Gretch Added New Limited Edition Models for 2021

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Gretch adds new limited models for 2021 with the G6136T Limited Edition Falcon with Bigsby, G6119TG-62RW-LTD Limited Edition ‘62 Rosewood Tenny with Bigsby and Gold Hardware, and the G6134T Limited Edition Penguin Koa with Bigsby.

Gretch Limited Edition models elevate our most celebrated designs with striking finishes and upgraded features and appointments. Stunning in style and sound, these small batch runs are designed for players seeking a more individualized edge.

The Gretch Falcon is one of the most desired guitars in production today, and the all-new G6136T Limited Edition Falcon with Bigsby in an enchanting Two-Tone Copper/Sahara Metallic takes it to the next level.

This magnificent bird features a pair of TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity pickups that generate powerful tone and unparalleled dynamic, as well as 1959 trestle bracing for that huge hollow body sound. The control complement – separate bridge and neck volume controls, three-way toggle pickup switching, no-load master tone and master volume – allows for infinite tonal variations. The new Gretch “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil caps add smooth vintage tone while the treble bleed circuit lets the guitar retain all of its tasty clarity when rolling the volume control down.

A 12”-radius ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and striking mother of pearl Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays tops a maple neck with a comfortably familiar standard “U”-shaped profile for fluidly easy playing. The Bigsby B6CP vibrato tailpiece and pinned “rocking” bar bridge with ebony base combine with the bone nut for maximum tuning stability. The Bigsby tailpiece is now string-through, making it quicker (and easier) to change strings as well as providing increased vibration transfer for enhanced sustain.

A bold visual and sonic statement, the G6136T presents total sophistication—from the Grover Imperial™ locking tuning machines and jeweled G-arrow control knobs to the silver sparkle bound neck, body and F-holes, gloss urethane finish, chrome hardware and silver vintage thick plexi pickguard with Gretsch and Falcon logos.

Available February 2021.

A nod to the early era of rock ‘n’ roll, the G6119TG-62RW-LTD Limited Edition ‘62 Rosewood Tenny with Bigsby and Gold Hardware is a solid performer with the standout sound and stunning style that have made Gretsch a household name. Highly resonant with rosewood top, back and sides, the unique voice of this guitar cuts through any mix, standing out from the crowd with That Great Gretsch Sound:

A pair of rich-sounding TV Jones TV Classic™ humbucking pickups creates unmistakable vintage snap and guttural growl with lively response, reflecting the natural voice of the guitar. Parallel tone bars connect the top and back of this guitar for authentic vintage tone. Traditional Gretsch controls—individual pickup volume controls, master volume, standby toggle switch and the classic three-position tone toggle switch—allows for blending and shaping the pickups’ sound for countless tonal variations. The new Gretsch “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil capacitors generate incredibly silky vintage high end. A “rocking” bar bridge with pinned rosewood base reacts in tandem with the Bigsby B6G vibrato tailpiece for stable tuning while the vintage-style bone nut lets the strings slide freely without binding in the slots. The standard “U”-shaped maple neck bears a 12”-radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 vintage small frets for a classic playing experience that works with any style.

An exquisite instrument inspired by one of guitar’s greatest eras, the G6119TG-62RW-LTD Limited Edition ‘62 Rosewood Tenny with Bigsby and Gold Hardware features the classic aesthetics true Gretsch fans love—gold G-arrow control knobs and Grover Sta-Tite open-back tuning machines, aged white binding with black purfling, aged pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays, rosewood headcap, durable gloss urethane finish and black pickguard with Gretsch logo.
 
Available March 2021.

The G6134T Limited Edition Penguin Koa with Bigsby offers a tastefully elegant take on the rarest of Gretsch birds.

The Penguin’s chambered mahogany body with arched figured koa top captures harmonic richness by letting air resonate between the top and body for livelier and more articulate tone, while a pair of TV Jones® TV Classic pickups beautifully project bright, twangy notes with a hint of growl similar to late-1950s Filter’Trons. The result is an extraordinary voice ideal for distinctive rock ‘n’ roll licks, chiming country rhythms or articulate rockabilly riffs. A three-position pickup toggle switch, individual pickup volume controls, master volume and three-position tone toggle switch open up endless tonal possibilities.

Its premium features also include a set mahogany neck, 12”-radius ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, Bigsby B3 tailpiece, rocking bar bridge with pinned ebony base, Grover Imperial™ tuners and bone nut.

Richly appointed, this limited edition beauty is decked out in a Natural finish with matching figured koa headstock, tortoiseshell body and neck binding, mother of pearl Neo-Classic™ thumbnail inlays, jeweled arrow control knobs, tortoise pickguard and gold hardware.

Available April 2021.

Canon Introduced a Photo Culling App

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Cannon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced its Photo Culling app. Compatible with iOS devices, this brand-new app helps determine a user’s best photos based on scores against four models: sharpness, noise, emotions and closed eyes, using Canon’s Computer Vision Artificial Intelligence Engine known as “PHIL” (abbreviated for Photography Intelligence Learning. Additionally, the app will suggest deleting duplicative photos, making it easy for the consumer to free up space on their smartphone.

The Photo Culling App features two culling options:

Whole Culling: Determines the best photos based on the absolute best scores against the four models: sharpness, noise, emotions and closed eyes. If the score is over the threshold the user sets, the photo is considered to be the best. The remaining images would be suggested as deletions.

Similar Culling: Determines the best photos based on score comparison among a similar group of photos. The highest-scoring photos in the group are considered the best photos. A second photo may also be selected as the second-best photo within the group. The remaining images would be suggested as deletions.

The app is also able to find similar photos and group them together. For example, if a user selects 10 photos of a dog and 10 photos of a sunset, it will break the photos into two groups and find the best photo of each; one of the dog and one of the sunset.

In addition to its culling options, the Photo Culling app also features:

Photo Counts and Storage: Shows the number of photos a user has as well as the amount of phone storage on the Home Screen.

Event Album: Categorizing and placing photos in albums on the Home Screen. These are dynamic albums based on events/date throughout the year and the app will pull events that have a large number of photos and suggest the user review these photos to delete and save space.

Features in the Setting Screens: Displaying the number of photos deleted, the current subscription plan (see details below), option for notifications, parameter setting for each score against sharpness, noise, emotion and closed eyes. Users also can adjust these settings, such as changing how much of an impact noise has on a photo versus closed eyes.

Dark and Light Mode Settings Screen Option: Displays screens either as a dark or light mode option.

Available for download via the App Store, the Photo Culling app will be available under two subscription options: $2.99 per month or $14.99 for the year, with a three-day trial.

The download of the app is free (data charges may apply), but full use of the app requires a subscription. A free version of the app is provided with limited functionality and features. There is also a paid subscription version of the app with full functionality and features available to you starting with a three day free trial. The subscription version of the app is available through a monthly or yearly, nonrefundable, auto renewing payment through your applicable app store.

Behringer Introduced 2600 Blue Marvin

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Behringer introduced the 2600 Blue Marvin, a limited edition, ultra-affordable and even more feature-packed homage to the iconic ARP 2600 synthesizer. Compared to the original Behringer 2600, the Blue Marvin features a mechanical spring reverb, hand-picked components, uni-color LEDs on each fader plus a super slick paint job that’ll make your setup pop!

Conjure up virtually any sound imaginable with incredible finesse and ease. The pure analog signal path is based on the authentic ARP 2600 circuitry from the 70s with matched transistors and JFETs. Owning a Blue Marvin is like having a piece of history enabling you to re-create timeless classics or forge your own musical path.

Great care has been taken in engineering the Blue Marvin’s true-to-the-original analog circuitry, semi-modular architecture and triple VCO design, all of which come together to recreate the classic tones evocative of classic electronic music. This is highly-focused attention to detail gives the Blue Marvin its ultra-flexible sound-shaping capability, which then empowers you to recreate amazing tones – from super-fat bass and tasty leads, all the way to full-on dreamy ambience from the far reaches of your imagination.

The synthesizer tracks laid down in the 1970s and 80s in progressive rock, wave and synth-pop have become classics and have inspired many other artists. The Blue Marvin lets you recreate all that magic – or design some incredible and original sounds that will make you a legend in your own right!

BOSS Introduced Waza Craft TB-2W Tone Bender

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BOSS announced the Waza Craft TB-2W Tone Bender, a new pedal developed in collaboration with Sola Sound, the maker of the legendary Tone Bender fuzz pedals first introduced in the 1960s. Housed in the classic BOSS compact chassis, the TB-2W is an authentic sonic recreation of the Tone Bender MK II pedal heard on some of the most influential guitar tracks produced over the last five-plus decades.

Among the iconic fuzz pedals in music history, the Tone Bender is one of the most revered and unique. Embraced by some of the greatest guitarists of all time, the pedal’s bold, rich voice and smooth sustain are forever embedded in the annals of rock and pop music history. Sola Sound produced numerous variations through the years, and many consider the late-60s “MK-II” version to be the ultimate Tone Bender voice.

Using a “masterpiece” Tone Bender MK II (serial number 500) from Sola Sound’s archive as a benchmark reference, BOSS engineers have fully realized the pedal’s magical sound and expressive dynamic response through meticulous analysis and detailed Waza craftsmanship.

Available in a limited production run, each TB-2W features rare germanium transistors carefully tested for optimum tone, a three-way voltage selector, selectable true/buffered bypass operation, and a refined circuit design for ultra-consistent performance from pedal to pedal.

The TB-2W Tone Bender will be available in Q2 2021.

Fender and Chrissie Hynde Launch Signature Telecaster Guitar

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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) released the Chrissie Hynde Telecaster in its first ever collaboration with the singer-songwriter and guitar icon.  The Signature model is a tribute to the Ice Blue Metallic Fender Telecaster guitar that Hynde bought in a New York City shop nearly forty years ago. Since, her beloved axe has been featured on over a dozen studio albums and has accompanied Hynde in concert halls and stadiums all around the globe. The Chrissie Hynde Telecaster – the latest addition to the Fender Artist Signature Series – puts the guitar-playing prowess of the Pretenders frontwoman in the hands of players around the world, for the very first time. 

“My guitar tech, David Crubly, convinced me to launch a Fender Signature Telecaster by telling me it might encourage more people to get into bands and music. I hope that’s true and know that those who do, won’t look back,” said Chrissie Hynde, London 2021.

Hynde has played a number of Fender Telecaster guitars over the years, but the original model remains her number one and most trusted to this day. This all-new Signature Telecaster is a faithful recreation of one of the world’s most famous electric guitars, recognized for its churning Tele rhythms and the rugged sound it lent to the Pretenders and Hynde’s other various projects.

The Chrissie Hynde Telecaster boasts an alder body in Faded Ice Blue Metallic Road Worn lacquer finish, vintage-style ’50s single-coil Tele pickups voiced to match Chrissie’s original set and a 6-stainless steel barrel saddle bridge. With a custom mid-‘60s “C”-shaped maple neck, a 7.25” radius fingerboard and a chrome mirror pickguard, the guitar serves the unmistakable look and feel of Hynde’s treasured ’65 Telecaster model. An artist-requested player-friendly update on the new Chrissie Hynde Telecaster are locking tuners, which offer increased tuning stability and make string changes quicker.  

“It was a true honor to bring the Chrissie Hynde Telecaster to life,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “This guitar is as legendary as the artist who inspired its namesake and personalized design features. Chrissie really wanted this model to be as faithful as possible to its original, and she was right to – this Telecaster is packed full of features that punch. From its beautiful Road Worn finish to its resilient stainless-steel saddles, the musical possibilities really are endless with this Tele in your hands.”

“We were honored when Chrissie Hynde agreed to work with us on an Artist Signature Series guitar,” added Neil Whitcher, Head of Artist Relations, EMEA. “The music that Chrissie has put into the world over the last four decades has helped shape the way thousands play guitar today and has defined the sound of the Fender Telecaster forever. We can’t wait to see what players around the world do with this guitar.”

Born in Akron, Ohio, Hynde’s long and influential career as an artist and singer-songwriter started shortly after moving to London in 1973. Hynde began writing for NME and associating with the stars of the then-nascent Punk scene, such as Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, and Vivienne Westwood. After playing in several bands, she formed The Pretenders in 1978, releasing such classics as the UK #1 “Brass in Pocket,” “Talk of the Town,” “Message of Love,” and “I’ll Stand By You” to commercial and critical acclaim throughout the `70s, `80s and `90s. Uncompromising in her D.I.Y. attitude and persistent work ethic, Chrissie’s career has spanned multiple world tours, number #1-charting singles, a performance at the original Live Aid, and legendary collaborations with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Nick Cave. She released her 11th Pretenders studio album, Hate for Sale, in July of 2020.

Canon Celebrates Milestone with Production of 150 Million Interchangeable Lenses

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Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced that its parent company, Canon Inc., reached a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production in January 2021, of the Company’s 150-millionth RF and EF series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras – an RF70-200mm F2.8L IS USM telephoto lens (released in November 2019).

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (Autofocus) single-lens reflex film cameras began in 1987 at the Company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Over the years, EF lenses have gained support from a wide range of users and production has since expanded to a total of four manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd; and Oita Cannon Inc. in southern Japan.

EF lenses production passed the 10-million mark in 1995 and crossed the 50-million-unit threshold in 2009. In April 2014, the Company celebrated its first-in-the-world achievement of having manufactured 100 million interchangeable lenses, and now, setting a new world record for the most interchangeable lenses produced, Canon manufactured its 150-millionth RF and EF lens in January 2021.

Canon’s proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multilayered diffractive optical (DO) element.

In 2018, Canon introduced the EOS R system and the RF series lenses, which pursues new heights of quality under the core concept of “Speed, Comfort, and High Image Quality.” Today, the Company’s extensive RF and EF lens series lineup currently comprises a total of 118 models, expanding the possibilities for image capture.

In addition, thanks to the extensive lineup of lenses, Canon has maintained the number one market share for digital interchangeable-lens cameras since 2003 – a total of 17 years – and in September 2019, the Company celebrated the production of 100 million EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras.

Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies centered on its RF and EF lens lineup, striving to cater to the varying needs of photographers — from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals — while contributing to expanding the photographic and video imaging culture.

Buy a Line 6 Helix Floor Amp and Get Free Helix Goodies

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Line 6 is offering, for a limited time, an opportunity for you to get a Helix Native plug-in and Helix Backpack absolutely free when you purchase their flagship Helix Floor amp and effects processor. The promotion period started on February 1, 2021, and will be valid through March 31, 2021.

Helix Floor leverages dual-SHARC processing and HX Modeling to deliver the authentic sound and feel of analog amps and effects, and its player-friendly interface sets the standard for ease of use.

Helix Native delivers the power of Helix technology in a plugin (AU, VST, AAX). Helix Backpack is a luggage-grade case custom designed for the Helix Floor and Helix LT processors. Get them both with your purchase of the Helix Floor amp and effects processor.

Helix Floor with Helix Native:

The Helix guitar processor is one of the most advanced modeling devices available. Helix Native puts that power into a plug-in for your digital audio workstation. Combining gives you creative possibilities that are only limited by your imagination.

With complete preset-compatibility, you can now move seamlessly between hardware and software and enter a whole new world of possibilities.

Combining Helix Native plug-in and Helix hardware lets you:

  • Turn your DAW into a Helix – Helix Native lets you access the same award-winning tones in your computer.
  • Control your DAW remotely – use the Helix hardware to start, stop, punch in, and more.
  • Load Helix Native plug-in tones into the Helix hardware – perform anywhere with your studio tones.
  • Record processed and DI tracks simultaneously – use Helix Native to edit your tones afterwards.
  • Use Helix as an audio interface – play and monitor your guitar through Helix via USB when recording or live-streaming

Register your Helix today, upload your proof of purchase and receive your Helix Native license in your Line 6 account. Free Helix Backpack to be provided at time of purchase by participating dealers.

Adorama Released the H&A AC50 Studio Broadcast Microphone

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Adorama released the H&A AC50 Cardioid Dynamic Studio Broadcast Microphone. The microphone is designed for podcasting, and is currently being offered at a special price of $69.95.

The H&A AC50 Studio Broadcast Microphone is just what you need for accurate and clean audio podcast capture. Accurate sound capture is achieved due to HA50s ability to reject ambient noise. The moving-coil, dynamic transducer delivers an impressive 20 to 20,000 Hz wide frequency response. No artificial coloring of the sound. Pure, clean, flat, pristine capture that preserves the richness of the human voice.

Dynamic cardioid mics are the top choice for broadcasting and podcasting due to their ability to reject ambient noise. Properly positioned, the AC50 can isolate a single sound source without the distraction of off-axis, extraneous noise. Just the focus on the voice, for intimate vocals, engaging narratives and rich, fully expressive solos.

The Low Cut switch setting instantly reduces low frequencies by -10dB in order to maintain an overall flat frequency response when needed. That keeps the rumble of low frequency sources out of the recording. An internal pop shield filters low frequencies, giving you command of plosives, the naturally occurring popping noises from speech when you’re talking close to the microphone.

The user-friendly microphone comes with a microphone clip and standard adapter, so you can quickly attach it to a stand and start recording. With a XLR output, phantom power isn’t required making set up even easier. Once finished, pack up your H&A AC50 in its Molded ABS protective case. Lined with impact resistant foam, you can protect your microphone wherever you go and record for years to come.

Sony Announced “Visual Story” iOS App with Cloud Storage for Professional Photographers

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Sony Electronics announced “Visual Story” – a new application for wedding and event photographers that simplifies gallery creation, cloud storage, and web delivery. Unique to Sony camera users and available for iOS, Visual Story offers professionals a solution to expand their business and increase overall client satisfaction by allowing them to immediately share their gallery with their friends and family via social media.

With Visual Story, photographers can now deliver a fully edited and curated photo gallery instantly, on site and on the day of the big event – eliminating days of work previously spent organizing and editing assets. This is made possible by the connection of the app to a compatible Sony camera. While the photographer is shooting, all images are automatically transferred from the camera to a connected smartphone or tablet, as well as Sony’s cloud service. Images are then automatically organized using Artificial Intelligence (AI), and can be sorted based on metadata, star ratings, shooting timeframe, focus position and more.

AI will also sort based on different types of images from the event, including cake and ring ceremony, speeches, first dances and others, automatically detecting if a subject’s eyes are closed in an image. Additionally, when reviewing images shot with more than one camera, the photographer can also filter images by camera for added sorting options.

Using Visual Story’s auto preset application, wedding photographers can automatically apply edit presets that they have created or fixed presets – significantly reducing time spent editing images. By simply registering an edit preset prior to shooting, users can apply that preset to all images saving time and effort all while maintaining a consistent look throughout the entire shoot. The application is also equipped with a variety of editing functions, from basic corrections such as exposure, white balance and contrast, to more advanced corrections such as hue, saturation and luminance.

Using cloud collaboration, images can be synchronized on multiple mobile devices for easy viewing. Visual Story also allows wedding photographers to automatically create an online gallery for their clients, which can be delivered instantly on site. This can be offered to their client as an additional service, or complimentary and included in their wedding or event package.

Ratings and selections made while creating a photo gallery can be downloaded as an XMP file, then transferred to another application on a PC to simplify the final delivery process. As a bonus, photographers can also embed a logo, their social media information and more, directly on the images within the photo gallery – making it easier than ever to brand and market their business, especially when their clients share the images on various social media platforms.

Visual story is perfect for a variety of events from weddings to parties and corporate events to family photos and more. It is ideal for any situation where many photos are taken that need to be delivered instantly. Visual Story will continue to evolve in these various applications, reflecting our customers’ needs.

Visual Story is available now for iOS in the Apple App Store for free and is compatible with select Sony cameras including: Alpha 7C, Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 9, Alpha 9 IIi. Alpha 7 III will be supported in a future firmware update planned for Spring 2021.

Sony’s new Visual Story is available to download for free HERE, and development on additional platforms is under discussion.

Gibson Announced Acquisition of Mesa/Boogie

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Gibson announced the acquisition of Mesa/Boogie, one of the most respected brands in sound and guitar amplification. Mesa/Boogie – the original “Boutique” amplifier company – was founded 51 years ago by Randy Smith, who is responsible for creating the ground-breaking circuits that drive some of the most influential sounds of our time.

Randy will join Gibson as Master Designer and Pioneer of Mesa/Boogie and beyond. In his new role, Randy will continue his passion for tube technology and his vision for building hand-crafted, high performance amplifiers, that continue to redefine how we experience sound across Mesa/Boogie and Gibson.

Beginning in a converted dog kennel under the redwoods of Northern California, Randy Smith was wrenching amplifiers for all the great San Francisco area bands over 50 years ago when vintage gear was new. Being close to so many great guitar players, from Bloomfield to Santana and The Rolling Stones, Smith learned the virtues and shortcomings of the era’s gear and began a process of innovation that continues today.

Mesa/Boogie, the company Smith founded, was the first boutique amplifier builder and revolutionized amplifier performance in ways that impacted rock music worldwide. Simultaneously respecting and improving the vintage classics he grew up with, Smith, through Mesa/Boogie pioneered the invention of High Gain.

“At Gibson we are all about leveraging our iconic past and leaning into the innovative future, a quest that started over 100 years ago with our founder Orville Gibson,” says James ‘’JC’ Curleigh, President & CEO of Gibson Brands. “Today this quest continues with the addition of Mesa Boogie into the Gibson Brands family, along with the visionary leadership of Randy Smith and his Team who, for the past 50 years, have created an iconic and innovative brand that has stood the test of time. This is a perfect partnership based on our collective professional experiences and passion for sound”.

“I’m 75 years-old and still at work every day,” says Randall Smith founder of Mesa/Boogie. “This is my art and many of our crew have worked along my side for 30 to 40 years. As we witnessed JC and Cesar transform Gibson, we saw kindred spirits sharing common values and a fierce dedication to quality. Today, Gibson’s guitars are the best-ever and when they asked if we’d like to become Gibson’s Custom Shop for Amplifiers, we envisioned a perfect collaboration that would expand our outreach while preserving our legacy beyond my time. Gibson realizes the unique value of what we’ve all built together and this next chapter in the Mesa/Boogie story is a continuation of that dream. I am so fortunate for this partnership with the new Gibson after 50 years of doing what I love. It’s been the ride of my life . . . and it ain’t over yet!”