Pegheds make tuning easier!!  They are geared pegs for violin, viola, cello, viola da gamba etc, and there is no need for fine tuners!

Many lower priced instruments are equipped with badly fitting pegs which make tuning really, really difficult.  And often we are faced by a change in climate conditions -either humidity or dry air and the pegs tighten up.  Ever wonder why cello tailpieces with 4 integral fine tuners have become so common??  People with arthritis and joint problems have trouble shifting their pegs and tuning.

Installation tools include  a peg reamer.  It is not necessary to remove all the strings at the same time to install Pegheds.   Always  measure the peg diameter of your instrument to be sure they are not larger than the available Pegheds.

Pegheds for String Instruments is a post from: Inner Focus Music

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1. Electric Viola Da Gamba
2. Ming Jiang Zhu – Violins, Violas
3. Viola Da Gamba

The Ergo Bass Electric Viola Da Gamba is a special instrument and one that I have been playing live for some time now. It is based on the traditional viola da gamba, a renaissance instrument and has many of the features of these instruments, with a few updates that I felt would be more appropriate for the modern player.

The Ergo Electric Viola Da Gamba features a 27″ scale (similar to the modern cello, and only slightly longer than a instrument bass viol). It has the traditional tied frets and I use the traditional bass viol bow with it. The traditional instrument features gut strings but this modern update comes with standard Super Sensitive Viola Da Gamba strings. (Available from juststrings.com, southweststrings.com) These strings have a synthetic core (much more stable, and long lasting that traditional gut strings, but still with the warm tone of gut, silver wrapped strings that can be ordered from a number of sources online. They can be tuned in the traditional way from low to high D, G, C, e, a, d. I have the seven string version which features a low A string. There are other alternatives for tuning – for example – up a whole step for more familiar bass layout (E, A, D, g, c, f). It is a versatile instrument that requires accurate left handed finger positions and excellent bowing technique – 7 strings!!

The main advantage for me – over the traditional viol is that it can be amplified – and you can use effects with it. The skies the limit in terms of different sounds. I would recomend the use of a high quality amplifier – and not a bass or guitar amp. One that is equipped to handle the full range of this fine instrument.

Electric Viola Da Gamba is a post from: Inner Focus Music

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Ming Jiang Zhu was the winner of 12 international awards including several highly prestigious awards – two Gold Medals in Violin Making [1994 and 2006] and a Silver Award in Viola making [1996] in the Violin Society of America (VSA) Competitions. The VSA has awarded gold medals only to those instruments that were judged highly in both tone and workmanship. He is from KwanDong violin school and won an gold medal in violin making competition. He was featured in a Time magazine article.

The Ming Jiang Zhu violins come in at two price ranges. Ranging from $1500 to $7500 violins. The $7500 one is made directly by Ming Jiang Zhu.

Ming Jiang Zhu violins are quoted as being “well seasoned spruce”, all are “oil antiqued finished”. The higher price model is all European wood, one step down has European spruce and highly-flamed maple.

The VN-350 Artist is the bottom of the line but is a very fine instrument made in the workshop of Ming Jiang Zhu.

The VN-900 is made from European Maple and Spruce and has excellent workmanship. They come well set up and are consistent and are a real good “player” instrument. Ming Jiang Zhu performs about 20% of the work on the high level VN-900 Premium Master instruments.

Ming’s workshop employs about 30 workers. They produce about 40 instruments per month. It is a small workshop of makers under the direct supervision of the master Ming Jiang Zhu. No instrument is sent out without inspection by Ming Jiang Zhu himself. Ming Jiang Zhu performs about 20% of the work on the high level VN-900 Premium Master instruments.

The Ming Jiang Zhu workshop has also produced viola da gambas.

Ming Jiang Zhu – Violins, Violas is a post from: Inner Focus Music

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1. Electric Viola Da Gamba
2. Viola Da Gamba
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Deep, resonant bass response is the essence of this remarkable new instrument. Whether plucked or bowed, the NS Design Omni Bass delivers pure, exciting acoustic and electric bass sounds that can be tailored to compliment virtually any musical style or gig.

The Omni Bass has a highly arched fingerboard and bridge, similar to a cello, to optimize bow articulation. The high arch on the fingerboard fits the human hand, and combines with the round neck profile for a comfortable and natural feel.

The 34″ scale length of the Omni Bass is the same as standard electric bass. Tuned in fourths (EADGC or BEADG), the fingering positions and spacing are identical to the bass guitar, and therefore immediately familiar to any bass player. The Omni Bass can also be tuned in fifths, for fingerings that are more natural for the cellist seeking enhanced bass range.

Dots for each semi-tone cascade across the fingerboard, a unique configuration that provides a clear visual fingering reference. The logical dot pattern is of critical value to the novice player, and an invaluable reference guide for the seasoned pro. Fretted models have conventional bass guitar dot pattern. The Omni Bass is also available as a fretted model.

The multiple sensor NS Polar bridge pickup system has two modes of operation: “arco” and “pizzicato”. This allows the player to optimize bowed response, and to control attack and decay characteristics for plucking. The deep bass and brilliant highs possible with piezo crystal technology give the instrument a beautiful, dynamic, and versatile sound.

Custom designed EMG low impedance magnetic pickups have a smooth response with lots of sweet midrange for the quintessential “electric” tone. Their relatively flat frequency response allows the natural sound of the instrument to project through. Each pickup is individually adjustable and internally shielded an internal preamp system for hum free performance.

Two balance controls allow unlimited mixing options for the magnetic and the dual mode Polar Pickup systems. On-board pre-amplification provides master volume, bass and treble controls. The 18 volt power supply insures plenty of headroom for full dynamics. Polar Pickup systems. On-board pre-amplification provides master volume, bass and treble controls. The 18 volt power supply insures plenty of headroom for full dynamics.

The Boomerang Strap System is standard with the Omni Bass. Two articulated arms and a pivoting hub allow full mobility on stage or in studio. The comfortable Boomerang strap fits over the shoulder just like a guitar, but the adjustable arms allow the instrument to be placed in virtually any position in relation to the hands and body. The Boomerang Strap System allows full mobility for either bowing or plucking.

The optional self-standing Tripod stand provides stable fixed support for the instrument. Virtually any angle can be set whether you prefer standing or sitting. A matching black finish provides a sleek compliment to the instrument.

The optional End Pin stand provides a more upright bass feel. It too is easily adjustable so that the instrument remains evenly balanced without support.

Five strings cover the range of the double bass, bass guitar, and cello.

Steel, aluminum, tungsten, and bronze are combined to make strings that are unusually responsive, with singing highs and a deep low register. These polished low-tension flatwound strings are effortless to play and minimize unwanted finger noise. The bright pizzicato growl provides an authentic acoustic tone, yet these strings deliver plenty of sustain and drive when you need it. Developed in collaboration with D’Addario, these strings are also ideal for bowing. They respond much quicker to the bow than traditional bass strings, so expressive bow technique is easier to develop and maintain. The Omni Bass is designed to accommodate any standard bass guitar string, adding unlimited set up options for musicians who want to explore & create their own unique sound.

Each instrument is hand-made in the Czech Republic to the highest standard by craftsmen steeped in a long tradition of instrument making.

NS Design Omni Bass is a post from: Inner Focus Music

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The viola da gamba is an old instrument that is today making a comback. Check out this information on the instrument. What is a Viola da Gamba will give you some good insights into the history of the instrument. Further information on the Viola da Gamba can be found in this in depth article. Viola da Gamba Society of America The viola da gamba is slowly being introduced into modern music. This had led to the development of new instruments such as the Ruby Gamba which is a modern viola da gamba from the Netherlands Another interesting instrument is the Ergo electric viola da gamba built in the USA. If you are interested in buying a viola da gambait is usually best to shop online as stores that currently carry them are few and far between.

If you are interested in the viola da gamba, check out the movie Tous Les Matins Du Monde. It is a great French movie about the lives of two important players.

Viola Da Gamba is a post from: Inner Focus Music

Related posts:

1. Electric Viola Da Gamba
2. Pegheds for String Instruments
3. Ming Jiang Zhu – Violins, Violas

Picking up where the Akia Headrush E1 left off, the E2 Headrush brings together 16-bit digital delay with times from 0.5ms to an 35 seconds, tape echo simulations with 4 separate heads, and a looping recorder in one pedal.

In addition to offering digital and analog-type delay sounds, user-selectable delay options allow for control of signal output. There are several realtime interval and level adjustment selections as well as feedback level for repeats.

Headrush can also simulate a 4-head analog tape echo machine and it is possible to set the spacing between the virtual heads to create complex multiple delays and repeats. The outputs of each of the virtual heads appear on individual outputs for use with an external mixing console.

The looping mode allows you to record and overdub layers of sound in real-time.

Depending upon which mode is selected, the left switch controls the on/off and play/stop functions while the right switch sets the tap delay time or recording and overdub options. The LED display indicates which effect is in use and blinks in time showing the delay time selected.

Features

• 16-bit digital delay
• 0.5ms to 35 seconds delay times
• Tape echo simulation
• Looping recorder
• Simulated analog delay sound
• Adjustable repeat times
• Mix wet and dry signals to output
• Realtime delay control

Specifications

Modes
NORMAL DELAY, TAPE ECHO and LOOPING

Resolution
16bit

Sample rate
Normal : 44.1kHz, Extend: 29.4kHz

Maximum time
Delay: 23.8 seconds
Tape Echo: 5.9 seconds
Looping:
Normal : 23.8 seconds, 11.9 seconds overdub
Extend: 35.6 seconds, 17.8 seconds overdub

Controls
LEVEL, HF DAMP, FEEDBACK, TIME COARSE/TIME, TIME FINE/HEAD GAP, RATIO

Switches
MODE SELECT, LOOP LEVEL, LOOP TIME, Footswitch x 2

LEDs
MODE x 3, EFFECT ON/OFF x1, TEMPO x1

Connections
Input: jack. Input impedance 500kOhms or more

Outputs: Mix, Effect/Head 1, Heads 2-4: _”jack x 5, output impedance 1kOhms or less

9V DC in (160mA)

Options
AC adaptor (MP9-III)

Dimensions & Weight
5.51” (W) x 7.22” (D) x 2.56” (H) / 140mm (W) x 183.5mm (D) x 65mm (H)
2.535lbs (1.15kg)

Akai Headrush Looper is a post from: Inner Focus Music

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