Tag Archives: Palm Guitars

Interview with Howl Guitars / Tokyo, Japan

This time the V&R Blog is travelling to the other end of the world to make an interview with Howl Guitars in Tokyo, Japan.

howl store4 howl store3 howl store2 howl store1

How many years have you been running Howl Guitars? Why is it called Howl Guitars?
About 3 years we’ve been running the business. I thought Howl sounds quite unique. Also I’m musician too, so I wanted to “ho wl” to someone or something my passion.

Is it only vintage guitars you aim at selling? Do you also do new guitars or other instruments?
No, I sell new guitars too. Other instruments like amps and tubes.

What was your first guitar? How old were you when you started playing? Did you have a band?
TELECASTER! I bought super cheap full guitar kit, me and my brother built it and painted it black. I started to play guitar when I was eight. I’m always having a band.

How do you select your luthiers from all over the world? I mean how do you chose one over another? Is it because those ones have a better market than others?
First point, of course the tone is the best priority. Then I care about quality of woods and steel materials such as bridge plate or saddle. Also out looking is very important too.

In how many countries in Europe do you have customers? What about builders and luthiers?
Mainly UK, because I used live there. Other.. French and Germany. I have never had deals with builders or luthiers in Europe.

How is the vintage guitars market in Japan at the moment?
About 4 or 5 years ago, all vintage guitars were priced the way too high. Then it just gone about 2 years ago, prices went down and down. But now the price is staying sort of normal. Japanese loves vintage guitars. Some 90’s era people said almost vintage guitar went to Japan. So vintage guitar is a very big instrument market in Japan.
Well that’s amazing.!

How has the Internet impacted vintage guitar collecting in Japan?
Massive changes. Normally, traditionally, we go to guitar shop to see, play, buy the guitar by our foot. Imagine if you have no internet at your home. You would buy guitar magazine first, then you find the guitar which is very attractive. You may make a phone call to shop due to HOLD the guitar. Then you go to the shop. Finally you can face to the guitar and play. By Appearance of the internet, these thankworthy actions have just decreased badly. Half of enquiry is from internet. I mean it’s very useful but I

What are some good resources for people interested in Japanese vintage guitars?
Digimart and J-Guitar.com are quite big instrument searching website in Japan.

About HOWL GUITARS
HOWL GUITARS is the vintage guitar shop in Tokyo Japan. We are always welcome to any customer with wide range of selected guitars mainly from Fender Telecaster and Gretsch Guitars, and boutique amps from Matchless, TWO-ROCK, VOX, Plexi Marshall, Mesa Boogie and Dumble amps. New and used guitars are also available in the shop. We are happy to deal with you all. Feel free to contact us by e-mail or phone call for availability, details or anything about instruments. Keep your eyes on our collections!

http://www.howl-co.com/index2.html

Contact:

Howl Guitars

Hiroki Muramatsu
POST CODE 180-0023
4 – 23 – 6 Kyounan-Chou Musashino-shi Tokyo Japan
TEL : +81-422-30-9196 FAX : +81-422-30-9197
MAIL: info(at)howl-co.com
OPEN:12:00~20:00
Shop Closed : Tuesday / Wednesday

 

Palm Guitars, Amsterdam/Holland – Interview

When it comes to vintage and rare instruments in the Netherlands, Palm Guitars is one of the most well-known dealers. The owner, Soren Venema, has been in the business of fine and collectible vintage instruments for 35 years. His website www.palmguitars.nl has many amazing instruments from all over the world. Whether it’s an old Fender Stratocaster, a Greek Bouzouki, or an Uzbhek Tar, it can be found at Palm Guitars. Let’s meet, Soren, one of vintage musical instruments premiere dealers.

V&R: Hello Soren, thank you for taking the time for this interview. Before we discuss the range of your products and collections in more detail, can you please give our readers the history of Palm Guitars? When did Palm Guitars become an idea? Can you tell us how it all started?

Soren:  Palm Guitars started in 1976, on Waterlooplein , the famous flea-market in Amsterdam, with 50 euros and half a cowhide, making belts and other leather goods by hand. Then we slowly moved into antiques and ethnographical items and musical instruments. After spending 10 years in England buying and selling, Palm Guitars moved back to Amsterdam. We ran a musical instrument auction for a few years doing cataloguing and valueing all musical instruments. Then in 1995 Palm Guitars at its present location opened its doors.

V&R: That’s fascinating. So what was your first instrument sale back then, if you can recall?

Soren: It was an old Greek Lautas–a type of bouzouki from Macedonia.

V&R: An old Greek bouzouki? That’s very cool. Do you guys offer any artist appearances and clinics within Palm Guitars?

Soren: I have done clinics and concerts with some of the National Reso/Phonic players such as Bob Brozman, Catfish Keith,and many others , as well as ethnic concerts with players from Siberia, India , Serbia and so on.

V&R:What is the main focus in your business? Does Palm Guitars focus on selling vintage instruments only?

Soren: I am also importing a few brands, such as National Reso/Phonic guitars, Goldtone banjos as well as having my own brand “Palmstrings”, which include resonator Django Selmer type guitars…….

V&R: Do you offer private lessons in Palm Guitars?

Soren: I give one lesson with every instrument I sell.

V&R: So where did you get your enthusiasm and passion? Are there any exciting stories you would like to share with us?

Soren: Having a shop is my way of interacting with the world, and meeting known and unknown musicians can be a bonus.

V&R: Does Palm Guitars export instruments to every corner of the world? Or is it more of a regional kind of store for locals?

Soren: A lot of business goes all over the world through the website, in fact probably a greater part than what sells locally.

V&R:We have noticed that you aim to keep your prices as fair as possible, for any musician to experience a vintage instrument. Do you feel that this has been a great asset for business?

Soren: It was a long time ago when people decided themselves what something was worth, but nowadays everybody has internet and so prices have become more standardized. Price Guides can be of help but are of course not always dependable.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer the questions and share your experience with us.

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If you want to contact Palm Guitars here is some information for you:

Palm Guitars specializes in buying, selling and repairing used and antique musical instruments, western as well as ethnic.

The adresse is:

s’Gravelandse Veer 5bg 1011 KM Amsterdam The Netherlands

And they are open: wednesday-saturday 12-18 Phone:+31 (0)20 422 0445

E-mail: palmgtr(@)xs4all.nl