Music Force News

Indie goes for Gold

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EDT

Indie goes for Gold Gary Cooper Mar 31 2009, 12:33pm Indie guitars appoints Ashton UK distributor Indie, the British guitar brand with attitude, has appointed Ashton Music as its UK distributor. The move follows Indie's rapid growth in export markets, MI Pro understands, which Indie's Keith Willis (pictured, centre, with Ashton's Jon Gold, left, and Roger Seekings, right) says need his full attention. "When we decided that going the UK distribution route was indeed the right way forward for Indie we set a very strict criteria, almost unachievable!," Willis says. "The last thing we needed was to risk taking a backwards step, especially with Indie having so much positive energy surrounding it right now, so I was pleased to discover just how in tune Indie and Ashton are, the synergy is frightening! "It has been so easy working with Jon Gold and his team to get everything in place. We share the same ideals, the same views about the M.I. and more importantly share the same vision for the future "For me a partnership is not a partnership unless both sides benefit equally and I am pleased to say that is exactly what is happening here. There is a great twist too, as I believe the independent UK dealers will benefit most of all - just watch this space as things will definitely not stay the same: they will get better!" Ashton's Jon Gold added, "The more we talked, the clearer it became that Indie an Ashton have a tremendous amount in common and are going to work together as a great team. There's a lot of excitement about Indie's guitars, both here and overseas and it comes at a perfect time for us at Ashton as we consolidate our position as a distributor of other brands, as well as Ashton itself." Asked if the appointment by Indie, which follows last year's gaining of the fast-growing Sparrow guitar line, was part of a brand acquisition programme, Gold said: "Without a doubt. We are moving ahead to the next phase of the company's growth, so watch this space!"

Ashton Wins Mariner Distribution

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EDT

Ashton Wins Mariner Distribution Gary Cooper Oct 9 2008, 11:55am Ashton Music to distribute Mariner guitars in UK and Ireland Ashton Music, has won the UK and Ireland distribution rights for the new Mariner acoustic guitar range, recently announced by former Peavey UK MD, Ken Achard. The agreement was concluded at Ashton headquarters on October 7th and the two parties issued the following joint statement: �The emergence of a new premium guitar brand is a significant event in the music industry. Mariner Guitars and Ashton UK are pleased to reveal plans for their strategic partnership that will plot the direction of the Mariner brand from the outset. Firmly established as one of the fastest growing distributors in the United Kingdom and Ireland Ashton can offer the high standard of service and support that Mariner demands. A separate division within Ashton will focus efforts as a brand champion.� Commenting on the deal, Mariner founder Ken Achard said, �There is a lot of obvious synergy between Mariner and Ashton, where Jon Gold has driven the company forward since my initial involvement. And of course Arthur Achard will be centrally involved from both sides of the relationship. With Ashton managing distribution I will be able to maintain focus on product development and our international plans.� Jon Gold, Managing Director of Ashton Music welcomed Mariner into the Ashton portfolio saying, �This is a perfect fit for us as we develop our catalogue. With Mariner and Sparrow we have two premium brands to sit comfortably above our benchmark entry-level Ashton products. Both new brands will be marketed individually through specialist authorised dealerships.� www.marinerguitars.com

Ashton rebrands as The Music Force

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:28:00 EDT

Ashton rebrands as The Music Force

Gary Cooper Jun 1 2009, 12:02am

New name reflects shift of emphasis as business grows, says MD

Ashton Music, the fast-growing distribution company has announced it is changing its name to The Music Force Distribution from today, 1st June.

Explaining the change, managing director Jon Gold said: "When we started over three years ago, Ashton was our sole brand and the company a subsidiary of Australis Music. However, following the management buyout in 2007 by myself and Roger Seekings, the long term plan was to build on our success and become a fully fledged distribution company. Whilst Ashton remains a key part of our business, the trading name doesn't really reflect what we have now become.

"With the addition of three more established brands in GigSkinz, Indie and ENGL already this year, we felt that the time had come for a new name that best represents what we now are and one that gives equal prominence to all of our brands, whilst being less confusing to our customers.

"We have also invested greatly in a new customer service management facility that will come into effect at the beginning of July and a new web site that can also be accessed by our retail partners 24/7, to check stock, place orders and download manuals, artwork or price lists.

"These are exciting times for our company and we are extremely grateful to our loyal team and retail partners who have helped us achieve so much over the past few years and we fully intend to repay that loyalty with even more support and improved service for them. With the infrastructure in place we will look to add more brands in future if they complement and enhance our existing portfolio".

Music Force will be showcasing Ashton, Sparrow, ENGL, Indie, Mariner and GigSkinz at the forthcoming London International Music Show.

The Music Force: 01780 781630

Engl Amplification Announces New Partner for the UK &Ireland

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:27:00 EDT

Engl Amplification Announces New Partner for the UK & Ireland

ENGL Amplification one of the worlds most prestigious and successful makers of Guitar Amplification has announced a new distribution partnership with one of the UK’s fastest growing distributers “Ashton Music”.
The new agreement which comes into force with immediate effect will see ENGL widely available in the UK and Ireland and will be supported by a dedicated field sales team, service centre and major marketing campaign, that will also include a large presence at next months “London International Music show”, where there will be live demo’s and guest appearances from some of ENGL’s star endorsee’s including the world exclusive launch of the new ENGL Fireball amp head.
Commenting on the move Ashton Music’s MD Jon Gold said “I have long admired the ENGL brand and the quality it stands for, it’s growth in the USA and Europe over the past few years has been phenomenal and we are very excited about the prospect of working with the ENGL family and key UK retail partners to replicate this success here and we have some great initiatives planned to help reward and support the existing dealers which will be our initial prime objective, before introducing other quality retailers to the joys of ENGL at The London International Music Show and there afterwards”.
Chris Schlossarek ENGL’s MD said “We are very excited at the prospect of bringing ENGL to the next level in the mother country of Rock ‘n’ Roll and we now have a partner that share’s the same passion, ideals and vision as ENGL. We are very confident that the future for the brand and it’s customers in the UK is going to be very exciting and rewarding for all and the forthcoming London show is a great place to start”
Contact Ashton Music 01780 781630

Ashton Music Has Been Appointed The Exclusive Distributor For Sparrow Guitars

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:26:00 EDT

Ashton Music has been appointed the exclusive distributor for �Sparrow� hand painted Guitars. The Canadian based manufacturer that has been making waves in the USA headed by Guitar designer and luthier �Billy Bones�.

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Commenting on the appointment Ashton Music MD Jon Gold said �We have spent the last two years working with our independent retail partners to ensure that the �Ashton� brand has been a success and is the preferred choice for quality, value and profit for independent retailers and their customers and the intention was to always in time acquire other exciting none conflicting brands that could be distributed efficiently through our existing infrastructure and network of selected retailers and that time is now�. The concept, uniqueness and value for money Guitars that Billy and his team have developed is amazing and from the reaction we had to them from retailers who had a �Sneak peek� at the recent London Show, the future for them in the UK looks very exciting indeed and with the recent launch of the new Ashton 2008 Catalogue, I am very confident that we will soon have a well rounded and valuable proposition for our customers.

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�Sparrow Guitars� was founded three years ago when Billy devised a way to import bare bone guitars from factories in Asia�the same ones used by �American made� guitar companies like Gibson and Fender�dismantle the instruments and completely overhaul them with new hardware, fretwork, electronics, paint and artwork informed by what Bones calls �classic cool �50s greasy stuff.� In other words, hotrods, motorcycles, pinball, tattoos and rock �n� roll.

�The goal is to make a guitar that a kid can afford to play that�s going to sound

great, so the last three years has been us trying to develop that,� Sparrow offers five guitar models in seven finishes and various styles of hand painted pin-striping and flames with names like Big Daddy, Rat Rod and Twang Master and range in price from �399 RRP for a �Twangmaster Pro to �799 RRP for a fully loaded hand painted �Big Daddy Ace� with a �Bigsby� Tremolo and �Sparrow� case.

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"We are excited to have our guitars available in the UK through Ashton Music" said Sparrow Guitars President Billy Bones. "Many influential musicians and artists � including The Clash, Sex Pistols and Rolling Stones � came from the UK and we hope to contribute to that legacy by having our guitars available there moving forward."

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All �Sparrow� Guitars are completely designed, assembled, hand painted and set up in Canada using bone nuts, stainless steel frets, �Kent Armstrong� pick ups and Grover Machine Heads (Boss & Ace Models) and customers can even choose and pre order their own choice of customised hand painted graphics and finish.

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For further information call The Ashton Sales Team on 01780 781630

Arthur Achard (Area Sales Manager) 07734816799

Mark Hedge (Area Sales Manager) 07733320288

www.sparrowguitars.com

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Billy Bones and his �Big Daddy Ace�