Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
The new Bass Ratio machine heads from Graph Tech Guitar Labs are each calibrated to a gear ratio, so each string feels and reacts the same to any tuning adjustment. They use a double envelope gear design with a hardened steel gear to ensure smooth consistency on the higher ratios. The Bass Ratio product line comprises seven sets of machine heads, allowing for customization based on number of strings and tactile preference.
Made in the USA, these banjo care cloths will help keep your banjo in peak playing condition. The pink cloth has wax in it for the wood surfaces; the white cloth has a strong anti-tarnish substance; and the grey/white combo is for daily use—the white interior will clean off the light tarnish of daily playing while the grey cloth is a soft flannel with nothing on it to use as a wipe down cloth after each playing session.
Cort Guitars incorporates the sounds of the humbucker J-style single coil and P-style split-coil to offer bass players sonic versatility. The GB74 Gig’s alder body provides a big, warm acoustic character that delivers both classic and modern bass sounds. A multitone bridge presents clear and open single-coil sounds and the three-way toggle switch allows access to the inner and outside coils. In addition to advanced electronics, Cort has enhanced tonal integrity: All strings lead to the Omega bridge composed of high-density, die-cast zinc that’s adjustable.
The Paiste Masters Dry/Dark Box Set is a perfect combination for the drummer looking to shake up the sound. The smoky dark hats and crashes compliment the dry ride perfectly, while the Lo-fi Swiss Medium Crash is an excellent punctuation mark. This set consists of 15” Masters Dark Hi-Hat, 17” Masters Dark Crash, 19” Masters Dark Crash, and 21” Masters Dry Ride.
Gibson’s new Slash 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck is an exact replica of a doubleneck that rock guitarist Slash, longtime member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), bought in 1990 and immediately put into his playing rotation for studio and stage. The 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck, aged by the craftspeople at the Gibson Custom Shop, will be hand-signed by Slash and includes a vintage replica hardshell case, a custom Slash concho guitar strap, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
The Conn 10DE Symphony Horn Outfit, Double features a red brass leadpipe, a small throat yellow brass bell, and yellow brass branches. The reversible change valve is positioned after the rotor cluster for smooth response. Other features include tapered rotors and bearings, two lever waterkeys, an adjustable finger hook, a Conn7BW mouthpiece, and a deluxe hardshell case.
P. Mauriat’s System-76 2nd Edition Soprano Saxophone features a hand-engraved, two-neck (straight and curved) detachable body. Key touches are genuine abalone, featuring dark pearl or mother of pearl depending on the saxophone’s finish. The System-76 2nd Edition has a range of Low Bb to high F#. The saxophone comes in three finishes and ships with a soft case.
The new Komplete Audio 6 audio interface offers an improved layout that places essential controls, connections, and visual feedback—including new LED VU-meters—where they’re needed for intuitive use. Audio 6 comes with high-definition recording, ultra-low latency, and new preamps with improved gain range and higher dynamic range for lower noise floors when recording. It also comes with two high-power headphone outputs, latency-free direct monitoring, and headphone output power that has been doubled from the previous generation.
TASCAM’s new monitoring headphones offer enhanced bass response for the smooth, deep lows needed for producing electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, metal, and R&B. The TH-06 employs a custom 45 mm neodymium-magnet driver and features Bass XL, a special voicing for dynamic range, clarity, and minimal distortion. Lightweight, cushioned ear cups can rotate 180 degrees. The flexible manganese headband is ideal for extended listening isolation without ear fatigue.
Overloud has released OTD-2, the re-creation of a unique analog processor which delivers modulating tap delays along with sound-widening effects. Six analog bucket-brigade delays can be individually switched and panned to create custom delay patterns. Other features include dual-mono, stereo, and reverb modes; multilevel undo-redo; A/B Comparison; and multiple presets designed in real mixing sessions.
