Custom pickup manufacturer Swineshead has introduced a new single coil pickup called the Dragonfly.

The Dragonfly provides a range of punchy single coil tones in every position. The tone is warmer than that of the Swineshead’s other singlecoils and this, combined with the slightly overwound coils, make it a great choice for louder styles of music.

Like all other Swineshead pickups, the Dragonfly is available in a wide range of colours, exotic woods and graphic designs. Plastic Dragonflies are £34.95 each whilst the wooden Dragonflies are £44.95 each. Each pickup is handmade in the English village of Swineshead and comes with all the necessary screws and springs to mount it in your guitar.

DC Resistances:
Bridge - 8.0k
Middle - 7.4k
Neck - 7.1k
Magnet: Alnico V Rods

For more information, visit their web site at www.swinesheadpickups.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

Ritter has been making massive inroads into the hardshell case market with the introduction of 60 different models in 7 separate ranges. Two of these are the RW5000-6 Series and RW7000-6 Series guitar cases.

Both feature multi-ply wood shell construction, black vinyl exterior with white thread trim, metal Ritter logo, chrome hardware and black moulded handle. While the RW5000-6 Series has a black, contoured, padded, plush interior, the RW7000-6 Series has a similar interior in scarlet.

Both are designed to fit dreadnought, classic, electric and electric bass guitars, A and F style mandolins, 4/5 string banjos, acoustic bass, ukulele, bouzouki, Flying V, 335, round back and slim line guitars, while the RW7000-6 Series will also accommodate archtop guitars.

For more information, visit their web site at www.ritter-bags.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

Sennheiser is introducing three new microphone stands with a cable connection at its base rather than at the microphone itself.

This new system means that plug-on wireless transmitters can now be attached to the bottom of the stand or, if preferred, cables can be connected at the base eliminating the necessity to run the mic cable up the stand itself.

While the 60cm and 80cm variants are ideal for use as “wireless” floor stands at large events, the 30cm version is designed for TV and panel discussions. The stands can be combined with a choice of Sennheiser MZH goosenecks and ME microphone heads, and can be converted to wireless operation using an SKP 3000 or SKP 500 plug-on transmitter.

The floor stands are fitted with a female XLR-3 connector and locking screw at their top to accommodate the gooseneck, and a right-angled male XLR-3 connector at the bottom.

For more information, visit their web site at www.sennheiser.com.

Posted in Accessories, Microphones

Ritter has been making massive inroads into the hardshell case market with the introduction of 60 different models in 7 separate ranges. One of these is the RA7000-6 Series of ABS precision moulded guitar cases.

Manufactured from a textured resin with full aluminium edging, these cases feature an easy to clean, hardwearing skin; all chrome hardware and a padded, contoured, plush black interior.

In addition to having an internal neck rest with built-in accessory compartment, the cases combine a multiple hinged lid with double restraining straps and benefit from a comfortable, robust, moulded carrying handle.

The RA7000-6 Series is designed to fit dreadnought, classic, electric and electric bass guitars.

For more information, visit their web site at www.ritter-bags.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

Editors Keys.com has released a new keyboard set for Apple’s Logic Pro and Express software.

The Editors Keys Logic Keyboard Key Set is an essential tool for any MAC user running Logic. The Keyboard set is compatible with all versions of Logic, Logic Pro and Logic Express. (please note this audio keyboard set is only compatible with white Mac keyboards)

The Logic Set is the first set of Editors Keys to be semi transparent, which means users who have their own shortcut set-up, can simply apply the shortcuts to those settings.

For beginners, or users who want to use a default setting all they have to do is apply the set to the default keys above each sticker and double click our shortcut defaults to be up and running.

The keyboard set transforms your standard keyboard into a fully functional Logic audio editing keyboard, for a fraction of the price of other audio editing keyboard solutions. Costing Just £8.99 currently with 20% off.

Each Key is easily applied to your standard keyboard using our handy applicator, and contains the program shortcut icon and handy text reference telling you exactly what each tool is. In total there are 89 keys.

For more information, visit their web site at www.editorskeys.com.

Posted in Accessories, Computer, Keyboard, Recording, Software, Technology

Tesla high quality replacement pickups combine great tone and excellent value for players of all types of music, and are now available in the U.S. through JT Musical.

Tesla has been making inexpensive pickups for import brands throughout Asia, but these impressive looking boxed sets are made by a small core of dedicated musicians in Korea who have achieved great success in creating pickups with high performance features, using American-made Formvar and enamel-coated wire and cloth-covered lead wire.

The “Vintage Reflection” series offer the tonal performance of classic pickups built in the late ’50s and early ’60s, using components such as Alnico II and V magnets, American Formvar and enamel insulated wire, vintage braided and cloth lead wires. They offer outputs ranging from true vintage output such as the VR-1 single coils and VR-60 humbuckers, ceramic magnet high-output VR-Extreme humbuckers and P-Bass and J-Bass vintage replacements.

The “Plasma” series provide a serious combination of high output with noiseless performance for both single coil and humbuckers. The “Corona” series offer full-range, noise-free bass tone available in many popular configurations, for both four and five string basses.

For more information, visit their web site at www.jtmusical.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

Stewart Guitar Company, Inc. announces a new option now available for their recently introduced Stow-Away™ import line of travel guitars.

Frequent requests for specific brand name pickups to match a customer’s existing guitar have not been possible in the past because of the extra time required for the modification (ordering the pickups/parts, installing the parts and wiring the pickup assembly). With our current backlog, we simple cannot program these changes into our production schedule.

With the help of Acme Guitar Works of Bear, Delaware, Stewart Guitar Company, Inc now offers pickup upgrades with electronics assemblies that can be installed directly into the Stow-Away. These pre-wired pickup assemblies from Acme Guitar Works can meet the special upgrade requests for the most demanding players by providing a premium electronics package that can be installed with a minimum of additional time.

Acme assemblies are available with a variety of quality pickups such as, Lindy Fralin, Jason Lollar, John Suhr, Seymour Duncan, Fender, and VanZandt. They use nothing but the best parts, such as CTS controls, Orange Drop caps, CRL, and Switchcraft switches and their wiring is impeccable.

For more information, visit their web site at www.stewartguitars.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

CME, makers of the BitStream 3X MIDI Controller, announce a new promotion that qualifies the first 999 registered customers who purchase the BitStream 3X to receive a free, custom-fitted aluminum case.

The Bitstream 3X is perfect for controlling virtual instruments, DAWs, and even other MIDI hardware. This compact desktop unit is the only 3 axis (X,Y and Z) controller on the market and includes 35 knobs, 8 sliders, 16 buttons, a joystick, a cross-fader and an infrared controller. The joystick controls the X and Y axis while the infrared beam controls the Z axis.

The Bitstream 3x is fully programmable and includes more than 13,000 presets for popular samplers, synthesizers, and software including Propellerheads Reason and Rebirth, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor, Traktor, Kontakt, and Absynth, Fruity Loops and more. An 8 track motion sampler, transport functions, and a large LCD display round out this versatile unit.

For more information, visit their web site at www.cme-pro.com.

Posted in Accessories, Hardware, MIDI

The VS-F StroboFlip represents the latest release featuring Peterson’s Virtual Strobe™ tuning technology. With Peterson’s 1/10-cent accuracy—up to 30 times the accuracy of needle/LED tuners—the StroboFlip is at home on stage, in school, or on tech benches for doing instrument setups.

Peterson has greatly expanded its library to 33 tempered and Sweetened™ tunings. Along with the popular GTR & BAS sweetened tunings, the StroboFlip features unique new presets for acoustic guitar, DADGAD, 12-string guitar, E9th and C6th steel guitar, Dobro® and resonator guitar, violin, viola, and cello as well as both tuning and intonation offsets for Buzz Feiten Tuning System® equipped guitars.

The StroboFlip’s compact package includes a power supply, a tuning pickup, and a clamp for mounting to mic & music stands. Its flip design makes it easy and safe to transport, and its backlit front panel is great for stage use.

For more information, visit their web site at www.petersontuners.com.

Posted in Accessories, Guitar

Yamaha has developed a new line of instrument care products that clean, restore, protect and preserve a wide variety of musical instruments. The products are available individually or together as an All-in-One Instrument Care System.

The new line includes a Deep Conditioning Deluxe Polish, Spray & Shine Instant Polish, String & Hardware Cleaner, Satin Finish Protective Polish and a Microfiber Instrument Polishing Cloth. Ideal for all musicians, the products will resonate especially with mature players who respect and cherish their instruments.

The Deep Conditioning Deluxe Polish helps remove light scratches and swirl marks. It also contains emollients that help create a “wet-look” finish on high-shine surfaces. The Spray & Shine Instant Polish removes dust, fingerprints, smudges and body oils from all polished surfaces. UV inhibitors prevent premature wear and aging. String & Hardware Cleaner removes harmful oils and grime from guitar strings, cymbals, and other musical equipment, emulsifying the dirt and making it disappear with one wipe.

The Satin Finish Protective Polish is designed specifically for pianos and drums, and leaves a finish that helps resist scratches and shines like new.

Yamaha’s new line of instrument care products will be available for delivery in August 2006. MSRP’s range from $9.99 to $12.49 for individual components; the All-in-One Instrument Care System is $29.99.

For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com.

Posted in Accessories, Music