GEAR PURCHASING SURVEY
Canadian Musician surveyed musi-
cians across the country to find out
about their tendencies pertaining to
purchasing music equipment. Here
are the results…
From which of the following
instrument groups do you regularly
purchase gear or accessories?
25%
08%
08%
02%
14%
10%
01%
19%
10%
03%
Guitar
Bass guitar
Drums/percussion
Brass/Strings/Woodwinds
Vocals
Piano/Keyboards
DJ Equipment
02%
11%
22%
17%
28%
10%
10%
$0-100
$101-200
$201-500
$1,001-2,000
$2,001-3,000
Over $3,000
77% of respondents say they buy the
majority of their big-ticket items (i.e. instru-
ments, speakers, etc.) in-store, with only
11% saying online & the rest split evenly
between the two
Live Sound For small-ticket items (i.e. strings, reeds,
Other etc.), still a good majority,
usually purchase in-store
Weekly
Monthly
Few times a year
Yearly
Less often
73% say they
32% chose “existing relationships” and
26% chose “price” as the main factor
that determines where they’ll shop for
big-ticket items
When purchasing small-tickets items,
38% say convenience is the most
important factor in where they’ll shop,
22% who say price
“Test in store, check the market price
online, bargain the local store if I need
to, buy local.”
“More online research and product
reviews. I prefer to purchase from
companies/manufacturers support-
ing local initiatives with sponsorships/
in-kind donations for events...”
“Reviews from YouTube or product
praise from producers on Instagram.
Yes, Instagram has gained my atten-
tion more in the past five years.”
“Research online and then go to a
store to check it out. Before I’d rely a
bit more on the salesperson but now
with all the online demos, all I need is
to feel the instrument/device person-
ally and I can make my decision.”
followed by
When purchasing big-ticket items
(items over $100), how do you
decide what product you will
purchase (research online, test
product in-store, etc.) and has this
changed in the past five years?
“Test in store first (if available),
research further online, return to store
to get any further questions
answered. Order product from the
store or make purchase.”
$501-1,000
Recording Software & Gear
How often do you purchase instru-
ments and/or accessories on average?
03%
16%
56%
12%
14%
On average, how much do you spend
per year on instruments and
accessories in total?
Canadian rock legend, songwriter, and broadcaster Kim Mitchell (pictured) will be
inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in a special presentation at CMW’s
Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards on May 21 st in Toronto, and joined by Ed
Robertson of Barenaked Ladies for a performance. Mitchell led the popular and influen-
tial band Max Webster throughout the 1970s and then enjoyed solo success with tracks
like “Patio Lanterns” and “Go for a Soda.” He was also one of the most popular radio DJs in
the country in the early 2000s on Toronto’s Q107. www.cshf.ca.
CANADIAN MUSICIAN 17