Post by jeifer on Jan 2, 2007 16:17:54 GMT 7
some new and old (but good) guitar-centric product stuff pinched from various sites.
Core One Creative has announced a new design innovation inspired by S. California car culture for their Bullet Cable line, The "Spark" Cable. The "Spark" Cable’s precision machine chrome straight nickel/gold plated connectors are fashioned to look like spark plugs.
Everyone loves planet waves!! (see Ryan at Merredin Toy Kingdom - he'll sort you out if you're looking to pick some up)
"For as established as the company has become into the fabric of the guitar life, Planet Waves is actually not that old. The company was started as a small guitar strap company in Hicksville, NY in 1994. As sales skyrocketed, D’Addario and Company saw the potential of the Planet Waves brand name, and bought Planet Waves in 1998. With the backing of D’Addario, Planet Waves finally had the resources to research and produce some truly innovative products."
"Standing on stage with a guitar strapped to your back is an unmatched experience. However, standing and jumping around on stage for four or more hours with that same guitar can be grueling! Enter the Squid!
The Squid is not like anything you have ever seen. Basically, it is a shoulder pad designed to attach to most common nylon-type guitar straps.
For my test, I had an inexpensive strap that has those “locking clips” at the end. I like these because they reduce the risk of dropping the guitar by simulating a strap lock. Unfortunately, the basic nylon strap is not very comfortable and tends to cut into my shoulder after even a short period of time. I was able to attach the Squid to the strap within minutes using a simple screwdriver with absolutely no difficulties. I did notice that if my strap had been any wider, I might have had a problem. So you should verify that your chosen strap will fit the width limitations of the Squid.
I found the Squid to be incredibly comfortable, even when using this strap with my heaviest guitars."
Circuit Breaker Cable
"It’s loud, and you wonder if your amplifier will explode every time you do it. You know what I’m talking about – it’s when you plug or un-plug your instrument with your equipment turned on and you hear that inevitable hum and then “POP!” I’ve always been intrigued by the “circuit breaking” technology on this cable and wondered if it worked as well as advertised."
"The Circuit Breaker cable works on a very simple principle. On one cable end there is a button, and when the button is pushed, the cable creates a short-circuit. The advantage is that you create this short before you plug the cable into the guitar which eliminates the potential for an unseemly sound burst at its source.
Product Features:
• Superior metals
• Reduces sound bursts that can damage amplifiers
• Limited-lifetime warranty
I really came to enjoy this cable during my tests. As you would expect, the sound transparency was excellent; however, the real blessing was the ability to switch out instruments without that annoying buzzing and popping.
The plug ends are all metal construction for durability and the plugs are 24k gold-plated for signal clarity and corrosion resistance. Another neat feature is the elastic cable tie that is permanently affixed to the cable that makes it easy to keep the cable neatly wound in between gigs."
Stage Magic Inc. recently announced its patented product PedalSnake™ was voted "Best Accessory" in the yearly "Reader’s Poll" at Guitar Player Magazine.
"We were thrilled," says Stage Magic president Jody Page, "Practically everyone who bought a PedalSnake last year voted for it. We know this because most of them emailed us to say they had voted. Our customers really are special—they are the players all around the world who weren’t afraid to try something new. PedalSnake is now fast becoming the new standard in FX pedal connections, but last year, when they bought PedalSnake, it was a brand new concept on the market."
Is there anything else new in the PedalSnake world?
"We are launching a new website, which will be a big improvement. It will still include our infamous PedalSnake video!" (see it at www.pedalsnake.com/). And a new product line is due out early in 2007. This is our most popular line, since you can easily change your lines around if your rig changes. And guitar rigs seem to change often."
Ampeg's Classic Acrylic Guitar Re-Issue is Now Shipping
"Ampeg's distinctive Dan Armstrong acrylic guitar is now shipping and available in limited quantity through authorized Ampeg dealers worldwide. This vintage re-issue is a near-exact replica of the original Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar that dates back to 1969. The re-issue benefits from an improved neck joint, as well as a compensated bridge. The guitar's most distinctive feature, the eye-catching clear Plexiglas body remains, and this unique construction material actually eliminates unwanted vibrations and frequencies while producing tremendous sustain."
My new toy...
The Crate Powerblock. I use a lot of effects units, so any amp I have doesn't need built-in effects. This little beast is designed for people who just want volume and convenience... Check out the reviews.
"The smallest, loudest amp you'll ever play through.
About the size and weight of my wah pedal, Crate's new PowerBlock is the loudest amp I've ever played through; it's among the most powerful production guitar amps built, yet I can stash it in the glove box of my Honda.
I play in a hard rock/punk/grunge band with the world's hardest-hitting drummer (he buys drumsticks by the gross). Our bass player's 250W rig sports not one but two 18" speakers. As the only guitarist in the band, I've been hard-pressed, even with my 100W head and full stack, to be heard above the din.
When I got the Crate PowerBlock for review I actually laughed as I pulled it out of the box. Intrigued, I hooked it up to the Crate GT112SL cab, plugged in my Les Paul, set the gain and level controls straight up, and let 'er rip. I could not believe how loud this little sucker was.
I showed up at our warehouse-party gig with the PowerBlock's heavily padded carrying case slung over my shoulder. "Where's your head?" the bass player asked. "Got it right here," I said nonchalantly. He watched as I separated the cabs in my stack and plugged in my pedalboard and the PowerBlock. I cranked the gain and the level and launched into the intro to "Outshined." Everyone in the band stared at me with their mouths open. For the first time my solos soared effortlessly above the drums and bass. I had to laugh when the break finally came and the drummer asked me to turn down; he couldn't hear himself. "Now you know how it feels!" I chortled gleefully.
This little unit has some nice buzz going in my circle, but I should mention that in most cases that buzz has been based on the general esthetic of the Powerblock . . . which is to say its sexy good looks. But you shouldn't ignore the simple ergonomics of it. The Powerblock also comes with a groovy, high quality black shoulder bag, and still it takes up no more space than a small shoebox. Just put it on the passenger seat, and you're off to the races. The additional features are thoughtful too, making the Powerblock an extremely functional unit for players at any level. Remember, this little monster is a stereo guitar amp, and features a headphone jack on the front panel - great for travel, pregig warm-ups and late-night jamming. Plus, there are line-level RCA CD inputs, which are awesome for rehearsing along with pre-recorded music. The effects loop and line out are designed for direct recording or sending the signal to a PA mixer. Great design offers a blend of form and function. Well, the Powerblock is an excellent example of that; it's an amazing tool that any player could afford to keep in his arsenal. I'll be taking one along to every gig, and to every session.
Crate has an undeniable winner with the CPB150 PowerBlock. If you want monster sound without breaking your back or your bankroll, this is the ticket."
Core One Creative has announced a new design innovation inspired by S. California car culture for their Bullet Cable line, The "Spark" Cable. The "Spark" Cable’s precision machine chrome straight nickel/gold plated connectors are fashioned to look like spark plugs.
Everyone loves planet waves!! (see Ryan at Merredin Toy Kingdom - he'll sort you out if you're looking to pick some up)
"For as established as the company has become into the fabric of the guitar life, Planet Waves is actually not that old. The company was started as a small guitar strap company in Hicksville, NY in 1994. As sales skyrocketed, D’Addario and Company saw the potential of the Planet Waves brand name, and bought Planet Waves in 1998. With the backing of D’Addario, Planet Waves finally had the resources to research and produce some truly innovative products."
"Standing on stage with a guitar strapped to your back is an unmatched experience. However, standing and jumping around on stage for four or more hours with that same guitar can be grueling! Enter the Squid!
The Squid is not like anything you have ever seen. Basically, it is a shoulder pad designed to attach to most common nylon-type guitar straps.
For my test, I had an inexpensive strap that has those “locking clips” at the end. I like these because they reduce the risk of dropping the guitar by simulating a strap lock. Unfortunately, the basic nylon strap is not very comfortable and tends to cut into my shoulder after even a short period of time. I was able to attach the Squid to the strap within minutes using a simple screwdriver with absolutely no difficulties. I did notice that if my strap had been any wider, I might have had a problem. So you should verify that your chosen strap will fit the width limitations of the Squid.
I found the Squid to be incredibly comfortable, even when using this strap with my heaviest guitars."
Circuit Breaker Cable
"It’s loud, and you wonder if your amplifier will explode every time you do it. You know what I’m talking about – it’s when you plug or un-plug your instrument with your equipment turned on and you hear that inevitable hum and then “POP!” I’ve always been intrigued by the “circuit breaking” technology on this cable and wondered if it worked as well as advertised."
"The Circuit Breaker cable works on a very simple principle. On one cable end there is a button, and when the button is pushed, the cable creates a short-circuit. The advantage is that you create this short before you plug the cable into the guitar which eliminates the potential for an unseemly sound burst at its source.
Product Features:
• Superior metals
• Reduces sound bursts that can damage amplifiers
• Limited-lifetime warranty
I really came to enjoy this cable during my tests. As you would expect, the sound transparency was excellent; however, the real blessing was the ability to switch out instruments without that annoying buzzing and popping.
The plug ends are all metal construction for durability and the plugs are 24k gold-plated for signal clarity and corrosion resistance. Another neat feature is the elastic cable tie that is permanently affixed to the cable that makes it easy to keep the cable neatly wound in between gigs."
Stage Magic Inc. recently announced its patented product PedalSnake™ was voted "Best Accessory" in the yearly "Reader’s Poll" at Guitar Player Magazine.
"We were thrilled," says Stage Magic president Jody Page, "Practically everyone who bought a PedalSnake last year voted for it. We know this because most of them emailed us to say they had voted. Our customers really are special—they are the players all around the world who weren’t afraid to try something new. PedalSnake is now fast becoming the new standard in FX pedal connections, but last year, when they bought PedalSnake, it was a brand new concept on the market."
Is there anything else new in the PedalSnake world?
"We are launching a new website, which will be a big improvement. It will still include our infamous PedalSnake video!" (see it at www.pedalsnake.com/). And a new product line is due out early in 2007. This is our most popular line, since you can easily change your lines around if your rig changes. And guitar rigs seem to change often."
Ampeg's Classic Acrylic Guitar Re-Issue is Now Shipping
"Ampeg's distinctive Dan Armstrong acrylic guitar is now shipping and available in limited quantity through authorized Ampeg dealers worldwide. This vintage re-issue is a near-exact replica of the original Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar that dates back to 1969. The re-issue benefits from an improved neck joint, as well as a compensated bridge. The guitar's most distinctive feature, the eye-catching clear Plexiglas body remains, and this unique construction material actually eliminates unwanted vibrations and frequencies while producing tremendous sustain."
My new toy...
The Crate Powerblock. I use a lot of effects units, so any amp I have doesn't need built-in effects. This little beast is designed for people who just want volume and convenience... Check out the reviews.
"The smallest, loudest amp you'll ever play through.
About the size and weight of my wah pedal, Crate's new PowerBlock is the loudest amp I've ever played through; it's among the most powerful production guitar amps built, yet I can stash it in the glove box of my Honda.
I play in a hard rock/punk/grunge band with the world's hardest-hitting drummer (he buys drumsticks by the gross). Our bass player's 250W rig sports not one but two 18" speakers. As the only guitarist in the band, I've been hard-pressed, even with my 100W head and full stack, to be heard above the din.
When I got the Crate PowerBlock for review I actually laughed as I pulled it out of the box. Intrigued, I hooked it up to the Crate GT112SL cab, plugged in my Les Paul, set the gain and level controls straight up, and let 'er rip. I could not believe how loud this little sucker was.
I showed up at our warehouse-party gig with the PowerBlock's heavily padded carrying case slung over my shoulder. "Where's your head?" the bass player asked. "Got it right here," I said nonchalantly. He watched as I separated the cabs in my stack and plugged in my pedalboard and the PowerBlock. I cranked the gain and the level and launched into the intro to "Outshined." Everyone in the band stared at me with their mouths open. For the first time my solos soared effortlessly above the drums and bass. I had to laugh when the break finally came and the drummer asked me to turn down; he couldn't hear himself. "Now you know how it feels!" I chortled gleefully.
This little unit has some nice buzz going in my circle, but I should mention that in most cases that buzz has been based on the general esthetic of the Powerblock . . . which is to say its sexy good looks. But you shouldn't ignore the simple ergonomics of it. The Powerblock also comes with a groovy, high quality black shoulder bag, and still it takes up no more space than a small shoebox. Just put it on the passenger seat, and you're off to the races. The additional features are thoughtful too, making the Powerblock an extremely functional unit for players at any level. Remember, this little monster is a stereo guitar amp, and features a headphone jack on the front panel - great for travel, pregig warm-ups and late-night jamming. Plus, there are line-level RCA CD inputs, which are awesome for rehearsing along with pre-recorded music. The effects loop and line out are designed for direct recording or sending the signal to a PA mixer. Great design offers a blend of form and function. Well, the Powerblock is an excellent example of that; it's an amazing tool that any player could afford to keep in his arsenal. I'll be taking one along to every gig, and to every session.
Crate has an undeniable winner with the CPB150 PowerBlock. If you want monster sound without breaking your back or your bankroll, this is the ticket."
....