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.
DPA’s discreet omnidirectional miniature necklace microphone offers musicians consistent performance in an easy-to-wear design. It features a DPA d:screet 4061 miniature capsule mic in a soft rubber necklace that can be easily removed and put back on. It is available in black, white, or brown, and in lengths of 18.3 or 20.9 inches.
Audio equipment maker BAE Audio’s 1073 MPL preamplifier brings the expensive, vintage console sound into an incredibly small and affordable package. The 1073 MPL delivers the same class A sound that BAE preamplifiers are known for with harmonically rich lows, slightly resonant highs, and a defined, focused midrange. Each 1073 is hand assembled and wired.
BC Rich Guitars’ NJ Retro series electric guitars—Warlock, Mockingbird, and Bich (pictured)— are a throwback to the classic NJ models of the 1980s built in Nagoya, Japan. The NJ Retros feature maple neck-through-body with mahogany wings. The 25 5/8-inch scale neck has a glossed modern C shape, 12-inch radius rosewood fretboard, jumbo frets, BCR diamond pearl inlays, 43 mm graphite nut, and dual action truss rod. The traditional three-per-side headstock has an old-school trinity logo and die-cast tuning keys. Each guitar in the series is fitted with BCR1983 Classic Reissue humbucker pickups in neck and bridge positions, with separate volume controls. Other controls include master tone and three-way toggle.
Casio’s Celviano Grand Hybrid GP-500BP and GP-300 digital pianos combine the latest electronic music technology with the traditional sound and feel of acoustic grand pianos. AiR Grand Sound Source recreates all the multi-faceted sounds of an acoustic piano, including sympathetic string resonance, damper resonance, key-off response, and mechanical sound. Plus the Grand Hybrids recreate three legendary grand pianos: the Berlin Grand, the Hamburg Grand, and the Vienna Grand. Several preset configurations of these pianos are included, along with other essential instruments. A multi-channel amplification system creates the immersive sound field of a nine-foot concert grand, while headphone mode produces an ideal stereo image while practicing quietly.
www.casiomusicgear.com
Taylor Guitars has introduced limited run Grand Auditorium shaped guitars in a trio of stunning tonewoods. Options include quilted sapele (for projection and warmth), flamed mahogany (visual appeal and strong mid-range response), or blackheart sassafras (striking blonde and brown hues, plus dry, woody response), paired with a premium Sitka spruce top. Each model is a dramatic, hand-crafted Florentine cutaway. Attractive appointment packages accent these hand-selected woods—Indian rosewood binding and curly maple edge trim, and “Capstone” inlay of mother-of-pearl and rosewood on the fretboard and rosette. Each is equipped with Taylor’s award-winning Expression System 2 electronics, featuring a piezo pickup design that gives players authentic amplified acoustic tone. The guitars come in a hardshell case.
The Breedlove Studio series’ figured maple back and sides and solid Sitka spruce top are designed to capture every sparkling detail and nuance of acoustic guitar performances. Available in concert, dreadnought, and 12-string models, all feature the Fishman INK3 USB pickup system—a Sonicore pickup, three-band EQ, chromatic tuner, and LED. A USB connection allows quick access and recording straight from the guitar. The guitars also feature abalone rosette,ivoroid binding, and sparkling mother of pearl offset dots inlayed in the fretboard. All of the models come with a deluxe foamshell gigbag.
It’s a crazy time we live in with technology pushing boundaries at every corner, and now it’s even capable of printing instruments. Not too long ago a violin was printed and it looks terrifyingly beautiful to say the least with its abstract design.
David Heiss of Local 802 (New York City, NY) was lucky enough to play the world’s first ever printed Cello. It also has a stylish futuristic design and only one string. Not that it holds David Heiss back from seeing what it can do.
You can watch him play the beast below (if the video doesn’t appear click here).
Perfect for players who prefer short-scale guitars, the PRS P245 is a vintage-inspired single-cutaway guitar with an LR Baggs/PRS piezo system to provide both electric and authentic acoustic tones. With two output jacks it can be plugged directly into an amplifier or into a soundboard’s direct input. The new 58/15 vintage style pickup, shorter 24.5-inch scale, and 22 frets, give P245 a true classic voice that is recordable and gig ready. It features figured maple top, mahogany back and neck, rosewood fretboard, nickel hardware, and is available in 18 distinct colors.
The Roland JD-Xi interactive analog/digital crossover synthesizer is compact, powerful, versatile, and fun. Equipped with 37 keys, it features a true analog synth engine and a wide selection of SuperNATURAL digital sounds. It’s packed with features for music creation including built-in drum kits, a four-track pattern sequencer, and gooseneck mic for use with the synth’s Vocoder and AutoPitch effects. The unique crossover sound engine, gives musicians both the warm, smooth response of classical analog, and the clarity and versatility of modern digital in one keyboard.
Yamaha’s P-115 portable digital piano replaces its P-105 with upgraded features at an affordable price. P-115’s Pure CF Sound Engine reproduces the sound of the Yamaha concert grand with improved damper resonance and reverb effects, to allow the use of dynamics not typically available in a digital piano of this size and price range. Other upgrades include a controller app for iOS, expanded polyphony (192 notes), and 14 drum rhythms. Its aux outputs and USB port enhance connectivity. An optional furniture stand and piano-style pedal unit give it a stylish appearance. P-115 is available in black or white.
