Tag: sweetwater

Gear, Industry

Becoming more e-xpensive

For e-drum buyers, inflation is not a theoretical concept – they are seeing it in action each time they shop for new gear. Retailers like US-based Sweetwater have been experiencing price increases over the past 12 months and expect more to come. Kenric Knecht, senior director, drums & percussion/merchandising development, tells digitalDrummer: “We’re seeing price increases across pretty much all brands, in all categories, including, of course, electronic drums. The increases vary, depending on a wide range of individual factors and situations the manufacturers may face.” Manufacturer Efnote recently took to Facebook to flag increases of 5% to 15% for its kits in the North American market. Spokesman Michael Bedard said Efnote had “held out as long as we could […]

Industry

Sweetwater opens Mega Music Store

Sweetwater, a former winner of and regular finalist in the digitalDrummer e-drum retailer of the year award, has opened its new megastore in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The retail space spans over 44,000 square feet, and includes an extensive collection of e-drum equipment from manufacturers like Roland, Yamaha and Alesis. The display stock includes Roland’s flagship VAD706 kit – the only floor stock in the US – alongside a TD-27KV. There’s also a Strike Pro SE from Alesis, as well as the mid-range Command Mesh and DM10 Pro kits and a Yamaha DTX452K. “We are honoured to be able to present this experience to continue to enrich our music communities, both near and far,” says Chuck Surack, CEO and founder of […]

Gear, Industry

Buying a first kit

A common reader question at digitalDrummer is “what should I buy for my kid’s first kit?”. We checked with some experts for their advice. New or used? Unsurprisingly, Blake Plumleigh, long-time owner of eBay store Blakes Drum Shop in Encinitas, California, is a big fan of used gear. “You can save 30-50% or more in some cases,” he says, referring to the overall cost of second-hand components compared to a brand-new kit. “A lot of name brand products do last a long time. They also don’t lose as much value when you sell them,” he explains. Giant US retailer Guitar Center sells both new and used e-drums, and Glenn Noyes, director of merchandise for drums, cymbals, percussion and accessories, sees […]