Hi all,

We have several very cool initiatives starting in 2016, so here goes!

ILLINOIS STORE MOVING TO NEW, LARGER FACILITY!

That's right! Our Illinois store is moving to a much larger facility that will handle our current and future growth needs. Our new facility will be in Glendale Heights, Illinois and will be convenient to reach. The new facility will encompass everything under one roof.  We plan to be fully moved by May 15th so that we can have our Grand Opening celebration in conjunction with this year's Chicago Drum Show which takes place 5/21 and 5/22. We will have 7000sf including the following:

1. Our showroom with all of the fine vintage and custom drums and cymbals you are used to finding here, including our historically significant kits from Buddy Rich, Rufus Jones and more.

2. Our new space has significant warehouse storage which will also house some manufacturing that we will be doing. We will share more on that with you later.

3. We will have dedicated space allocated to photo, video and audio production, podcasting and interactive live streaming video.  

4. The new location will also house our 100% analog recording studio, Cowbird Music. We are embracing the warmth of analog tape and also will use one "live" room for recording, same as they did back in LA on all of those incredible records done in the 60s and 70s; everyone playing in the same room at the same time. We want to bring back the concept pioneered by such people as Glyn Johns. 

The studio will be available to rent. We will be able to record your performance on tape and simultaneously onto digital so you can take a copy with you immediately.  We will then master the tape and also provide you with a digital master if desired. Then, in the not too distant future we also plan to be able to cut vinyl for you as well, so that you can have a small number of vinyl albums for your best fans.  

We recently aquired Les Paul's 1957 Altec Lansing custom made studio monitors that resided in his NJ studio. Amazing studio monitors with an incredible history. These were made by James Lansing for Les in 1957. They are trapezoidal wood cabinets 48x30x43 and each has a 16 ohm 802c horn driver with 511b horn and two 15" 803a woofers with an N-800d crossover network. 

OTHER NEWS:

We are thrilled to have the good folks at DW moving into what formerly was half of our fourth floor space in midtown Manhattan. They will be opening their DW, LP, Toca, Gretsch, Ovation showroom and Artist Lounge. Target grand opening is set for April. This will be THE PLACE to hang!

I am creating a "Private Reserve" section of our shops that will showcase some of the most incredible items we have. This will be where we showcase special Craviotto sets and snares; unique proprietary finishes that we developed for Gretsch and also Ludwig; special Tama Star series kits; some very special ultra-cool kits that I am working with DW on; and the best of our vintage stock. 

There's more, so stay tuned. We have A LOT more planned for 2016!

Steve