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 Cort Madagascar rosewood MR710F-MD provides a brighter presence and less bass compared to Indian rosewood. A solid Sitka spruce top complements the rosewood sides, providing versatile sonic character for the classic dreadnaught body and Venetian cutaway. The instrument also features genuine water buffalo bone nut and saddle and Fishman Presys Onboard Preamp System with three-band EQ, LED tuner, and phase control plus a Sonicore pickup.
The Galaxy Audio EB4 In-Ear Monitor Ear Buds employ single titanium drivers for high-fidelity with extended bass and a full 20Hz~20kHz (+/- 3dB). Heavy-duty cabling and aluminum construction provide durability for stage use. The lightweight design and three Silicon sleeves (small, medium, and large) provide a comfortable fit. EB4 ear buds come with a standard 3.5 mm jack.
Rocktron’s Versatune true-bypass rack tuner provides advanced features like plenty of presets for altered, dropped, and open tunings. Multiple ins and outs mean it can easily be utilized in complex set-ups. Versatune can be used for guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, and pedal steel guitar. Its bright LEDs and large note indicator are easy to see on stage.
The BassBoss VS21 Rum Punch subwoofer yields a revolutionary balance of impactful and full-bodied low end. Efficiently combining hit and heft, VS21 is perfectly suited for professionals and venues that demand no-compromise low end for a variety of genres. Rum Punch features a low-frequency extension of BassBoss’s vented dual 18-inch subwoofers—the hard-hitting punch of loaded subwoofers, plus a built-in 2400 RMS amplifier that includes all the necessary processing for seamless plug-and-play operation. Its 36 X 24 X 36-inch case integrates easily into existing speaker cubbyholes.
Radial BigShot i/o passive instrument selector allows fluid switching between two instruments via a foot switch, without needing to adjust amp volume. The 100% true-bypass BigShot is compact and easy to use and has a separate tuner output. Bright LEDs confirm instrument selection.
Norman Harris, owner of Norman’s Rare Guitars, has bought and sold treasured guitars for more than 50 years. He’s supplied some of the world’s top stars and instruments for more than 100 television shows, music videos, and films like Bound for Glory, Back to the Future, and This Is Spinal Tap. This memoir is full of fascinating stories and insights into the entertainment business, as well as photos of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare guitars.
Confessions of a Vintage Guitar Dealer: The Memoirs of Norman Harris, by Norman Harris
with David Yorkin, Hal Leonard Corporation, www.halleonard.com.
Jambourine is a sound hole tambourine for acoustic guitar. The percussion accessory slips easily into the sound hole where it stays out of the way while strumming. It is activated only when the player slaps or strums across the jingles.
Kanstul Musical Instruments, Inc., is proud to announce the return of the Committee trumpet. Faithfully based on the original design, Kanstul is now handcrafting a reissue of this iconic trumpet as the Model 1603. The instrument is built in the USA with Classic #3 bore specs and the Kanstul commitment to quality.
Yamaha’s TransAcoustic guitars recreate the experience of playing in a rich, live room without the need for further amplification. Available in the LL-TA dreadnought and LS-TA concert acoustic guitars, TransAcoustic technology allows players to add reverb and chorus to the natural instrument sound with no plug-in effects through an actuator inside the guitar. Three side knobs provide easy adjustments. The guitars are available in vintage tint and brown sunburst finishes with clear pick guards and ebony
fingerboards. They feature Engelmann spruce tops and rosewood back and sides for a warm, yet powerful, tone. An SRT piezo pickup provides the guitar’s plugged-in tones.
The Vintage D-Day Mandolin is a testament to the importance of music in raising morale during wartime. One of the most important and historic musical instruments of World War II, the original 1940 war issue Regal mandolin was inscribed with the names of the crew of the LCT 639 who landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy and included the message: “God helped us. USS LCT 639 hit (Omaha) the beach off France on June 6 1944.” (Read more about their story at www.torcrosstank.com.) This reproduction features white ash body, nyatoh neck, Indonesian rosewood fingerboard, and aged hardware. The mandolin is responsive and easy to play. It comes with a case, full-color souvenir booklet, and a certificate of authenticity documenting the story behind it.
