by Raymond » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:26 pm
LP for percussion is like Rolex in watches. It is the brand most recognized around the world. When I was a little kid I hated that my dad bought me some Slingerlands instead of the cool LP timbales. Definitively, they have built the supply chain and believe it or not the service. Therefore, you have to give it to them....
I will not be amazed that Cubans use LP. It is my understanding that when Cuban groups travel around the world they get everything they can get to take back to Cuba. Name it...baseball caps, watches, clothing, etc, etc and of course, instruments. Why not get the "cool" brand that is probably the hardest to get there... Remember American companies are forbidden to do business in Cuba, therefore, through their traveling is how they get their instruments. (Woudn't be surprised that somehow LP supplies to Cuba to their few endorsers there in the island somehow).
In my opinion, LP continues to be the brand to reckon with although their edge is getting shorter and shorter...(Their prices have "stalled" a little bit and are giving good deals due to the competition....No longer people are willing to pay the extra the instrumens used to cost). LP is now is under a conglomerate, Karman Music who also owns Gilbraltar and Toca, we'll see....Their endorsers have seen the difference in treatment, good by the way. I am not surprised of this change in attitude towards their endorsers and public since they lost some good endorsers upon the Karman acquisition. For the Martin Cohen fans, the founder of LP, he still there I believe as a consultant and "face" of the company....
Saludos!