Supplier Scene – May 2007
Dean Debuts 30th Anniversary Models
Dean Guitars is celebrating its 30th anniversary by releasing two vault-worthy 30th Anniversary models: the 30th Anniversary ML and V.
These Dean wings have been lifting three decades of rock innovators ranging from Kerry Livgren of Kansas (Dean�s first endorser) to Dave Mustaine � their most recent signing with a who�s who of greats in-between, including ZZ Top, The Doobie Brothers, Def Leppard, Rik Emmett, Nancy Wilson, Michael Schenker, Sammy Hagar, Leslie West, Elliott Easton and Dimebag Darrell, among many others.
Only 100 of each model will be produced and each model will be hand-signed by the creator, Dean B. Zelinsky. Owners will also receive an 8� x 10� granite tablet with laser etching certifying the model.
The guitars feature a rich and rare 5A redwood top that radiates through the transparent black finish, a classic look that was developed by Dean. Additionally, white binding sets off the black finish and solid mahogany body, neck, and headstock provide sustain. Both models contain the exclusive Dean V-neck profile.
The V and ML�s importance in Dean history is honored with engraved logos on the pair of DiMarzio humbuckers as well as mother of pearl 30th Anniversary crest adorning both the 12th fret of the ebony fingerboard and the Dean split-V headstock. Black filigree engraved satin nickel hardware rounds out the appointments.
Each model lists for $5,379 and includes a hardshell case.
Pearl Upgrades to Masters Premium Series
Pearl announces the Pearl Masters Premium Series, which offers the choice of four- or six-ply 100% maple or 100% birch shells using Pearl�s SST (Superior Shell Technology) manufacturing process. All shells carry a limited lifetime warranty. Upgrades include swivel tube lugs on the snare drum, Masterworks/Reference-style aluminum Optimount mounting system, leg brackets on floor toms, and Masterworks-style bass drum spurs and claws.
Palatino Violin-Corner Bass
Palatino introduces the Violin-Corner Bass (VB-012) with a classic wide-shouldered design and natural finish. Aimed at jazz musicians and school band players, this model features a crack-resistant spruce top, flamed maple sides, a solid maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. The bass comes with a padded carrying bag and is also available in three-quarter size. The MSRP is $999.99.
Pearl Upgrades to Masters Premium Series
Pearl announces the Pearl Masters Premium Series, which offers the choice of four- or six-ply 100% maple or 100% birch shells using Pearl�s SST (Superior Shell Technology) manufacturing process. All shells carry a limited lifetime warranty. Upgrades include swivel tube lugs on the snare drum, Masterworks/Reference-style aluminum Optimount mounting system, leg brackets on floor toms, and Masterworks-style bass drum spurs and claws.
Weber �A� Style Mandolins
Weber introduces the �A� Style models to their mandolin family. These will replace the previous �A� models and share elements of their �F� model counterparts. Included in the �A� models is the new Big Sky, which will come standard with a cedar top and antiqued walnut finish. Other additions include the Gallatin A, Bitterroot A, Yellowstone A, and Fern A. The Fern A will feature a fern inlay on a tapered headstock. All appointments are shared for all mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, and mandocellos.
Pro-Mark�s ProGrip Sticks
The Pro-Mark ProGrip stick features a pre-applied gripping material on the handle on an entirely new line of hickory drumsticks. The new material is thin and does not affect the overall diameter of the sticks, and won�t rub or peel off. The ProGrip line is available in 2B, 5A, 5B, and 747 models with both wood and nylon tips. Suggested retail price is $17.50 per pair for wood tip, and $17.95 per pair for nylon tip.
Tornavoz Music�s New Series, Distribution Deal
Guitar Salon�s Tornavoz Music introduces the Cordoba Jalisco series of Mariachi and Norteno Instruments. This new line from Cordoba includes a Bajo Quinto, Bajo Sexto, Guitarron, Requinto, and Vihuela. Features include solid Palo Escrito and Cocobolo woods, inlaid abalone and wood rosettes, and rope binding. Most models are available with optional Cordoba electronics.
Tornavoz also announces that it will handle the exclusive U.S. distribution of the Paco De Lucia flamenco guitar collection. This line of Spanish guitars was designed and approved by flamenco legend Paco de Lucia and his brother Ramon. The �Siroco Blanca� and �Siroco Negra� feature all-solid woods, hand inlaid wood rosettes and purflings, and gold plated Van Gent tuning machines.
NS Design WAV 4 Electric Violin
NS Design announces the new WAV 4 electric violin, which shares the design features of the original CR Series professional performance instruments. The full-scale violin features a solid body, Polar piezo pickup system, a locking tuner system, figured maple top, and a headless design. It is available in three gloss transparent finishes and comes with a case.
Tokai Guitars Return to North America
Godlyke, Inc. announces the return of Tokai Guitars to the North American market with the release of five new models in 2007, Tokai�s 60th year of business. The instruments are manufactured by hand in the original Hamamatsu, Japan, factory.
The flagship model is the SC-2C Carved-Top showcasing a single-cutaway body design. Features include: African mahogany body with string-through design; carved top with choices of real wood cap; quarter sawn African mahogany neck with extra-deep tenion for improved stability; 24 �� scale rosewood fingerboard with 22 jumbo nickel frets; Tone Pros AVR-II Bridge; Tone Pros/Kluson System II �keystone� machine heads; Keiyo hand-wound Japanese humbucking pickups; and simple yet effective volume, tone, and three-way pickup selector control layout.
Available colors are Solid Black, Solid White, Gold Top, Amber, See-Through Red, Violin, Cherry Sunburst, and Tobacco Sunburst. List prices are $1,320 (solid), $1,360 (trans), $1,500 (flame top), and $1,550 (quilt top.)
Toll-free phone: (866) 246-3595
Nady Introduces Lightning Wireless Guitar Starter Pack
Nady Systems releases the first complete wireless guitar starter pack, which includes the Lightning guitar and WGA-15 wireless guitar amplifier. The all-wood/solid-body Lightning guitar can be used with the WGA-15 amp or a conventional cord connection. It features a 22-fret rosewood neck with lightning bolt inlays, easy-access adjustable truss rod, three pickups with five-way selector switch, and vibrator. The unit operates on two nine-volt batteries.
Music Link�s Artist Deluxe Banjo
Recording King, a Music Link company, releases the Artist Deluxe banjo featuring gold-plated hardware and a flamed maple resonator. Additional appointments include a floral engraving on the hoop and armrest, a one-piece maple neck, 20-hole tone ring, and a three-ply rim. It comes with a vintage archtop hardshell case from Guardian. The MSRP is $2,449.99.
AIM Gifts
AIM Gifts has added over 50 new desktop accessories and pens to its stationery line. This includes the rosewood stationery bin with clock, slider pocket organizer, pop-up sticky note holder, wooden picture frame, �Got Music� ceramic pencil cup, and pen designs.
Kjos Takes on Three Cranky Women
Kjos Music has purchased Three Cranky Women Resources (TCW). All TCW products are now available exclusively from Kjos and new TCW products will be developed under the Kjos name. The TCW catalog includes popular games, flashcards, and Keyboard Gymnastics theory series in addition to teaching materials aimed at music studios and classrooms.
Mapex Adds to Pro M Series
Mapex is adding two kits to its Pro M Series. The seven-piece Plus Bass Fusion Pop 22, for r&b players, has an MSRP of $2,749.99; and the five-piece Crossover 22, for rockers and big-band players, has a MSRP of $2,432.99.
Mapex also releases the Plus Bass 22 Add-on Pack for the Pro M Series. This includes a 22 x 20� bass drum, 10 x 8� suspended tom tom, 18 x 16� floor tom, P750A bass drum pedal, TS960 combination tom/cymbal stand, and an AC906 multi-clamp. It has an MSRP of $1,639.99.
Rhythm Tech Metalworks
Rhythm Tech�s new line of �Metalworks� percussion is developed in conjunction with metal percussion artist/craftsman Pete Englehart for use in symphonies, pit orchestras, drum corps, percussion ensembles, and ethnic percussion performances as well as with traditional kits. The percussion instruments can also be used by composers of TV and movie soundtracks.
FreeHand Systems, Sony Pact
FreeHand Systems, Inc. announces a licensing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which will allow FreeHand access to Sony/ATV�s 400,000-song catalog. FreeHand will be able to access digital sheet music from such artists as the Beatles, Beck, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, and Hank Williams, among others. FreeHand System�s music performance tablet, the MusicPad Pro Plus, can store a limitless number of sheet music pages. It allows the user to annotate or make corrections, including changing the key. The MusicPad Pro has an MSRP of $899.
Ramirez 125th Anniversary Guitar
Ramirez announces the limited edition 125th Anniversary Guitar, of which only 125 will be made. Each piece will have a different marquetry design inlaid in the back of the headstock and will feature hand-carved design on the bridge, carving, and inlay work on the front side of the headstock and a choice of colored or black and white rosettes. It is available in red cedar or German spruce top, with Brazilian rosewood back and sides. The guitar has a MSRP of $25,000. A student version, featuring bookmatched western red cedar top with the Ramirez fan strut pattern designed by Jose Ramirez III, will have an MSRP of $2,799.
Tri-Technical Acquires PC/Poll Systems
Tri-Technical Systems, which offers an integrated POS and accounting software package known as Accounting and Inventory Management Systems Integration (AIMsi), has acquired PC/Poll Systems, which develops cash register polling software, inventory tracking software, Quickbook Interface, report collection software, and data archiving modules. The acquisition will allow both companies to share technology and offer additional resources to the cash-and-carry retailer. Based in Dubuque, Iowa, Tri-Technical Systems offers its services to 1,300 retail locations. PC/Poll currently offers over 40 different cash register models.
Extreme Metal Drumming Book
World Music 4all Publications releases The Evolution of Blast Beats, a method book and CD package teaching extreme metal drumming by Derek Roddy. The multi-media package covers variations of Traditional Blasts, Bomb Blasts, Hyper Blasts, and Freehand Blasts, and features exercises to help improve hand and foot speed, four-limb independence, and musical coordination. Roddy also includes three play-along tracks and three guitar loops. The MSRP is $24.95.
Footime Score/Page Turner
Bili Inc. introduces Footime Score/Page Turner that allows the performer to turn the pages of electronic scores with their feet. A programmable pedal is definable and preset with popular shortcuts. Users can pick their frequently used shortcuts or hotkeys to define and save. The product comes with its own screen that can turn e-scores imported directly into PowerPoint or PDF from files created by Finale, Sibelius, or other music software. It can also be projected on a screen or wall to be shared by an ensemble.
New Wittner Tailpieces
Wittner unveils two new violin tailpieces, the Peg Ultra and the Peg Shaper. The Ultra is for full-sized and � violins and is made of a composite synthetic material and is immune to swelling or shrinking. The Shaper, for violins and violas, has 12 interchangeable bushings and works with the Ultra as well as wooden pegs.
Chauvet Lights Up Ozzfest
Chauvet has been named the light sponsor for Ozzfest, which, for the first time will be free this year. A 34-foot, fully self-contained mobile stage will offer a full audio sound system provided by JVC Mobile, a PA system by Peavey Electronics, and Schecter Guitars.
The lighting will consist mainly of Chauvet�s LED-fitted fixtures including the COLORpalette, the LEDrain 56 washes, and LED white Technostrobes, among others. All the lights will be controlled via Chauvet�s ShowXpress� software. The first Ozzfest show is slated for July 7 in Los Angeles.
Harman Introduces the Soundcraft Vi4
Soundcraft unveils the Vi4� digital live sound console, which is based on the Vi6 but suited for a smaller, more compact footprint. Aimed at theaters, houses of worship, or clubs with tight space constraints, in just under five feet, the console offers access to 48 inputs on 24 faders, with a total of 27 output busses available for use as masters, groups, auxes, or matrices. It also features the Vistonics II touch-screen user interface.
Stanton �berstand
Stanton DJ introduces the �berstand laptop for the traveling DJ or musician. The portable aluminum and stainless steel laptop also features a specially crafted shelf for the Stanton ScratchAmp or any other external hard drive. It folds flat into a 12� zippered bag, which is included. The MSRP is $79.99.
American DJ
American DJ releases two compact scanners, the Dynasty Ray and Dynasty Scan DMX. Both are 150-wattt fixtures with the output of 250-watt fixtures. The Dynasty Ray is a sound-active plug-and-play unit and features an �Arc� style mirror that produces eight separate beams and nine color/gobo combinations. Its MSRP is $219.95.The Dynasty Scan is a six-channel fixture offering nine gobos plus spot and 11 colors plus white. It also features DMX compatibility and X/Y mirror movement. It has an MSRP of $339.95.
Indiana Guitar Offers New Acoustic
The Indiana Guitar Company, a division of SHS International in Indianapolis, introduces a new contoured top acoustic guitar, the Solace. First in a series of high-quality affordable fingerstyle and classical guitars, its features a solid spruce top and select mahogany back and sides and is �meant to be bent.�
Leave a Comment