“Gon Bops is one of the world’s most revered percussion makers and we are excited to be representing this great brand,” says SLM president Stan Morgan, commenting on the new partnership between the two companies. “Gon Bops enhances St. Louis Music’s continuing commitment to provide our dealers with a broad selection of top quality key products.”
“They serve so many dealers so well that we look forward to a wider reach into the market, especially the educational world,” says Lane Davy, Gon Bops vice president and executive director.
Davy, a player himself, says he’s long been a fan of the products. “Everything with Gon Bops is done a little differently,” he says. “The congas and bongos are easier to tune, and I love the shakers – there’s just always been a lot of attention paid to the sound.” The Cuban-influenced instruments have always appealed to pros, but the company is promoting its popular PureCussion by Gon Bops line, which brings their innovative approach and high-quality standards to the lower end of the market. This is another reason Gon Bops finds their distribution deal with St. Louis Music “a perfect fit.”
Davy, an MI industry veteran, says he’s enjoyed a good working relationship with SLM CEO Mark Ragin in the past. “I have a lot of respect for Mark, Stan, and the entire sales force because year after year they continue to build a strong company.” As to the future: “I look forward to bringing innovation to the percussion market,” he says. “I believe this market can be reinvigorated, and we’ll do that with the support of St. Louis Music.”
Since its founding in 1954, Gon Bops has pioneered features and improvements that have changed Latin instruments. In the 1970s and 1980s, no one in the world sold more congas than Gon Bops. Since February of 2010, it has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Sabian.
All instruments will be designed in the U.S., and made at one of their four factories in the U.S., Peru, Taiwan, and Thailand. Artists in the Gon Bops family include Alex Acuna, Tommy Aros (Luis Miguel), Scott Crago (Eagles), Brian Mantia (Guns ‘N Roses, Tom Waits), Daniel de los Reyes, and Walfredo de los Reyes.
Stan Morgan and Lane Davy
For more information on placing an order or becoming a Gon Bops dealer, please email [email protected] or call 1-800-727-4512.
