Trade Regrets: Jack Westheimer

August 16, 2012

Jack Westheimer was truly an iconic figure in the MI industry. By forging business connections with Japanese guitar makers in the 1960s, Jack created new outlets and business models for the sale, distribution, and manufacture of instruments throughout the globe that would subsequently be embraced by many.

Included among the multitude of brands that Westheimer had a hand in at one point or another were: Teisco, Cortez, Silvertone, Kingston, Pearl, and – of course – Cort. He was a pivotal figure in entering into commercial enterprise with China long before it was a commonplace for musical instrument manufacturing on a global scale and also pioneered many marketing ideas and conspectus that have become common in the industry.

Jack Westheimer passed away on August 13 at the age of 82. To view his NAMM Oral History clip, click here.

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