WE HAVE A WINNER! Lynn Julian who wrote "THE TUNER is my favorite piece of gear. Without one...your sound is *only* as good as your ear! My pedal tuner gives me the confidence and peace of mind to perform at my peak. I'd LOVE a Planet Waves Headstock Tuner for my acoustic "baby" too!" :
Continuing our list of Best Guitar Gear for 2010 with guitar straps! We've checked out and tested the best straps for both acoustic and electric guitars with some very cool ideas for people with shoulder and or neck problems. In order to improve form and playing posture, most guitar instructors tell their students to practice playing standing up. You need a strap to do that! This also prepares you for the time that you will perform on stage. These selected straps all make great gifts for the guitarist in your life and will be cherished for years to come.
PLAYER's CHOICE!!! The Sully Strap has been voted the hands-down favorite of our guitar playing readers! Handcrafted one at a time in the U.S.A. and made to last as long as your instrument, (or longer)! 1" wide, #1 harness leather strap Shoulder piece 2" wide by 11.5" long harness leather. Also available with 7/8" wide strap and 1 3/4" wide x 9" long shoulder piece for smaller size guitars.
Infinitely adjustable several inches on both ends to the exact length required by the user. These are really custom guitar straps, cut to your size specifications and can be ordered to accomodate oversized pick up end pins if needed. This is the one that fits my Martin D-16GT with a pick up and is my choice for quality and value. $42.00
Martin High End Leather Strap Martin's latest! This is truly a high end leather strap. Strap is made from the highest quality soft naked finish garment weight cowhide leather on the topside and underside, with a 1/4" foam and suede split core. The strap is complimented with the CF Martin embroidered logo and double stitched heavy thread detailing. Buttery soft, it hugs you like a fine Italian leather glove! Highly recommended for use with lighter, acoustic guitars. Available in Brown 18A0000 or Black 18A0001. $90.00
Planet Waves Deluxe Padded Leather Strap The Deluxe Series sets the standard for leather straps. This particular strap is made of a very stiff leather and would be perfect for use with heavier or solid body guitars such as a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster. However, good leather straps like these tend to break in, becoming softer over time. This two-ply garment leather strap has a padded inner core right where you need it. The Deluxe Series exudes class and style, fashion and function. All feature an exclusive tapered contour designed to prevent twisting when used with acoustic guitars. The body of the straps is 4" longer than standard straps, giving you more support where you need it most. All are adjustable from 44.5" to 53" long. Price $89.00
I recommend using Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner & Conditioner on all leather guitar straps. Meguiar's cleans, moisturizes and preserves leather with aloe and other anti-aging nutrients. It protects them from UV rays while imparting a beautiful luster to the leather. I've used it to restore faded, dried out leather too.
Planet Waves DARE Strap - Electric Guitar Planet Waves has teamed up with product designer Troy Dare to bring you the patented Dare Strap. Unlike conventional straps, the Dare Strap allows your to equally distribute the weight of your instrument over both shoulders.Great for heavy instruments and players with back / neck conditions. This is the strap that I use on my Fender Stratocaster which is the heaviest solid body guitar that I own next to my Aria Pro II Fullerton model.
I've coupled this strap with a set of Ernie Ball Super Strap Locksfor a amazingly secure connection. These strap locks also make it easy to take the strap off without overstretching the leather end holes. Ernie Ball Super Strap Locks can be used with all of the straps shown in this review except for perhaps the Martin High End Leather Strap due to its thickness.
Be sure to check out our other picks for Best Guitar Gear for 2010 at the following links!
One of the best things that you can do for your guitar is to keep it clean and properly humidified. This falls under the category of care & feeding. I've sought out and tested the best products for the job and have come up with this list for our Best Guitar Gear for 2010!
Guitar Polish
Keep in mind that if you have a new acoustic guitar, it is best to wait about a year or so for the wood's pores to fully open up before adding any polish. Then after that start with a cleaner followed by a good, non-waxy guitar polish. I've found Virtuoso Premium Cleaner & Polishto be perfect for my Martin guitars especially. The cleaner does an excellent job of removing any heavy compounds while the polish leaves a remarkable shine, making the surface smudge-resistant. I use the Planet Waves Microfiber Polishing Cloth because it is very gentle but does a thorough job of deep cleaning my guitar without scratching or whorls.
String & Fretboard Cleaner
Your strings and fretboard need specific products for their cleaning and care. I use GHS Fast Fret as it makes sliding along the fretboard much easier and prolongs the life and tone of my uncoated strings. Simple to apply, I rub the applicator across my new strings, wipe 'em down and forget about it.
Humidity Monitoring
Keeping tabs on your guitar's humidity within the case has never been easier. I have an Oasis Hygrometer in each of my Martin Guitar cases. It clips easily onto the storage compartment of my hardshell cases. It also tells me the temperature. Ideally you want to keep the humidity between 45-55%. If the humidity falls below 45% in the case, simply place the New & Improved Humidipak Gel Pak system between the strings into the sound hole for about a week. Once the proper moisture level is reached, keep a check on the humidity and use when needed. Check out our top picks by hovering over the photos below!
Best Guitar Gear for 2010's - Care & Feeding Recommendations:
Looking for a gift for your favorite guitarist? Don't buy a thing until you check out this list of new items from our Best Guitar Gear for 2010. We've put together a Player's Pack of THE BEST essential gear that will be perfect for your favorite guitar hero! Here's our hot trio just to start it up....
NEW! PLANET WAVES HEADSTOCK TUNER
Every serious guitar player will flip over the NEW Planet Waves Headstock Tuner! Unlike other headstock tuners it is very compact and even senses the low E string. Not effected by sounds from other guitars in the room because the piezo senses the vibrations from YOUR guitar. Small enough to stay on the headstock while your guitar is being stored in its case. Bright green / red LED shows you when you are in tune even on a darkly lit stage. Very accurate and easy to read. The best tuner I have used to date.
NEW! PLANET WAVES DUAL ACTION CAPO
This is the latest capo creation from Planet Waves. Dual action is right!What you will like about this NEW capo is that it is fully adjustable for a snug, no buzz fit for nearly any guitar. The quick release clip action makes changing keys effortless. Better still, this capo does not pull your instrument out of tune as others can. Leaves no scratches or marks on my prized Martins. Made of super lightweight aluminum alloy in chic black. This is the one capo I use now in the studio and in concert. Don't leave home without it!
CUSTOM PRO SERIES INSTRUMENT CABLES
The thicker, shielded cables of the Custom Pro Series by Planet Waves have become legendary and with good reason. We featured their Circuit Breaker Guitar Cable last year and after several studio sessions and live shows, it has never failed. The Custom Pro Series follows this up with superior insulation and transparency. This is the perfect accessory for many newer acoustic / electric guitars marketed today but also for the dedicated electrics. We've changed over to the Custom Pro Series for our mic and guitar cables because you can really hear the difference. Reliability and quality set these cables apart from the pack. Made my day! These are the cables we are using in the studio for recording and in concert. See more cool guitar accessories online at PLANET WAVES
The Wrap....
Purchasing a guitar for someone else can be tricky. You really never know if the guitar you pick will be comfortable or playable for the person. Chances are they may already have an instrument. These are three key accessories that any guitarist would appreciate, even if they already own other versions of them. Treat them to a serious "upgrade" by purchasing this Best Guitar Gear for 2010's - Player's Pack! They will definitely thank you for it. More guitar gear goodies coming up. Yes, only the best for 2010!
NEW! This hot arrival from the C.F. Martin & Co. 1833 Shop ROCKS fall! Made of 100% cotton, this full zip, pigment dyed hoodie is perfect for taking the chill off. Has the Martin logo in distressed fashion across the front. Open Mic Bag with Guitar Strap by Overland Equipment. The perfect Christmas gift!
Eclectic Sound TV is celebrating it's 7th year on YouTube! Our High Definition TV Channel has gotten THOUSANDS of views, subscribers and friends! We are looking forward to an even MORE successful year in 2017!
Levy's Tour Bag
600 denier polyester tour bag for microphones, cables, etc. Inner dimensions: 9 x 9 x 12
NEW AT2022
Record in STEREO with two unidirectional condensers in one! No phantom power needed. NEW from Audio-Technica
NEW! Mini Headstock Tuner
Planet Waves NS Mini, small but mighty-accurate.
Capo-Tuner & O-Port
Holy Fire!
The Holy Fire overdrive/distortion pedal. Made in America by Creation Audio Labs.
Handmade Straps!
Sully's New Leather Guitar Straps make the perfect gift for any guitarist!
NEW DJ Ear-Wear
NEW with 53 mm drivers designed especially for the ATH-PRO700MK2 DJ Headphones. 50°/90° earpiece swiveling capability for maximum comfort and use from Audio-Technica!
A-T 4081 Ribbon Mic
NEW to our studio, Audio-Technica's AT 4081 ribbon condenser mic! Voiced for instruments read our review!
Do Your Own Pedalboard
We show you how to do it best but NOW adding the Sanyo Pedal Juice to the mix. Less wires, more freedom & eliminates annoying ground loops.
NEW Create XT for Vocals
The Create XT takes studio style vocals on the road! Add some polish to your next gig and hear it in action in the studio by clicking the photo.
Fender Standard Strat
Here's my Fender Stratocaster in Chrome Red. Modified with the N-Tune onboard tuner and Ernie Ball Super Slinky coated strings. Yes, its made in North America!
N-Tune Onboard Tuner
NEW! Install a lighted, onboard tuner for your Fender Stratocaster or other guitar models. Looks like it was custom made for my Strat. Leave your other tuners at home when you gig! Click the photo for details or to buy.
NEW Fender Passport
In this case, old school must rule! I'm keeping the original Passport PD-500. Read the serious differences between the PD-500 & the NEW Fender 500 Pro.
BOSS GT-10
Gig this rig! Their flagship floor guitar multi-effector. Killer tones with E Z Compose. Solid built and really bright for dark stages. Dozens of COSM amp models and serious effects PLUS a sound-on-sound phrase looper. Blend 2 simultaneous signal chains. 200 user / 200 factory presets. Really sick. Hear us tear it up on our live Eclectic Sound TV Channel! Click the photo for a SUPER low price!
DigiTech's RP90
DigiTech's RP90 uses AudioDNA2, 20 Tone & Effect Library, 100 presets, 12 amp/ 8 cabinet models, 32 Effects, 5 Second Delay, 40 Drum Patterns, Tuner + Expression Pedal! Use the search to see our review. Click the photo to buy!
BOSS DR-880
We've recorded and gigged the DR-3 but the DR-880 is amazing! Plug in your guitar and use their onboard effect along with a fully programmable drum & bass machine. WOW!
Tech21's Trademark 60
Read our REVIEW of The Trademark 60 coupled with a BOSS GT-10 Guitar Multi Effects Processor!
Tarcase Co.
Tarcase, from Nashville, TN. Made in the good ol' USA!!! A very tough, custom road case for the BOSS GT-10. Even has a rise for a volume or expression pedal!
Pedals to Go...
Flip the lid on the Tarcase and start jammin'! Custom made to order for YOUR pedal board. Read our REVIEW!
DigiTech's VL4
The Vocalist Live 4 gives you guitar and vocal effects PLUS harmonies! I use it with the ATM710 condenser mic as it supplies phantom power. Hear it on our upcoming Live Radio Show Podcasts! Too low to quote with Free Shipping by clicking here!
Bob Taylor on Humidity
Air O Swiss Travel
The AOS 7146 Ultrasonic Humidifier is PERFECT to take on the road. Set it up in the hotel room and keep both your instrument AND voice in tune!
BOSS BR1200CD
12 track digital recording studio that records & burns your CD's onboard. Has a mic and guitar jack for direct tracking.
Studio Side, the AT4050
New to our recording studio, Audio-Technica's elite 40 Series Multi-pattern condenser microphone! Dubbed the "studio workhorse" as it performs with amazing transparency on vocals as well as instruments. Listen to it on our new Live Radio Show Podcasts!
Audio-Technica's AE5400
This Artist Elite Series condenser mic was used on stage for The Country Music Awards live broadcast! Now it's my concert mic. Purchase it right here!
A-T's AT4047/SV
Audio-Technica's flagship large diaphram, side address condenser mic completes your recording studio! We are using this mic with the newly released Voice Box Harmonizer - Vocoder. The sound is incredibe!
Audio-Technica's ATM710
A-T's Artist Series condenser mic brings recording studio polish to your live performances! Sounds amazing with the Vocalist Live 4 above which was used to record our Live CD. Available in a wireless system, (ATW-T371). Click here for details and a super deal!
Audio-Technica's "Cans"
Audio-Technica's quality headphones are THE choice for recording artists and DJ's alike! Photo: ATH-M50 Pro Studio Monitor Headphones-Click the picture, read the review.
Roadside...Roland SA-300
Hitting the road this spring! Our Roland SA-300 has four channels, studio effects, feedback killer and is super lightweight. 350 watts of umph with extra bottom end. We plan to couple this system with At's 3000 Wireless System. "On the Road Again"!
Roland SA-300 Stage Amp
The amp head of the Roland SA-300 can be used apart from the subwoofer for smaller venues but still packs a full 150 watts o' power. We're using a tripod stand like this to throw the sound from the back of the stage.
Planet Waves Custom Pro
Hooked up in the studio we have our elite Audio-Technica AT4050 with PW's Custom Pro Mic Cable. Unreal clarity!
Planet Waves Cable
Planet Waves Custom Pro Mic Cable is on the road with our Audio-Technica AE5400 mic! Crystal clear transparency for studio recording too! Available in 10ft & 25ft lengths. Surely rocks.
Nothing More
Johnny Hawkins & Mark V. pose with camerawoman Magda after the band's interview at the Press Tent!
Hercules Music Stand
Hercules' Tilting Base, swivel legs & EZ Clutch features carry over from their mic stand to this beautiful #BS311B Orchestra Music Stand!
Dr. M's Acoustic Set
Playing with the Church Street Ramblers for a charity concert. Guitar: Martin SWDGT in Sustainable Cherry
Harp Hymns
Magda & Dr. "M" doing a music ministry concert at Pinebrook Ctr. Autoharp: Limited Ed. Oscar-Schmidt with Audio-Technica's Wireless System.
Volunteer Your Talents!
You can volunteer your talents as a musician to those less fortunate in your community. Read about Bread & Roses and get involved!
Dr. M & Dick Boak
PR & Artist Relations Director, Dick Boak seranades Dr. M with this vintage Martin mando!
Willie Nelson's Guitar
Willies Martin Axe on display at the Martin Guitar Museum! Looks better than the one he plays now!
Stephen Stills 045S
Magda joins in the fun in the Pickin' Parlor on Martin's Limited Edition Stephen Stills 045S which by the way, retails for over $16,000.00. A rare treat!
Special Edition Martin
My Special Edition SWDGT, 175th Anniversary Year, Martin Gloss Top in Sustainable Cherry-wood! All solid construction. Quieter than my mahogany Martin D-16GT but found its voice with the O-Port installed! Click the photo & see the VIDEO!
Electrified 'Harp
This is my LTD Edition OS150FCE Autoharp by Oscar Schmidt. As you can see in the photo below, it's what I play in concert & on my recordings.
OS150FCE Ltd. Ed.
The OS150FCE has an active pick-up and EQ.
Acoustic Autoharp
This is the Oscar-Schmidt OS100. My "Centurion" has 21 chords, a solid spruce top and fine tuners.
rio Flat Top Strings
Posts
