New shop joins 'Music Row'
<p>Scott Wilburn has opened Wilburn Custom Shop on First Avenue as a showcase for his own custom-built electric guitars, as well as a showroom for his music store and the work of other local artists. (Photo DAVID GUNTER)</p>
SANDPOINT — Nashville lays claim to the original name, but downtown Sandpoint now has a Music Row of its own.
Within the distance of a single block, three music shops offer a full gamut of goods and services.
Flatpick Earl was the first store to open, specializing in both beginner level and handcrafted acoustic instruments, as well as professional recording studio services.
Next came Fiddlin’ Red’s Music, with all manner of acoustic stringed instruments, along with band instrument rentals and repair.
This month, the tuneful trifecta was rounded out when Wilburn Custom Shop opened its doors at 107 N. First Ave.
While this is the first time owner Scott Wilburn has operated in a storefront location, the company name has been around for some time.
“Wilburn Custom Shop is the name I used to build guitars — hundreds of them — over the past 15 years,” he said.
As a career musician and recording artist, Wilburn focused most of his instrument building time on creating upscale electric guitars for a discerning clientele.
All the while, he harbored the image of running a family friendly music store that catered to entry level players in need of acoustic and electric guitars, basses, drums, amplifiers and sound systems.
When the brick-walled retail space became available on First Avenue, Wilburn saw his chance to put things into motion.
“It’s been in my mind for a while,” he said. “Finding this beautiful space just kicked it into gear.”
The sales floor of the 1,200-square-foot shop greets visitors with an impressive collection of instruments and gear.
For music lovers, it’s the kind of labyrinth that is just plain fun to navigate.
The entire north wall is lined, floor to ceiling, with acoustic and electric guitars priced to suit beginners and gigging veterans alike, with brand names that include Hagstrom, Parker, Jay Turser, Washburn and, of course, Wilburn.
Lined up in rows nearby are guitar and bass amps from Marshall, Hartke and Behringer, as well as Behringer sound systems and electric drums, Casio pianos and synthesizers, and effects “stomp boxes” from DOD and DigiTech.
Traditional drum sets also are on display, thanks to local percussionist Chris Terracciano and his inventory at BackBeat Drums.
Aligning with Wilburn’s goal of creating a family atmosphere, his wife, Dawn, has set up shop in an adjoining section of the building for her business, Dawn’s Therapeutic Massage.
“She was also thinking it would be nice to do something closer to town and we both thought it would be cool to be part of the downtown area,” said Wilburn, adding that the back of the store is a dedicated art gallery with some of his own work, along with that of western wildlife artist Whitney Southwick.
It was Dawn’s idea to open part of the retail space to other local artisans, the owner explained, which resulted in merchandise flowing in from LoveWorks Tie-Dye, EcoGreen Clothing, Mora Maynard Knit Hats and custom furniture by WhistleStop Interiors.
“We’re trying to work with existing little businesses and help them be successful,” Wilburn said. “It’s kind of a forum for people who otherwise couldn’t afford to be downtown.”
The eclectic merchandise mix also gives many of his music store customers more time to explore and play, he pointed out.
“The guys come in and head straight for the guitars, while their wives shop the clothes or browse around the furniture and the art gallery,” the owner said.
Like other small towns in the U.S., Sandpoint has seen its share of music stores come and go over the years — more than half a dozen of them since the late-1970s.
That trend has become even more aggressive over the past decade, with the advent of online music warehouse stores offering deep discounts that the mom and pop shops couldn’t compete with.
Wilburn Custom Shop, meanwhile, plans to offer professional expertise at warehouse prices, trading lower margins for retail longevity.
“We are actually priced at $1 below what the warehouses advertise for,” said Wilburn. “And there’s also the advantage that we live here.
“This has been a fun, family project,” he went on. “My son was my construction crew when we were putting the hangers up for the guitars and my daughter, who is a budding artist herself, arranged all the window displays.
“My goal is to have this become ‘the little music shop in Sandpoint’ and to keep it open forever.”
Wilburn Custom Shop, which also offers lessons and recording studio rental, is open Monday-Saturday from 11:30-5:30 and the store is located directly across from the downtown Starbucks.
For more information call (208) 255-4258, or visit them online at: www.wilburncustomshop.com