Sweetwater

[Paulver]

Anybody been to visit Sweetwater Sound in Ft. Wayne, IN? Man....... what an operation........ and growing!!! It's kinda like DisneyWorld for musicians.
Incredible planning, organization, etc. And the owner gives back quite a bit to his hometown of Ft. Wayne.
Not a lot to "see" brass-wise, but they can get it if you ask for something.

Lessons, music camps, master classes, recording studios, conference rooms, Medical Clinic, Spa, Huge cafeteria with chefs making great food......( and I mean GREAT food), and a cafe..... complete with a stage, sound equipment, lighting, etc., for regular performances throughout each week.

We were there to pick up some recording equipment for our daughter. Mics, Cables, Audio Interface, etc. Incredible place to shop!! If they don't have it......... you don't need it!!

[arpthark]

I was driving through Fort Wayne a couple weeks ago and saw it on the map, but I didn't realize it was such a large operation. Cool!

Who remembers the days of the WWBW store up in South Bend? That's a trip I unfortunately never got to make.

[bloke]

I was driving through Fort Wayne a couple weeks ago and saw it on the map, but I didn't realize it was such a large operation. Cool!

Who remembers the days of the WWBW store up in South Bend? That's a trip I unfortunately never got to make.

I remember after the big fancy wwbw store was built.
I stopped there one time to check out a brand new 5450 (on the way to buying the one that I ended up buying from an individual ...the new one they had was a dud), and I bumped into Kristi Crago (horn player) in there.
She and I used to play in the same orchestra, and she was actually on her way to a Burning River Brass gig - heading down i-80 - and needed a bottle of valve oil.

[Paulver]

I too, remember The Woodwind Brasswind Store. I bought from them many times during my band director days. Never got to their store, but did business with them on several occasions...... as did many other local band director colleagues. After I moved to the elementary school job, I never gave them another thought. Just read online what happened to them.

Nose around the internet for Sweetwater Sound Net Worth. It has turned into quite an enterprise. Chuck Surack is the founder.

[Mary Ann]

I went there during an Indiana trip when my parents were still alive. Met up with Roger Lewis and played some tubas, but I didn't yet really know how to play them. He was as always extremely kind.

[prodigal]

They have excellent customer service.

[russiantuba]

ONU has a partnership with them for our BA in Sound Recording Technology degree.

I had a high school student buy a Besson Prestige from them, seemed like good customer service on the sale.

I finally bought something, a snake brush Mark posted with the link, as it was cheaper than Amazon and other places and had free shipping. Got a direct email from the sales person and even got a call from them directly. I’m not much of a phone call guy but since the call was semi local and not a Texas area code, figured it might be semi-important. Very nice person, I felt I was wasting his time that he had to call because I ordered something.

Package came—well packaged in a box, it had a sack of candy in there. I figured it would be a bubble mailer being through USPS but a well taped, sturdy box for a simple snake brush.

I will definitely buy again when looking online if the prices are similar. I do like supporting more local shops like Buckeye Brass and when I can make the visit it is great and I do my repairs there (though a Miraphone 98 and 497 tugging at money I don’t have is a deterrence). I went to a local Music and Arts, one I taught at for years, to get some slide grease. It was about the same price, felt rushed in the store to get what I need and get out.

[Paulver]

My customer rep calls periodically. Originally, I thought he was just trying to drum up more business. HOWEVER, after dealing with him a few times, and especially after meeting and spending time with him this week, I'm convinced that he's a genuinely sincere person, whose interest lies in keeping the customer satisfied. A while back, my daughter had an issue with her bluetooth (page turning) pedal during her boards, and also needed it for several back to back rehearsals and performances right afterward. I called Sweetwater, where we'd bought it. My rep never even asked a question regarding it. They sent a replacement for it instantly, and all he asked for was that she return the faulty unit in a timely manner.

[gocsick]

Yeah.. I ordered a microphone and a USB audio interface from them. I was really surprised when they called a week later and just asked if everything was alright and if I wanted to speak to one of their recording experts about any questions I had. Didn't try to sell me anything, then they did a few months follow-up. Surprisingly good service.