We have a guitar issue, drum issue, DJ/lighting issue, pro audio issue, and an amp issue. But how about an issue where we focus on the products that don’t receive much press? It could be a ukulele, harmonica, banjo, or tons of other products that rarely receive the spotlight.
Until now, that is. For the first time, and hopefully every year, we will honor products that could be extremely valuable for your business but are perhaps considered “less sexy” by the press. We offered manufacturers the opportunity to provide their lesser-publicized products available to sell at your store. Here’s a rundown of what we received.
Peavey PowerSlide
Not a lap steel or a slide guitar, the PowerSlide incorporates all functions of a standard lap-steel guitar in a six-string configuration intended to make it easier for standard guitar players to play a slide. It features a suspension system and an adjustable “Y” strap to play in a horizontal configuration while standing.
www.peavey.com
Kala Brand U-Bass Ukulele
The U-Bass is not only lesser publicized, but also unique, thanks to its small body producing the same pitches as a standard bass guitar, according to the company. The ukulele is the brainchild of Kala Music and Owen Holt of Road Toad Music
www.kalaukulele.com
Moog Theremin
The Moog Theremin collection, consisting of the Etherwave, Etherwave Exploration Kits, and the Etherwave Plus, allows players to control pitch with one hand and volume with the other by moving them in proximity to two antennas. The Etherwave Plus adds an additional feature: enabling expressive control of external equipment by sculpting a Control Voltage in each hand.
www.moogmusic.com
Sax Dakota Straight Tenor Saxophone (PJLA Music)
Why would we spotlight a saxophone in this feature? Saxes are certainly publicized in any band and orchestra story. Well, the Straight Tenor Saxophone is different. The sound of the product is more than a traditional saxophone, with the sound projecting from below and away from the player. The sax can eliminate most “bends,” which provide turbulence and unwanted overtones.
www.pjlamusic.com
L.R. Baggs Radius-M
Mandolin Pickup
The product is designed for a mandolin, but can be used on smaller high-voiced instruments, as well. The Radius-M can be mounted to the outside of the instrument with a removable, non-destructive adhesive or to the inside with a VHB adhesive.
www.lrbaggs.com
Hohner Marine Band Crossover Harmonica
The harmonica is designed for professional blues, rock, jazz, or soul performers. It features a bamboo comb, designed to make it water repellant and stable.
www.marinebandcrossover.com
Barcus-Berry 5600 Harmonica Electret Mic with Preamp
Staying on the harmonica theme, the Electret Mic with Preamp is lightweight with a wide-band frequency response. It is also designed to have excellent dynamic range, and provide a clean and faithful reproduction of the acoustic sound.
www.barcusberry.com
JBovier Electric Mandolins
The company offers the EMC (Electric Mando Caster) and ELS (Electric Leo Smith) models. The EMC pays homage to highly sought-after vintage electric mandolins released in the mid 20th century. The ELS is intended for contemporary tastes.
www.jbovier.net
Yamaha Tenori-On
Expected to be available by the end of the year for you to sell at your store, the Tenori-On W, and the less-expensive Tenori-On O, are different from any other instruments. They feature a square eight-by-eight-inch square board, and a matrix with many rows of blinking LED lights. When these buttons are touched directly, it is possible to compose music intuitively, even without specialized knowledge of music.
www.yamaha.com/usa
Fender Ukuleles
Fender launched three ukuleles at the beginning of 2009. The Hau’oli is a basic model and features a sturdy laminated mahogany construction with a satin finish. The Nohea is built of laminated koa wood with a gloss finish and an aged abalone acrylic binding. The top-of-the-line Pa’ina is made from solid mahogany with a solid finish, and electronics that allow players to plug them in.
www.fender.com
Martin S-O Ukulele
CF Martin also has a ukulele available. The S-O is a soprano ukulele equipped with Martin M600 fluorocarbon strings and a padded combo bag.
www.martinguitar.com
Lesser-Publicized
Print Products
Another angle to look at involves print media products for lesser-publicized instruments. Here are three such examples we received.
Alfred Unique Instrument Series
Alfred offers the following books: Teach Yourself to Play Banjo, Teach Yourself to Play Mandolin, Teach Yourself to Play Pedal Steel Guitar, and Teach Yourself to Play Ukulele. All are intended to offer easy-to-learn approaches and top songs to learn on.
www.alfred.com
Mel Bay Learning the Sitar
The book, written by David Courtney and Srinivas Koumounduri, explains an instrument that is the epitome of “lesser publicized.” The book/CD combination breaks down beliefs that the sitar is hard to play, covers Indian music, and discusses the history of the instrument.
www.melbay.com
Alpha Books The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing the Fiddle and Harmonica
Alpha Books, part of Penguin Group (USA), offers the fiddle guide, written by Ellery Klein, and featuring 288 pages worth of material. The harmonica guide, written by William Melton and Randy Weinstein, is 272 pages and features more than 100 songs.
www.uspenguingroup.com
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