Kalamazoo Music Store Closing

[blueox]

This past summer I was on the Heritage tour and one of the owners, Bill P., mentioned that Kalamazoo Vintage Guitars was a Heritage dealer, which was news to me at the time. I checked them out, and they must have had six or so Heritage guitars, both new and used, including one on consignment from the president, Vince M. Now, today I thought I would pop in and see their inventory, but the store is closed with paper covering the front windows to the effect: Disabled veteran forced to close due to economy. While today I heard a financial guru on the radio state that the Great Recession was over back in April, the effects are still being felt. It's sad that there is no longer a Heritage dealer in Kalamazoo. There was a Heritage dealer in nearby Galesburg, but his inventory has been taken down from Premier Guitar's website link. Hopefully, he is still there.

[pegleg32]

I sure hope Heritage makes it through this slump. I think it is going to be a tough few years for all the manufacturers, and the smaller ones like Heritage are going to feel it the worst I'm afraid. Kudo's to all of you guys who are thinking of, and can afford, ordering new ones. I just don't see the consumer side of the economy improving in the short term.

[Dick Seacup]

The biggest thing that will decide whether or not any particular small-business makes it through this downturn is marketing and advertising. It is a fact that many of the largest, most successful companies pre-1930s horded cash and coasted on their reputations for the duration of the Great Depression. Many of those well-known (before the Great Depression) brands perished, as small, bit-players in their given markets advertised and marketed their way to growth. The little guys with nothing to lose (hell, they were small and mostly unknown, they knew that if they did nothing they would go bust, so why not give marketing a try?!) became the big players that are coasting now; business-as-usual right now is a recipe for failure. Perhaps not immediate bankruptcy, but a slow death is still death.

 

Now, I am not a marketing genius, but I think Heritage is sitting in a position to ensure that they can achieve their business goals much more easily than, say, a lot of high-end boutique players. Here's what I would emphasize in my advertising materials:

 

* A direct tie to an historic lineage of instrument design and craftsmanship

* Working tools built and priced for working musicians

* Quality woods, quality mechanicals and electronics, traditional finishes

* A dedicated, independent support community as passionate about playing Heritage instruments as Heritage is about building them

 

But, what do I know? I'm on the internet giving out expensive marketing guidance for free.

[TalismanRich]

I had stopped by Kalamazoo Vintage while I was up for PSPII. Nice guy, and he had several Heritages on the wall at the time. I think his business was geared much more towards old used instruments than new. Other than the Heritages, I didn't see much that really interested me at the time.

 

I noticed that the web site listed Dillons music in K'zoo. I tried to find that one on Cort, but I must have driven past it somehow in the traffic. Don't know if they are still around or not.

[blueox]

Yeah, Dillons Music is long gone, and a pawn shop moved into the building from their location further down Cork St. Dillons had a nice Heritage neon sign in the window when I took a walk-through a couple of years or so ago, but I could see the effects from the Guitar Center. They didn't have any Heritages on site, but would take orders. The new Heritage website will have to delete this dealer listing. I was surprised when I learned that Kalamazoo Vintage Guitars was a Heritage dealer, since the store was trying to promote the vintage/used instruments. However, I was glad to have a place one could visit to see and try out a Heritage right in the home town of the company.

[golferwave]

I guess my question is why Dillons is still listed as a dealer? I went online a few weeks ago on google and typed in many of these "dealers" and was surprised to see how many either didn't have any in stock or didn't even list Heritage as being on their inventory. We need an updated list. A friend of mine who owns a guitar store is going to call on Monday to inquire about becoming a dealer. I think Vince is on top of this and will get more active dealers signed up. With the economy being as it is and Gbrand having unrealistic prices I think this is a great time to build a higher market share.

[skydog]

With the economy being as it is and Gbrand having unrealistic prices I think this is a great time to build a higher market share.

Yes, and no. When any business starts out, there is an initial period when the bottom line gets a little upside down and it sure doesn't help in these economic times. Sort of a double edged sword.

[brentrocks]

i contacted the owner at kzoo vintage and his prices are still quite high...certainly not going out of business low...it is a shame though, he had a cool lil shop

[RhoadsScholar]

Having been a heritage fan since my first H157, I was glad to finally Buy new and get the specs that I wanted... I have aquired 2 other used heritage guitars at great prices, but getting a new one and meeting the guys that built it was a special treat knowing he history they bring to guitar building. It is still cheaper than an off the shelf GiXXXX.

[Kuz]

Having been a heritage fan since my first H157, I was glad to finally Buy new and get the specs that I wanted... I have aquired 2 other used heritage guitars at great prices, but getting a new one and meeting the guys that built it was a special treat knowing he history they bring to guitar building. It is still cheaper than an off the shelf GiXXXX.

 

Sorry pet peeve of mine. The price is irrelevant. I would pay MORE for a new Heritage that nay new Gibson.

 

I am glad you are satisfied with the price you got on your Heritage. I am HOPEFUL that your MORE satisfied that your Heritage plays & sounds better than a Gibson!

[pcovers]

Sorry pet peeve of mine......I am HOPEFUL that your MORE satisfied that your Heritage plays & sounds better than a Gibson!

 

I guess this is my pet peeve: incessant, unrelenting comparisons to Gibson. Those that love 'em and those that don't. Those that want to make a point that Heritage guitars are better and those that want to make a point that Heritage is a lower tier wannabe. All sides seem to find a way to use the Gibson comparison to try to make some point in favor of whatever side they have taken.

 

I love, love my Heritage! It is beautiful, functional, and full of the tone I like. But as a realist, I have to acknowledge that I have had a couple of G word guitars that I was equally satisfied with at the tine: quality, tone, playability. There are just too many, even on this forum, that own both and believe there are great, good, and average examples from both builders. There is no universal "this brand plays and sounds better than that brand". I mean, one can have that opinion - and personal experience - but there are just too many others with a common experience that says there are some wonderful G word guitars out there that compliment there wonderful Heritage guitars.

 

Pet peeves - everyone has at least one. Might make and interesting thread.

[Thundersteel]

Ahhh...pet peeves again!

 

Here's one of mine:

A direct tie to an historic lineage...

 

It should be "A direct tie to a historic lineage... The "h" is NOT silent; therefore, "a" is used!

 

I think Mr. Seacup did this just to spite me!

[pcovers]

Ahhh...pet peeves again!

 

Here's one of mine:

 

 

It should be "A direct tie to a historic lineage... The "h" is NOT silent; therefore, "a" is used!

 

I think Mr. Seacup did this just to spite me!

 

That is correct.

 

Ex.: It is an honor to own a historically important guitar, such as a Heritage.

[Kuz]

I guess this is my pet peeve: incessant, unrelenting comparisons to Gibson. Those that love 'em and those that don't. Those that want to make a point that Heritage guitars are better and those that want to make a point that Heritage is a lower tier wannabe. All sides seem to find a way to use the Gibson comparison to try to make some point in favor of whatever side they have taken.

 

I love, love my Heritage! It is beautiful, functional, and full of the tone I like. But as a realist, I have to acknowledge that I have had a couple of G word guitars that I was equally satisfied with at the tine: quality, tone, playability. There are just too many, even on this forum, that own both and believe there are great, good, and average examples from both builders. There is no universal "this brand plays and sounds better than that brand". I mean, one can have that opinion - and personal experience - but there are just too many others with a common experience that says there are some wonderful G word guitars out there that compliment there wonderful Heritage guitars.

 

Pet peeves - everyone has at least one. Might make and interesting thread.

 

Well this is a "Heritage Owners Club" forum. What did you expect. Go to the Les Paul forum and you will get an biased opinion on Gibson is better over there.

 

Anyone that is asking or comparing a Gibson to a Heritage on this site should expect a Heritage bias.

 

Let your ears and eyes make your decision and live with it. But I for one don't have a problem on a "Heritage Owners Club" forum voicing my personal opinions on the matter. I have owned both (6 Gibsons and 9 Heritages). I now only own Heritages due to MY ears & eyes guiding me.

[Dick Seacup]

I think Mr. Seacup did this just to spite me!

 

That's right, mock my Cockney accent.

[pcovers]

Well this is a "Heritage Owners Club" forum. What did you expect. Go to the Les Paul forum and you will get an biased opinion on Gibson is better over there.

 

Anyone that is asking or comparing a Gibson to a Heritage on this site should expect a Heritage bias.

 

Let your ears and eyes make your decision and live with it. But I for one don't have a problem on a "Heritage Owners Club" forum voicing my personal opinions on the matter. I have owned both (6 Gibsons and 9 Heritages). I now only own Heritages due to MY ears & eyes guiding me.

 

I respect anyone's right to an opinion. One of mine is that neither my very happy ownership experience with Heritage nor my membership on a Heritage forum precludes my ability to be objective: not all Heritage guitars sound, look, and play better than all Gibson guitars. Thankfully, there is also no need to make the comparison. Heritage guitars stand on their own. But I realize, that my be my opinion.

[Steiner]

That's right, mock my Cockney accent.

 

That's odd... I read your posts with a Scottish Baroque. After all, behind that tone-sucking, Hillbilly crowbar lays a colour reminiscent of a fine Spey Side single malt

[Twin]

including one on consignment from the president, Vince M.

 

and she's a screamer! Thanks Vince!

 

Kalamazoo is in depserate need of a real store, GC has it's place for misc. things but certainly not guitars or amps. Rick over at Kalamazoo Vintage was a pleasure to deal with and deals were to be had if you were willing to talk, he never did me wrong. Dillon's was also a great store along with the short lived Mucis Galaxy and the now defunked Farrow's, one would do very well in Kazoo with a store along the lines of Elderly (maybe not so pricey), with the in store jam sessions / performers and such. Certainly having musicians cater to musicians is a big plus instead of a stoned college drop out tyring to sell you on an overpriced guitar that is "discounted" like an ABC Wharehouse washing machine!

[Kuz]

I respect anyone's right to an opinion. One of mine is that neither my very happy ownership experience with Heritage nor my membership on a Heritage forum precludes my ability to be objective: not all Heritage guitars sound, look, and play better than all Gibson guitars. Thankfully, there is also no need to make the comparison. Heritage guitars stand on their own. But I realize, that my be my opinion.

 

If you read my original post, it was always had my preference of saying "I would", "it is MY hope". ect...

 

I never said every Heritage sounds better than ever Gibson ever made. But we as a society make generalized statements all the time, and Generally speaking, and from MY large number of experiences, Heritages generally look & sound (and with a correct set-up) play better than Gibson.

 

 

And that is my objective opinion due to numerous hand on experiences owning many of both brands.

 

We can agree that I am tired of the Heritage to Gibson comparisons. Again, let YOUR ears & eyes guide you. They made lead you in a different direction than mine did.

[Dick Seacup]

That's odd... I read your posts with a Scottish Baroque. After all, behind that tone-sucking, Hillbilly crowbar lays a colour reminiscent of a fine Spey Side single malt

 

Ooooh. The last bottle I had was Glenlivet 12yo. Fairly pedestrian and not what most might call "fine" in the context of single-malt. But, it did what it was called to do. I keep meaning to stop in to my local shop and pick up a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I've heard good (excellent!) things about that (but it's an Islay).

[blueox]

Twin said: "Kalamazoo is in depserate need of a real store, GC has it's place for misc. things but certainly not guitars or amps. Rick over at Kalamazoo Vintage was a pleasure to deal with and deals were to be had if you were willing to talk, he never did me wrong"

 

Recently, I received my 15%-off card in the mail from Guitar Center for Black Friday. If they sold Heritage, I'd be at their door when they opened up. As it is, about the only things I've bought from them include a MIDI cable and a guitar strap. I wish Kalamazoo Vintage could have stuck it out at least a little while longer, say through the holidays. I've done well with Elderly Instruments in Lansing and Woodwinds & Brasswinds in South Bend, along with Roxy in La Porte, IN. I don't think the Kalamazoo area could support an Elderly type store, since that type with the wide selection up in Lansing already exists within driving distance, as with the other two mentioned. Don't forget, we still have Broughton Music Center and Marshall Music. I've plugged Heritage to both stores. Marshall was approached by Ren, I believe, at the annual Fretboard Festival to carry Heritage, but the salesman had to defer to his management in Lansing which has not okayed the deal. I think Marshall Music would be a great place to offer Heritage, but Marshall already sells Gibson, so my feeling is that they could not sell Heritage, for whatever reason.

 

Twin said: " . . . she's a screamer! Thanks Vince!"

 

Further info and photo would be welcomed.