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Red Dog receives Gear4music brings XM kits to the UK MIA retail honour
GEAR4MUSIC.COM has announced it is introducing the XM brand of electronic drum kits to the UK market. Designed to play and feel as similar as possible to acoustic kits, the XMT- 5SR, XM-7S (pictured) and XM-8SR models achieve this by offering real wooden drum shells, tension adjustable mesh heads and combine an acoustic kit appearance with high versatility that electronic sets are known for. Further acoustic similarities come
Electronic drum range offers a feel and sound highly comparable to acoustic sets and are capable of
withstanding even the most demanding live performances. All pads are attached to a solid durable rack that can be easily adapted to each drummer’s individual specifications. The bass drum is also attached to the rack,
from the high-resolution sampling and multi-zone mesh pads across the range. Multiple triggers on the drum heads and dual triggers on the cymbals help deliver high levels of articulation and responsiveness. The XMT-5SR
features 70 sampled voices, with 119 available with the XM- 7S and XM-8SR, and by using the built-in MIDI In/Out function, the user can access more features when hooking up to a computer. The XM electronic kits are ideal for both practice and studio applications
“
When was the store established? 1864.
How many employees do you have? We have 11 staff members.
What are your best selling lines? The biggest increase has been in bluegrass instruments, especially banjos and ukuleles.
How is business compared to last year? Overall business is comparable with the previous year, although there were monthly variations, due mainly to the weather.
How do you market the shop? We find that the best form of advertising is recommendations from existing customers. We also have a number of hands-on events in local shopping centres and schools, where people can have a go on the instruments they always wanted to play.
meaning it will not move around during play. “As soon as we tried out
As soon as we tried out the kits we were
impressed. Jonathan Meager
the XM electronic kits we were incredibly impressed. Real wood drum shells and tension adjustable drum heads give every kit in the range the look and feel of an acoustic set, but with the wealth of sounds and flexibility you expect from leading
electronic kits,” said Jonathan Meager, marketing manager at
Gear4music.com.
GEAR4MUSIC.COM: 0843 155 0800
THE MIA named independent MI store Red Dog Music as its Retailer of the Month for January. The shop is also known for its free
quarterly magazine, The Dog, and for the events it holds, such as the Hair of the Dog Sundays in-store gigs and Red Dog Music Clinics. Issue two of The Dog was printed recently and Red Dog Music celebrated this by hosting The Dog Strikes Back – a party that was held at The Caves. The show featured live music from four local acts – Hidden Orchestra, Digital Jones, Asazi Space Funk Explosion and Donna Maciocoa. The store also puts on Hair of the Dog
Sundays Open Couch Sessions, which takes place on the first Sunday of each month. The shop was also awarded Best Independent Retailer by the MIA in 2009.
INDIE PROFILE William Elphick from Hickies flags up superior product knowledge and customer satisfaction as reasons for its 147-year existence…
Who is the present owner? We are a family-run business in its third generation – my father Robert Elphick, my brother James Elphick and myself.
How do you compete with online competition? We aim to be competitive, but we do not compromise on our commitment to service and quality. All of our instruments are set up by our in-house technicians and we encourage people to bring the instrument back should they feel that something might not be quite right. This is especially true for young beginners who may give up due to poorly set-up or cheap and unplayable instruments.
What are your biggest strengths? We offer friendly, knowledgeable and approachable staff, we have been a part of Reading town centre for nearly 150 years and we are also known for our in-house repair and teaching facilities.
How do you ensure a good level of service? We endeavour to offer our customers the best service and advice we can. Our staff are knowledgeable about the different musical instruments we sell and can offer advice so that the customer can make an informed decision about the instrument they wish to purchase. Customers are always dealt with by the same person
from the initial enquiry through to a purchase and any after-sales enquiries. This form of customer services makes it easier for our staff to follow up and lets the customer have a single point of contact and person who is familiar with their needs.
What is the one product you couldn't live without? I can’t think of any product I couldn’t live
without or though there are a few I would rather not have to live with.
How can the industry do more to support retail?
It would be helpful if the industry could promote playing an instrument and why a good quality instrument is important. At the end of the day, the more people who play – and continue to play – the more potential business there is likely to be.
FACT BOX Address: 153 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1HE Phone: 0118 957 5771 Web:
www.hickies.co.uk Email:
sales@hickies.co.uk 72 miPRO MARCH 2011
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
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