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Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL ()
Date: December 14, 2009 12:51PM

What ever happened to Veneman Music?

Did they go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Rats Ass Anyone? ()
Date: December 14, 2009 12:59PM

Um they went out of buisiness but honestly, who gives a rats ass?

Also I heard there was a gay porn Attack this weekend, and I missed it! I'm a huge fan of the gay porn posted from time to time here on ffxu. Maybe we can Jack this thread if someone would be kind enough to repost this material that I missed. Also. Could the original poster change the title to gayporn in fairfax?

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: More Complete ()
Date: December 14, 2009 02:42PM

First they had a fire. Then Marz music opened up. Then they went out of business. Hope that helps!

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: paco ()
Date: December 14, 2009 05:02PM

They went belly up due to the fact their prices were always too high. Rats Ass Anyone? GTHADCB

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Worked there... ()
Date: April 30, 2013 11:45AM

FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ever happened to Veneman Music?
>
> Did they go out of business or were they bought
> out by Guitar Center?


They were bought by Guitar Center. The old man was done, and so was the son, Ted. Both treated thier employees like shit.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: correction ()
Date: April 30, 2013 12:04PM

They treated their customers like shit, I guess it all rolled downhill

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: It is 2013 ()
Date: April 30, 2013 12:16PM

Worked there... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What ever happened to Veneman Music?
> >
> > Did they go out of business or were they bought
> > out by Guitar Center?
>
>
> They were bought by Guitar Center. The old man was
> done, and so was the son, Ted. Both treated thier
> employees like shit.


And you had to dig up a three and a half year old thread to impart your stupitidy here? Try to find something more recent that people might care about.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: David Clark ()
Date: September 12, 2013 10:44PM

I remember being a kid. A stupid kid. My dad had given me a 1960's ES 335. It was in the mid to late 80's/ affordable Charvels had just come out and I was tired of classic rock and into metal. I went into Venemans to see what kind of amp I could trade for it thinking I could maybe get a Charvel and a cool amp to do divebombs and whatnot. the guy saw me coming a mile away. "Oh what you have there is just an old bastardized ES, the real ones would have had a tremolo on it, blah blah blah...I can trade you this Roland Super Cube." Mind you, I was a stupid kid but THAT guy was an ASSHOLE and he made good money on my stupidity. I have hated music stores since

I fucking love the internets. They didn't have it then
David Clark

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: David Clark ()
Date: September 13, 2013 12:49PM

I have since found out that it was Rolls Music, NOT Veneman

Carry on. No bad experiences at Veneman

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: RayG ()
Date: October 18, 2014 11:50AM

FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ever happened to Veneman Music?
>
> Did they go out of business or were they bought
> out by Guitar Center?


Bought shit tons of drum stuff from them years ago, wasn't disappointed. Surprised to hear that they treated people like shit. Karma caught up with them I guess...

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Mary Coughlin ()
Date: September 05, 2015 04:45PM

FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ever happened to Veneman Music?
>
> Did they go out of business or were they bought
> out by Guitar Center?

My late husband, Brian Coughlin, used to work for Veneman music and I was wondering if Mr. Veneman was still alive. My husband loved music but Mr. Veneman treated his employees very badly, according to my husband. Eventually, Brian left Veneman music for greener pastures.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Mary Couglin ()
Date: September 05, 2015 04:47PM

My late husband, Brian Couglin, used to work for Mr. Veneman at Veneman Music but he said that all employees were treated disrespectfully and Mr. Veneman was so tight with money, he was waterproof!

I was wondering if Mr. Veneman was still alive. He and his wife did throw some nice Christmas parties in their Potomac home, occasionally.

Brian loved music but did leave Veneman music for greener pastures and then he died about 20 years ago.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Cap'n Chaos ()
Date: September 06, 2015 07:16AM

Also, it probably didn't help that most kids these days don't want to learn to play real instruments anymore. Most of the music you hear these days is all done on a computer anyway. All that processed, corporate, candy ass junk that gets spoon fed on the radio. And who can blame them? Why take the time to learn a real instrument when you can just push a button and be a Guitar Hero??

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: FrankR. ()
Date: September 06, 2015 08:29AM

There's nothing like playing real instruments in a real band. Please do teach your kids to play and encourage them to be in a band. It teaches a lot that you just can't get from school.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: davedson ()
Date: October 04, 2015 06:11PM

FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ever happened to Veneman Music?
>
> Did they go out of business or were they bought
> out by Guitar Center?


They were just like used car salesmen, your stuff is worth nothing, there's is priceless. Too bad they just won't admit that there isn't enough profit in guitars to keep a store open unless you screw people. Tested Guitar Center recently with my 1962 J-200 Gibson sunburst, (it is pristine one owner), asked about trading it in on a 2014 J-45 ($2400.00 asking price), and they said they needed $1000.00 to go with my guitar for the J-45. Same old Same old.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: capitalism is brutal ()
Date: October 04, 2015 07:07PM

davedson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What ever happened to Veneman Music?
> >
> > Did they go out of business or were they bought
> > out by Guitar Center?
>
>
> They were just like used car salesmen, your stuff
> is worth nothing, there's is priceless. Too bad
> they just won't admit that there isn't enough
> profit in guitars to keep a store open unless you
> screw people. Tested Guitar Center recently with
> my 1962 J-200 Gibson sunburst, (it is pristine one
> owner), asked about trading it in on a c
> ($2400.00 asking price), and they said they needed
> $1000.00 to go with my guitar for the J-45. Same
> old Same old.

They're looking to make money, not make you happy.

The problem is that your J-200 is going to sit in their inventory for a long, long time, because there's just not that many people with the coin to buy a vintage guitar like that.

In the meantime, they still have to pay overhead; silly things like rent, utilities and payroll, which having a great collector guitar in their inventory will absolutely not do.

The J-45 will probably be gone in a few months, likely bought by someone looking to trade up, not trade down, and will include cash in whatever deal they work out.

Also, it's likely they didn't actually want your guitar for the reason I set out above, which is why they offered you a shit deal.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Guitar Dude ()
Date: October 04, 2015 07:52PM

Anyone want to start a band? I'm into all kinds of rock and alt-country.. I will play it all. In my 30's. let's rock!

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Bob Martin ()
Date: June 11, 2018 02:12PM

Veneman Music sold to Guitar Center in 2002. I worked there for 13 years doing all of their Music Emporium catalogs, ads, flyers, as well as their Bradley Broadcast stuff. They treated their employees just fine. I am sure there are some out there who think the world owes them that are mistreated anywhere they work. At Veneman's, if you worked hard, learned, and provided value, they took care of you - just as it should be.

I was sad to see them go. I consider Ted a friend. Koob died a few years back. I still keep in touch with some of the old crew. It was a great place.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Grumpy Old Men ()
Date: June 11, 2018 03:21PM

Bob Martin is correct on all counts above.

For the younger crowd, understand that there was a day when Veneman's, Rolls, and Chuck Levin's were fighting for the musician's dollar. 40% off list was not unusual because of the heavy competition.

I walked into Rolls after the GC/Mars juggernaut was rolling. A customer asked the guy behind the counter "How can you survive against GC?" The sales guy responded, "For years, we cut prices 40% to try and beat our competitors. Now with GC doing everything at about 22% off, we can sell at 25-30% off and do just fine. Best thing that ever happened to us - people don't realize the GC deals aren't that good."

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Local music ()
Date: June 11, 2018 03:26PM

Bob Martin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Veneman Music sold to Guitar Center in 2002. I
> worked there for 13 years doing all of their Music
> Emporium catalogs, ads, flyers, as well as their
> Bradley Broadcast stuff. They treated their
> employees just fine. I am sure there are some out
> there who think the world owes them that are
> mistreated anywhere they work. At Veneman's, if
> you worked hard, learned, and provided value, they
> took care of you - just as it should be.
>
> I was sad to see them go. I consider Ted a friend.
> Koob died a few years back. I still keep in touch
> with some of the old crew. It was a great place.


Fuck you! You guys sucked ass and were total shitheads to customers and your prices were ridiculous. I used to come in there with thousands of dollars as a teen and you assholes always blew me off. I lived in Springfield but drove to Rolls or Chuck Levin's and even Southworth because you guys were cock suckers. Glad the place burned and I'm sure it was an insurance scam. Guitar center ruined everything. Fuck that place. Go to atomic.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: AnthonyCumia ()
Date: June 12, 2018 12:59AM

Maybe learn a new thing from this master of metal:

https://www.youtube.com/user/leolego

.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Robert Garbus ()
Date: December 21, 2020 07:19AM

I saw Michael Angelo do a clinic there. The guy who plays the twin neck guitar, not a double neck but two necks going in opposite directions. Their annual clearance sale was great too.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom ()
Date: December 21, 2020 02:11PM

Ahh Yanks what was up with Giant Music , were they in with your Giant Food . Then what about that funky little place at Pickett shopping center with the teen groupies where they sold old records after the discs became extinct

Can't wait to get back to the states , got to hit up a Arthur Treachers for that wild fried crisp battered fish the hot chips and a bit of the ice cold Fanta to cool me bong, I may put on a show with that old starburst Gibson for some of the hard rockers who were Mayor of your 7-11 stores with offices in thei parking lots
Peace To you all and what the hell is this statue bashing by those stupid Democrats now uncool man it is Later Keith

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: BigPow ()
Date: December 26, 2020 09:26PM

Well, if it makes any of you fro better-
I fucked one of those shops kind of good. Had a bass that was knocked over at a show and broke up by the headstock about a third of the way thru the neck in a pretty clean sort of butterfly (un)splice.
I glued that shit by injecting glue, letting it dry, sanding it even and applying the tiniest bit of nail polish to the sanded area. Went in the store and got 575, they had similar model on floor at 650.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: PBass ()
Date: December 27, 2020 06:55AM

BigPow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, if it makes any of you fro better-
> I fucked one of those shops kind of good. Had a
> bass that was knocked over at a show and broke up
> by the headstock about a third of the way thru the
> neck in a pretty clean sort of butterfly
> (un)splice.
> I glued that shit by injecting glue, letting it
> dry, sanding it even and applying the tiniest bit
> of nail polish to the sanded area. Went in the
> store and got 575, they had similar model on floor
> at 650.


You’re gonna pay for that chit someday. Karma is a bitch.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Stories you made up ()
Date: December 27, 2020 08:47AM

BigPow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, if it makes any of you fro better-
> I fucked one of those shops kind of good. Had a
> bass that was knocked over at a show and broke up
> by the headstock about a third of the way thru the
> neck in a pretty clean sort of butterfly
> (un)splice.
> I glued that shit by injecting glue, letting it
> dry, sanding it even and applying the tiniest bit
> of nail polish to the sanded area. Went in the
> store and got 575, they had similar model on floor
> at 650.

Doubtful. Would have been more believable if you had said they gave you $575 in trade.

Also "used to come in there with thousands of dollars as a teen". Maybe one time, but used to implies you did it regularly. Unless you were selling drugs the likelihood that as a teen you would be regularly carrying around $1000 plus in cash is low.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Stratisfied ()
Date: July 13, 2021 04:05PM

FAIRFAX COUNTYS MASTER OF METAL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ever happened to Veneman Music?
>
> Did they go out of business or were they bought
> out by Guitar Center?

I know and worked with Bob Martin on the broadcast side of the Veneman house for many years. I bet most folks don't even know they built a major broadcast supply business catering to radio stations that's still going, but was sold as well. The Venemans were all about business, not music. I respected both of them but to be honest, they weren't very likable bosses. As Bob said, if you provided value, they took care of you. I remember closing a BIG six-figure deal the day prior. I happened to see Koob in the hall and told him about it. His reply was, "well, what have you done for me today?" That about sums it up. I took the opportunity and ran with it. Learned a lot, both technically and business-wise. Made a good living there for a number of years.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Marc Connelly ()
Date: December 17, 2021 07:45AM

I would like to speak to the claim that Koob Veneman was not a good boss.
I worked for Veneman from mid 1969 thru 1973.
I managed the Bethesda store on Wisconsin ave and later was sent over to resurrect the Greeenbelt Store.
Most of my tenure was in Bethesda which was not only a retail store but offices and distribution center for Aria and Nagoya guitars.

I spent all day , every day with Koob. And later Ted V. For a while.
Koob treated his staff with respect and always made sure there was stick to be sold and money to be made.
Make no mistake, I was a salesman, and as a salesman and manager I made very good money for the times. At one point Koob called me into his office and asked me how I was making twice what the other salesmen were making.
I told him it was easy, I never showed a $39.95 entry level guitar and I pushed Bonus Babys. ( products we got bonuses for selling)
He asked me to show others my techniques .

While at Venemans, at age 20 I bought my first home. Veneman gave us health insurance, paid vacations, and profit sharing.
He gave Christmas bonuses as well as gifts and a staff party/ dinner.
Managers were invited to his house with their families so his wife could give gifts to the staffs kids. Salesmen also received Christmas bonuses and gifts.
I never saw or heard of a customer that was not taken care of if a problem arose.
I had a base of returning clients that referred me on a regular basis.

These were stores we worked at. Our job was to sell. And sell I did.!
I also listened and learned. After working at Venemans I was self employed for the rest of my working life. I used so much of what I saw and experienced as a employee to make
My businesses a success and mist of my employees my friends.
Can’t speak to times after the early 70s or to Teds influance

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Chompa ()
Date: December 17, 2021 10:58AM

Cool thread. Speaking only as a consumer... purchased two new guitars in early/mid 80s from the Maryland store. Also did a guitar trade and purchased guitar (set-up work) a few times. No complaints and I liked that place. Visited their Springfield store in later years for cables and maybe an amp. They treated me well as a customer.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Date: December 17, 2021 11:00AM

venemans was the shit

they had that "no stairway to heaven allowed" sign at the guitar area....lol

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Chompa ()
Date: December 17, 2021 11:25AM

^ Don't remember that sign but it's funny and maybe before my time there.

Chuck Levin's was also a good store back then and they are still around.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Date: December 17, 2021 11:36AM

yes, chuck levins, eye have been told by reputable musicians, is the best place to go nowadays........prolly will head out there one day in the near future to cop sum much needed equipment

hopefully they will have sum drum sets eye can play....its been a while since eye been behind a drum set....gotta get my shit together.....

but yes, that "no stairway to heaven allowed" sign was up there before that Waynes world film came out to my recollection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1KqbDdmuE



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2021 11:38AM by the real General Mahdi.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Chompa ()
Date: December 17, 2021 11:52AM

Thanks for update. Now, thinking the (no stairway to heaven) was AFTER my time at the shops. Given up guitar for daily life bs before Waynes World movie release.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Date: December 17, 2021 12:20PM

ahhhhh.....gotcha

yeah, that physical universe AKA daily life bs....can't live with it, can't live without it

you still play every now and again?

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Chompa ()
Date: December 17, 2021 12:52PM

Haven't tried guitar in 10 years or more. Kids, life etc. but no complaints. Might try to pick it up again after we retire.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: The gasman ()
Date: February 02, 2022 10:10AM

I bought my first Martin D-28 from Veneman’s Music in 1985. Wish I still had it… sigh

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Sloan ()
Date: April 16, 2022 10:28AM

Back in the late 70s we only had Venemans or Victor Litz to hang around..lol. Hey, wasn't it Paul Reed Smith that started his business in the basement at Venemans?

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: ynmwc ()
Date: June 22, 2022 07:00AM

David Clark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have since found out that it was Rolls Music,
> NOT Veneman
>
> Carry on. No bad experiences at Veneman

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/432778.html

Post your experience here.

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Re: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: MikeJF ()
Date: March 24, 2023 04:03PM

My wife (then Fiancé) bought my first guitar from Veneman’s in Springfield in 1973. A Nagoya N-18. Still have that guitar, and love it! She also picked up a Martin Custom for me a couple years ago. Love that one too, but this 50 year old Nagoya is still my go to guitar. Such a great sound!

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TRe: Did Veneman Music go out of business or were they bought out by Guitar Center?
Posted by: Derrick Ward ()
Date: September 05, 2023 04:46PM

Took lessons at the Greenbelt store, bought a Bradley and later a Music Man there. They always seemed cool, but I was just a kid. I do remember they had a pet cockroach.

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