Bill Welker – Owner

Owner and operator of South Austin Music since 1986. Bill has been the guy to supply the Austin music scene with all the gear and accessories through the years. Graduating with a business degree and working at McCarty Music in Wichita Falls, Tx, he has learned the important skills to keep a small business alive and well!

Sean Crooks – Manager

Sean has been in Austin his whole life, and with his dad owning a primary music club in the 90’s, he has been immersed in the music scene here from a very young age. Sean has also been the longest standing employee of South Austin Music. He seeks out all the accoutrements we order, including weird instrument string sets that most shops don’t carry. Yes! He’s got your set of nylon Balalaika strings in stock.

Sethen Welker – Sales Manager and Repair Liaison

Sethen has grown up in the music business. He aspires to serve others and excels in customer relations. One service he provides is being the contact person between customers and our well known tech Ben Nippes for all guitar repairs. He’s also, along with Scott Blanco, the one who makes our SAM Sessions interviews interesting and worth watching!

Tim Moen – Bass Specialist

Moving to Austin from Madison, Wisconsin, Tim found his way into the South Austin Music crew in 2015. Having played just about every genre known to man, he’s an excellent go to for all bass and beyond. Along with being a highly in-demand bassist and overseeing our bass world, he is always happy to chat with novice and pro players alike.

Phoenix Knight – Guitar and Effect Specialist

Phoenix was born and raised in Austin and is beautifully obsessed with guitars and effect pedals though the years. Joining our staff in 2014, becoming a Gibson and Earthquaker Devices artist, and playing in bands around town, he has honed in his skills and knowledge to help anyone find their dream tone.

Tyler Hazen – Guitar and Effects Specialist

Also born and raised in Austin, Tx, Tyler is our guru of all things musical, and has been the guy to make sure all of our pedals and amps are fully functional. Learning circuitry from an early life obsession with fire alarms, Tyler is the one to make a fiery racket. Tyler is our newest and youngest talent and loves to help find your next amp, pedal, or guitar!

Scotty Blanco – Pedal Specialist and Online/Website Manager

Scotty graduated with a degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, and has been a multi-genre guitar player in the Austin music scene for the last 10 years making his way to be an Earthquaker Devices and Godin artist. Over time he has become and integral part of our staff, making himself a true effect pedal geek and effective social media/website administrator. He helps SAM’s pursuit of excellent integrity in serving musicians needs.

Ben Nippes – Guitar Repair Specialist

Ben is our main customer guitar repair specialist, and has won Austin Chronicle’s “Best Instrument Repair” 5 years in a row! Anything from a simple string height adjustment to a complete re-fret; Ben is the one to make your instrument play the best it has!

Nick Lewis – Amp Repair Specialist

Nick is our Amp repair specialist, over the years of tinkering with old tube transistor radios, going to a vocational school, and immersing himself in the trade of repairing amplifiers and electronics, he can bring your amp back to life with rejuvenated tone!

Tony Nobels – Store Stock Repair Specialist

Tony is our store stock repair specialist. He has over 40 years of experience fixing and and building guitars, Tony helps us make sure all of our inventory whether it be new, used, or vintage, is up to spec and ready for sale!