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Sweetwater has launched the Mesa/Boogie Build Your Boogie visual configurator, developed in close collaboration with Mesa/Boogie to bring an unprecedented level of customization and inspiration to the online gear experience. From finishes to furniture, the tool integrates a wide range of options with visuals designed to reflect each choice as closely as possible. While other retailers may offer static representations, this configurator stands apart for its depth, flexibility, and attention to detail. It was built entirely in-house by Sweetwater’s engineering teams to handle the complexity that comes with truly personalized amp builds. At its core, this is about creative momentum. As musicians, the right piece of gear can spark something new. Giving customers a way to explore, visualize, and connect with their ideal setups helps turn that spark into something real, with more models and options already on the way.
At Sweetwater, giving back is something we do together. Our annual giving vote is underway, inviting employees to help direct additional support to three nonprofit partners that are making a real difference in the music community: Free Guitars 4 Kids, United Sound, and MusiCares. Since launching this program, we have contributed to six organizations, and last year more than 2,000 votes were cast across the company. Each vote helps shape how our contributions are shared, supporting everything from access to instruments and inclusive music education to critical health and human services for those behind the music. We look forward to celebrating the results and the impact these organizations continue to make in the lives of musicians everywhere.
Being a good neighbor means showing up in ways that matter to the communities around us. In Arizona, our team has been doing that through the Sweetwater Student Showcase series at the Music Instrument Museum, giving student musicians the chance to perform during Signature Event weekends. From the Gilbert Town Fiddlers during Experience Ireland to the Orquesta Juvenil Latino Caribeña during Celebrate Latin Jazz, these moments created real impact for students and audiences alike. This work reflects one of our core philanthropy pillars, helping to create more musicians, and is part of a broader effort by our Arizona Fulfillment Center team to stay engaged locally. We’re proud of the many ways our team continues to invest in students, music, and our communities. Learn more about the Music Instrument Museum at https://mim.org/.
We recently partnered with Music Will to launch the National Instrument Fund to help 34 under-resourced schools start or expand music programs with the instruments they need. Nearly 4 million students in the US lack access to music education, with access to instruments being one of the biggest barriers. More than 300 schools applied for this fund, underscoring both the scale of the need and the opportunity to do more. Guitars, drums, keyboards, and sound systems will be delivered to classrooms across the country in the coming weeks, giving more students the chance to explore music, build confidence, and develop skills that carry far beyond the classroom. This work continues to build on a shared commitment to helping create more musicians and expanding access to music education nationwide.
It was a pleasure connecting with so many artists, producers, and industry professionals at ASUPROX. Thanks to our friends at inMusic, we were able to help hundreds of students and creators get hands on with some of the best tools in music and audio production. Hosted by Arizona State University, ASUPROX brings together music, technology, innovation, and business in a way that feels both immediate and forward-looking. It is a space where emerging talent and established leaders can connect around what is shaping the future of the industry. Built on the belief that proximity is power, the conference creates real access to ideas, tools, and relationships that move careers forward. We are proud to be part of it and to support the next generation of music makers.
Record Store Day is this weekend, and the resurgence of vinyl is something we celebrate year-round at Sweetwater. As highlighted by USA TODAY Co., Inc. reporters Katharine Perez and Mike Snider, vinyl record sales grew for the 19th consecutive year in 2025, increasing 9.3% and surpassing $1 billion for the first time in decades. We know people want to experience music in ways that feel intentional, tangible, and personal. That’s why over the past 15 months we have significantly expanded our home audio category, including turntables, speakers, and listening systems from brands like JBL, Sonos, Klipsch, Onkyo, and Polk Audio. It’s all part of a broader commitment to serve musicians and music lovers not just when they are creating, but when they are listening. Whether someone is streaming, building a dedicated listening room, or dropping the needle on a record, the goal is the same: to experience music in a way that is meaningful. At Sweetwater, we continue to meet people wherever they are and help them listen the way they want to.
Wellness Wednesday is a weekly initiative that makes wellbeing simple and accessible. Each Wednesday, employees are invited to pause and engage in something positive across mental, physical, financial, social, or professional health, whether that is sharing gratitude, reflecting, or doing a small act of kindness. It is low pressure, easy to join, and built on consistency. Over time, those small moments create real connection and reinforce a culture where people feel supported.
We are proud to support We Are Moving the Needle and its MicroGrants program, which helps emerging producers and engineers take the next step in their careers. These grants provide critical funding and remove barriers to creators working to build their crafts and move forward in an industry where access can be a challenge. Programs like this matter. They do more than fund projects. They fuel confidence, creativity, and momentum at the exact moment it is needed most. By investing in creators early, we help strengthen the future of music itself.
Last week, our Band & Orchestra team hosted its third annual Solo and Ensemble contest, bringing team members together to perform, collaborate, and share their talents. Inspired by traditional school competitions, the event has grown into something uniquely our own, welcoming a wide range of musical styles and performances. It is more than a showcase. It reflects the passion our team brings to their work every day as they prepare instruments for musicians across the country, and it encourages continued growth, creativity, and connection through music. Thank you to everyone who participated and to partners such as Eastman Music Company for their support. #WeAreSweetwater #FullTimeDream
One of the most valuable things we can invest in is how we communicate. Our latest Food for Thought lunch and learn was led by Chrissy Pearl, Director of e-Commerce for Gear Exchange, and focused on something that touches every role across the company, writing. Every email, Teams message, ticket, brief, and report shapes how work gets done and how we show up for each other and our customers. Chrissy walked through practical ways to write with clarity, empathy, and intention. From making messages easier to scan and act on to tailoring communication based on your audience, the session centered on a simple idea. Better writing leads to better outcomes. #WeAreSweetwater #FullTimeDream
