Crysta's Top NAMM Picks

July, 15, 1998

Okay! The recent NAMM show brought a few new products to the music industry. I have compiled a list of items that I believe are the best products for the money. I didn't say they were the best on the market but best for the money.
The DOD TEC line is a really good buy if you are not looking for a large number of effects. The TEC4X retails at $159.00, BassTEC at $189.95, AcousTEC at $199.95, and the VoTEC at $199.95. These products will be shipping in August. This is the best single effects unit at the show.
In the amplifier area I found two lines that went way beyond what was expected. These two lines are Tech 21 and Crate. Tech 21, being a much smaller company than Crate, gets a great deal of respect from me. The Tech 21 BTM600 is a 600-watt, 2-channel Bass Head. As always, the guys at Tech 21 have produced a product that is no comparison with others in that price range. Retail on this head is $1195.00. Channel one on this unit is similar to the Bass Driver DI and channel two is similar to the Acoustic DI. Some of the features include an effects loop, tuner out, heavy duty neutrik "speak-on" connectors, and a SansAmp direct XLR out with a ground lift. Also available from Tech 21 is the B410 cabinet, which lists for $699.00. There is an optional footswitch with Channel Select, Channel Mix and Mute for tuning.
Crate showed an upgrade of an existing amp line. The new Crate GFX line is a great buy in the retail price range of $179.00-$349.00. All three of the amps in this line have a built-in digital reverb, delay, flange, chorus, and multi-effects unit. This series includes the GFX15, GFX20, and the GFX30.
The new Audio-Technica AT4060 Cardiod (Unidirectional) tube mic is just outstanding. The tubes are pre-aged to give the mic a mellow and smooth tone. This mic can withstand high SPL (sound pressure level) of up to 150dB. Yeah, I am impressed by that fact as well. It retails for $1695.00. For a good tube mic, you can't find a better deal.

Kawai MP9000
The Kawai MP9000 is the keyboard that I rate the Best of Show. This keyboard is an 88 wooden key, Kawai enhanced, AWA Grand action, velocity sensing, 64 voice, harmonic imaging monster. Retailing at $2195.00, this item will put Kawai on top of the industry when people begin to look at their other lines as well.
For the lighting guys, I have to recommend the American DJ Fearsome 4/II. This system of lighting comes with four units (1 master and 3 slaves), sound activated with chase programs. More than one unit can be used at one time. I saw this piece in the booth at NAMM and it would be great for a club install or for any DJ that wants more than just the standard spotlight effect. Retail on this unit is $239.00.
The American Showster Company had some very interesting guitars. Shaped like a Harley Davidson gas tank and the side of a '57 Chevy--named the "Icepick" and "HotRod", respectively--this company went away from the standard shapes. While playing one of the Harleys, I found the action and playability to be very low and fast. For guitarists who are tired of seeing their guitar on the cover of every magazine and want something that no one else has, check these guys out at www.showster.com. Retail on their instruments are between $599.00 and $749.00.
Schecter really came out strong this year with a new lower-end line. The Diamond Series really are diamonds. I got a chance to speak directly to those who know the most about Schecter. What I love most about them is the fact that they truly love their product and want everyone to know what they have. I find this so refreshing for one reason: while at the NAMM show, most people have an attitude of "this is the best thing going--hand over your wallet." These guys worry more about quality than anything else. The Diamond Series line is priced between $599.00-$749.00. The price includes a Diamond Series padded gig bag.
For those of you who have a computer (if you are reading this you probably do), the DeComposer may be the item that you need to learn that lick that has eluded you for so long. This product removes any instrument from a digital audio file. It's too long for me to explain here so check them out at www.replayinc.com.
Even though I have only mentioned about nine items, there were, as always, many other things that were beyond what was expected. Taylor Guitars, Martin Guitars, Gibson, Pearl Drums, Crown, Studiomaster showed strong and didn't leave the customers behind.
As always, feel free to drop me a line. I haven't been able to check my e-mail for about 5 days while in Nashville. Needless to say that I will have to spend a week in seclusion with my computer to read them all but hey, pile it on me, I can take it.
Fondest of Regard
Crysta

About Crysta
I am a 25 year old female in the industry--one of a few that has been allowed to enter the circle of men that consume the industry. I believe that I have only run into less than 3 women that run there own vintage brokerage. Many women work in this industry but have lacked the audacity to push through the stereotypes and forge their way through to being a force in the industry. I feel that my collectors and the others that come to me for assistance do so not because of my gender, but for my frankness. A mistake is just that, in any language, or however put. The key is not to dwell on it, but in fact to learn from it. I work in a retail environment in Eastern Virginia. The Company that I work is a large umbrella that covers several of the area's in which I hope to answer question about. We have a retail store for instruments, PA equipment etc., a Recording studio, a Record Store where you can buy, sell, or trade c.d.'s and the local bands use it as a place to sell their tape's, we do band promotion and bookings, a vintage instrument brokerage, etc. We are all "Music Junkie's". I have some years in the business. You see the ups and down's, the ins and out's and most of all, you feel the mistakes. E-mail me with any questions that you feel need to be addressed.

DOD TEC4X

Audio-Technica AT4060

American DJ Fearsome 4/II

American Showster Hotrod

Schecter Diamonds Series