Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Man I thought this place would be all over this news.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/entertainment ... r-AA1o6M9J

It's with a "heavy heart" that Sam Ash is closing its retail doors after 100 years of providing musical instruments to artists new and experienced. The brand made the announcement on Thursday (May 2) on Instagram and their website stating closing deals would begin that day both in-store and online.
SHOP SAM ASH CLOSING DEALS HERE

The family-run business has been considered an icon in the music industry, as a go-to store for top-rated instruments and accessories, ranging from guitar amps to drumsticks. No matter if you were an aspiring musician or just taking casual online music lessons, the instrument store was a place to pick up everything you could possibly need to kickstart your music journey.

Sam Ash was originally founded in 1924 by Austrian migrant Sam Ashkynase, a violinist who took his passion for music and turned it into a business to support other music enthusiasts. The retailer was well-known not only for its selection of products but for establishing a motto of "come in and play" to encourage anyone to create test out the products and create some music in-store.

That’s great- I’ve never wanted to go that place
They should replace them with surf shops and Baskin Robbins(2 places I went today)

Is Gutiar Center/Musician's Friend next?

Wow

They need more Roxx gigs there

Long time coming.... they've been a second-rate guitar center for 20 years.

Rocker4Real wrote: ↑Sat May 04, 2024 6:52 pm Is Gutiar Center/Musician's Friend next?

Probably, at least least in terms of physical retail stores.

They might be able to make it work online for awhile.

FreddyFender wrote: ↑Sat May 04, 2024 11:06 pm Long time coming.... they've been a second-rate guitar center for 20 years.

Facts.

Any time I have been in a guitar store over the last decade (maybe even the last 20 years) seems like all the customers are middle age guys. IMO, there is not the interest in live music like there used to be. Back in the day, half my friends had a beginner guitar set up or drum kit, even though most of them never took to music.

Also facts.

Never bought anything from Sam Ash or GC. Just my local shops and occasionally Sweetwater...

Sam Ash took had acquired Mars Music here in Indy 20+ years ago. SA started off strong, but puttered out shortly after. Goodbye.

My local Sam Ash closed down years ago. I usually just got accessories there. Doesn't effect me, but sad to see anything close down. Young people just aren't into guitars and drums like they used to . When I was in Jr High and High School 85-91. All my friends had instruments. Now days kids just want to play video games & watch Tik Tok. They don't even want to learn how to drive or go outside.

Guys…it’s not about getting old or lack of interest in live music and instruments.

Retail is down. The internet has been killing it since the internet started. Catalogs, door to door salesmen, late night infomercials and now physical stores.

Plus real estate keeps getting more and more expensive. The one two punch is hurting everyone.

DonJuanDeMarco wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:44 am Guys…it’s not about getting old or lack of interest in live music and instruments.

Actually, it is. Sales have been trending downward for years.

Bono Nettencourt wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:52 am

DonJuanDeMarco wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:44 am Guys…it’s not about getting old or lack of interest in live music and instruments.

Actually, it is. Sales have been trending downward for years.

I’m trying to make us old guys feel better. Please play along.

It's actually both of course...

When playing out with a severe case of G.A.S., I used to frequent Ash and GC weekly. I never bought a guit from there, but a couple of amps, fx, and a ton of accessories, cables, lights, etc. I haven't been in either for 12 years. Since I stopped playing live, I hardly buy anything but strings these days.

Collapser wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:05 am Sam Ash took had acquired Mars Music here in Indy 20+ years ago. SA started off strong, but puttered out shortly after. Goodbye.

Where are you in Indy?

I totally forgot about Mars Music until I read your post.

killdrum wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 7:08 am I always figured GC would fold considering their mgmnt and finances(Not that I would like to see that). They still manage to plug along.

Yeah they started limping years ago but they're still here.

TREVERLAST wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:18 am All my friends had instruments. Now days kids just want to play video games & watch Tik Tok. They don't even want to learn how to drive or go outside.

This is my 17 year old son to a T. I have all the gear in the world and he took guitar in school as one of his electives, but is just not interested.

WolfgangVonPage wrote: ↑Wed May 08, 2024 10:08 am

TREVERLAST wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:18 am All my friends had instruments. Now days kids just want to play video games & watch Tik Tok. They don't even want to learn how to drive or go outside.

This is my 17 year old son to a T. I have all the gear in the world and he took guitar in school as one of his electives, but is just not interested.

Fuckin kids.

I remember when I wanted some records, but I first had to save up for a record player, as my parents didnt have one.
To say knowing nothing about playing music.

To think that as a kid, to have a dad or older brother with a bunch of guitars and amps, plus could show you how to play stuff. Shit, i might have turned out able to play decent.

And kids who have that dont even care about it.

Indy_Rob wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 7:09 pm

Collapser wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:05 am Sam Ash took had acquired Mars Music here in Indy 20+ years ago. SA started off strong, but puttered out shortly after. Goodbye.

Where are you in Indy?

I totally forgot about Mars Music until I read your post.

Castleton.

Before mail order was big, 48th St. in NYC used to be a tradition for working musos to visit. I nearly always saw celeb players in Manny's and Sam Ash. Prices were good. I knew folks who would wait until they were in NY to buy gear and supplies.

Yep. Not a single one of the stores remain now. All gone.

It’s sad really. Going to record stores and music stores were 2 of my favorite hide outs when I was younger. Trying out new gear was fun.

At some point I knew what I liked so I stopped going. I guess that’s part of the reason they closed too. Nobody wants a 50 year old dude hanging out at their shop for 2 hours only to buy a pack of guitar strings.

RIP record stores and music stores. Thanks for the memories.

Collapser wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 8:40 am

Indy_Rob wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 7:09 pm

Collapser wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 10:05 am Sam Ash took had acquired Mars Music here in Indy 20+ years ago. SA started off strong, but puttered out shortly after. Goodbye.

Where are you in Indy?

I totally forgot about Mars Music until I read your post.

Castleton.

Right on. I lived in Castleton for 5 years, then Fishers, now Noblesville. 'Burb life for this guy!