On drums...

Hope this isn't the look everywhere but the GC drum guy I always chat with said they seriously cut his hours to the point he maybe can't stay. He also told me Forks drum closet here in Knoxville is closing in a couple weeks.
He said the only thing keeping this GC open is the live sound stuff, PA's etc.

Economy? or Internet? Neither?

My way of thinking:

There are real bargains for new drum kits...
People buy less used drum gear (and the sellers have a hard time moving stuff). Back here, I see the same ads for the last 5 months - NOTHING is sold...


On the other hand - drums are still expensive... Sure You'll buy a set for cheap, but when You decide to have a pro set with cymbals, the price will reach $5000 in no time... And for half of that You can get a pro keyboard, a pro bass/guitar with amp etc...
Every pair of sticks is more than a guitar pick, every pack of heads is more than a set of strings...


Another thing that happened here - people use recorded rhythm... In order to have a duo/trio they don't bother with hiring a drummer. And 70% of the drummers back here use electronic drums.
The ones that use regular kits, can't make a gig that isn't under $800 for a five person band... The best we can get is $200...

_________________
Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

Business is very slow down here too.
No High End kits selling, heaps of people selling there gear. Bought that Force Maple kit 8,10,12,14,22,14x6.5 for $350 AU .
Bought a Marshall MF350 Head+Box for $400 today ($4295rrp here). 8 pro cymbals (mostly Bosphorus) for $240.Fender 65w Combo for $40.

Don't sell your gear now guys, the economy will pick up, if you can hang on, HANG ON .

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Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia

Had a long conversation with Rik from "Riks Music" yesterday lunch time.
Forks is gone. (Forks was attached to Riks). Rik is taking over the space for live sound stuff.
Rik is very very well connected. A Billionaire friend of his is trying to buy "Gibson".
When I told Rik what the guy at GC center said, he says GC is desperately looking for a buyer or they are going under.
He also said "Tama" is broke and one of the bigger guitar manufacturers. Thought he said Ibanez but can't be sure.
Rik is going to start stocking heads and sticks and stuff and can deal with most drum manufacturers but says mostly all his work is live sound stuff. Either selling, renting or mixing live shows.

I think some industries are really suffering in this economy.

Hoshini Gakki (think thats it ) owns both Tama and Ibanez.

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Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia

Very good. I think that is what he said Jeff.