Louis Music is one of the largest general distributors of musical instruments and accessories in North America. Working closely with more than 265 brands, they are able to meet the needs of their consumers when it comes to instruments and accessories. Their catalog is packed with great deals on more than 13,000 products, and they are able to offer these low prices on new equipment due to their efficiency as one of the largest suppliers of musical instruments and equipment from the best brands. With more than 80 years of history as a manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments and accessories, Louis Music has adapted to changes in the music industry, developing their own lines of products shortly after the rise of rock and roll, including the respected Alvarez guitars and the well-known Crate amplifiers.
The Knilling String Instruments division continues the traditional business of wholesale violin distribution, placing special emphasis on service and adjustments made by expert craftsmen. Louis Music also includes Ampeg amplifiers, sound reinforcement equipment under the Audio Centron brand, and the SLM Omni Division which focuses on the import and wholesale of musical accessories and instruments. The SLM Electronics division includes both a factory and a research and development center, while the company's International Division is responsible for the technical adjustments needed to supply distributors in Europe, Australia and Japan. All lines of the company are represented by a single sales force and are supported by a central administrative staff. Louis Music has been able to stay ahead of its competitors by adapting to changes in the music industry.
In 1922, when the company was founded, there were 71 exhibitors at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). The vast majority of them were forced to close their businesses as the music industry went through the Depression and the upheavals caused by the evolution of popular music, from jazz to rock and roll. Electronic organs became popular in the mid-1950s, and Louis Music became a distributor for the Thomas Organ Company in 1954. They also created “a guitar that could make any crazy sound you wanted” according to their 75th anniversary brochure. The company eventually settled in Brussels, selling instruments in bulk and importing Dixieland records from the United States. Taking advantage of Dixieland's declining popularity in America but newfound popularity in Europe, Louis Music was able to stay afloat during this time.
Their mission is to be a global leader in the musical product industry in the development, production, distribution and marketing of quality instruments, equipment, accessories and related services that meet the needs of music creators. Today, Louis Music offers a variety of services to help musicians achieve their goals when it comes to making music. But are there any musical instrument distributors that offer online sales from companies based in St. Louis? The answer is yes! Louis Music is one such company that offers online sales from St. Louis-based companies.
