Feel free to ask specific questions in the post, Frank. I am going to use it to add details as I dig them up...
Here is something that may shine some light...
The Ownership of Sonor
Historically, Sonor was a family-owned German company led by Horst Link (the grandson of the founder). However, its presence in the United States was managed through a distribution model rather than direct ownership. By the time HSS was formed, Hohner owned 40-50% of Sonor.
The Alden Era: For a long time, the Charles Alden Music Company in Massachusetts held the exclusive rights to distribute Sonor drums in the U.S.
The Robert Zildjian (Sabian) Connection: In the early 1980s, Bob Zildjian (who had recently split from his brother to form Sabian) bought out Charles Alden Music because Alden was terminally ill and the company was struggling financially. By purchasing Alden, Bob Zildjian effectively gained control over Sonor’s entire U.S. distribution network.
The Hohner Era: Horst Mucha (of Hohner) and Bob Zildjian eventually partnered. Historically, this relationship deepened until Hohner officially purchased Sonor from the Link family in 1991, fully integrating the brand into the Hohner corporate umbrella.
The Reason Behind Creating HSS
HSS (Hohner-Sonor-Sabian) was a strategic joint venture formed to solve deep financial and logistical "headaches" for all three brands in the American market.
- Financial Salvation
Both Hohner-USA and Charles Alden Music (the Sonor/Sabian distributor) were bleeding money. Hohner’s investment in the wholesaler Targ & Dinner was failing, and Alden was "teetering on going out." By merging their operations into HSS, they could pool resources and cut the massive overhead costs that were sinking them individually.
- Strategic Prestige & Diversification
Hohner-Germany realized that while they were the kings of harmonicas and accordions, their attempt to slap the "Hohner" name on drums and amps was failing because customers didn't view them as a "serious" drum or guitar brand.
Sonor provided the prestige and "high-end" drums reputation that Hohner lacked.
Sabian gave them a top-tier cymbal line to round out a complete percussion catalog.
- Distribution Synergy
Bob Zildjian needed a robust way to get his new Sabian cymbals (made in Canada) into U.S. stores. By joining forces with Hohner, they created a powerhouse sales force that could walk into any music shop and offer a "one-stop-shop" for the three major pillars of a music store: percussion (Sonor/Sabian), folk instruments (Hohner), and accessories.
Key takeaway: HSS wasn't just a marketing name; it was a "life raft" that allowed three legendary brands to survive a brutal 1980s economy by sharing warehouses, sales reps, and shipping costs.
