The Sound Parcel strives to showcase the unique and the innovative in music industry equipment, catering to sonic explorers who are looking for something different from the typical big-box guitar shops.
Tell us about your journey to opening The Sound Parcel Music Showroom in Easton!
I've been a musical hobbyist for as long as I can remember. At a young age my parents signed me up for piano lessons, and in middle school I transitioned to acoustic and electric guitar. I was always drawn to sound design and music production and enjoyed experimenting with different equipment, including effects pedals and synthesizers. In my early twenties I started “flipping” music equipment on eBay, and this eventually inspired what would become The Sound Parcel. In summer 2016 the website launched. At that point I was running the business out of my house— shop inventory was stored in the attic and the basement was converted into a makeshift shipping and logistics hub. By 2019, the business had grown and we moved into our current space at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton.
What can locals expect to find in-store?
The selection at The Sound Parcel includes everything from high-end guitars to hand-wired amps, boutique effects, Eurorack synths, Pro Audio, accessories and other musical oddities.
What are some of the best sellers and/or soughtafter items?
In our brick-and-mortar storefront, we bring the digital side of our business to life. One of the most popular areas of the showroom is our “trending” shelf. There you can find the most in-demand effects pedals based on online sales over the last few months. Current top picks for our customers include the Benson Delay, based on a karaoke effects chip from the 1990s, the DryBell Vibe Machine for classic uni-vibe modulation and the Hudson Broadcast in an exclusive TSP colorway. We're also particularly proud of a uniquely curated selection of American-made guitars and amps from manufacturers such as Heritage, Nash, Magnatone and Milkman.
Describe the overall vibe of the store.
I've always loved going to guitar shops but many times found stores to be a bit intimidating. When designing the showroom, my goal was for the space to be relaxed, comfortable and inviting. The lighting had to be right. The space feels more like a gallery than it does a store. Funny enough, the thing customers comment most on is the shop's smell. There's a pleasant woody scent as soon as you walk through the doors.
Tell us about your partnership with Korg Brew Music!
We've been a retail partner for Korg since we got started. When their team invited us to co-host an event in the Lehigh Valley, we jumped at the opportunity. TSP supplied the gear, Korg flew in their product specialists and Seven Sirens The Blendery poured the beers. It was a great evening with local customers and we all had the opportunity to make some bleeps and bloops on the synths.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
We're excited to be rolling out a re-envisioned customer loyalty program for our local and online customers. It's a project we've been working on for almost two years and I'm excited to finally share the details and benefits!
Is there anything else you'd like to note?
We love our local musicians, and feel it is a privilege to serve such a vibrant community here in the Lehigh Valley. Next time you need a pack of strings or a cable for an upcoming gig we hope to see you at the showroom.
669 N. 13th St. Suite A101, Easton | 484.291.4327 | thesoundparcel.co
Published as “Get the Goods” in the February 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
