In 1908, Matsujiro Hoshino opened a bookstore in Nagoya, Japan called Hoshino Shoten. As time progressed, the owner grew fascinated by Salvador Ibanez guitars and began importing them from Spain. In 1935, Hoshino Gakki decided to start his own guitar brand called Ibanez. The late 80s and 90s were the most successful moments for the brand as the company landed highly sought-after musicians including Steve Vai and George Benson. (more…)
In 1965, Hoshino Gakki began manufacturing drums under the name “Star Drums”. By 1979, Hoshino decided to make a concerted effort to make high-quality drums and hardware and start marketing its drums under the Tama brand. Tama’s research and development of products, along with production of its professional and most expensive drums, is done in Seto, Japan, while its hardware and less expensive drums are manufactured in Guangzhou, China. (more…)
Korg was founded in 1962 in Japan by Tsutomu Katoh and Tadashi Osanai as Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd. Korg Inc. is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. Under the Vox brand name, they also manufacture guitar amplifiers and electric guitars. (more…)
Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a piano manufacturing company headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. In August 9, 1927, at the age of 41, Koichi Kawai established the Kawai Musical Instruments Research Laboratory at 200 Terajima-cho Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Kawai is best known for its grand pianos, upright pianos, electronic keyboards and electronic synthesizers. (more…)
The Avedis Zildjian Company, simply known as Zildjian is an American cymbal manufacturer founded in Constantinople by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century. He discovers a secret process for treating alloys and applies it to the art of making cymbals of extraordinary clarity and sustainability. The sultan’s famed Janissary bands are quick to adopt Avedis’ cymbals for daily calls to prayer, religious feasts, royal weddings and the Ottoman army. (more…)
Manufacturas Alhambra S.L., established in Spain in 1965, with 50 years of experience in the construction of the best handmade classical, flamenco and steel string guitars in the world. It has more than 14.000 square meters used for creating unique pieces using a perfect union between the tradition of handmade work and the most modern woodworking techniques. (more…)
In 1958, Tom Jennings and Dick Denney formed a company called Jennings Musical Instruments (JMI). Together they designed and built the first Vox amp, the AC-15. This amplifier, marked the very first appearance of the VOX name on a guitar amplifier and thus began an institution that has thrived for nearly 60 years. Vox has been owned by the Japanese electronics firm Korg since 1992, founded in Dartford, Kent, England. (more…)
Founded in 1924 by Mr. Franz Sandner from the village of Schoenbach, Germany, Franz Sandner pianos have established a reputation for making outstanding pianos in the German town of Neuhiem. With patiently acquired skills over years of relentless hard work and pursuit of perfection, the Franz Sandner name has come a long way to become a global brand representing fine quality and workmanship. (more…)
Dynatone is the first established as the Electrical instruments and became the 1st producer of electrical musical instruments in Korea since 1987. They have been developing and producing newer and better products with modern and sophisticated designs. They continue to provide a standard for acoustics and musical instruments around the world and provides a top of the line percussion instruments, strings, woodwinds and brasses. (more…)
Founded in 1974 by John DAddario, Sr. and his sons John, Jr. and Jim, D’Addario and Company. D’Addario is the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, and is a leading manufacturer in of accessories for fretted, bowed, percussion, and woodwind instruments. The family is currently represented by the fourth generation of D’Addarios who have made music strings in the United States, but their string-making roots can be traced back to the 1600s in Salle, Italy. (more…)
Founded in 1983, Medeli Electronics is a digital musical instrument developer and manufacturer based in Hong Kong. Medeli proved its early success in the 1980s by selling over 1 million units of its electric keyboard as a start, followed by the development of digital pianos, digital drums and other digital audio devices, adding greater dynamics to the product range. (more…)
Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. was founded as a small, family-owned and operated company in 1965, Located in Benicia, California. Grown to be a leading manufacturer of electronic effects, picks, capos, slides, strings and other musical instrument accessories. Dunlop is the home of such legendary products as the Cry Baby wah and Tortex picks. (more…)
