the premier guitar
and bass parts specialist, based in
Houston, Texas.
Parts include Fender-licensed
replacement necks and bodies,
fingerboards, nuts, saddles, fret wire,
tuners, bridges, tailpieces, pickguards and
all those useful hard-to-find, small-but-
crucial screws, springs and knobs,
including the bits that vanish from Floyd
Rose trem systems.
These are made or licensed by ABM,
Badass, Bartolini, Bigsby, Burns, CRL, CTS,
Danelectro, Earvana, Electrosocket,
Fender, Gotoh, Graphtech, Hipshot,
Hofner, Jim Dunlop, Lace, Leo Quan,
Moses, Razor, Schaller, Sperzel, Sprague,
Switchcraft and Wilkinson.
WWW.ALLPARTS.UK.COM
ANDERTONS: R12
ARIA UK: H2.
Aria UK will be showing the all new
Fusion bags for the first time – they’re
more than just a gig bag.
Also debuting is the re-launched
Larson Bros. Guitars of Chicago brand,
which left a remarkable legacy of fine
fretted instruments spanning the mid
1940s to the early 1980s.
Aria UK is also the newly appointed
distributor for Stanford guitars and the
new Premier series will be shown for the
first time. There will be new 2009
models from Aria and Seymour Duncan
(not just pickups any more), to include
three new pedals. There will also be a
selection of show offers from the stand.
WWW.ARIAUK.COM
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 39
Welcome to the London
International Music Show. It
might seem to some to have
been a long road from the show’s
inaugural happening last year, but for
others it will seem as though no time
has passed at all as they enter through
the trade VIP gates to see what the
manufacturers and suppliers have on
display this year.
From product launches to seminars,
live shows and trade parties, LIMS, in
only its second year, is already well on
the way to establishing itself as a truly
major show in the world’s MI calendar.
Owing to the very nature of the UK
market, with retail very much the major
element and manufacture being the
exception, rather than the rule, LIMS is
something of a balancing act between
trade and consumer shows, but that
need not (and last year, it positively did
not) impinge upon the value of the show
as an important industry event.
What is important – and I guess
many will slap their hands to their
foreheads as I go off beating on the
same drum I have been pummelling for
years now – is that a UK trade show,
with consumers or not, is a vital
opportunity for the individuals working
in MI in this country to get to know one
another, compare notes, share a drink
and generally draw up strategies and
plans based on more than one’s own
daily trading experiences.
Let’s face it, the UK is not exactly the
largest of nations on earth and we do
have something approaching an
advanced transportation network – it is
not that much of an ordeal to put aside
at least a day to get along and see what
is going on – and get your hands on
some of the excellent show-only offers
that various suppliers have, or take in a
workshop, seminar or masterclass from
one or more of the experts active at the
show this year.
Once at the show – and jealously
clutching your MI Pro LIMS Live issue
(this one, in case you hadn’t noticed) –
you are only a dozen or so steps from
the company or product that could help
you turn around your business – or keep
it flying high. There will be a lot to learn
for all of us and what is more, there
could well be a lot that others can learn
from you.
Other than that, the only thing left to
say is: Enjoy the show…
Being there...
There’s never been a better time to stock sheet music
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
ASHTON (MUSIC FORCE): G1
ATKIN GUITARS: C26
Atkin Guitars offer a range of high
quality, hand-crafted, steel string
acoustic guitars, built here in the UK.
This year it has introduced the pre-war
range, based on the classic Martins of the
1930s-style guitars. Atkin players include
Graham Coxon, Elbow, Boo Hewerdine,
Neill MacColl, Kathryn Williams ,Turin
Brakes, Richard Hawley, Chris Difford,
Kate Walsh, Kris Drever, Eddi Reader and
Nick Harper.
WWW.ATKINGUITARS.COM
ATLAS GUITARS: K84
BARNES & MULLINS: K6
Barnes & Mullins will be displaying its
selection of award-winning brands at this
year’s show. It will be featuring the latest
offerings from Lag Guitars, including the
new Tramontane Acoustic series, the very
special Faith Signature series, the world’s
finest saxophones – Yanagisawa, Höfner
Guitars and orchestral products, Rico
reeds and woodwind accessories,
Shadow Electronics (including the all
new Hex pickup system), Admira
Spanish-made classical guitars,
Brunswick Guitars (the best entry level
brand by far), the undisputed leaders in
orchestral strings, Thomastik-Infeld, and
much more.
WWW.BANDM.CO.UK
BERKLEE MUSIC: G28
BLACKHAWK MUSIC: J1
BLACKSTAR AMPLIFICATION:
J18
Blackstar Amplification, now in its third
year, will be showing the award winning
Artisan and HT ranges, along with the
much anticipated Series One line. This
innovative high gain range of amplifiers
consists of a 45 Watt, two-channel
combo, 100 Watt, two-channel head and
a 200 Watt, four-channel head.
All amps include the patented ISF
(Infinite Shape Feature) control and DPR
(Dynamic Power Reduction) function.
There will be demos of Series One
throughout the show and the chance to
pick up the latest Blackstar catalogue,
stickers, guitar picks and other
merchandise. For more information call
01536 312620.
WWW.BLACKSTARAMPS.CO.UK
BREITKOPF & HÄRTEL: D4
2009 is the year of anniversaries:
Mendelssohn, Händel and Haydn. In
particular, Breitkopf is celebrating
Mendelssohn with many new editions of
well known works and rarities which will
be on display.
Breitkopf will also be displaying new
and recent editions including works by
J.S. Bach, Mozart, Ravel and Lalo, and
from the Musica Rara stable, new
editions of Vivaldi and Albinoni.
The series of easy piano music:
perennial Keyboard Crocodile and allied
publications such as Ponies and Splash,
as well as the Mini Jazz, Mini Rock and
Mini Tango series will be on show.
WWW.BREITKOPF.COM
BOSE: E24
The new Bose L1 Compact portable line
array system, the latest – and most
portable – addition to the Bose L1
product line, will be exhibited for the
first time in the UK at LIMS.
Using advanced Bose technologies, an
L1 Compact system fills the room with
only one speaker, and can be carried
in a single trip and set up in less than
one minute.
The system features an integrated
low-frequency enclosure and combines
the amplifier, monitor, PA, mixer and EQ
into a complete audio system ready for
simple connection to an instrument,
microphone, MP3 player, computer or
other audio device.
WWW.BOSE.COM/MUSICIANS
CASIO ELECTRONICS: F18
With 50 years’ experience in pioneering
consumer electronics, Casio brings the
London International Music Show the
best in musical innovation, with a
complete range of accessible, high
quality keyboards and pianos for
musicians at all stages.
Full product demonstrations and trade
support will be offered throughout the
event and highlights from the fantastic
Casio range include Privia pianos, the
ultimate in style and performance with
world-class sound quality and design.
Featuring 128 note polyphony, scaled
hammer action and AIF sound source for
outstanding sound and expression.
Celviano pianos are elegant and have
contemporary digital technology. They
feature advanced stereo sampling and
multi-track memory.
WWW.CASIO.CO.UK
CHAPPELL OF BOND STREET: R14
COLLINGS GUITARS: H23
Collings Guitars make some of the finest
flat top acoustic guitars on the planet, and
LIMS is your chance to find out why the
world’s top players play them and why the
world’s top guitar makers revere them.
Collings VP Steve McCreary will be on
the booth to spread the word about the
legendary Collings build quality and tone,
as well as showing off some beautiful
custom-order acoustics and new models,
including the 360 solid electric, not seen
before in the UK. Due to its steady
growth, a limited number of new
dealerships are available, so dealers are
invited to ask for details.
WWW.COLLINGSGUITARS.COM
D’ADDARIO, PLANET WAVES:
G34
Come and marvel at the D’Addario string
wall, featuring the widest range of strings
you have ever seen. Zyex, Helicore and
Prelude bowed strings will also be on
display, with strings suitable for every
application and all levels. Try new EXP
acoustic strings – the nearest you can
get to uncoated strings, with every string
now extended play.
New strap collections from Planet
Waves feature licensed designs from
iconic brands such as Alchemy, Lethal
Threat and McWhite, plus a 40th
Anniversary Woodstock collection.
Check out Planet Waves’ huge
selection of essential guitar gear, including
cables, tuners, straps, smart tools and care
products. Stop by the Summerfield stand
for exclusive show offers.
WWW.SF-MUSIC.CO.UK
DAVE KING ACCOUSTICS: C24
DOLPHIN MUSIC: F11
Dolphin Music will be representing
Auralex Acoustics UK and
VocalBooth.com at this year’s LIMS
show, demonstrating new products,
free technical support and great offers
in the retail village from Absolute
Music Solutions.
Auralex is a USA number one, industry
standard brand for acoustic treatment.
No matter how good your studio
monitors are or your latest microphone
is, mixing in a bad acoustic environment
will always destructively affect your mix.
Anyone who is interested in recording
will have an aspiration to always
improve their professionalism; this is
where Auralex and VocalBooth come in.
Want to improve your room’s
acoustics? Serious about isolated
recording? Then make sure you pay a
visit to this stand.
WWW.DOLPHINMUSIC.CO.UK
ELIXIR STRINGS (WL GORE):
J12
Elixir Strings, the well-known pioneer of
long-life strings, is featuring its popular
line of Elixir Cables at LIMS 2009,
There will be plenty to see and do at the show this year. Make a note of the companies you particularly want to seek out
40 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
42 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
together with the introduction of right
angled jack plugs. Elixir Cables feature a
patented design, which truly delivers
tone without compromise and excels
over existing products with advanced
features.
By solving the problem of unwanted
tonal distortion, inherent in ordinary
cables, these innovative guitar cables
provide guitarists with the most tonally
transparent sound on the market.
Elixir Strings also broadens its Anti-
Rust product line with all of Elixir Strings’
acoustic sets featuring Anti-Rust Plain
Steels. Live on stand performances
feature London bass wizard Yolanda
Charles and former Almighty frontman
Ricky Warwick.
WWW.ELIXIRSTRINGS.CO.UK
FABER MUSIC/ALFRED: G24 (LONDON
GUITAR SHOW)
The widest range of pop, educational and
classical printed music. Ther are pop
songbooks from top bands and artists –
Duffy, Amy Winehouse, Elbow, Katy Perry,
Take That, Girls Aloud; rock legends –
Queen, Nickelback, Deep Purple, Nirvana,
Steve Vai; and New Authentic Playalongs
from Rush and The Who.
Learn guitar with The Ultimate Guitar
Tutor series and explore classic riffs and
guitar trivia with Rifftionary. Play Uke
with new Ukulele Playlists or film and
show music with Indiana Jones and Star
Wars playalongs.
WWW.FABERMUSIC.COM
FABER MUSIC/ALFRED: N12
(DRUMMER LIVE)
The widest range of educational drum
and percussion materials by the best
artists. Whatever your style – latin, rock,
jazz, funk, big-band, or your interest –
historical, performance, reference, the
compnay has them all in DVD, book, or
book/DVD formats.
Alfred is a world leader in the
provision of percussion and drum music
with artists including Peter Erskine, Dave
Weckl and many more. Plus with Faber
Music’s playalongs for Rush and The Who
and the new Beatopedia book of 120 of
the most famous drum beats and fills,
there is something for every drummer.
WWW.FABERMUSIC.COM
FARIDA GUITARS: H30
The prestige brand of one of the world’s
biggest and most respected guitar
makers, Farida Guitars has developed
something of a cult status over the last
few years, with demand and reputation
way outpacing availability. The sound
and playability of these instruments is
simply unrivalled at their price point and
Farida has rapidly become the best
selling acoustic brand in the majority of
its High Street stockists.
Farida is looking to spread its wings
further in 2009 and is exhibiting at stand
H-30, where you can come and see the
quality of these instruments for yourself.
WWWFARIDAGUITARS.CO.UK
FLIGHT CASES PRO: E11
FOCUSRITE: STAND F4
FREESTYLE MUSIC: G8
Freestyle Music will exhibit new products
from the brands it distributes in the UK.
It is proud to launch Hiwatt
amplification as the latest addition to
our catalogue. The legendary amp
manufacturer is fast regaining iconic
status from musicians around the world
– come and see why. New products from
Gator cases, Quik Lok stands, Perris
straps, Eno tuners and Rok Sak gig bags
are also on show.
Eko guitars of Italy are celebrating the
50th aniversary of the company this
year with a limited edition of the iconic
Ranger acoustic guitar, which will debut
at LIMS along with other new guitars for
2009. Get along and fill out an order.
WWW.FREESTYLEMUSIC.CO.UK
FUTURE PUBLISHING: H21
G7TH CAPOS: H22
G7th continues to be the number one
choice in capos. Having recently won
Best Capo and Best Product Innovation
awards in Acoustic Guitar Magazine USA,
G7th has now received the Queen’s
Award for Export. The G7th Performance
Capo is simply a step above the rest. Its
fast action, accurate tuning and
innovative styling makes it every
guitarist’s choice. Available in six-string,
12-string, Classical and Banjo (Drop D),
the Performance Range retails at £29.95.
The recent addition of the Nashville
capo, offers an affordable, G7th designed,
spring-loaded capo at £19.95. Check
them out at booth H22.
WWW.G7TH.COM
GARY NOONAN DRUMS: M20
GEAR4MUSIC: H14.
Visit one of the UK’s largest retailers of
musical instruments and equipment at
Stand H14 and see the new 2009 range
of Black Knight Guitars, White Horse
Amps and White Horse Drums, as well as
a full range of classical gear.
Also, you can meet the new UK
distributor of Belcat guitar equipment.
Over 5,700 products are also available
on the store’s website.
WWW.GEAR4MUSIC.COM
GOULDING GUITARS: STAND H42
Goulding Guitars is a UK-based luthier
specialising in custom-made aluminium
guitars. Because they are made
individually to order they can
incorporate any design features that the
customer requires. Materials such as
aluminium, brass and stainless steel, and
finishes including anodising, chrome or
gold plating can be used.
With the vast choice of guitars
available it can be a hard task to find the
one that sounds and looks just how you
want it to, but when your Goulding
guitar is complete you will have a guitar
that has been designed by you and
is totally unique to you. You won’t be
able to resist.
WWW.GOULDINGGUITARS.COM
GREMLIN MUSIC: D10
Gremlin will have a dedicated area for
Blueridge Guitars where the distributor
will be showing the new contemporary
electro-acoustic models and some new
Bristol guitars, which are designed by
Blueridge. The Bristol guitars are a low
cost but high quality starter guitar.
Furthermore, Gremlin will be showing
off its core range of folky instruments
and promoting its folk dealership.
The company will also be displaying
its fantastic new range of Ashbury Celtic
mandolins, mandolas, tenor guitars and
ukuleles.
WWW.GREMLINMUSIC.CO.UK
GUITAR VILLAGE: STAND G2
GUITAR XS: H23
HARDCASE INTERNATIONAL: M59
HEADLINE MUSIC: STAND H18
HEADSTOCK: STAND J4
HERGA MUSIC SERVICES: D3
HIGH TECH DISTRIBUTION UK:
G5
High Tech Distribution UK will proudly
be exhibiting Vigier Guitars and Rapco
Audio products at this year’s LIMS.
This is the UK premiere of viewing
the stunning new Vigier GV series
guitars and 2009 limited edition Bfoot
signature model, as well as the entire
2009 Vigier range.
High Tech Distribution is extremely
pleased to be exhibiting Rapco Audio
products for the first time in the UK. This
will be an exclusive opportunity to check
out these US-made, high-end cables and
saviours of tone.
So, whatever your needs, guitar or
audio, the High Tech stand will be one
stop that you won’t regret making.
WWW.HTD-UK.COM
HINESITE DISTRIBUTION: G3A
INDIE GUITAR CO: F2
The name ‘Indie’ comes from the word
‘Independent’.
Indie, or Independent. Meaning:
‘Separate and different from the rest,
non-corporate, free of mind and free to
express oneself as an individual. Free to
express an independent attitude, without
being categorised’.
The folks at Indie manufacture its
guitars and amplifiers with this same
independent belief. The products are
aimed at the musician who wants a
quality instrument that plays well, looks
cool and is affordable. Its customer base
is usually an Indie (independent) type
person, free of mind and chooses not to
follow the masses.
WWW.INDIEGUITARS.COM
All the brands, all the products, all throughout the show
TRUST US...THEY ARE COATED
All Six Strings Now Extended Play.
Uncoated String Tone, More Volume & Longer Life.
Traditional Feel with 4x More Corrosion Resistance
“For over 100 years, D’Addario has been passionate about string-making and discovering ways to innovate. For the last 10 years, we have tirelessly invested in experiments and technologies to develop what we believe to be the ultimate set of strings. Our family and brand name guarantees that these long-lasting coated strings are the best you will ever play! “
LEARN MORE: DADDARIO.COM/EXP
D’Addario & Company, Inc. | Farmingdale, NY 11735 USA | D’Addario and EXP are registered trademarks of D’Addario & Company, Inc. or its affliates in the United States and/or other countries. © 2009. All rights reserved.
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EXP DEALER PROGRAMMES & IN-STORE PROMOTIONS NOW RUNNING. CALL SUMMERFIELD
ON 0191 414 9000 FOR DETAILS.
Distributed by Summerfield MI Ltd | 1 Vance Court | Trans Britannia Enterprise Park | Blaydon on Tyne | NE21 5NH | Tel: 0191 414 9000 | e-mail: [email protected] | web www.sf-music.co.uk.
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
INKY HOLLOW: STAND H50
The folks at Inky Hollow produce
custom artwork for electric guitars, bass
guitars and many other instruments –
the main driving force being to create
completely one-off concepts and
original artwork combined with top
quality finishes, with the end result
being unique and eye-catching
instruments.
On the Inky Hollow stand, you can
admire an illustrative selection of fully
painted guitars and get a glimpse of the
possibilities available to customers and a
feel for what we can offer you.
WWW.INKYHOLLOW.CO.UK
THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY
MUSIC PERFORMANCE: STAND G20
You can check out the main stand (G20
in the guitar hall), where there will be
live teaching and demonstrations
featuring ICMP tutors.
Come see some fantastic live music
performed by ICMP students and artists
on the main live stage in the concourse,
or watch the Guitar Idol finals on
Saturday morning, which feature an
ICMP band.
There’s still plenty of time to enrol on
an ICMP course this year, including the
fantastic new songwriting Diploma, so
make contact and find out all you need
to know about Europe’s finest school of
modern music
WWW.ICMP.CO.UK
INTERMUSIC: STAND F3
JMP 2000 LTD/PROMOTEYOURBAND:
STAND H1
JOE CO: STAND E40
JOHN HORNBY SKEWES & CO:
STAND H10
See Fret-King’s excellent Blue Label
guitars alongside special UK-produced
Green Labels from Trev Wilkinson. There
are also pre-aged Vintage Icons, plus
Vintage Advance and upgraded Encore
electrics, and the 2009 Metal Axxe guitars.
The high spec Vintage electro-
acoustic range is now equipped with
Fishman systems, as are the new Santos
Martinez electro-classicals. Also, why
not check out the SpongeBob
Squarepants instruments?
You can also see Danelectro, Fishman,
Jim Dunlop effects, Kustom amplification,
Allen & Heath mixers, GYC cables, HK
Audio pro audio, N-Tune’s unique
onboard tuner, Performance Percussion,
Rhythm Tech and Regal Tip.
Trev Wilkinson will be on the JHS
stand, with demos from top JHS
clinician Gav Coulson.
WWW.JHS.CO.UK
KORG UK: STAND F20
KV2 AUDIO EUROPE: STAND E30
LICK LIBRARY: STAND J16
M-AUDIO: STAND F5A
MARSHALL AMPS: STAND G2
While at LIMS be sure to check out the
Marshall stands G02 and G06, where
you can get up close and personal with
its new ranges, Haze, Dave Mustaine
signature cabinets and MG. There will
also be signing sessions with Dr Jim
Marshall OBE and demonstrations by
Chris George in a sound proofed booth.
You can come and crank up several
items from the range and feel for
yourself the raw thump only a Marshall
amp can deliver. Stop by to check
timings for signings and demos. All your
amplifier needs catered for.
WWW.MARSHALLAMPS.COM
ME GUITARS/EDGE CRAFT: K96
MEL BAY MUSIC: STAND C2
Mel Bay Music will be offering the usual
excellent incentives to come along and
personally place trade orders during the
show. A free gift to each trade order will
apply, along with the chance to win a
credit crunching £350 credit for one
lucky trade account.
With exciting new products and great
new series being launched exclusively at
the LIMS show, the company intends to
make visiting the Mel Bay booth a
worthwhile appointment.
Not forgetting that Mel Bay will also
be exhibiting the catalogues that it
distributes featuring Walton’s, Mally’s
and Mayas Music.
It will be announcing and promoting
two, brand new, exclusively signed
catalogues at the show, along with the
AMA Verlag, AMPD (All Music &
Publishing, Australia) and Sasha
catalogues that are currently exclusive
to Mel Bay Music.
Lastly it will have the excellent (and
exclusively signed to Mel Bay) Rodney
Branigan performing on the stand,
demonstrating his unique ambidextrous
two-guitar technique and promoting his
brand new DVD
WWW.MELBAY.COM
MERTON COLLEGE: STAND C16
MOOSE GUITARS: STAND J22
MUSIC SALES: STAND B10
MUSIC TECH
MAGAZINE:
STAND F12
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LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
MUSIC TECH
SCHOOL: STAND F1
MUSICIAN’S UNION:
STAND G18
The Musicians’ Union represents
over 30,000 musicians working in all
sectors of the music business. As well
as negotiating on behalf of its members
with all the major employers in the
industry, the MU offers a range of
services for self-employed professional
and student musicians of all ages. The
benefits of membership include £10m
public liability cover, £2,000 worth of
equipment insurance, contract advice,
partnership agreements, careers advice
and legal assistance.
Visit the MU stand and find out how
the Union’s team of specialist full-time
officials can help you with your career,
whether you work in the live arena, the
recording studio, in education or as a
writer/composer.
WWW.MUSICIANSUNION.ORG.UK
NAMM / MUSIKMESSE: STAND K102
NOTION MUSIC: STAND F15
OLYMPUS UK: STAND E44
OPEN LABS: STAND E20
ORANGE: STAND G10
Orange Music Electronic Company,
which was recently awarded the coveted
Queens Award for Enterprise:
International Trade, will again be
exhibiting at LIMS.
The company will be debuting at the
show an exciting range of new products
including: the Limited Edition 2009
White Finish, Dual Terror 30 watt Class A
dual channel amp, Tiny Terror Hard
Wired Edition, the 500 and 1000 watt
Terror Bass hybrid amplifiers, New series
of Orange Bass Speaker Cabinets and
OBC810 bass speaker cabinet and a
new updated range of the Orange Crush
Pix amplifiers.
WWW.ORANGEAMPS.COM
ORGANIC GUITARS: STAND G7
OSBORNE GUITARS AND
MANDOLINS: STAND C28
OVERT LIGHT TO SOUND/HIGHLITE
UK: STAND F13
Overt Light to Sound is the sole UK and
Ireland distributor for Dap Audio, DMT,
Showtec Lighting and Antari smoke and
effect machines. 2009 is the first time it
will exhibit at LIMS.
It will be showing a part of its
comprehensive range of LED Light
effects, LED Par Cans and the UK launch
of the new Showtec LED.
Par 56 is a set for bands, with a foot
controller. The set includes four LED par
56 cans in yellow, red, green and blue, a
stand with T-bar, power pack and foot
controller.
From the Antari range of smoke and
effect machines, it will be showing the
Z-300 Fazer and HZ-500 Pro Hazer (for
larger touring bands).
It also has a comprehensive range of
leads, cables, flight cases, trussing and
PA systems. Pop along to stand F13 and
collect the all-new 2009, 600-page
catalogue.
WWW.OVERT-LTD.COM
PATRICK EGGLE LIMITED: STAND J2
Patrick Eggle is showing many new
designs plus selected early 1990s
favourites, to coincide with the launch
of its new Custom Shop.
Models include the newest Berlin –
the ‘Berlin Standard’, a 24-fret, all-
mahogany, working musician’s guitar;
the revised and updated ‘JS Legend’ from
1992, as seen on TV; the ‘New York’; and
a new modern ‘LA’.
Custom shop options on the ‘Wave
Extra’ and ‘Wave Pro’ are also launched,
giving guitarists of all levels access to
the world’s leading session musicians’
choice – the ‘Patrick Eggle Experience’.
Technical innovations are so many,
that they cannot be described by words
alone – the guitars need to be listened
to, played through Eggle’s new, unique
Class ‘D’ guitar amp.
WWW.PATRICKEGGLEGUITARS.COM
PEAVEY ELECTRONICS: STAND G4
Peavey has once again been asked to
provide the sound system for the main
stage at the London International
Music Show.
A Peavey system was also used last
year for the inaugural LIMS, when
Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani
headed the list of stars performing
(along with The Blockheads, who made a
special appearance at the exclusive
Peavey-sponsored exhibitor party).
Peavey’s endorsement of LIMS goes
beyond the main stage’s flagship
Versarray system (two hangs of ten
Versarray 212s supplemented by ten
218 subs, driven by Crest amplification).
Having been swamped by visitors at last
year’s show, this year the company has
booked double the stand space, to allow
it to display even more of its products,
ranging from guitars, effects and amps
right through to gigging PA.
Several debuts are scheduled,
including first UK showings for the new
EuroSys portable PA system, the Joe
Satriani-designed JSX 50 head amp and
the revolutionary IPR range of ultra-
lightweight, ultra-efficient power amps.
WWW.PEAVEY-EU.COM
PEERLESS GUITARS: STAND K101
PLECTRUM BOX: STAND H64
POLAR AUDIO: STAND G9
PRISM SOUND: STAND E21
Prism Sound and SADiE will be showing
LIMS visitors how its ADA-8XR
multichannel converters, Orpheus
FireWire interfaces, SADiE digital audio
workstations and Maselec range of mic
pre maps, eqs and compressors integrate
into the recording, mastering and live
sound environments.
To achieve this, the company’s stand
will be divided into three separate areas
dedicated to each discipline. There will
also be a live performance area where
artists such as Kid British and jazz/funk
keyboardist JD73 will perform during the
show.
Prism Sound and SADiE staff, along
with industry ‘names’ including Crispin
Murray from Metropolis Mastering, will
be on hand to tackle Q&A sessions.
WWW.PRISMSOUND.COM
PROEL INTERNATIONAL: STAND E6
Proel is taking the UK launch of the
fantastic Markbass MoMark modular
bass amp system to LIMS. It enables
users to custom build their own
ultimate bass amplifier. Also debuting
will be the new Markbass bass effects
pedals and the Cicognani ‘Brutus’
professional valve amplifier range,
comprising valve heads, cabs and
a combo.
Bass players must not miss the UK
premiere of MTD Kingston basses –
designed by the legendary Mike Tobias
and making Mike’s world-beating ideas
in bass design available at more
affordable prices. For drummers, Proel
will be showing the world-beating Drum
Art handmade snare drums.
WWW.PROELINT.CO.UK
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 45
You can see the best of rock n roll
live at the show
48 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
RETAIL UP: H3
Retail Up provides website services to
companies in the US, Canada, Asia and
Europe. Two principals with extensive
backgrounds in website management
and development for over 200
companies since 1994 lead the firm.
Each principal has over 20 years of
technology and marketing experience.
Its programming team members each
have at least ten years or more
experience and work with the latest web
technology advances.
This combination of marketing and
technology allows Retail Up to go
beyond e-commerce and provide an
affordable array of services and features
to serve client’s specific needs. Its goal is
to provide you with the support, tools
and advice to make your web presence
a success.
WWW.RETAILUP.COM
RICHMO DRUMS: M58
ROCKSCHOOL: K100
ROLAND UK: E28
Roland and Boss will be at LIMS in fine
style, and they are launching an array of
brand-new instruments at the show. You
can also catch up with the gear
launched earlier this year at NAMM and
Frankfurt, including the groundbreaking
V-Piano, Cube 80X and the award-
winning V-Drums TD-4K and Boss
ME-70 MFX.
Dedicated zones for synths, pianos,
drums and guitar gear mean that you’ll
easily find what you’re looking for, along
with some great playing and hundreds of
like-minded musicians.
Craig Blundell, the in-demand session
musician and V-Drums demonstrator,
will be showcasing the latest V-Drums
technology with blistering performances
throughout the show. The V-Drums
workshops also make a welcome return,
giving people the chance to have a quick
drum lesson on the day.
With some of the industry’s finest
product demonstrators and clinicians,
opportunities to try the most exciting
gear around and the chance to win
some great prizes, make sure you drop
by and get stuck in.
WWW.ROLAND.CO.UK
ROTOSOUND: STAND H12
Rotosound is celebrating over 50 years
of string making in the UK and guess
what? It is now building even more new
string winding machines as it has, over
the last seven months, seen a 26.7 per
cent increase in worldwide sales.
Some of this is down to its redesigned
packaging, superior quality and
consistency, fast deliveries and formidable
media presence on and off line.
There will also be appearances by
several artists, though they are yet to be
confirmed: Paul Allender, Dave Pybus
(Cradle of Filth), Steve Diggle
(Buzzcocks),Captain Sensible(Damned)
and JJ Burnel (Stranglers).
Rotosound would like to invite you
to make a visit to booth H12, where you
can find out how you can earn more
profit per set than imported string lines
and keep it British. You will also be able
to check out the new Nexus coated
string range.
All trade orders placed at the show
over £500 will enter in a prize draw for
two tickets for NAMM 2010.
WWW.ROTOSOUND.COM
SAE: E9
SANDARAC: D12
Sandarac will be launching the highly
regarded French Dupont Guitars and
amplification systems from stand D12 at
this year’s LIMS.
New to the UK market – but not the
world (Dupont instruments are played by
the likes of Eric Clapton and Steve Miller),
the range includes the Jazz Archtop ‘Be
Bop’ guitar, along with the Auditorium and
ABJ Flat Tops, the folding ‘Volante’ Double
Bass, a Retro Jaxx Stimer amp and a retro
Selmer-style pickup (as played by Django!).
With the stand themed as a ‘Jazz
Cafe’, you will be able to hear all the
gear being played by top
instrumentalists from the jazz world,
who will be dropping by for a jam on the
public days and also to catch up on all
the jazz news from Jazzwise Magazine,
which will also be available on the stand.
WWW.SANDARAC.CO.UK
SENNHESER UK: E25
Sennheiser UK will this year be
exhibiting the latest in the evolution
wireless range, the G3 series – the
highlight in Sennheiser’s wireless
microphone portfolio.
The third generation will replace the
evolution wireless G2 series. In addition
to this, Sennheiser will also be
demonstrating live, new DJ products
from Rane, as well as its range of top-
end studio monitoring DJ headphones.
WWW.SENNHEISER.CO.UK
SHURE DISTRIBUTION UK: E15
Shure Distribution UK is the official UK
distributor of Shure, Phonic, Radial and
Tonebone. Visit stand E15 to be one of
the first in the UK to listen to the new
Shure SRH headphones or try out the
new Shure side-address, large cardiod
diaphragm condenser USB mics. Also,
don’t miss Domo Dixon (lead guitarist of
Gamabomb) demo’ing Radial Tonebone
and Bones guitar pedals.
WWW. SHURE.CO.UK
SILENT PEAKS: E17
SONIC DISTRIBUTION: F5
SOUND NETWORK: E35
THE SOUND POST: D6
SOUND TECHNOLOGY: F6
SOURCE DISTRIBUTION: F8
STAND FIRST (PLAYMUSIC): TBC
STEINBERG: E42
STENTOR: B8
Visit the Stentor stand to see all the
Stentor instruments on display, including
the new Stentor Graduate violin outfit.
You’ll also be able to try the latest Ozark
guitars, banjos and fretted instruments,
including the distinctive Ozark Deluxe
series. While you’re there, see new
classical guitars from Valencia and
Hokada, as well as Mahalo ukuleles and
superb value Mistral woodwind. Take the
time to talk to Stentor about how its
lines may be able to improve profit for
your business.
The new Stentor catalogue will also
be launched at the show, with over 200
pages of instruments and accessories.
Book an appointment with your Stentor
representative now or just come along
and talk to the team.
WWW.STENTOR-MUSIC.COM
STRING CLEAN (SWIPE): H4
The Swipe is simply designed to be the
world’s most effective, instrument string
cleaner. It’s a quick to use, chemical free,
micro fibre tool that has been
specifically created to clean strings on
all instruments.
It cleans the surface and underneath
of strings as well as fret wires. There’s no
need for string slackening. The Swipe is
packaged with separate micro fibre
cloths for cleaning the body of your
instrument and supplied by some of the
world’s most prestigious guitar makers.
The Swipe is a fast and easy method
to keep your instrument sounding,
feeling and looking pristine.
WWW.THE-SWIPE.COM
STRINGS & THINGS: J6
Take a trip to the Strings & Things stand,
where you’ll be able to try out products
including the very latest Musicman
guitars and basses.
There will be all the usual models,
including Stingray, Sterling and Bongo
basses, along with Supersport, Axis,
Silhouette, Petrucci, Albert Lee, Luke and
Steve Morse guitars. Prices range from
standard to the superb Ball Family
Reserve models.
New instruments for 2009 include the
25th Anniversary guitar and basses along
with the Big Al bass. The company is also
featuring the new medium priced
Sterling by Musicman range of guitars
and basses.
Hercules instrument stands will
feature too, along with the full range of
Timberline acoustic guitars and Jim
Dunlop & MXR effects pedals.
WWW.STRINGSANDTHINGS.CO.UK
STUDIOMASTER: E10
The new MCX range of mixers is a four-
bus design with a range of 12 to 32
channels in four frame sizes.
The MCX12 and14 have internal
power supplies, while the MCX24 and 32
use an external supply and are shipped
in a heavy duty flight cases. They have
six auxiliaries, four band eq and input
Exhibitors pull out all the stops to get attention for their stands
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 51
LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
and output connectors on the rear panel for
easy patching.
The very successful PAX monitor range has been
given more power and is now called PAX+. There are
four models in the range: 12-inch 150-Watt powered
and 12-inch passive, and a ten-inch, 120-Watt
powered and ten-inch passive. All models feature a
two-way speaker design with a new high frequency
tweeter giving superior sound over previous models.
After two decades of producing world class
powered mixers, Studiomaster launches the
Powerhouse 1000X range. Featuring four models
with ten to 18 input channels, quality DSP effects
and 1,000 Watts of power. Three-band eq with mid
sweep, 60mm smooth faders and nine band stereo
graphic equaliser ensure a pro sound at every gig.
WWW.STUDIOMASTER.COM
STUDIOSPARES: E22
Visit the Studiospares stand for show special prices
on selected pro-audio gear. The firm will also be
giving away its 380-page 2009 catalogue, which
details around 7,000 of the best recording and PA
products around.
And it will be showing – and more importantly
demonstrating – the Esmono Sound Isolation Booth
on the stand. It is said to be ideal for studios and
broadcast facilities, and very popular in schools and
universities. The Sound Booth is modular, movable
and highly affordable.
WWW.STUDIOSPARES.COM
STUFF MAGAZINE: K22
SUTHERLAND TRADING: G12
You can go to this stand to see the Sonor Steve Smith
30th Anniversary kit that he will play in the live hall
on Saturday. Steve Smith will sign autograph cards on
the stand at various times throughout the show.
Other Sonor drums on display are the New Danny
Carey bronze snare, new Force series Rock format
and new S-Classix strata wood and Delite tiger finish
kits. Guitars shown will be Fernandes, Burns of
London – including the new Cobra with batwing
headstock, the Stonebridge Antoine Dufour model
and a range of Crafter, which can be tried through
Headway’s Shire King ‘acoustic’ amps.
Ukuleles will include the new Eleuke MP3-ready
models and a range of Kala ukuleles, including the
new Joe Brown signature model, travel series and the
new U-Bass bass ukulele that’s a must for every uke
and bass player.
WWW.SUTHERLANDTRADING.COM
TAKE IT AWAY (ARTS COUNCIL): D45
TASCAM: E18
Tascam will be exhibiting its complete range of
Portastudios and, for the first time in the UK, the
new DP004 digital Pocketstudio. The Portastudio
celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2009 and is still as
liberating and revolutionary to the first time user
and pro alike as it was back in 1979.
There will be the award-winning range of
computer interfaces on display and the Firewire
DAW controllers.
New for this year are the DR07 & DR100 digital
handheld recorders, together with the evergreen
digital guitar trainers. The DM4800 & DM3200
professional digital mixers will be demonstrated in
conjunction with the award winning X48 digital
multitrack, a 48-track, hard disk workstation.
WWW.TASCAM.CO.UK
TAYLOR GUITARS: H24
Founded in 1974, Taylor Guitars is one of the world’s
leading manufacturers of premium acoustic and
electric guitars. Renowned for blending an innovative
use of modern technology with a master craftsman’s
attention to detail, Taylor guitars are widely
considered the best sounding and easiest to play in
the world.
Starting in 2008, Taylor has been distributed in
Europe by Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Since
then, Taylor has opened Factory Service Centres in
England, Germany and Sweden, with additional sites
planned throughout Europe. Taylor factory staff from
California will be on-hand at LIMS, offering demos of
the complete Taylor line, including acoustics, the
SolidBody electrics, T5, and the new T3 semi-hollow
electric, recently featured on the cover of Guitarist.
WWW.TAYLORGUITARS.COM
TC ELECTRONIC: F3A
Although consumers will be there over the weekend, Thursday is definitely trade day
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 53
LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
TIME+SPACE: F9
TRINITY GUILDHALL: D50, M60
TOM AND WILL: D36
Tomandwill.com has an extensive range
of high quality gig bags for all ages and
abilities. Features include lightweight
padding, rugged exterior cloths,
accessory pockets, padded straps and
heavy duty zip fasteners. Bags come in a
range of colours and designs.
Tomandwill gig bags are available for
all strings, brass and woodwind, as well
as bagpipes, with more being developed
in time for LIMS.
Go along and view the range on stand
D36 in the unplugged hall and speak to
the team.
WWW.TOMANDWILL.COM
TOON GUITARS: K98
UNITED MUSIC PUBLISHERS:
D40
United Music Publishers is the principal
distributor in the UK and Ireland for the
major French classical printed music
publishers as well as for companies from
Europe and beyond. Its catalogue
includes the bestselling Play Percussion,
Crash, Bang, Wallop and Just for Fun
series by Keith Bartlett.
Visit the stand to take advantage of
various offers exclusive to the show, to
browse through its latest new issues,
best sellers and exam titles, and to see
works by Debussy, Einaudi, Fauré,
Massenet, Messiaen, Poulenc, Puccini,
Ravel, Satie, Tiersen, Verdi, Widor and
many more.
WWW.UMP.CO.UK
VANQUISH SOUNDS: J22A
VIGIER GUITARS: G5
WARWICK: J10
WORLD RHYTHM PERCUSSION: N11
World Rhythm Percussion offers an
extensive range of high-quality ethnic
percussion instruments.
It has been working with the same
producers for many years and has
worked hard to build quality and
consistency in its products. It holds good
stock levels in its centrally located UK
warehouse and is able to ship orders
worldwide.
WRP’s professional and entry-level
Djembe drums have received fantastic
reviews recently, as have its accessories,
such as the Pro quality carry cases and
carry straps. It also offers other
specialist African drums and a wide
selection of ethnic hand percussion
instruments. Dropshipping and FOB
services are available.
WWW.WORLDRHYTHM.CO.UK
YAMAHA: H16
Yamaha is taking a radically different
approach to this year’s LIMS. While it
will, of course, be showcasing all of the
very latest guitars, drums and music
production products from the world’s
largest MI manufacturer, the focus of the
stand is a unique ‘up close and personal’
approach with free professional
recording opportunities on offer for the
company’s popular Band for a Grand
promotion. Also on hand will be top
Yamaha artists and leading practitioners,
ready to help visitors with their music
making techniques.
The centerpiece of the stand will be a
classic 1960s US Airstream trailer
converted into a professional state-of-
the-art recording facility and manned by
a team of renowned engineers and
producers. For anyone serious about
their music, the Yamaha stand should be
the show’s number one destination.
HTTP://UK.YAMAHA.COM
ZILLA MUSIC: K82
54 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
FRI 12TH JUNE
11.00-11.45 Cutting-edge computer
music production
Keyboard player/producer Simon Grey
(Incognito, Jamiroquai) demonstrates
Propellerhead Software’s latest releases
for cutting-edge computer musicians. If
you record or produce with a computer
this seminar is definitely not to be
missed. Further details are available on
the Propellerhead website
(www.propellerheads.se).
12.00-12.45 Producer panel discussion
and Q&A session
A stellar line-up of top names is always
assured for a repeat of one of last year’s
most popular presentations.
Come along and ask anything you like
or just see what pearls of wisdom you
can pick up in the answers. The producer-
panel session is moderated by Sound on
Sound’s Martin Walker.
13.00-13.45 Devin Workman:
Producing a polished mix
Mix engineer Devin Workman (David
Gilmour, The Darkness, The View)
demonstrates his techniques and
‘weapons of choice’ – featuring Logic
Studio, Apogee Ensemble and Euphonix
Artist Series controllers.
Using real world material from York
band The Yards, which was recorded in
their home studio, Devin mixes this
‘typical’ recording to produce a
professional-sounding finished product
using tools accessible to anyone.
Recording techniques, Logic Pro 8 and
control surface workflow tips and tricks
are revealed in this exclusive seminar.
Everyone attending these sessions will
be entered into a draw to win a
complete Power Trio system including a
MacBook Pro, Apogee Ensemble and
Euphonix MC Mix. Each seminar will
also include a second prize draw for an
iPod Touch.
14.00-14.45 Composing music for film
and television
Using real-world television programme
material, composer John Moores
demonstrates the ins and outs of
composing music for film and television.
Covering technical, workflow and
business considerations, this seminar will
benefit any musician involved with or
interested in this line of work.
15.00-15.45 SOS Studio question time
This is a unique opportunity to get
first-hand advice from the Studio SOS
team of Sound on Sound’s editor-in-
chief Paul White and technical editor
Hugh Robjohns.
Ask anything you like, but they’ll
probably only answer the ones about
recording and acoustics. Other members
of the Sound on Sound editorial team
will be joining them at different times
throughout the show.
The hugely popular Sound on Sound seminars will be an integral part of the Sound Recording Technology element of the
show and this year’s sessions are bound to prove as stimulating and vital as ever. The seminars will run from 11am to 4pm
from the Friday through to the Sunday. Here’s the full lowdown…
Seminars
SAT 13TH JUNE
11.00-11.45 Composing music for film
and television
Using real-world television programme
material, composer John Moores
demonstrates the ins and outs of
composing music for film and television.
Covering technical, workflow and
business considerations, this seminar will
benefit any musician involved with or
interested in this line of work.
12.00-12.45 Producer panel
A stellar line-up of top names is always
assured for a repeat of one of last year’s
most popular presentations. Come along
and ask anything you like or just see
what pearls of wisdom you can pick up
in the answers. The producer-panel
session are moderated by Sound on
Sound’s Martin Walker.
13.00-13.45 Devin Workman:
Producing a polished mix
Mix engineer Devin Workman (David
Gilmour, The Darkness, The View)
demonstrates his techniques and
‘weapons of choice’ – featuring Logic
Studio, Apogee Ensemble and Euphonix
Artist Series controllers.
Using real world material from York
band The Yards, which was recorded in
their home studio, Devin mixes this
‘typical’ recording to produce a
professional-sounding finished product
using tools accessible to anyone.
Recording techniques, Logic Pro 8 and
control surface workflow tips and tricks
are revealed in this exclusive seminar.
Everyone attending these sessions will
be entered into a draw to win a complete
Power Trio system including a MacBook
Pro, Apogee Ensemble and Euphonix MC
Mix. Each seminar will also include a
second prize draw for an iPod Touch.
14.00-14.45 Technology for live
performance
In 2007 guitarist/producer Steve Jones
(Brian Eno, Air, Herbie Hancock, etc)
embarked on a world tour with Air using
a MacBook Pro as his guitar amplifier
and synth. In this session, Jones explains
the ins and outs of using a computer-
based solution on stage for guitar
processing, synths and live mixing.
15.00-15.45 SOS Studio question time
This is a unique opportunity to get
first-hand advice from the Studio SOS
team of Sound on Sound’s editor-in-
chief Paul White and technical editor
Hugh Robjohns. Ask anything you like,
but they’ll probably only answer the
ones about recording and acoustics.
Other members of the Sound on Sound
editorial team will be joining them at
different times throughout the show.
SUN 14TH JUNE
11.00-11.45 to be confirmed
12.00-12.45 Producer panel
A stellar line-up of top names is always assured for a
repeat of one of last year’s most popular
presentations. Come along and ask anything you like
or just see what pearls of wisdom you can pick up in
the answers. The producer-panel session are
moderated by Sound On Sound’s Martin Walker.
13.00-13.45 Devin Workman: Producing a
polished mix
Mix engineer Devin Workman (David Gilmour, The
Darkness, The View) demonstrates his techniques and
‘weapons of choice’ – featuring Logic Studio, Apogee
Ensemble and Euphonix Artist Series controllers.
Using real world material from York band The
Yards, which was recorded in their home studio,
Devin mixes this ‘typical’ recording to produce a
professional-sounding finished product using tools
accessible to anyone. Recording techniques, Logic Pro
8 and control surface workflow tips and tricks are
revealed in this exclusive seminar.
Everyone attending these sessions will be entered
into a draw to win a complete Power Trio system
including a MacBook Pro, Apogee Ensemble and
Euphonix MC Mix. Each seminar will also include a
second prize draw for an iPod Touch.
14.00-14.45 Composing music for film and
television
Using real-world television programme material,
composer John Moores demonstrates the ins and
outs of composing music for film and television.
Covering technical, workflow and business
considerations, this seminar will benefit any musician
involved with or interested in this line of work.
15.00-15.45 SOS Studio question time
This is a unique opportunity to get first-hand advice
from the Studio SOS team of Sound on Sound’s
editor-in-chief Paul White and technical editor Hugh
Robjohns. Ask anything you like, but they’ll probably
only answer the ones about recording and acoustics.
Other members of the Sound on Sound editorial
team will be joining them at different times
throughout the show.
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 55
LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009 57
LIMS • SHOW GUIDE
EDUCATION DAY
Music for Youth (the world’s largest music education
charity and the force behind the Schools Proms) is
hosting the UK’s most impressive festival of music
learning on June 12th (Friday) at the show, called MfY
Friday, where a 1,000-piece band will premiere a new
piece of music conducted by composer Tim Steiner at
the Big Gig.
New to the show will be the chance for visitors to
have a free music lesson with Tech Music Schools and
Sound on Sound magazine will be running a prize draw to
win a dream studio worth over £22,000.
Tech Music Schools, which is made up of Drumtech,
Guitar-X, Bass Guitar-X, Vocaltech and Keyboardtech, will
be holding the classes in four purpose-built teaching
booths. These will be equipped with everything needed
for visitors to turn up, sign up and learn.
The classes comprise small groups taught by some of
the top tutors in the UK from Tech Music Schools. For
more information about signing up for the classes, you
should either visit Tech Music Schools on stand F1 or at
the Educational Village M46 to M49. The sessions and
the booths are sponsored by Peavey, Ashdown, Music
Man, Marshall, Gibson, Korg and Faber.
Also new will be the ‘Learn to play with GarageBand’
seminar. Leaps and bounds have been made in music
tuition technology over the past decade and gone are
the days of learning music from a text book. Today’s
lessons are more user friendly and interactive than ever
before. Apple’s GarageBand 09 is now leading the
revolution with it’s ‘learn to play’ feature, allowing
budding musicians to learn, practice, jam and record in
the same environment – and, of course, it comes free on
every new Mac. In this seminar, visitors will see how
anyone can learn to play music in just a few simple, and
most importantly, fun steps with GarageBand.
A free professional recording session is up for grabs on
the Yamaha classic ‘60s US Airstream trailer, converted
into a professional state-of-the-art recording facility, as
part of their ‘Band for a Grand’ scheme. Please note that
bands need to register in advance by logging onto
www.yamahadownload.co.uk.
Workshops include learning the top ten riffs of all
time with IGF’s John Wheatcroft, and Primal Scream
drummer Darrin Mooney puts himself through an
incremental drumming test to exhaustion while wearing
the latest state-of-the-art sports science technology,
with the Clem Burke Drumming Project.
LIVE ACTS
This year’s LIMS has assembled a wide range of top
musicians from the world of rock music to grace the
stage of the 3,000 capacity arena. Artists confirmed to
play the show include guitar virtuoso Steve Vai (who
brings his Alien Guitar Secrets master class to the
show), Grammy award-winning guitarist Albert Lee, and
guitar all-rounder Phil Hilborne with his band, featuring
Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain.
There will also be the critically acclaimed band
Swans in Flight, with special guest bass players Marco
Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) and the King of
Metal funk, TM Stevens (James Brown, The Pretenders),
as well the final of Guitar Idol, the world’s biggest
online talent search to find the hottest undiscovered
guitarists on the planet. Check out www.guitaridol.tv
for the latest news.
On top of that, there is also a star-studded line-up
of drummers including Nick D’Virgilio (Tears for Fears),
Jamiroquai’s top drum and percussion duo – Derrick
McKenzie and Sola Akingbola, Prince’s drummer and
bass player – Josh and Cora Coleman-Dunham, Mark
Richardson (Skunk Anansie), Steve Smith (Journey, Vital
Information) and Iron Maiden’s Nicko Brain making a
further appearance, with leading multi-percussionist
Pete Lockett (Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Peter Gabriel).
SHOW GUIDE • LIMS
58 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
If you haven’t sorted out your hotel yet, you’re leaving it
a bit late, but there are still some rooms left around the
‘village’. Here, also, are some of the travel details you
might find useful if you (like so many of us) tend to
leave things to the last minute.
RAIL
Rail from around the country to any one of the national
rail grid terminals in the city will connect to the
underground, where the Jubilee Line can normally be
found with no more than one change.
The Jubilee Line will take you to Canning Town, where
visitors should change onto the Docklands Light Railway
(DLR – upstairs from the Jubilee Line level. Trains
normally depart from platform three) for the quick two-
stop journey to Custom House for Excel.
Visitors should be aware that DLR trains in the
direction of Beckton serve the exhibition centre. Do not
use DLR services in the direction of Woolwich Arsenal or
King George V from Canning Town.
Those more at ease with having a driver might like to
note that a public bus service (147) departs from Bay B
of Canning Town station to Custom House.
ROAD
When driving to Excel, follow the signs for Royal Docks,
City Airport and Excel. There is easy access from the
M25, M11, A406 and A13.
The exhibition centre has on-site car parking for 2,500
cars, including 1,600 spaces directly beneath the venue.
All on-site parking is pay and display, with the exception
of the multi-storey car park, which is located at the west
end of the site. Parking in the multi-storey car park can
be paid for at one of the many pay points in the
Boulevard (which accept both cash and card) or in the
car park itself.
In addition, the centre has a further 1,200 spaces off
site within half a mile of the venue. Park and ride buses
operate to and from the venue when this facility is open.
Payment for the park and ride car park must be made on
the Boulevard before boarding a bus back to the parking
area. Payment for this can be made at any time during
your visit to the centre.
HOTELS
Excel has five on-site hotels, ranging from luxury to
budget, all within just a few minutes walk of the
venue and offering accommodation from adequate
to excellent.
The proximity of the hotels around the exhibition
centre was key to the obvious ‘MI Village’ that was
apparent at last year’s show, prompting many to
comment on the “NAMM-style’ atmosphere.
Central to this were the Novotel and Ibis hotels,
literally a two-minute stroll across the forecourt from
the centre, which have, combined, some 535 rooms
between them and visitors booking rooms immediately
should be able to benefit from starting prices at £73 per
night for the Ibis (two-star) and £85 per night at the
Novotel (four-star).
Another useful stopover spot is the Premier Inn, which
is basic, but certainly adequate, offering just over 200
rooms from £84 per night. The Premier Inn is a five-
minute stroll across the car parks at the back of
the centre.
Again, full details and booking links can be accessed at
excel-london.co.uk.
Travel and
accommodation
into the music
www.rotosound.comwww.myspace.com/rotosoundmusicstrings
See us at LIMS - Stand H12
June 11 - 14 Excel, London
Due to the overwhelming demand this year we are unable to offer the 241 as per normal.
Rotosound worldwide sales are up 27% over the last 8 months so a big thank you to allour customers! We ARE currently busy building MORE new string winding machines!
We are also pleased to tell you of the following Special Discounts on all orders placedat the show (min £500.00 trade)• Swing Bass 25% off UK trade• Rotos 40% off UK trade• Jumbo King 40% off trade• All Tru Bronze sets we are offering 50% off UK trade. (241 deal)Please Note: These deals ONLY apply to orders taken at the show.
New Products for 2009Come and see us on booth H12 to check out the New NEXUS coated range.
• Also, all orders over £500.00 (*trade) will be entered in to our NAMM 2010 prize draw.
Endorsee appearances include Steve Diggle (Buzzcocks) Paul Allender and Dave Pybus(Cradle of Filth). Guthrie Govan and Alex Hutchings will be playing throughout the showin conjunction with Bluesjamtracks.
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mi_pro_page.indd 1 21/5/09 11:12:05
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 61
PERSONNEL
LOGIC SYSTEM has announced details of
key management and director level
changes in the company.
Jeff Dawson (pictured), who joined the
company recently, has been appointed as
managing director, enabling Chris Scott,
who now takes the role of technical
director, to focus on product development
and growing the export business. Sue Ellis
remains in her role as operations director.
“Jeff has considerable management
experience that will benefit the company
and prepare us for growth,” said Scott.
“I am delighted that the existing
directors and shareholders have the
confidence in my abilities to be able to
make this appointment,” added Dawson.
“Logic System is a great company, with
fantastic products. Freeing Chris to spend
more time doing what he does best can
only be a benefit to us and our customers.”
LOGIC SYSTEM: 01427 611 791
www.G7th.comIn Pursuit of Excellence
The Capo Company
The G7TH Performance Capo
precision engineered for perfect intonation
New MD for Logic SystemCompany’s chief becomes technical director
STEVE PRESTON will now be working with
Synergy Distribution to sell the agency’s
brands to dealers in the south of the UK.
Preston’s experience includes time with
Exclusive Distribution and as the founder
of British American Distribution. Preston
has also worked for P&R Howard, Arbiter
and Carlsbro.
He joins Synergy as the firm sets out to
secure an exclusive network of dealers for
its latest brand, Lakewood Guitars, signed
up at the Musikmesse (pictured).
SYNERGY: 0121 270 6485
Steve Preston joins SynergyIndustry veteran on board to handle South
My day normally starts at around
seven o’clock, when I’m woken
up by my Blackberry. As soon as
the red light starts flashing, I know that’s
the start of the day for me. I have a quick
look through what came in overnight,
which gets me into gear pretty quickly.
I’ll have breakfast at around half past
seven, then I’m out the door for eight
o’clock. I live in Reading so I have to travel
over to High Wycombe every morning,
which can take a good 45 minutes. I’m
into the office just before nine o’clock.
My role is quite varied and it requires a
lot of thought – I have a team below me,
so I need to come up with creative
strategies about how we’re going to launch
new products, or look at point of sale or
marketing initiatives to put forward to the
global marketing team.
The drive to work is good for a bit of
‘me’ time to have a think through
everything. I love my job – it’s a really
dynamic role – it just means that
sometimes I need a bit of alone time to
think everything over.
Although I might have been planning
what I need to be doing for the last hour
or so, that can change in an instant. I pass
our sales and marketing director’s desk
every morning, so my day can change
from my plans to his.
Once I’m in the marketing department,
I could be doing quite a lot of different
things. As communications manager, I look
after the communications for aviation, the
music industry, and for the consumer
electronics division. We have a sister
company called Sennheiser
Communications that do
telecommunications products – BT
headsets and telecoms equipment for call
centre work – so I could be sitting down
with the product manager for consumer
electronics and working on POS for
Dixons, or I could be briefing an agency for
an ad campaign in the telecoms market.
We’ve got a huge marketing plan, so
everything is documented and the whole
team knows the direction, but as for
putting meat on the bones, it’s on a day-
by-day and week-by-week basis. There’s a
lot going on in the team, and my guys are
heavily stretched so there’s a lot of
demand for us. But it’s very varied, as our
job involves PR, online advertising, offline
advertising, events, everything.
I spend some time in London, and once a
month I go to Germany, as I am part of a
global marketing communication team. We
get together every so often and discuss
new initiatives, new ways to talk to our
customers and new ways to educate them
about our products.
This year, there’s a big project we’re
working on: the British Music Experience.
It’s a 90-minute interactive tour on the
history of British music, which includes
memorabilia and instruments from the
past. It’s good for Sennheiser as we can
show the customer, young or old, that
we’ve been around for a long time, that
we’re a sturdy brand with a good
reputation and that we’re a family
company – we’re still family owned. We
wanted to get that across and get it to the
consumer in a relaxed environment. We’ve
got a vocal booth set up, where you can
sing your heart out, get recorded and
uploaded to the web, so it’s a lot of fun.
I WOKE UP THIS
MORNING
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 63
PROFILE
STEVE DALTONMarketing and CommunicationsManager, Sennheiser UK
Sennheiser’s Steve Dalton talks to MI Pro about his team strategies, communication and how to plan ahead for big projects...
65 www.mi-pro.co.uk miPRO JUNE 2009
RETAILSmith rejoins Pumfrett
NEWS, OPINION, DATA
SOUND TECHNOLOGY’S former guitar
product manager, Mark Smith, has hopped
back over the counter after ten years with
the UK distributor to rejoin Jeff Pumfrett
at his World Guitars store in Stonehouse,
Gloucester.
Smith started working with Pumfrett
when the latter was still the owner of the
Machinehead guitar specialist outlet in
Hitchin some 18 years ago. “He came in
and asked for a job,” recalled Pumfrett. “I
told him I didn’t have one, but then
Smithy said he would work for very little,
so I hired him straight away. I took him on
for three months and eight years later he
was still there.”
Sound Technology offered Smith a job
at its Letchworth head office and Pumfrett
told him it would be a good move.
“Working with Sound Tech was really
valuable experience and I enjoyed it, but
it’s great to be back in retail,” remarked
Smith. “I’ve come round full circle, but it is
really exciting to be at World Guitars – this
has to be the best looking shop in the UK.”
The story goes that Smith and Pumfrett
met (as they regularly do) a few weeks
ago and the suggestion was put forward
that Smith might like to return to retail.
“It was as simple as that,” said Smith.
Pumfrett earned his reputation as the
owner of Machinehead Music in Hitchin
and is widely thought of as one of Britain’s
top indie music retailers. His partner, Bruce
Bennett, is the former proprietor of the
George Inn of St Briavels, Gloucestershire.
His pub/restaurant/hotel became regarded
by some as the west country’s finest
establishment for high quality cuisine.
After 18 years Bennett
decided to join World Guitars as a
complete career change. He brings to the
operation, Pumfrett said, “a personality
that shines through. Just don't ask him
anything technical about guitars.”
World Guitars occupies a unique and
attractive showroom, which is a converted
Victorian magistrates court house of
immense character and atmosphere.
The shop is one of Europe’s most
comprehensive stockists for PRS Guitars
and also carries a select range of Vigier,
ESP, Musicman, Tom Anderson and Collings
electric guitars. It is one of the 35 outlets
in the UK to carry Gibson and Epiphone.
On the amp side, the shop sells the Mesa
Boogie, Engl, Cornell and Matchless brands
and it cites Patrick James Eggle, Taylor,
Larrivee, Collings, Martin and Gibson as its
favourite acoustic guitar brands.
“We have over 30 years of experience
in high-end guitar sales and service,” said
Pumfrett, “and we check all audio goods
before despatch and all guitars are set up
to perfection.” The business ships
worldwide and offers a next day, fully
insured, UK service on all items in stock.
Pumfrett concluded: “I now have exactly
the team I’ve always wanted since I started
World Guitars and I am genuinely delighted
– what’s more, Smithy is much better with
computers than me, so I’m hoping I won’t
have to wrestle with them any more.”
World Guitars: 01453 824306
World Guitars store takes back product manager from Sound Technology, finishing off the perfect team
NEWSFirst conference
for The Firm,
new 2twenty2
scheme, Yamaha
goods stolen
HOOTERS BEHIND THE COUNTER
Hooters Windsor
celebrates ten
years and MI Pro
looks behind
the scenes
Our undercover
retail agent
doesn’t fear
price rises
INDIE PROFILE
Mansons Guitar
Shop, Exeter
World Guitars occupies a unique and attractive
showroom, which is a converted Victorian
magistrates court house of immense character.
The stunning interior of World Guitars. Inset: Jeff Pumfrett (left), Mark Smith (right)
66 miPRO JUNE 2009 www.mi-pro.co.uk
RETAIL • NEWS
Firm’s first conferenceStratford-upon-Avon sees consortium’s meet for members and suppliers
THE FIRM buying consortium held
its first annual conference on April
21st for all its members at the
Barceló Billesley Manor Hotel near
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Normally, the only time the
members get to meet each other
is at the AGM, so the group put
on an event where members
could network outside of the
more official atmosphere.
Suppliers were invited and
presentations by Active
Music, Alesis, Black i
Distribution, Casio,
New Moon Insurance,
Shure and Sound Technology filled
the day. Over 38 delegates
attended the conference.
Tony White from Bonners
Music, The Firm’s chairman,
opened the event with a
presentation on the workings of
the consortium, followed by Ian
Barnes, one of the directors, who
spoke about the financial figures.
Another director of the group,
John Hulke, reported that the day
was a great success and it will be
coming back next year.
“The Firm is a pro-active group
and while purchasing lies at the
heart of what we do, this event
shows there are many benefits
other than a good bargaining
lever to be gained,” commented
Hulke. “If retailers would like to
know more about The Firm,
they should get in touch.”
THE FIRM: 01903 744872
Homeworld break-in
in Hertfordshire
PLAYSOMETHING of 27b
Baldock Street, Ware, in
Hertfordshire had its Yamaha
Homeworld broken into at
approximately 11.30pm on
Saturday May 2nd.
A number of Yamaha
keyboards and digital pianos
were stolen and some digital
pianos damaged, amounting to
over £20,000 worth of stock.
Oliver Dixon, the manager of
the store, told MI Pro that none
of the keyboards had any power
supplies, music rests, manuals
or boxes.
If anyone comes across
any of these instruments or has
any information, they should
contact PC Phil Rosier at
Hertfordshire police on 0845
330 0222 or Oliver Dixon.
PLAYSOMETHING:
01920 460646.
Playsomething of Ware has £20,000 worth
of instruments stolen and damaged
A Lifetime of SatisfactionIn 2007, we introduced a unique Lifetime Warranty* across our 40 Series studio microphonesand in 2009 we are going a step further and extending this offer to include both our Artist Eliteand Artist Series ranges of wired microphones.
Unsurpassed in the market, our Lifetime Warranty offers genuine added value to every sale andreinforces our commitment to unbeatable customer service.
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*Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.audio-technica.com/warranty for full details.
2twenty2 launches demo schemeNew supplier offers participating dealers the chance to optimise stock
THE NEW SALES agency
responsible for brands such as
Native Instruments, 2twenty2, is
launching a new scheme
designed to make it easier for
dealers to equip their stores and
demonstrate the latest products
from NI, Arturia, Celemony, XLN
Audio and EKS.
2twenty2, headed up by
former Arbiter and Turnkey
managers Stephen Parker, Greg
Prendergast and Cedric
Coudyser, said the new scheme
aimed to ensure that all
participating dealers optimise
their stock, time and expertise
to deliver the best possible
product demonstrations across
all of these brands.
2twenty2 is asking dealers to
participate in a survey to ensure
they take full advantage of
available demonstration software
and hardware for their lines.
Dealers will either receive a
survey form by email or can
request a copy from
[email protected]. When the
forms are completed, 2twenty2
will work with each brand to
ensure that the required
demonstration products are
supplied to the relevant dealers.
Demonstration versions of
hardware products can be
purchased at discounted prices
and these items can be rotated
every six months to ensure that
stock is turned and to minimise
dealers inventory cost.
Demonstration versions of
software are available free of
charge (in the majority of cases)
for dealers and separate offers
are available for staff to use
personally (on request).
2TWENTY2: 0845 299 4222
The Firm’s conference looks to be the first of many
The Yamaha PSRE413 was just one of the keyboards stolen
The following keyboards and stage pianos were stolen from
Playsomething…
Yamaha PSRE413 – serial number: YBOM08263
Yamaha DGX230 – no serial number at present
Yamaha PSRS550 – silver serial number: BBOP01088
Yamaha PSRS700 – serial number: GBRCOJ01022
Yamaha PSRS900 – serial number: GBRCNP01082
Yamaha Tyros 3 (including speakers) – serial number: BAOO01144
Yamaha P140 (dark oak) – no serial number at present
Yamaha P85 (silver) – no serial number at present
Have you seen these keyboards?
68 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
As Hooters’ Windsor branch celebrates its tenth anniversary, Andy Barrett takes a look behind the scenes at a company
that has, slowly but surely, moved up into MI’s big time by always being committed to its customers and dealers…
Doing it right
RETAIL • HOOTERS REPORT
Ihad a long wait to interview Brian
Connor about the Hooters chain of
stores and the Robertson International
manufacturing and distribution umbrella,
but for the best of reasons. He was busy
with a customer. Nothing unusual there,
perhaps, except after some 17 years of
Tuba Talk and Hooters he really doesn’t
need to do that. His company is more
than capable of hiring sufficient staff to
keep Connor, his brother Eddie and partner
Mark Grayson firmly settled in the office,
travelling around their stores and
franchises or keeping track of their
manufacturing suppliers in the Far East.
But it’s not their style.
“I’m never happier than when I’m on
the front line, selling musical instruments
to my customers,” says Brian Connor. “It’s
the basis of what we do and, right from
the start, I have had something of a knack
for it. It’s where I’m most comfortable.”
In fact, Brian Connor was the last of the
three bosses to join the team, having
moved down to Watford to help out with
Eddie’s Tuba Talk store on the St Alban’s
Road after the shop opened in 1992,
selling tubas, euphoniums and gigbags.
From such humble beginnings the shop
consolidated and, after the closure of
another local MI store, Hammonds, Tuba
Talk received the boost (and extra staff,
particularly manager Peter Gates) it
needed to expand and moved to Watford’s
Harlequin Centre. Within two years it had
opened a branch in Harrow, then another
in 1998 in St Albans. 1999 saw the
Windsor store open and then in 2000 the
first franchise in the Selfridges department
store on Oxford Street, London opened. All
but the Harrow store are still running.
“We bought the Selfridges store from a
guy called Alan Jons at a Yamaha dealer
dinner,” explains Connor. “This was
something really different for us, but we
were determined to make it work. It took
about five years to earn any money there,
but we stuck it out.”
It has proved to be a wise choice.
Among the other franchises in the store,
HMV kept a very close eye on the Hooters
MI department and three years ago
approached the Connor brothers and
Grayson to talk about opening a franchise
within its larger stores. This resulted in a
pilot scheme in HMV’s Cardiff store and
this year will see Hooters in HMV in
Peterborough.
“For various reasons, the Cardiff store
didn’t work out, but we have become
close to HMV – not least through plans to
move into the same unit in Selfridges –
and both sides really want to make the
scheme work,” says Connor.
For the first 12 to 13 years, the success
of the Hooters chain was based very much
on standard MI retail fare – buying from
suppliers and selling through, while fighting
to maintain the best margins possible. All
that began to change in 2005 with the
establishment of Robertson International.
Of course, Hooters still stocks brands
from regular suppliers, but now the
Robertson digital pianos and wind
instruments and the Blast ranges of
electric guitars and drums have given the
triumvirate a new string to its bow.
“Essentially, we import and sell to
retailers, including Hooters, Selfridges,
HMV and a few MI stores. It’s a very
level playing field for anyone who wants
to get involved, but what we don’t want is
to see the brands online and getting
discounted. We are willing to consider
anyone who wants to take on the lines,
but they have to take responsibility for
them. Blast has been brilliant for us, so the
last thing we want to see is anyone
trashing it.”
For Robertson International, the phrase
‘doing things properly’ arises a lot and this
lies at the basis of everything the team
does. From the understanding that
everything connected to a brand needs to
be pretty much perfect before you can go
to market with it, to establishing and
maintaining that reputation through on-
site quality control and instrument set-ups
at the new Hemel Hempstead showroom,
the company has made every effort to do
it right. And that includes guarding retail
prices through its own stores as well as
independent dealers.
One of the big success stories within
the already successful Robertson and Blast
lines is the grand player piano, which has
two or three models scattered around
Selfridges. “These pianolas are shipping
right around the world now,” he explains.
“It’s a fantastic product and we are
actively looking for two or three dealers in
the UK to take this on.” Connor is also
involved in the development of the pianos,
which means the product is constantly
being upgraded.
Anyone interested in seeing how all of
this works could do a lot worse than go to
Hooters’ Windsor store, which celebrated
ten years of being in business on May 8th.
Aside from the fact that manager Chris
Drinkwater has been there for seven years
and his assistant Phil Simpson since day
one (the third, Kevin ‘Wookie’ Griffiths, has
been at the shop for five years), you can
see that the Blast and Robertson products
make up a significant portion of the shop’s
business – and as we know, any store that
lasts ten years in MI is obviously doing
something right.
“We’re full steam ahead with our
products and our franchises,” says Connor.
“Of course, there are never any guarantees
in business, but we think we’ve got the
mix pretty much right. Hooters as a brand
is recognised and respected and I’m sure
Blast and Robertson are very close behind.”
ROBERTSON INTERNATIONAL:
01442 234204
“I’m never happier than when I’m on the front
line, selling musical instruments to my
customers. It’s the basis of what we do.”
Brian Connor, Hooters
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 69
13 – 16 October 2009 Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China
live for the music
International Exhibition for Musical Instruments and Services
For information, visit www.musikmesse.com Or email [email protected]
• over 40,000 distributors, dealers, retailers and musicians from 91 countries
• over 1,100 exhibitors showing a broad product mix of both western and traditional Chinese instruments
• set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most exciting and rapidly-developing music product markets
BEHIND THE COUNTER • RETAIL
This month our intrepid undercover MI retailer reveals that price rises aren’t necessarily the end of the world for shops...
How to survive price increases
So, another month rolls by
and the world around us
continues to behave like a
child seeking the attention of
grown ups. It kicks and screams
and causes all manner of fuss
so that us normal, hardworking
people have to stop what we’re
doing and worry a bit about
everything. It gets in
everywhere and it is, frankly, a
bit of a pain. On the upside
though, we just took delivery of
a massive batch of new effects
pedals and that excites us all in
our sheltered, guitar-shaped
world so, on balance, things are
pretty much okay.
It would seem that the key
word for the last month or so,
the recurring theme that has
lodged itself into my head like
the annoying yet catchy tune
that I heard on the radio this
morning, has been pricing. The
only way is up, as Yazz once
sang, and if there’s one thing
that electro-pop pioneers of the
‘80s knew about, it’s the pricing
structure of the MI business.
It’s understandable really,
considering the pound’s
nosedive into the depths of
economic hell. Passing these
price hikes on to the customer
has been the number one
conversation starter in recent
weeks, although bizarrely not
one that has caused much in
the way of wrath.
A Blitz-type spirit pervades
our customer base – a sense
that yes, things are bad, but
that’s okay, we can pull through
together. And importantly, they
don’t seem to blame us – they
don’t feel we’re doing it to get
at them and they’re still buying
things. Joy.
All the big names have been
caught up in it though, with the
likes of Fender and Yamaha
(huge sellers at our place)
having to gradually up the
prices of things and everybody
else following suit to a greater
or lesser extent. At our shop,
we’ve always been on the richer
end of the price spectrum
anyway, a service-based
covenant that our customer
base seems to understand and
support, yet it is still galling to
have to increase the numbers,
there can be no doubt about it.
Still, a bit of good old-
fashioned salesmanship, and a
kettle that is never, ever given
time to breathe, has meant that
even though we are a small
shop based in a tiny village with
next to no passing trade and
the most basic of websites, we
are chugging along nicely. Take,
for example, Fender’s rather
wonderful Baja Telecasters.
Great guitars, as anyone who
has played one will no doubt
agree, but with a £500ish price
tag that you’d have thought
would warrant some serious
thinking about before purchase.
Not so. We haven’t been able to
hold on to any we’ve had in for
more than a day at a time.
Price rises are, I suppose, part
and parcel of the next couple of
years as we hopefully stumble
towards some sort of economic
recovery (or failing that, a new
world order where we all give
up and let the cats have a go at
running things for a while) and
certainly a sign of the times. It’s
just one that, thankfully, our
wonderful customers
understand a whole lot better
than we expected them to.
A Blitz-type spirit pervades our
customer base – a sense that yes,
things are bad, but that’s okay, we
can pull through together.
NEXT MONTH...I’ll be taking a look at the
terrifying world of online
retail, as our shop takes its
first lamb-like steps into the
wider world of e-commerce.
Until then…
70 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
RETAIL • INDIE PROFILE
MANSONS GUITAR SHOPEXETER
Is business up or down
compared to this time last year?
It’s up. I think the ripples of the
recession were bigger last year
than this year for our industry and
there was more uncertainty.
Do you advertise the shop locally?
Yes. Much of our local promotion
comes from our guitar show,
Manson’s Guitar Show. It runs in
October and is heavily promoted
locally and nationally.
Do you have an online presence?
Absolutely: www.mansons.co.uk. It
serves as an information reference
and a sales resource for us.
What is your main strength?
It’s the Manson ‘package’ really. We
have great staff. They are all
experienced, knowledgeable and
immersed in music outside of the
shop environment and therefore
able to relate well to customer
needs. We also have a genuine
commitment to customer service,
exciting stock and excellent
facilities including a workshop that
can carry out anything from minor
repairs to full restorations or
custom builds. Working with some
talented bands and musicians has
helped reinforce this message.
What do you think is the most
important lesson you’ve learned
during your time in the
business so far?
That there is never just one lesson
to learn.
What is the biggest challenge
facing you?
This year it will be matching the
demands of customers and
exhibitors of last year’s Guitar
Show. When members of Led
Zeppelin, The Darkness, The
Stranglers and Jethro Tull are in
attendance (as they were last
year), that’s a tough act to follow.
In fact that’s the constant
challenge: once you’ve created
something positive – be it a solid
customer base, reputation or
whatever, the challenge is in
maintaining it.
Given the power, what would
you change about the industry?
I’d love to see, hear and feel more
‘music’ and less ‘industry’. A
slightly utopian ideal, but it is the
reason the shop exists. However,
when the industry part becomes
essential, there are some areas
where it needs to start getting as
professional as some other
organisations.
FACTS & FIGURESAddress: McCoys Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3AN
Phone: 01392 496379
Owners: Hugh Manson and Adrian Ashton
Established: 1992
Employees: Lucky 13
Best selling lines: Fender, Gibson, Manson (guitars/accessories), Marshall
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 71
MIA NEWS an update from your industry trade association
Music for All goes to primary schoolswith aim of ‘making more musicians’
Music for All (MfA), our
industries’ charity, has just
completed a two-day tour of
primary schools in the Croydon area.
With the full support of the local Music
Service, each of the schools were
identified with a musical ‘need’ and the
charity then visited with a range of
instruments and teachers so that they
could give the children some memorable
‘taster’ lessons.
Approximately 500 children took part
in this programme and Music for All
received some wonderful feedback from
both the schools and the pupils. We will
keep on monitoring this with the Music
Service to see whether the event
translates into extra demand for teaching
(and for instruments, of course). This is
naturally a key part of measuring the
success of such ventures.
Brasswind, violins, guitars, drums and
keyboards were all taken to the schools
and children were given rotating sessions
of ten minutes so that they all had a
good opportunity to try all the different
instruments and find out which might be
best for them.
Special thanks must also be given to
Korg, Ashton and Stentor, which kindly
supplied instruments and teachers. The
Korg and Ashton teams were able to give
expert advice and to show the children
how to start making music there and
then. The teams were also supplemented
by local music teachers from the Music
Service and ISM.
Music for All would also like to
gratefully recognise the support that
NAMM has given in helping Music for All
go to schools.
The format was relatively low cost as
MfA simply took ‘pull up’ display
materials, and instruments, which was all
that was needed to engage the students.
Interestingly, using the industry charity
(MfA, in this case) proved a good way to
get into the school without it appearing
overly commercial. The school did not feel
in any way ‘threatened’, because it was
dealing with a charity and not an
instrument supplier. Not that there would
be anything wrong with that, of course.
Having said all that, we still found
creative ways to tell the schools about
the brands they were using once we were
there. As Korg’s Rob Castle says: “Through
doing these events, we might’ve inspired
500 kids to have a go and become our
customers of the future.”
MfA also gave each school a full range
of Get Alive! brochures and the new
Quality Instruments for Education booklet
to ensure that plenty of additional
information was left behind for those who
were interested.
There are a number of MIA members
who could benefit from repeating this
format under the Music for All banner.
Please do contact us if you are interested.
For more information about Music for
All, please contact Paul McManus at
www.musicforall.org.uk
Charity gives valuable taster lessons to young students with assistance from Korg, Ashton and Stentor...
“Through doing these events, we might‘ve
inspired 500 children to have a go and become
our customers of the future.”
Rob Castle, Korg
NEW PRODUCTS
QUIKLOK
Z70 KEYBOARD/MIXER
STAND £135.95They say: Folding tiers make this stand
extremely compact for the easiest of
transportation.
For: Keyboard players, engineers
Range: Quiklok stands
Spec: Foldable tiers, width and height
adjustable, single-tier rapid set-up Pro ‘Z’,
71cm to 119cm width, 71cm to
90.5cm height.
From: Freestyle 01924 455414
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 72
GODLYKE
PA-90 POWER ALL DELUXE
POWER SUPPLY KIT $POAThey say: The world's first 2,000mA,
single outlet power supply designed
specifically for guitar effect users.
For: Guitarists, bassists, stomp box and
effects users
Range: Godlyke power supplies
Spec: Universal supply sensor (100V to
240V), nine Volts @ 2,000 milliamps,
powers up to 11 pedals, variety of
jumper cables that allow connection of
phone plug, reverse polarity, digital and
battery-only pedal types, ten-foot, 18-
gauge output cable, low noise.
From: Godlyke +1 973 777 7477
KORG
BA-40 & HA-40 SPECIALIST
TUNERS £22.99They say: Offers a sleek design and
Korg's renowned accuracy.
For: Bluegrass and Hawaiian players
Range: Korg tuners
Spec: BA-40 bluegrass tuner: modes
for banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar,
resophonic guitar, bass. HA-40
Hawaiian tuner for ukulele and steel
guitar. Both with speaker, folding
stand, E0 to C8 pitch range.
From: Korg 01908 857100
QUIKLOK
LAPTOP STAND £114.95They say: The total solution for
using your laptop live or in a studio.
For: Computer musicians
Range: Quiklok stands
Spec: Free-standing tripod laptop
holder, steel construction, adjustable
height, tilt, width & depth, does not
interfere with side inputs, pull-out
mouse tray, available as accessory to
Z & X frame keyboard stands.
From: Freestyle 01924 455414
GATOR
G-MEDIA PRO STUDIO
BACKPACK £168.95They say: Now you can take your
studio anywhere – safely.
For: Musicians, producers, engineers
Range: Gator bags
Spec: 1880 denier nylon exterior, PE
reinforced rack section, aluminum
valance and threaded rack rail,
padded laptop storage section,
external accessory pocket with 2
internal pockets, hideaway
backpack straps with chest strap,
ventilation channel.
From: Freestyle 01924 455414
BOSS
TU 88 MONITOR
TUNER/METRONOME £59They say: Brings stylish, portable,
and accurate LCD tuning to
musicians at an affordable price.
For: Musicians
Range: Boss tuners
Spec: Quarter-inch jack to USB
cable, analog audio source direct to
computer, 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio via
AD conversion, mono recording, 16.5
feet length. Also Mic Link (XLR to
USB) and Line Link (dual jack/USB).
From: Roland 01792 702701
ACCESSORIES � BACKLINE � BASS & GUITAR � DRUMS � PRINT
PRODUCTS • ACCESSORIES
GATOR
GPE GUITAR CASE £108.95They say: Ideal light weight guitar
case for gigging at home and abroad.
For: Guitarists
Range: Gator cases
Spec: Military grade polyethylene
outer, black powder coated
valance and hardware, surface
mounted impact diversion latch
housing, protective neck cradle,
velvet plush interior, EPS protective
foam open cavity.
From: Freestyle 01924 455414
...THEN THE
GREMLIN FOLKDEALERSHIP IS FOR YOU!
The Gremlin Folk Dealership offers you an easy way to keep in stock ourmost popular models in our most popular instrument lines.
We adapt the range to suit your shop and your requirements, and include thevery best selling items we have in stock with the most general appeal.
The range is made up of the most popular acoustic folk instruments in the UK and includes Accordions, Ukuleles, Mandolins, Whistles, Bouzoukis and Autoharps. You can complement the range as much or as little as you like with additionalitems from our extensive catalogue.
The Folk Dealership package costs around £1200 and qualifies you for a 7.5% discount on everything from our Folk range.*Don’t forget we offer a 5% prompt payment discount too!
Call or email today for full details or to start putting together your Core Folk Package!
DO YOU LIKE TO STOCK INSTRUMENTS WITH A GREATTURNOVER AND A HIGH MARGIN?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASEYOUR APPEAL WITH A MORE
VARIED RANGE OF INSTRUMENTS?
DO YOU WANT TO BE APART OF THE FOLKINDUSTRY BOOM?
www.gremlinmusic.co.uk [email protected]: +44 (0) 1903 203044 (9.30 - 5.30 Mon - Fri) | Unit A, Easting Close, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8HQ
It’s time to go Acoustic!
*Excluding selected special items on which discounts are not available. Terms & Conditions Apply.
DRUM WORKSHOP
ECO-X KITS £POAThey say: Bamboo never sounded so
good.
For: Drummers
Range: DW X-shell
Spec: Bamboo and birch ‘eco-friendly’
shells, DW X-shell technology, available in
natural bamboo and desert sand finishes.
From: Morico 01992 461089
RIM RISER
RIM RISER £12.99They say: One of the percussion hits of the
Winter NAMM show.
For: Drummers
Range: New product
Spec: Cross-stick performance enhancer for
easy rim shot technique, easy fit and removal,
available in chrome or black with full fitting
kit and instruction, suits any playing style.
From: MSC 01562 827666
YAMAHA
OAK CUSTOM X KITS £POAThey say: Designed for the European
market and tailored to suit the needs of
the more aggressive player.
For: Drummers
Range: Yamaha Oak Custom
Spec: 100 per cent oak shells with ‘air seal
system’ construction, shallow toms, 20”
un-drilled bass drum, dark chrome
hardware, white or black sparkle finishes.
From:Yamaha 01908 366700
KORG
NANOPAD RHYTHM
CONTROLLER £63They say: A small pad controller that’s
big on control.
For: Drummers, musicians, producers
Range: Korg nano controllers
Spec: 12 high-response pads, chord
trigger function, X/Y pad for roll and
flam modes, MIDI control change
signals, Korg Kontrol editor, user
assignable ‘scenes’.
From: Korg 01908 857100
YAMAHA
9500C BASS PEDAL £177They say: In design for two years for
a simple construction, but enough
adjustments for unique settings.
For: Drummers
Range: Yamaha drum accessories
Spec: New spring tension adjuster
with cleaver self-lock, footboard
adjuster, hoop clamp mechanism, all
drum key adjustable. Available as
diurect and chain drive and single and
double pedals.
From: Yamaha 01908 366700
MAPEX
700 SERIES HARDWARE
£65.49They say: This exciting new hardware
series is packed with various user
friendly features.
For: Drummers, percussionists
Range: Mapex hardware
Spec: Boom stand with multi-sustain
felt and plastic felts, Super-Glide
Stepless cymbal tilter with Accu-Lock
tilter handle, new wing nuts with
clamp-style memory locks.
From: Korg 01908 857100
DRUMS • NEW PRODUCTS
THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY MIKEDOLBEAR.COM, THE LEADING ONLINE RESOURCE FOR EVERYTHING DRUMS.
VISIT WWW.MIKEDOLBEAR.COM FOR MORE DETAILS.
YAMAHA
ABSOLUTE SERIES KITS £POAThey say: Ten years on and the innovation continues.
For: Drummers
Range: Yamaha Absolute kits
Spec: Thin ply North American maple or Japanese maple
shells, ‘enhanced sustain system’ tom mounts, projection
air holes in toms, new sizing and shell set configurations,
new finishes.
From: Yamaha 01908 366700
CORT
T-SERIES BASSES FROM
£329They say: All those well used clichés,
‘up front’, ‘in yer face’ and ‘by the
throat’, are all applicable to these
affordable, power-house basses.
For: Bassists
Range: Cort basses
Spec: Four models in range. T74 and
T75 (four & five string) with 3-piece,
bolt-on, maple neck, rosewood
fingerboard, mahogany bodies, EMG
& EMG-Z humbuckers, 3-band active
eq. T34 and T35 with agathis body
and black covered pickups.
From: HC Distribution
01803 523794
INDIE
STANDARD ORGANIX
£459They say: Void of any varnish,
lacquer or paint, this twin
humbucking guitar is bad to the
bone, or rather bare to the bone.
For: Guitarists
Range: Indie electrics
Spec: Mahogany body, maple neck,
custom natural ‘aged’ (sandable)
finish, wax potted humbuckers.
From: Indie Guitar 01635 579300
WASHBURN
D9 DREADNOUGHT £129They say: The D10’s precocious
younger sibling.
For: Guitarists
Range: Washburn acoustics
Spec: Dreadnought body, laminate
spruce top, mahogany back & sides,
rosewood fingerboard & bridge.
Also available D9CE with WT-92
tuner preamp system.
From: Sound Technology
01462 480000
ARIA
AD80CEMB ELECTRO
ACOUSTIC
DREADNOUGHT £959They say: High-end, laden with
features, while yet again carrying
the realistic and attractive price
tag expected of Aria.
For: Guitarists
Range: Aria electro-acoustics
Spec: Engelmann spruce top, solid
rosewood body construction,
Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend
pickup system, abalone trimmings,
mahogany neck, Florentine
cutaway, rosewood fingerboard.
From: Aria 01483 238720
TAYLOR
SPRING LIMITEDS
FROM £2,159They say: Spring is in the air, as is a
limited series set to make each
strum even sweeter.
For: Guitarists
Range: Taylor limited editions
Spec: 700 series with sitka top and
Madagascar rosewood back & sides.
400 series with sitka top and
Tasmanian blackwood back & sides.
T5 with organic, satin top of
ovangkol and sapele body.
From: Fender 01342 331700
TAYLOR
T3 SEMI-HOLLOW
BODY ELECTRIC
£2,679.99They say: Melds the sleek lines
and shape of the T5 into a
semi-hollowbody.
For: Guitarists
Range: Taylor electrics
Spec: Sapele body, quilt maple
top, chrome hardware, Taylor
Style 2 humbuckers, stop
tailpiece, three way toggle,
pull/push coil tap. Also T3/B
with Bigsby trem.
From: Fender
01342 331700
NEW PRODUCTS • BASS & GUITAR
76 JUNE 2009 miPRO WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
YAMAHA
SG 2000 LIMITED EDITION
£2,199They say: Built to be the ultimate
electric guitar.
For: Guitarists
Range: Yamaha electric guitars
Spec: Handmade in Japan, neck-
thru construction, coil-tap
humbuckers, brass block under
stop-tailpiece bridge, maple top,
mahogany body, maple &
mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard.
From: Yamaha 01908 366700
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 77
VOX
TONE LAB ST MULTI-FX £206They say: The latest addition to their popular Tone
Lab line of Valvetronix multi-effects modeling pedals.
For: Guitarists
Range: Vox Tone Lab
Spec: 50 presets, 50 user assignable patches, 20 ‘song
specific’ patches, 12AX7 valve, 33 amp models, 11
amp models, 25 stomp box and racj FX models, ASIO-
compatible USB interface, chromatic tuner.
From: Korg 01908 857100
PEAVEY
6505 HIGH GAIN COMBO £TBCThey say: Peavey is making its highly respected,
high-gain 6505 amp as a combo for the first time.
For: Guitarists
Range: Peavey
Spec: Five 12AX7 preamp valves, two 6L6GC
power amp valves, two channels with independent
three-band eq, mic-simulated direct interface,
resonance control, 12” Sheffield speaker.
From: Peavey 01536 461234
HARTKE
AK 410 CLASSIC BASS CAB £485They say: Hartke revisits the traditional paper cone
driver with the new AK 410.
For: Bassists
Range: Hartke cabs
Spec: Four 10” 125-Watt paper cone drivers, 500W
handling, 1” titanium compression driver, ual-
chamber, sealed cabinet design, Speakon & 1/4-inch
inputs, removable casters.
From: Korg 01908 857100
ORANGE
DT30H DUAL TERROR HEAD £493.89They say: Giving more choice and options shrunk
into a size that belies its power.
For: Guitarists
Range: Orange Terrors
Spec: Twin channel (including new ‘fat channel’),
30W head, switchable to 15W or 7W, Class A
circuitry, compact metal construction, ships with
padded gigbag.
From: Orange 020 8905 2828
BACKLINE & FX • NEW PRODUCTS
DIGITECH
TIME BENDER £299They say: Combines a mind-blowing array of delay
options together with intelligent harmonies.
For: Guitarists
Range: Digitech footpedals
Spec: Ten delay types incl analog, digital, moving
head tape, fixed head tape, dynamic (ducking
delays), reverse & time warp, also tone control,
modulation, multiplier, tap tempo and repeat ping-
pong patterns.
From: Sound Technology 01462 480000
ASHDOWN
BTA400 BASS HEAD £1,599They say: Delivers raw power and
sophistication in equal measure.
For: Bassists
Range: Ashdown bass amps
Spec: 400W valve amp, ABM EVO III preamp,
eight KT88 valves, sub-harmonic generator,
built-in compressor, rotary plus slider eq
(20dB of cut/boost), FX loop, line input, four-
way footswitch.
From: Ashdown 01245 441155
MARSHALL
HAZE SERIES PORTABLE AMPS
£549 & £439They say: For the musician who demands an
honest clean sound, a driving blues tone and
some biting rock.
For: Guitarists
Range: Marshall Haze
Spec: Range comprises 40W Haze combo
(MHZ40C – £549) and 15W Haze head
(MHZ15). Combo with one Celestion G12-66
Marquee 12" speaker. Both with three ECC83
preamp valves, two channels, three-band eq.
From: Marshall 01908 375411
2009 has seen more amp
launches than you can
shake a mic stand at
78 JUNE 2009 miPRO WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
CLASSIFIEDS: MINIMUM 12 MONTHS - ONE ANNUAL CHARGE QUARTER PAGE £1,295
MARKETPLACE INDEX
SU
PP
LIE
R S
PO
TLIG
HT
THE PLACE FOR BUSINESS
AALLPARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0870 442 3336
BBARNES & MULLINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01691 652 449BILL LEWINGTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01268 413 366
CCOVERNOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0121 327 1977
FFOCUS MERCHANDISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8245 9035FCN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01892 603730FUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0113 3200 304
GGHANA GOODS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0117 955 8668GUITARRAS DE ESPAÑA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0117 973 3214
HHC DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00353 5991 34268HERGA MUSIC SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8861 1590HOT ROX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0115 987 3163
LLEED REPRESENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01243 378050LEISURETEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01525 850 085
MMADAROZZO™/CBAC LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8816 8368MARSHALL AMPLIFICATIONS . . . WWW.MARSHALLAMPS.COMMCELLAND/GREMLIN MUSIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01273 491333MELBAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +44 (0)20 8382 8010MUSIC SHIPPING CO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01562 827666
OOCARINA WORKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01536 485963ORANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0208 905 2828
PPIANO LOGISTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0208 561 4321
RROBERT MORLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8318 5838ROTHWELL AUDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01204 366133
SSAXOPHONE UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01892 662 533 SOAR VALLEY MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0116 230 4926STAINER & BELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8343 3303STEVE CLINKSCALE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0157 225 885
TTEAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01923 438 880
VTOM & WILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08450 945 659
VVARSITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0131 557 4310
WWIND PLUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0116 243 1698WORLD RYTHM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01242 282 191
TO ADVERTISE ON THESE PAGES CALL DARRELL CARTER ON 01992 535647MIMARKETPLACE
Cort outOne of the world’s most prolific guitar manufacturers
maintains its reputation through design and simple
good service. And new products are on the way...
For decades, Cort has maintained
longevity with a continuing flow
of new and innovative guitar
lines, focusing on high quality and
affordability. Today, Cort is globally
recognised as one of the world’s
number one guitar manufacturers,
producing nearly 2,000,000 units
per year.
The first half of 2009 has already
witnessed superb reactions from the
public, music media and magazine
reviews on the latest Cort guitars.
These include the four and five-
string T series bass guitars, the Luce
series of small-bodied acoustics and
the award-winning KX5 solid-bodied
electric guitar, all of which feature
the company’s new electro-static
finishing process and are the first of a
selection of new products that are
scheduled for release during 2009,
including a new line of guitar and
bass practice amps.
Cort’s UK and Ireland distributor is
HC Distribution, based in Carlow in
South East Ireland.
“In this difficult economic climate,
it’s become more and more evident
that people are switching to the Cort
brand because of the quality and the
affordability at various price points, so
it’s important that we ensure every
guitar is 100 per cent,” says director
Ian Collins.
“On arrival to HC Distribution, each
and every bass, electric and acoustic
guitar is thoroughly inspected in-house
for any shipping movement, given a
final set up and tested before onward
delivery to the stores. This invokes
confidence and a trust between us and
the store owner, who can then assure
his customers of the high quality of
Cort guitars.”
07923 573 759
www.cort-guitars.co.uk
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2008 79
MI MARKETPLACEACOUSTIC DISTRIBUTION
IRELAND & N.IWalter Hennessy087 2596183
SCOTLAND &NORTH EAST
Steve Clinkscale07958 351712
NORTH WESTENGLAND &
WALESRoger Williams07816 298925
EASTERNENGLAND &MIDLANDSMark Hedge
07776 167336
SOUTH WESTENGLAND
Gary Charman07787 517007
LONDON &SOUTH EASTIan Collins
07836 237337
For full dealership detailscontact your local arearepresentative
HC MUSIC DISTRIBUTION LTD
00353 5991 34268sales@hcdistribution.comwww.cort-guitars.co.ukwww.myspace.com/cortguitars
ACESSORIES AND GIFTWARE
ABROAD REPRESENTATION
To find out more about the JVM Series and other Marshall products contact: Marshall Amplification plc Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK11DQ www.marshallamps.com
AMPLIFICATION
80 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTIONCLASSICAL GUITARS
DISTRIBUTION
MI MARKETPLACE
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2008 81
MI MARKETPLACEDISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
MI MARKETPLACE
82 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
DISTRIBUTION
To order call 0870 442 3336Low call rate 0845 345 5951
Order online @:www.allparts.uk.comor email us: [email protected]
Pick a part
• Amp Cabinets • Capacitors • Hardware• Resistors • Transformers • Tubes
... and much more ! ! !
• Amp Kits • Grill Cloth • Pots • Speakers • Transistors • Valves
Pick a part
The UK’s Premier Guitar,
Bass & Amp Parts Supplier
Vintage AmpVintage Amp
GUITAR PARTS
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 83
MI MARKETPLACEDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION
ETHNIC AND FOLK ETHNIC AND FOLK
GHANA GOODSWEST AFRICAN PERCUSSION
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
PO Box 95, Fishponds
Bristol, BS16 1AG
Tel: 0117 9354132
www.ghanagoods.com
INSURANCE BUSSINESS
MUSIC PUBLISHERS
Excellence in Music
Office 2.05, Argentum 2 Queen Caroline Street Hammersmith, LONDON W6 9DX UK Sales Freephone: 0800 432 0486
Fax Number: +44 (0)20 8323 8306 E-mail: [email protected]
MI MARKETPLACE
GUITAR ACESSORIES
Rothwell effects pedals are trulyhand-made here in the uk and built to thehighest standards. The cases are handpolished and the electronics carefullyassembled by skilled uk workers. The circuit designis innovative and original (we don't do clones, repros ormods) and the sound is the sound of classic rock guitar - pure tone.Our pedals are quickly gaining a reputation for superb quality and are being played on some of theworld's biggest stages. The Hellbender (overdrive) and Switchblade (distortion) are currently beingheard by thousands of fans on Justin Timberlake's world tour, played by Mike Scott (also Prince'smain guitarist), who says "you make truly great, great pedals".
Why not join our growing list of uk and international dealers and stock Britain's finest boutiqueeffects pedals.
BRITAIN'S FINEST BOUTIQUE EFFECTS
WWW.ROTHWELLAUDIOPRODUCTS.CO.UK01204 366133
MUSIC PUBLISHERS
84 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 85
MI MARKETPLACEPIANOS AND HARPSICORDS
Rober t MORLEY Co Ltd
34 ENGATE St. LONDON SE13 7HA
020•8318•5838Grand & Upright Pianos by
Elysian, Grotrian-Steinweg, Bechstein,Monington & Weston
and other famous makers
John Morley Clavichords, Spinets,Harpsichords, Virginals & Celestes
Antique, Modern & New, Rental, Repairs,Sales lists & colour brochures on request.
Robert MORLEY & Co Ltd.Piano & Harpsichord Makers
Established 1881
www.morleypianos.com
PERCUSSION AND DRUMS
OCARINAS
Making Music in SchoolsSince 1983
UK made rainbow ocarinas fromOcarina Workshop are easy to playand great fun to teach with.
These pocket-sized instrumentsare popular with kids & well-tuned.Together with 'Play your Ocarina'music books, they are the key tosuccessful music-making in manyschools around the country.
Make sure school ocarinas are onyour counter-top and availablewhen customers request them!
Quote ‘MI Pro’ when you order12 Ocarinas & 12 Books and beamazed at the ocarina’s potential...
Trade orders are sent by return:free delivery & no minimum order
www.ocarina.co.uk
tel: 01536 485 963fax: 01536 485 051
email: [email protected]
MSC ONLINE
Extensive Product Information
Secure Dealer Only Section
Public & DEALER Forums
Online Ordering
www.musicshipping.co.uk
01562 827666
NEXT DAY DELIVERY
Drum and Percussion Accesories
THE MUSIC SHIPPING CO.
www.musicshipping.co.uk
PIANO MOVERS
REPAIRS SAXOPHONES
www.focusmerchandise.co.uk
PROMOTIONALPERCUSSION
86 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
MI MARKETPLACE
Adam Hall...........................................................................64
Anglo Spanish Guitar .........................................................5
Aria ........................................................................................5
Ashdown .............................................................................26
Ashdown .............................................................................35
Ashton.................................................................................23
Audio Technica ..................................................................66
Casio....................................................................................36
Dawson ...............................................................................49
Fane .....................................................................................20
Freestyle .......................................................................51, 57
Fusion ....................................................................................4
G7th......................................................................................61
Godlyke ...............................................................................52
Gremlin................................................................................73
Hardcase ...........................................................................56
Headstock...........................................................................70
House Music.......................................................................63
JHS ......................................................................................33
Lamba ..................................................................................14
Leisuretec ..........................................................................62
Marshall .........................................................................2, 38
Mel Bay ...............................................................46 & 47, 91
Messe Frankfurt ................................................................69
Music Sales ........................................................................30
New Moon............................................................................61
Orange ................................................................................25
Peavey.................................................................................67
Roland .................................................................................92
Rotosound..........................................................................60
S.Johnson .............................................................................3
Sandarac..............................................................................61
SCV ......................................................................................75
Soar Valley ..........................................................................13
Sound Technology.......................................................Cover
Strings & Things ...............................................................59
Studio King ........................................................................50
Summerfield ......................................................................43
Swipe ...................................................................................53
TEAC................................................................................9, 41
Trinity Xtras .......................................................................55
Westside ........................................................................11, 29
Yamaha .......................................................................18 & 19
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE2009 87
MI MARKETPLACE
ADVERTISERS INDEX
WHOLESALERS
TOP 10 BEST SELLERSNASHVILLE ACOUSTIC GUITARS . . . . . . . . . . . . £50.00 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £27.50 trade ex vat
NASHVILLE ELECTRIC GUITARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . £99.95 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £54.97 trade ex vat
ARK HEAVY DUTY MUSIC STAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18.50 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10.18 trade ex vatDOLMETSCH DESCANT RECORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6.99 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £3.84 trade ex vat
STEINHOFF 108B UPRIGHT PIANO . . . . . . . . . . £1795.00 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £987.25 trade ex vat
RAVEN STUDENT TRUMPET OUTFIT . . . . . . . . . £140.00 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £77 trade ex vatNASHVILLE ELECTRO ACOUSTIC BASS . . . . . . . £125.00 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £68.75 trade ex vat
STERN VIOLIN OUTFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £75.00 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £41.25 trade ex vatMAXTONE BONGOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £29.95 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16.47 trade ex vatNASHVILLE 5 STRING BANJO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £99.95 retail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £54.97 trade ex vat
TO ADVERTISE IN MIPRO CALL
DARRELL CARTER ON 01992 535 647
WIND INSTRUMENT ACCESSORIES
0116 243 1698 [email protected]
...for the repairer
pads, cork, felt, springs...essential supplies for your repair business
SEND YOUR PICTURES TO [email protected]
88 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
JUNE 2006
Cover Stars: Fender celebrates its 60th
anniversary and the world gathered round to
express its love of a couple of guitars that, despite
the multitude of models, has remained virtually
unchanged throughout.
News: BMF reports record pre-registration,
Stradavari violin gains new record at Christies, £30
million promised to UK schools for music
education, organ discovered on top of Ben Nevis.
Features: BMF preview, sector spotlight on the
flightcase business and electric guitars, RCF
speakers.
Products: Bentley 118 upright, Yamaha B1 piano,
Pearl BSX Masters kit, Rivera Knucklehead Tre amp,
Danelectro Fab pedals, Vox Cooltron pedals,
Vintage Metal Axxe.
Number one singles: Sandi Thom – I Wish I was a
Punk Rocker, Nelly Furtado – Maneater.
Number one albums: Orson – Bright Idea, Sandi
Thom – Smile It Confuses People, Keane – Under
The Iron Sea
RETRO
THE LAST WORD IN MI PRO
MI Pro prides itself on bringing you hard-hitting news and analysis, but, we reckon you’d also enjoy seeing your peers in
their more ‘off duty’ moments. So, we’ve expanded CODA to include a permanent pictorial spread of the month’s social
highlights. If you have any snaps from an event you’d like us to include, please send them to [email protected]...
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
MORTON TO ENDURE AFRICALIMS show director, Clive Morton (pictured below right)
is to raise money in a charity bike ride across Africa,
joining 99 other riders from around the world on the
Enduro Africa Challenge.
The charity ride (on a Honda CTX – pictured below
Morton) is along 2,000 miles of South Africa’s east
coast over ten days and is designed to push the riders
to their limits of their endurance and technical ability.
To fully qualify for a place on this ride, Morton has
pledged to raise £3,500 in sponsorship money for
Enduro’s nominated charity, the UNICEF Unite for
Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign. This is
specifically targeted at preventing mother to baby
transmission of HIV, which in the world’s poorer
countries results in half of all HIV-positive babies not
living long enough to see their second birthday and a
third not even living beyond a year.
The money raised will ensure pregnant women with
HIV receive the right medicine and care to prevent
them passing HIV onto their baby. Given this medicine
and care, the chance that a mother with HIV will pass
the virus to her baby drops to less than one in 50.
Morton’s expenses on this challenge have already
been paid, so any money raised would go straight to
UNICEF’s campaign and will be hugely appreciated.
To make a donation towards the pledge, contact
Morton at [email protected].
BLUE MEN SING THEWHITESWashington DC, May 14th and NAMM
along with the Blue Man Group
presented Senator Lamar Alexander with
the Support Music Advocacy Award for
his work with music education in the US.
Left to right in the photo (winning the
uncomfortable pic of the month award)
Richard Riley, Lamar Alexander, the Blue
Man Group, Chip Averwater (Chairman of
NAMM), Paul Cothrane (Vh1 Save the
Music Foundation), Matt Goldman
(founder of the Blue Man Group).
(Photo by Ron Thomas)
SEE YOU, JIMMYNever mind the Horlicks, May 9th saw Intent Media’s
managing director, Stuart Dinsey (pictured centre right),
take to the stage with his recently reformed punk
ensemble, Eastside Jimmy, at the Club 85 venue in
Hitchin. Eastside Jimmy was supporting cult punk heroes
of the 1980s, Chron Gen at the charity event. The gig was
absolutely packed (and not just with Intent Media
employees) and the proceeds all went to aid research
into cystic fibrosis.
THE LAST WORD IN MI PRO
MI ICON Bouzouki
LATEST NEWSSTRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE
Bookmark us in your phone:MOBILE.MI-PRO.CO.UK
SEND YOUR PICTURES TO [email protected]
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK miPRO JUNE 2009 89
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
As the main export after pints of the
black stuff and the fabled ‘craic’,
traditional Irish folk music nowadays
holds a place of honour among the ethnic
music of the world. Instantly recognisable
and uplifting, yet often melancholy and full
of beautiful melodies. Despite the intricate
guitar and mandolin parts, one of the
instruments that has come to define the
sound is the bouzouki.
Greek in origin and a decendant of the
lute, the long-necked three-course six string
is as distinctive looking as it is sounding.
Recognised as one of the first fretted
instruments, the bouzouki has been around
since at least the fourth century BC and has
been in a state of constant evolution since.
It was given a further lease of life in the
20th century thanks to some forward
thinking Irish players. Used to flesh out the
sound between the thicker acoustic guitar
and the mando or banjo, the bouzouki plays
in the gaps, puncturing the sound with
countermelodies and chordal work.
Its history is an interesting one, as the
Greek instrument was never designed to be
played among the pubs and clubs of Ireland.
Introduced to the genre by Johnny
Moynihan, a stalwart of the hard drinking
and hard playing Sweeney’s Men –
themselves the stuff of folk myth and
legend – in the late 60s, the striking sound
of the slender necked bouzouki was swiftly
taken up across the country.
Finding its way into the hands of Dónal
Lunny and Andy Irvine of Irish supergroup
Planxty, as well as Christy Moore, the sound
of the bouzouki was integrated even further
into the sound of the music. Its tones
became cemented in the new tradition of
Irish folk that was bursting into life at that
time all across Ireland.
Still employed today by a number of Irish
players and enthusiasts, the mixed heritage
and distinctive sound of the bouzouki,
alongside its history and popularity, makes it
a true MI icon that has been recognised
through the ages to today.
MARSHALL WITHAC/DC AT THE NEC Marshall, of course, got in on the recent
AC/DC show and, being a huge AC/DC
fan, Paul Marshall wasn’t going to give up
a chance like that. He had already seen
them at the O2, but this time he was
going to meet the band and check out
their Marshall stacks…
“We turned up during the afternoon,
not long before sound check, but long
enough to have a good look around the
stage. Our guide was Angus’s tech Takumi
(who we should mention also looks after
Ritchie Sambora). Takumi took time out
from preparing Angus’ guitar to show us
under the stage, as well as on it and
round the back of it. We got a hint of the
show to come – a rather large train on
hydraulics, canons, bells and even an
unusually deflated looking ‘Rosie’.
“The day was full of jaw dropping
moments, but the first was the amps
being used. Angus was using JTM 45s and
1959s, a couple of banks of them, while
Malcolm (whose tech is Geoff ‘Bison’
Banks) was using very early Marshall
amps. His main two on stage were a
1964/65 100W and a 1992 superbass
(circa 1973). These were all powering a
large number of 4x12s loaded with
greenbacks. No messing about here, this
is all live and incredibly loud. They turned
it all up for sound check and as they
ripped into a couple of well known tracks,
the stage felt physically alive when you
were standing on it. This, of course, just
made the anticipation even more
unbearable than before.
“We had to go back to artist catering
for a cup of tea to calm down a little
after that. The full report and Artist chat
will be in the next issue of Marshall Law
out later this year.”
POWER UPThe nation’s youth messed their skinny
jeans last month when The Libertines
reformed after five years apart. Yep, the
trilbied troubadour Pete Doherty took to
the stage with Carl ‘The Other One’
Barat and Gary ‘The Drummer’ Powell at
London’s Rhythm Factory. But, who’s
that on the undercard? Yep, support was
provided by Thee Unstrung, featuring the
talents of MI Pro’s associate editor, Rob
Power. According to eye-witness reports
(that’s Rob, obviously), they blew the
place apart and sent Doherty scurrying
back to the crackpipe for comfort...
Billie Joe Armstrong – vocals and guitar –
Fernandes S-type (blue), Gibson Les Paul Junior
TV 59, Marshall Super Lead 100, Fender
Bassman, Hiwatt Custom 100, Duplex Tortex
.76 to .88mm custom plectrums, Ernie Ball
Super Slinky strings.
Mike Dirnt – bass – Mike Dirnt signature
Fender Precision, Mesa Boogie M-2000 head,
Mesa Boogie 6x10, custom cab, Mesa Boogie
18” cab, Mesa Boogie 2x10 cab, Fender Pro
1200 head, Fender Pro 810 cab.
Tre Cool – drums – Leedy custom maple set in
white marine nitron with Remo heads, 16"×22"
bass, 9"×13" tom, 16"×16" floor tom, 16"×18"
floor tom, 6.5"×14" Leedy Broadway Standard
snare. Zildjian cymbals (incl 14" K/Z Special hi-
hats, 19" K dark crash, 19" A medium thin
crash). Zildjian Tré Cool Signature sticks.
90 miPRO JUNE 2009 WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
Former snot nosed jokers turned
chart-conquering punks thanks
to the massively successful
American Idiot, Greenday have a
new album coming, a tour and
an army of new fans. Here’s the
gear to get the sound…
SOUNDALIKESGREENDAY
NEXTMONTHA full run down of all the goings on at LIMS,
JHS, Yorkshire’s finest, on the cover and a
run through of that most competitive (and
modern) market in the MI world today: the
humble gig bag. Of course all the hot news
and chilled comment will be there, too.
EDITORIAL: ANDY BARRETT
ADVERTISING: DARRELL CARTER
Company / job title:
Hal Leonard Corporation - Director -
European Sales & Marketing
Years in the industry?
20 - Started in the print dept of Rose
Morris Music Store in Feb 1989.
First single bought?
From New York To LA - Patsy
Gallant... the disco daze of 1977.
Favourite album?
Impossible to choose, but wishing it
was summer all year long it would
include Santana's Supernatural.
Currently listening to?
Just downloaded Hiromi's
Sonicbloom: Beyond Standard.
Technical wizardry and fun jazz to
listen to.
Favourite musician?
Jacqueline Du Pre - an inspirational
and gifted performer, but Quincy
Jones for all round genius.
Which instruments do you play?
Flute, piano and always trying to
improve my guitar strumming.
Are you currently in a band?
Have been in various classical and
jazz groups, but not at the moment.
Mark Mumford
MI SPACE
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
HOW DID THEY DO THAT?
As one of the biggest selling singles of all time,
clocking up over two million copies shifted to
date in the UK, Queen’s mighty Bohemian
Rhapsody is one of the most intricate, bizarre,
and brilliant pieces of work ever produced by a
rock group.
The recording
of Bohemian
Rhapsody was no
small task. After
learning the parts
over a three-week rehearsal, Queen retired to
Rockfield studio in Monmouth in August 1975
to begin what was to be an arduous three-
week process that would push the available
recording technology to the very edge.
With producer Roy Baker at the helm,
Queen worked through the backing track
before the more difficult task of the vocals.
With the operatic middle section, of the
famous ‘Gallileo’ line, taking a week to
complete in itself, the band spent between
ten and 12 hours a day laying down track
after track of vocals.
Working on a 24 track analog desk, the
band squeezed on 180 overdubs, with
engineers
bouncing tracks
down several
times and
repeatedly splicing
increasingly worn out tape. A landmark for
the pre-digital age of recording, Bohemian
Rhapsody showed that whatever a
composer dreamt up could be captured,
(with a huge amount of technical expertise).
Bohemian Rhapsody went on to become a
huge number one single and confirmed
Queen’s status as one of the most original
British bands of all time.
One of the most brilliant pieces
produced by a rock group
