Sam Ash Closing All Stores

[twocorgis]

Not shocking I guess, but very sad anyway. Truly the end of an era.

 

[HeyMikey]

That is too bad, but the writing was on the wall as they say. They are/were a nice local chain option to GC that had more of a small shop personal feel to it.

Their website is now saying no returns, all sales final as of 5/1/24.

 

[chazmo]

Truly the end of an era.

Agreed.

 

[Harp Tail]

had more of a small shop personal feel to it.

Exactly, and their staff had none of the attitude often found elsewhere. Very bad news.

 

[twocorgis]

That is too bad, but the writing was on the wall as they say. They are/were a nice local chain option to GC that had more of a small shop personal feel to it.

They were far better than any GC I've ever been in, at least around here. Like D'Addario, they were a family run company, that treated their employees like family, too. It was an honor to know both Sam Ash Sr. and Jr., and when Sammy died recently, that was probably the last nail.

 

[GGJaguar]

Wow, so not even an internet presence? Just gone... poof. So sad. I bought my first really good bass guitar at the Edison store.

 

[davismanLV]

I've driven past the one here in Las Vegas quite a bit lately on my way places. It's not in a great part of town and there's nothing else down there. GC was smart to relocate to the newer Town Square Mall when that was built, so there's restaurants, clothes, Apple Store, jewelry, bars, and tons of other stuff to see and do. But then I haven't been to GC in ..... golly, since before Covid!! Sad to hear this. End of an era, indeed!!

 

[chazmo]

Fond memories of Sam Ash in Huntington for me... I spent a lot of time there back in the day...

 

[Harp Tail]

https://reverb.com/item/81574262-sam-ash-large-promotional-banner-rip

 

[mavuser]

Fond memories of Sam Ash in Huntington for me... I spent a lot of time there back in the day...

same here! way too much to post photos, etc. been meaning to stop in there when they first anounced half the stores would close or whatever. was in there maybe 6 months ago, they had basically nothing. All sales final must be giving things way, but again, can't be much left, of substance. I did once sell Sammy Ash a beautiful1979 F-412 SB (RIP Sammy), and made several other great moves in that store. End of an era for sure!

 

[GAD]

I was in the one in Springfield NJ a couple of months ago and it was very well stocked. It's got a rare five-star rating on Google Reviews, too. I don't get out there much, but it's sad to see any music store close.

I'm sure Guitar Center is thrilled.

 

[Harp Tail]

I'm sure Guitar Center is thrilled.

GC is probably one of the main reasons why Sam Ash is closing, along with Sweetwater, Musician's Friend and e-commerce in general.

 

[Rocky]

Is it just the stores, or is Samson going under too?

 

[SFIV1967]

Wow, so not even an internet presence?

I just read that "all local stores" ar closing, nothing is said about the online presence, or?
Ralf

 

[Midnight Toker]

I don’t think there’s been a Sam Ash anywhere near me in over 25 yrs. Right now the two closest stores are in Richmond Va and King of Prussia Pa. Not a single store in Md. We do have a bunch of family owned single location music stores though. A few that have been a regional staple for over 50-60 years. Some smaller ones w/ boutique/vintage/high end have popped up in the last 25 yrs, and some others that cater to beginner/school programs that only carry cheaper/offshore stuff. If GC were to disappear from Md tomorrow, we’d be just fine.

My guess is Sam Ash probably didn’t jump head first into the online market. Just about every store out there also has an online store on Amazon and or Reverb. If you rely on just walk in traffic nowadays, you’re not going to last for long unless you’re also an iconic regional staple where musicians still regularly go…just to go.

 

[Brad Little]

When I needed 10 inexpensive guitars for immediate delivery for a school program, Sam Ash (New Haven) came through. I don't think GC, whose "local" store is several miles away, could have, especially with the customer service from Sam Ash.

 

[Midnight Toker]

When I needed 10 inexpensive guitars for immediate delivery for a school program, Sam Ash (New Haven) came through. I don't think GC, whose "local" store is several miles away, could have, especially with the customer service from Sam Ash

Do you have Music & Arts Center stores? They seem to be the go-to for school/instruction needs around here. I’m now thinking Sam Ash could never compete w/ them in the DC/Balt area. They are everywhere, and could probably survive on 1/2-3/4 sized instruments and band/orchestra sheet music alone!

 

[Westerly Wood]

Are they keeping the website alive?

 

[chazmo]

Are they keeping the website alive?

No info on that, Woody, but my guess would be no. Sounds like they're "done."

 

[GAD]

I believe the online store and the brick and mortar stores are separate business entities.