Electric Strings Monthly
Circulation: 1305
Ask Andy:
Fitting Octave Strings
Editorial:
Andy
Design&Production:
Andy
Administration:
Andy
Finance:
Little
Advertising:
This is it
Marketing:
Please tell someone
Correspondence:
20 Brewers Wharf, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24
1ET, U.K.
Telephone:
(44)(0)1636 677416
If you would like to contribute to this newsletter with details about new products, new music or just news, then please send me an email.
Although this newsletter is light-hearted in it's style
please note that the content is copyrighted and remains the property of Andy Holliman,
Achieve Instruments. No part of the contents may be reproduced, in print or electronically
(except for your own personal use) or stored in an information retrieval system or
workshop or bathroom without the prior permission of the author.
In Previous Ask Andys:
#1-Do I need a
Preamp?
#2-What wood is best?
#3-LR Baggs Para DI Box
#4-Strings fitting & Octave
#5-Bow Bugs
#6-Anti Virus Software
#7-All about Midi and Zeta
#8-Amplifiers
#9-Effect
Pedals
#10-Earths and Hums
#11-Octave Violin Strings
#12-Silent Violins
#13-Not a lot
Welcome to newsletter number 14. I hope you
like it. If you do, please tell others, if you don't, please tell me.
It is my endeavour to be
completely fair in the things that I write or tell you from these pages. If you feel that
I have voiced anything that is inaccurate or unfair, please let me know. Lots of things to
tell you so let's get on with it...
If
you would like me to publish details about any of your equipment or products then please
send me some information.
This
has been a very difficult and expensive month. Most of you who are reading this will be
fiddle players or makers but because you are reading it 'on the net' you are also computer
users. So allow me to digress for a moment from violins, wood and pickups and talk about
'Acts of God'!
Three weeks ago we had a storm in Newark, nothing too exciting, lots of rain a few cracks
of thunder and some lightening. When I came home from town I found that the storm had
tripped my electricity off. Nothing too unusual - this often happens. I powered up my PC
(which I always switch off) and tried to connect to the internet.
My
Modem could not make a connection. It was giving some very odd messages. I checked it out
and tried a few things but couldn't get it working. So I unplugged the wires and took the
PC base unit down to my local PC repair 'expert'. On his shop floor were 11 other PC base
units!!
'What
are all these here for?' I asked.
'They
all got hit by the electrical storm' he said.
'Oh'
said I sensing that this was not going to be an easy problem to fix.
To
cut a long story short it turns out that even if you power off your PC but still leave the
Modem cable plugged into the wall socket, an electric strike can harm your system.
We
fitted a new modem and driver, but the system would not work, we reinstalled Dial Up
Networking software again - no good, we rebuilt the operating system - no good. We believe
that not only did the modem board break down but also the computer's mother board.
I
now have a completely new PC and have spent the last week re-installing all of my
software.
If
you sent me an email and I have not replied then I am sorry but my last download of emails
got destroyed. Write to me again and I will do my best to help.
The
morale of the story is - disconnect your telephone cable when you power off your PC.
Then
when I had everything back up and running I was delayed for 4 weeks in being able to
update my web site. A totally separate problem. Somehow the host site I use decided to
change my access keywords without telling me!! Hey ho. these things happen, but they
shouldn't. Computer people often pass off their own 'cock-ups' as 'never mind Mr.
customer, these things happen' - such is the age of technology and where the one eyed king
is master.
Now
to other matters...
Dave
Bramhall has sent details of his web site called: http://www.paythepiper.co.uk/
Here you will find lots of information that would be useful to you if you are thinking of
buying a musical instrument for the first time and need to get some really basic advice.
It has lots of useful information that will also suit parents as well. It doesn't have any
information of electric strings, relying instead on pointing visitors to my pages. Thanks
Dave.
Some
of you may know that Zeta have a monthly newsletter. Apart from hearing
about new Zeta products and special offers you can also get information on some of their
star players. Of particular note is Virtuoso violinist JEAN-LUC PONTY who
has just released his first new solo studio album in seven years, entitled LIFE ENIGMA..
The pioneering jazz and rock musician is issuing LIFE ENIGMA, which he composed,
engineered and produced, on his own label through his JLP Productions Inc. PONTY says LIFE
ENIGMA is a return to the musical style he perfected during his decade-long stint with
Atlantic Records, including his two most commercially popular albums, 1977's ENIGMATIC
OCEAN and 1978's COSMIC MESSENGER. A world tour is planned to promote LIFE ENIGMA and it
is scheduled to begin in October, 2001. Visit JEAN-LUC PONTY'S website at http://www.ponty.com or sign up to the Zeta
newsletter at http://www.zetamusic.com/
Are
you aware that Zeta are now supplying Acoustic guitars, electric guitars and a Zeta
Mandolin!
The
Zeta Acoustic Pro mandolin is a professional quality instrument designed especially for
use in amplified performances where a traditional acoustic mandolin is needed. A
top-quality and versatile electric-acoustic mandolin, the Acoustic Pro is adaptable to
diverse playing styles and delivers true acoustic tone without feedback problems.
The Acoustic Pro mandolin takes full advantage of the E-Series pickup's
traditional maple bridge design to deliver a beautiful amplified acoustic sound with
warmth and clarity even in high volume situations.
Unique among acoustic-electric mandolins, the Acoustic Pro features a specially designed
internal preamp system that increases the power of the pickup signal. This high-tech
innovation provides a wide range of amplification flexibility, supporting a variety of
tonal characteristics suitable to diverse playing techniques and styles of music. An
internal 9-volt battery provides over 1,000 hours of service on average.
The Acoustic Pro mandolin features an F-5 style solid wood body with carved top and back
and white binding with a beautiful vintage burst finish. It’s lightweight and durable
and perfect for the professional mandolin player.
News
from NS Design:
Two new stands are now available for the NS Cello – an EndPin Stand and the Shoulder
Strap system. Both stands use the same threaded bolt attachment as the Tripod Stand in
securing the NS Cello.
Made of
black-dyed ash, the new height-adjustable EndPin Stand allows the NS Cello to rest against
the player like an acoustic instrument. The
stand has a knee support that mimics the lower body bout shape of an acoustic cello, as
well as an adjustable chest support located where the back of the acoustic cello contacts
the player’s body.
A new Shoulder Strap System for the NS Cello is also made of black-dyed ash and maple. It
supports the NS Cello at a comfortable height and distance from the body, allowing for
easy bowing or plucking. The NS Cello can even be positioned at a nearly horizontal
position like that of a guitar. Two strap buttons allow the attachment of a black nylon
strap; any similar guitar-style strap can be used. Check out www.NedSteinberger.com for further information.
Previous
Articles:
Pickups:
http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issues/strings83/Longmkt.shtml
Ithaca:
http://ithacastring.com/articles.html
Violin
Making:
http://guitarplans.co.uk/
Soft
Cases:
http://www.soundwear.com/ and http://www.dimbath.de/
Web
Site Changes
The Electric Strings Database
When
you go back to my site and click on the database it now displays a simple list of every
maker. I decided to get rid of the database application as it was too slow. You can scroll
through the list or you can type Ctrl F and use your explorer's Find function to locate a
particular maker, country, instrument etc. Like a lot of things simplicity is often the
best solution. I hope it gives you what you want.
New
Pictures
This
month I have found a new maker in Italy called, Labio. They make electric
violins, violas and cellos. Their web site is at:
http://www.eziadilabio.it/inglese/home.htm
Their
instruments have been added to the gallery.
New
Links
No new links this month
The
Electric Violin Book
I
understand that the Electric Violin book is available from Amazon, however I have also
found out that they are quoting that it is 'Out of Print'. This is not true, the publisher
has lots of copies still in stock. So if you are having difficulty getting a copy, please
click here and contact the publisher direct: http://users.netmatters.co.uk/holliman/Fah100.html#Book
New
Music
I
will use this section to inform you of new music that I have been introduced to that
features electric violin. So if you have something to contribute to this column, please
let me know the details.
Mary Lou Newmark ( http://www.greenangelmusic.com/
) and
Stuart Wyatt (http://www.solostring.com/)
Alex Papadiamantis (http//www.geocities.com/almant2)
For
Sale and Wanted
I
have contacts for the following:
- A Zeta Jazz 4
string, white, 4 years old
- A Zeta Strados
Modern SV24-MOL (MIDI and standard output) and a Synthony II ZMC 200, both of these are as
new, bought in March this year. Fully guaranteed till March 2002. As new list price would
be £3360, but to you for £2800 o.n.o.
If
you are interested please give me a call and I will put you in touch with the owners.
Forums
You
now have access to:
Zeta's Online Users Forum - For existing Zeta users.
Stuart Wyatt's Solostrings - For electric fiddle players
Kyle Aaron's Fiddle Forum - For both electric and acoustic players
Mark O'Connor's Forum - For all sorts
of fiddling styles
Ask
Andy
I
am often asked, 'Why do things cost so much in the U.K.?' Well, by way of an example let
me tell you a story...
I
had to get 2 pegs from a US supplier. I couldn't get them in the U.K. so I had no option
but to order them. This is how the cost worked out:
Cost
of pegs $29.36
Shipping to the UK by UPS $38.98
Total cost $68.34 which equals £47.13
But
then..
UK
Customs Duty £2.71
UK Import Tax £11.95
UPS Surcharge £10.00
Therefore
the total cost to me was £71.79 which equals $104.00!!!
Bear in mind that I purchased the 2 pegs at trade price.
The
moral of this story is, don't buy very cheap items and have them posted to you by a
shipping company, be patient and use standard postal services.
If
you are thinking of buying something from another country, don't forget the tax and duty
charges and any extra shipping charges.
Best
wishes
Andy
H
Any suggestions for future discussions, Click to Email me
Bye
for now,
Andy
Holliman
Achieve Instruments:
Chief Designer, Paint Sprayer, Varnish
Consultant, Marketing Manager, Receptionist, Secretary, Web Designer, Tea Boy and
Newsletter Editor.
Links from around the World
The Electric Violin Book
The Only book on Electric Bowed Stringed Instruments in the World
The new Zeta Mandolin
NS Design End Pin Stand
NS Design Shoulder Strap