WWBW now part of Music & Arts

[Posaunus]

We're thrilled to welcome Woodwind & Brasswind to the Music & Arts family!

"Combining the best elements of two historic brands, this new arrangement under the Music & Arts banner is sure to deliver an extraordinary customer experience."

[tbonesullivan]

Aren't both of them owned by guitar center? I guess they wanted to clean up redundancy?

[Posaunus]

Aren't both of them owned by guitar center? I guess they wanted to clean up redundancy?

Yup.

"Music & Arts (M&A) has announced that, after four decades of serving pro players and beginners alike, sister brand Woodwind & Brasswind (WWBW) is joining M&A. The two organizations — both part of the Guitar Center family of brands — will now be operating solely as Music & Arts, offering an enhanced musical experience for educators and musicians across the country."

Apparently the only change is that the WWBW name will disappear.

[tbonesullivan]

Apparently the only change is that the WWBW name will disappear.

Honestly, about time. I think for a while they were operating Music123, Musiciansfriend, WWBW, Giardinelli, and Music & Arts websites and stores. Definitely got confusing at times. I don't think they'll ever fold the Music & Arts and Musiciansfriend brands together though, as they are aimed at such different demographics.

[sterb225]

Not a fan of the GCenter leadership. This kind of consolidation is not good for the industry.

[JohnL]

Aren't both of them owned by guitar center? I guess they wanted to clean up redundancy?

Yeah, nothing to see here. It's been over 10 years since GC bought out WWBW, and (at least as far as I could tell) any distinction between WWBW and Music and Arts has long since vanished.

[AtomicClock]

I found myself on wolfpakcases.com, surprised to find they offer a "polyfoam" trombone case. Curious, I followed its description link to wwbw.com, which has an expired certificate, and simply forwards to musicarts.com, which does not sell the case!

I was glad to see Wolfpak -- I didn't think they existed for the last 25 years. But maybe they don't after all.

[Posaunus]

It's late and I only have my phone, but I seem to recall having a Wolfpak trombone case.
I believe it wasn't very good.
Gone now.
Better products available.

[NathanSobieralski]

I still use a Wolfpak quad trumpet case. Its tough as nails and been around the world a couple times. Sad to see the quality go south.

[JohnL]

I'm looking at the Music & Arts website and I see three different guitar bags, a cymbal bag, a drumstick-mallet bag, and a tenor saxophone bag.

Looking at their (admittedly outdated) website, it seems that their products were only offered through WWBW. Makes me think that they were a captive brand.