“I love the core sound of this instrument which is consistent throughout the different ranges,” Alessi says. “In addition, the slotting is outstanding.” Alessi will be appearing in a number of magazine and online promotions for P. Mauriat throughout the year.

RA with his PM

Born in San Francisco the son of classical trumpeter Joe Alessi and opera singer Maria Leone, Ralph developed his playing in New York. He’s been a frequent collaborator with such musicians as Steve Coleman, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Uri Caine, Fred Hersch, Drew Gress, Dafnis Prieto, and Jason Moran. Alessi has recorded seven albums of originals that draw on everything from post-bop to neo classical. In 2010, Alessi released “Cognitive Dissonance” which received a four star review from Downbeat magazine and earlier this year, he released “Wiry Strong” on Clean Feed Records.

“Having Ralph endorse a P. Mauriat trumpet says a lot about our ability to develop professional-level instruments,” says P. Mauriat brand manager Craig Denny.  “We’re honored to have such a dynamic, talented player who is propelling modern jazz forward on our roster.” Alessi joins the likes of James Carter, Greg Osby, Bob Reynolds, Marcus Strickland, and Adam Larson who choose P. Mauriat horns.

For more information on placing an order or becoming a P. Mauriat dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

“Over the past few years we’ve gone back to the drawing board to remake and improve every single Alvarez model, and the acoustic electric bass is no exception,” says SLM Senior VP Chris Meikle. “We found that too often other E/A basses don’t sound as good unplugged, and we remedied that with this model. The hand sanded, scalloped bracing allows for a full, rich, big sound. Then you plug it in and the SYS650 Dual pickup, blend system E.Q. provides all the volume you need while maintaining that beautiful acoustic tone.”

The AB60CE also features hand selected “A” grade, solid Sitka spruce top; mahogany back and sides; Alvarez bi-level rosewood bridge; and rosewood fingerboard. The bass is also fitted with real bone nut and saddle, Paua abalone and mother of pearl inlays, and premium die cast chrome tunes. Plus the electronics also feature a popular built-in tuner.

“Too often these basses are an after-thought to an acoustic guitar line, but we wanted to create a bass that would stand on its own,” continues Meikle. “It took extra effort and time to get what we wanted but we think the bass playing community will love it.”

For more information on placing an order or becoming an Alvarez dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

The New Alvarez EA Bass

“Hamilton Stands is pleased to partner with St. Louis Music for the expansion of our combo line,” says Hamilton Stands’ president William Carpenter. “St. Louis Music is a proven leader in our industry and we have enjoyed decades of working with them. SLM will be representing not only current combo stands, but also the largest expansion of Hamilton combo line ever. These products will allow us to offer dealers quality and price alternatives in keyboard, microphone, speaker and guitar stands.”

“We are excited to work with Bill and open up our hundreds of dealers to his combo products,” says SLM CEO Mark Ragin.  “Hamilton is a trusted name, and I remember stocking their products when I ran a store. We look forward to working with them.”

The deal is effective start March 1.  This will not affect the distribution of Hamilton B&O-related products.

Hamilton Guitar Stands

“In Hamilton’s 129 years it has innovated many product segments, including capos and guitar stands,” Carpenter adds. “In fact, the first neck suspending guitar stand was invented by Hamilton and perhaps the first modern cradle guitar stand, the KB37, was offered by Hamilton in 1978.”

For more information on placing an order or becoming a Hamilton dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

St. Louis Music is a division of U.S. Band and Orchestra Supplies Inc. and the corporate owner of Knilling® Stringed Instruments, Perfection® Pegs, Austin Guitars, and Zonda Reeds. SLM is the exclusive international distributor of Alvarez Guitars and the exclusive North American distributor for P. Mauriat Brass and Woodwind Instruments, as well as Dixon Drums, Suzuki Violins and Alvarez-Yairi Guitars.

Alvarez winner Joshua Ramize with CM Music Manager Steve Morant

Alvarez fans are fanatical. In just six months, the number of “friends” on the Alvarez official Facebook page has more than doubled. But not content with that, a “Spread the Word” Sweepstakes was launched in November adding more than 1,000 active musicians who are now following Alvarez. The reward was a drawing was held on December 23^rd to give one of those friends a new Alvarez RD 12 with hard shell case.

“The guitar and case are killer,” says an elated Joshua Rameriz. “It sounds really good! Thanks very much to everyone. I am excited and grateful for winning such a great-sounding guitar!”

Rameriz is a gigging bass player in Noisecoil, a local retro modern rock trio that plays covers and original music. He received his RD 12 at his favorite local music store, C&M Music Center. Manager Steve Morant was on hand to do the presenting on behalf of Alvarez and its distributor, St. Louis Music.

“Social media is increasingly important in today’s marketing environment,” says Alvarez brand manager and SLM VP Chris Meikle. “But we’ve all been humbled by the fan-driven posts on our official Facebook page. The dedication to the brand and the enthusiasm for the revitalized lines has been completely player-driven. We’ll be using social media and traditional advertising to continue to drive interest and sales. We’re also looking forward to getting more Alvarez guitars in more stores as well.”

“Dictum has long been known as a producer of high quality Herdim brand tools, and gifted luthiers around the world respect and admire their products,” says Jim Eaton, St. Louis Music Knilling and Orchestra sales. “Considering our other great string offerings and our considerable string dealer clientele, it is wonderful for us to get to distribute the Dictum catalog to violin making and repair facilities in the U.S.”

The deal became effective January 1, 2012. Shipments to U.S. customers will be made on a weekly basis from Germany to St. Louis Music. Individual orders will be pre-packed in the master shipping cartons, ready to be processed and dispatched by domestic parcel service. This agreement will allow for fast delivery at excellent direct prices.

Principals involved in securing the agreement include Petra Steinberger, Dictum Managing Partner-CEO; Marion Schwarz, Dictum Customer Service Manager; Jiri Povolny, Dictum Product Manager; and Eaton.

“The quality and precision of their tools make them the most important investment a string shop can make,” Eaton adds. “And we look forward to distributing their other products, too, including cases, music, and accessories.”

For more information on placing an order or becoming a Dictum dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

Pictured standing before the Dictum facility in Metten, Germany are, left to right, Petra Steinberger, Jiri Povolny, Jim Eaton and Marion Schwarz.

“The first electric guitar an entry-level player buys is crucial,” states SLM senior vice president Chris Meikle. “Naturally, he or she doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a great-sounding, easy-to-play instrument that will get them making music. With that in mind, we set out to create a line of instruments that provides the beginner with the instrument they deserve at the price point they can afford.”

The six solid-body electrics are made from materials not usually found on entry-level guitars, including Tune-O-Matic Bridges, Stop Tailpieces, Mother of Pearl inlays, Humbucking or P90 Pickups, and vintage style tuners. The necks are made from mahogany. They list between $299 to $339. As with every Austin guitar, they are all setup by hand by the expert luthiers at St. Louis Music’s headquarters.

“These are all balanced correctly, and have Rosewood fretboards that are easy to play and feel great,” Meikle adds. “We set out to deliver a great looking, proper sounding guitar at a good price and we believe we’ve achieved all those goals with the Super 6.”

The Austin Super 6 SLTS

Effective January 1, 2012, St. Louis Music will handle principal distribution of BG Franck Bichon products in the U.S. The Lyon, France-based company is the world’s leading producer of woodwind accessories, and its ever growing list of products include over 200 ligatures, mouthpieces, straps, swabs, stands, mouthpiece cushions, saxophone pouches, pad dryer, care clothes, and other accessories.

“Since 1985, BG has created premium accessories popular with essentially every band and orchestra retailer in the country,” says St. Louis Music’s Craig Denny. “St. Louis Music is thrilled to be able to distribute this fine line of mid- and professional-level woodwind accessories.”

All marketing and product training will be handled by Jessica Watts of BG, and she is available to assist all SLM dealers. Also, BG has produced over 50 product demonstration videos which are available online at BGFranckBichon.com.

“What makes our products unique is that first and foremost we don’t sell something we wouldn’t want to buy ourselves,” founder and president Franck Bichon says. “We don’t design ‘me too’ products, but are always working on adding value. We work hard to stay ahead of the competition.”

For more information on BG Franck Bichon or to place an order, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call at 1-800-727-4512.

“Since 1980, Chris Brady has worked the forest of Western Australia choosing rare woods that create amazing drums,” says Dixon brand manager Jim Uding. “This snare features outstanding acoustical properties that generate a different sound than traditional maple and birch shells. Rose Gum is much harder, which results in increased resonance and a unique tone. We believe this collaboration is a true testament to Dixon’s commitment to quality as we expand into the acoustic drum market.”

The Dixon Artisan is a 9-ply (5.4mm) Australian Rose Gum snare that will be offered in sizes 6”x13”, 5.5”x14” and 6.5”x14” and feature die cast hoops, Dunnett Throw-Off and Evans drumheads. “We’ll be showing off this great limited-edition snare along with our new full line-up of Dixon drums at Winter 2012 NAMM at the St. Louis Music booth #4000,” Uding adds.

For more information on placing an order or becoming an Dixon dealer, please contact jimuding@stlouismusic.com or call 1-800-727-4512 ext. 250.

“We are very proud of Adam, and honored that he plays P. Mauriat saxophones,” says P. Mauriat band director Craig Denny. “We’ve always believed he is an exceptional talent and are glad that NAMM agrees.” NAMM is the International is the National Association of Music Merchants, not-for-profit music instrument trade association.

Larson will be brought to the NAMM music instrument tradeshow in January 2012 and have access to the industry and attend workshop classes. He’ll also be jamming in the P. Mauriat booth along with fellow P. Mauriat artists James Carter, Bob Reynolds, Nelson Rangel, and Greg Osby.

For more information on placing an order or becoming a P. Mauriat dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

SLM will be holding a drawing for a new Alvarez Regent RD12 ($299 value) on December 23^rd 2011 if the number of “likes” reaches 7,000. If the number reaches 8,000 by then, an Alvarez Artist AD70 ($549 value) will be given out instead. And if the number reaches 10,000, the winner will receive a Yairi DYK75 ($1229 value). The one winnermust be at least 18 years old and live in the continental U.S., and all eligible friends (including current ones) will be included in the drawing.

“Ever since we’ve focused on the Alvarez Facebook page, we’ve had terrific results,” says SLM senior vice president Chris Meikle. “We’ve more than tripled our numbers in four months to over 6,000, and we’re finding it’s a great way to get direct feedback from the people who play our guitars”

For more information on placing an order or becoming an Alvarez dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.