Flea Bass Display

We have just taken delivery of the full range of finishes of the new Flea bass and have listed options for saole on our web site in the Flea Bass Guitar Department. Flea of the Red Hot Chilees has come up with a custom design of his own. This really unusual bass sports a range of custom colours.

This has been developed by the man himself and he’s personally assured that no bass will leave for sale until it’s gone through a rigorous check.

As Flea says himself:

Flea’s mission
“Our single goal at Fleabass, is to provide to young people something to fall in love with, that families can afford and also to be a company that can sustain itself over a long period of time. Fleabass is not a licensed product, each bass will be made with care and thoroughly checked for quality. We take pride in each instrument – it is our steadfast intention to make an inexpensive bass guitar that is not a cheap toy that breaks and has lousy intonation, and has awkward action, like so many cheap basses I have encountered with young music students but is a serious instrument that plays beautifully and that will only get better with time and looks as cool as hell”.

I opened Fret Music in 1980. My musical aspirations at that time largely centred around fifties and sixties rock & roll and beat. I just love those Ricky 12 strings and Teles. I played bass in a couple of bands but I was mainly a rhythm guitar /vocalist. The Fret Band with Mick & Bob Williams used to play  to highly critical acclaim in the local Southampton music pub venues. This was in no small part due to the musical virtuosity of the guitarist Mick Williams who as it happened was the resident guitar specialist at Fret Music from the day we opened until he went his own way and started MM Music in St Marys Street. He is now kindly helping me out with backing tracks.

The shop is one thing but the music is another. I have developed this really burning desire to get out there again and perform  once more  but to now  sing standards ala Sinatra and Bennett.  I still love the old 50’s and 60’s but learning a whole new genre of songs is really lighting my fire. I have always loved a good Gershwin tune but now it’s become the main event.

To this end i’ve started with a vocal coach at Route 36 in Wilton nr Salisbury. I just wish I’d  taken this up years ago. All you singers out there if you haven’t tried this  do yourself a favour and start. It’s amazing how you can make changes to your voice extending it’s range, improving it’s tone, it’s reliability and general overall potential.

Route 36 is a superb set-up. If that area is convenient for you check it out.  My training is using the SLS method an American method based on  the Italian Belcanto method. Apparently Stevie Wonder actually got so interested he now  teaches it.

Like most singers you always want to be able to perform songs that you can’t sing. So if I can extend my range from essentially a baritone to a tenor it will make a whole new list  of songs possible. Those big band and jazz arrangements have so much feel. They are just so subtle. The palate for a vocalist is very varied. I just love  that style!

This has become a really interesting project for me just to see how far I can get in this new career. I certainly intend pulling out all the stops. I’ll let you know how I get on.

On a commercial note I am using an Allan & Heath PA12-CP mixer amp and a pair of EV SX300. This is the best sound i’ve ever had for a small set up . The plate reverb is out of this world.

Zildjian Display

Hey now how many names do you know in rock music that have been bandied around since 1623. Answer 1!!
Zildjian Cymbals.
OK lets motor forward a few centuries. Zildjian cymbals are the name. Forget about Abdul this and Kasai that we are talking the major name in cymbals. That’s why Fret Music stock them because they are the best.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Armand Zildjian about 6 years ago. He is unfortunately no longer with us. What a fascinating man he was. Mention Buddy Rich and I’m anybody’s. Well of course the Zildjian name  was closely connected with all the big noises in drumming then and ever since. Talking to Mr Zildjian was a cursury reminder that the world is a village and best not forget that. If you claim to be the best you better had be. Well Zildjian are.
We try and stock the full range on our cymbal wall. As with anything we sell, please come in and give it a try before you buy.
Finally on a highly commercial note (unfortunately we have to think like that) we will price match any of our friendly competitors.

Hohner Display

Think of Harmonica and there is a word association with Hohner. This old German company still make the best instruments. They are the soul of the instrument being responsible for most of the new ideas and developements in this instrument.
What a superb way of making music  when the largest version can still be transported in an inside pocket. Whether it’s blues or standards Hohner have a harp for you. Check out our instore harp display.
Most sales are accounted for in the smaller versions mainly the blues harp. If you are buying a harp for blues always select the key a 4th above eg if the song’s in E you’ll need to buy an A. If it’s in A a D, in D a G etc. If you want to play blues you’ll need a few keys to cover. I would suggest F (keyC), G (keyD), D (keyA), A (keyE), C (keyG). THis covers most songs but you will eventually need them all.
Here are some really usefull tips I found online for looking after your harp:
Harmonica Care and Maintenance
First, a few tips about the INSIDE of your harmonica:
The things that actually make the sound inside the harmonica are thin strips of metal
called REEDS.

Your harmonicas’ reeds (if a key of C) are only 3/8” (9 mm) to 5/8” (16 mm). They aren’t very big!
So, they need to be handled just right so they’ll work right for you:
Because the reeds are small, small things caught in the harmonica can make them sound
bad, so you want to keep those little reeds CLEAN.

Here are a few tips for taking care of your harmonica:

DON’T EAT and play your harmonica.

Don’t drink sticky, heavy drinks before playing.

Rinse your mouth out well, or brush your teeth if necessary, before
playing the harmonica.

Keep your harmonica in the box or in some other clean place (pocket,
purse) if you aren’t playing.

TAKE NOTE when you put your harmonica down – pay attention to where you
put it: your harmonica is small and easily misplaced.

Tap your harmonica out gently after playing, tapping out the excess saliva – holes down.

DON’T LET OTHERS PLAY YOUR HARMONICA -
unless it is someone you don’t mind kissing – because you’re definitely kissing your harmonica
every time you play!

Be aware that “bending” notes – though it can sound great – may literally bend the reeds out of tune – don’t force the reeds when you bend them, use finesse.
KEEP YOUR HARMONICA SOMEWHERE CONVENIENT SO YOU CAN PLAY OFTEN.

Get in the habit of having a harmonica with you AT ALL TIMES – you never know when it
could come in handy.

The great thing is the diversity from the relatively easy to learn blues style to emulating a maestro like Larry Adler.
We have become a major centre for harmonics so come in and check out the stock.

There has been a big increase in interest in fretted instruments including ukelele, banjo (especially G Banjo), mandolin and resonator guitars. Bluegrass and folk are defenitely very popular genres and are percieved as very cool. Personally I was weaned on issues of BMG magazine in the 60’s and have allways had a hankering to play blue grass banjo since first hearing Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs.They are so closely related to guitar that many guitarists migrate from one to the other with ease. We try and keep a good representation of instruments at all price ranges. In our opinion the Ozark range of fretted instruments is second to none and this forms the core of our stock.

Makes stocked include Ozark, Rally, Crafter, Stagg, Vintage, Kala, Mahalo, Lanikai.

Check out the Southampton Ukele Jam based at The Talking Heads in Southampton.
If you have any interesting stuff to do with Banjo, mandolin, resonator and ukelele please mail it over with pics if possible.

Godin Multiac

We have a latest addition to the acoustic department with the delivery of a Godin Multiac. These are highly respected innovative instruments. The following was taken from the Godin specification:

The ACS blends classical guitar concepts with elements of solid body design. The incredibly comfortable neck from the Multiac Nylon is used here with a Maple body & Cedar top to achieve our most affordable synth access guitar ever. Although the body is chambered, response from the maple top is more typical of a solid body design than that of a traditional acoustic guitar. This design results in an instrument that is virtually free of feedback, making it easy to use even when the band gets loud.

The engine in both the ACS-SA & ACS-SA Slim includes individual transducer saddles powered by a customized preamp system from the RMCTM Pickup Company. This system not only produces superb amplified sound, but also produces a hexaphonic output through a 13-pin connector enabling direct access to RolandTM GR-Series guitar synthesizers.

We do encourage customers to try out instruments so if you are in the area pop in and give it a go.

Vypyr Display

THe Peavey Vypyr range of modeling amps has now been complimented by the addition of a 60 watt and a 120 watt valve combo.
These are serious kick ass amps and are a serious contender if you’re looking for a gigging amp.for a gigging amp.
Peavey say the following:
The Peavey Vypyr Tube 120 and Vypyr Tube 60 combos, a pair of tube-powered modelling guitar amplifiers in the award-winning Peavey Vypyr Series, are now available from Peavey retailers.

The Vypyr Tube 120 2 x 12 and Vypyr Tube 60 1 x 12 combo amplifiers feature 24 amp channel models – two channels each of 12 popular amps for the first time anywhere – plus 11 editable preamp “stomp box” effects and 11 editable post-amp “rack” effects with dual-parameter control, global reverb and global delay. The Vypyr Tube 120 and Tube 60 utilise a 6L6GC tube power amp styled after the Peavey 6505.

With twice the processing power, models and effects of competitive modelling amplifiers, the Vypyr Series dramatically redefines the power and scope of modern guitar amplification. Vypyr amplifiers are based on powerful 32-bit, floating-point SHARC processors that enable highly detailed accurate modelling as well as vastly enhanced flexibility and features than ever before available in guitar amplification.

Peavey Vypyr amps are endorsed by hard rock’s top guitar players, including Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu of Trivium, Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine and Phil Demmel of Machine Head.

Amplifier models included in the Vypyr Tube models include Peavey 6505, JSX®, Triple XXX® and Classic® Series models, as well as B-Kat, Brit, Plxi, Dlx, Twn, Dzl, K-Stein and Rec models. Preamp stomp-box models include TubeScrm, XR Wild, X Boost, Fuzz, BC Chorus, Analogue Phase, Analogue Phase, Auto Wah, Squeeze, MOG and Ring Modulator, while rack effect models include Tremolo, Chorus, Envelope Filter, Slap Back, Flanger, Octaver, Phaser, Rotary Speaker, Reverse, Pitch Shifter and Looper.

Players can add the optional Peavey Sanpera foot controllers to activate the on-board looper and expand the amp’s 12 built-in presets to up to 400 programmable, with five simultaneous effects. The Vypyr also acts as its own computer audio interface, with a built-in studio-quality USB 2.0 output that is recognised by computers as an audio device.

Lakland Display

Currently our range of bass guitars includes the fantastic USA built series of Peavey Cirrus basses, Musicman, Lakland, Fender, Bass Collection, Hofner, Ibanez and ESP.

Our Amplifier range includes, Eden, EBS, Ashdown, Peavey, and Marshall.

We offer a full pickup and pre-amp installation service. Current brands that we fit in-store include, Seymour Duncan, EMG and the legendary John East J Retro Pre-amps.

We also carry a good selection of bass friendly effects units by, Carl Martin, MXR, Electro Harmonix and Boss.

Our string selection caters for every possible player out there. 4, 5, 6, 8(and above), Stainless, Nickel, Flatwound, Black Nylon, Custom Gauges, Double Ball End and Acoustic. From top manufactures, Elites, Rotosound, DR and Peavey.

FEATURED BASS

Lakland Skyline Decade bass

Lakland celebrates its first 10 years in style with the introduction of its latest model – The Decade.

This new model incorporates several new design elements for Lakland: a unique body shape; Lakland Chi-Sonics; and a new truss rod wheel
for neck adjustments.

Designed in collaboration with members of the dudepit forum  who were “instrumental” in bringing the Decade to life. They provided valuable suggestions from the initial prototype to actually naming the bass. Proof that Lakland listens to its customers!

Legendary Southampton alternative DJ Hammy is the longest running alternative DJ in the area , yes he’s old. He  has moved from the Rhino Club to the Soul Cellar for the big Wednesday alternative music night of the week.

The Soul Cellar is the premium live music venue for soul, reggae, funk and alternative genres.

Frets have worked closely with John from the Soul Cellar whenever possible most recently with a Mapex drum clinic with Jason Bowld. We are pleased to see DJ Hammy make the move to such a  prestigious venue.

So check out Wednesdays at the Soul Cellar.

Loz Dewey one of the guitar teachers at ADW Musictech situated at Fret Music’s premises has started an online tuition site. Loz is a great player and this comes with our total recommendation. It’s well worth a look.

Welcome to The Guitar Mule, the leading Online Guitar Tuition Website, brought to you by Loz Dewey, Professional UK Guitar Tutor since 1995.
Whether you want to be a Guitar Hero or just strum a few chords we’ve got it here using Short Courses,Theory and Technique lessons plus learn the secrets of the top guitar players in the style file zone.
Lessons feature a full beginners course to take you right from the start.
Learn from a huge database of rock, blues, acoustic, metal, jazz and country styles, using tab and notation, accompanied by clear and accurate video with close ups on hands.
The Guitar Mule offers you one tutor teaching a defined learning process with direction, where quality and content rise above other Online Guitar Lessons.

Once subscribed you can access the entire site which includes:-

• Access to entire lesson library and backing tracks.
• All Lessons rated as Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced to help you obtain your goal.
• Full courses in Beginners,Rock,Blues,Acoustic,Metal,Jazz and Country Styles.
• Learn the Styles of a Guitar Hero in the Style File section
• Precise Theory and Technique Lessons
• All lessons professionally written in Tab and Notation just like the official Tab books and if you want Download and Print
• Clear and consistent Video to accompany lessons with close up footage on hand movements.
• Play along with the Backing Tracks online or Download the mp3 to keep from The Mule Player.
• Use to Unique Practice Monitoring System exclusive to The Guitar Mule.
• Create your own course by adding lessons to your personal lesson page.
• Full support via email for if you get stuck or are struggling with a lesson.
• Receive new and updated lessons regularly.
• All lessons and backing track preformed and written by your tutor Loz Dewey.