TOP STORIES 

Lowrey To Close Down

Decision to shutter home organ maker marks the end of a product category that was once more than twice the size of the guitar market.

Kawai Musical Instruments has announced that it is shuttering its Lowrey Organ division. While declining organ sales...

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GC Celebrates Revamped Hollywood Store

To celebrate the unveiling of its newly revamped 30,000-square-foot flagship Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard, Guitar Center hosted a full week of events beginning October 29. The week included workshops, clinics, and live performances, culminating November 3 with a mural commemoration ceremony, RockWalk inductions, and a secret block-party style performance with...

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Developers Team Up To Update MIDI Spec

Update enhances expression, makes configuration easier.

Leading software developers Ableton, Aodyo, Audio Modeling, Art+Logic, Jammy Guitar, Melodics, MIND Music Labs, Native Instruments, OnSong, and TouchKeys have joined the MIDI Manufacturers Association to collaborate...

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Music Trades' 2018 Companies To Watch

For our year-end Global issue, we highlight companies from around the music products industry and around the world. From a high-end Israeli guitar maker to a Chinese effects pedal innovator to an American specialist in custom cases, you can read their stories here.

Read THE PROFILES

Strong School Music Sector Faces New Challenges

At NASMD, “recruitment and retention” takes on double meaning in current school band and orchestra market

Blue water and white beaches provided an inviting backdrop to the recent meeting of the National Association of School Music Dealers. Held April 11-14 at the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood, Florida, the annual get-together...

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Strong School Music Sector Faces New Challenges

At NASMD, “recruitment and retention” takes on double meaning in current school band and orchestra market

Blue water and white beaches provided an inviting backdrop to the recent meeting of the National Association of School Music Dealers. Held April 11-14 at the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood, Florida, the annual get-together...

Read MorE

FEATURED DATA REPORTS
                        

Top 225 Global Report

This two-part report includes: 1) A list of the leading 225 music companies around the world, ranked by the most recent full year revenues – plus additional data on each company. 2) Sales and demographic data on 41 countries where music products are sold.

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Music Industry Census Report

Comprehensive U.S. data on 55 product categories across the music products industry. Find ten years of figures showing sales by unit volume, wholesale and retail value, average unit price, and year-to-year trends, plus complete analysis.

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MORE THIS MONTH

Gibson Closes Memphis Plant

As this issue went to press, Gibson Brands had shuttered its factory near the Beale Street entertainment district in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally opened in 1999, the plant primarily manufactured semi-hollow body electrics and custom shop instruments. Gibson maintains...

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Sam Ash Relocates Torrance Store

Sam Ash Music has relocated its Torrance, California store to a new and larger facility, two blocks away from the previous location. Vice President Sammy Ash commented, “The opportunity came up to move and it made sense from both from a retail operations and a financial standpoint.” The new 18,000-square-foot store features...

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Unique Squared Liquidates

Unique Squared, the formerly high flying online retailer, has ceased operation according to a posting on its website that declares: “We Are Officially Wormfood.” At present the company is liquidating its remaining inventory. Some suppliers previously repossessed unpaid-for inventory. Ally Commerce, an internet service provider that grew out of Unique Squared...

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