New Zildjian Cymbals for 2009

Zildjian recently announced new additions to both the A Custom and K Custom lines for 2009.

The A Custom ReZo™ Crashes were introduced in 2008 and created an instant "splash." Seven new models have been added to complete the full set up.

Three new models have been added to the K Custom Hybrid line. Features the unlathed, Brilliant Finish on their inner portions combined with the Traditional Finish lathing on the outer half of the cymbals.

Now if they could only create cymbals that never crack! A tall order, I know.

Found some great deals on Zildjians, too. Links below...

Zildjian A Custom ReZo Crash Cymbal 15"

Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Crash 15 Inches

Four Hands Guitar

Have you seen this? Pretty sweet.

New for 2009: The Dean Dime Stealth Electric Guitar

Another sweet arrival, via this year's NAMM Show.

This is the Dean Dime Stealth Electric Guitar. Just look at it. Just to gaze upon it will make a man proud to be a man.

I swear, my cat saw a picture of this guitar on my monitor and reached out with her little paw as if to say "I wish to pick up this axe and commence shredding."

Anyway...the body is mahogany wood, the fingerboard is rosewood. Dimebucker and Dean Designed pickups, and Grover tuning keys prevent de-tuning common with inferior tuning mechanisms.

Click below, and get hooked up with a free Extended Warranty worth $119.90.

Dean Dime Stealth Electric Guitar with Case

Verellin Amps -- hey 1973 called, they want their amps back...

Don't yet know how they sound, but I really like the concept behind custom amplifiers from Seattle, Washington's Verellin Amplifiers.

They are funky lookin'. Built by a University of Washington electrical engineering student. Looks like a lot of thought went into the design and construction, so they are worth checking out. The amps just happen to look like they were rescued from the basement where your uncle rehearsed Creedence Clearwater Revival covers with his high school rock band back in 1973.

The amps are available in 4 different models...

"SPALDO"
15-WATT EL84 DRIVEN CLASS A GUITAR AMP COMBO AMPLIFIER

"COOP"
50-WATT 6L6 DRIVEN GUITAR AMPLIFIER WITH SPRING REVERB

"LOUCKS"
100-WATT EL34 DRIVEN GUITAR AMPLIFIER

"MEAT SMOKE"
300-WATT 6550 DRIVEN BASS (OR BRAVE GUITARIST) AMPLIFIER - LOUDER!

That's right, they have an amp called the "Meat Smoke". That just pretty much rules.

www.verellinamplifiers.com

Link to an article about the guy behind Verellin.

Save up to $75 at Musician's Hut

Ok, so part of what I want to do with my site is give you a heads-up on good deals to save you money. We all could use a tip on how to save some cash.

Anyway, Musician's Hut is running a promotion that's worth checking out.

$25 Off Orders Over $250
$50 Off Orders Over $500
$75 Off Orders Over $750

Worth a look. Up to $75 Instant Savings + Free Shipping!

NAMM 2009: The Fender Custom Shop

Car parts, piñatas, motorcycles and custom guitars. A peek into the Fender Custom Shop.

Coverage from the 2009 NAMM Show.

Guitar Hero: Metallica -- Track Listing Revealed

Guitar Hero: Metallica is coming March 29th for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles (Wii and PS2 versions will follow later in the spring).

Songs include Master of Puppets, Orion, Seek and Destroy, Battery, One, and Creeping Death. Slayer's "War Ensemble, Mercyful Fate's "Evil", Mastodon's "Blood and Thunder" are non-Metallica songs to be included in the game.

Details here.

Yamaha AvantGrand N3 ...do you call it a piano?

Alicia Keys launched the new AvantGrand with a performance at the NAMM Show earlier this month.

Check out video of the performance.

Here is how Yamaha describes the new piano / keyboard hybrid:

Combining a Specialized Grand Piano Action with new technologies that actualize the physical connection a pianist experiences on an acoustic grand piano, the AvantGrand N3 represents a significant new branch in the family tree of the piano. The Tactile Response System replicates the resonating string vibration of an acoustic piano to the players hands through specially placed transducers; while a new mechanical touch pedal system reproduces the finesse of acoustic pedals, duplicating the spring, friction and inertia. The placement of the four-channel, three-way Spatial Acoustic Speaker System mimics the points where the original grand piano samples were taken, while two Soundboard Resonators create a non-directional sound dispersion directly in front of the player, duplicating the subtle reproduction of the buildup of sound felt by concert pianists. When combined, AvantGrand creates a natural grand piano image so authentic, you'll swear there are nine feet of piano extending behind your music rest... when in reality it’s less than four.

More on the Yamaha AvantGrand N3.

New Tama Drums for 2009...so nice.

Ok, I'm a bit biased here.

I've played Tama drums for about 20 years. I have nothing but true love for Tama's products, and by the looks of their 2009 gear the company continues to put out some great stuff. Seriously, these drums are gorgeous.

Not to mention Tama is endorsed by some of my favorite drummers. Mike Malinin from my good friends The Goo Goo Dolls, Lars Ulrich, etc.

Mike Malinin is pictured below at the 2009 NAMM Show, along with Good Charlotte drummer Dean Butterworth.



Check out the full photo set of new Tama gear from the 2009 NAMM Show here.

Mesa Boogie Releases New Electra-Dyne Guitar Amplifier

Mesa Boogie debuts a brand new amplifier at this month's NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.



Petaluma, CA, January 19, 2009 -- Introducing the Electradyne™. An easy-to-look-at, simple-to-use new amplifier that has way more Tone than you might expect hidden artfully behind these six knobs and a switch.

Deeply rooted in the Best of the Brit lineage, the Electradyne takes modified English gain sounds and sorts them into Lo and High regions. These two choices are combined with a retro-minded, American-voiced clean “channel” and linked to one mini-toggle that gives you three of the most classic sounds in Rock and Roll on one switch. And unlike other amps of this style, footswtchable Modes and the finely tuned control interface allow many players to stomp back and forth across the pond without touching a single control.

Add to this stealthy versatility their patented Simul-Class™ Power that blends the efficiency and headroom of Class AB PENTODE with the sweeter clip and enhanced harmonics of Class A style wiring. Choose between the Simul-Class quartet of 6L6 for 90 watts of authority or, switch down to the Class A pair for a bouncy, easy to clip 45 watts. You can also load the Electradyne with EL34 type tubes for a brighter Brit style clip thanks to the switchable Bias Select.

Lush, deep, all-tube Reverb adds a whole new dimension to the Brit-inspired scheme and raises the bar to a new height. The Reverb circuit can be switched-in to be Active in all Modes, defeated in either Lo or High gain Modes (Clean remains active), or Hard Bypassed, which removes the entire circuit – including the Reverb tube – from the signal path for the purist.

Get more info here.

It'll Set You Free...

Just to jump on my soapbox for a second. As a way to kick things off, I'd like to share links to a few organizations that are actively promoting music programs in schools, etc.

Please visit the following sites and get involved!

VH1 Save the Music Foundation

Wanna Play?

Support Music

Recreational Music Making

Welcome

Ok, so here we go.

I've been a musician for 25 years. Music has been good to me. I've seen the world, played some really cool shows, met some of the most interesting people, and generally have lived a better life through playing music.

I've been onstage, behind the scenes, and involved in the business side of music working with some of the biggest artists in the world. (Maybe I'll tell some stories about those crazy days at some point!)

My goals are simple. I want to make it easier, and more affordable, for people to pick up a guitar or a pair of drumsticks or whatever and start making music. So the plan is to post news articles, links to new gear, news about hot deals on music products, etc. in the hopes of inspiring and helping musicians (and aspiring musicians) make more music!

So, if you're a guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboard player, DJ, vocalist, violinist, trumpeter, trombonist, clarinetist, etc. (you get the idea), this site is for you.

Enjoy...

Dave