(Source: Behringer)

Well, if you were looking for a quality digital alternative to an acoustic piano, the recently introduced Behringer EG8080 should help satisfy your needs. It’s supposed to be an easy-to-use digital piano that not only incorporates an 88-key, concert grand-class, weighted hammer-action keyboard but also requires no manual effort to maintain, i.e. no traditional tuning or maintainance.

Each Behringer EG8080 comes with 80-Watt speakers, stereo sampling Real Sound Memory (RSM) tone generation, 14 high-quality voices with 64-note polyphony, a real-time 2-track song recorder, 3 pedals (Damper, Sostenuto and Soft), as well as MIDI In/Out/Thru and stereo line in/out connectors. An impressive feature set indeed, but the one song capacity of the on-board song recorder is disappointing (at least to me).

Overall, the Eurogrand EG8080 looks like another quality German digital piano, which should not disappoint most pianists out there.

[News via Sonic State]

(Read the whole post…)

(Source: Cigar Box Guitars)

Fantastico might be overly generous a description, but they’re unique alright. So, if you’re looking for something different, you’ve reached the right place (or rather, page). What we have here is a feature on cigar box guitars, or more specifically, Lowebows - the popular creation of John Lowe.

The cigar box guitars come in various specifications, from single necks to double necks, or with a single string to multiple strings. The prices vary too, from a modest US$140 to a rather extravagant US$700.

What’s so special about Lowe’s cigar box guitars, especially the double-neck variants, is that they allow “…you to play the bass parts as well as the guitar parts. With the addition of foot drums, it became a one-man band.” Pretty cool stuff, I’ve to admit. But, I’d prefer my acoustic guitar any day.

[News via Memphis Daily News]

(Read the whole post…)

(Source: Yamaha)

Yamaha has released the FS720S Acoustic Guitar, a smaller-body version of their acclaimed Yamaha FG720S. It’s meant for guitarists that prefer a smaller body for their guitar (perhaps due to the guitarists’ frame), yet have no intention of sacrificing the superior tone and features of Yamaha’s FG-series guitars.

Just like the FG720S, the Yamaha FS620S will come with a solid Sitka Spruce top, a Nato back and sides, retro ‘red-label’ soundhole labelling, die-cast chrome hardware, a tortoise shell scratchplate, and a non-scalloped X-bracing. Let’s also not forget the inverted L-block, which provides a tighter connection between the guitar’s neck and body.

Overall, the guitar looks pretty solid, and with around 5 different colours to choose from, I think there should be a FS720S for almost anybody.

[News via Yamaha]

(Read the whole post…)

(Source: ORLA)

The guys over at Gear Live feature the ORLA PK400 piano accordion keyboard, calling it “just pure madness” - which really isn’t surprising considering the specs of “something so insane”.

From the 292 sampled orchestral voices to the 90 onboard rhythm styles, the PK400 will be a hit among audiophiles with a streak of eclectism. Of course, the ORLA PK400 is also suitable for the average Joe, as it is equipped with a full set of features, including the now standard built-in performance recorder (disk drive to save styles and songs) and a wide range of audio sockets.

But I’d suggest keyboardists with more modest needs to go for a less complex and less expensive keyboard.

(Read the whole post…)

(Source: Sonic State)

Three new guitar effects pedals have been released by Marshall Amplification into our hands - the Regenerator (RG-1), Reflector (RF-1) and Echohead (EH-1). All three pedals are contained in all-metal casings, and are powered by a 9 Volt battery or optional 9 Volt adapter. Other common features include passive bypass and a multi-mode selector switch.

According to Marshall Amps, the Regenerator is “… a chorus, a flanger, and a phaser pedal all in one sturdy shell…” while the Reflector “…add defuse trails to your playing without ever swallowing your tone.” Let’s not forget the Echohead, which allows you to “…create pulsing tones with your guitar and add dense rhythmic textures to your sound.” Of course, these descriptions are according to Marshall Amps.

[News via Sonic State]

(Read the whole post…)