D'Addario's NEW Planet Waves NS Artist Guitar Capo

In the Studio: D'Addario, Planet Waves NEW NS Artist Capo, another guitarist's dream tool.

Farmingdale, NY I'm sure you can imagine how important an artist's tools are to his craft, you can begin to understand how this also transfers to musicians. As artists of sound, we quickly hone in on accessories that work in a number of settings, such as in the studio or performing live. The point is that they have to be reliable and work every time.

NS Artist Capo
So that's why I was pretty excited when Planet Waves sent me their NEW NS (stands for Ned Steinberger designed) Artist Capo to review. Their sturdy capos are all that I use right now but I was curious to see how they could possibly improve on an already good thing.

NS Artist Capo in packaging

D'Addario Planet Waves NS Micro Tuner

You know what they say, "Small things come in good packages!" D' Addario Planet waves NS Micro Tuner for guitar, bass, mandolin, uke and banjo.

D'Addario & Co. Farmingdale, NY Just when you thought it couldn't be done, Planet Waves takes center stage with the world's smallest guitar tuner. I have their NS Mini Headstock Tuner which is also very small...so tiny in fact that I simply leave it on the guitar's headstock when placing it in the case! I reviewed it here along with other Planet Waves Guitar Tuners.

Small But Mighty
I really liked the Mini Headstock Tuner when it first was released. First of all, you couldn't beat it for portability but even more than that, it is extremely accurate. I used to use my Tru-Strobe Pedal Tuner before each studio session but now I just tune up with the Headstock Tuners.

PW's NS Mini Headstock Tuner is the forerunner to the new micro version.

Like Having a Built in Tuner
I had my Fender Stratocaster modified with a built in tuner that went under my volume knob. The thing is GREAT but when I have to change the 9v battery, I'll have to take the guitar apart. It wasn't easy installing it either. I took it to a professional music shop and had it done as I did not want to blow up my guitar . Why go through all of that when these tuners are small enough to be left of the headstock during transport?

Performing with the Micro Tuner
Another thing that you'll like is that unlike some other tuners, the audience can't see it on your headstock! I've performed with it and no one could tell it was there. So stealthy. Since it's hanging out there on the headstock for the whole set, you can tune up as much as you like. Amazing.

My Mini Tuner is there. Can you see it?

Mini to Micro Comparison 
So what is the difference between the two tuners, besides size of course? Based on how I've tried it, turning on the Micro Tuner is much easier. It has a dedicated, universal power button unlike the previous model which required repeated pressings to scroll through to the desired options. Same thing for turning it off. One button, one press. Genius.

Micro on the left, Mini on the right!

NS Micro Tuner-The Wrap 
Like the Mini model, (Ned Steinberger design), the Micro has an easy to use ratchet clamps and can be mounted on either the front or back of your headstock. The NS Micro Tuner has the added features of a reversible multi-color display and a visual metronome. The Power Button allows you to press to toggle the tuner off and on but the tuner automatically powers off in 10 minutes to save battery life.

Color Codes: The unit shows the actual note and Red indicates:out of tune, Yellow: almost in tune and Green: in tune.
The cursor buttons: allow you to press either arrow to adjust tuner calibration from 410-480Hz. While in Metronome Mode, press wither arrow to adjust tempo setting from 20 to 270bpm. Most tuners can't do that!
Flip Button: Press to change screen orientation. This is really helpful for tricky headstocks that make placement of the tuner hard to see. Orient the screen they way you want for easy viewing.

You get TWO tuners in a pack so you'll have twice the tuning fun for multiple instruments. A great value all the way around and definitely something to consider for the Guitarist on your gift list this year.

Planet Waves Renew String Cleaning System

Planet Waves Renew String Cleaning System can give your strings new life

Some musicians are almost fanatical about changing strings while other prefer to leave them on forever as the enjoy that "dead string" sound.  I suppose I'm somewhere in the middle.  However I'm almost fanatical about washing my hands before I pick up my guitar and wiping them off after I'm done.  I also rotate between four guitars and an Autoharp so my strings generally don't go dead from use but old age. If you scratch the surface of your guitar strings and notice a lot of gunk coming off, or notice black patches of discoloration, well, it's time for a change.

All the same, let's say you get a call to fill in at a gig tonight.  With everything else that you have to do, you're not going to have time to change your guitar strings.  So what's to do?  Even if you had the time to change strings, new ones are going to constantly go out of tune that evening even with stretching them in.  Also sometimes when you change strings, it can throw off your neck adjustment especially if you go from  medium gauge to light.

Well, rather than go through all of that,  you can use Planet Waves Renew String Cleaning System. 

This system is so ridiculously quick & easy that you can

pretty much, clean your strings and pack your guitar up in seconds. It's really a time saver in a pinch or can be part of your regular guitar maintenance program.

You get two cleaning tools with extra replaceable pads and solution.  Simply moisten the pad with the cleaner, loosen your strings and run the tool up and down the fretboard as shown in the lead photo.  It even cleans the string's top and bottom.

That's it!  Re-tighten your strings and tune your guitar...you're done.  It really does clean your strings from grease, dirt and other debris too small to be seen with the naked eye.  However, you'll hear the difference immediately.

Deadbeat strings sound light and bright again and feel nice and smooth.  Of course you can add Nut Sauce to lubricate parts where the strings come in contact with your guitar, (the nut and the bridge), but the strings themselves will look and sound almost like a fresh set.   I've used this system on both naked and coated guitar strings and it made no difference.  Both types came out ringing clean.

So if you're in a hurry or would just like to keep your strings extra clean between restringing, consider Planet Waves String Renewal System.  It will save you both time and money both of which are often in short supply these days!

PW Renew System Tool

 


Planet Waves Renew String Cleaning System can be taken along on tour to clean your strings right before a show

Preview of 2011's Best Guitar Gear!

Eclectic Sound TV scooped some of the BEST new gear from NAMM 2011 to see who's going to make the final cut on our list for 2011's BEST Guitar Gear! Here are some of the Award Show nominees but don't count out some surprise entrants being added!!! Our 2011's BEST Guitar Gear video will be the business so stay tuned and check out 2010's Best Guitar Gear Winners!  Please be sweet and Tweet 

Rock Prodigy App for iPhone / iPod Touch!

Sanyo Pedal Juice in BLACK!

Holiday Guitar Gear Give-Away!

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!" :

Lynn Julian, send us your shipping and email address HERE, (it won't be posted as a comment) !
This Give-Away is now CLOSED. Here's what Lynn Julian wins:

THE NEW PLANET WAVES HEADSTOCK TUNER!!!

AND...2 Sets of Martin SP Acoustic Strings, (Light & Mediums)

PLUS ...1 Set of D'Addario Flat Top Strings

AND...C.F. MARTIN'S PROFESSIONAL GUITAR POLISH (6 oz)

WITH...C.F. MARTIN'S POLISHING CLOTH

GIVE-AWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! One WINNER will receives all the prizes listed in this GIVE-AWAY. U.S. Residents only please. Also Check out:

Best Guitar Gear for 2010-Player's Pack

Best Guitar Gear for 2010-Care & Feeding

Best Guitar Gear for 2010-Guitar Straps

Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at Eclectic Sound!!!