One rule stands firm in this game, people will buy name brand equipment. I this day and age it is nearly impossible for anyone to make a name for their brand as a guitar builder. The big names, the Fender Stratocaster’s and the Gibson Les Paul’s, those are the brands that people are willing to spend countless amounts of money on. Occasionally the seasoned professional guitarist will spend money on the custom guitar made by some luthier who is known for producing the best equipment. However, a young man by the name of Marc Demers is beginning to change this. At only the tender age of 21 years old, people are beginning to take notice of his talent for making high end guitars.
Demers has decided to name his company K. Normand guitars, and the company is quickly making a name for itself among the public in Canada.
Another different approach to the industry that Demers is taking is in the production of his instruments. All of Demers guitar are handmade by the man himself. He hopes to use these skills in order to make a bold statement among the Canadian guitar builders.
This is a refreshing story to show that it is possible to break into a saturated elite market. I wonder if his success is due to the “hipster”/ natural movement, and it’s embrace for customization and uniqueness, without ignoring quality? Very cool
I am an avid guitar player and I actually have played a couple K Normand guitars before. I love their quality and the beautiful craftsmanship that goes into them. They remind me a lot of Seagull guitars in that they are both individually hand-made and have a very rich sound to them. It’s unbelievable knowing that somebody so young can create such an incredible company in a market as tough as guitar manufacturing.
You said it yourself, brand name definitely matters! I think it’s so inspirational how Marc Demers is breaking into this longstanding market with his very own brand. His risk-taking and personal touch to his products adds so much more value and I think that is what sets him apart from the major guitar brands out there.