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…before you buy your guitar (related stuff)

Vox VT100 Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 2×12 in.) vs. Fender Frontman 65R Guitar Combo Amplifier (65 Watts, 1×12 in.)

Vox VT100 Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 2×12 in.)

Vox VT100 Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 2x12 in.)

Sophisticated modeling technology combined with the VOX Valve Reactor power amp circuit that uses a 12AX7 vacuum tube results in sound quality that overwhelms the competition. Announcing the VT series — the latest combo amps in the Valvetronix series, featuring simulation sounds of famous guitarists.

Vox VT100 Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 2×12 in.) Features…

Amp Models: BOUTIQUE CL,DELUXE TWEED,SUPER 4X10,AC15TB,AC30HH,EXPRESS TRAIN,AC50CP2,UK 25TH,US ‘90S,UK MODERN,BOUTIQUE METAL,MODDED CL,TWEED 2X12,TWEED 4X10,AC15,AC30TB,BOUTIQUE OD,AC30BM,UK ‘80S,CALI METAL,UK ‘90S,METAL BULL

Effect Models: DELAY,TAPE ECHO,CHORUS,COMP,OCTAVE,FLANGER,PHASER,ROTARY,TREMOLO,PITCH,REVERB, NR(Noise Reduction

Number of amp types: 22

Number of effects: 12

Number of programs: 66 preset, 8 user

Input/output jacks: 1x INPUT,1 x FOOT SW jack, 1 x PHONE jack, 1 x EXTERNAL SPEAKER OUT jack(only VT50/VT100), 1 x LOOP RETURN jack(only VT100), 1 x LOOP SEND jack(only VT100)

Power amp output: VT15=maximum 15W RMS @4 ohms, VT30=maximum 30W RMS @4 ohms, VT50=maximum 50W RMS @8 ohms, VT100=maximum 100W RMS @8 ohms

Speaker: VT15=1 x VOX original (8 inch,4 ohm), VT30=1 x VOX original (10 inch,4 ohm ), VT50=1 x VOX original (12 inch,8 ohm), VT100=2 x VOX original (12 inch,8 ohm)

Signal processing A/D conversion: 24-bit, D/A conversion: 24-bit, Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz

Power supply requirements: AC, local voltage

Included items: power cable

Options(Sold separately): VOX VFS5 foot switch

*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.

Buy Vox VT100 Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 2×12 in.)
Buy at Zzounds.com

Fender Frontman 65R Guitar Combo Amplifier (65 Watts, 1×12 in.)

Fender Frontman 65R Guitar Combo Amplifier (65 Watts, 1x12 in.)

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Fender’s great-sounding, top-selling 65-watt combo gets a makeover! Fender Frontman amps deliver quality tone at a great price, with the unmistakable Fender Blackface look. The 65-watt Frontman 65R features a single 12-inch Special Design speakers, classic styling, simple controls, a good variety of clean and distorted tones, distortion and channel switching, reverb and a vintage-style footswitch. Oh yeah–and it’s really loud! One of the best “bang-for-the-buck” amps you’ll find!

Fender Frontman 65R Guitar Combo Amplifier (65 Watts, 1×12 in.) Features…

Model Number: 231-6000-010 (120V, 60Hz) USA

Series: Frontman Series

Type: Solid State

Output: 65 watts into 8 ohms

Ohms: 8 ohms

Speakers: 1-12 in. Special Design 8 ohm, 75 watt Speaker, p/n 0062679000

Channels: Dual Selectable Channels (Normal and Drive)

Features: Two 1/4″ Instrument Inputs, Dedicated Volume and Tone Controls in Both Channels, Effects Loop (Preamp Out, Power Amp In), Footswitch Jack (For Remote Drive Select with Optional Footswitch), IEC Grounding Type Power Supply Cord

Controls:

- Normal Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass,

- Drive Channel: Drive, Volume, Channel Select Switch, Treble, Mid, Mid Contour Switch, Bass, Reverb,

- Footswitch Jack

Effects Loop: Preamp Out, Power Amp In

Covering: Black Textured Vinyl with Silver Grille Cloth; Chrome Hardware; Blackface Control Panel

Weight: 32 lbs. (14.5 kg)

Dimensions:

- Height: 16.8 in. (42.6 cm),

- Width: 18.75 in. (47.3 cm),

- Depth: 9 in. (22.9 cm)

Power Handling: N/A

Tube Complement: N/A

Cover: Uses Cover, p/n 0029883000, (Not Included)

Accessories: Includes 1-Button Footswitch for Channel Select, p/n 0994052000

Footswitch: Uses 1-Button Footswitch for Channel Select, p/n 0994052000,(Included)

Introduced: 10/2007

Notice: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

Buy Fender Frontman 65R Guitar Combo Amplifier (65 Watts, 1×12 in.)
Buy at Zzounds.com

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"Great mid sized amp! Worth a look."

Looks good. Fender quality.

Just get it. You wont regret it. It is surprising loud for a 65 watt amp and can punch through bass and drums. Sound will begin to break- down if you get too loud, but that goes with any audio equip. I use mine for practice and small gigs.

Mine is built like a tank. It takes its bumps and never lets me down. Its solid state, so no worries. Wipe it down every few weeks and it looks great.

I will have to say I don't know because it has never let me down. Everything I own is Fender and if there ever is a problem, my local dealer doesnt hesitate to help.

Submitted: 12/18/2008

Using this amp with everything from my 75 les paul with dimarzio's, to the 74 strat. The clean channel is nice and clean. The distortion is very friendly, not to brittle or harsh. The reverb is very smooth. Plenty of volume and enough bottom end for a partially open back cabinet.

2003 Solid state combo. Two channel/foot switchable. High and low inputs. Bright switch on channel one. Boost on channel two. Three band EQ and reverb.Master volume. Effects loop. 65 watts rms. 12" electar lab speaker. 46 lbs. Got it off of ebay. Two months old. $150.00 including shipping. SCORE!

Haven't taken this out on the raod yet. Seems solid in construction. Top mounted controls work smoothly. Not overly heavy.

Been Playing for 27 years now. I have 3 other small combo amps. A Fender sidekick 65 reverb, a Fender frontman 25r. and a little Danelectro nifty70. Maybe 10 guitars at this time. 75 les paul deluxe, 98 les paul standard, 74 strat, two hamers, two fender squires/tele and strat, big ol johnson las vegas hollow body, jay turser 134/semi hollow lespaul type,washburn 12 string acoustic. If lost i would look for this amp again. Cool retro look with enough features for todays gig. Very cool value.

Mike (04/29/2003)

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar (with Case) vs. Parker P44 Electric Guitar with Fishman Pickup (with Gig Bag)

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar (with Case)

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar (with Case)

Like his friend and mentor Joe Perry, Slash’s concept of what makes a great Les Paul has changed greatly since the original Custom Shop Slash model of the late ’90s. The plain Maple top and Custom Authentic finish combine with Duncan Alnico Pro II humbuckers and a Fishman Powerbridge (which can be used by itself or blended with the Duncans) to create an instrument that covers all the tonal bases.

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar (with Case) Features…

Top: Carved Maple

Back: Solid Mahogany

Body Binding: Single-ply cream on top

Finish: Custom Authentic Dark Tobacco Sunburst

Hardware: Aged Nickel

Bridge: Tune-o-matic

Tailpiece: Fishman stopbar

Neck: 1-piece Mahogany with long neck tenon

Fingerboard: 22-fret Rosewood

Inlays: Acrylic trapezoid

Neck Binding: Single-ply cream

Neck Profile: Slash custom

Scale Length: 24-3/4 in.

Tuners: Vintage tulip

Nut width: 1-11/16 in.

Strings: Brite Wires 10s

Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II humbuckers, Fishman Powerbridge

Controls: 3 volume, 1 master tone, 3-way switch, 3-way mini-toggle for Fishman

Includes: Custom Shopcase, Certificate of Authenticity, Custom Care Kit

All specs are subject to change without notice. Actual color may vary slightly.

Buy Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar (with Case)
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com


Awesome/Stinky Guitar

The features are great on this guitar, but the quality stinks. It has terrible quality because the neck is made of balsa wood. This guitar is strange. I've had it for about 3 years now, but no problems.

Anonymous Musician from Anarctica (Mar 13, 2008)

Sound is awesome for the price. Pick ups could be better, but you can get Slash tones easily, like Sweet Child intro with no effects except distortion. Nice heavy rhythm and lead sound on the bridge pickup. Don't bother trying to play it clean – but you don't get this axe to play clean.

Mine is completely stock. Same as mentioned as the other reviews. Sweet red flamy top with snakepit "tattoo".

Set up was fine. I didn't have to do anything execpt change the strings and tune it.

Never had to deeal with them.

Anonymous (12/12/2003)

Parker P44 Electric Guitar with Fishman Pickup (with Gig Bag)

Parker P44 Electric Guitar with Fishman Pickup (with Gig Bag)

 Parker Guitar Information

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 Fly Features Guide

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The P-44 has all the signature capabilities of the high-end Parker Fly in a beautiful solid-Mahogany body.The humbuckers deliver twang and shimmer with plenty of attitude. The split coil lets you get a pseudo-single-coil sound, with zero hum. Count on the piezos for a very realistic acoustic sound, then mix them with the magnetics for a hybrid that introduces a whole new dimension to music.

Parker P44 Electric Guitar with Fishman Pickup (with Gig Bag) Features…

Tones / Sounds: Twang and shimmer. Incredible tonal range.

Body Wood: Mahogany

Contruction: Solid 2-piece

Finish: Polyurethane

Bridge: Fishman fulcrum style tremelo Vibrato System

Neck Wood: Maple

Neck Design: Solid one piece

Neck-Body Joint: True bolt-on with half-round precision joint

Scale: 25.5 in.

# of Frets: 22 Frets

Fret Material: Nickel silver

Fret Size: .052 in. high, .103 in. wide

Fret Board: Ebony

Fretboard Shape: 10 in. — 13 in. conical form

Neck Shape: Width — Regular Thickness — Fat

Finish: Polyurethane

Nut: GraphTech

Nut Width: 1.68 in.

String Spacing: Bridge — 2.065 in. Nut — 1.38 in.

Truss Rod: Traditional design

Tuners: Grover 18:1

Mag Pickups: Parker Stingers

Mag. Config: Number: 2 Config: HH

Mag. PU Select: 3-way

Piezo System: 6-element Fishman piezo

PreAmp/Mixer: Active Custom Fishman stereo preamp

Other Controls: Mag volume, Mag tone, Piezo volume, Mag/Piezo 3 way selector

Output: Split stereo or summed mono

Weight: 7 lbs.

Strings: Mojo EXL 120, .009 in. – .042 in.

Other Features: N/A

Case/Bag: Parker custom Gig bag

Buy Parker P44 Electric Guitar with Fishman Pickup (with Gig Bag)
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com

 Parker Guitar Information

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 Fly Features Guide

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well I was an Ibanez guy

Then I picked up a Night Fly M and now I don't play any of my great Ibanez collection. I am ruined. The super fast, thin, flat neck, intonates perfectly. At first look I figured this guitar to be thin and lifeless. Oh was I wrong… superb sustain, notes ring out in beautiful balance, even unplugged.
Ty
EL84

EL84 guitarist from Oakland, Ca (Feb 13, 2006)
"Awesome guitar for a great price"

Wesome looks and not everyone and there brother has one like fenders and gibsons… I have all three, Les paul deluxe, Fender strat, schecter hellraiser and this is just as good

Awesome price for a guitar of this quality. Unlike GIbson where epiphones are just as good and you only pay for the paint on the heads stock.

I looked at two at the store. One had divits in the fretbord and looked like laquer was peeeling off.the second one was flawless, thats at my home right now.

Havent tried them yet and hopefully never will have to.

a customer from msn.com (7/26/2007)

Korg CM100L Clip On Contact Microphone For Tuners vs. Korg TM40 Chromatic Tuner and Metronome

Korg CM100L Clip On Contact Microphone For Tuners

Korg CM100L Clip On Contact Microphone For Tuners

The CM-100L Contact Microphone is a perfect compliment to any tuner that offers an audio input jack. The mic can be positioned to get a more sensitive reading, while allowing the tuner to be positioned for easier reading.

The jack is a 1/4 in. male phone connector.

Korg CM100L Clip On Contact Microphone For Tuners Features…

Clip-on contact mic

1/4″ phone jack

Complements any tuner with a 1/4″ audio input

Buy Korg CM100L Clip On Contact Microphone For Tuners
Buy at Zzounds.com


"The tool for anyone who just wants to tune with little fuss."

Nothing sexy about it. If you want to tune without all the mucking about with mics or acoustic pickups this does what you intended to do easily, tune without micing or pickup installation.

They don't make many contact tuning mics so compared to others in the same league they are priced just right and work like they should.

Says Korg on the clamps and seems pretty well made. I would have liked to have seen a thicker cable cord though.

Never had to use support.

Diego from zZounds (10/30/2008)

Korg TM40 Chromatic Tuner and Metronome

Korg TM40 Chromatic Tuner and Metronome

Practice Pitch and Rhythm at the Same Time!

Korg tuners and metronomes are acclaimed around the world for their extremely high accuracy and superb features. The new TM-40 combines these two functions into a single compact easy-to-use unit.

Revolutionary Features

A great lesson and practice tool, the TM-40 offers both tuner and metronome functions simultaneously or independently. Its large LCD-type needle delivers both the accuracy of an LCD and the excellent visibility of a needle indicator. It also has LED indicators that show pitch deviation or blink to indicate the tempo, making the TM-40 a highly visual tool.

Excellent Functionality and a Wide Detection Range

With a detection range of C1 (32.70 Hz) — C8 (4186.01 Hz), the TM-40 provides quick and accurate coverage of a wide spectrum of notes and pitches for wind, string, keyboard and most other instruments. Even low-pitched instruments with complex overtone structures are detected with the precision you expect from Korg. A built-in high-sensitivity mic allows acoustic instruments such as guitar and ukulele to be tuned easily and accurately, and the separately sold CM-100 contact mic can be used to send the vibrations directly to the tuner for even greater precision.

Sound Out!

In addition to the visual tuning guide provided by the meter, you can use the TM-40’s built-in speaker to produce a tuning reference pitch (Sound Out). This is convenient for tuning by ear and also useful for ear training. By pressing the Sound switch you can select the reference pitch from A5 to B flat 4 (usually used as the tuning standard for wind instruments). And by holding down the Sound switch, you can select a mode in which you step through chromatic pitches from C4 to C5 (one octave).

Adjustable Calibration

The TM-40’s Calibration setting is adjustable in a range of 410~480 Hz to accommodate a variety of tuning standards. The calibration can be adjusted in 1 Hz steps, letting you accurately tune to any song or key. Memory backup is also provided so that the Calibration and Sound Out (”12 NOTES” or “ABb”) settings are remembered even when the power is turned off.

Pure Major Third and Minor Third Interval Markings

When intervals of a third are played out of tune in the context of a brass band, orchestra, or other ensemble, it is particularly noticeable. But those intervals can be made to blend more pleasantly by slightly adjusting them (relative to the equal-tempered pitch) to a pure major or minor third. The TM-40’s meter scale provides markings to indicate pitches of a pure major and pure minor third relative to a selected pitch. By tuning your instrument so that the meter’s indicator needle points to these markings, you can ensure beautiful harmonies when playing in an ensemble. This capability is very useful not only for wind instruments, but also for vocal or a cappella practice.

* The appropriate note to adjust when tuning to a pure major/minor third will depend on the music you are playing.

Metronome Section

The metronome section offers convenient functions for practicing a variety of music.

– Beat mode — choose from preset patterns. Beat mode lets you choose a preset tempo and time signature, and Tap mode lets you specify your own tempo. The compact TM-40’s contains a large speaker that produces a clear and distinct metronome sound.

– Thirteen rhythm variations for practicing a wide range of styles. The TM-40 contains thirteen types of rhythms that cover 0-7 beats per measure as well as doublets, triplets, triplets with center beats omitted, quadruplets, and quadruplets with center beats omitted.* Tempo is easily adjustable in a range of 40-208 beats per minute (bpm). Sophisticated rhythms, such as triplets/quadruplets with center beats omitted, give you the flexibility to cover a wide range of styles from classical to rock and jazz. Since the volume is adjustable, the TM-40 can meet the needs of any situation, from private practice in a small room to sessions in a large studio.

* When using the Tuner and Metronome functions simultaneously, triplets, triplets with center beats omitted, quadruplets, and quadruplets with center beats omitted are not available.

Tempo Adjustment Options

When you adjust the tempo setting, you can choose that the tempo value will increment or decrement either in “full-step” mode (steps of a single unit) or “pendulum-step” mode (steps of several units as on a mechanical metronome). Choose the mode that you prefer.

Set the Tempo with the Tap Function

The TM-40’s Tap Tempo function lets you detect and set the desired tempo simply by pressing the Metronome mode START/STOP button at the desired timing in a range of 40?208 bpm. This makes it easy when practicing to a song that you don’t know the tempo of, such as a recording on CD.

Memory Backup

With the Memory Backup feature, the TM-40 remembers your Tempo, Beat, Calibration, and Reference Pitch settings even when powered-off.

Auto Power Off

After twenty minutes of none use, the TM-40 will automatically turn off to extend battery life.

Korg TM40 Chromatic Tuner and Metronome Features…

Tuner section:

– Scale: 12 note equal temperament

– Detection range*: C1 (32.70Hz) — C5 (4186.01Hz) for a sine wave

– Reference Tone: C4 (261.63Hz) — C5 (523.25Hz) one octave or A Bb

– Tuning modes: Meter mode (AUTO), Sound Out mode (manual)

– Calibration range: A4 = 410Hz — 480Hz

– Detection accuracy: better than +/- 1 cent

– Sound accuracy: better than +/- 1 cent

Metronome section:

– Tempo range: 40 — 208 beats per minute (bpm)

– Tempo setting: “Full Step,” “Pendulum Step”

– Time signatures: 0 — 7 beats, duplets, triplets, triplets without center beat, quadruplets, quadruplets without center beats

– Tempo accuracy: +/- 0.3%

– Modes: beat mode, tap mode

Connectors: Input jack (1/4 in. mono), Phone jack (1/8 in. mini)

Speaker: dynamic speaker (28mm)

Power supply: 2 x AAA batteries (3V)

Battery Life:

– Tuner: approximately 70 hours (A4 continuous input, when using zinc-carbon batteries)

– Metronome: approximately 50 hours (tempo 120, four beats, maximum volume, when using zinc-carbon batteries)

Dimensions: 4.45 in. (W) x 3.03 in. (D) x 0.71 in. (H), 113 (W) x 77 (D) x 18 (H) mm

Weight: 0.24 lbs. / 107g (including batteries)

Included items: owner’s manual, two AAA batteries for checking operation

* Even if the pitch is within the range of detection, the TM-40 may be unable to detect the pitch if the sound contains numerous overtones (such as the low and high notes on an acoustic piano) or if the instrument has a rapid decay.

Buy Korg TM40 Chromatic Tuner and Metronome
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com


Pleasant surprise

I hope this lasts for a long time because I have no reason to dislike it. My needs are modest and this will do nicely. On the plus side:
3"x4.5"x5/8" overall dimension.
I can see the LCD at arm's length.
LCD is 1"x2-1/4"
Does single step tempo increments (100, 101, 102…) if you're in the correct mode.
Has a headphone out that mutes the speaker.
<p>On the "not perfect side", and certainly not at this price point…
No backlit LCD.
No "count-in" feature (play so many measures and stop)
Unit's volume is fine for unplugged electric guitar. I had to concentrate some on hearing it while beating an acoustic at 5' away.
The headphone out is mono (left side).
The font on the LCD is tiny.</p>

None of the negatives above bother me in the least given what I paid for it. I hope it hangs in there for a long time because it is kind of cool.
Pretty much awesome

I love this thing. The tuner is the best and most convenient Ive ever used, and the metronome does have an irritating "beep beep" tick, but after playing with it for awhile, you hardly notice it at all, and it does its job so….. this is a good deal. Buy it.

WizardManDan from Hawaii (Aug 27, 2007)