Hi V&R Friends
Thanks for tuning in on our blog here on VintageandRare and our interview with Dale Rabiner, the founder of DHR Music Experience. DHR Music is an unique company based in Cincinnati, USA, that specializes in retail and promotion of finest instruments from select American boutique custom shops, along with music related sculptures and photographs.
Dale Rabiner, principal and founder of DHR Music Experience. Photo by dhrmusic.com
1. Hello Dale, and thanks for talking to us! Can you tell us about how you entered the business?
Like many guitar players of the ‘60s, I used to buy and sell guitars via local classified ads, music stores and pawn shops.While in college, I worked part-time for a local guitar dealer,player, and legend by the name of Glenn Hughes- what a character ! Glenn taught me the business from the inside out- he was generous to a fault and a true gentleman. Incidentally, when Glenn passed away, his heirs discovered a hidden cache of unopened boxes containing NOS Fender and Gibson guitars!
2. Can you tell us about what kind of guitars & brands you focus on having in your inventory?
We focus exclusively on what we consider to be the some of the finest makers including Collings Guitars, Benedetto Guitars, Grosh Guitars,and a few select other makers. In Amplifiers we carry Carr Amps, Genz Benz, Hendriksen Amps,
Kendick amps, and several others. Keyboard brands we carry include Hammond/Suzuki organs, Kurzweil pianos and Moog synths.
3. Do you sell/ship a lot abroad?
Increasingly, international sales have become a large segment of our business. This is primarily due to the fact that while we are not the largest Left Hand dealer, we are considered to be the finest Left Hand dealer worldwide.In addition, many of our non-US clients tell us that we are easier to deal with than their local stores.
4. What makes the Benedetto-guitars so special to you?
Since Benedetto Guitars first began their Savannah Georgia shop, we have sold more Benedetto guitars than all other dealers combined.! No other jazz guitar maker has been able to offer their price/quality.More recently, we are finding a number of other makers that are strong competitors.
Benedetto Americana is just one of the few specialized brands, DHR Music is offering. Photo by dhrmusic.com
5. Your use of ‘music endorsers’ is a bit unusual. What were your thoughts concerning this way of advertising?
Our endorsers have been terrific spokespersons for DHR, especially our young lefthand players who serve as role models for other lefthand youngsters who are trying to cope with being forced to switch to righthand playing. In addition, we also have some terrific right hand players who are real comers in our opinion.
6. What are you looking for, when ‘recruiting’ music endorsers?
Energetic,talented, diverse players who share our passion for music ! We would love to find a talented female guitarist as well as a few select keyboardists.
7. How does this way of promoting your business help you as a dealer?
The use of endorsers is nothing new- it has proven its marketing effectiveness for decades ! We simply have put a bit of a twist on the concept-most endorsers represent a specific brand, while DHR endorsers represent the brands we carry as a retailer.
