Sam Ash is closing 18 stores

[Lo-E]

I am familiar with the Edison location because they drove a friend's 50 year music store out of business.

I am sure this is a Sam Ash policy; not that particular location, but here's how the story breaks down.

My friends' dad had the music store forever. I met Eddie Van Halen, Floyd Rose, The guy who owned Kramer guitars (I forget his name) and Carol Miller (a popular "local" Radio DJ) from WPLJ FM in New York city at that location in 1979. There was a big hoopla because the three "biggies" were making the rounds to promote Kramer starting to make (and being able to use, royalty-free) the Floyd Rose trem system.

Anyway ... in 1981, my friend's dad petitioned 7ender to become an authorized repair agent.

7ender told him a repair facility could not be a retail store. So, he spent $45,000.00 (in 1981 money) to completely section off the repair portion of the store. This included new bathrooms (male and female) and a separate entrance.

Modifications made, they got their approval.

Three years later, Sam Ash opens a store about a mile down the road. All is good, right? No.

Sam Ash had an agreement with 7ender, Gibson, Ibanez, and a multitude of the other "most popular" guitar manufacturers that there could be no other sales of those models within 10 miles of their locations.

My friend's small, family-owned music store was screwed. They could no longer sell those brands. They were reduced from selling top-of-the-line brands models (A $1,500 Gibson Les Paul in silver burst) to selling Cort, Stagg, and other much lesser-known (at the time) brands/models.

They also lost their authorized repair status.

It devastated the business and helped to bring about the death of the founder (my friend's father).

The name of the music store was Lou Rose Music. They were located: map.*(photo of map)

I hope I live long enough to see the complete demise of Sam Ash music.

*View attachment 5371467

I remember Lou Rose and used to shop there. I still have a wide strap I bought there a million years ago.

While it’s awful that happened to that shop and your friend’s family, I blame the big manufacturers for agreeing to that nonsense more than I blame Sam Ash. In a deal like that big companies like Gibson snd Fender hold all the cards. Why would they agree to such nonsense? If they had refused Sam Ash’s demand for exclusivity, what could Ash have done? The fact that they went along with it is the real shame. Monopolies are bad.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Sam Ash in Edison, NJ. Just passed it the other day. Early ‘90’s Worked a couple miles away and would stop in…. Bought a few big items there. They would always throw in some cables and strings occasionally to sweeten the deal.

Miss those days

I met Kent when he was the manager of the guitar department at the Thoroughbred Music on Hillsborough Ave. I remember when they had that big display of vintage guitars and basses in the middle of the store. I bought my '62 Jazz Bass reissue from Kent in 1988.

I also dig Replay Guitar Exchange and enjoy hanging out with Shawn in the bass room. He's a very knowledgeable guy. I bought my '72 P-Bass there in 2016 and I told Kent that I'll buy a bass from him every 28 years
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- Steve

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I remember Lou Rose and used to shop there. I still have a wide strap I bought there a million years ago.

While it’s awful that happened to that shop and your friend’s family, I blame the big manufacturers for agreeing to that nonsense more than I blame Sam Ash. In a deal like that big companies like Gibson snd Fender hold all the cards. Why would they agree to such nonsense? If they had refused Sam Ash’s demand for exclusivity, what could Ash have done? The fact that they went along with it is the real shame. Monopolies are bad.

I would concur except somehow it also affected their authorized repair facility status. Actually, I don't think it did, but I wasn't that involved in the business, but they did lose their status.

I was an "unofficial" employee in that, when there were no on-staff sales people, I was allowed to get guitars down for browsers and I was able to talk to them about the instruments and even made a few sales.

I lived in Edison from 1978 until 1986. My first date with my ex-wife was at "Desti's" across the street (Lou was also part owner of that).

Why did I mention that? My home phone number was: 985-2664. The number at Desti's was 985-3664. The amount of hilarious wrong number calls I used to get was incredible.

I met ladies and bands through some of those mis-dials.

 

[SBassman]

Times have changed.

Growing up - it was a great day when we'd visit Sam Ash and hang out - oggling all the gear.

Doesn't surprise me. For a long time, for any major purchase, I have bought online. Have only used the local store for strings or sticks.

 

[Lo-E]

I would concur except somehow it also affected their authorized repair facility status. Actually, I don't think it did, but I wasn't that involved in the business, but they did lose their status.

I was an "unofficial" employee in that, when there were no on-staff sales people, I was allowed to get guitars down for browsers and I was able to talk to them about the instruments and even made a few sales.

I lived in Edison from 1978 until 1986. My first date with my ex-wife was at "Desti's" across the street (Lou was also part owner of that).

Why did I mention that? My home phone number was: 985-2664. The number at Desti's was 985-3664. The amount of hilarious wrong number calls I used to get was incredible.

I met ladies and bands through some of those mis-dials.

I was in Metuchen from 1980 until 1989. I liked Lou Rose and Metuchen Music (now NJ Guitar and Bass Cencer) but if I needed to make a serious purchase I always just took the train into the city and went to 48th St.

 

[MrLenny1]

The only chain stores near me are GC. I have shopped at both of them
and the service was very poor. It seemed like they knew nothing or
didn't care. ITMT I go to a locally owned shop that has good service
and variety of gear and most of their guitars are always in tune.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I have not entered a physical music store in more than a decade. But you wouldn't know that from a decade's worth of online charges! Physical stores are a dying breed from the past.

Only reason I order online from guitar center, is when they send me a subpar or a greasy, used floor model(that I paid full price for a new one)---I can then drive it over to G.C. and drop it off/return, to avoid shipping it back.

 

[socialleper]

My guess is they’ll hang around and transition to a Sweetwater model. Sweetwater has only become better since opening a distribution center in Arizona. We get stuff in SoCal within one or two days now. Don’t have to fight traffic or deal with clueless employees.

I like Sweetwater OK, but they are some NEEDY mother F'ers. When you buy something its like getting a new boyfriend or girlfriend. Follow up calls are kinda good I guess, but they need to dial it back a little, or add a "do not contact me about my purchase" option.

 

[socialleper]

I'm just going to put this out there:
For people in the greater LA Area that will be impacted by the Sam Ash closings, but still want a good in-store experience, check out Grayson's in Montrose. It is a little out of the way, but they actually care about their customers and know their gear. Even though it is a mom and pop they are professional and deal with a lot of real artists since they are one of the few places that actually works with their customers.
Full disclosure, I don't work for them, but a buddy of mine does. When I tell him that I am amazed a local shop like that is still open he says their business is actually growing. The list of artists I've actually heard of that buy stuff from them or have them work on their gear is pretty impressive.

 

[Antman3820]

I was in Metuchen from 1980 until 1989. I liked Lou Rose and Metuchen Music (now NJ Guitar and Bass Cencer) but if I needed to make a serious purchase I always just took the train into the city and went to 48th St.

NJ Guitar and Bass center. Around 1997 I bought some Eden cabinets there, and the owner, Jay, tried to sell me a Lakeland 55–94….. which I should’ve bought. Instead, I bought an Alembic. And I remember the website was very archaic. I should swing by there soon and see if they’re still around

 

[Lo-E]

NJ Guitar and Bass center. Around 1997 I bought some Eden cabinets there, and the owner, Jay, tried to sell me a Lakeland 55–94….. which I should’ve bought. Instead, I bought an Alembic. And I remember the website was very archaic. I should swing by there soon and see if they’re still around

He’s still there. I’ve done some business with Jay over the years. I still have some family in the area.

 

[srxplayer]

I dropped by the City of Industry store yesterday on a whim since I haven't stepped in a Sam Ash in years. They were putting up the "store closing" banners. This was always a poorly stocked store so I was't that suprised. Then I looked it up and got this thread. I didnt realize it was this bad. Too bad, but I'm suprised they have lasted as long as they have.

I have a few gift cards I got over the years from friends and family. Ads up to $150.00. I never bothered because they never have anything i want at Ontario. I better use them soon.

 

[HP Hovercraft]

I wish GC close to me had something other than player series. When I was in the market Sam Ash had all sorts of gear GC didn't have. I guess it's a management thing.

GC Hollywood is their flagship. Has vintage, Rickenbacker, and lots of other stuff that you typically don't get at a GC. And the Rock Walk lol.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I have a few gift cards I got over the years from friends and family. Ads up to $150.00. I never bothered because they never have anything i want at Ontario. I better use them soon.

I wouldn't worry because the company isn't going anywhere, they are just scaling back their brick & mortar stores due to the changes in the musical instrument retail business that are being discussed here. They have 26 other locations that are staying open. I assume you can redeem your gift card online.

- Steve

 

[JRA]

for some of those who need/want the convenience of actually shopping and comparing, it's gotta come as a disappointment, or certainly an inconvenience. but what can you get from sam ash that you can't get on amazon? sweetwater is the only outlet that seems different enough to survive a changing marketplace.

the only thing i'm buying these days are parts (for assemblies), so the direction my buying habits have taken over the years doesn't really include the need for brick and mortar. online purchases have been more convenient, with greater selection (worldwide!), and generally way cheaper.

 

[Core Creek]

I love it Core Creek - you’re from Philly yet haunt Long Island music venues and music stores! We should meet up next time you’re playing out in these parts!

Definitely! My current band plays NY, Long Island and NJ most of the time. Plus my mom still lives on the island so a lot of the time it makes sense to just spend the night out there.

If I’m correct you play a lot of jazz? I’d love to check your band out - maybe you have a Sunday morning thing I can swing by on my way home.

 

[Core Creek]

I have mixed feelings when music stores like Sam Ash and GC close branches.

In the one hand, the “end of an era, things are changing” feeling is always a little sad. And some of my first instruments came from these wonderlands of gear. I remember going there with my friends and it was wondrous and exciting. Great memories.

On the other hand, Sam Ash and GC always felt shystery, with shady used car dealership vibes and tactics. So part of me says good riddance.

I kind of agree - if you’re a newbie you’re not going to get any deals. But if you know what you’re doing it’s easy to find good deals.

I got the Kiesel in my avatar used from Sam Ash in King of Prussia for about 1/3rd of what it would cost new, and I could probably sell it on Reverb today for $600 more than I paid for it. Someone there had no clue - or I guess they royally screwed over the original owner. But if they had a clue they would have priced it for hundreds more than I paid.

 

[Nek07]

for some of those who need/want the convenience of actually shopping and comparing, it's gotta come as a disappointment, or certainly an inconvenience. but what can you get from sam ash that you can't get on amazon? sweetwater is the only outlet that seems different enough to survive a changing marketplace.

the only thing i'm buying these days are parts (for assemblies), so the direction my buying habits have taken over the years doesn't really include the need for brick and mortar. online purchases have been more convenient, with greater selection (worldwide!), and generally way cheaper.

I have to say, when you see that, in switzerland, we have some sort of local Amazon where you can get a few brands like PRS, Yamaha, LTD/ESP, Ibanez Blackstar, Hartke, Boss and two or three more that I dont recal from memory, delivered the next day for free to your door, for wich you only have to pay if you keep it after 14 days of reflection/testing.
And on the other side, the couple of brick and mortar shop I have around are like one is always a good 30% overpriced, with inept seller, one actually tried to sell me a red witch seven sister tremolo, but fail to know that there is a battery charge led turning on when plugged and say that the effect is very light (the face of the guy when I switch it on ), one sell stuff like a 2003 gibson melody maker, with rusted strings and the paint that kind of melted with dust and a sort of grease for a grand, a Cort Zemaitis for the price of a full Zemaitis, or even broken guitars (like a big crack on the soundboard of an acoustic) for the full price (they do not see the issue).
Guess where I shop now.

 

[Relsom]

I just visited my local SA.... looks like Richmond VA is remaining open... even with GC next door.

 

[mikecd1]

I heard our New Haven store closing and white plains too. Sad news!