Thursday 21 April 2011

Live music this elongated long weekend

Not going away this weekend?

Then there's plenty of great gigs to catch over the next 5 nights. We've even done all the planning for you.

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
My Disco
The Toff in Town 
Sunday
Spencer P Jones and The Escape Committee 
Labour in Vain, Brunswick
 Monday

Or you can make up your own mind...
Support live Australian music this Easter weekend

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Ben Rogers' Instrumental Asylum

If you've been in the store during the past week and heard a reverb heavy guitar instrumental track sprawling from the speakers, then chances are you were listening to Ben Rogers' Instrumental Asylum.

Ben Rogers’ Instrumental Asylum is Ben (guitar), Nikki Scarlett (bass) and Denis Close (drums).  Based in Melbourne, Australia, this high-energy, trio plays a mix of rocking reverb drenched surf/gypsy/Tarantino original compositions and instrumental standards that pay homage to their influences (Link Wray, Django Reinhardt, Ventures, Atlantics, Shadows, Duane Eddy), but with their own distinctive distorted twang and tough edge.  

Instrumentally Disturbed -  The Third Album from Ben Rogers' Instrumental Asylum  


More dynamic post-Tarantino surf-rock from Ben Rogers’ Instrumental Asylum!  Following the critically acclaimed debut album “Welcome to the Instrumental Asylum” and then “Reverb Rehab” (Top Roots Release of 2007 – Rhythms Magazine), comes “Instrumentally Disturbed” – a mix of the band’s latest compositions together with a frantic surf/garage version of The Exciters’ sixties hit Tell Him, a distortion-laden re-interpretation of Django Reinhardt’s last composition “Anouman”, and a rendition of the classic “La Mer” (Beyond the Sea).  Surf guitar legend Martin Cilia (The Atlantics) features on two tracks, as well as US drummer Al Kash (Commander Cody, Dave Hole, Savoy Brown, etc), who also guested on Reverb Rehab.

Head over to Ben's website to find out more information on where you can see them play and how you can buy their music.


In the meantime, check out this video which features a snippet from 'Kangaroux' - the opening track from the groups debut album 'Welcome to the Instrumental Asylum'.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocks The World


Great documentary on the history of the wah pedal. Features interviews with Slash, Eddie Van Halen, Buddy Guy and many more. Definitely worth 57 minutes and 16 seconds of your time!

Monday 11 April 2011

Fender - Make History

This is a really great video on the American Standard series instruments and their history. It features lots of interviews with artists on why they choose to play Fender guitars. Check it out!

Saturday 9 April 2011

Martin Guitars

 Since 1833 musicians have connected with audiences everywhere all over the world, showcasing their talent and virtuosity over all genres. Martin's significance and cultural impact over 175 years is simply immeasurable.

Since there dawn the Martin Guitar Company has been continuously producing acoustic instruments that are acknowledged to be the finest in the world. In addition to guitar making, Martin is also one of the world's largest manufacturers of strings for musical instruments.
Embraced by artists all over the world, the Martin guitar has helped define virtually all genres of music, from classical and country to blues, folk and acoustic rock. The list of Martin players, past and present, reads like a Who's Who of the musical world and includes such legends as Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, John Mayer and countless others.

Martin has earned an enormous amount of reputation for dedication to exceptional quality and focus on one product - superbly well-crafted acoustic guitars. Their integrity and commitment to quality has maintained a level of respect in the marketplace that very few companies can boast. Martin are responsible for creating a number of industry standards through the years, C.F. Martin & Co. developed "X-bracing," the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size - all of which have been copied by virtually every acoustic guitar manufacturer in the world.

Among musicians there is a standing joke about being able to communicate in any language as long as you say, "Martin guitar." 

So if you enjoy the finer side of life come by and have a play on one of our new martin guitars, Pick the one that fits your style and feels right... You will know which one is the perfect fit!

Get One in Your Hands Today
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SERIES OVERVIEW

X-Series - Martins breakthrough X series features guitars constructed with a combination of highly compresses wood fibres (High pressure laminate, called HPL) and traditional tonewoods. HPL is extremely durable and workable, and Martin have crafted ways to build traditional Martin shapes with HPL that produce incredibly long lasting and affordable guitars. What’s more is Martin have managed to build them so they possess that famous Martin sound and playability found in their more expensive guitars.

1-Series - The Martin 1 series was a pioneering breakthrough in the crafting of Martin guitars because it was the first to achieve the unique Martin sound, feel and look with tree-saving wood laminates. These instruments represent extraordinary value as well as Martins state-of-the-art acoustic guitar design. All of the 1 series guitars feature a new patented neck-to-body joint for a stress free neck, and let’s not forget Martins famous bridge string ramps to increase strength, tone and intonation.

Standard-Series - Martin launched the highly imitated standard series nearly a century ago and since then have set the standard for all modern acoustic guitars. The standard series started with the dreadnought, a shape that Martin first built in 1916 to provide a fuller, richer guitar sound at a time where there was no amplification. Dreadnoughts provided the perfect accompaniment for singers in larger settings including auditoriums. The standard series are known for resonant warmth of tone with tastefully restrained styling, for the most part Martin is credited with inventing these styles and shapes.

Special Edition Series From time to time Martin offers special edition models. Many of these have a limited production run, or begin as a limited-production guitar that sells well enough to become regularly produced. Many of these special models are designed with, endorsed by, and named after well-known guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Clarence White, Merle Haggard, Stephen Stills, Paul Simon, Arlo Guthrie and Johnny Cash

Performing Artist Series This series is larger than the 000/OM, but smaller than the 0000/M. Martin's new Performing Artist Series features the new Fishman F-1 Aura pickup system, with unobtrusive but powerful on-board controls. Martin has developed a new fast neck shape for the series and a smaller bridge for more top resonance. The pickup system blends the signal from a Martin Gold Plus transducer with one of 9 microphone sound images. Musicians have also praised the anti-feedback filter, with up to 3 notches, and a chromatic tuner.

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D28
D28 - The deep bass response of a D–28 was a very unusual feature to musicians used to the clear treble and overall balance of smaller "standard size" instruments. However, when the Dreadnought made its way into the hands of country music performers, it found an appreciative audience – it was just the item for backing up vocals, fiddles, and banjos in lieu of a bass instrument.


D45

D45 - The guitar produces vibrant tones, as the traditional Martin bracing pattern still exists in this model.  The high bracing allows for lead work as well as rhythm. First-rate East Indian rosewood produces a huge sound for an acoustic, ranging from deep bass notes to a clear, crisp treble that creates various sounds for many genres. One of the most beautiful and exquisite on the market, allowing musicians to produce inspired compositions and electrifying performances from an actual work of art.
OMJM
 
 OMJM - The OMJM John Mayer Special Edition features a solid Engelmann spruce top with specially designed "hybrid" bracing that enhances the rich, full sound. Body appointments are also similar, with a Style 45 rosette featuring a centre ring of colourful paua (abalone) shell, bold herringbone around the top, grained ivory binding throughout and a traditional OM teardrop polished and bevelled tortoiseshell pickguard. To enhance the beauty of the wood, a specially formulated vintage "aging" toner is applied and then the polished nitrocellulose gloss lacquer completes the picture.


DCX1E
DX1 The DX1 features a solid spruce top combined with back and sides made of mahogany patterned High Pressure Laminate, a rounded Venetian cutaway. This guitar is extremely durable and possesses the famous Martin sound and playability found in Martins more expensive guitars. This model is also available with onboard electronic, Model DCX1E.


OMC1

OMC1E - Constructed from solid tone woods including a Sitka spruce top, book-matched Sapele back and sides, as well as an East Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, the OMC-1E creates that legendary rich and commanding Martin sound guitarists everywhere have come to know and love. The acoustic-electric guitar comes equipped with a Fishman Aero sound reinforcement system featuring volume and tone controls and an onboard digital chromatic tuner. Martin has created the 1-Series to deliver legendary Martin quality and tone at a more accessible price.



DC1E
DC1E The Martin DC-1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar from the 1-Series is an affordable, solid wood-bodied guitar, backed by Martin's heritage of over 175 years in skilled building excellence and a limited lifetime warranty. The DC-1E is the acoustic-Electric version of the D-1 featuring a rounded Venetian cutaway and onboard electronics. Martin has created the 1-Series to deliver legendary Martin quality and tone at a more accessible price.


Marshall


By the end of 1965 a production of 40 amplifiers and 100 cabinets per week was unable to reduce the growing back orders. Demand, fueled by the appointment of a distribution company, exploded. The world was crying out for more Marshall.

Throughout the 1960's the Marshall sound powered the most influential and original guitar players. From Pete Townsend with The Who, Eric Clapton with his distinctive Bluesbreaker tone, to Ritchie Blackmore with Deep Purple and the greatest ambassador of all, Jimi Hendrix. With his prodigious guitar talent, he used the power of Marshall as a creative tool and as an extension to the instrument itself.

By 1975 the first transistor heads were introduced, followed by the first Master Volumes in 1976. Guitar styles soon adapted to squeeze the most from this extension of the Marshall sound. Here began the quest for gain which continues to this day. 
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SERIES OVERVIEW

HAZE 40 – Portable, Pure Valve and Studio Quality Tone is what the New Marshall Haze Series is all about. The series is equipped with 3 ECC83 preamp tubes and two punchy 6V6 Power amp valves giving this series a Natural Tube Amp Tone. Turning up the normal channel volume takes your clean guitar tone and adds a natural crunchy valve drive, compression and bite that Marshall is so well know for. Switching to the Overdrive channel sees the amp really start to roar with simple volume and gain controls allowing direct, no nonsense access to your sound. So if you’re looking for an amp you can crank to achieve natural distortion without blowing the roof off, come by and check out the new Haze Series.


NEW MG SERIES – The MG Series have had a makeover, with a totally new internal design and approach the MG series delivers essential digital features but with the vast superior and programmable analogue tone at it’s heart. This Series boasts Innovation, Functionality and Tone. With specially voiced digital  effects, Intuitive foot-switching technology and four adjustable and storable channels this amp caters for every style of player, and not to mention they are available from a punchy 10 watt combo through to a soul pounding 100 watt Combo.
JMD100 - The concept is simple. Taking the equipment, technology and tones of professional guitar rigs and fuse them together into a single all encompassing amplifier series, introducing the innovative and revolutionary JMD1 series. With immense versatility,  extensive tonal control and the unmistakable Marshall sound the JMD Series is simply one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated amplifiers Marshall has created to date. Also included are built in studio quality FX and sheer EL34 Valve power. Marshall worked closely with Swedish software house, soft-tube to create this benchmark in revolutionary hybrid amplifiers.

Click here for more information on the JMD100

HAZE 15 HEAD - Most guitarists associate the name Marshall with 100 or 50-watt tube amplifier stacks, but the company has also produced some impressive low-watt heads and combos over the years that provide killer Marshall Tone at lower volumes. Marshall’s new Haze Series amps are the latest addition to the company’s low-watt legacy. The Haze Series feature channel switching and built-in digital effects, and they’re loud enough to gig with, yet quiet enough for the studio or late night jamming. The Haze 15 with one or two MHZ112 cabinets is perfect for guitarists who love Marshall Stack styling but don’t want the cops to show up when they just can’t resist the urge to turn it up to 11. 

Click here for more information on the Haze 15 Head 


JMD501 - The Marshall JMD501 is a 50watt guitar amplifier which is a combination of revolutionary digital pre amplification and the awesome power of a Marshall EL34 power stage. This beast is loaded with 16 possible preamplifier variants, onboard modulation, noise gate, delay and reverb sections and has the ability to silently record through an emulated output, play through headphones or along with your Mp3 player. Not only can the JMD-501 perform on a stage but because of all of these features it also excels in a studio or home recording environment as well. A 6-way footswitch is included with the ability to store 28 presets amongst other features. 

Click here for more information on the JMD501 

MG101FX - The 1x12 Marshall MG101FX is a 100W combo amp with 4 programmable channels, outstanding analog tone, a roundhouse of FX, amongst many other features. Marshall have bought Versatility to the table with a separate digital Delay, meaning that a total of 3 custom-voiced FX can be combined at once—Reverb, Modulation (Chorus/Phaser/Flanger), and Delay—creating near-endless FX possibilities. Switch effortlessly between the feel of a classic power amp, with the emphasis on middle, and that of boosted speaker resonance in both bass and treble frequency ranges, magnifying the response and projection of your tone. All the above are switchable via the front panel and/or the included programmable MG Foot controller, affording you complete control. 

Click here for more information on the MG101FX 


MA SERIES –The MA Series is Marshall’s most accessible range of valve-driven guitar amplifiers ever. By keeping the amplifier simple the Marshall MA100C is able to deliver the benefits of all-valve tone and colour, while maintaining an attractive price tag. The Marshall MA100C are powered using the traditional Marshall mainstays of ECC83 double triode valves in the preamp, and EL34 pentode valves in the power amp. The layout and controls are kept simple, allowing you to explore unhindered the full potential of the all- valve tone within. The MA100C benefits from separate equalization stages for both the Clean channel and Overdrive channel allowing you to optimally adjust each one without compromising the other. An extra benefit has been provided in the form of a valve driven 'Boost' function on the OD channel giving you, for example, a solo boost with more volume and gain.

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Bruce Mathiske

A few months back we hosted a workshop with acoustic guitar hero Bruce Mathiske. The workshop went down a treat and being the Bruce fans that we are it was exciting news to find out that he has put the finishing touches on his new album 'Guitar-uoso'.
Guitar-uoso will showcase Bruce's ability as a composer as well his knack for rearranging other peoples material into his own voice. The album isn't out yet but if you head to Bruce's Facebook page you can have a listen to a couple of new tracks in 'Dance With Me' and the Robert Palmer song 'Johnny and Mary'.

http://www.facebook.com/BruceMathiske

As well as the album release, Bruce Mathiske and his band have announced a show at The Forum in Melbourne on November 26th. Ticketmaster have a special pre-sale offer from the link below. It's as simple as select your tickets, enter the code word 'Rhythm' and you're right to go.

http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/1300467D98BB715F?did=subscribers 

To buy over the phone or buy direct at an outlet, just quote the word 'rhythm'. Phone bookings call 1300 111 011. Tickets are $35 each but will go back to the full price of $52 once they go on sale to the general public on April 20th.

Make sure you get in quick as these pre-sale tickets are only available for another two weeks. See you at the show!

Tuesday 5 April 2011

New in Store: Fender 52 Telecaster & Fender 60th Anniversary P Bass

We got a whole bunch of new Fender product in this morning. Among them were two things that particularly took our fancy.

American Vintage '52 Telecaster 
The enduring strength of the Telecaster® guitar is its elegant simplicity. One of the longest-running production models in history, it has been modified only slightly since its early 1951 debut. The American Vintage ’52 Telecaster Reissue has a premium ash body, one-piece U-shaped maple neck and 7.25”-radius fingerboard. It features two American Vintage Tele® single-coil pickups, original Tele® circuit with three-position switch, brass bridge saddles, ashtray bridge cover, single-ply black pickguard, chrome hardware and master volume and master tone controls. Vintage six-saddle bridge and modern wiring kit included as accessories. 

see more at: http://www.worldofmusic.com.au/Products.asp?ProdID=1766&CatID=6&SubCatID=182

60th Anniversary Precision Bass
Since its birth in 1951, the Fender® Precision Bass guitar has redefined popular music, and continues to in the hands of contemporary artists worldwide. The 60th Anniversary Precision Bass guitar embodies six decades of Fender bass legacy in a collectible U.S.-made instrument.

Features include an ash body, maple neck and fretboard with modern 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets, vintage Precision Bass split single-coil pickup, modern tuners, high-mass vintage bridge, knurled control knobs, black pickguard, Blackguard Blonde thin-skin lacquer finish, commemorative neckplate, and Fender/SKB® molded case.


See more at: http://www.worldofmusic.com.au/Products.asp?ProdID=2855&CatID=3&SubCatID=95