Woodwind/Brasswind in the US Bankrupt!!

[monsieursax]

http://tinyurl.com/y9benu

(URL tinied by admin)

The company is having massive sales now.

Too bad I'm broke from the holidays.

 

[rs2sensen]

What a shame, truly tremendous store. Very few places like it in the USA.

Will be interesting to see if Steinway gets it. My god, they own everything.

 

[mfox]

its the way of the world at the moment...its hard to be in business and make a good profit..intrest rates are so unpredictable..

 

[greg_strange]

I was going to buy a Brilhart Levelaire alto mouthpiece from them until I read a posting on one of the saxophone newsgroups about the company filing for bankruptcy. I thought if I had bought it they might not be able to honour the transaction. I bought a Vandoren Jumbo Java mouthpiece(winging its way to me at this point in time, hopefully) instead from the UK sax store in East Sussex, a store I think should be called "The Disneyland For Saxophonists - The Happiest Place On Earth And You Wouldn't Want To Leave". I hope Steinway does buy it, a company like that should have the financial clout to keep it running and trading profitably. Has Steinway got something to do with Selmer and Conn in the USA?

Greg,
Beboppin' at the bottom of planet Earth.

 

[rs2sensen]

Greg, yes, Steinway does.

Steinway is a mammoth colossus, and actually owns much of the instrument production in the world, and that includes Conn/Selmer. Under Conn/Selmer, they own:

Armstrong, Artley, Bach, Benge, C.G. Conn, Emerson, Glaesel, Holton, King, Leblanc, Ludwig, Martin, Musser, Noblet, Scherl & Roth, Selmer, Vito, W.M. Lewis, and Yanagisawa. (and several other smaller names)

Under Steinway & Sons, they own Steinway and Sons, Boston, and Essex.

 

[Rogerb]

I was disappointed to read that, allegedly, a large piano-maker was pressurising top players of other makes to change-over, (or they just might find difficulty in getting bookings 🙁 )
Glad my sax-maker isn't part of their empire (perhaps I should add "yet" 🙁 )

 

[rs2sensen]

I don't think Steinway is necessarily "evil" as far as corporate empires go. All of their products are made to a very high level of quality.

However, I am a strong proponent of competition, and feel that as there is a lack of major players in the saxophone manufacturing market we as a consumer base have missed out on potential developments.

I wish I could find horns other than the major manufacturers to play around with. I have never seen a "Hanson" or a "P.Mauriat" for example. I would love to play on one, especially the latter, but most likely won't for several years.

 

[Rogerb]

Not 'evil', but , if the stories are true, quite unscrupulous!

If ambition and enthusiasm were the only requirements you'd certainly be hearing more and more about Hanson... I do hope they succeed as they are really nice people, making nice instruments (especially their clarinets).

 

[lee_]

Have any of you Hanson guys asked if they plan to market in the U.S. in the future? I'd love to try one out, too.

 

[Bobby G]

rs2sensen wrote:
Greg, yes, Steinway does.

Steinway is a mammoth colossus....


Under Steinway & Sons, they own Steinway and Sons, Boston, and Essex.

I knew they were big, but are you telling me they own all of Essex? No wonder Monkey Music in Southend went out of business.

Cheers, Bob

 

[lee_]

Yes, I see what you mean. They have a very attractive operation, and I'm way in favor of buying from the "little guy" when possible. It'd be nice to blow one first, but with a week trial period, I guess that's a moot argument as well.

I've been saving for a sop to play around with, and I may spring for one early next year, after we get this Christmas money madness over with.

 

[Bobby G]

I haven't had any dealings yet with Hanson, but have heard nothing but good things about their horns and their service. If/when I am in the market for a new horn I would consider them very seriously indeed.

As for a soprano Lee, do it! They are great fun to play. Many people go for a straight one but personally I love (and own) the curved one.

Cheers, Bob