As a Sam Ash employee I can tell that it is NOT a rumor. We were just notified this morning that we will be closing our remaining stores the signs “store closing” and “everything must go” have already been put up. The process has begun. They gave us about 2 months until we’re officially closed
I’m sorry :( how can customers get access to the best deals on best inventory? Are they going to update online inventories, any plans for a formal sale?
I for one will definitely miss Sam Ash. I live in Northern New Jersey and would three different Sam Ash stores. Over the years, I have purchased many great guitars from those three stores that I still own and cherish. I wish something could be done to save them.
Hate to hear it. I've only been to NYC once and it was Memorial Day Weekend, late 90's and spent sunday walking around and ended up at the Manhattan Sam Ash and bought a Gibson Songbird Deluxe. After that i bought a 2 pup Melody Maker online in 2008. Sad to see so many Well Known Retailers close down. Good Luck and God Bless in the future.
Sweetwater should buy all the Sam Ash locations and turn it into their brick and mortar devision. It’s the one thing Sweetwater is lacking in and as great as their online service is having some locations for people to try out gear would make them unmatched in all areas.
I love the idea, but I think the key to their success is not having the overhead of multiple brick and mortar. Maybe they expand to a couple locations, but I think buying Sam Ash for the locations would hurt them more than help.
@@StreetsOfVancouverChannel For pre-packaged items, sure. But for guitars, I’m not sure. Guitar Center arguably has the best brick and click model in the music instrument space, and I wouldn’t say they are thriving currently. And that’s while mom and pop shops continue to close reducing their competition.
That's too bad. Several years ago I went to Sam Ash and Guitar Center in Richmond, VA, right next door to each other, looking for an SG. Bought from Sam Ash for the hands on, helpful customer service versus the Guitar Center crew who didn't acknowledge my existence.
That’s my hometown store as well, I can also attest to the superiority of the Sam Ash over Guiter Center, but at the end it was sadly a race to the bottom as they ran out of inventory
I don’t have a Sam ash near me but I’m still saddened to never have been into one. I know GC gets a bad rep but my local GC has phenomenal staff and I’ve become good friends with one of the managers there that has treated me with kindness and always hooked me up when he could. Sooner or later GC could also fall as online seems to be the way.
It really sucks altogether whether it's Sam Ash, Guitar Center or any other brick & mortar music store, IMO. I feel bad more so for all the up & coming budding musicians who are gonna miss out on the vibe & connection in music stores that we had growing up. It might sound silly & no big deal to others but having all the music & record stores we had growing up were a special place & part of our lives. Then again we were spoiled having to walk home after school every day with stores like GC & Tower Records to hangout in on The Strip. I realize whoever's been running the show @GC for the past couple decades really f%cked up the management. But, believe it or not the GC store in Hollyweird back in the 80's was definitely hard to beat, no bout a doubt it. Newest top gear, very knowledgeable staff, cool people & a kick-azz time in life to be alive! Just saying... +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friends+ 🤘😜🤘
Worked at radioshack during the downfall, it was engineered on purpose by the same ceo moron who came in to cash out on kmarts demise. I am annoyed everyday still there is a lack of electronics parts stores now in America. It was super cool being into music and having all the parts handy to build pedals.
@@DjDoggDad there was one near a heavy machinery plant near where I live that still had a decent supply of electronics parts at least until 2013 or so. Nothing like it now though, that I’m aware of
If you don't "OWN" the land your brick and mortar store is located on, you're at the mercy of the landlord and you are screwed ! I'm sure the "RENT" on a lot of Sammy's stores were starting to approach the stratosphere level. I've seen this happen a lot lately !
Unfortunately that is true. Combo is stupid landlords and states like California doing everything they can to ruin just about every business possible including retail and property ownership. Terrible state to own property in. Fees and taxes for everything including things that don't exist.
Yep rent's gone up 30, 40% or more over the past few years. Residential, commercial, across the board. Most retail sales, not on the same increasing rate, most are declining. Look at the malls closing. It's everywhere
Growing up in NY, my buddies and I would go to Sam Ash and Manny’s to ogle the guitars we could only dream of owning. Now in my 70’s and long since having moved away from NY, it is still sad to think that they are both gone (or soon to be for SA).
I loved Manny's and Rudy's music as well on 48th Street. But Sam Ash was the place to go. There store in Hempstead was pretty cool and so was the Brooklyn store were I my first decent electric back in the mid 70's. Haven't lived in NY since late 70's but when I visit I usually pop in to one of their stores. Until recently I lived in Phoenix and they had a decent store their as well, good people.
@@mr.b4444 I left NY in 69. Coincidently, my father had a restaurant down the street from the Hempstead store. My first real guitar, a Guild Starfire III came from there.
I own a small mom & pop music shop in Key West Florida - it’s been a really hard business to survive throughout the years (almost 30 years: 15 in Pa & 15 in KW) I agree that although It’s very sad to see a GREAT legendary MUSIC store like them go out of business, I’m sure it will help those small stores like mine stay alive longer - long live the mom & pop shops!!!! ❤️🙏🏻🎸🙏🏻❤️🎸🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻🎸🎸🎸 RIP SAM ASH🪦💀🪦
That's kinda how I knew something was up. Was in the market for a new Epiphone x Gibson Custom guitar, and noticed they weren't getting them and didn't have them listed on their site...
Yeah, I worked for a top German firearms manufacturing and I was their inventory man. I had a heads up the location was going to be closed and moved down south. I gave my word not to tell the other employees that our location was closing. This however, didn't stop me from giving subtle hints and making comments. They didn't want to hear it! Even when our location wasn't receiving parts for the production line. They were in total denial even when I would say, I don't know about you guys, this doesn't look good, this isnt a good sign, I'm worried, we might have to start looking for new jobs. They actually got pissed at me and told me to knock it off. After that, I said, F them! ha 5 weeks later the bloodbath happened. The bigwigs flew in, marched in at 8 am unannounced and started doing the walk of shame, one by one they were led to the conference room. Given their severance pay and walked to the elevator. ha
As a former Circuit City store manage in Nashville, its too bad they made some very bad decisions. One of the worst ones was removing commissioned sales people and replacing them with hourly paid order takers that knew nothing about the products.
I remember that almost to the day. Like one trip circuit city was super helpful and friendly and the next nobody knew anything or cared you were there.
Bought my first guitar at Sam Ash on 48th St's music Row in New York City in 1986. $250 for a Yamaha fg450s with the Eagle headstock and brown hardshell case. Still my favorite guitar.
So many memories growing up on Long Island with the Sam Ash in Hempstead and then after their move to Carle Place. Bought so much gear from them over the years. Will be missed.
Hempstead?! Wow, you go back a long way! I started playing guitar in '73, that was my store, since I lived in Uniondale. Carle Place was great for Pro Audio going into the 90s.
Yep - i'm right there with ya.. I date back to the Hempstead store too... with Gracins music across the way... good old days i guess. They were an icon from before my time... and never really thought they'd ever close up... but... here we are.
That’s a bummer. The 2 here in Orlando never really did have the best customer service but it was always fun to check out. I did by one of my favorite Strats as well from Sam Ash.
This goes back to my thoughts on Rickenbacker, and their business model. They are not a direct buy company and are quite frankly the farthest thing from a direct buy company. They have long since said themselves that dealers are their customers. People criticize them for keeping a low inventory, and producing a small supply to fit the demand, but economically they are the most stable brand out there, and have never had to deal with bankruptcy, or the financial strains of large manufactures or dealerships in general. In an expansionist world, where people seek enormous profits, Rickenbacker has maintained its small, but sustainable business model, and been able to reap the benefits of just being slow and steady.
I got my first instrument from Daddy's Junky Music across from Berkley back in '78. Still have that drum kit to this day. Shopped at the Buffalo store quite a bit when I lived there too. Sad to see them gone. Never really dealt with Sam Ash.
Sam Ash was once one of my favorite music stores in my city. It slowly got to a point where we would see nothing but lower end guitars marketed more towards students since they were going more of the lessons route. Somehow they still had Fenders and Gibsons but finding a semi-niche brand like ESP or PRS was like finding a needle in a haystack. The only reason I'd come bsck was because their guitar tech was phenomenal and didn't like how he was forced to upcharge the price of his setups. I wonder where he's at now. A better place of work I hope.
Yeah, I love that store and everyone working there is cool. That being said, I get my guitars from Sweetwater. There is a nice guitar shop in Tarpon Springs where I live that sets up my guitars. He only sells used so he is able to survive.
I wished it was Guitar Center closing all stores and Sam Ash keeping all stores open. I used to go to the Hollywood Sam Ash and play the upright bass for about an hour. No one cared. It was great!
There’s one the town I work in also. As a former Kmart manager, I will also confirm that (believe it or not) there are still a few Kmart and Sears stores that are open.
My local Sam Ash has nothing like the discounts you showed. At least as of May 2, 2024 there is a liquidators in charge and the local sales team, management included, no longer have discretion on the discounts. They have a chart showing what discounts are allowed by department or item category. The discounts available yesterday ranged between 5% and 20% with most things being at the 5% level, e.g. guitars, amps, strings, tools, picks, etc. And deals are not necessarily to be made. I asked about a Marshall Origin 50 the had new, just out of the box. They had it for $749 while Sweetwater has is down to $629. Sam Ash will price match, but won't add the discount on top of that. AND, all sales are final, no returns, although warranties remain valid. It's really sad, because I'd rather deal with them than with the GC next door. Some really nice people work there.
We used to go to the Sam Ash store in Brooklyn at Kings Highway and Coney Island Avenue. I remember Mrs. Ash used to be at the cash register. Who is the take the stairs up and she always welcome us. I bought my first to Gibsons in that location. My 1966 ES 335 and my 1970 SG standard. Wonderful store. But like George Harrison said “All things must pass”
Wonderful woman. Do you remember there was a man I don’t know what you would call his position if he was a guard or what,But after that location closed he was at the Sam Ash on Flatbush Ave. off ave U.I don’t remember his name
I remember when that Sam Ash was there before they moved to Flatbush. Norm’s music was in that area too. I was high school kid, but I would just go in there dreaming to own some of the gear. They knew I wasn’t going to buy, but they always treated me nice. I purchased so much from Sam Ash over the years. All because they treated some kid nice.
I remember that store well, right on the corner and upstairs, catty-corner from the movie theater, and then it moved to a few blocks in, can't remember what street, but like two streets closer to the train station and off of Kings Hgwy, where Buddy's music once was. There was a Crazy Eddie's about half a block down from that location too.
And again... yep... that was the old neighborhood, and my old SamAsh store as well. Then they moved to "Paul J. Ash" (Sam's second oldest kid... who I knew for many years)..on E13th off Kings Highway... and does anyone remember Norms Music that was on the other side of Coney Island Ave? Man... I been at it awhile... lol
Here in Canada, we have Long & Mcquade. They have over 100 stores, coast to coast, plus an online retail presence. You can rent whatever you need for almost any gig and buy almost any instrument or gear you need. They're doing just fine and continue to expand. Proof brick and morter is far from dead.
L&M is generally good. I think the big thing with some of the US chains is that they have been bought out using leveraged buyouts and then their debt load is too high and they can’t make it. Not sure about SA, but I know GC has had that problem.
This is a pretty emotional thing for us old-timers. Lots of memories. As an 11-year-old in 1967, I used to take three buses to get to the Sam Ash on Kings Highway in Brooklyn… Just about every weekend. So my fondness for the store goes beyond the musical part. It connects to a time when an 11-year-old kid COULD take the buses in Brooklyn alone, or with his buddies.
I did Taylor Guitar Roadhshows at soooo many Sam Ash stores. Spent time at headquarters with Sammy, Ritchie and the team. This is really sad, I have a lot of great memories touring to the stores. First roadshows I ever did were 48th street in time square, New Haven, Cherry Hill NJ and Philly... 2006, all T5's. wow...I just walked down memory lane watching this...Thanks for the video boys:).
I am headed to Sam Ash Philly today to say goodby. I worked there for several years and met some amazing people. My first time in Sam Ash was shortly before I moved to NYC. Between here, Manny's & Rogue, a lot of hours were spent. They always took the time to answer questions and offer advice to a struggling studio nerd. I am sad to see it go.
Not too surprised given the state of the Sam Ash in my area (suburban Chicago). But a bummer, because I've scored some crazy deals there - like $1400 for a new American Original Telecaster when they were discontinued.
The key takeaway here is that "manufacturers are trying to go direct". Don't need the middleman anymore. Why should Gibson sell at dealer prices and let the dealer make a markup, when they can just take the markup for themselves? Happy 100th anniversary Sam Ash.
Discretionary income is at it lowest level in 40 years, inflation is higher than Carter levels, online retailers are eating up the low end sales, and Sam Ash didn't offer anything different or better than GC, Sweetwater, or any of the boutique stores like CME or Casino.
A couple of years ago I looked at every music store there was trying to get a Yamaha montage. I finally called a Sam Ash store in Southern California and they located one for me in Florida. They were absolutely great and got it shipped out to me when nobody else could even find one. I’m very sad to see them go.
This is a bummer. The shopping experience was so much better at the local (Cincinnati) Sam Ash than GC. I actually appreciate that they didn't have a sales guy breathing down your neck the minute you pick up an instrument. They also left the acoustics unlocked, even the high end stuff. Was great for trying out out bunch of guitars you normally wouldn't.
Sad day for the music industry, when I was in junior high in 69-70 I used to cut school and hang out at the store on Kings Highway, the walls of Kustom and Fender amps was a sight to behold. And all the shinny Fenders, Gretsches and Gibsons in the glass cabinets were get me drooling. My dad used to get his woodwind reeds from the elder Sam Ash at the original store. Sam Ash is a music industry icon.
Before I got promoted to my current job, years ago, the dept I was in was facing hard times. We had a big division meeting where they told us they weren’t going to lay off a bunch of people and then a couple of weeks later they laid off a bunch of people. I just got the new position in another dept when that happened, so phew! I’ve never been to a Sam Ash but still sad news!
That's sad to hear. I have a Sam Ash directly across the street from Guitar Center here in Raleigh. It's a nice big store with a wide variety of gear. I guess this will help GC hang on a little longer.
My Carlo Robelli archtop, "Manhatten" @ $450, with solid spruce top, made by Peerless, (before they got too big for their britches) was a great guitar from my favorite music center: Sam Ash. Years ago, I always found Sam Ash out of Orlando the best. Always having exceptional courtesy and price flexibility: from the Carlo Robelli electric violin, jazz & bass guitars to my entire recording studio: Kawai sequencer/MP9000 keyboard/Alesis S4Plus/Studiomaster P7-24/Lexicon reverb/9 piece Groove Percussion maple sets combining their fusion & travel sets (for under a grand); & Boss, DR770. The only items purchased outside of Sam Ash were B&W Nautilus, Shoeps & Mogami with Neutriks. Those were days when I had some money.
Bought my Gibson LP from my local Sam Ash in 20’ right before the world went to hell. Also made a good friend that day. Side note the LP was NOS that was signed off by Gibson tech on my 40th bday.
They were awesome! They held amazing artist clinics at my Indianapolis store. They had a party-like atmosphere there with open mic nights, local band performances, and lots of inventory. Their slogan was, "We love it when you touch the stuff," and it was easy to demo anything they had in stock. I bought an LTD H-200 there around 1999, some effects, and lots of accessories before they went under. I still have a Mars Music guitar pick somewhere...
I got up the nerve to contact Sammy Ash directly regarding carrying my products. He was cool and welcomed me to supply all his stores. I was ecstatic, of course. Sorry to hear of his passing and now the store closings.
Cherry Hill store is nothing but Squire and Michael Kelly. Sad selection of amps. Mostly solid state stuff and a Marshall Origin. It's a shame. Sam Ash used to be a very cool place to shop.
@@MaurysMusic Definitely. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything I needed, or I'd have bought something. The guitars I pulled off the wall, many had fret sprout.
I used to go in to buy a pack of strings, and the price would be way more than listed on their own website. When I asked for a price match TO THEIR OWN WEBSITE, I would get attitude. Shouldn't have to go to that trouble, so stopped going.
I bought a strap from Sam Ash a couple of years ago. Still a LOT more than I ever spent at Guitar Denter. In other news I've been reading about a lot of coffee shops and places that shut down in the middle of the day and run the customers out of the place. At that point I doubt they are worried about customer loyalty.
The Phoenix store is just a couple miles from me and has been my Go To store. I have a card with them. We have gotten all of our guitars and drums from that store for the past 20 some years. This is devastating to us. Guitar Center closed my card just a few months after I got it 🤷.
Synchrony will close your retail card if you don't use it. Had that happen with another retailer. I got a gear card for the perks but always pay it off as the interest is crazy, almost 30%.
@@wikolib6821 yeah, I know that. I didn't have it that long and I had went in and bought a guitar strap just to make sure they wouldn't shut it off. I got it so I could buy the Fender Steve Harris P bass. I was going to go order it and my card was shut off. My Sam Ash card is with Synchronicity also. I go months in-between using it. And it never gets shut off. And I pay off my large purchases way early so I don't pay any interest. Thanks though.
I just bought my dream guitar (New 912ce Builders Edition) from the Sam Ash Reverb store at 45% off. This guitar retails for $6k and was able to get it for almost half the price. After a few counter offers on Reverb, they agreed to let it go and I feel like I won a lottery. I’m guessing some sales rep that was about to be let go wanted to cash out on some final commissions, and it worked out for both of us 😎🤘
Bummer news. I bought a Gibson Les Paul CM from there a few years back when it was on clearance. It was my first time going into that store and I was surprised at how lonely it was in there.
I'd been kind of wondering how much longer they were going to last. My local Sam Ash is located directly next to the Guitar Center and I'd always default to going to Sam Ash first. The employees felt more genuine and knowledgable and excited to be able to talk to people about something they genuinely loved. I'm gonna miss it. I hope the employees end up ok, I know two months isn't a lot of time to try and find something new, but at least they were made aware and there's still time.
I went to High School in the 70s. I went to a "Progressive" School, So they were ok with me NOT going to school, as long as I was productive. So every morning I'd get a cup of coffee in school and after Homeroom I'd go to Sam Ash and open the store with the fellas. Now these guys knew I was never going to buy anything but they gave me the run of the store and I could play any guitar I wanted. I played Pedal Steel there until they sold it, I was terrible at it, so I think they wanted it out of the store. They would remind me I had to go catch my bus home. I did this everyday Sophomore year. Guy named Tom Farmer, Tom Dubis, Rich Bartel were all guys I became good friends with, Its like closing record stores, end of an era and makes me sad. I could spend a week shopping for guitars. Shame really
Its like closing record stores. For some of us this is a serious Sears sized store of memories. The owner always had an excellent stereo system and was always playing something interesting. At times, he would open and play an album side for a customer. Hours looking thorough record jackets, at the pictures and reading the notes. Buying an album and taking it home and playing it for the first time. I still remember opening and playing TYA's album for the first time and remember the final song, "Seed Kills". And opening up Master's of Reality and unfolding the poster with the band under the branches of the tree...... Stuff today's music enthusiasts will never experience.
In 2018 snagged a used Epi Les Paul Florentine in fantastic shape for $300 shipped. Deals like that might have had something to do with this. I still love the guitar. Sad to see them closing.
I used to go to Ash when they were new in my area just to see if I liked them better than GC, but then the one time I wanted to buy electronic stuff, I had to buy it online for the discounts, then it had to ship all the way BACK from Fla to California where it was origin or something and FedX dumps it all on my driveway right in front of me in big heap, so don't know how much of stuff was internally damaged. At least one thing never really worked right but by the time you figure out if something's wrong, the return window already closed, etc. They kept refusing to take back this one PA system that couldn't do more than blow speakers, and finally the one guy stood up to the manager or whatever and gave me a nice Ibanez archtop guitar in exchange. I paid for the service contract deal and then never used it before I sold the guitar, but now I wish I had kept the guitar maybe because I don't think I can ever afford the Gibson version. Overall I grade them acceptable, I guess, but GC usually slightly lower prices?
I went today to my local store. Totally bummed that the community space for musicians will be gone. I used to spend hours there when I was younger. Bought my 1st guitar there in ‘97 The guy I bought it from is the manger currently (or at least until the last day) New guitar discount: 5% that’s it.
The economy has nothing to do with it. To 100% customer service and inventory selection. Same reason to Guitar center is failing 100% customer service selection is not in their stores! I've been in this business for 40 years. The lack of customer service inventory is despicable no point in even having a brick-and-mortar store!
100 years. A full century, and this is how it ends?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Rest in peace, Sam Ash. 1924-2024. I used to love going to Sam Ash just to look at and play all the instruments. It was even my first music store!!! I can’t believe this is how it ends.
Just went in to one of the three in the Miami, it looked like they just found out. Nothing was even marked down yet, felt very bad for all the employees. Shop was well stocked and maintained too. Just no customers. :(
A long, long time ago, a retailing duo by the name of Sears & Roebuck did not build stores across the young nation when the Continental Railway was built. They had a catalog, and offered everything by mail order. As America developed a hands-on, want-it-now shopping mentality, they built stores everywhere. Now that the internet has developed and retailers are getting on board, they know they just don't need the real estate, regulatory demands, employees (and associated expenses) of brick & mortar, AND could simultaneously improve consistent delivery AND profits.
One of my local GC locations is right across the street from a Sam Ash. 😂. One day I was in SA trying out some Strats and the guy kept putting cool guitars in my hands and came over and turned the amp UP. GREAT sales tactic. Of course I was dead set on an AVII ‘61 Strat in three tone sunburst and they didn’t have one but I almost bought something else.
Hey guys, I’m genuinely curious, can you guys do a video detailing how a store like yours manages to succeed versus these big box stores? You guys seem to have a good grasp on the industry since you’re in the middle of it and as an outsider this is something I’m genuinely interested in. Heck maybe even the remaining big box stores can learn something before it’s too late for them too (guitar center I’m looking at you)
Back in 1974 or so in New York when I was in my early teens I purchased my first "decent " guitar in their Brooklyn store. It was a Carlo Robelli copy of a Les Paul standard. Richie Ash who I believe is the CEO today sold me that guitar. He had a big fro' and was showing off a Mike Mathews Freedom amp playing a Gibson SG. He was In his late teens I guess at the time and a little cocky, but he gave me a good deal on that guitar. Sam Ash was a much better store than the other big music store franchises at the time. Sorry to see them fold up.
Got my ‘66 Pro Reverb (used of course) at a Sam Ash in the mid ‘90s, along with my first ‘nice’ electric guitar (Fender ‘57 Reissue Strat). Knew some good people who worked there back then. Not great to hear this news. All the best to the folks who work at these stores, really crummy news.
Another BTW to my previous comment: Micheal at the Sam Ash website confirmed that while the physical stores are closing, they will retain an online presence, at least for a while. They are NOT letting go of any of their online staff for the time being. Just the brick and mortar employees. So don't hesitate to go to their website.
Good in so glad.... it's store like this with 500% totally in unnecessary mark up . That prevented me from buying a new guitar.... thank you Amazon for delivering affordable merchandise
I support my two GCs as much as possible. Fender just dropped their Player prices to 679, good for consumers but yet another indicator that the economy ain't so great.
Sad news! I just picked up a new case from my local Sam Ash this passed weekend. They had options that no other stores had locally, and it was a great price!
If someone passes away right. Im one hundred percent sure that the owner of Sam AShes music stories he does not want this business to die down because Sam AShes stores has to keep it going. Because the owner does not want that because he will turn over his grave 🪦 and say why did they close down Sam AShes stores down. Make the own proud and let's say keep the sam ashes music 🎶🎵 stores going fourth in Jesus Christ. I'm very sorry to hear about the owner had pass . My condolences goes out to his family. We must go fourth and find a new Byers and owners for Sam AShes stores. The holly bible saids old things will pass away and the furmer things become new.
If I'm wrong tell me, but once humans were taken out of the equation of performing with instruments, the end was inevitable. If all people are doing is using programs to make music, this should be expected.
The end of an era for sure. I shopped and knew many of the guys that worked at several of the NY stores- Flatbush Ave , W48th St and Queens Blvd. Way before Sweetwater or QC there were relationships with your local music store guys. The guys at Sam Ash were those guys
Bummer. The huntington sam ash sold me a gloss finish PRS standard 22 for $1100 last summer, and a cool korean hollowbody branded as "peerless" years prior to that. Appreciated the deals on both. RIP SA
As a Sam Ash employee I can tell that it is NOT a rumor. We were just notified this morning that we will be closing our remaining stores the signs “store closing” and “everything must go” have already been put up. The process has begun. They gave us about 2 months until we’re officially closed
I’m sorry :( how can customers get access to the best deals on best inventory? Are they going to update online inventories, any plans for a formal sale?
I hope you and all the employees or Sam Ash all get jobs and are ok.
Sorry for what happened to you and your team. It is not your fault. The next 2 months will be hard. Best luck to you.
I for one will definitely miss Sam Ash. I live in Northern New Jersey and would three different Sam Ash stores. Over the years, I have purchased many great guitars from those three stores that I still own and cherish. I wish something could be done to save them.
Hate to hear it. I've only been to NYC once and it was Memorial Day Weekend, late 90's and spent sunday walking around and ended up at the Manhattan Sam Ash and bought a Gibson Songbird Deluxe. After that i bought a 2 pup Melody Maker online in 2008. Sad to see so many Well Known Retailers close down. Good Luck and God Bless in the future.
Sweetwater should buy all the Sam Ash locations and turn it into their brick and mortar devision. It’s the one thing Sweetwater is lacking in and as great as their online service is having some locations for people to try out gear would make them unmatched in all areas.
That’s a good idea
I love the idea, but I think the key to their success is not having the overhead of multiple brick and mortar.
Maybe they expand to a couple locations, but I think buying Sam Ash for the locations would hurt them more than help.
@@williekenkBrick and Clicks have cheaper overhead
@@StreetsOfVancouverChannel For pre-packaged items, sure. But for guitars, I’m not sure. Guitar Center arguably has the best brick and click model in the music instrument space, and I wouldn’t say they are thriving currently.
And that’s while mom and pop shops continue to close reducing their competition.
I mean its either that or stay in business. I guess we'll see what they choose to do!
That's too bad. Several years ago I went to Sam Ash and Guitar Center in Richmond, VA, right next door to each other, looking for an SG. Bought from Sam Ash for the hands on, helpful customer service versus the Guitar Center crew who didn't acknowledge my existence.
I bought an Epiphone from Sam Ash Richmond. Nice guys
That’s my hometown store as well, I can also attest to the superiority of the Sam Ash over Guiter Center, but at the end it was sadly a race to the bottom as they ran out of inventory
I don’t have a Sam ash near me but I’m still saddened to never have been into one. I know GC gets a bad rep but my local GC has phenomenal staff and I’ve become good friends with one of the managers there that has treated me with kindness and always hooked me up when he could. Sooner or later GC could also fall as online seems to be the way.
It really sucks altogether whether it's Sam Ash, Guitar Center or any other brick & mortar music store, IMO. I feel bad more so for all the up & coming budding musicians who are gonna miss out on the vibe & connection in music stores that we had growing up. It might sound silly & no big deal to others but having all the music & record stores we had growing up were a special place & part of our lives. Then again we were spoiled having to walk home after school every day with stores like GC & Tower Records to hangout in on The Strip. I realize whoever's been running the show @GC for the past couple decades really f%cked up the management. But, believe it or not the GC store in Hollyweird back in the 80's was definitely hard to beat, no bout a doubt it. Newest top gear, very knowledgeable staff, cool people & a kick-azz time in life to be alive! Just saying... +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friends+ 🤘😜🤘
I bought a '08 Gibson SG standard at the Richmond store. 2012 or so... it was used with case for $699... the good ole days!
Nooo!! That sucks so bad. Damn. Vegas Sam Ash are my boys. Real sweet dudes. Man... Bummer days.
The other great store to go down was Radio Shack.
The best during Christmas in the 80s and 90s!
Worked at radioshack during the downfall, it was engineered on purpose by the same ceo moron who came in to cash out on kmarts demise. I am annoyed everyday still there is a lack of electronics parts stores now in America. It was super cool being into music and having all the parts handy to build pedals.
@@DjDoggDad there was one near a heavy machinery plant near where I live that still had a decent supply of electronics parts at least until 2013 or so. Nothing like it now though, that I’m aware of
Yes! I bought so many kool electronic things there. I even built my first distortion box from their parts. 😞
I miss Radio Shack
If you don't "OWN" the land your brick and mortar store is located on, you're at the mercy of the landlord and you are screwed !
I'm sure the "RENT" on a lot of Sammy's stores were starting to approach the stratosphere level. I've seen this happen a lot lately !
That's what happened to the GC in Terre Haute. Landlord raised the rent, corporate said, "nope".
Exactly , thats why even the Mom & Pop Stores of all types cant hang in there as well . Buy your building whenever possible !
Unfortunately that is true. Combo is stupid landlords and states like California doing everything they can to ruin just about every business possible including retail and property ownership. Terrible state to own property in. Fees and taxes for everything including things that don't exist.
Yep rent's gone up 30, 40% or more over the past few years. Residential, commercial, across the board. Most retail sales, not on the same increasing rate, most are declining. Look at the malls closing. It's everywhere
Growing up in NY, my buddies and I would go to Sam Ash and Manny’s to ogle the guitars we could only dream of owning. Now in my 70’s and long since having moved away from NY, it is still sad to think that they are both gone (or soon to be for SA).
I loved Manny's and Rudy's music as well on 48th Street. But Sam Ash was the place to go. There store in Hempstead was pretty cool and so was the Brooklyn store were I my first decent electric back in the mid 70's. Haven't lived in NY since late 70's but when I visit I usually pop in to one of their stores. Until recently I lived in Phoenix and they had a decent store their as well, good people.
@@mr.b4444 I left NY in 69. Coincidently, my father had a restaurant down the street from the Hempstead store. My first real guitar, a Guild Starfire III came from there.
@@mr.b4444 My dad had a restaurant in Hempstead, across the street and down the block from Sam Ash.
I own a small mom & pop music shop in Key West Florida - it’s been a really hard business to survive throughout the years (almost 30 years: 15 in Pa & 15 in KW) I agree that although It’s very sad to see a GREAT legendary MUSIC store like them go out of business, I’m sure it will help those small stores like mine stay alive longer - long live the mom & pop shops!!!! ❤️🙏🏻🎸🙏🏻❤️🎸🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻🎸🎸🎸 RIP SAM ASH🪦💀🪦
When I was a store manager for Software Etc, we knew we were going out of business when our suppliers weren't sending us new titles.
That's kinda how I knew something was up. Was in the market for a new Epiphone x Gibson Custom guitar, and noticed they weren't getting them and didn't have them listed on their site...
Yeah, I worked for a top German firearms manufacturing and I was their inventory man. I had a heads up the location was going to be closed and moved down south. I gave my word not to tell the other employees that our location was closing.
This however, didn't stop me from giving subtle hints and making comments.
They didn't want to hear it! Even when our location wasn't receiving parts for the production line.
They were in total denial even when I would say, I don't know about you guys, this doesn't look good, this isnt a good sign, I'm worried, we might have to start looking for new jobs. They actually got pissed at me and told me to knock it off. After that, I said, F them! ha
5 weeks later the bloodbath happened. The bigwigs flew in, marched in at 8 am unannounced and started doing the walk of shame, one by one they were led to the conference room. Given their severance pay and walked to the elevator. ha
Sig?
HK?
As a former Circuit City store manage in Nashville, its too bad they made some very bad decisions. One of the worst ones was removing commissioned sales people and replacing them with hourly paid order takers that knew nothing about the products.
I remember that almost to the day. Like one trip circuit city was super helpful and friendly and the next nobody knew anything or cared you were there.
There’s been many businesses that made the same mistake.
I was a teacher at a Sam Ash store for a year. The pay was absolutely depressing.
Bought my first guitar at Sam Ash on 48th St's music Row in New York City in 1986. $250 for a Yamaha fg450s with the Eagle headstock and brown hardshell case. Still my favorite guitar.
Bought my first guitar from the sam ash in Brooklyn near Kings Plaza. Bought so much from the over years. The guitar tech is a good friend of mine.
So many memories growing up on Long Island with the Sam Ash in Hempstead and then after their move to Carle Place. Bought so much gear from them over the years. Will be missed.
Hempstead?! Wow, you go back a long way! I started playing guitar in '73, that was my store, since I lived in Uniondale. Carle Place was great for Pro Audio going into the 90s.
Yep - i'm right there with ya.. I date back to the Hempstead store too... with Gracins music across the way... good old days i guess. They were an icon from before my time... and never really thought they'd ever close up... but... here we are.
That’s a bummer. The 2 here in Orlando never really did have the best customer service but it was always fun to check out. I did by one of my favorite Strats as well from Sam Ash.
Bought my first good amp at Sam Ash in Hempstead NY in 1966. Fender Deluxe Reverb.
Bought my 77 fender P bass and 78 jazz bass there, along with a Road 440 bass amp. That was my favorite location!
This goes back to my thoughts on Rickenbacker, and their business model. They are not a direct buy company and are quite frankly the farthest thing from a direct buy company. They have long since said themselves that dealers are their customers. People criticize them for keeping a low inventory, and producing a small supply to fit the demand, but economically they are the most stable brand out there, and have never had to deal with bankruptcy, or the financial strains of large manufactures or dealerships in general. In an expansionist world, where people seek enormous profits, Rickenbacker has maintained its small, but sustainable business model, and been able to reap the benefits of just being slow and steady.
Got my first Gibson SG at the White Plains, NY Sam Ash in 1987. Continued to shop with them throughout the decades. Sorry to seem them go.
I was in the Margate, FL two weeks ago and the employees were all saying we not going anywhere. “We just signed a long term lease”
I got my first instrument from Daddy's Junky Music across from Berkley back in '78. Still have that drum kit to this day. Shopped at the Buffalo store quite a bit when I lived there too. Sad to see them gone. Never really dealt with Sam Ash.
I STILL miss Daddy's Junky Music. Great gear, great prices, great employees.
Sam Ash was once one of my favorite music stores in my city. It slowly got to a point where we would see nothing but lower end guitars marketed more towards students since they were going more of the lessons route. Somehow they still had Fenders and Gibsons but finding a semi-niche brand like ESP or PRS was like finding a needle in a haystack. The only reason I'd come bsck was because their guitar tech was phenomenal and didn't like how he was forced to upcharge the price of his setups. I wonder where he's at now. A better place of work I hope.
The Sam Ash in Clearwater is my local store. It’s sad. I loved that place. I met Dime Bag at a clinic there. This hits hard.
Yeah, I love that store and everyone working there is cool. That being said, I get my guitars from Sweetwater. There is a nice guitar shop in Tarpon Springs where I live that sets up my guitars. He only sells used so he is able to survive.
Went to the Charlotte store today, and the sales were definitely not overwhelming. Most guitars, for example, were 5% off only.
I wished it was Guitar Center closing all stores and Sam Ash keeping all stores open. I used to go to the Hollywood Sam Ash and play the upright bass for about an hour. No one cared. It was great!
I currently take lessons from a most excellent teacher in the Richmond, VA store. Sure would hate to see that end.
I think letting them know that you'd like to continue private lessons would be much appreciated. 👍
Dude, Roses is still in business. I've got one in my town.
There’s one the town I work in also.
As a former Kmart manager, I will also confirm that (believe it or not) there are still a few Kmart and Sears stores that are open.
My local Sam Ash has nothing like the discounts you showed. At least as of May 2, 2024 there is a liquidators in charge and the local sales team, management included, no longer have discretion on the discounts. They have a chart showing what discounts are allowed by department or item category. The discounts available yesterday ranged between 5% and 20% with most things being at the 5% level, e.g. guitars, amps, strings, tools, picks, etc. And deals are not necessarily to be made. I asked about a Marshall Origin 50 the had new, just out of the box. They had it for $749 while Sweetwater has is down to $629. Sam Ash will price match, but won't add the discount on top of that. AND, all sales are final, no returns, although warranties remain valid. It's really sad, because I'd rather deal with them than with the GC next door. Some really nice people work there.
it was sad when stores like Sam Ash & Guitar center destroyed ALL the Mom and Pop music stores..
I just checked their website and gear is not being discounted. It is just regular price with a 15% discount like some other stores offer you as well.
We used to go to the Sam Ash store in Brooklyn at Kings Highway and Coney Island Avenue. I remember Mrs. Ash used to be at the cash register. Who is the take the stairs up and she always welcome us.
I bought my first to Gibsons in that location. My 1966 ES 335 and my 1970 SG standard.
Wonderful store.
But like George Harrison said “All things must pass”
You experienced Bernice! She built the sheet music empire all the SA stores had.
Wonderful woman.
Do you remember there was a man I don’t know what you would call his position if he was a guard or what,But after that location closed he was at the Sam Ash on Flatbush Ave. off ave U.I don’t remember his name
I remember when that Sam Ash was there before they moved to Flatbush. Norm’s music was in that area too. I was high school kid, but I would just go in there dreaming to own some of the gear. They knew I wasn’t going to buy, but they always treated me nice.
I purchased so much from Sam Ash over the years. All because they treated some kid nice.
I remember that store well, right on the corner and upstairs, catty-corner from the movie theater, and then it moved to a few blocks in, can't remember what street, but like two streets closer to the train station and off of Kings Hgwy, where Buddy's music once was. There was a Crazy Eddie's about half a block down from that location too.
And again... yep... that was the old neighborhood, and my old SamAsh store as well. Then they moved to "Paul J. Ash" (Sam's second oldest kid... who I knew for many years)..on E13th off Kings Highway... and does anyone remember Norms Music that was on the other side of Coney Island Ave? Man... I been at it awhile... lol
Here in Canada, we have Long & Mcquade. They have over 100 stores, coast to coast, plus an online retail presence. You can rent whatever you need for almost any gig and buy almost any instrument or gear you need. They're doing just fine and continue to expand. Proof brick and morter is far from dead.
L&M is generally good. I think the big thing with some of the US chains is that they have been bought out using leveraged buyouts and then their debt load is too high and they can’t make it. Not sure about SA, but I know GC has had that problem.
This is a pretty emotional thing for us old-timers. Lots of memories.
As an 11-year-old in 1967, I used to take three buses to get to the Sam Ash on Kings Highway in Brooklyn…
Just about every weekend.
So my fondness for the store goes beyond the musical part. It connects to a time when an 11-year-old kid COULD take the buses in Brooklyn alone, or with his buddies.
I did Taylor Guitar Roadhshows at soooo many Sam Ash stores. Spent time at headquarters with Sammy, Ritchie and the team. This is really sad, I have a lot of great memories touring to the stores. First roadshows I ever did were 48th street in time square, New Haven, Cherry Hill NJ and Philly... 2006, all T5's. wow...I just walked down memory lane watching this...Thanks for the video boys:).
I am headed to Sam Ash Philly today to say goodby. I worked there for several years and met some amazing people. My first time in Sam Ash was shortly before I moved to NYC. Between here, Manny's & Rogue, a lot of hours were spent. They always took the time to answer questions and offer advice to a struggling studio nerd. I am sad to see it go.
Charlotte store has been nasty for years.
Still sad to see it come to this.
I was in Circuit City a couple times then they closed! Bummer!
I’ve been to the on on Sunset in Hollywood, a lot of great memories there. Definitely going to miss this place.
Sorry to hear that. Always liked the people at the Indianapolis location when I lived there.
Not too surprised given the state of the Sam Ash in my area (suburban Chicago). But a bummer, because I've scored some crazy deals there - like $1400 for a new American Original Telecaster when they were discontinued.
The key takeaway here is that "manufacturers are trying to go direct". Don't need the middleman anymore. Why should Gibson sell at dealer prices and let the dealer make a markup, when they can just take the markup for themselves? Happy 100th anniversary Sam Ash.
That sucks. I’ll sure miss the Sarasota store. Bought lots of great gear there over the years. Always good folks working there too.
Discretionary income is at it lowest level in 40 years, inflation is higher than Carter levels, online retailers are eating up the low end sales, and Sam Ash didn't offer anything different or better than GC, Sweetwater, or any of the boutique stores like CME or Casino.
A couple of years ago I looked at every music store there was trying to get a Yamaha montage. I finally called a Sam Ash store in Southern California and they located one for me in Florida. They were absolutely great and got it shipped out to me when nobody else could even find one. I’m very sad to see them go.
I recently went o Sam Ash in Cinci and Columbus ohio...virtually abandoned and a huge swath of 1000-500 guitars.
This is a bummer. The shopping experience was so much better at the local (Cincinnati) Sam Ash than GC. I actually appreciate that they didn't have a sales guy breathing down your neck the minute you pick up an instrument. They also left the acoustics unlocked, even the high end stuff. Was great for trying out out bunch of guitars you normally wouldn't.
Sad day for the music industry, when I was in junior high in 69-70 I used to cut school and hang out at the store on Kings Highway, the walls of Kustom and Fender amps was a sight to behold. And all the shinny Fenders, Gretsches and Gibsons in the glass cabinets were get me drooling. My dad used to get his woodwind reeds from the elder Sam Ash at the original store. Sam Ash is a music industry icon.
This is very sad. The Atlanta Store had a listing in Facebook Marketplace selling all of their fixtures.
Before I got promoted to my current job, years ago, the dept I was in was facing hard times. We had a big division meeting where they told us they weren’t going to lay off a bunch of people and then a couple of weeks later they laid off a bunch of people. I just got the new position in another dept when that happened, so phew!
I’ve never been to a Sam Ash but still sad news!
That's sad to hear. I have a Sam Ash directly across the street from Guitar Center here in Raleigh. It's a nice big store with a wide variety of gear. I guess this will help GC hang on a little longer.
I have been to both of those stores many times, and have bought many guitars at each.
good times!
My Carlo Robelli archtop, "Manhatten" @ $450, with solid spruce top, made by Peerless, (before they got too big for their britches) was a great guitar from my favorite music center: Sam Ash. Years ago, I always found Sam Ash out of Orlando the best. Always having exceptional courtesy and price flexibility: from the Carlo Robelli electric violin, jazz & bass guitars to my entire recording studio: Kawai sequencer/MP9000 keyboard/Alesis S4Plus/Studiomaster P7-24/Lexicon reverb/9 piece Groove Percussion maple sets combining their fusion & travel sets (for under a grand); & Boss, DR770. The only items purchased outside of Sam Ash were B&W Nautilus, Shoeps & Mogami with Neutriks. Those were days when I had some money.
Bought my Gibson LP from my local Sam Ash in 20’ right before the world went to hell. Also made a good friend that day. Side note the LP was NOS that was signed off by Gibson tech on my 40th bday.
Remember MARS Music ??
They were awesome! They held amazing artist clinics at my Indianapolis store. They had a party-like atmosphere there with open mic nights, local band performances, and lots of inventory. Their slogan was, "We love it when you touch the stuff," and it was easy to demo anything they had in stock. I bought an LTD H-200 there around 1999, some effects, and lots of accessories before they went under. I still have a Mars Music guitar pick somewhere...
Our NJ store met with the Ash Brothers with the objective.
Shut Mars down in less than a year.
It happened.
Roses! Man, what a throwback. Also, hearing y'all talk about that reminds me that y'all are fellow Carolinians. 😁
I got up the nerve to contact Sammy Ash directly regarding carrying my products. He was cool and welcomed me to supply all his stores. I was ecstatic, of course. Sorry to hear of his passing and now the store closings.
End of an era. I bought some recording gear from their K of P store back in the day.
I was in there a couple weeks ago and there was some stuff there but it just looked sad.
Cherry Hill store is nothing but Squire and Michael Kelly. Sad selection of amps. Mostly solid state stuff and a Marshall Origin. It's a shame. Sam Ash used to be a very cool place to shop.
@@Scott__C bummer
@@MaurysMusic Definitely. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything I needed, or I'd have bought something. The guitars I pulled off the wall, many had fret sprout.
@@Hulkhoagie1 Sad to hear.
I used to go in to buy a pack of strings, and the price would be way more than listed on their own website. When I asked for a price match TO THEIR OWN WEBSITE, I would get attitude. Shouldn't have to go to that trouble, so stopped going.
I bought a strap from Sam Ash a couple of years ago. Still a LOT more than I ever spent at Guitar Denter. In other news I've been reading about a lot of coffee shops and places that shut down in the middle of the day and run the customers out of the place. At that point I doubt they are worried about customer loyalty.
The Phoenix store is just a couple miles from me and has been my Go To store. I have a card with them. We have gotten all of our guitars and drums from that store for the past 20 some years. This is devastating to us.
Guitar Center closed my card just a few months after I got it 🤷.
Synchrony will close your retail card if you don't use it. Had that happen with another retailer. I got a gear card for the perks but always pay it off as the interest is crazy, almost 30%.
My husband is the GM at that store…
@@wikolib6821interest? I’ve had zero interest on both instruments I’ve financed there
@@BritVanD at MY Sam Ash?
@@wikolib6821 yeah, I know that. I didn't have it that long and I had went in and bought a guitar strap just to make sure they wouldn't shut it off. I got it so I could buy the Fender Steve Harris P bass. I was going to go order it and my card was shut off. My Sam Ash card is with Synchronicity also. I go months in-between using it. And it never gets shut off. And I pay off my large purchases way early so I don't pay any interest. Thanks though.
I just bought my dream guitar (New 912ce Builders Edition) from the Sam Ash Reverb store at 45% off. This guitar retails for $6k and was able to get it for almost half the price.
After a few counter offers on Reverb, they agreed to let it go and I feel like I won a lottery.
I’m guessing some sales rep that was about to be let go wanted to cash out on some final commissions, and it worked out for both of us 😎🤘
I'm visiting Casino Guitars for the first time next week while i am off work! Try to stay in business til then😉
Online sales have killed brick and mortar stores. It’s not just guitars.
Back in the late 90s Circuit City had the best selection and prices for CDs. I had a blast going there
Soo sad. After we lost Mars Music in south Florida, Sam Ash was the place to go. Both great spots for exceptional service!
Bummer news. I bought a Gibson Les Paul CM from there a few years back when it was on clearance. It was my first time going into that store and I was surprised at how lonely it was in there.
Please, for the love of God, turn the music off once they start talking.
I'd been kind of wondering how much longer they were going to last. My local Sam Ash is located directly next to the Guitar Center and I'd always default to going to Sam Ash first. The employees felt more genuine and knowledgable and excited to be able to talk to people about something they genuinely loved. I'm gonna miss it. I hope the employees end up ok, I know two months isn't a lot of time to try and find something new, but at least they were made aware and there's still time.
I went to High School in the 70s. I went to a "Progressive" School, So they were ok with me NOT going to school, as long as I was productive. So every morning I'd get a cup of coffee in school and after Homeroom I'd go to Sam Ash and open the store with the fellas. Now these guys knew I was never going to buy anything but they gave me the run of the store and I could play any guitar I wanted. I played Pedal Steel there until they sold it, I was terrible at it, so I think they wanted it out of the store. They would remind me I had to go catch my bus home. I did this everyday Sophomore year. Guy named Tom Farmer, Tom Dubis, Rich Bartel were all guys I became good friends with, Its like closing record stores, end of an era and makes me sad. I could spend a week shopping for guitars. Shame really
Its like closing record stores. For some of us this is a serious Sears sized store of memories. The owner always had an excellent stereo system and was always playing something interesting. At times, he would open and play an album side for a customer. Hours looking thorough record jackets, at the pictures and reading the notes. Buying an album and taking it home and playing it for the first time. I still remember opening and playing TYA's album for the first time and remember the final song, "Seed Kills". And opening up Master's of Reality and unfolding the poster with the band under the branches of the tree...... Stuff today's music enthusiasts will never experience.
In 2018 snagged a used Epi Les Paul Florentine in fantastic shape for $300 shipped.
Deals like that might have had something to do with this.
I still love the guitar. Sad to see them closing.
I used to go to Ash when they were new in my area just to see if I liked them better than GC, but then the one time I wanted to buy electronic stuff, I had to buy it online for the discounts, then it had to ship all the way BACK from Fla to California where it was origin or something and FedX dumps it all on my driveway right in front of me in big heap, so don't know how much of stuff was internally damaged. At least one thing never really worked right but by the time you figure out if something's wrong, the return window already closed, etc.
They kept refusing to take back this one PA system that couldn't do more than blow speakers, and finally the one guy stood up to the manager or whatever and gave me a nice Ibanez archtop guitar in exchange. I paid for the service contract deal and then never used it before I sold the guitar, but now I wish I had kept the guitar maybe because I don't think I can ever afford the Gibson version. Overall I grade them acceptable, I guess, but GC usually slightly lower prices?
I went today to my local store. Totally bummed that the community space for musicians will be gone. I used to spend hours there when I was younger. Bought my 1st guitar there in ‘97
The guy I bought it from is the manger currently (or at least until the last day)
New guitar discount: 5% that’s it.
there's a Roses in Smithfield, NC.
I marvel every time I go past it!
The economy has nothing to do with it.
To 100% customer service and inventory selection. Same reason to Guitar center is failing 100% customer service selection is not in their stores! I've been in this business for 40 years. The lack of customer service inventory is despicable no point in even having a brick-and-mortar store!
I worked at Sam Ash twenty years ago, it wasnt doing great back then
100 years. A full century, and this is how it ends?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Rest in peace, Sam Ash. 1924-2024.
I used to love going to Sam Ash just to look at and play all the instruments. It was even my first music store!!! I can’t believe this is how it ends.
Just went in to one of the three in the Miami, it looked like they just found out. Nothing was even marked down yet, felt very bad for all the employees. Shop was well stocked and maintained too. Just no customers. :(
Yep, they closed the one near me. Sorry to see them go.
I never liked dealing with the whole salesperson experience.
Going online, choosing your guitar and hitting 'Buy' is the best.
A long, long time ago, a retailing duo by the name of Sears & Roebuck did not build stores across the young nation when the Continental Railway was built. They had a catalog, and offered everything by mail order. As America developed a hands-on, want-it-now shopping mentality, they built stores everywhere. Now that the internet has developed and retailers are getting on board, they know they just don't need the real estate, regulatory demands, employees (and associated expenses) of brick & mortar, AND could simultaneously improve consistent delivery AND profits.
I was in there two days ago and asked the manager if they were closing and they said no
Bummer. I don't have a Sam Ash in my town, but I hate to see the passing of another legacy retailer.
went to sam ash san diego yesterday. 5% on most stuff. reality is the real discounts will happen when there is only junk left......
Their staff are obnoxious
The economy is good; everyone is broke. Industry-wide, corporate price gorging cost of living perfect storm. Wah wah
One of my local GC locations is right across the street from a Sam Ash. 😂. One day I was in SA trying out some Strats and the guy kept putting cool guitars in my hands and came over and turned the amp UP. GREAT sales tactic. Of course I was dead set on an AVII ‘61 Strat in three tone sunburst and they didn’t have one but I almost bought something else.
Hey guys, I’m genuinely curious, can you guys do a video detailing how a store like yours manages to succeed versus these big box stores? You guys seem to have a good grasp on the industry since you’re in the middle of it and as an outsider this is something I’m genuinely interested in. Heck maybe even the remaining big box stores can learn something before it’s too late for them too (guitar center I’m looking at you)
Back in 1974 or so in New York when I was in my early teens I purchased my first "decent " guitar in their Brooklyn store. It was a Carlo Robelli copy of a Les Paul standard. Richie Ash who I believe is the CEO today sold me that guitar. He had a big fro' and was showing off a Mike Mathews Freedom amp playing a Gibson SG. He was In his late teens I guess at the time and a little cocky, but he gave me a good deal on that guitar. Sam Ash was a much better store than the other big music store franchises at the time. Sorry to see them fold up.
Online shopping has terminated brick and mortar stores.
How are they doing?
Got my ‘66 Pro Reverb (used of course) at a Sam Ash in the mid ‘90s, along with my first ‘nice’ electric guitar (Fender ‘57 Reissue Strat). Knew some good people who worked there back then. Not great to hear this news. All the best to the folks who work at these stores, really crummy news.
Another BTW to my previous comment: Micheal at the Sam Ash website confirmed that while the physical stores are closing, they will retain an online presence, at least for a while. They are NOT letting go of any of their online staff for the time being. Just the brick and mortar employees. So don't hesitate to go to their website.
If Sam Ash can’t run a website NOW, then how can they continue as a website only LATER?
Most items on their website are full MSRP. No deals on the good stuff. Sad to see them go.
Good in so glad.... it's store like this with 500% totally in unnecessary mark up . That prevented me from buying a new guitar.... thank you Amazon for delivering affordable merchandise
I support my two GCs as much as possible. Fender just dropped their Player prices to 679, good for consumers but yet another indicator that the economy ain't so great.
Damn, that's unfortunate. I'm gonna stop by the Miami one before it's too late.
Sad news! I just picked up a new case from my local Sam Ash this passed weekend. They had options that no other stores had locally, and it was a great price!
If someone passes away right. Im one hundred percent sure that the owner of Sam AShes music stories he does not want this business to die down because Sam AShes stores has to keep it going. Because the owner does not want that because he will turn over his grave 🪦 and say why did they close down Sam AShes stores down. Make the own proud and let's say keep the sam ashes music 🎶🎵 stores going fourth in Jesus Christ. I'm very sorry to hear about the owner had pass . My condolences goes out to his family. We must go fourth and find a new Byers and owners for Sam AShes stores. The holly bible saids old things will pass away and the furmer things become new.
I kinda had a feeling after learning how many stores they closed not that long ago. I'm bummed out about it. Sam Ash was a good place.
I like shopping at Sam Ash, I’ll go to my only Sam Ash in town n see what deals they are offering. 🎸🎸🎸👍🏻❤️
The Sam Ash in Northeast Philly was pretty cool store . I moved away from the area so I’m not sure if it’s still there or not?
If I'm wrong tell me, but once humans were taken out of the equation of performing with instruments, the end was inevitable. If all people are doing is using programs to make music, this should be expected.
The end of an era for sure. I shopped and knew many of the guys that worked at several of the NY stores- Flatbush Ave , W48th St and Queens Blvd. Way before Sweetwater or QC there were relationships with your local music store guys. The guys at Sam Ash were those guys
Sad yet inevitable. I just sold some gear to a store in CA and they thought their store was safe from the initial rounds of closures. Will be missed.
Bummer. The huntington sam ash sold me a gloss finish PRS standard 22 for $1100 last summer, and a cool korean hollowbody branded as "peerless" years prior to that. Appreciated the deals on both. RIP SA