New Gear
March 1996, No. 39
| Taylor 12-Strings |
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Musician's Ear CT/1 |
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Gear Lock Harp Holder |
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Taylor 12-Strings
Taylor Guitars has added four new models to its line of 12-string guitars: the 450 dreadnought, with mahogany back and sides ($1,398); the 655 jumbo, with maple back and sides ($2,398); the 750 dreadnought, with rosewood back and sides ($1,998); and the 955 jumbo, Taylor's top-of-the-line 12-string, also with rosewood back and sides ($3,698). All have spruce tops. Taylor Guitars, 1940 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, CA 92020; (609) 258-1207.
Musician's Ear CT/1
Musician's Ear recently released the CT/1, a device that analyzes audio signals and determines what chords are being used. The CT/1 can identify major and minor chords in all voicings and inversions, as well as common variations such as sixth, dominant seventh, major seventh, augmented, and diminished chords. The CT/1 can receive input from CD players, tape decks, and other line-level sources, and it displays what chords are being played via a bank of LED indicators. Music to be analyzed must have consistent triad-based harmony, and each chord must be held for at least 250 milliseconds; the majority of rock, pop, folk, and country tunes meet these requirements. The CT/1 is available from Musician's Ear for $399.
Musician's Ear, PO Box 1747, Burlington, VT 05402-1747; (802) 863-8522.
Gear Lock Harp Holder
Blues Tools' new harmonica holder (which retails for $60) features a locking gear system that accommodates aggressive, hands-free playing by ensuring that the harmonica will not push away from the player's mouth during performance. The up-and-down position of the harp can be adjusted as can the angle at which it meets the mouth. Thick foam neck padding and rounded gears, which rest on the chest, provide comfort and maneuverability.
Blues Tools, PO Box 4045, Oak Park, IL 60303-4045; (312) 409-7771.