11/24/2009 3:23:00 PM
Spend It Here! Part 3
The Gift of Music: Buy it locally, learn it locally, share it locally
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| VVN/Jon Pelletier
Don Whitcher (right) gives music lessons at Cottonwood’s Verde Valley Discount Music – he is pictured with one of his students, Gregg Gold (left). |
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VERDE VALLEY -- When it comes to giving the gift of music, there’s no need to head to the city, or to a big-box store or even to go online. All things considered, the best deals will be found at locally owned music stores.
We’re lucky in the Verde Valley. We have two full-service, well-stocked music stores: Verde Valley Discount Music in Cottonwood, and Reno’s Music Shop in Camp Verde.
Both stores offer great selections of instruments, accessories, lessons and service by professionals. It is a level of knowledge, advice and service you cannot find online or in a big box store.
Ted and Susie Karstadt own and manage Verde Valley Discount Music at 1500 E. Hwy 89A in Cottonwood. Ted has 10 years experience as a guitar teacher. But the store offers teachers and lessons for just about any stringed instrument or keyboard and even the flute. Voice lessons also are available.
“We have some awesome teachers,” Susie said.
“The store is three years old,” Ted said. “The reason we opened it is because I love music. I want to help other people experience that.”
Susie said she wants the store to appeal to families. “I want it tailored more to the family and the community.”
She said one serious consideration when selecting an instrument is that, “five guitars of the same make and model will all play differently and sound different.”
Ted checks every guitar thoroughly when it comes into the store. “If it’s not a guitar I’d play,” he said, “I send it back to the factory.”
“We’re going to sell you the right thing for you,” Susie said. “We want you to keep coming back.”
Ted agrees: “We’re going to find whatever is perfect for you.”
Verde Valley Discount Music sells many types of instruments, including guitars, violins, banjos, keyboards, drums, mandolins, harmonicas and ukuleles. They sell all accessories, such as books, strings, amplifiers, microphones, PA systems and anything else a beginning or experienced musician might need.
Reno McCormick and his wife, Sheila, own and operate Reno’s Music Shop at 564 S. Main in Camp Verde. This store also offers a complete selection of stringed instruments, drums, keyboards and wind instruments. The store also offers a full line of accessories, including lighting systems. Reno teaches lessons for all stringed instruments.
“I do a lot of adjustments and set-up,” he said. “I do some repair work.”
Reno said he wishes people would at least come in and check out his products and prices before buying off the Internet. “They can see what they’re buying,” he said.
“You can try different models and brands,” Reno said. He points out that even with new guitars, some set-up is going to be required for the instrument to play well for each individual.
“When you buy here, it is set up by me,” he said. “If you don’t like the set-up, bring it back and I’ll change it.”
“This isn’t just open up a box and hang it on the wall,” Reno said, “but that’s what you get from the Internet.”
One thing that all experienced musicians will agree on is that picking out a new instrument, such as a guitar -- especially for the beginner -- requires the help of someone very knowledgeable. It likely will save time, money and frustration. More importantly, it will make the experience much more enjoyable.
At either Reno’s Music Shop or Verde Valley Discount Music, professionals will help you find the right instrument or accessory, and they will stand behind what they sell. Both stores even offer a selection of used instruments. All they ask is for the opportunity to compete and earn your business.
Susie Karstadt pretty well sums it up. “We want you to be happy with what you buy. We want you to be happy today, tomorrow, next year.”
Call Verde Valley Discount Music at (928) 649-0901.
Call Reno’s Music Shop at (928) 567-0182.
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Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Tim H.
Ted, Susie & the employees at VVDM are great. They all are very knowledgeable, helpful and truly want you to find the right instrument for you. Their selection in guitars, amps etc is quite large for a "small town" store.
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
jd
Verde Valley Discount Music also has a great repair person (Luthier) who can fix almost anything wrong with an old guitar or anything with a string. So if that old instrument in the closet isn't working bring it in.
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