12 October 2022

Cordoba Guitar

Stage Thinbody Nylon Acoustic/Electric by Cordoba

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The first time I played Cordoba’s new Stage Thinbody Nylon Acoustic/Electric guitar was at the Namm show in Anaheim, California this summer and I was impressed with the prototype then.  One of the inherent challenges with a Nylon string Classical guitar is their tendency to feedback with played on stage at higher volumes.  Cordoba has had the Stage guitar in development for years to combat these exact issues, whilst still achieving true nylon string guitar sounds.  Besides the super thin chambered body what shines through most about the Stage guitar are its electronics.  Co-designed with Fishman the blend knob on the guitar allows you to blend the under-saddle transducer pickup with an interior microphone pickup.  This helps to capture a very realistic miced classical guitar sound.  And if preferred you can use one of the pickups exclusively, but to my ear a blending of the two sounds the best.  The stunning Edgeburst finished flamed maple veneer is layered on top of a spruce wood top on the Stage guitar.  The rest of the body is crafted from mahogany for warmth and resonance.  The neck profile is thinner than most Classical necks making it easier for players that are comfortable with electric guitar necks to navigate.  It features a pau ferro fingerboard on a 3-piece Cordoba Fusion mahogany neck.  The soft cutaway affords full access up the neck for soloing and chord inversions.  Access to the battery compartment is on the back of the guitar.  Dial in your perfect amplified sound with volume, EQ and Body Blend controls on the top. The three slotted sound holes on the top bout of the body are also mirrored in mother of pearl on the top of the headstock.  There are no fret markers on the fretboard, but Cordoba has provided side markers on the neck.   The beveled heal to body attachment makes playing all the way up the neck a true joy and totally comfortable.  This is a semi-hollow body guitar, so it is much thinner than your typical nylon string or Classical guitar, but that also makes it more resistant to feedback.  The Cordoba machine heads, and bone nut are nice details that are functional and look great on the Stage guitar.  The included Cordoba gig bag is made from recycled nylon, so you can be environmentally conscious while you travel to your next gig. 

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iRig Pro Quattro I/O Mixer & Interface 

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IK Multimedia’s new iRig Pro Quattro I/O has many applications and an abundance of connectivity in one compact device.  It can be used for mobile field recordings, podcasting, broadcast video and streaming where you want more control over your audio.  On the top portion of the iRig Pro Quattro you have the LED meters at the top, four volume controls for the mics/inputs, a headphone level and line out level control.  The four microphone inputs (two on the front and two on side) will accept XLR or ¼” inputs.  For condenser mics there is a 48V switch for both pairs of channels plus 2 x RCA inputs ana 3.5mm line in for channels ¾.  On the left side of the Quattro, we have Midi in and out, headphone output and 2 x XLR balanced outputs for channels one and two for stereo.  At the bottom there is (V DC, USB power and a host plug in or you can power the Quattro with the included AA batteries. A connector clip is included for the back of the device so you can mount it on a stand or video camera for easier control and cables are included too.  The iRig Pro Quattro I/O can interface with your iPhone, iPad, Mac/PC or Android devices.  It also includes free software such as AmpliTube 5 SE, T-RackS 5 SE and two other titles of your choice.  The Quattro is an incredible tool for making your audio sound better, use of multiple microphones and inputs simultaneously and total controlling on mixing the audio to one or more output devices.  Other single channel interfaces on the market are limited on control and only provide a single output option.  The iRig Pro Quattro I/O is a handheld portable mixer/interface that provides total control of your mics and audio so that levels are balanced, and sound quality is superior.  If you are streaming your performances on social media or your website the Quattro can make you sound much better than the built in microphones on smartphones, tablets or computers.  But keep in mind the microphones are not included you must still provide those.  Podcasters this is one device that will let you mix yourself and three other quests at the same time.  The iRig Pro Quattro I/O is an amazing audio tool that is cost effective for all it does! 

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Donner

Donner Seeker DST-400 Electric Guitar 

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Donner released their new Seeker series DST-400 solid body electric guitar and Maverick Country got their hands on one of these budget friendly instruments. The body is made of Alder which we haven’t seen in a reasonably priced S style guitar in a bit.  The finish is a translucent green/black that still allows the wood grain to peek through.  The DST-400 shines in the electronics division with a single coil, single coil, humbucker configuration.  The extra tones come from the 2nd tone knob which is a push/pull allowing 7 different tone selections plus a 5-way switch for standard pickup choices.  The push/pull knob changes the pickups to three single coil pickups when pulled upward and when pushed down you have the single/single/humbucker setting. The neck profile is a thin “C” and is made of maple with an Indian Laurel wood fretboard.  Hardware on the Seeker DST-400 guitar is chrome with adjustable saddles, 2-point tremolo and tremolo arm.  The tuners are vintage style, and the guitar input is standard angled S style like you would expect. The body on the Donner has been very well shaped and sanded with no rough edges or edgy contours.  The guitar includes a guitar cable, guitar strap and gig bag. Although it is a bit on the heavy side at 5.86kg we must expect this with an Alder wood body and the return is more sustain in notes. The Donner Seeker DST-400 surprised me with its’ playability right out of the box.  If you are wanting to add an S style electric guitar to your instrument selection but are on a budget, then you should definitely consider the Seeker DST-400.  Donner has provided a nicely crafted electric guitar with plenty of tonal choices that can fit anyone’s playing style.  

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