ABOUT BRIZ LOAN & GUITAR
Matt Brislawn, born and raised in Vancouver Washington. I opened Briz Loan & Guitar in the summer of 1995 with a desire to bring something that was missing in Vancouver, a used musical instrument shop. Growing up in Vancouver in the 80's there was only one new music shop in Vancouver with prices out of my budget. I could only dream of owing a guitar. Years later, about the same time I got my first legitimate job, a friend turned me on to pawn shops. I was using another friends bass and needed an amp so we headed to the then desolate downtown Vancouver to Cameo Loans. Funny part is, when we walked out, I was carrying a small $40 Crate bass amp under one arm and a $100 MicroMoog under the other. I didn't even know what the Moog was, it was just so freaky looking. My life was changed forever, I was now a Pawn Shop hound. From then on, everything needed for every band, pawn shops would be the first stop.

The name? Well, our family has been in Vancouver for 4 generations now. My grandfather, father, and myself have been called Briz by friends for quite some time now. It just seemed natural.

All our employees are active musicians. Scott was my first full time employee and my right hand man, he is currently the active drummer in Diesto. Matt (the other Matt) has been with us since 2002 and formerly the drummer for Black Elk. I have been playing bass since 1989 with bands off and on and drums since 1999 and confusing people with Brizbomb since 2005.

Now, with over 13 years under our belt, things are better than ever (surprising now that there are more music shops in Vancouver than ever). I still research and price every item before it goes on the floor. Thanks to our customers word-of-mouth support, our advertising is now nearly non-existent. Our success has provided us with the ability to create other music related projects such as Reverb Rehearsal Studios. All our employees have paid medical benefits. We donate to 4 non-denominational charities every month. We are monthly supporters of Clark Public Utilities' Green Lights program.

We do not sell on-line or ship items out of the area so we can provide directly and exclusively to our local musicians.

Thank you very much, this has been a blast!
Matt Brislawn

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