American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply Inc. is a musical retailer and wholesale supplier based in Oakland, New Jersey. They offer an array of products from instruments to audio equipment and accessories. There is also a Content Hub on the website that offers articles and resources to help musicians. With a mission centered on breaking down barriers to music creation and a philosophy of “Music by any means”. AMS is dedicated to providing the tools needed to create, perform and inspire.

American Musical Supply traces its roots to a family of hobbyist musicians from Iowa. In 1955, Victor Hovey, a multi-instrumentalist and music-education advocate, moved east and was surprised by the lack of school music programs and local shops. He helped neighboring towns start band programs and soon opened Victor’s House of Music, a community minded store run purely for the love of music.

In the late 1950s, Victor’s son took the reins and expanded Victor’s House of Music into a multi-store operation through the 1960s-80s, building a strong reputation in band and orchestral rentals (peaking at roughly 12,000 instruments on rent each season)

After college, the next generation Jim Hovey grew the retail side and began selling pro audio and recording gear, installing high-end systems for touring acts, jingle houses, and home studios. Along the way came Strings Direct, a direct-to-consumer mail-order business for strings and effects pedals–an early testbed for what would come next.

In 1985, AMS launched as a 64 page black-and-white print catalog: American Musical Supply. The catalog took off (at its peak, 1.5 million copies mailed), and as the web matured, AMS became an early e-commerce adopter keeping the catalog’s service ethos while embracing online convenience.

To deliver faster and more reliably, AMS added strategically placed distribution centers first pairing the East Coast with Reno, then adding Memphis and Toledo so that the vast majority of customers could receive orders in two days or less. That logistics focus, coupled with musician-staffed support and transparent inventory communication, became a core differentiator of the AMS experience.

AMS remains a multi-generation, family-led business dedicated to “Music by any means” lowering barriers to creativity with musician-first service, flexible payment options, fast fulfillment, and a deep selection of gear for creators at every level.

AMS carries thousands of products from top brands such as Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Taylor, Paul Reed Smith (PRS), Rane, Martin, JBL, Akai, Pioneer, Audio Technica and many more. Whether you are looking for guitars, live sound gear, DJ equipment, keyboards, drums and recording tools, AMS has something for every musician.

AMS stands out through a series of customer focused benefits. These benefits include 0% interest Payment Plans, Very Fast and Free Shipping, Award Winning Customer Service, 45-Day Money back Guarantee, Gold Lock Extended Warranty as well as an AMS Loyalty Program.

AMS offers multiple flexible payment options: 4,6,8,12, and 18-pay. With in-house processing and no need for third-party banks (except optional Affirm for 18-pay) AMS has a significantly higher approval rate than it’s competitors. There are no hidden fees or credit card requirements for most plans, making professional-quality gear more accessible than ever.

Shipping is free across the U.S. and thanks to AMS’s four strategically located warehouses, 90% of customers receive their order in two days or less. Late same day shipping cutoffs and weekend fulfillment help ensure musicians get their gear exactly when they need it.

AMS’s customer service is managed by U.S.-based musicians. When customers call, they speak with someone who understands their needs and can offer honest, knowledgeable advice. This personalized support garnered the Platinum Circle of Excellence Award 14 years in a row.

AMS offers an industry-leading 45 day return policy. Customers can try out their gear and, if it doesn’t suit their needs, return it for a full refund or credit. THis policy is designed to help musicians find the right gear, not just any gear.

Every qualifying item comes with a complimentary one-year extended warranty, which kicks in after the manufacturer’s warranty ends. AMS handles repairs and replacements quickly, ensuring minimal disruptions to your music-making.

Customers can join the AMS Loyalty Program to earn rewards, receive exclusive offers, and get early access to deals.

• 2016, On-Stage Dealer of the Year^[1]
• 2017, Bizrate Circle of Excellence Platinum Award Winner^[2]

• Official website