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Type title here... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php Type description here... en-us Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:25:52 -0400 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:25:52 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Back again! Sometimes I forget to give some lovin' to the old CMusicShop.com blog.  Shame on me.  I would encourage anyone reading this to become our friends on Facebook - Campbell's Music Service, for more current and frequent posts.  Anyone that knows me knows I like to talk shop so it's odd that I don't update this blog more frequently.  Again, hit us up on Facebook for more action.   One thing about social media, blogging and ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1282148752 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1282148752&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1282148752 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:25:52 -0400 Green Guitars? Many of us are concerned about the enviroment but few of us give much thought to how enviromental concerns are involved in our instruments.  Granted, instrument making is a small industry compared to industries like furniture making when it comes to wood consumption, but it still is a concern because many of the great tonewoods makers and musicians seek are endangered.  Brazilian Rosewood, Honduran Mahogany and others are still being used but now they have ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1258650878 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1258650878&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1258650878 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:14:38 -0500 Back with some cool ideas Wow, it is hard to believe I took off writing for so long.  Our summers tend to be very time consuming, I guess time just flew by.   So, jumping back into it - got some new things I think are worthy of your attention.   Snap Jack cables.  Very cool.  Snap Jack cables are high quality cables that have end that 'break' off when too much stress is put on it.  The benefit is ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1256913183 Music http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1256913183&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1256913183 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:33:03 -0400 A unique time in music history When I was a kid, my parents didn't much care for my musical tastes.  This was the case with most of my generation I think.  Parents who grew up with Sinatra or Porter Wagoner didn't much care for Black Sabbath or Kiss.  The crazy sounds Hendrix was coaxing out of his guitar didn't jive with the Elvis or Benny Goodman crowd.  I think it is pretty cool to see parents and kids sharing more of ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1243459488 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1243459488&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1243459488 Wed, 27 May 2009 17:24:48 -0400 Put some fun into your life. Play a ukulele!  We just got a shipment of Makai Ukes in a few days ago and let me tell you, we can't keep our hands off of them.  They just beg to be picked up and noodled with.  It doesn't take much to get music out of a ukulele.  Every time I walk past one, I pick it up, strum a couple one finger chords and move on.   Ukes can be had for ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1241793034 Music http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1241793034&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1241793034 Fri, 08 May 2009 10:30:34 -0400 Screaming and Distortion.... I remember a time when I was much younger when we'd get some old fogey in the store putting down the rock music of the day.   "It's just screaming and distortion"   I was reflecting on this on my drive to and from the post office while listening to the band Chrome.  Helios Creed, the guitarist for Chrome, uses quite a lot of distortion and other effects.  During the live set I was listening ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1239129946 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1239129946&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1239129946 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:45:46 -0400 Buddy Holly and new technology Something to think about.  In 1954 the Fender Stratocaster was radical and featured new technology.  Buddy Holly did not play a vintage classic.  He played a radical new concept in guitars.  Kind of makes Buddy seem a whole lot cooler, huh? http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1238632286 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1238632286&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1238632286 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:31:26 -0400 What is MAP? If you've done any searching online for gear you may have wondered why you see the same price on gear.  It is because of MAP pricing.  MAP stands for Minimum Advertised Price, in other words the lowest you can advertise a particular product for without violating your dealer agreement.  MAP was put in place to protect both the dealer and the public.  It protects the dealer by creating a more level playing field, a field where ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237938225 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237938225&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237938225 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:43:45 -0400 Never a better time to buy.....a guitar! Times are tough, no doubt.  We all feel it in some way, whether directly or indirectly.  We have to make purchases wisely, buy things that last, require little upkeep and provide long term benefits.  Hey, I just described guitars!!   Let's face it, we all need things to do, things to entertain us, things to take us out of our workaday world and put a smile on our face.  We could buy new TV's but ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237388080 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237388080&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1237388080 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:54:40 -0400 New gear just in We just got a shipment of some new gear to check out.  First is the Digitech RP 1000 multieffects pedal board.  For old school guys like me, who always prefered individual pedals over multieffects units, the RP 1000 and its little brother, the RP 500 (in stock as well) may just change your mind.  Both the RP 500 and 1000 offer many classic effects, amps and cabinet models as well as more modern tones and ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1236195828 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1236195828&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1236195828 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:43:48 -0500 Happy New Year Happy New Year everyone!  Haven't posted much lately, being an independent music store at the holidays kind of takes up all your time.  Got some cool things in the works for the store, more products, new lines, more accessories so I'm looking forward to adding more reviews and videos in the coming weeks.  I always look forward to being busy at the holidays but I'm also relieved when they are over and we go back ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1231430112 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1231430112&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1231430112 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:55:12 -0500 The Healing Power of Music Why do we love music?  Think about it, it is extremely rare to find someone that doesn't like some kind of music.  I'd be willing to bet that in those few cases that the person may have a hearing problem, not allowing him to hear music properly.  For the rest of us, we love our music.  A lot of us even get rabid about our listening choices, be it classical, heavy metal, country, blues or ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226682686 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226682686&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226682686 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:11:26 -0500 Bob tackles the economy ....and if elected, I will..... The election is over, and if you are like me, you're glad that you don't have to see another political ad for a while.  Regardless of who you wanted to win, we're on to a new chapter in our history, let's hope for the best. Of course, the big buzzword this year was the economy.  I don't know about you, but I get overwhelmed by the figures thrown around.  'Hey, how about ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226592419 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226592419&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1226592419 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:06:59 -0500 It isn't a competition Music making.  It isn't a competition, though you can make it one.  Sure, you can try to top the skills of another musician but most serious musicians are more interested in being better players for the reward of being able to play what you want, not to outdo someone else.  In fact, I generally see more respect in musicians for other musicians than in other groups of people.  We tend to be more healthy in ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224619376 Music http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224619376&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224619376 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:02:56 -0400 Music Myths A while ago I posted music truths.  Now, let's expose some myths. You have to learn on acoustic guitar before electric - simply not true.  In fact, electric is easier due to the lighter strings and lower action and in the end, what we want is to make playing music easy for the beginning student.  There is no benefit to making things hard.  That being said, there is also nothing wrong with starting on acoustic.  Start ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224086938 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224086938&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1224086938 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:08:58 -0400 Where did that guitar come from? Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Many of us over a few decades old may remember a time where products from Japan were ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221763754 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221763754&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221763754 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:49:14 -0400 Digitech Hardwire Pedals Time for another review.  Digitech is seriously making a play for the boutique pedal market with their Hardwire series.  So serious in fact, that they initially opted to treat it like a totally separate brand, even requiring me to fill in additional paperwork to carry them.  Since then, Digitech has realized that they can use their well known name to help launch this series.  Smart move. The basic premise is to offer a line of effects ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221580952 Reviews http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221580952&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221580952 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:02:32 -0400 He might not stick with it... Sorry, I haven't been keeping this as regular as I'd like but I'm working on it. We hear the phrase "he/she might not stick with it" referring to a child's interest in music and the parents need to invest in an instrument.  I can certainly understand that concern.  As a parent myself I know that kids often do not stick with those things that only a short while ago were 'gotta haves'.  Our son's interest in ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221072215 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221072215&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1221072215 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:43:35 -0400 Gear Videos on Youtube Be sure to check out our Youtube channel - CMusicShop.  Subscribe to keep up to date, not all videos will be posted here.  New Campbell American Transitone video posted yesterday. Thanks, Bob Campbell's Music Service www.cmusicshop.com http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1218583230 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1218583230&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1218583230 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:20:30 -0400 The Guitar Hero effect Some of my peers have been debating whether the video game, Guitar Hero, is good for the actual guitar market.  Some argue that the game makes guitar playing look easy and when faced with the challenge of really playing a guitar they will become disheartened by the actual effort needed and give up quickly.  Others argue that it is a gateway to real guitar playing, that after the 'toyish' effect wears off kids will yearn ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217517313 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217517313&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217517313 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:15:13 -0400 Guitar buying through the ages I've said it a hundred times and believe it more every time I say it.  There has never been a better time to buy a guitar (or most any musical instrument) than this time in history.  We have more options, brands, variations, color choices and so on than ever before in the history of mankind.  This is one reason I'm so adamant about exploring all the guitar world has to offer.  For the first time ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217357676 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217357676&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1217357676 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:54:36 -0400 Guitar and Music Truths Truisms for guitar (and sometimes life) Practice makes perfect Slow and steady to start It costs more to repair a botched repair than to fix it professionally the first time Great players do not often make great teachers (though the opposite is usually true) You get what you pay for, are you paying for what you got? You can't play the name Everyone is a musician, they just don't know it sometimes I'm sure I could think of more, but I was up ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216837671 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216837671&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216837671 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:27:51 -0400 Transitone by Campbell American Guitars - the review <a href="http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216407834"><img src="http://www.cmusicshop.com/blog/php/P7152536small.jpg" align="left" width="120px" height="90px" border="0" alt="" style="margin-right:2"></a> By now, anyone familiar with my posts know I have a fondness for the Campbell American lineup. This is the third guitar I’ve reviewed for the brand and possibly the most surprising to me. When I first talked to Dean Campbell of Campbell American I flat out told him I wasn’t too fond of the Transitone styling. It just didn’t ‘trip my trigger’ as they say. My perception was that it was large and bulky ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216407834 Reviews http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216407834&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216407834 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:05:26 -0400 ESP LTD EC 500 review After reviewing the Campbell Americans I thought I'd change gears and do a review of the ESP LTD EC 500.  First off, some people want to know what the difference is between the ESP branded instruments and the LTD branded instruments.  They are both from the same company, ESP but ESP wanted to set aside the ESP name for their higher end Japanese made line up.  Having seen the top shelf ESP models I can ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216223902 Reviews http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216223902&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216223902 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:58:22 -0400 Philly Guitar Show summer 08 <a href="http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216145036"><img src="http://www.cmusicshop.com/blog/php/P7132528.JPG" align="left" width="120px" height="60px" border="0" alt="" style="margin-right:2"></a> I was just at the Philly Guitar Show (Great American Guitar Show technically) in Valley Forge, PA this weekend.  I always enjoy going, believe it or not, after close to 30 years of working at a guitar store I still like looking at guitars.  Old ones, new ones, weirdo's and classics.  Of course, there was the typical sticker shock that many vintage pieces induce and there was the 'whooaaa, I used to buy them for ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216145036 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216145036&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1216145036 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:03:56 -0400 Listen with your ears, not your eyes I'm guilty of it and so are you most likely.  We look at an instrument and immediately assign a tone to it without hearing it.  In many cases, if you have experience with many styles of instruments, you may be right.  But, you also may not be and that would be a shame.  I've looked at a guitar with a certain shape or certain pickups and made the assumption that it would sound like this ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1215814534 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1215814534&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1215814534 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:15:34 -0400 Video Review - Campbell American UK 1 guitar As promised.... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214794839 Reviews http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214794839&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214794839 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:30:56 -0400 Campbell American Caledonian guitar <a href="http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214613656"><img src="http://www.cmusicshop.com/blog/php/cag%20cale.jpg" align="left" width="120px" height="162px" border="0" alt="" style="margin-right:2"></a> Well, Dean and the boys at Campbell American have done it this time!!  This guitar has become my fast favorite in the store.  I bring you the Campbell American Caledonian.  Single cutaway, swamp ash body (option), Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz humbuckers (option) with coil tap (option) all set off with a glossy lacquer subtle cherry burst finish.  This sounds and looks awesome. The Caledonian features a really contoured body unlike the more squared off UK ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214613656 Reviews http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214613656&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214613656 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:40:56 -0400 Summer Namm <a href="http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214504643"><img src="http://www.cmusicshop.com/blog/php/nashville.jpg" align="left" width="120px" height="90px" border="0" alt="" style="margin-right:2"></a> Just came back from Summer Namm in Nashville , TN.   Namm stands for National Association of Music Merchants for those who don't know.  Anyway, twice a year they hold shows where dealers, vendors, manufacturers and other industry folk get together to show or see new product.  We were there for 3 1/2 days and even though it was small by comparison to the winter shows, we barely got to see it all. It was a ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214504643 General http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214504643&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1214504643 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:24:03 -0400 Real guitar heroes I hope someday soon we get some new, real guitar heroes.  Sure, the game is fun (my non musician wife is better than me, her 'over 30 years as a musician' husband) and not really a substitute for real playing but I'd love to see someone step up and turn the music world on their ear.  There are a ton of great, innovative guitar players out there but they aren't getting any time in the ... http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1213370175 Thoughts http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1213370175&comments=comments http://www.cmusicshop.com/documents/cmusicblog.php?entry_id=1213370175 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:16:15 -0400