We were reading the Music Industry News the other day when one piece caught our eye; some music retailers are ditching some of the biggest names in the business.

Part of the rationale given for this was that some are now charging smaller retailers more than the recommended selling price.  Another was that cheap internet sales were undercutting their prices to the extent that they could no longer compete.

We’ve certainly seen the effect on music shops as, especially over the last few years, we’ve seen many go out of business.

We’ve also seen the rise of ‘no-name’ (and sometimes recognised, but not as made in China, names) brands coming in where the only thing that matters is the price.

We took the decision from the beginning that we would not try to compete with those selling brands available everywhere and chose to work with individual luthiers to promote their instruments; thereby securing exclusivity agreements such that, in the UK and Ireland, you can buy from us or direct from the luthier.  Using this model we’ve been able to bring you, the customer, great quality instruments at the same price as you would pay if purchased direct from the luthier coupled with a high level of personalised customer service.  We extended that philosophy to our pickups and amps, again working closely with our friends in Dupont and Schatten Design to bring you the best, unique, pickups on the market.

This was a lengthy article full of nuances out of which we’ve taken one or two points but you are welcome to read the full thing on Music Industry News.