FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! ! ! ! ! ! ! January 23, 2015
Contact: Bill Conklin (NAMM Hall E Booth # 1285)
Conklin Guitars and Basses Celebrate 30 Years of Excellence, Innovation and IntegrityWith Two New Product Lines and Social Media Outreach
Conklin Custom Guitars and Basses was founded in 1984 by Bill Conklin at the age of 21. The original concept of the company was to provide totally one-of-a-kind custom instruments to discriminating players in addition to offering repair services, modifications and refinishing.
By 1988 the instrument building side of the business had grown to the point where it became necessary to make it the companys sole focus. That same year Conklin moved his operation from the temporary start-up location in Lebanon, Missouri to a new, larger facility in Springfield, Missouri and released his own original model line of modern designs which incorporated many of the innovative and forward-thinking features still found on every Conklin instrument to this day; including a locking 14 input jack, a fully sculpted and contoured neck heel and Conklins exclusive off-sides dots which served as a top and side position marker in one.
The company attended its first NAMM show in January of 1991 and became a regular exhibitor at both the summer and winter shows for the next 12 years; at times even manning two booths (one for guitars and one for basses) at the same show.
The early 90s also saw a whirlwind of development and innovation from Conklin including the introduction of the first 7 string bass in late 1991, their exclusive Melted Tops which incorporated several species of exotic woods into a beautiful and unique organic graphic in 1992 and 8 and 9 string guitars that preceded the current market popularity by some 20 years!
In 1994 Conklin built his own 2000 square foot Custom Shop in Springfield, Missouri which remains the current location. Most of Conklins major product designs and refinements have taken place in this facility including the highly popular Sidewinder and Crossover body styles, the Mobile Electric Upright or MEU bass, the worlds first 8 and 9 string extended range basses, an on-board parametric EQ, a one-space rack mount stereo panning unit and Conklins own brand of stainless steel roundwound bass strings called Snakeskins.
After receiving numerous requests for a more budget-friendly and readily available line, Bill Conklin was introduced to the late Jack Westheimer at the Winter NAMM show in January of 1997. After an enthusiastic discussion of Bills ideas, the two entered into a licensing agreement to create an import line called Groove Tools by Conklin based on Conklins popular instrument designs and construction techniques . Westheimer Corporation still handles the marketing and distribution of the highly sought-after Groove Tools line to the retail market.
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Conklin GuitarsP.O. Box 1394 Springfield, MO 65801
www.ConklinGuitars.com [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
By the ushering in of the new millennium the small two-man shop was operating at full capacity producing their New Century Series guitars and basses for boutique dealers and specialty shops around the world and building spectacular one-off custom pieces for semi-pro musicians and some of the biggest names in the business including a gorgeous 3-D Whitesnake guitar for Steve Vai, the Fisher model guitar co-designed with Roger Fisher (founding member of Heart), a fantasy-inspired 8 string (4 root/4 octave) bass for Victor Wooten featuring a hand carved exotic wood Dragon which covered the entire top of the body and a dragon slayer with a silver sword.
Other notable Custom Shop builds include several extended range 7, 8 & 9 string basses for the extraordinarily talented Bill the Buddha Dickens including his own signature Groove Tools GTBD-7 model during an endorsement collaboration spanning more than 15 years. In addition, multiple guitar projects for Jeff Cook of Alabama, a stunning left-handed 7 string bass for Keith Horne (Tanya Tucker) and a long-running relationship with legendary Tower of Power bassist Rocco Prestia.
In 2007 Bill and his business partner, master builder and electronics specialist Mike Apperson discovered a budding pickup maker from Sweden named Johan Lundgren who was winding phenomenal vintage-style guitar and bass pickups and modern metal marvels for the likes of Meshuggah. After recommending the pickups to several clients and receiving rave reviews on the tone and clarity, the two approached Lundgren about expanding his market to the USA and soon Conklin was the exclusive US distributor for Lundgren pickups.
As the Conklin brand eclipses the 30th anniversary milestone, business partners Bill Conklin and Mike Apperson feel a renewed sense of pride, inspiration, dedication and commitment to create musical works of art with uncompromising quality on every level in an effort to meet or exceed every customers highest expectations for the next 30 years.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! ! ! ! ! ! ! January 23, 2015
Contact: Bill Conklin (NAMM Hall E Booth # 1285)
Conklin Guitars Builds on its 30 Years of Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation by Announcing Two New Instrument Lines
ANAHEIM, CA - Conklin Guitars, the small but mighty custom guitar shop out of Springfield, MO announced today at NAMM two new instrument lines. Primarily known for their remarkable sounding extended range basses and guitars and their unique "melted tops," featuring flawlessly jointed hardwoods in impossible designs, these boutique instruments have often been beyond the financial range of many artists...until now.
"We have been working for several years to develop the right balance between mechanized efficiency and hand-built quality," said Bill Conklin, "and we are so proud to announce that we have found that balance."
"These two new lines offer a wide range of options at an affordable price point to ensure that every bassist or guitarist, regardless of wether they are an up-and-comer or a seasoned pro can look and sound amazing" he continued.
The "Conklin Classic" line offers basses in 4 or 5 strings and guitars with 6 or 7 strings with a "retro" look. Finish options include sunburst, carved arch top, hollow body, and the very popular Sea Foam Green. "I don't know what it is about that sea foam green, but everybody seems to love it!" said Bill. There are other options as well that include binding, pick guards and exotic hardwoods with clear-coat finishes in this new line.
The "Cutting Edge" line will offer more unconventional options including fanned frets, midi, piezo pickups and of course their famous extended range. "For this line we wanted the look to be cutting edge also, so different instruments will have a different inlay at the 12th fret and we have some really exciting new finishes, including a Mystic Finish which shimmers, and a Faceted Finish which changes a variety of colors depending on the angle you are looking at it" Conklin explained. "It truly is amazing!"
The best news for consumers is the price. "Thanks to the innovations made over several years with technology and the hard work of my partner, Mike Apperson, anyone can now own an instrument that is a custom hand-build quality for less than $4200." And that truly is amazing.
Prices start at $2799, and a full listing of instrument options and price list can be found at the Conklin booth during NAMM and on their website in the near future.
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Conklin GuitarsP.O. Box 1394 Springfield, MO 65801
www.ConklinGuitars.com [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
