 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-12-15 08:46
Is this new news? I'm not sure, I don't follow the fortunes of US retailers very carefully. Conn-Selmer want to buy WW&BW:
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/4844816.html
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2006-12-15 13:15
THIS JUST IN:
And rumor has it that a loosely affiliated organization of woodind instrument affecionadoes, based in an internet discussion group , is floating a balloon about having its motely assortment of diletantes ante up --as they do each January-- this time to buy out WWandBW.
Lead by a CEO who only goes under the name of MC and a COO known only as GBK are leading this onslaught. By securing the bankrupt WWBW they hope to provide instruments and accessories at cost for their league of followers.
Wall Street has infiltrated the group, and found ties to Argentina (something about a crop that grows there) and France (also some form of weed). Additionally there are sporadic reports of activity in Japan (perhaps a large manufacturer of electronic keyboards?), and two reports centered on Vancouver and Western Pennsylvania (something about exotic woods and spindle shaped cylinders).
A German molding company, said to have a connection in the Chicago area, is seeking information on the deal. And a latex provider was seen canvasing Colorado to obtain more data.
More news .....at 11:00
Back to you, Sabine, in the newsroom.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-12-15 14:23
If Guitar Center is positioning themselves for this, I am surprised that we have not heard of activity from Musicians Friend, ZZounds, Sweetwater, etc.
While Conn-Selmer-Steinway might seem a logical match, keep in mind that some really big ticket items are in the recording, software, microphone, garageband realm.
If you look past the woodwind and band stuff on WWBW you see a huge area of electronic goods......processors, cables, amps, and the like.
No wonder GC is interested, altho they have been known to goof.
One example was the sale of a gaggle of reputedly Russian microphones that were of Asian origin. They rectified this, making good to their customers, but I am sure it left scars.
Another factor is the true retail presence of GC. They have stores with nice showrooms, knowledgeable sales reps, and perhaps the tightest anti-shoplifting policy I have every seen. Dont even think of walking out of the store without displaying your receipt and the merchandise..
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-15 14:30
Guitar Center positioned themselves on the Brook Mays buyout as well, but their bid fell through.
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-12-15 14:35
Just as I suspected! Those two rapscallions have been slithering around, implimenting their top secret plans to monopolize the musical instrument market through the aegis of a BB group of horn blowing radicals. It will be "Katie, bar the door" time when they pull the magic trigger, leaving GC, Steinway, and the bankruptcy judge scratching their noggins! Hide and watch when the smoke clears. Eu
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2006-12-15 15:32
Meanwhile, WW&BW is alive and well. I placed an order with Sam Ash two weeks ago (non-clarinet) and was assured it would arrive by The Day. Followed up by telephone yesterday morning and was told the item was backordered until January. Cancelled that order, placed a new order through WW&BW, it was shipped last night and is being delivered today (free shipping, too).
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-12-15 16:00
I really respect the manner in which I have been hearing that the folks at WW&BW have been operating, even though the company and its employees have been living and working under a great cloud of uncertainty about what the future holds for them. They have continued to function as if there was nothing to worry about (and there may well not be any cause for alarm), and have been serving their customers well. WW&BW is not perfect, and never was, but they do show that they are true professionals, even when the guns are pointed at them. Eu
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2006-12-15 17:18
This is not an unsual situation in the world of business...I do hope Woodwind and Brasswind will keep it's current status of quality and selection!!
David Dow
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Author: rgames
Date: 2006-12-15 21:39
What was the nature of the lawsuit between WW&BW and Zapf's? It seems that's what preceded WW&BW's bankruptcy filing.
rgames
____________________________
Richard G. Ames
Composer - Arranger - Producer
www.rgamesmusic.com
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-12-15 22:50
EuGeneSee said:
"Those two rapscallions have been slithering around, implimenting their top secret plans to monopolize the musical instrument market through the aegis of a BB group of horn blowing radicals."
Do you mean GBK and MC---- or---- GC and Conn-Selmer-Steinway?
![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-12-16 02:41
Alseg: Keep it under your hat, but it appears to be the first two you mentioned. I refer you to the military intelligence (oxymoron!) sitrep issued at 1315 hours on 15 Dec 2006 by CPW. Eu
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-12-16 03:37
I would classify that as Insider Information......we could all go the way of Martha Stewart....
Then again, in a "country club" prison, think of all the time we would have to practise and work on reeds. Hey, we could even cultivate the cane.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: CPW
Date: 2006-12-16 03:43
Whoa.
Did someone call me a (oxy)moron? ![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif)
I resemble dat remark.Nyuk Nyuk
Where is Anderson Consulting and Enron when you need them?
Against the windmills of my mind
The jousting pole splinters
Post Edited (2006-12-16 03:45)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-12-16 12:02
Well, I got a new clarinet from WWBW this past week, and they seem to be moving along with things just fine. They were easy to deal with, as always, and the only complaint was how long FedEx took to deliver the package from South Bend to the Detroit area. I Probably should have ponied up for next day delivery.
Jeff
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-12-16 16:43
I think that on the previous post re: WW&BW bankruptcy that a couple of our BB members mentioned having family members working for WW&BW. They had no idea what the future held for them and their jobs, but they continued to carry on with business as if all were hunky dorry . . . I do admire that professionalism, and beleive it to be a noteable trait that is common among musicians. Keep a stiff upper lip and serve your customers, ladies & gents of WW&BW! Eu
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-12-16 16:48
CPW: Velly sorry for accidental choice of words that put moron tag on either you or your ox. Meanwhile, Anderson/Enron folks presently at country club prison growing hemp . . . er, cane. Eu
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Author: butterflymusic
Date: 2006-12-17 01:00
Recently, I got this reply from WWBW's feedback site after a recent order in which I voiced concern about backordered items and the potential asset purchase by Guitar Center being the cause:
Thank you for your BizRate feedback.
I would like to provide some information concerning our relationship to
Guitar
Center.
The WWBW is positioning itself such that its assets may be purchased by
another company. We are in a process of actively seeking bidders, and
Guitar
Center is one of the companies that has shown interest in the purchase
of our
assets. Guitar Center is not currently the owner of WWBW. Other
entities are
also in process of making offers
At this time, the WWBW is still a stand alone company, and during the
process
of our sale, and afterward, we anticipate that we will still meet, or
exceed
the level of service and selection to our customers.
Again, thank you for your feedback and concerns.
We appreciate your business.
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2006-12-18 01:52
Industry news is that Steinway (Conn-Selmer) has also bid on the assets. Also a bid from Stephen and Richard Zapf is anticipated as well. Who knows what the final outcome will be.
jbutler
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-12-18 03:50
So another bidder had to approve the withdrawal of the GC bid.....
Maybe MC and GBK are indeed in the running.
Do woodwind org sponsors get first dibs at preferred stock?
Will it pay a dividend?
Why is Donald Trump planning a trip to the Var region of France?
(hits organ chord)........stay tuned.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2006-12-18 15:03
Hello all,
I thought since there seems to be a great deal of speculation about the future of The Woodwind, at least among we clarinetists, I would try to give you all the best information that I have available to me.
As you all know, DBi, the parent company of The Woodwind & Brasswind and Music 123 has filed for a sales process under Chapter 11. By doing so, we are able to continue business as much as usual as we can until the company assets are sold at a public auction toward the end of January.
To date, we have had two entities vie to become the best positioned bidder at the public auction. These two companies are GC and Conn-Selmer. As of last Friday, Conn-Selmer was named by the judge in the case to be the "stalking horse", which basically means they are currently in the driver's seat heading into next month's auction. GC however is still very interested in acquiring us though and is still very much in the picture.
A handful of other companies have requested our information under "due diligence”. Among these parties was Steve Zapf. We do not at this point know whether these companies will be actively involved in the bidding process on the date of the auction.
OK – so there is the background drama. Going forward, all of us here are doing the best that we can to continue business as usual. Some of you may have already noticed that our stock position has improved greatly as of recent days and we are once again able to ship orders quickly.
Though none of us here know exactly what our futures hold as of the end of January, I am very confident that The Woodwind & Brasswind will continue on for many years to come. I am currently putting together my next two catalogs and will be attending the Mid-west show next week with the mission of continuing to offer the best selection available. As more questions arise, and they certainly will for all of us, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll be happy to give you all any information I legally can.
Be well - Scott
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-18 15:32
Scott, I want to thank you for reading and posting here on the bboard. Many of us (myself included) have been regular customers of wwbw and sincerely hope the best for you and all the others who work there. I recently did a little transaction with you guys (Leblanc Cadenza) that I ended up returning and the transaction was handled with great professionalism. Only one glitch had to be worked out in getting it credited back to the right account, but a phone call worked it out just fine. I found everyone very nice to work with. Hang in there and we will look forward to a better situation for wwbw soon!
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2006-12-18 18:08
Thanks for the post Scott...
I sincerely hope WW&B will be around for a long time...they are superb with customers like myself and have a tremendous selection of instruments. They are also a big tradition in the world of wind instrument dealership and I regard them very highly.
David Dow
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-12-18 20:33
Thanks, Scott, both for the explanation, and for the excellent service many of us have enjoyed over the past years. We were all greatly concerned with the initial news, but I am sure that most of us here share relief at the news you have passed on to us.
It was a pleasure speaking with you over the phone a couple of weeks ago, and I ended up ordering the instrument we discussed. I am in the process of giving it a good trial right now. Thanks again for all your help.
Jeff
Oh, BTW...Brenda, I would appreciate if you could drop me an e-mail to N8WR@arrl.net . I have a few questions regarding your Cadenza experience.
Post Edited (2006-12-18 20:36)
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