Sam Ash
Encyclopedia
Sam Ash was founded in 1924, and is the largest family owned chain of musical instrument stores in the United States
. Sam Ash sells musical instruments, recording equipment, DJ and lighting equipment, and professional sound equipment.The Company record shows annual revenue is $1b to $5b & estimated employee size 100 - 499. The parent company, Sam Ash Music Corporation also owns several major long standing brands in the music industry, among them Groove Percussion (drums and percussion), the Brownsville NY (guitars and amps), Carlo Robelli (stringed instruments, guitars, and accordions), and Jean Baptiste (brass and woodwinds). Some of Sam Ash's products such as the Sam Ash Fuzz Boxxx and Sam Ash Guitar Amps, have become collector's items.
. The family emigrated to the United States
in 1907.
The family soon moved to Brooklyn
, more specifically Hopkinson Avenue, in which the whole Ash family had resided for some time. As soon as they settled, Sam began school and stayed in school until the sixth grade. During this period Sam also attempted to learn English.
Sam’s father Morris later developed a tumor
putting him temporarily out of work. By the time his condition improved he had already been replaced in his job. This left Sam to pay the bills by himself. Sam started out working as an apprentice in cutting. This helped to pay for the family, but Sam didn't enjoy the work. He wanted to continue his passion, the violin
.
Sam soon began studying more on the violin and later started teaching
others how to play. He went on to form the Sam Ash Orchestra. They played many weddings, dances and Jewish organizations around the New York
area.
In August 1923 Sam met his future wife, Rose Dinin. Rose had arrived in America around the same time as Sam, though she had emigrated from Russia
when she was three. After six months they married on February 9, 1924. Sam was 27 and Rose was 21.
Being low on money, they didn’t move into their own house right away. They continued to reside in Sam's parents' house a little longer to earn the necessary money. Sam had been attempting to make a living by playing gigs, Rose felt that this was too precarious a living and they decided to start their own business. Sam wanted to make a store on what he knew best; music. They found a building owned by a widow who was willing to rent it out. To make the final down payment on the store, Rose had to pawn her engagement ring
for $400 (she later got it back). This helped to buy what would become the first Sam Ash store.
Although they had bought the store, both Sam and Rose still spent another two years with Sam’s parents on Hopkinson Avenue in Brooklyn. Although they were officially renting both the store and the new home on 410 Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn’s Brownsville
neighborhood. (This is where the name of Brownsville Guitars comes from).
At first the store only sold musical instruments and phonograph
s. When radios
started becoming popular, the phonograph became less popular. In addition to selling phonographs they also sold records. Later businesses like Sam Goody
started competing.
In 1925, their first son Jerry was born. In 1929, Paul was born and in 1935, Marcia was born. The children would usually tend for both the home and the store. Jerry usually helped Sam make deliveries of music and instruments around New York to various people, Paul would help out within the store with Marcia, and Marcia would also simultaneously help out around the house. During this time Sam’s son Jerry joined the army and the family moved the store once again. It was now located in 242 Utica Avenue Brooklyn, only this time they owned the whole building and no longer had to rent. When Sam's son Jerry came home, Jerry married Bernice. Later Paul, like his brother Jerry, joined the army for three years.
On September 8, 1956, Sam died of a massive heart attack
. Sam is buried alongside Rose in Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY
He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
on October 15, 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Sam Ash sells musical instruments, recording equipment, DJ and lighting equipment, and professional sound equipment.The Company record shows annual revenue is $1b to $5b & estimated employee size 100 - 499. The parent company, Sam Ash Music Corporation also owns several major long standing brands in the music industry, among them Groove Percussion (drums and percussion), the Brownsville NY (guitars and amps), Carlo Robelli (stringed instruments, guitars, and accordions), and Jean Baptiste (brass and woodwinds). Some of Sam Ash's products such as the Sam Ash Fuzz Boxxx and Sam Ash Guitar Amps, have become collector's items.
Ash Family history
Samuel Ashkynase was born on August 21, 1897 to Moishe and Mottl Ashkynase, in a small town in Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. The family emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1907.
The family soon moved to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, more specifically Hopkinson Avenue, in which the whole Ash family had resided for some time. As soon as they settled, Sam began school and stayed in school until the sixth grade. During this period Sam also attempted to learn English.
Sam’s father Morris later developed a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
putting him temporarily out of work. By the time his condition improved he had already been replaced in his job. This left Sam to pay the bills by himself. Sam started out working as an apprentice in cutting. This helped to pay for the family, but Sam didn't enjoy the work. He wanted to continue his passion, the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
.
Sam soon began studying more on the violin and later started teaching
Music lesson
Music lessons are a type of formal instruction in playing a musical instrument or singing. Typically, a student taking music lessons meets a music teacher for one-on-one training sessions ranging from 30 minutes to one hour in length over a period of weeks or years...
others how to play. He went on to form the Sam Ash Orchestra. They played many weddings, dances and Jewish organizations around the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
area.
In August 1923 Sam met his future wife, Rose Dinin. Rose had arrived in America around the same time as Sam, though she had emigrated from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
when she was three. After six months they married on February 9, 1924. Sam was 27 and Rose was 21.
Being low on money, they didn’t move into their own house right away. They continued to reside in Sam's parents' house a little longer to earn the necessary money. Sam had been attempting to make a living by playing gigs, Rose felt that this was too precarious a living and they decided to start their own business. Sam wanted to make a store on what he knew best; music. They found a building owned by a widow who was willing to rent it out. To make the final down payment on the store, Rose had to pawn her engagement ring
Engagement ring
An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. In the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, engagement rings are traditionally worn only by women, and rings can feature diamonds or other gemstones. In other cultures...
for $400 (she later got it back). This helped to buy what would become the first Sam Ash store.
Although they had bought the store, both Sam and Rose still spent another two years with Sam’s parents on Hopkinson Avenue in Brooklyn. Although they were officially renting both the store and the new home on 410 Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn’s Brownsville
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville is a residential neighborhood located in eastern Brooklyn, New York City.The total land area is one square mile, and the ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11212....
neighborhood. (This is where the name of Brownsville Guitars comes from).
At first the store only sold musical instruments and phonograph
Phonograph
The phonograph record player, or gramophone is a device introduced in 1877 that has had continued common use for reproducing sound recordings, although when first developed, the phonograph was used to both record and reproduce sounds...
s. When radios
Receiver (radio)
A radio receiver converts signals from a radio antenna to a usable form. It uses electronic filters to separate a wanted radio frequency signal from all other signals, the electronic amplifier increases the level suitable for further processing, and finally recovers the desired information through...
started becoming popular, the phonograph became less popular. In addition to selling phonographs they also sold records. Later businesses like Sam Goody
Sam Goody
Sam Goody was a music and entertainment retailer in the United States and United Kingdom, and was owned and operated by Trans World Entertainment which also runs FYE, Saturday Matinee, and Suncoast Motion Picture Company. It specialized in music, video, and video game sales...
started competing.
In 1925, their first son Jerry was born. In 1929, Paul was born and in 1935, Marcia was born. The children would usually tend for both the home and the store. Jerry usually helped Sam make deliveries of music and instruments around New York to various people, Paul would help out within the store with Marcia, and Marcia would also simultaneously help out around the house. During this time Sam’s son Jerry joined the army and the family moved the store once again. It was now located in 242 Utica Avenue Brooklyn, only this time they owned the whole building and no longer had to rent. When Sam's son Jerry came home, Jerry married Bernice. Later Paul, like his brother Jerry, joined the army for three years.
On September 8, 1956, Sam died of a massive heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. Sam is buried alongside Rose in Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY
He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
Long Island Music Hall of Fame
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame is an organization whose office is located in Port Jefferson, New York. It was incorporated in July 2005 under the New York State Board of Regents as a non profit organization and holds a provisional charter to operate as a museum in the state of New York...
on October 15, 2006.