Written By: Dan O'Donnell
Russo Music, the 50 year-old store from Hamilton, NJ, has opened a new branch in Asbury Park, a move that is already paying off for the mom-and-pop retailer, which opened in 1960 by Stephen Russo and his wife, Lucy.
The biggest problem I see with a lot of small businesses is they where not stable, according to Steve DiMaggio, Marketing and Web Sales Manager for Russo Music; We are growing, we are expanding, and that’s really working for us well. The store was originally a school band instrument rental company operating out of their house. The couple carved out a business niche and have been growing ever since. They have expanded several times since moving to their current base in Hamilton and opening their new store in Asbury Park.
He said that bringing high-end gear to musicians was only part of the equation for the store’s success. The people behind the store bring their levels of professional expertise to help customers from beginning clarinet players to working, professional musicians.
”We basically have a lot of high end stuff that you can’t get at most mom-and-pop stores,” DiMaggio said. “And we’ve got guys who know what they’re doing, playing shows, working at our stores. The guys who use this gear are the same guys that are selling it, basically.”
DiMaggio should know; he came to work at Russo’s after touring nationally as a drummer.
”I was playing drums in a band, lived in California for a while, then came back here,” DiMaggio, who grew up in New Jersey, said. He worked for several music stores in the area, but decided to work for Russo’s because of the quality of products they sold. “The guys here had the higher-end audio stuff and that’s really my thing, so I talked to the manager there and got it done.”
DiMaggio worked on the sales floor for a short time before launching the store’s web site, where he displays the company’s products and used gear for sale.
In addition, he has made a series of videos on YouTube that compare various guitar effects and drum heads in the controlled environment of his studio, Eightson Studio, which he makes available to Russo Music customers at a discount.
DiMaggio said that Russo’s works with manufacturers to get custom built items for their clientele. As examples, he cited a customized Taylor guitar with a red wood top and an ebony back, and a custom-made Mesa Boogie amp covered in myrtle wood. The store also does their own guitar repairs at the store in Hamilton, and also offer a full-service repair service for all the instruments and amps they sell at the store.
But while DiMaggio may be enthusiastic about the rock and roll side of the business, he notes that the store has considerable clout with manufacturers because of their orchestral instrument rentals.
"I’d say this is one of the top music stores in New Jersey," DiMaggio said. “We definitely have a lot of buying power that other stores don’t have because of our rental program.” He noted that in his opinion, Russo was tops because of the people, and the connections they’ve formed over fifty years.
”When it comes down to it, you’ve got guys who’ve been in the business way longer selling much higher quality gear than other stores,” DiMaggio said. “Plus, we have a lot more hands on experience with the manufacturers.”
WHAT:
Russo’s Music, specializing in instrument rentals, lessons, and all manner of musical equipment
Russo’s Music, specializing in instrument rentals, lessons, and all manner of musical equipment
WHERE:
1989 Arena Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08610
639 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, 07712 (no lessons)
LINES SOLD:
Taylor, Gibson, Fender, Mesa Boogie, VOX, Fano Guitars, Tama Drums, DW, Ampeg, Acoustic and used gear
PHONE: (800) 84 RUSSO / (800) 847-8776
Hamilton, NJ 609.888.0620
Asbury Park, NJ 732.455.8397
Posted 01/2012
Hamilton, NJ 609.888.0620
Asbury Park, NJ 732.455.8397
Posted 01/2012
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