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NAMM 2016: Gretsch Drums - New Kits and Snares

Here is the new 2016 lineup, including black hammered steel, bronze, and copper models, Catalina Club and revamped Renown RN2 kits. This article features products from our latest Namm Show series.

How To Play Electric Guitar Without Risking Eviction

Following up on a previous blog post, How To Drum Without Risking Eviction, let’s not neglect that other common neighbour-rousing art, the electric guitar. Let’s look at a few ways you can still kick out the jams without losing the roof over your head.

Sound: The Foundation of Music

How do we produce a sound?  How do we move air to generate a musical sound?  Depending on the instrument, we breathe in, breathe out – vibrating our vocal cords; hitting resonant surfaces; plucking strings; or drawing a bow across strings.

Acoustic Guitars 101

Many guitar-making pioneers got their start in the cabinet-making business, raiding old furniture for their materials, and while you aren't likely to find old teacups rattling around inside, an acoustic guitar body is akin to a sealed wooden dish cabinet. 

Classical Guitars 101

When you hear the term "acoustic guitar", it usually refers to steel string instruments, favoured by folk, blues, and rock guitarists. Nylon-string classical guitars produce a soft, smooth sound, and are used to play all sorts of genres.

The One-Man Bandwagon: Loopers Come of Age

No longer expensive, cumbersome and notoriously unreliable, loopers have become an increasingly useful and affordable tool. The ability to record and play back music loops is just the beginning of what today's loopers have to offer.

Top 5 Gift Choices for Drummers

With the holidays fast approaching, a common question we hear behind the music shop counter is "what do I get my little drummer boy or girl?" Here are some gift suggestions for drummers that are both useful and fun!

Gifts for the Saxophonist who has Everything

To a saxophonist, everything about their horn down to the finest detail, is sacred. Needless to say, a player wants only the best for their precious instrument. Here are five great gifts that any saxophonist will go crazy for!

Slide Guitars: What types are there and what defines them?

There are many types of slide guitars used for various styles and sounds, and the terms for these instruments often get thrown around without a clear understanding of what they mean. Here’s a guide to help you sort out some of the confusion.

Why The P-bass Will Never Retire

What is there to say about the Fender Precision Bass that hasn’t already been said? It’s been around since forever, and it is the stuff of legends. If there’s an industry standard for electric basses, the long, lean, P-for-Perfectly-balanced Fender is it.

Acoustic Guitar Guide: Aren't all guitars just ... guitar shaped?

At first glance, acoustic guitars can look pretty much all the same. But in fact they come in all sorts of sizes, styles and shapes, which can have a dramatic effect on volume, tone, and playability.

Questions to Ask When Buying an Acoustic Guitar

I have sold acoustic guitars at Long & McQuade for years, and have been asked many very good questions from customers – questions that you should ask yourself before buying your next guitar.