AMM, which ran Thursday through Sunday, is Orange County’s biggest convention. It’s also big for local makers of guitars, keyboards, horns and accordions.
The show’s local heavyweight: Buena Park-based Yamaha Corporation of America, part of Japan’s Yamaha Corp. It makes guitars, stringed instruments, keyboards, brass, woodwinds and drums, and accounts for about $800 million of its parent company’s $5 billion yearly sales.
A pair of legendary guitar makers also was on hand,Fullerton’s G & L; Musical Instruments, started by Leo Fender, and Santa Ana’s Rickenbacker International Corp., whose guitars were made famous by the Beatles.
G & L;, now part of Huntington Beach-based BBE Sound Inc., is courting younger bands to play its guitars. Many do, including 30 Seconds to Mars and Matchbook Romance. Its guitars run from $685 to $3,000 or more.
Even though G & L; was founded by guitar pioneer Fender, the company can’t use his photo in ads or put his name in a headline, as to not get in trouble with Scottsdale-based Fender Musical Instruments Corp. But Phyllis Fender, Leo Fender’s surviving wife, is a G & L; supporter.
The company sold 100 of its limited edition Phyllis Fender models called “Blondie” (Leo Fender’s nickname for his wife) at $200 apiece. The bulk of the proceeds are going toward Phyllis Fender’s charity, The Smile Train, which fixes clefts for children in poor countries.
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Rickenbacker International: guitar display at NAMM |
Guitar makers face a challenge in “Guitar Hero,” a video game in which players use a fake plastic guitar. G & L; spokeswoman Chris Locke put a spin on it: “It’s helping,” she said, by inspiring some of the kids who play to pick up a real guitar.
Charles Hargett, sales and marketing manager for Anaheim’s Kanstul Musical Instruments, showed a shiny trumpet, all but two tiny pieces of it made locally.
The company has been in Anaheim for 25 years. It makes brass instruments for professional bands. It’s the exclusive supplier for the U.S. Army Band and also supplies the Marine’s Drum & Bugle Corps.
The company has about 40 employees and $3 million in yearly sales.
Fullerton’s Stellar International Music Corp. showed several accordions and other instruments, some for mariachi and other bands playing Mexican music. Stellar imports instruments from across the world and sells them through stores here.
Owner Peter Williams is a musician himself. He plays the saxophone, clarinet, keyboards and drums. “I can play a flute if I’m asked to,” he said.
NAMM is made up of music products makers, dealers and retailers. About 85,000 were expected at this year’s show, up from 84,696 people last year.
,Sherri Cruz
