Gigbag: May 2009

Get a Tune-Up

Ranging from inexpensive handheld gadgets to tuner/metronome combos to compact pedals, the BOSS brand’s line of chromatic tuners has been ubiquitous among guitarists and bassists for years. Brass and woodwind players can now get the precision and convenience of a BOSS tuner with the TU-12BW. Tuning can be done two ways with the model, either via an internal mic or using the included clip-on contact mic. Using BOSS’s “Accu-Pitch,” the tuner beeps when the pitch is accurate. bossus.com

A New Hammond, Not a B3

The result of a collaboration between organ giant Hammond and top harmonica company Suzuki, the Hammond 44 Acoustic-Electric Melodion features an unprecedented 44-key range, crystalline sound reproduction and impressive playability options. The three included mouthpieces allow for different playing positions: With the shortest, the Hammond 44 can be played like a trumpet; a flexible mouthpiece makes for Keytar-like performance; and a long “L joint” mouthpiece allows the instrument to be played like a typical keyboard. Recommended for any player looking to add dub-like melodica or Toots Thielemans tones to his or her arsenal. hammondorganco.com

100 Years Strong

Ludwig turns 100 in 2009, and what better way to celebrate than release a slew of new kits and snares? At the NAMM show back in January, a couple new kits caught JazzTimes’ eye: the Epic Standard series with stylish aged hardware, and the Epic X-Over series, particularly the Epic X-Over Striped Jazzette kit in natural finish (pictured). In so many words, it’s a bopper’s dream. ludwig-drums.com

Originally Published May 1, 2009