Back in the Day

I was talking to a very good musician friend of mine and we were discussing how "rockin" the bands were back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. I can remember the band stages were just stacked with high powered amps like the Vox Super Beatles, Fender Dual Showmans, Sunns and many others too many to mention. The atmosphere and the buzz before the concert were just incredible before the show! It was intensely electric! I can remember when I first saw the "Yardbirds". Jimmy Page was playing bass guitar and Jeff Beck was on lead guitar. The sound and their cord structures were almost from another world it seemed, and so loud and full that it took you to another place. I can remember that I was only 15 feet away from the band when they were onstage and I could feel the energy before it started to explode. In those days, the national bands would play at various pavilions and these venues were usually on a lake, so if you came early or knew the promoter you could maybe get a good spot for the show, and if you were lucky you might be able to meet the band after the show. "The Yardbirds" were always one of my favorite bands back in the day. Little did I know then that Jimmy Page would form and play guitar for "Led Zeppelin"! I just loved the intense volume and tightness of this rockin band. I think that if my memory serves me correct the amps were tube amplifiers creating that famous British sound that we all loved. I have always been intrigued about how the great guitarists got their signature sounds. Jeff Beck was unbelievable back in those days as he still is today. My friend was able to meet him that night and the band told him that they would be playing in Michigan in a couple of weeks so we knew where we were going. When we arrived at the club that they were performing at  in Ann Arbor, Michigan we were surprised that Jeff had left the band and Jimmy Page was playing lead guitar! Wow! is all that I could say when he started "Train Kept Rollin"! It was absolutely magical the way he played guitar back in the day....I invite all of your comments..thanks!

Dean Guitars made in America

Dean guitars are made in the USA. Yes..they are beautifully made in Tampa, Florida. I have always been a guitar player fan and I love their varieties of sound. I have always thought that the sound of the guitar is an important key to the signature sound of the band. I didn't realize that many of todays and yesterdays guitarists play Dean guitars until I started selling them. The guitar brand seems to captivate the metal sound that many players desire. I love this sound because I basically grew up with it and felt it. Some of the famous guitarists that play Dean guitars are Dave Mustaine-Megadeath, Michael Schenker-Scorpions, Brett Michaels-Poison, Dimebag Darrell-Pantera, Eric Bass-Shinedown, Michael Armott-Arch Enemy, Traci Gunns-LA Guns to name a few. When I saw the list of artists who fan these guitars I was amazed. You can find some of the popular styles at www.kentsmusic.com and maybe find the one you want and buy it! Also..I think they have their own pickup winding facility there too...until next time.

The Benefits of a Non-Brand Name Musical Instrument

There are many non-brand name musical instruments for sale that are of extreme high quality! Without mentioning the brand names we will refer to them as 'no name' instruments or as some like to say 'mid-level' instruments. Some people like to name the brand names as  'professional instruments'. I want to make myself clear though although the brand name instruments are great they are also very expensive and sometimes it is wise for the musician to buy a less expensive instrument especially if he or she is just starting to play. Non brand name instruments will do the job just fine and maybe even better in some cases.  Most of the really good non-brand name instruments have all the amenities that the brand names do minus the brand name of course.

When I started my online music store, I chose only to stock mostly non-brand name guitars to save some money on inventory and minimum order requirements. This worked out well because I was lucky enough to find some great suppliers with fabulously high quality music equipment. However, I do have some brand name stuff... it's about half and half. Through my initial research I found that most of the electric guitars had all of the high quality components on them that the brand name instruments have. My advice is in this economy is to search for a lower priced instrument that will give you the best sound and feel of a higher priced brand name instrument and go with it there are many out there. Visit my store at www.kentsmusic.com. The Italia guitars are really cool and they cook...Todd Rungren plays one. Also, the Stadium guitars are fabulous in quality! I also have Hamers and Dean Guitars there too. I invite all comments to my blog here. Next time I will talk about some issues in the music business too..thanks!