Budget bass
String basses of quality have rarely, if ever, come cheap. With the Primavera range, however, new standards have been set. This Prima 50 quality Chinese instrument comes in both the Gamba and Violin shapes and has a laminated spruce top with laminated maple back and sides. Along with the ebony fingerboard and top-nut, the Prima 50 also carries a maple bridge with brass height adjusters. Included in the price of £800 is a wooden bow with an ebony frog and a padded carrying case with straps. Fit a set of Dominants and it even sings.

Hear Shew’s trumpet
Yamaha continue to extend their trumpet range with the 8310 Z a very lightweight handmade instrument based on the model developed in collaboration with Bobby Shew. Manufactured with the jazz player in mind, a new and unique bell-making process gives it not only a powerful high register with enhanced projection but remarkably also offers the player the opportunity to “hear” what’s coming through.  

Three synths in one
The Korg company has recently come up with the new OASYS (open architecture synthesis studio). With three synthesizers in one, the system seamlessly unites audio recording, midi sequencing, CD burning, second generation Karma and much more under a single intuitive interface. Incorporated into the system are an extraordinary 1,152 programs and 384 combinations. It’s available in a 76-key synth action and an 88-key model offering Korg’s top-of-the-line RH2 weighted hammer graded action.

Elegant frets
New from JHS’ “vintage” guitar line is the elegant ‘Brooklyn’, a full 17-inch semi with a solid spruce top and laminated maple back and sides. Modelled on the D’Aquisto, it has an adjustable rosewood bridge and tailpiece, and carries a single floating pick up with volume and tone controls on the rosewood pick guard. Acoustically there is plenty of volume with good tonal qualities. But you’ll probably want to replace the pick up to achieve better balance.   

Acoustic vibe
The Full Circle bass pickup is the latest from the Fishman fold. Encased in a sturdy aluminium height adjuster wheel, it offers an accurate and transparent acoustic vibe, whether it’s a big fat punchy sound, full voiced arco or slap. The fine tuning feature successfully allows the player to choose between an open resonant response and a drier amplified tone.  

Deep in the cymbal vault
The Artisan Ride is the latest addition to Sabian’s new Vault collection. Cited as the ultimate traditional cymbal, it’s “high-density” hand hammering enhances the tonal complexities, equipping it with a truly unique and individual sound. Not only does it have a glassy and well-defined stick "click", but the piercing bell and a great crash capability make this bronze beater almost sizzle with heat. Available in 20" and 22" light and medium models, there’s only going to be a limited number hammered annually.

Copyright control
Under UK law, creative work must be registered before it can be protected from theft. The website icreateditfirst.com offers a new way for musicians to register their copyrights cheaply and easily. This online service will time-stamp and securely store your work, including multiple drafts if necessary, and offers a month’s trial for free.

David Gallant