Hope everyone took advantage of the big Halloween Sale we just had …. There were some great deals for sure. So, we are all waiting anxiously for winter now, which for me means hunkering down on those long cold nights and catching up on some playing and repairing. Since these are both part-time activities to me these days, it’s hard to put the hours aside while enjoying the daylight hours and the sunshine, but I sure don’t mind a strum in front of the fireplace on a freshly set-up or repaired guitar!
It occurred to me that we spend a lot of time on this blog discussing new products, new companies or different methods of doing things to our instruments. We really haven’t spent that much time on discussing the actual physical business of Solo Guitars. There are those of you who can drop into the store in Concord (Vaughan), and chances are you have met probably everyone, but for those of you who can only make it occasionally or not at all …. who is it that makes the decisions, who answers the phone, and who ships your kits and parts?
I have been connected to Solo from the very beginning…back when Ara started in a small warehouse in Mississauga. In those days the business was mainly kits with a small selection of accessories and complimentary parts. Ara made the company a family business, bringing his lovely wife Vera in to oversee the office side of things and his brother-in-law Vatche as a business partner, and to run the shop. We all got along well from the start and despite my conservative viewpoint on expansion, this trio took Solo from that small warehouse in Mississauga to the massive warehouse they have now, and a stock list that went from where it was to probably the largest in-house stock and selection of guitar kits, parts and accessories in North America. Being shy as a new business is not an attribute they enjoy or resemble.
They, however, cannot run this place by themselves. First you have Kevin who deals with products being brought in, listed on the website, photographed described…well everything related to products. He shares an office with Ara, and I bug him regularly about his bankers’ hours. Kevin still plays guitar professionally and really; I think the company would have a hard time operating without him. Then you have Dave and Scott in the order room and on the sales floor. These are the two guys you will talk to for the most part, when you call in for advice, parts orders etc. They are both musicians as well and have been around for quite a long time…they are the backbone of sales at Solo and are extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Next door to them is a fairly new member of the staff, Steve, who looks after repairs, setups, advice and dark humour. I have seen some of his work, and have spoken with him extensively, so I can tell you, if you bring in your guitar/bass for repair, you are in excellent hands… also Steve does some of the nicest fret-work I have seen. For those interested, Steve is also that rare breed of tech that specializes in Floyd Rose (a job I can do and have done, but typically try to avoid). Last but not least are the guys in the warehouse. When the boxes, trucks or shipping containers come in, these fine gentlemen look after unpacking and the stocking of shelves…they also look after picking your orders, packing and shipping them. Needless to say Phil, Matt and Derryl are an indispensable team who’s attention to detail and efficiency keeps Solo Guitars functioning as it should. You will probably see them on the sales floor as well stocking shelves and picking orders…don’t forget to say hi!
The staff here at Solo is a tight-knit group, most of whom are musicians of one sort or another, and by that, I mean that they play a variety of different instruments, and share a love of music and guitars. I am honored and fortunate to be accepted by these awesome people, and that I get to walk in and act like I own the place….I mean I don’t, but no-one gives me a hard time. If you are in the area, drop in and say hi, mostly everyone is pretty much available to talk to, and depending on how busy they are, might have time for a quick chat. As always check out the website for sale details, new products and additions to our B-stock sale pages.
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