Want more control over your DAW software? Lemme guess…you’re on a budget too? We have the solution for you;  the PreSonus FaderPort!

The FaderPort allows you to automate volume, panning, and other DAW software features. In addition to these features, you can also use the transport functions to quickly and easily navigate your tracks.

Want that perfect fade-out for your song? The FaderPort has a 100mm long-throw fader designed to make even small changes a breeze. Control the levels of your mix like never before, with the ability to control entire groups of tracks with just one fader!

To top it all off, a group of ‘window selection’ buttons allow you to instantly change between project, mixing, and transport windows.

Come check out the FaderPort by PreSonus today!

Tired of cover bands? Tired of thrash? Tired of DJs? Do you want to hear original, catchy rock, full of driving riffs, infectious rhythms, catchy choruses and memorable melodies?

Come and check out Oahu-based rock band Kilroy live on stage at Easy Music Center King St. this Saturday, Feb 27 3:30 – 4:30.

KILROY will be playing ALL Fender gear throughout the hour. Stratocasters, Telecasters, Hot Rod Deville Tube Amps….You name it, they’ll be using it right before your eyes and ears as a special Fender promotion day! Easy Music willl be offering discounts on all Fender items throughout the day. There may even be some other giveaways!

The new Marshall MA100c is an all-tube 100 watt combo with two channels, independent EQ and an effects loop. Check it out today!

Check out what we just got back in stock! New Ace bags for your tubs! I was really surprised as to how stiff and solid these padded bags are.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The products range from 299 for their most basic package up to about 699 for the one we have on this video.  Hawaii is a tough place to find a good place to practice and rehearse.  A jamhub solves that problem.  When introducing yourself to the neighbors gets you introduced to your neighborhood policeman, GET A JAMHUB!!!!  The Pearl City store should have one of these set up soon as well!  Check it out.  Jam on it with your friends.

Hey Everyone!! We are having a clearance on a bunch of select items including these Guild Acoustic guitars! From top left to bottom right we have the Guild GAD-JF30-12 (12-string guitar), Guild D-50 Bluegrass Special, Guild F-40 Ice Tea Burst, and the front and back of the Guild GAD-F40 w/Fishman Pickup (one of my favorites). Come check us out at Easy Music Pearl City and check out all our clearance items!

Paul

My personal guitar’s fretboard

Hello readers!  I’m back to tell you about one of my favorite and slightly strange guitar features/modifications, also presenting to you the pro’s and con’s (in my opinion) of this subject.  This feature/modification is something that is called a scalloped fretboard.  What that means is that in between the frets on the bare wood that your finger tips would usually touch the wood is “scooped” out so that your finger makes little to no contact with the fretboard like the photo above ^.  Unusual, yes but only to the guitar.  Scalloped fretboards are not uncommon on ancient instruments like the sitar and the lute which predate the advent of the modern metal fret wire.

A profile view of the fretboard

Now we will move on to the pro’s and con’s of a scalloped fretboard…

PROS

1. More control – With the scalloped fretboard the way it is you are allowed greater contact with the surface area of the string, meaning that even subtle movements can create an even bigger impact on the string.

2. Bends are easier, as is vibrato – Following the more control line, your finger has more grip so you can really “dig in” with bends and get really wide and dramatic vibrato.  Also the chances of the string slipping from under your finger and making that sproiinngg!! are noticeably reduced with the use of a scalloped fretboard.

3.  The perceived pressure to fret is reduced – I really don’t know why but but it feels like a whole lot less pressure is required from me, so I think it is a pro.  If you can figure out why, please do tell me!

On to the…

CONS

1. The closer to the nut you get, the harder it is to properly fret a string – This spawns from the fact that when you press down onto a string it will come into contact with two frets or the nut.  So when the spacing gets wider between frets the tension gets looser.  That means it gets easier to fret TOO hard and your not will be out of tune even if your guitar is in tune on the open strings.

2. You instantly become an Yngwie wannabe – Okay, so I admit I like Yngwie Malmsteen and got the idea to get a guitar with a scalloped fretboard from his guitars.  Unfortunately the scalloped fretboard has become type cast as shredder’s field of dreams… or whatever. Not another possible option to broaden your playing horizons which is unfortunate.

3. Bar chords become your enemy – Bar chords become really really hard as a result of the scalloped fretboard.  The reason why is because there is nothing to support your finger so uneven pressure is exerted onto the strings resulting in an “exotic?” sounding bar chord.

(This next one is a personal observation so it might not hold entirely true)

4.  Frets wear faster – I think this happens because the lack of a fret board to act as a back stop thus all pressure is exerted upon the fret in conjunction with bends and vibrato the life span of a fret is greatly reduced.

A guitar I scalloped by hand

So you want a scalloped fretboard?

The first thing you do is…Try one out!  Scallops can be costly so before taking the jump make sure you like it.  If you do like it then there are a few options.

Buy a guitar pre scalloped – There are various signature models available with scalloped necks out at the moment so you could buy one if you are so inclined.

Pay a professional luthier to do it to a pre-existing guitar – The cost can vary between luthiers but results may vary also.

D.I.Y. – A good hand file, some painters tape, and some elbow grease works well and a good way to try a scalloped guitar if you have a junk neck to experiment on.

Buy an aftermarket neck – there are various online retailers who offer necks that that come scalloped or with a scalloped option.

So I hope with this information I have enlightened you to the world of scalloped fretboards and you now see this as another possible path to guitar enlightenment.

Hello friends! We have the new Fender American Special Stratocaster in stock at the Pearl City store! For those who haven’t heard, the Fender American Special Series is Fender’s answer to our uncertain economic times. So, to offer you a better Strat with more features and a lower price, they created the Special Series!

Now, just what makes them so ’special’? For starters, we have a Gloss Urethane finish.This makes the guitar shine in a beautiful way, much like the American Standard series.  In addition to a superb gloss finish, the guitar now comes with Texas Special pickups.  These pickups offer a wider range of tonal qualities than those found on the Highway One series of American Strats.  Other amenities include a 70’s style headstock for fatter tone, and a deluxe gig bag to top it all off!

So if you’re in the market for an awesome American Stratocaster and want to save alot of dough, check out the new Fender American Special Stratocaster down at Easy Music Center!