Mass Resonator

We’ve got some great gear in the store this month - here’s what’s been capturing our attention most!

John Flynn - The new Grosh 357 Humbucking pickups.
In guitars now, coming in the next 2 weeks as a replacement single or set. This is the best humbucking pickup I have ever heard. Slightly higher output than a traditional PAF but with all the sweet richness of a vintage Les Paul pickup.

Also: Eastman 312ce. Bargain of the century. A really good sounding guitar that competes with instruments costing far more. Not only does it sound fantastic but it is correctly built with spot-on intonation and great action. I bought one of these myself.

Eastman 312ce - one of the best deals in the store right now

Jim Baggett - D-18 Authentic

This guitar was purchased new from Mass St Music by a customer who has owned several 30s and earlier guitars…and recently returned to us for sale sounding even more impressive due to a few years of playing. It’s in Near Mind condition. Very nice!

Jim Baggett's favorite this month, a used Martin D-18 Authentic

Matthew Khomsi - Collings D1VSB

This is the most resonant sounding acoustic I have ever heard.  The innovative removal of the tongue brace makes the top resonate more than normal and wow can you hear the difference!  Furthermore, the Vintage Now neck is loads of fun to play and let’s face it, Collings has the best burst finish making this guitar my absolute top pick.

The Collings D1V Sunburst...beautiful sound, beautiful looks

Jason Jones - Seuf OF20F 12 String

This is a great looking, great sounding 12-string electric that is perfectly set up and intoned. The Fralin pickups are a perfect compliment to the 12 string sound. Super cool!

Jason's pick this month, the Seuf OF20F 12 String

Repair Shop - Josh Baldridge - Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster

At 7 pounds, this guitar is not for Kate Moss, but as Jazzmasters go, it is lighter than most. To be honest, I like this guitar for its looks alone. The cream on tortoise on black definitely contributes to the “Classic” part if its name…as for the “Player”, this version has a major difference in the bridge design. The solid tunematic allows for more aggressive playing without worrying about bridge moving around on you (a common issue with the traditional floating bridge).  A 25-1/2″ is longer than standard Jazzmasters and gives it the string tension of a Strat or Tele. The construction quality is great and all together this makes a solid gigging axe for only $799. If you are wanting a Jazzmaster this should be at the top of your list.

Repair Shop's Josh Baldridge says this is the coolest...

Brian Soden - Dr. Z Prescription Junior Head

This amp provides a perfect platform for overdrive pedals and effects. There isn’t a pedal that I’ve ever plugged into with this amp that didn’t sound good! Of course, if you’re looking for real tube distortion, this head has an awesome, rich break up that can be dialed back volume-wise with the built in attenuator. Whichever direction you’re going, this thing will do it with flying colors!

Brian's pick is the Dr Z Rx Junior Head

Anne Tangeman - Collings I-35 Deluxe

This is perfection, plain and simple.

This Collings I-35 takes my breath away

Isaac Flynn - T.C. Electronic Nova Repeater

This offers six different types of delay, and they all sound incredible! The pedal is easy to use, and it’s incredibly affordable. As soon as I played this pedal, I knew I had to make room for it on my board.

Tim Nelson - Collings SJ Cutaway

The SJ model beautifully showcases the impressive fit and finish quality from one of our favorite builders, Collings Guitars. The killer bridge shape, inlay work, and the bound fretboard and peghead all work together to create a stellar and unique look without going over the top.  A tortoise bound peghead and fretboard are especially attractive from Collings because of the way they set it off with nice subtle purfling line. I have always liked these guitars in Mahogany and I really like the sound of this one. It has good balance from top to bottom.

Tim's favorite, the Collings SJ Cutaway

Matt Christenot - Seuf OF20F

This guitar is extremely resonant and feather Iight. l liked it so much that I tried to buy it, but my wife shut me down…I mean then I changed my mind.

Chucho - Gator Hybrid Acoustic Case

While Chucho has a hard time toting this one around as he’s only 13″ tall, he says it’s feather light for people to carry and offers great protection with its hybrid design of outer gig bag and plush inner hard case.

Clapton Quest ticket winner Doug Lockwood with his wife Linda at the show

(Our Clapton Quest Contest ticket winner Doug Lockwood sent this great review of the Clapton Kansas City show to us!)

Thanks go out to Mass Street Music for the amazing opportunity to see Eric Clapton in concert last night at the Sprint Center. I have seen Clapton in concert before, but last night was one of his best performances by far.

As I’m sure you know, Roger Daltry was the opening act and took the audience on a one-hour nostalgic tour of the glory days of British invasion rock. He may have lost a bit of vocal range but has not lost any showmanship. His band did a very fine job of creating the other components of the familiar Who sound.

After a short break for stage reset, Professor Clapton strolled calmly to center stage and commenced his clinic on how to play guitar. His non-stop 1 1/2 hour performance left no one doubting his superior musical talents. His first segment had him weaving his rock magic by way of his very familar Fender Stratocaster. He then shifted gears behind an Eric Clapton Signature Martin acoustic, with which he enthralled all of us with a fine selection of blues and ballads (including a wonderfully mellow version of “Layla”). For his final segment, he returned to his Fender magic wand and brought the crowd to its feet for a series of his career classics. He ended his set with “Cocaine”, which had the entire crowd joining in the musical euphoria. He returned for a one song encore and left a very grateful audience with the same grace he entered … making us all feel honored to have shared the evening with a true legend.

This fantastic gift package with great seats came just 2 1/2 weeks after my birthday, so thanks for making this year one of my best.  - Doug Lockwood

We’re very happy to the great Steve Kaufman return April 15-17 for two workshops and a concert! Steve is the only 3-time winner of Winfield’s famed National Flatpicking Championship and in addition to being a phenomenal player, he’s an exceptional teacher! He’s authored many books and DVDs, but the best way to appreciate Kaufman is in person. We’re excited to have him back for a Mandolin Workshop, his famous “2 Day, 8-Hour, All-Level Guitar Workshop” AND an intimate concert here at Mass Street Music. Check out the following schedule of Kaufman events - click on event for details and ticket info. Tix are available online and in the store. We hope you can join us for this entertaining and educational weekend!!

Kaufman’s Mandolin Workshop - Thursday, April 15, 6:30-9 pm

Kaufman’s Guitar Workshop - ‘2 Day, 8-Hour, All-Level’ - Fri., April 16, 7-9 pm & Sat., April 17, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Kaufman in Concert - Saturday, April 17, 7:30 pm

Our good friend Scott Tichenor at mandolincafe.com stopped by last week and let us have a gander at this incredible Eastman David Grisman Signature Series Lyon & Healy mandola prototype (Eastman DGM3). He also let me have a go at it with my camera - have a look…

Eastman's third foray into recreating Grisman's instruments - Lyon & Healy Mandola

This is the third instrument in their Grisman Signature Series, with Eastman very skillfully replicating one of his instruments for a short run.  Our owner Jim Baggett loved this mandola. It’s a real beauty and sounds wonderful.  For more info and a hands-on review, check out Scott’s take on it at mandolincafe.com. We’ve not received word on availability right now, but these are very limited.  If you’re interested, please give us a call at 1-800-747-9980 or drop us a line at info@massstreetmusic.com.  In the meantime, enjoy the photos.  Thanks for sharing Scott!

Check out the great article on this classic 1932 Martin D-28 written by our esteemed founder and co-owner Jim Baggett for  the latest issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine…nice!

Art House Studio

There’s a new joint venture between Mass Street Music’s own John Flynn, Isaac Flynn, Matt C and studio engineer Jim Barnes  -  The Art House. It’s  an innovative recording studio located near the heart of downtown Lawrence.  The Art House is much more than just a recording studio however, it’s an arts collective housing visual artists, filmmakers and music teachers, including veteran Mass St Musician Eric Mardis.  So far the reviews have been outstanding.

Between now and April 1st Art House has an introductory recording rate of $250/day, including engineer fees. After April 1st the rates will be $350/day, engineer fee included.  If you’re into home recording Art House will be offering classes.  Having trouble recording  your own drums, or doing your final mix down?  You can even partner with them - they’ll record your drums, you record the rest and then Art House will  mix it down.  More info on Art House can be found  in this great  Lawrence Journal-World article.

You can also check out samples of their work at www.myspace.com/thearthouselawrence.  Interested in booking or more info? Contact Matt C at arthouselawrence@gmail.com, or call 785-220-7195.  Congrats guys!!

We’re giving away a pair of tickets to see Eric Clapton in Kansas City on Wednesday, March 3 at the Sprint Center! But we’re not just giving them away….we’re having a Clapton Quest contest. Starting this Monday, Feb. 22, we’ll post details on how to enter to win the tickets. The contest will run through Sunday, Feb. 28 with the winner announced on Monday, March 1. Whether you visit the website or walk into the store, you’ll have a chance to win with no purchase required. Check our store site, Facebook, Twitter, or this blog on Monday, Feb. 22 at noon for all the details! This is gonna be fun…