Latin Percussion has launched its Barriles De Bomba, traditional drums that have been used for more than 400 years in Puerto Rican folkloric music. Available in two sizes, the higher-pitch Primo or Subidor is played as the lead drum to follow the dancers, and the larger Buleador is used to provide a steady, hypnotic rhythm. The 26-inch-tall Barriles are constructed from two-ply Siam oak with natural rawhide heads fitted using traditional rims. They feature decorative metal bands reminiscent of traditional drums from the island.
Ampeg Rocket Bass combos deliver superior performance with a 1960s style. The units deliver robust feature sets in lightweight and portable packages, making them ideal for everyone from hobbyists to professional bassists. Just like their famed larger siblings, the five Rocket Bass combos offer essential Ampeg features, including three-band EQ, signature ultra hi/ultra lo switches (RB-112 and up) and the new Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit. XLR line outputs, auxiliary inputs and headphone outputs ensure the Rocket Bass combos are ready to rock anywhere, from the practice room to the stage.
Godin Guitars has debuted its Fairmount CH Composer QIT acoustic guitar as part of the Godin Acoustic Series. The Fairmount CH Composer has a comfortable Concert Hall body shape, with a shallow depth and sleek silhouette, making it ideal for songwriting and performing. The body is an all-mahogany construction with a smooth semi-gloss finish. The top and back are solid mahogany with layered mahogany sides. The guitar also has a mahogany neck, offering rich and rounded tones, and features a Richlite fretboard, an ebony bridge and a 25.5-inch-long scale for added brightness and harmonic richness.
Optimum clarinet ligatures from Vandoren are now available in two new finishes: pink-gold and black. The two new finishes provide slight variation in tone color and response, letting the advancing player fine-tune their sound even further. Optimum ligatures provide quick and symmetrical tightening with a unique double-track screw mechanism, and they come with interchangeable pressure plates to adjust the sound. The black-finish Optimum ligature is available for B-flat and bass clarinet, while the pink-gold finish model is currently available for B-flat clarinet only.
Casio’s three new Casiotone models — the CT-S1, CT-S400 and LK-S450 — feature a slim, minimalist chassis and a sleek design that seamlessly integrates with the style of a player’s home. The CT-S1, pictured, features 61 keys, built-in speakers and multi-functional buttons; it weighs only 9 pounds. Similarly, the CT-S400’s carefully designed selection of buttons provides superior operability while featuring an LCD screen with sharp visibility. Geared for beginners, the LK-S450 features a similarly slim profile, step-up lessons and a key-lighting system that guides users to practice at their own pace. The new Casiotones have built-in strap locks to equip a guitar strap and convert the keyboard to a keytar.
