Wind in His Sales

Zep Meissner was a working musician when he opened Zep’s, a music store, in Burbank in 1962.

This explains why he kept such odd business hours. He would open the shop at 1 p.m. and close a few hours later, when it was time to go to a gig.

To this day the hours remain the same. Meissner, now in his 80s, comes to the shop occasionally, and still maintains low prices in his store, so “people who wouldn’t be able to afford an instrument might have one.”

Meissner played trumpet and clarinet with many giants of the big band era, including Charlie Barnett, Spike Jones and the Dorseys, Jimmy and Tommy.

The store’s inventory--new, though occasionally a used instrument is available--reflects Meissner’s forte, with brass and woodwinds only. Many hard-to-find accessories are in the inventory and just about every kind of mouthpiece in existence can be found here, with reeds in all strengths.

The price reductions are not a paltry 20% or 30% but a hefty 45% to 50% off list price.

A Selmer clarinet, model 1400 (or 1401), lists for $610, but the price here is $335. A professional silver-plated trumpet, model 700 from Getzen, is exactly half the list price, or $625. For the flutist, an Armstrong 104, also silver-plated, lists for $630 and is tagged $330, while an alto saxophone, a Selmer Bundy, which retails at $1,350, carries a $750 price.

Professional musicians and students alike come to Zep’s because of the low prices and the educated staffers, who show them how to care for their instruments.

It’s easy to see why students looking for their first professional wood or brass instrument would be directed to Zep’s.

There are three practice rooms for students and often you’ll find musicians, many from the nearby studios, hanging out in back.

Zep’s Music Center, 3318 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. (818) 845-5181. Hours: Tuesday--Saturday 1-5 p.m.

Weekend Supersales: Textile junkies will have a field day (or two) at the 6000 Vintage Kimono Sale on Saturday and Sunday. Vintage kimonos gleaned from the countryside of Japan are offered to the public at prices from $8 to $950. Since the fabrics transfer well to pillows and other decorative forms, designers and artists flock to this sale.

Obis are offered Sunday only. Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. (310) 827-8535. When a good resale store has a sale, sharp shoppers take note.

At P.J. London’s boutique in Brentwood, the sale starts today and the reductions run 60% off the already low resale prices.

For example, a gown that cost $600 originally was $100 but now is $40. Sizes run 2 to 16. P.J. London, 11661 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (310) 826-4649.