NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR

FOSTEX X-30

Fostex Corporation has announced that the suggested retail price of their X-30 Multitracker has been reduced to $499. The unit is the company’s third generation of cassette/mixers designed specifically for the beginning recordist.

“One of the key lessons we’ve learned over the last five years,” according to Fostex VP Mark Cohen, “is that many musicians have little interest in the recording process itself. They simply want to make good sounding recordings of their music as painlessly as possible.”

The unit’s controls are designed so that the user knows at a glance what the status of each position is. This interesting angle of operation makes it easier to learn the functions and beginning process of recording. The unit also features Dolby B and C noise reduction, a 4 x 2 dedicated sub-mixer for overdubbing and bouncing tracks and a “rehearsal/take” function with the optional Remote Foot Control. Contact Fostex, 15431 Blackburn Ave., Norwalk CA 90650.

THE FENDER TWIN

There is no doubt in my mind that a model of this amp will sooner or later be displayed in the Smithsonian Institute. The word “classic” is somewhat of an understatement when it comes to this perennial dependable. The Twin is the latest evolution of a model that Fender has been issuing for over 30 years. It features channel 1 to deliver the clean, loud sound synonymous with the Fender, while channel 2 has all the features and overdrive/distortion capabilities found on customized amps. The Trimode channel operation offers three ways to use the amp: (1) independent channels (2) channel switching, and (3) parallel channels. The front panel features presence control, filter, assignable reverb and mid-cut. The new Hi-Low switch enables the user to reduce output to 25 watts or crank it up to a full 100 watts. Suggested retail price $1199. Contact Fender Musical Instruments, 1130 Columbia Street, Brea CA, 92621.

HI-PERFORMANCE DRUMHEADS

Here is a unique new product from Aquarian. With so many of today’s manufacturers coming up with unbreakable and stay-intune strings, it’s about time the drummer got his due. Now a drummer can finish the song or a show even if a break begins to develop in the head of a drum: when the head starts to tear, the patented safety spiral (laminated to the underside of the head) stops the tear when it reaches the edge. The power dot in the center is virtually dent and tearproof and the heads have been designed to withstand the toughest of playing conditions. Heavy rockers should take special note. They are available for snare and bass drum only. Contact Aquarian, 1140 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim CA, 92807.

THE CHRISTIAN GUITAR PICKUP

Mike Christan Guitar Technology has introduced a new acoustic pickup for solid body electric guitars: the Christian guitar pickup, which produces the tone of an amplified acoustic guitar even when used With a solid body guitar. This makes the pickup extremely useful to players who require both type of sounds within the same set or, for that matter, the same song.

The acoustic sound is made possible by six piezo-electric crystals built into the graphite-reinforced saddles of a tune-o-matic style replacement bridge. A three-way toggle switch allows the musician to select either the Christian Pickup, the guitar’s other pickups or combinations of both.

The design of the pickup removes the problems normally associated with acoustic guitar amplification such as feedback, excessive body noise and the need for extra microphones. A stereo output jack is supplied to allow the signal from the pickup to be sent to a mixing board or some other form of amplification source.

The Christian pickup is easy to install, requiring only the installation of a mini-toggle switch and trimming of one of the guitar’s pickup mounting rings. The suggested retail price is $129.95. For further information, contact Christian Guitar Technology, 111 Terrace Ave., North Babylon, NY, 11704.