GearPipe.com | Drums and Percussion Deals and Discounts

Huge News! We are now Outlaw Drums’ exclusive dealer

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:56:39 +0000

On my first day of sixth grade, way back in 1988(!), I settled into band class with my practice pad. Concert band was a required course, and I knew drums were the coolest thing you could play, but little did I know the instrument would give me so much over my lifetime.

In high school I worked in a music store selling guitars and, as my career in the industry rolled on, each new job I got was guitar-focused. And although I’ve developed into a mediocre (at best) guitarist, playing the drums has always been my passion. I always thought that some day, my career would focus on drumming.

Last year, GearPipe partnered with Michael Outlaw of Outlaw Drums on a snare drum giveaway. I was blown away by Michael’s passion (and his story…the dude builds drums from wood reclaimed from 19th century barns and houses), and when I received an Outlaw snare drum of my own, I couldn’t believe the quality.

Since then, Michael and I have continued talking, and recently came to an exciting agreement. Michael’s passions are finding amazing wood and building beautiful drums. I love talking to people (online and off) about musical instruments. So, I’m happy to announce that GearPipe is now the exclusive dealer of Outlaw Drums. And I (through my marketing agency, Drive Channel Creative) will be in charge of marketing for the brand.

Our first series of drums is the Outlaw Weathered Series. These drums are carefully crafted to retain the character of their former lives. As we like to say, this is American wood, reborn.

Please check out the brand new Outlaw Drums website and the amazing snare drums that are for sale in the GearPipe Shop. If you’re a drummer, I’d love to talk to you about these drums. If you’re not a drummer, I’m sure you know a bunch of them, so please spread the word!

Help Nude spread music making to La Habra, CA students [Pick Education]

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:56:26 +0000

While the California band Nude is busy pushing their new album, Fearless Generation, they never forget that without the inspiration of someone when they were young, they never would have dedicated their lives to what they love, making music.

That’s why members of the three man band (Tony Karlsson, Bobby Amaro, and Dave Mattera) volunteer at Washington Middle School, along with community centers and other schools in La Habra, California, teaching students to play music.

The band speaks at a school about the importance of music education programs

The issue in La Habra, like many other communities across the country, is a lack of funding for music education classes and supplies. The band teaches for free on their own instruments because, although the school has some acoustic guitars, most don’t have strings. There are virtually no extra picks or accessories for the kids to use.

Now, in addition to teaching, Tony, Bobby, and Dave have taken on the added challenge of raising funds for the gear these kids need to learn their instruments. For example, the band recently played a show at a bowling alley, and much of the money taken in at the door will be used to buy guitar strings. They are also working with a local music store to match their donation.

Drummer Bobby Amaro watches over a "drum-off"

They’re making such a difference that they’ve gotten the attention of the Chamber of Commerce for the city of La Habra and Orange County, plus a few local politicians. They are now working together to get more music education programs started up at other area schools.

This is an incredibly inspiring story, which is why we are excited to team up with Nude as this week’s Pick Education partner. Through midnight on May 27th, for each guitar pick sold in the GearPipe Shop, we will donate one pick to the kids of Washington Middle School and La Habra.

If you’re new to GearPipe, here are a few suggestions:

GearPipe Classic Guitar Picks are available by the dozen, in thin, medium, and heavy thicknesses. Buy here.
If you’re interested in helping out the kids of La Habra, but don’t play guitar, you can purchase picks to be sent straight to the school. We will still match each pick you purchase. Buy here.
With our Pick & Poster Pleasure Pack, you’ll get 36 GearPipe picks, 4 guitar pick refrigerator magnets, a “Trustworthiness of Guitars” poster, and a GearPipe road case sticker, all for $25. For each pack purchased, we’ll donate 40 guitar picks to the kids of La Habra. Buy here.
And to sweeten the deal even more, we’re offering free US shipping for all orders $25 and over. To activate free shipping, enter the coupon code “lahabra” when checking out.

Singer Tony Karlsson works with a student on his chord changes

Pick Education is Dead, Long Live Pick Education

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:17:50 +0000

For those of you not following the story, we did not win the GOOD Magazine grant, which would have funded our Pick Education program.

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t disappointed. We could have done a lot of good with the $2,500 prize, but it was not meant to be. Nevertheless, I think this program’s potential for good is too great to ignore, and I think now is the time in my life to start giving back.

Today is my 35th birthday, which demands reflection. I live a wonderful life. I have a loving partner. Her and I live in a nice house in a great neighborhood in a wonderful city. We have our health, great friends, and two odd, yet loving, dogs.

But I don’t perform many selfless acts, and I think this is my opportunity. Playing music is important to me, and I think it’s helped shape who I am today. I want to focus my life on giving kids the musical opportunities I had when I was growing up.

On that note, I am announcing that we will move forward with Pick Education. Expect an official launch in the next few weeks. We will be featuring the “get one, give one” model with guitar picks and, with luck, a surprise partner.

Stay tuned for more and thank for your support!

– Jeremy

Let’s Give Fuzz Box Girl a Helping Hand

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:53:37 +0000

Fuzz Box Girl, a friend of GearPipe, was recently involved in a hit and run accident which left her car completely totaled and left her with a bunch of medical bills.

Fuzz Box Girl is recovering, but as one of the many Americans without health insurance, her medical bills are piling up. In a nice twist to this unfortunate story, she’d written on her Facebook page about a band called The Broken Places, whose Christmas album she’s been enjoying during her recovery. The band saw the post, and offered to donate all of their December album sales to help her pay for medical bills. Fuzz Box Girl said it’s “sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” and I agree it’s a very generous gesture.

I will be purchasing a copy of the album, called Spirited. If you’re interested, check it out on iTunes.

Interview with Michael Outlaw of Outlaw Drums [4OnTheFloor]

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:38:50 +0000

Michael Outlaw’s love affair with reclaimed wood began in 2006, when he salvaged timber from a plantation house that had recently been torn down. The house was built in the 1880s by Charles Edward Wilder. Wilder received a land grant as payment for his services during the war, and built his family’s home using the virgin long leaf pine trees that had been growing on the property. In 1880 some of these trees were over 200 years old, making the wood well over 300 years old when Michael gave it a second life as Outlaw Drums.

I recently spoke with Michael for our new 4OnTheFloor podcast series, and he told me about his affinity for this wood.

“I came across heart pine and fell in love with that old wood. Because it has a story…some of it was from old mills that were torn down, and some of the wood actually had a machine on top of it and the oil would spill down into the wood and stain the wood. And then you would start cutting the wood; the aroma would come up and you could smell it and you can’t help but wonder…”

Tobacco Barns and Plantation Homes Reborn as Outlaw Drums

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:04:38 +0000

There’s been a lot of recent talk in the musical instruments industry about wood. Instrument builders are searching the far corners of the earth for quality wood that they can legally import.

But Michael Outlaw, founder of Sylvester, Georgia’s Outlaw Drums, thinks the perfect wood is all around him, he just had to figure out where to look. Outlaw scours the countryside for historic structures, falling down and scheduled for demolition, and turns the reclaimed wood into custom snare drums.

As with any great product, there’s a great story behind it. Michael, a custom furniture builder and avid drummer, was riding through Albany, Georgia one day and stumbled upon an 1880’s plantation home being torn down, and asked the contractor if he could have some of the wood. The contractor said yes, since it was going to be hauled off to a landfill anyway. Michael loaded his truck up with as much wood as he could before the dump truck got back to take it away. When he returned to his shop, the beauty and the aroma of the rare wood inspired him. He wanted to build a snare drum that was different, and this heart pinewood was the perfect fit.

The beauty of the wood lies in its age. When these houses and barns were erected over 100 years ago, they were built with old growth trees. So, today, this heartpine could be 300-500 years old. Because of this, the aged wood has 40-60 rings per inch, vs 3-5 rings per inch on “new wood.” And what does this mean? More sustain and better tone! In addition, Outlaw Drums are built with stave construction and precise 45 degree bearing edges.

Before you crack open the piggy bank, right now you have a chance to win a premium Outlaw “Weathered” snare drum, priced at $950. This drum’s unique finish was created by over 150 years of sun, wind and rain.

“It is my pleasure to present a 13”x5” weathered snare drum. If one were to ask me to describe the sound? This drum has a crisp clear pop at the high tuning and low warmth sound when tuned lower. It produces great dynamic range that I believe is linked to the tightness of the wood’s grain pattern. In addition, there is no bending or stress imposed on the drum shell that multi-ply and one ply shells offer. Less glue is a big factor. Stave shells use less glue and are therefore more resonant. The drum stays in tune longer, resulting in a more stable, even sound because lack of vibration. The thickness of the drum is about ¾” thick, giving it a more solid fast attack.”

You can enter here.

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Music and Peacebuilding

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:52:51 +0000

This is a guest post from Ali Mabardi, who writes about peacebuilding at her blog, Critical Peace. If you’re interested in hearing more from Ali, please like her Facebook Page.

In a previous post, The Cellist of Sarajevo, I described how one Bosnian man became a symbol of peace and hope in a country devastated by war. He defied the violence, tragedy, and hopelessness surrounding him and transcended his reality with the use of a single instrument, his cello. He also has emphasized a profound, grander concept. Music is powerful.

It can elicit latent emotion, enhance an already present emotion, describe feelings you may not know how to articulate, and draw you out of a current time and space into an alternate reality. Just look closely at any musicians’ faces as they play their instruments. It doesn’t matter what instrument, it is obvious they are passionate about and moved deeply by what they are playing. They are raw, unguarded, and connected with their core. Consequently, we can connect with them on a personal level. This association is so potent and commanding, people spend valuable time and money chasing it for months, or even years, at a time. Watch this short video and examine the musicians as they play, but more importantly, actually feel the emotions this raises. Connect with yourself.

Music also requires and coerces collaboration. I find the best collaborations to be unexpected and unusual because, if executed in a careful manner, these are what can result in the most beautiful, harmonious, creative outcomes. Think of two artists you were surprised to see work together, but ended up producing music that was reminiscent of them both, yet created a novel, unique sound and vision. Personally, one of the best examples of this Alison Krause and Robert Plant’s Grammy-winning collaboration Raising Sand. These artists both have roots in blues and folk, but took alternate routes when it came to their distinct musical sounds. However, this album exemplifies what can emerge from attempting something different, from not taking the obvious route, and working together with someone you never thought you could or would. Listen to this one song off of this inspiring and interesting album.

Ask people what they can’t live without and, besides the obvious, I bet most of them will say music. Although we all have personal tastes and opinions about our choices in music, it is still one of the world’s ultimate unifiers. It has the ability to take individual, completely different units and transform them into a cohesive, beautiful whole. This statement is true for both individual instruments in a band or autonomous members of society.

Like music, building lasting peace requires being raw and unguarded with your emotions and unexpected collaborations. See what happens when you let your guard down and reach out to someone unanticipated, it could fail miserably, but it could be one of the best choices you have ever made.

Win an $8,300 Gretsch Drum Kit Package

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 14:44:21 +0000

I own a Gretsch drum kit that I love, but I would not kick this prize out of bed!

Enter to win a 5-piece Gretsch Renown 57 kit in black and white, 6-piece set of Sabian Hand Hammered cymbals, Gibraltar Turning Point hardware, gear from Latin Percussion and Toca, and a 7-piece set of Protection Racket cases. Total value? $8,300!

This contest has ended. Check out all current giveaways.

Win a Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum from SEPTICFLESH and Sick Drummer

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:05:54 +0000

Yesterday I posted a guitar video contest. Today, here’s a chance for the drummers to hit record, rock out, and win.

Play a drum cover of a SEPTICFLESH song for a chance to win a Mapex Black Panther snare drum, a free lifetime subscription to Sick Drummer Magazine, and more.

Click Here to Enter

Win a Pearl Mike Mangini Signature Snare & Meinl Crash Cymbal

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:11:43 +0000

Drummers. It’s been too long. I apologize. Let me make it up to you.

Enter to win a Pearl Mike Mangini Signature Snare, signed by Mike, and a Meinl crash cymbal, signed by Rodney Holmes, courtesy of Cascio Interstate Music. Are we better now???

This contest has ended. Check out all current giveaways.

Win a Yamaha DTX900K Digital Drum Kit

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 05:59:39 +0000

Sweetwater Sound’s monthly giveaway is finally for the drummers!

Enter to win a Yamaha DTX900K digital drum kit. This is one of the best Yamaha electronic kits and retails for $7,199.

Click Here to Enter

Win a Ludwig Drumset with Zildjian Cymbals worth $8,315

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:41:08 +0000

Yesterday James won a sweet Tama snare drum for his son. It’s the first piece of a kit, but with any luck he could win the rest right here!

Modern Drummer magazine and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith are giving away a 5-piece Ludwig drum kit PLUS a set of six Zildjian cymbals and a six pack of Zildjian Joey Kramer drumsticks. Total Value? $8,315!

Click Here to Enter

Win a Tama Starphonic Bubinga Snare Drum

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:05:55 +0000

Back to the drummers today!

Tama Drums is giving away a 6” x 14” Bubinga Starphonic snare drum. If you don’t mind me saying so, this is a BEAUTIFUL drum, and any of us would be lucky to add it to our collections!

Click Here to Enter

Win a Reunion Blues Cymbal Case

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:15:39 +0000

Two weeks ago, Reunion Blues gave away a guitar case. Last week it was a bass case. This week, they are showing some love for the timekeepers.

Enter to win a RB Continental RBCM22 cymbal case. This looks like a very high quality case that can hold and protect up to 4 large crash or ride cymbals and a hi hat.

Click Here to Enter

GearPipe Exclusive Giveaway! Win a Rare Fender Guitars Baseball

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:18:40 +0000

Win this!!!

Spring is in full swing here in Colorado! The snow has already melted, filling the rivers with white water, and the baseball season has begun. Not to gloat, but our Colorado Rockies are in first place!

And what exactly does this have to do with musical instruments? It just so happens that I have a handful of rare, limited-edition Fender baseballs. Only about a thousand were made, and were used as a Fender promotional product about six years ago.

These baseballs are really cool! They’re rocking a red, white, and blue stars theme, with an embossed (not just stamped) Fender logo in red.

I have four baseballs that I’m going to give away to members of my email list. If you’re already signed up, you’re already entered. BUT, you actually have two chances. I have a GearPipe.com email list for news, and a GearGiveaway365 list for giveaways. If you’re signed up for both, you have two chances to win.

The Rules:

Must be 13 years of age or older to enter
This is a worldwide giveaway
Entry deadline is April 14, 2011, at 11:59:59 PM, Mountain Time

Here’s a better look a the baseball:

Limited-Edition Fender Baseball

Win a Tama Snare Drum Signed by Malevolent Creation

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:19:25 +0000

Pardon the pun, but this is a SICK drum giveaway from Sick Drummer Magazine. Enter to win a brand new Tama snare drum signed by the band Malevolent Creation.

Click Here to Enter

Disclaimer: The contest does not list the snare drum model, so the photo above kind of looks like the snare being given away, but is not the exact model.

Score $20 off your next Guitar Center order, this weekend only!

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:59:47 +0000

Guitar Center has just announced a new sale that you might want to take advantage of. Through March 28, 2011, you can take $20 off your next order of $99 or more.

Unlike many Guitar Center coupon codes, this discount can be taken online, in-store, or over the phone. Just follow the link below to print off your coupon.

Get Coupon Code!

Win One of Four Alesis Digital Drum Kits

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:33:38 +0000

This is exactly what I need to keep up the ‘ol chops while staying on my neighbors’ good sides.

Music shop Unique Squared is giving away four Alesis digital drum kits, including an DM6 USB Kit, DM7 USB Kit, DM10 Studio Kit, and the grand prize, an Alesis DM10 Pro Kit with a Transactive Drum Amp.

This contest has ended. Check out all current giveaways.

Win a Reuinion Blues Gig Bag

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:35:39 +0000

Here’s another giveaway that I’m catching on the tail end. Go like the Reunion Blues Gig Bags Facebook page, and you could win a free bag (they have a bunch of different instrument bags). Saturday is the last day of this promotion.

Click Here to Enter

Drum Set Giveaway! Win a ddrum D2MB Acoustic Drum Set

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:35:06 +0000

Here’s one of our ultra-rare drum giveaways!

Vancouver music store Future Shop is giving away a Ddrum D2MB acoustic drum set. This giveaway is open to all of Canada, but if you’re in the Vancouver area, you’ll also score five free drum lessons!

About the ddrum D2MB acoustic drum set:

The total package! For the beginner, looking for the basics, and a little more. The d2 includes shallow toms, in a contemporary size configuration. When you’re ready to expand, d2 is right there with you, 8″ and 14″ add on tom pack available separately, with all necessary mounting hardware. A cut above the rest!

D2 Specs:

Basswood shells
1.7 MM Tripple flanged hoops
8-ply Bass drums
8-ply Snare drums
6-ply Toms
D Series chrome oval lugs

D2 Kits include:

Double braced stands
Bass drum pedal
Throne
Six pairs of sticks & stick bag

Entry Deadline: March 18, 2011

Click Here to Enter

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, sign up for GearGivawaway365 emails or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.

Win a ddrum D2MB Acoustic Drum Set

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:24:08 +0000

Here’s one of our ultra-rare drum giveaways! Vancouver music store Future Shop is giving away a Ddrum D2MB acoustic drum set. I don’t see any rules about location, but if you’re in the Vancouver area, you’ll also score five free drum lessons!

Click Here to Enter

Win a Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:01:50 +0000

I can feel heavy breathing behind me. I think it’s the drummers in the room, about to yell at me for not posting enough drum giveaways. Stay back! Here you go! Enter to win a Mapex USA Black Panther Blaster snare drum. This is a great snare that retails for $529.

Click Here to Enter

Win a TRX 22″ ICON Heavy Ride Cymbal

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:33:32 +0000

I dove deep into the depths of the interwebs for this cymbal giveaway. The MB Agency has teamed up with TRX Cymbals to give away a free 22” ICON Heavy Ride. Just become a fan and comment on their wall with the name of your band (or you as a solo artist). The artist with the most comments wins!

Click Here to Enter

Win LP Aspire Abraxas Santana Congas & a Trip to Vegas to See Santana at the Hard Rock

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:08:49 +0000

File under: Sick.

Latin Percussion has just launched a killer Santana giveaway. Win a trip to Vegas, two nights at the Hard Rock, two Gold Circle tickets to “a Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits,” PLUS a set of LP Aspire Santana Abraxas Congas. Other winners will score LP Aspire Santana Abraxas wood bongos or an LP Santana Abraxas Angel Cowbell.

This contest has ended. Check out all current giveaways.

Roger Linn Wins 2011 Grammy Award for Technical Merit

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:57:36 +0000

Roger Linn speaks at the 2011 Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception

Last year I told you about electronic music pioneer Roger Linn’s Battle with Amazon over materials for a new instrument. It looks like he’s still hoping for a positive outcome for that situation, but he definitely landed on his feet a few weeks ago when he was presented with a 2011 Grammy Award for Technical Merit.

Although I’ve never met Roger, he’s definitely one of the good guys of the musical instrument industry. Having worked in that industry for over a dozen years, I can tell you that it’s not the glitz and glamor size of the music biz! I couldn’t be happier for Roger.

If you get a chance, check out Roger’s official page on the Grammy website, which includes a thoughtful essay penned by legendary musician/producer Todd Rundgren.

Also, take a moment to watch Roger’s Grammy acceptance speech. I think his campaign to save the note is one many of us can and will get behind!

YouTube Link

Win One of Three Sabian Cymbal Prize Packs

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:56:13 +0000

Modern Drummer Magazine has teamed up with Sabian Cymbals for this one. First prize is a 22” AAX OMNI & 21” Vault Holy China cymbal. Second prize is an 18” AAX OMNI & 19” Vault Holy China. Third prize is a B8 Pro Performance Pack (14” hi-hats, 16” medium crash, 20” medium ride).

Click Here to Enter

Win an Artisan Custom Drums Snare Drum worth $1,150

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:22:13 +0000

Even if you’re not a drummer, this is a piece of art!

DRUM! Magazine is celebrating their 20th Anniversary. To celebrate, they are giving away one amazing custom snare drum each month. This month, win a one-of-a-kind 6.5” x 14” Tigerwood snare drum with matching hoops from Artisan Custom Drums. This drum is worth $1,150!

Click Here to Enter

Win a Set of Joey Jordison’s Paiste Black Alpha Cymbals

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:05:09 +0000

This is a killer cymbal giveaway from Paiste Cymbals and Modern Drummer Magazine.

You can win a set of Paiste Black Alpha cymbals used and signed by Joey Jordison! This package is worth over $1,500 and includes a set of 14” Sound Edge hi-hats, 17” Rock crash, 18” Rock crash, 18” Rock China, and 20” Metal ride.

Click Here to Enter

Sowing the Seeds of Music: Podcast Interview with TakeLessons CEO Steven Cox

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:16:30 +0000

Note: This podcast interview was recorded over a year ago for a separate project.

In this GearPipe podcast episode, I speak with Steven Cox, CEO and Founder of TakeLessons, America’s leading source for private music and voice lessons.

We talk about the state of music education, the strict guidelines TakeLessons private instructor applicants are judged on, and even the role Guitar Hero and American Idol have had on music lesson enrollment.

In the end, Steven leaves me with a great deal of hope about the future of music making, telling me that “even if music (education) is cut, what’s really wonderful about music is that this is not going to stop the level of curiosity and the level of interest that people naturally have in music.”

As Christmas rapidly approaches, and gift-buying deadlines loom near, please consider a TakeLessons gift certificate for the young (or old) musicians in your lives. Through December 24th, TakeLessons is offering 30% off all lessons packages.

Want to hear more? Subscribe to GearPipe Podcasts on iTunes!

Rock Prophecies: Podcast Interview with Rock Photographer Robert Knight

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:35:56 +0000

If you’ve ever been jealous of a friend or family member who saw The Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix back in the day, Robert Knight will make you green with envy.

The legendary rock ‘n’ roll photographer and subject of the new documentary Rock Prophecies shot Led Zeppelin’s first U.S. show at the Whiskey a Go Go in Hollywood. He shot Hendrix AND Stevie Ray Vaughan’s final shows. For over forty years, Knight has been what Rock Prophecies producer Tim Kaiser calls “the Forrest Gump of rock ‘n roll. He just had this knack for being right in the middle of history in the making.”

In this podcast episode Knight tells us that, all things being equal, he prefers when great guitars play a front and center role in these history-making events. “I’m guitar-centric. Everything that I’m really interested in has major great guitar in it, and I wouldn’t photograph bands back in the day that didn’t have good guitar.”

Knight also finds that some legendary guitars have taken center stage in his photographs. “Stevie Ray Vaughan and that beat up old Strat of his. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. The first time I saw Stevie Ray and I saw that guitar, it was like ‘I need to photograph that guitar.’ When I did some studio shoots with Stevie, I asked if I could actually shoot some of the guitars because they almost had their own personality.”

“In a way some of the instruments themselves have become rock stars, like Blackie, Eric Clapton’s guitar, or Eddie Van Halen’s guitar.”

If you’re interested in watching the film (and you should be…it features interviews with and performances by Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, Slash, Panic at the Disco, Sick Puppies, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, and Steve Vai, among others), you can buy the DVD on Amazon and many other retailers, or watch for free during September and October on your local PBS station.

Want to hear more? Subscribe to GearPipe Podcasts on iTunes!

Check out the official Rock Prophecies trailer:

YouTube Link

Paralyzed Drummer Uses Breath to Trigger Bass Drum & Hi Hat

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:58:48 +0000

This is a great story about both the love of music and the wonders of technology.

I’m sure all of you know the story of Rick Allen, Def Leppard’s drummer who lost his left arm in a 1984 car accident. Rick courageously fought back from this tragedy, learned to play drums with only one arm, and still rocks hard.

Let’s be honest, though. If you’re a drummer, there’s probably been a moment or two when you’ve thought about Rick Allen and said to yourself “self…I could do that.” I’m not trying to take anything away from the guy, but I’ve dropped a stick or reached down for a sip of beer during a song and kept it going for a few measures. I’m sure with some practice I could keep a steady beat with one arm. If you disagree, please send me hate mail.

But, this story is not about Rick Allen. It’s about Jason Gerling. This guy was also in a tragic car accident, but was paralyzed from the chest down. His doctors told him he would probably never walk or play drums again. “It was like a nuclear bomb was dropped on my life. I thought my career was over,” Jason said, referring to his diagnosis.

Jason also fought back, and he also continues to play the drums to this day. He only regained the use of his arms, though, so what to do about the bass drum and hi hat? I want to you watch the video above, as it shows the creative way Jason has solved this problem.

He uses what looks like a headset microphone, but it’s actually part of a trigger system he created with technology from Origin Instruments. In addition to the headset, he has a trigger underneath certain cymbals. When he sucks air in, and hits, for instance, his hi hat, a bass drum sound is triggered.

Check out the video or see the original story on CNN.com for more.

Exclusive Giveaway! Win a One Year Subscription to Tom Tom Magazine

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:30:16 +0000

If you listened to the podcast I recorded a few months back with Tom Tom Magazine founder Mindy Abovitz, you know what a cool project this is. While many magazines are struggling to reach readers, Mindy launched Tom Tom with a zeroed in demographic: female drummers. In less that a year they have interviewed and featured such high-profile female drummers as Cindy Blackman, Yuko Araki (Yoko Ono Band), Hannah Blilie (The Gossip), Laura Fares (Sam Sparro), Suphala, and Allison Miller (Brandi Carlile).

She was kind enough to send copies of the magazine’s first three issues, and I can’t tell you how impressed I am. In fact, I have to admit that I fear creasing the pages, as the magazine is so well done it feels like a piece of art in my hands!

In an attempt to get more people turned on to Tom Tom I asked Mindy if she’d put up a subscription as a GearPipe exclusive giveaway. She was kind enough to agree.

Here’s how it works. Tom Tom is a quarterly magazine, meaning four issues per year. They’ve published three, with the fourth coming in September. The winner will get issues #1-3 ASAP, and will receive issue #4 when it’s printed.

To enter, just fill out the form below. This giveaway will run for one week with a deadline of midnight Pacific next Thursday (August 5th).

If you can’t wait for the giveaway and want to subscribe to Tom Tom, you can do it here. Also, Tom Tom is a labor of love for Mindy and her team (meaning there’s no big publisher backing them with cash). The project is being featured on Kickstarter, so if you want to back the cause with a few bucks, there are some very cool products that you’ll get back, plus a warm fuzzy in your tummy. Learn more at Kickstarter.

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If you didn’t catch my interview with Mindy, listen in here:

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, make sure you follow me on Twitter or become a fan of my Facebook Page.

We're Kickin' it Old School with Weekend Gear Deals

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:55:57 +0000

If you’ve been with GearPipe for a while (we’re nearly three years old!), you’ll remember that I used to post gear deals almost exclusively. Things have changed a bit, but I thought it would be fun to track down a few deals for those of you with some cash burning a hole in your pocket. If you find this useful and want me to post more, please leave a comment below.

Save 10% on a single item at Guitar Center. This coupon is good thru 7/31/10, so you have to use it by the end of Saturday. It’s good for a discount of up to $500 on one item. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on a big ticket item, this might be your time!
Score a FREE Paiste 10′ 2002 Splash Cymbal. Thru 8/31/10, buy a pair of Paiste Hi Hats or a 16′ or larger cymbal from the Twenty, 2002, RUDE, or Giant Beat series from Musicians Friend or Guitar Center and score a free splash cymbal. Download the rebate form here (PDF).
Fender Original ’57/’62 Stratocaster Pickup Set for just $83.99! This could be a mistake, but The Perfect Guitar has placed this fantastic sounding set of pickups into their clearance center. The regular selling price is $159.99.
Buy two Audix OM2 Dynamic Vocal Microphones and get a third microphone for FREE from All Pro Sound. MSRP: $447.00. Your Price: $199.00. Save $248!
Save 64% on an ESP LTD SURVEYOR-414 4-String Electric Bass Guitar. Musicians Friend has a factory restock that’s on sale for $359.00, a savings of $640.00 off the $999.00 retail price.

What The!?! Check Out Sound Designer Diego Stocco's Bassoforte

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:20:56 +0000

I just came across a great video on Guitarify featuring sound designer Diego Stocco, who assembled a new instrument that he calls Bassoforte. Now, this guy didn’t just build a guitar with a slightly cooler than average finish or a drum with an extra noisemaker taped to the bottom head. I guarantee the Bassoforte is like nothing you’ve seen before!

Here’s Diego to tell us about how he built this instrument:

Few days ago I started thinking about how I could re-purpose the keyboard of the dismantled piano I keep in the garden, so I thought to build a new instrument by combining it with some other parts I had laying around. I ended up with this mechanical hybrid thing I thought to call “Bassoforte” (bass + pianoforte).

The neck is from a broken electric bass, as a bridge I used a cabinet handle, the pickups are from a guitar, and the part at the top where the strings are attached is a chimney cap, which works as resonator as well as percussive sound.

The track I created is a tribute to my Dad who is a big fan of Western comic books and “spaghetti western” films, and because of him I am too.

Vimeo Link

TED Talks: David Byrne: How Architecture Helped Music Evolve

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:47:03 +0000

I just watched this fascinating TED video, featuring David Byrne, about the extent the sound of a building (or other environment) influences the style of music people write.

The most obvious example to many of us would be rock bands who make the leap form playing clubs to theaters to arenas. When you’re playing a small room, you can play intricate guitar solos and drum fills that would get lost in the reverberation of an building meant to host hockey games. So, as bands play larger rooms, they tend to play less notes, taking advantage of the sound of the rooms they find themselves playing.

This is the easy example that many of us have probably thought about. Byrne runs through some other great examples that may not be as obvious to us. How does the outdoor environment in Africa influence the rich African rhythms? Why did the music of Bach and Mozart differ so much? It may have had quite a bit to do with the rooms they knew they’d be playing their latest pieces in.

Very interesting. I hope you enjoy it!

YouTube Link

Best Sellers: Top 10 Best-Selling Zildjian Hi Hat Cymbals at Musicians Friend

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:05:28 +0000

These are currently the top 10 best-selling hi hat cymbal pairs at Musicians Friend.

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.

Playing Paradiddles on the Glass Ceiling: Podcast Interview with Tom Tom Magazine’s Mindy Abovitz

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:00:03 +0000

Who’s your favorite drummer? It’s a question we’ve all asked and answered, and you probably have a stock response ready to go. When Mindy Abovitz, Founder of Tom Tom Magazine, a magazine about female drummers, is asked who her favorite female drummers are, she doesn’t even stop to think.

“Any girl playing the drums is my hero. I don’t have a favorite. I’m truly inspired by people who are very creative and doing it from their heart. It’s hundreds and hundreds of drummers.” I have to say, I like her answer and am a bit jealous that male drummers don’t have the same kinship.

With its third issue about to go to print, Tom Tom Magazine boasts an impressive list of interviewees, including Cindy Blackman and Yuko “mi-gu” Araki of the Plastic Ono Band, but also spices things up with columns about philosophy, art and style. In addition to the print magazine, the Tom Tom website features bonus interviews, a blog, and audio & video content.

If you’re interested in purchasing issues 1 and 2, or want a full subscription, stop by the Tom Tom Store.

Want to hear more? Subscribe to GearPipe Podcasts on iTunes!

TED Talks: Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:29:09 +0000

You might call me a wuss, but I really like Natalie Merchant. Even if you’re not into her, you have to admit that she’s a very talented artist. In her newest project, Leave Your Sleep, Merchant takes her lyrics from near-forgotten 19th-century poetry. A very cool idea and I think she pulls it off amazingly.

Check out other TED videos on GearPipe

Drum Stick Evolution: Podcast Interview with Players Music’s Tony LaLonde

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:36:47 +0000

“Years ago if a person was a skier your skis were all made out of wood. Now they’re made out of all kinds of different materials. If you were a pole vaulter they were bamboo. Now they use all different types of materials. Tennis rackets were all wood and now they make them out of all kinds of synthetics. So I feel that in the music industry there’s no reason that a synthetic stick shouldn’t be as viable as a wood product, and even more so.” This is Players Music founder Tony LaLonde’s take on Duratech drum sticks, his line of nylon polymer sticks. I have to admit, this theory makes a whole lot of sense to me!

If anyone understands the evolution of a musical instrument accessory it’s Tony, as he comes from a family of inventors. His father held several patents for musical accessories, and was also a long-time musical instrument retailer in Minnesota. Tony and his brother followed in that tradition by starting music stores in California in conjunction with Tony expanding the family’s line of patents and innovative products. Tony opened his first music store in 1976 and later formed Players Products.

In this podcast interview, Tony gives me the rundown on Duratech drum sticks. He tells me that Duratech sticks have the most “wood-like” feel of all composite sticks and explains that by avoiding wood, these sticks are carefully balanced and pitch matched, guaranteed straight + or – .005 of an inch and weight is guaranteed within 1/10 of an ounce, pair after pair.

If this sounds like something you want to try out for yourself, we’re also launching a GearPipe exclusive giveaway. I’ll be giving away two pair of sticks each day for the next week.

Want to hear more? Subscribe to GearPipe Podcasts on iTunes!

GearPipe Exclusive Giveaway! Win a Pair of Duratech Polymer Drumsticks!

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:46:21 +0000

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

Sticks break. Sticks are expensive. If you play a lot of drums, this adds up to a nice chunk of change.

What if I told you that you could buy a pair of drum sticks that will last 8-10 times that of a normal stick and only costs about twice the price? Do I sound like a used car salesman??? The car salesman wouldn’t give you chance to win the car for free, though, would he?

Today I’m excited to launch a GearPipe exclusive giveaway just for the drummers. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be giving away two sets of Duratech drum sticks each day. Duratech sticks are not your father’s Pro Marks! These non-wood drum sticks are made of a secret nylon polymer blend which resists chipping, fraying, and breaking. Like the loud, cutting sound of a nylon tip? Try an entire nylon stick!

By avoiding wood, Players Music, the makers of Duratech, can keep these sticks more consistent than other sticks on the market. They are are carefully balanced and pitch matched, guaranteed straight + or – .005 of an inch and weight is guaranteed within 1/10 of an ounce, pair after pair.

So…what do you have to do to win? We want to get a pair of these sticks in your hands, but we also want to know what you, as a drummer, think about Duratech and drum sticks in general. Just fill out the short survey below and hit submit. You’ll be entered to win! I’ll be announcing the winners each day on my Facebook Page, so if you’re not already a fan, come check it out.

If you want to learn more about Duratech sticks, you can listen to a podcast interview I did with Tony LaLonde, the man who developed the sticks, or check out the brand-spanking new Duratech Facebook Page.

10 Awesome Cymbal Factory Tour Videos

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:33:52 +0000

I don’t know about other drummers, but I get more geeked about cymbals than drums. So, I was just wasting some time on YouTube checking out some cymbal factory tour videos, and came across some great ones! So many, in fact, that I felt bad not sharing. Enjoy!

How It’s Made: Cymbals
This video, I’m assuming from a TV show, doesn’t give you a ton of views of the Zildjian factory, but is a very good primer to cymbal making in general. This makes me wish I’d gone into cymbal testing as a profession!

Istanbul Mehmet Factory Tour
This one is awesome! Filmed by some dudes just walking around the factory, there’s not a word of English in the entire video. I love the guys just sitting in the corner of the factory, pounding away at cymbals. Then, at the end, they walk into the break room and check out everyone’s lunch!

Sabian Factory Tour
A tour of the SABIAN factory in Meductic, NB given by Robert Mason.

Bosphorus Factory Tour
This video might be my favorite of the entire bunch. No sound. Shaky camera work. But it’s a great stroll through the Bosphorus factory, where there appears to be molten metal around every corner. It’s amazing that such beautiful things can come out of such a dirty place!

UFIP Cymbal Fabrication
Perhaps the most informative of any of these videos, this one is not so much a factory tour as it is a step-by-step guide to the building of UFIP cymbals. It walks you through everything from the pouring of the metal to the stamping of the logo.

Paiste Factory Tour by Charlie Benante of Anthrax
Badass drummer Charlie Benante of Anthrax takes us on a walk through the Paiste factory in Switzerland. There’s not a lot of talking in this video, but we do get to listen to Anthrax throughout.

Amedia Cymbals Factory Tour
A tour of the Amedia factory, lead by factory owner Hamdusuna Baykusak. Hamdusuna has a ton of great insight and funny stories…if you can speak Turkish, please let me know what he’s saying.

Zlidjian History Lesson
I found some more corporate Zildjian videos online, but I kind of like this one, from FOX 25 in Boston. We never actually make it inside the Zlidjian factory, but get to check out the awesome Zildjian lobby. The phrase “Full of history” is an understatement.

Dutch drummer Bram Hakkens at the Meinl Cymbal Factory
This guy, Bram Hakkens of Dutch Band Kyteman, is living the dream. He was invited into the Meinl factory to hand pick his next cymbals. Jealous.

Masterwork Cymbal Factory Tour
This is another great factory tour video taken by a guy and his camcorder, this time at the Masterwork cymbal factory in Istanbul, Turkey.

TED Talks: David Holt Plays Mountain Music

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:53:12 +0000

Another great video from the TED Talks conferences. There is such a great history of truly American music that is in danger of being lost to the sands of time. Thank you TED for keeping this alive!

In this video folk musician and storyteller David Holt plays the banjo and shares photographs and old wisdom from the Appalachian Mountains. He also demonstrates some unusual instruments like the mouth bow — and a surprising electric drum kit he calls “thunderwear.”

TED Talks: Rhythm is Everything, Everywhere

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:02:00 +0000

A few months ago, I posted Three Videos That Will Change The Way You Think About Sound and Music from the TED Conferences that amazed me, and I thought might interest you. As I watch more TED videos, on many subjects, I come across more and more that feature music subject matter. Since they’re free for us to watch, I’m going to start sharing more of them with you.

This one is cool! Percussionist Sivamani uses traditional Western and Eastern instruments to create some crazy rhythms, along with a tub of water, corrugated metal, spoons, luggage, our stage props and even a little audience participation. Speaking of the tub of water…if you only want to watch the absolute coolest part of the video, skip ahead to 7:45.

Electronic Drum Set Giveaway! Win a Roland V-Drum Lite Drum Kit

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:57:01 +0000

Drummers…I hear you. There are no drum giveaways out there…I know! Well, I found one today!

Making Music Magazine is giving away a Roland HD-1 V-Drums Lite Electronic Drum Kit. This kit may be “lite” but it has everything you need to bust out a beat without ticking off your neighbors or big sister.

Some info about the Roland HD-1 V-Drums Lite Electronic Drum Kit:

Roland’s V-Drums are the most popular electronic drums in the world, but not everyone has the room or budget for a full V-Drums kit. Introducing the Roland HD-1. It’s forged from the same technology as its predecessors, but it’s much simpler to use. It’s also incredibly quiet, thanks to the newly re-designed kick pedal, cushioned tom pads, and mesh snare head. The HD-1 electronic drum set is also conveniently compact and stylish-perfect for every home, school, studio, etc.-and it’s priced for drummers on a tight budget. Most of the Roland HD-1′s components are mounted on one stand for easy setup, transport, and a clean look. Just take it out of the box and play.

Entry Deadline: April 31, 2010
Get It: Click Here to Enter

Not Feeling Lucky? Buy the Roland HD-1 V-Drums Lite Electronic Drum Kit from Musicians Friend

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, make sure you follow me on Twitter or become a fan of my Facebook Page.

A Simple Strategy to Recover Stolen Musical Instruments

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:00:16 +0000

Has anyone out there had a prized piece of gear stolen? Did you ever get it back?

When I was in college, the house my band practiced in was broken into and our PA system and our guitarist’s amp was stolen, but the only thing that’s even been taken from me was a splash cymbal. A bummer, but not a huge setback.

On the Fender Front Row blog, the folks from Scottsdale have posted some tips to help you recover your instrument if it’s even stolen. This is pretty simple stuff: write down the serial number, take pictures, file a police report…but sometimes we forget the basics, so this refresher is nice.

Of course, the most important thing is to be extra careful and make sure your gear is safe from sticky fingers to begin with!

Here’s a video from a Bakersfield CA news show reinforcing what Fender is telling us.

via Fender Front Row

A Guide to Recording a Chest-Thumping, Full Drum Sound

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:37:57 +0000

When I listen back to some of the recordings my bands made when I was young, I often cringe at the drum sound (and the drum playing, but that’s my problem!). The arc of my recordings follows the recording technology curve pretty closely over the past 15 years. I have some tunes that were recorded on a cassette four track, then a MiniDisc four track, then in a “real studio” on ADAT, and finally a few on Pro Tools.

The drum sound gets progressively better, having more to do with the engineer on duty than the recording medium. So, their secret to getting a great drum sound? Honestly, I have no idea. The people at Audiotuts+, however, do know. They’ve just published parts one and two of a three part series called “A Guide to Effective Drum Mixing.” This guide covers basics like setting levels and panning to more complex techniques like gating the kick drum and effectively using overhead mics.

For anyone just getting into recording, or for those of you with a home studio, this is a fantastic, easy to understand guide. It also includes a bunch of sound samples, which is a nice bonus.

Check it out: “A Guide to Effective Drum Mixing” Part 1 and Part 2

If you want even more updates on what’s happening in the world of drums, become a fan of the GearPipe – Drum News & Deals Facebook Page.

Get the New GearPipe.com on Your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android Phone

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:16:45 +0000

As you can see, I just freshened up the look of GearPipe. After nearly two and a half years, it was definitely time for a clean sweep. Coming up you’ll see more content, less ads, some exclusive gear giveaways, podcasts, and a lot more.

If you’re one of those trendy hipsters with a smart phone, you can also access GearPipe on your phone in some cool ways.

First, there is now a free iPhone app in the Apple App Store. It’s not fancy, but it pulls in all of the new GearPipe posts right to your phone, with separate categories for each instrument plus contests and giveaways. Again, it’s totally free, so go to the App Store and download it!

If you’re on an Android equipped phone, a BlackBerry, or if you use an iPhone and would rather access GearPipe through the web browser, I’ve also installed a mobile-specific theme to the site. This detects when you’re coming to the website from a phone and serves up a more streamlined version of GearPipe. This seems to work pretty well, but if you get there and see the regular site, scroll down to the bottom of the page and there should be a switch to toggle between the two versions.

Thanks again for being a GearPipe reader!

Pantera Gear Giveaway! Win Signature Pantera Guitar & Drum Stuff

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:26:54 +0000

This is one of the coolest musical instrument giveaways I’ve seen in a long time. Revolver magazine’s January/February issue featured the complete story behind Pantera’s classic Vulgar Display of Power album.

To tie into that great article, they’re giving away a bunch of signature Pantera gear. The winner of this giveaway will receive:

An Affliction Pantera signature series T-shirt
A Dean Dimebag Dimebonics ML electric guitar with case
A Dunlop MXR DD11 Dime distortion pedal
A Dunlop DB01 Dimebag Signature wah pedal
A Seymour Duncan Dimebucker pickup
A DDrum Vinnie Paul Signature Dragon snare

Entry Deadline: March 6, 2010
Get It: Click Here to Enter

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, make sure you follow me on Twitter or become a fan of my Facebook Page.

Percussion Giveaway! Win Tycoon Percussion Gear from Modern Drummer

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:18:26 +0000

I have been running the GearGiveaway365 Facebook Page for about four months, posting a musical instrument giveaway each day. I have to say I’m disappointed in the number of drum and percussion giveaways out there. I could post three guitar giveaways a day. But drums? Maybe that many in a month. I’m thinking about calling some drum manufacturers to see what we can do about the situation, but that’s a story for another day.

In the meantime, thank you Modern Drummer for running a sweet giveaway each month. This month’s contest? A ton of gear from Tycoon Percussion.

What’s up for grabs? Check it:

First Prize: A complete set of the all-new Concerto Series Blue Spectrum congas and matching bongos with stands
Second Prize: 29 Series Acrylic Cajon with bag
Third Prize: 14″ Traditional Series African Djembe
Fourth Prize: Martin Verdonk Signature Series hand-held percussion products: Tri-Egg Shaker, Easy-Shake, High Pitch Swing-Shake, Low Pitch Swing-Shake, Cabasa Shaker, and Las Vegas Tambourines in silver and gold

Entry Deadline: March 31, 2010
Get It: Click Here to Enter

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, make sure you follow me on Twitter or become a fan of my Facebook Page.

How Much Difference Does a Snare Drum Head Really Make?

jeremy@gearpipe.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:45:28 +0000

Can a snare drum head really change the tone of your drum in a discernible way? The short answer: yes. If you’ve ever used a dampening ring, or maybe just a piece of duct tape, you know that you can totally change the sound of your snare (mostly overtones) pretty simply.

This video from Gear Gurus does as good of a job as I’ve seen demonstrating this. They take three of Remo‘s most popular snare heads and do a head to head (pardon the pun…way to easy) comparison, with and without backing music. Check it out to hear the difference between Coated Ambassador, Power Stroke 3, and Coated Controlled Sound snare drum heads.

via Gear Gurus