WoW! what can we say! Mark Wilson and the fine folks at Onboard Research have done it again with an awesome little tuner, the PT10 Mini. We have seen the prototypes and they are great. The good news is that they will be available in just a few days for immediate shipment here at First Quality Music. I got with Mark and asked him to share with us how they came to the new design, here are Mark’s comments:
Competition keeps progress flowing, and we have greatly benefited from the influx of lowcost tuners that adopted the clip-on approach to tuning. We at OnBoard have gotten feedback over the years from thousands of PT1 users who described the features and capabilities that they liked, as well as the little things that did not like. So we decided to design a tuner that was small and compact, very lightweight, with a very bright backlight, a clamp that won’t loosen up and fall or get knocked off an instrument, and nestle it snugly behind the instrument’s headstock where it can be seen by the musician but not be distracting to an audience.
Plus, while we were at IBMA, someone approached us with the idea of a light that would change when the string went in-tune, and suggested this approach would make tuning faster because the switch in backlight colors could be seen in peripheral vision, allowing the musician to stay in better contact with the audience during necessary tune-ups. We implemented a design that glows red when out of tune and snaps to green when the string goes into tune, and the effect is stunning. It really does make tuning easier and faster.
Lastly, although many people prefer the Intellitouch arrow display, we heard from other people who expressed appreciation for the traditional needle style of display. Therefore, for the Intellitouch PT10 Mini. we are tipping our hat to the needle displays of the world and offering what we believe is the best one available.
Of course, the PT10 Mini comes with OnBoard’s exclusive Lifetime “No Questions Asked” Warranty\ that will apply anytime, for any reason for anyone.
Tight accuracy, durable, lightweight, attractive, snug, with a lifetime warranty and priced right: the Intellitouch PT10 “Mini” from OnBoard Research
The PT10 Mini Tuner by Onboard Resarch has a Retail Price of $39.95 First Quality will offer them at $29.95.
We just consigned a beautiful vintage 50’s Kay upright bass. It comes complete with a stand, a ProTec bass bag, and a Fishman bridge pickup.Below you can check out some photos of the bass. Be sure to stop by if your in the neighborhood to check it out, or if you have any questtions drop me a line at 800.635.2021 ext 7156
The new Sam Bush 1934 Limited Edition Fern has arrived at First Quality Music.Just a limited run of 25 instruments will be hand signed, the mandolin was inspired by Newgrass master mandolin player Sam Bush and created under the watchful eye of Gibson’s master luthier David Harvey.Gibson created a marriage of the Gibson Fern and the now famous Sam Bush model mandolin.This mandolin features many of the same appointments as the instrument depicted in the 1934 catalog, including the figured maple body chassis with a red spruce top, the mother of pearl block fingerboard inlays and the Fern peghead inlay made from genuine abalone pearl. The instrument’s stunning nitro-cellulose lacquer finish — painted in a ’30s Iced Tea burst color — is also faithfully recreated, giving the instrument its alluring vintage patina.You can check out this beautiful instrument on our website, and if you in the Louisville area be sure to stop by our showroom where we’ll be happy to let you see (and pick) it first hand.
I’ll be heading up to Beanblossom with some special discounts on Friday the 18th.I’ll be at the Plate Mate, Tone Ring Mate booth with our friend Mitch Meadors.Drop by and say howdy if you can and pick up our 2009 First Quality Music catlaog and a discount coupon just for our Beanblossom buddies. Hope to see you there!
This is your chance to get face to face with an Eastman factory representative. Talk guitars & mandolins, and learn about the new items that will be offered in the coming months. Our rep, Tim Finch, is bringing an array of electric, acoustic & archtop guitars, oval hole & f-style mandolins, and mandolas that you certainly don’t want to miss. We will also be having a one day only sales event! Read below for more details! Date: JUNE 20, 2009One Day Only Sales Event – Showroom and Phone Orders
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
We will be hosting one of the biggest Eastman sales events EVER! There will be over 50 instruments on hand, current and older models, and they will all be offered at incredibly low sale prices. Our factory rep is also bringing numerous scratch-n-dent items that will be available for purchase at prices that are sure to be easy on your wallet. As if having a sale of this magnitude wasn’t enough, we will also be having a mandolin giveaway (must be present to win)! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet musicians around the area and take advantage of this incredible sales event by Eastman and First Quality Music!
For those that can’t make it to our store on Saturday be sure to check out our website Friday evening to see the full product list that will be available during our Eastman Day sales event! Sales prices will be available by phone for one day only. First come first serve, make sure and call early to get our one day prices before they are all gone. Phones open up at 10:00 a.m.
Mandolin builder Paul Duff, his wife Maria and the rest of his group Bluegrass Parkway stopped by for a visit before heading off to Lexington for their performance at the Festival of The Bluegrass.Paul took a moment to pick us a tune on our Old Growth Gibson Master Model mandolin.We caught our pal Nathan Livers passing through and asked him to set in with Paul and mate Donal Baylor on a jam of Gold Rush.
Bluegrass Parkway’s banjo picker Mick O’Neill was sampling some instruments in the First Quality banjo room and we caught him playing Sunflower Dance.Give a listen.
A short time ago we had a young fellow from southern Kentucky seek us out to help him put together his very first professional banjo.Alex Covin and his mom Stephanie stopped by to share with us the completed banjo, his new customized case and pick a couple of tunes for us.We’re proud of Alex, enjoyed the visit, and are looking forward to seeing him on stage with that new banjo.Good pickin’ Alex!
More photos of Alex’s Banjo in progress, click link below.
We just got in our first shipment of new Jam Master Gibson Mandolins, all we can say is WOW! Dave Harvey and Crew down at Gibson Original Instruments have sure done a fine job on these new offerings. Below is some information on these fine instruments. Check them out on line.
Jam Master Series Standard F-style Mandolin
The new Jam Master Series Standard F-style mandolin descends straight out of Gibson tradition, delivering a fresh new take on one of Gibson’s most popular mandolin lines. Each F-style mandolin is crafted with all the artistry of a world-class mandolin maker, along with a no-nonsense, hard-traveled, but much-loved look that lets these superb instruments sit in at any occasion. Stripped-down appointments offer a simple yet elegant look, while making way for the performance-enhancing elements that players of the Jam Masters Series will certainly appreciate. F-holes remain unbound, there’s no neck or headstock binding, no position markers on the fretboard (side dots only), and no inlay on the peghead, just the timeless Gibson logo decal. All of the notable luthiery features you do find, however, are in the tone and playability departments.
Bigger Frets, New Satin Finish Equals Improved Performance
Each new F-style Jam Master Standard Mandolin features a top carved from solid spruce, trimmed with simple single-ply binding to contrast its classic Gibson Sheraton Brown color with satin lacquer finish. The back and sides are constructed from figured maple, and the figured maple necks are hand-shaped to Gibson’s popular “rounded V” profile, with a 1 3/16″ width at the nut providing enhanced comfort and finger room across the radiused ebony fingerboard. Thirteen of the mandolin’s 20 frets clear the body, and are a little bigger than the traditional frets typically fitted on vintage mandolins – a modification that improves fingering for many players and playing styles, and one that many contemporary players are sure to appreciate. Advanced constructional features include Gibson’s time-tested tone bar bracing, a radiused dovetail neck joint, and a genuine bone nut all help to enhance the instrument’s resonance and projection. An adjustable ebony bridge and nickel Grover tuners round out the package.
Test Drive a Jam Master Mandolin at Your Nearest Gibson Dealer
The first 100 Jam Masters Series F-style mandolins will be signed by Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments’ Master Luthier David Harvey. Every instrument in the series will come in a snug pouch-plentiful padded travel bag, making it ready for the road and easy to haul from site to site. Contact a Gibson Dealer near you, or visit one of the internet dealers, and let the jamming begin.
On June 9th Barney Hill and Andy Lund from Taylor Guitars stopped by and we had our very first Taylor Road Show. Barney and Andy brought a bevy of spectacular guitars for everyone to add to their wish list. From Brazilian rosewood and koa bodies to vividly figured maple, the group was absolutely dazzling. A very attentive crowd of 60+ was on hand to learn about some of Bob Taylor’s amazing guitar building innovations and to hear demonstrations of the various guitars. A great time was had by all. Check the Calendar of Events on the website regularly so you won’t miss the next First Quality Music – Taylor Guitars event.
Good friend and Customer Steve Richards was in last week checking out our Sullivan Banjo lineup, while speaking with him his Daughter In Law Chloe Richards came up in conversation as one heck of a banjo player. Today Chloe and her Husband Josh stopped back by with Steve to test drive the Sullivan Banjo prototypes. “Wow” Chloe sure can play. Her husband Josh is also one fine musician and a member of the Bluegrass Group “Blue River Bluegrass” which won the 2008 SPBGMA Band Championship. We sure enjoyed their visit and some really good Bluegrass music. I hope you’ll enjoy also!!
