GEAR ROUND UP
Token Flatpicks
OWC StudioStack Thunderbolt 5 New Martin Era Treated Acoustic Guitar strings
A pick company that has been gaining popularity in the past years is Token, founded in Petaluma, California. The company offers three different types of material Amber( translucent) No. 1, Tan No. 2 and Green No. 3. Number one and two and made from virgin US made polyetherimide and number three picks are created from USmade polyamide-imide. Token are designed in four different shapes also. A is the larger triangle shape, B is the small triangle, C is the two-round( meaning the top corners) and D is the all-round( all of the corners are rounded.) Token sent us a sampling of all of the picks and each one plays and sounds differently. The A and B models worked especially well with guitar and the amber translucent picks played fast and brought out the mids. These would be ideal for flat pickers. The C shape was closer to a traditional pick shape but with added bevels. The D pick worked best for mandolin or alternative instruments. Token pick prices range from $ 22 to $ 35 dollars each and they offer thicknesses from 1.14mm to 1.52mm. If you have been searching for a boutique pick that plays and sounds different give Token a try! www. tokenmade. com
Other World Computing, better known as OWC, has been creating products, interfaces and computer storage hardware for creators like us since 1988. Their latest update of the StudioStack Thunderbolt 5 stackable storage is off the hook with storage space and connectivity capabilities. If you’ re like me recording music, writing articles or editing video or audio for my shows we constantly need more storage space and be able to access it fast! OWC Thunderbolt 5 storage is housed in an aluminum chassis and has 1TB of fast NVMe storage and 6TB of HDD space for a total of 7TB in one unit. Connectivity includes 3 x USB 3.2 10Gbs and 4 x USB-C ports. It is designed for Macs but can be reformatted for PC computers also. Access files at up 6302MB / S speed to match your Mac Studios internal SSD system. The Thunderbolt 5 has a built-in cooling fan and LED to reflect white for powered up, blue for linked, and flashing green for HDD and NVMe activity. The OWC StudioStack Thunderbolt 5 is designed to be added on to and stacked for more capacity and includes a power supply and an OWC Thunderbolt cable certified at 0.3M. Priced at $ 759.99 the OWC StudioStack Thunderbolt 5 stackable storage is state of the art and designed to handle and protect all of your most important content and give you access fast. Major music studios in Nashville, TN are making OWC the go to for all of their audio storage needs. Visit their website for other desk and portable storage needs and interfaces to maximize your computer. www. owc. com
At the winter NAMM show Martin guitars rolled out some impressive new instruments we will be covering in the upcoming year, but they also launched new guitar strings. Martin Era Treated Acoustic guitar strings are aimed at guitar players seeking longer life and tone from their strings. The Era strings are phosphor bronze and are coated with Martin’ s patented Lifespan treatment to stave off corrosion. I installed a set the Era strings on one of my acoustic guitars and noticed a definite increase in the mid and high frequency when playing the guitar. The strings didn’ t have a coated feel and the Lifespan treatment didn’ t dampen any of the notes or strings at all. Martin Era strings are currently available in the classic version in Custom Light 11-52( my favorite), Light 12-54, and Medium 13-56. They also offer the Artist Light – Jason Isbell Signature Strings which have red silk wrapped ball ends and a traditional SP core for his sound. All of the Martin Era treated acoustic guitar strings are priced at $ 17.99 for a pack of six. If you’ re a fan of Martin acoustic strings on your instruments I think you will like the Era strings even better for their tone and increased longevity. Martin Era strings are designed to protect your tone and playability from the wear and tear of humidity, sweat and dirt! www. martinguitar. com
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