Charlie Kaman, who founded Kaman Corporation and later Kaman Music, passed away on Jan. 31. He was 91. Kaman was gifted in the field of aerospace as well as music. In fact, he once turned down an opportunity to play in Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra so he could pursue a career in helicopters. Kaman formed Kaman Corporation in 1945. He added the Kaman Music division, now known as KMC, in the 1960s. Kaman designed the round-backed Ovation Guitar, considered a major 20th century innovation. “He led a remarkable life as an inventor, entrepreneur, musician, humanitarian and visionary,” said Neal J. Keating, Kaman Corp. chairman, president and CEO. “His career was, in many ways, the epitome of the American dream.
In addition to founding an aerospace and music company, he founded the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation with his late wife Roberta. The charity breeds and trains guide dogs for the blind at the company’s Bloomfield, Conn. headquarters. Kaman is survived by sons C. William Kaman II and Steven Kaman, daughter Cathleen Kaman Wood, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
On its Facebook page, Ovation Guitars wrote: “He was truly a unique individual and his love for music changed the way we all knew the acoustic guitar. Our blessings go out to his family and friends as they find peace in their loss. May we all rise to give him, our founding father, our greatest standing ovation.”
We have partnered with Bongo International to service our customers Worldwide!
Bongo International provides our customers with their very own US address. Once you have a US address, you will be able to make purchases with us as well as other US based online retailers. Bongo receives your purchases and logs them into their online system which you can use to view your items and consolidate them with multiple orders.
International customers can save up to 82% off typical international shipping rates by following these four easy steps:
Register with Bongo and receive a U.S. shipping address.
Enter the Bongo address as both your billing and shipping address.
Use the credit card that you have on file with Bongo as the payment method.
Once the order arrives at Bongo, log into your account to forward to your country.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bongo through live chat or by e-mail. They will be glad to assist you.
Mapex USA is introducing new QR Code Technology into the company’s marketing materials. A QR Code is a two-dimensional bar code that can be scanned by most smartphones, like iPhones or Droids. Free QR Code phone applications are widely available.
Mapex introduced a 20-page brochure at Summer NAMM featuring the company’s highlighted products such as the popular Saturn and Meridian drum sets and revolutionary Falcon pedal. QR Codes are used throughout the brochure. When one of the codes in the brochure is scanned by a smartphone, the code links the user directly to a YouTube video showing the drum set on the page being played by a Mapex artist including Walfredo Reyes and Chris Pennie.
“Our use of the QR Code will broaden the benefit of our printed marketing material. Like our drums, the QR codes give the Mapex fan a unique experience,” said Jeff Ivester, Marketing Communications Manager.
In addition to using the codes in brochures and catalogs, Mapex is incorporating the technology into its print advertising and in-store signage. They expect others to follow suit.
“Players will walk into a drum shop and see a Meridian drum set alongside the Mapex QR Code-equipped POP. He can use his phone to scan the code to see and hear the drums being played by Chris Pennie right there in the store.”
QR Code readers for most smartphones can be downloaded from www.mobile-barcodes.com. iPhone users can download the free QuiQR app from the App Store.
Michael Kelly Guitar Company is proud to announce that it has teamed up with award-winning Country music artist Blake Shelton to create a unique, new signature model guitar. The Blake Shelton model is based on the company’s popular line of Patriot electric guitars but features a distinctive camouflage design motif on its body and headstock.
Shelton, who has charted six No. 1 Country hits to date, has enjoyed considerable success with his song “Hillbilly Bone,” a duet with Country artist Trace Adkins. Shelton recently earned his first Academy of Country Music Award for “Vocal Event of the Year” and is now nominated for a 2010 CMT Music Award for collaborative video of the year.
“We are excited to have Blake endorse our guitars and to present this special instrument to the music community,” said Bill Xavier, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hanser Music Group, the parent company of Michael Kelly Guitar Company. “We believe this signature model reflects Blake’s artistry as a musician and his one-of-a-kind personality.”
The Blake Shelton Signature Michael Kelly guitar is a solidbody electric with a thick, deeply arched Maple top, Mahogany body and neck, Ebony fingerboard, Grover Rotomatic tuners and two Rockfield humbucking pickups. It produces big, rich tones with excellent sustain and – due to its thick Maple top – an articulate treble response. Its retail price is $999, with an approximate “street” price of $699.
To connect the guitar to Blake’s Country worldview, the instrument features a classic “cammo” design that utilizes green, brown and black colors. Unlike the intent of camouflage, this Michael Kelly guitar will make players stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Mapex has officially introduced the Horizon Fastpack drum set. The Fastpack is the only portable set of its kind and re-establishes the standard for great sounding, easy to load in, easy to load out drum sets.
The Mapex Horizon Fastpack (HXB5074DBBL) includes 20” x 12” bass drum, 8” x 6” and 10” x 7”mounted toms, 12” x 12” floor tom, 13” x 5” snare drum and lightweight and durable Mapex 310 series hardware. The shells are constructed using a basswood and birch ply combination for outstanding tone. The drums are covered with a durable, high gloss black covering and the mounted toms feature the exclusive Mapex Isolated Tom Mount System (ITS).
“These drums sizes were carefully engineered not only to perform flawlessly with the blended birch and basswood shell, but to make the set-up quick and positioning easy,” explains Joe Hibbs, Product Manager for Mapex USA.
The Fastpack drums and hardware are quickly and easily packed into three Mapex Fastpack drum bags. The bass drum and snare into fit into a padded rolling bag with wheels. The 8”, 10”, 12” toms all fit into a padded bag with a convenient shoulder strap. A durable, easy-to-carry bag is provided for the hardware. This three-bag system is designed for fast and convenient transportation of the entire drum set.
The Mapex Horizon Fastpack lets you spend more time making music with your drums and less time moving them around and setting them up.
Premier bands pretty much have full reign over the gear they choose; and there is no premier artist right now than Lady Gaga! So when the rhythm section looked for a wireless instrument system that would provide the best performance for their recent US tour – regardless of cost – they chose Brace Audio’s DWG-1000 Digital Wireless System. The punctuation mark for this journey was a live performance on the Grammy Awards international telecast.
“I love my Brace wireless. You set it up- it works right out of the box- no RF interference and it didn’t change my tone. It works better than my other wireless which is a lot more than ten times the price!”, stated Adam Smirnoff, guitar.
Producer and bass player ‘Catalyst’ – aka Mitch Cohn – added, “Finally I’ve found a wireless pack that delivers my tone and is reliable night after night. I never have to worry about my sound being compromised with the Brace System. It’s head and shoulders above any wireless system out there. I love it.”
Perhaps the most important opinion was that of guitar tech Chris Vineyard who had to keep everything running smoothly night after night. “I was very skeptical when the guitarist brought me the Brace unit to try. Now I am a believer. With helical antennas. I was amazed. The problems and drop outs were gone. Plus, it sounds a lot better than a standard analog wireless. Adam finally got his tone back!”
The Brace Audio DWG-1000 Wireless Instrument System utilizes 2.4GHz FHSS digital wireless technology and provides rack-mount system performance in a compact format. Frequency response extends from 10Hz to 15kHz; perfect for bass or guitar. Up to six receivers and 12 transmitters per receiver can operate on one stage, so a mega-act such as Lady Gaga can cut the cords of practically every instrument!
Mapex announced the introduction of the Voyager Drum Set Series, an entirely new entry-level product line for 2010. All Voyager drum sets are packaged to be “ready to go” and include a full set of all new Mapex 330 Series Hardware, a padded throne, a set of new Mapex Cymbals and a set-up and instructional DVD. The all basswood drums feature newly designed appointments, including lugs, mounts, badges and bass drum claws.
The Voyager features 7.2mm, basswood shells with newly designed, low mass lugs. These small profile lugs are mounted to the shell using only a single point of contact, minimizing the holes drilled into the shell and thereby enhancing resonance. Voyager Series drums also Remo drumheads, including a self-muffling bass drum batter head.The bass drum’s tom mount features new styling and a recessed adapter to accommodate an optional cymbal arm.
All Voyager drum sets feature newly designed Mapex 330 Series Hardware. The 330 Series Cymbal Stand features Multi-Sustain Cymbal Felts, that allow players to use any combination of plastic or felt on their cymbal stands for more precise cymbal sustain. Mapex Voyager drum sets also include an instructional set-up DVD, hosted by Drumming’s Global Ambassador and Mapex Artist, Dom Famularo.
Voyager is available in Black, Burgundy, Dark Indigo, Gray Steel or Snow White covered finishes and three 5-piece configurations: Standard/VR5254TCZ (22×16 bass drum, 12×9 and 13×10 tom toms, 16×16 floor tom, 14×5.5 snare drum), Fusionease/ VR5244TCZ (22×16 bass drum, 10×8 and 12×9 tom toms, 14×14 floor tom, 14×5.5 snare drum) and Jazz/VR5044TCZ (20×16 bass drum, 10×8 and 12×9 tom toms, 14×14 floor tom, 14×5.5 snare drum).
The new Mapex cymbal pack is also available with Voyager kits. The pack includes a set of 14-inch hi-hats and an 18-inch crash/ride.
The Voyager Series replaces the Q Series product line, which has been discontinued.
Features:
7.2mm basswood shells with durable, high-gloss wrapped finishes
Double tom holder with auxillary cymbal placement position
New Mapex 330 Series Hardware
Drummer’s throne included
Remo equipped, including self-muffling bass drum head
Check out the newest Ampuplugnplay! This video is of the older model Ampuplugnplay VIII. The newest Ampuplugnplay Next Generation now features an MP3 input so you can plug in your MP3 player and play along with your favorite songs or use the Ampuplugnplay as a portable speaker for your MP3 player. It also features a headphone jack for private listening and a two position switch for both clean and overdrive sounds. With all the added features, you would expect the price to skyrocket but the price has remained the same at $29.99. This is one of the hottest products around right now!
Are you interested in learning how to play the guitar?
ZoZo Music is proud to offer private beginner to intermediate level guitar lessons at our NW area store location. Lessons are held in a relaxed and fun atmosphere at our store. Playing styles include rock, blues, alternative, classic rock, punk, heavy metal and more. All ages welcome!
We carry a wide range of instruments and we will be more than happy to help you find the perfect guitar to suit your needs, if you currently do not own an instrument.
1 on 1 Lessons in a Relaxed Professional Location
15 Years Playing Experience
All Ages Welcome
Beginner to Intermediate Levels
Wide Range of Teaching and Playing Styles
No Contract – Pay as You Go
Multi-lesson Discounts Available
Lesson Times Flexible (We work around your schedule!)
$25 hr / $15 – 1/2hr
$20 hr – 4 or More Lessons Are Paid in Advance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We are proud to announce the arrival of the new Ovation iDea! This is the latest and greatest guitar to hit the market and singers and songwriters will, no doubt, rejoice. Never has there been a guitar like the iDea which makes this one of the most anticipated Guitar releases we have ever been a part of. The official release date is 11-1-08 and the street price will be $599. We are now taking pre-orders and all orders will be shipped November 1st. There is a very limited supply to start off with so make sure to order now.
When the Ovation guitar was introduced in 1966, recording studios occupied entire buildings. Now, an entire recording studio is built into an Ovation guitar! The new Ovation iDea is the first and only guitar of its kind, featuring a built-in MP3 recorder/player. The digital recorder is part of the on-board Ovation preamp. The patented technology makes possible a list of features never before available on any guitar – acoustic or electric.
Songwriters have always desired a simple and convenient way to record song ideas, hooks, melodies and lyrics. With the iDea, players who write on guitar will have an instantly accessible high-quality digital recorder with them wherever they go. The simple and direct recording control makes it easy to record entire songs or fragments, even vocals and commentary.
The iDea can record from the guitar alone, simultaneously from the guitar and built-in microphone, and from an auxiliary input. Any audio signal fed into the auxiliary input is converted to an MP3 file and stored in the iDea memory. Record guitar and voice simultaneously, any song idea, licks, hooks and rhythms, on the MP3 recorder with up to 100 minutes of storage. Playback either through headphones or a guitar amplifier and change playback tempo without changing pitch, also upload songs to recording software to edit and expand on your computer.
The iDea is also a learning tool, with audio lessons pre-installed in the memory. Additional lessons from iDea educational partner, WorkshopLive.com, will be available via download. Guitarists who enjoy jamming will find a tireless band mate in the iDea. Several “Jam Tracks” are pre-installed in the instrument, and others are available online. You also have the ability to download solos from MP3 sources, slow them down and learn note-for-note. WorkshopLive.com has amassed an online catalog of 2,500+ music lessons and 15,000 instructional videos and have teamed up with Ovation to help iDea customers get started down the songwriting path.
Downloading files from a computer or the Internet is easy via USB. Files in the iDea can be moved, renamed, deleted and rearranged right on the computer desktop. Mixes from recording software, rhythm tracks, even songs the player wants to learn can be downloaded and played either through the guitar output or headphones.
The iDea OPi-1 pre-amp can also be ordered individually and inserted into newer model Ovation acoustic/electric models.
Charlie Kaman, who founded Kaman Corporation and later Kaman Music, passed away on Jan. 31. He was 91. Kaman was gifted in the field of aerospace as well as music. In fact, he once turned down an opportunity to play in Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra so he could pursue a career in helicopters. Kaman formed Kaman Corporation in 1945. He added the Kaman Music division, now known as KMC, in the 1960s. Kaman designed the round-backed Ovation Guitar, considered a major 20th century innovation. “He led a remarkable life as an inventor, entrepreneur, musician, humanitarian and visionary,” said Neal J. Keating, Kaman Corp. chairman, president and CEO. “His career was, in many ways, the epitome of the American dream.
_1_1826_detail.jpg "Mapex Voyager Series 5-Piece Drum Set w/Hardware")
