VISIONARY - Music Inc. Magazine

THE NEW SCHOOL
Dealers recommend
these entry-level models
with students and hobbyists
in mind. Also, note one of the
industry’s most talked about
accessories, which keeps
SNARK SN2 CHROMATIC
CLIP-ON TUNER With its
bright, colorful display and
effortless portability, Snark’s
flagship product is a runaway
hit. Jason Pachona of
PM Music Center in Aurora,
Ill., said he loves the Snark
tuner for its price point and
margin, as well as its universal
appeal and merchandising
possibilities. “We always
have it on the headstock
of a ukulele or guitar,” he
said. “Plus, we try to tune
all our string instruments
with them, so customers
can see us using them.”
AUSTIN GUITARS With four entry-priced models
— including student-friendly “000”-sized acoustic
pieces — the Austin line has become popular in
the classroom. Evan Jones of Bandland Music
in Clarksburg, W.V., keeps parents in the loop by
promoting Austin through his education reps. “We
have also started selling guitars to schools, as there
are more guitar classes being offered,” Jones said.
70 I MUSIC INC. I JULY 2011
TWENTY-SEVEN DEALER-RECOMMENDED
RISING GUITAR BRANDS THAT ARE
REINVIGORATING THE MARKET
Unsung Heroes
LUNA GUITARS SAFARI
TRAVEL GUITAR “Our teachers
recommend the Safari guitars,
and our desk staff recommends
them when anyone signs a student
up for our guitar group class or
private lessons,” said Billy Cuthrell
of Progressive Music Center in
Raleigh, N.C. At three-quarter size,
slightly over 3 pounds and packaged
with a gig bag, Luna’s travel
model has become the ideal starter
guitar for the 6- to 9-year-old set.
“Get them a quality instrument
that does not break the bank to
start with, and you will have a
greater chance of them sticking
with it than if they are playing a lowbudget
junk instrument,” Cuthrell
said. “[Luna instruments] stay in
tune and sound like a real guitar
because they are a real guitar.”
LANIKAI UKULELE
PACK Like it or not,
the uke has transitioned
from short-lived fad to
retail mainstay. Lanikai
has been a best-seller
for Rick’s Music World
in Raynham, Mass.,
where owner Rick
Santos cross-merchandises
Lanikai ukes with
Snark ukulele tuners
for increased add-on
potential. One instructor
even put a uke in the
hands of every student
and taught them a
simple song. “They
really get hooked and
end up buying a uke,
too,” Santos said.