By Noe Gutierrez
At one point in time there were eight independently owned music stores in the Coachella Valley. Today, the most revered carries on. A music mecca like the Coachella Valley justifies the superior retail music store that is Musician’s Outlet in Palm Desert. Independently owned and operated by Randy and Cindy Hewitson for over 27 years, Musician’s Outlet has stood the test of time and continues to provide quality personalized service. Unequivocally, it is the one-stop shop for every type of musician and instrument.
As a self-christened musician, I have purchased many items from the store over the years as have thousands of other desert musicians. There is a unique kinship between Musician’s Outlet and desert musicians. That support is reciprocated by the Hewitsons through their participation in many events throughout the Coachella Valley. Moreover, a majority of the staff have remained employees for at least the last 10 years. The highly qualified staff has allowed the Coachella Valley’s only full-line music store to maintain its longevity. As the desert’s acoustic specialists, at last count, there were approximately 225 acoustic and electric guitars in stock. Cindy manages the store day to day and you can find Randy on any given day on the sales floor or behind the counter. With over 3,500 square feet of retail space you will have plenty to look at; guitars, ukuleles, drums & percussion, brass/woodwind & strings, amplifiers, microphones, PA audio gear, sheet music and accessories.
Also provided on-site is guitar, brass/woodwind and electronic repair; including; re-stringing, set-ups, electronics, cleaning, re-pads, re-corks, guitar amps, speakers and complete overhaul of all the above.
If that weren’t enough, Musician’s Outlet also facilitates music lessons for almost every type of instrument including; guitar, ukulele, cello, violin, viola, banjo, piano, mandolin, brass/woodwind instruments and drums/percussion. If you purchase your instrument at Musician’s Outlet your introductory lesson is free. There will be a ukulele class that includes beginners to intermediate level players. It will be conducted every Saturday beginning 2/22/14 for four weeks from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $80 for all 4 classes. Space is limited so you must RSVP by visiting the store or calling (760) 341-3171.
Randy has covered all the bases with Musician’s Outlet. He is also the general manager of SIR Palm Springs, the only full-service backline company in the Coachella Valley. In 2005, SIR teamed up with Musician’s Outlet to provide a more comprehensive array of services. As a bonus to Musician’s Outlet customers, if you purchase any musical instrument or equipment from Musician’s Outlet and it fails for any reason, SIR will temporarily replace it until it is repaired. This loaner service is at no cost to the consumer.
In securing the legacy of Musician’s Outlet and all self-reliant music stores, Randy is continuously seeking new avenues of support. Randy is a member of Music For Everyone (M.F.E.), a collaboration of independently owned music store owners in Southern California who meet every other month to discuss business and share inventories. This innovative approach to the music business will ensure that Musician’s Outlet continues to serve its community.
Musician’s Outlet
44-850 San Pablo
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 341-3171
www.musicians-outlet.com
Because “Everybody Needs An Outlet”.
Studio Instrument Rentals, Inc. (SIR)
74830 Velie Way, Suite E
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 340-4864
psinfo@sir-usa.com
