Monday, March 8, 2010

Audio-Technica's ATW-701/G On the Road

Isn't it time you freed up your act? We'll be taking the ATW-710/G Wireless Guitar System with us on the road this spring. Freedom!

This is the time of year when you grow really tired of being wrapped up and bundled. All you need is one warm day and you'll see everybody taking off the layers. If that's how you feel when you perform perhaps it's a sign that you are ready to step up to a wireless guitar system. Here is an overview of the wireless system we'll be using on tour this spring from Audio-Technica:

Audio-Technica’s 700 Series Freeway wireless delivers professional features and sound quality unheard of in its class. These easy-to-use wireless systems feature eight selectable frequency-coordinated channels, diversity operation for increased range/reliability, automatic frequency scanning, Tone Lock™ squelch and more. 700 Series Freeway systems come equipped with your choice of handheld, headworn, or lavalier microphones; or choose a system designed for guitar hookup. For multiple-mic applications, as many as eight systems may be used together.

  • 8 selectable frequency-coordinated UHF channels

  • Use up to 8 simultaneous systems—all channels compatible
  • Automatic frequency scanning

  • Diversity operation for increased range/reliability

  • LED Channel display plus Antenna, AF Peak indicators

  • Balanced XLR and unbalanced ¼” output connectors

  • Tone Lock™ squelch system eliminates interference when transmitter is off

  • UniPak® transmitter features: separate guitar/mic trim control, switchable high/low RF power, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation

  • Handheld transmitter features: variable trim control, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation

  • Freeway body-pack systems are compatible with all Audio-Technica Wireless Essentials® microphones and cables
The ATW-701/G is the system for a wireless guitar hookup. Really we have been amazed at how easy it is to incorporate a wireless system into our existing rig. If you look to the left in our banner ad section, you'll see that Audio-Technica makes a carrying case for their wireless systems, (3000 Series is shown), so they are made to travel very well.

Pedals With a Wireless Guitar System
If you are worried that using a wireless system means that you'll have to say goodbye to your pedals and stomp boxes, think again! If you want to use your same rig of pedals and effects, here is how you do it:

1. Run the out cable from the receiver to the first pedal

2. Connect all the pedals in their usual order, (45 degree mini cables work great)

3. Run a cable from the last pedal to the amp

Voodoo Lab's Pedal Power II supports all of the effects pedals shown in the photo and would work in powering your wireless guitar receiver too. In fact, you can set up the receiver right in with the effects pedals in the case although the manufacturer suggests 3 feet off the floor. Need to know how to properly link the pedals your own pedalboard in the right order? Check out this article: Guitar Pedals-Get the Effect III

When you think about it, part of your on stage presence is being able to freely move, dance and interact with your audience. Stiff, frozen performances do not cut it. A wireless guitar system gives you incredible access to the crowd and extra mobility on stage. We can't wait to rock this! Visit Audio-Technica Online to check out the ATW-701/G and their other professional wireless systems.

Oh yes, it's coming up! Eclectic Sound's May 1st Guitar Gear Give-Away with NEW goodies like the Mighty Bright Pedalboard Light, Planet Waves Dual Action Capo, their NEW Lubrikit and Coated Light Electric Strings, Martin Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings and MORE! Follow Dr. M on Twitter ! My Twitter Tweets will announce the start of the Give-Away.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Belmar St. Patricks Day Parade

Dr. M. & band-mate Magda pose with a Little Martin Guitar and Oscar Schmidt Centurion Autoharp flanking Belmar's St. Patrick's Day Parade Deputy Grand Marshall, Janet McGrath. "Harp Hymns" entertained parade attendees on the Main Street parade route which numbered nearly 300,000!



SUNDAY, March 7, 2010 Main Street in Belmar...be there! Touted as one the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades and celebrations in New Jersey. Everyone will be there! Eclectic Sound will be on the ground, sampling Irish reels and fiddle tunes as well as all the excitement from the parade itself. Look for our tweets on Twitter, indicating locations of the best Irish pub music and jamming throughout the day. Busking was never this good!

The parade will be covered by Cablevision and re-broadcast on Channel 78. The Asbury Park Press will also have videotape footage from the parade at their website. Come out and meet us at the reviewing stand stage for some seriously rocking good times but with an Irish accent. Visit the Belmar, Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade on Facebook for parade details, routes and other helpful information. Check Twitter by searching #APPSTPAT to get our other parade photos and great places to hear Irish music in Belmar.

Be sure to check out St. Stephen's Green Publick House in Spring Lake Hts. for their Irish Seisiuns every Tuesday night from 7-10 pm. Getting to the parade is easy via the New Jersey rail system. Just take the train to Belmar and you are literally steps from the reviewing stand for the parade on Main Street. In fact the partying on the train is almost as fun as the parade itself! Dom's Pizza right next to the viewing stand stage on Main Street will again have their delicious St. Patrick's Day "green" pizza. Erin Go Bragh!

Photo Above: Magda & Dr. M. at the reviewing stand stage with parade organizer, Fran Griffin who is the creator of the Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade Official Group linked above.
Photo below: Proud Irish Drum Major leads the charge of kilted pipers during the parade this Sunday.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Middletown Arts Center


This Sunday, March 7th from 1-4 pm Middletown Arts Center of Middletown, NJ kicks off its Spirng Festival and Open House! Located steps away from Middletown Train Station on Church Street, come experience all the MAC has to offer during this FREE fun family event.

Meet their instructors, see demonstrations and exhibits, take mini classes, watch performances and immerse yourself in the ARTS in Middletown. Learn about their upcoming Spring and Summer classes, events, exhibits and activities. Come hear the Church Street Ramblers Bluegrass Band between 3-3:30pm! Details at the MAC Website at, http://www.middletownarts.org/index.php

Friday, February 5, 2010

Ernie Ball Super Strap Locks


This Fender Stratocaster gets the full treatment with Ernie Ball's Super Strap Locks. Get your axe locked in and ready to rock! See these locks in action right here and in the banner ad section to your left. Check out Eclectic Sound TV's HOT Guitar Gear Videos

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

NAMM 2010 Sneak Peeks



NAMM 2010 is here! We thought you'd like to see a few "unveilings" of the latest products and gear ahead of time. You won't see this anywhere else on the web! Visit the Planet Waves Booth #4834 in Hall C to see these and other fantastic new products.

NEW for 2010 - Planet Waves Tru-Strobe Pedal Tuner

This is the latest pedal tuner in the Tru-Strobe line. Easy to see even on extremely dark stages. Planet Waves is known for making very accurate and easy to use tuners. The New Tru-Strobe is in a class all its own with adjustable backlighting and six de-tuning modes for players doing drop tuning. Ultra quiet with true bypass. Available February 2010!

GUITAR GEAR GIVE-AWAY PRIZES!!!

We plan to include this NEWLY RELEASED Planet Waves Tru-Strobe Pedal Tuner and a NEW Planet Waves Dual Action Capo shown below PLUS lots of other Guitar Gear Goodies in our upcoming Give-Away. Follow Dr. M on Twitter now to be first to find out when the next SUPER Guitar Gear Give-Away begins!

Planet Waves NS Dual Action Capo
This is the LAST capo you will ever need. It is the capo I use on all my Martins as it does not leave marks or pull your guitar out of tune. Better still, it is a snap to clip on and off to change keys quickly in the middle of a song. I loaned mine to my guitar instructor who thereafter purchased one of his own. Real equipment for real musicians. That's Planet Waves.

Guitar Gear Give-Away Winners
Last year we had several winners of our Give-Aways: David MacDonald, John Montalbalo, Stan Grezs. Check out the winner of our last Guitar Gear Give-Away, Lynn Julian of MA who was really happy to get all her cool guitar equipment & prizes! We gave away: Multiple sets of C.F. Martin & D'Addario Premium acoustic guitar strings, the new Planet Waves Headstock Tuner, C.F. Martin Guitar Polish & Polishing Cloth! See 2009's Holiday Guitar Gear Give-Away Winner

Guitar Gear Give-Away Winner!


Congratulations to Lynn Julian pictured here with her COOL prizes from Eclectic Sound's Guitar Gear Give-Away! Lynn won multiple sets of premium Martin and D'Addario guitar strings, the NEW Planet Waves Headstock Tuner, Martin Guitar Polish & Polishing Cloth! Don't miss our next Guitar Gear Give-Away...follow Dr. M on Twitter !

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New BOSS GT-10 Demo!



Dr. M takes you "Studio Side" to show you BOSS' flagship multi effects guitar workstation, the GT-10! The GT-10 makes our list of Best Guitar Gear for 2010 in the "Effects" category. Read the review comparing the BOSS GT-10 to the DigiTech RP-90. Look for the BOSS GT-10 to be featured at the 2010 NAMM show! Stay up on the latest Guitar Gear Give-Aways, Videos and Reviews by following Dr. M on Twitter!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Rockin' the New Year!


My Singing Machine Studio Karaoke System iSM 1010 has a wireless mic, full color 7 inch screen and iPod docking feature. Tower speakers are amazing for playing my CD's too! This is a serious party maker. Christmas Carols, Hymns, Rock, Bluegrass...the Singing Machine can handle it.
A Very Merry Christmas and a Rockin' New Year to All!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Unboxing a Martin HD-28!



Unboxing my Martin HD-28 with rosewood back and sides. Catch these tips on preventing damage to guitars shipped in freezing temps so you won't have an unhappy experience when opening the box! See more on Eclectic Sound TV in HD!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Eclectic Sound TV in HD!


Coming at you in HIGH DEFINITION, Eclectic Sound TV in HD is getting ready to shoot our 2010 video line up of news, reviews, concerts and tips from the pros! Here is where you get to SEE and HEAR stompboxes, guitars, microphones and amps fired up and put through their paces. Check out what WE have to say before you buy! Here's what's on tap:




C.F. Martin's HD-28

Perhaps the most played and copied model Martin has made to date! We'll compare this solid sitka spruce and rosewood guitar to our other Martin dreadnoughts made of mahogany and cherry. Tone is everything!








Audio-Techinca's AT4047/SV

One of our vocal and instrumental studio workhorses! Incredible clarity, transparency and presence. We'll show you our preamp / mixer setup for a smoother recording experience.






Studio-Side is a special feature of Eclectic Sound TV in HD where we will be showing you new guitar gear and how to modify, plug in, save patches, loop, record and much more. Who says studio time has to be boring? Join us and we'll show you something!