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Hernando Today

Getting Tuned Up In Spring Hill

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By TONY HOLT

Published: June 8, 2008

SPRING HILL - Randy and Maria Kras knew they had something when they were selling guitars almost at the same rate they were unpacking them.

With no register, Randy Kras used the calculator on his cell phone to keep track of his sales.

That was April 1 — the day they moved their business from the Outlet Mall on U.S. 19 to their current location at 7229 Forest Oaks Blvd.

"We've developed a reputation," said Kras, co-owner of Quality Guitars and Musicians Supply. "We have good service and good prices."

The business also knows how to notify its customers whenever there is a sale. Kras has a database of more than 1,200 people who have purchased instruments, supplies or lessons at the store or through its Web site.

Kras plans to expand even further, adding another 750 square feet for more studio space. Once it is finished, the store will occupy nearly 4,000 square feet.

Half of the business is guitar sales — which includes electric, acoustic and bass. There are more than 500 in stock, many of which are in a nearby warehouse. The other half consists of keyboards and drums sales, lessons and repairs.

In a few years, Kras hopes to see the store add more to its inventory, like orchestral instruments.

"Maybe it will be more like the Boston Chicken to Boston Market sort of thing," he said.

Quality Guitars has sold instruments to troops in Iraq and to children as young as 6 years old. The owners even sell guitars and lessons to seniors who waited until retirement age to learn how to play the opening riffs to "Satisfaction."

"It's amazing, really," said Kras. "We get people from all walks of life."

A trial lesson costs $22, while a package of four lessons costs $80 — a savings of $8.

People can sign up and learn how to play guitar, bass, keyboards or drums. One of the staffers also offers singing lessons, Kras said.

Due to the growing phenomenon of the video game "Guitar Hero," more and more teenagers are clamoring to learn how to play the real thing. A full-service music store that offers private lessons has become a convenient stop of aspiring guitarists.

"We get kids who want to come in and rock out to the songs they play on "Guitar Hero," Kras said.

Secondly, Christian-based music is popular in Hernando County. Quality Guitars is a faith-based store that sells instruments to a lot of local church groups.

Kras originally played the violin. Like many boys of the 1960s, he switched to guitar soon after hearing The Beatles for the first time.

He played guitar well into his adult life, but his interest waned as his career picked up steam.

Kras managed a 911 emergency center in St. Petersburg. In the late 1990s, he started jamming with several people at work and his musical juices starting flowing again.

Before long, he was buying and collecting guitars — much to his wife's dismay.

That was when they decided to begin selling the instruments via eBay. One thing led to another and Kras abandoned his dispatch career for music. He took early retirement and he and his wife created their own Web site (www.QualityGuitars.com.) in 2005.

"I reached a point in life where I wanted to do this full-time," he said.

In one of the studios, a young girl was playing scales on her acoustic guitar. Minutes later, a man entered the store with his young son.

Both of their mouths gaped open at the sight of the hundreds of guitars hanging from the walls.

Whether your specialty is bluegrass, rock, jazz, folk or the blues, chances are there is a six string hanging somewhere inside Quality Guitars that suits you.

Much of Kras' enjoyment comes from knowing a new generation of fledgling musicians is being introduced to the guitar through his store.

"The people taking lessons right now could be the future rock stars of the world," Kras joked.

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz – Quality Guitars and Musicians Supply

Owners – Randy and Maria Kras

What it is – Instrument and music supply store, lessons also offered

Where it is – 7229 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill

Get in touch – 1-888-343-2920 or 352-686-9376

On the Web – www.QualityGuitars.com.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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