Fretlight and Sweetwater Sound Partner to Make Guitar Playing a Reality for Everyone
The third largest musical instrument retailer is now distributing the Fretlight Guitar
Reno, NV & Fort Wayne, IN (November 14, 2012) — Optek Music Systems Inc. (www.fretlight.com), makers of the Fretlight® Guitar, and Sweetwater Sound (www.sweetwater.com), the third largest retailer of musical instruments in the U.S., today announced the two companies have partnered to make guitar-playing dreams a reality for individuals nationwide. With exposure in Sweetwater’s catalogs and online resources, the partnership is expanding Fretlight’s distribution to millions of musicians.
Sweetwater, the country’s most respected dealer in high-technology equipment for musicians, is now actively selling Fretlight’s full line of electric and acoustic guitars, accessories, lessons and Fretlight Ready instructional videos. Fretlight debuted in the winter issue of Sweetwater's Pro Gear Directory, a virtual encyclopedia for the music industry, and is also featured in two other Sweetwater catalogs--the Music Educators Technology Resource, a directory tailored to educators and schools, and the WorshipSound Pro Catalog, a resource for worship leaders and congregations. In addition, the Fretlight guitar is available through the Sweetwater website and retail store in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
"The thing I really like about Fretlight guitars is that they provide a completely new way for players to learn and to get where they want to be very quickly” said Jeff Radke, Executive Vice President of Sales for Sweetwater. "Rather than simply selling someone a guitar and hoping they benefit from it, we are able to provide our customers with a product we know they will immediately gain value from because it has all of the learning tools they need at their disposal. As a retailer, it doesn't get much better than that. We have seen an incredible consumer response to Fretlight and look forward to more growth in the months to come.”
Fingering information for chords, scales, songs, riffs and tablature light up on the Fretlight Guitar fretboard where individuals need it most, right under their fingers. The Fretlight enables players to concentrate on the neck of the guitar, eliminating the back and forth routine from traditional books and diagrams. It connects to a PC or Mac and included software and video lessons drive the on-board light system.
“Sweetwater provides a level of service and expertise in the music industry that is second to none,” said Rusty Shaffer, CEO and inventor of the Fretlight Guitar. “We immediately recognized our shared values for customer satisfaction and personal contact with customers. It’s a perfect fit to have the professional Sales Engineers at Sweetwater representing Fretlight.”
About Optek Music Systems, Inc.
Optek Music System, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in Reno, NV. Developers of the Fretlight® Guitar, this privately-held company manufactures and distributes six-string electric guitars that utilize a truly revolutionary patented technology through its interactive light system that allows the player to learn the guitar quicker and with better retention. Notes, scales, chords, progressions, lessons, songs, riffs and more are easily accomplished through its Fretlight Studio software. Optek has many U.S. and international patents as well as patents pending for its interactive guitar learning systems and musical instrument manufacturing designs. For more information, visit www.fretlight.com.
Optek Press Contact: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, (877) 718-4604 x2, carol@arnoldcomm.com.
About Sweetwater Sound, Inc.
Sweetwater began business 33 years ago in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is the country's most respected dealer in high-technology equipment for musicians, recording studios, and broadcasters - from microphones and digital recording systems to electric guitars to electronic keyboards and electronic drums. Sweetwater customers range from beginners to rock stars. The company's equipment can be found in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville recording studios, TV and radio stations all across the country, as well as in tens of thousands of home recording studios nationwide. Sweetwater is built on a commitment to the highest level of customer service in the music technology industry. For further information visit www.sweetwater.com.
Sweetwater Press Contact: Christopher Guerin, Director of Program Development, (800) 222-4700 x1030, Christopher_guerin@sweetwater.com.
