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To Your Health
Buggie Boogie
KC Strings’ Bass Buggie is the easiest and fastest way to carry your string bass. Made of sturdy molded plastic and nonmarking durable wheels, the Bass Buggie straps onto the bass’s body with or without a bag. It adjusts to any size bass from 1/10 to 4/4. The Bass Buggie rolls easily on ball bearing wheels and allows the instrument to stand upright on its own without support. It protects the instrument with shock absorption and by not pressuring or impacting the lower block.
Visit the buggie base at www.kcstrings.com.
Strong Reference
M-Audio has released its Studiophile BX5a, an updated version of the BX5 near-field reference monitor. Like their predecessors, BX5a monitors pack a lot of punch for their size. The five-inch low-frequency driver cone is crafted from Kevlar, in contrast to the polypropylene used in the original BX5. These low-frequency drivers also employ a curved cone design, and high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver amazing fidelity and durability. The natural silk domes of the one-inch high-frequency drivers deliver crisp top end while still being gentle on the ears. The monitors are small enough to fit on a desk, and magnetic shielding makes them ideal for this use.
Monitor progress at www.m-audio.com.
King’s Restoration
With genuine gold-plated hardware, beautiful engravings, and a flamed maple resonator, the new Artist Deluxe banjo from Recording King recalls banjos from the Golden Age of musical instruments. A revival of the most classic Recording King banjos, this instrument also features American Standard thread hardware, 20-hole tone ring, and a three-ply rim. The Artist Deluxe also features the traditional Recording King “style 6” floral peghead and fretboard inlay and an authentic Mastertone-style flange. Included is a vintage archtop hardshell case from Guardian.
Pick a banjo at www.recordingking.com.
Honed Tone
Yamaha introduces its 800 Series wooden recorders, finely handcrafted of seasoned woods to produce a warm, rich tone. Offered in two sopranino and five alto models, the series’ new bore design improves intonation and generates an outstanding and concentrated sound. The handmade, detailed instruments also come with an arched windway enabling greater expressivity and projection.
For the record, visit www.yamaha.com.
Dragonfly Ears
True North Music Productions introduces the breakthrough Dragonfly Personal Powerless Stethoscope Amp, which converts any guitar into a travel guitar. The Dragonfly is fitted with suction cups that attach to the back of most electric or bass guitars. The device amplifies a guitar’s sound into its included headphones. The straightforward stethoscope technology, an upgraded version of the same technology used in a doctor’s stethoscope, produces natural, studio-quality sound.
Fly over to www.truenorthmusicproductions.com.
Take a Break
Tired of uncomfortable seating at gigs? SoundSeat has a solution—the SoundSeat BreakDown models, designed with touring musicians in mind. SoundSeat is committed to a zero-sacrifice policy when it comes to portability, and these seats offer the same comfort, stability, and reliability as its standard models, using the same high-quality, heavy-duty components. The BreakDown models fit in their own custom designed carrying bags.
Have a seat at www.soundseat.com.
Comfort & Style
Levy’s new Ultra-Comfort straps are specifically engineered to provide the greatest comfort possible. Materials such as neoprene and a quilted lining make the strap’s contact with the shoulder soft and cushy, while design features such as elastic webbing and corrugated braided leather distribute the load evenly across the length of the strap.
Get strapped in at www.levysleathers.com.
