Drum Parts

Can't really play drums seriously withou tever having to look into either replacing, or upgrading some of your drum parts can you? No musician gets lucky enough to find an instrument that never needs to have some maintenance done on it. Drummers are no exception. Being able to easily search and find the proper parts, with good customer service online is even more of a bonus. We don't have very many brick and mortar music shops in smaller areas anymore, so it is kind of a necessity to go online when we need something as simple as a couple drum hoops, or cymbal felts. I know I'm certainly not going to drive 50 miles to pick up something that costs less than $20 anymore. Especially since I can get customer reviews and more info than a salesman online usually. :)

Top 5 Hybrid Cars Selling Under $30K

With hybrids becoming a greater share of the market the competition and pricing has begun to get a bit better. Surprisingly, there are over 20 models of hybrid cars currently selling for less than $30,000. So...looking at maybe the top 5-10 models as rated by various places may be the best place to start and just skip out on those that fall in the back half of the pack. Just like TAG Heuer brand is there for watches Kelly Blue Book is looking out for you in hybrid value.

KBB.com's 5 Best Hybrids Under $30,000 of 2014

1. 2014 Toyota Prius
2. 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
3. 2014 Toyota Camry
4. 2014 Toyota Prius V
5. 2014 Ford Fusion

Schecter Guitar Research Synyster Gates Custom w/ Sustaniac Pickup

Yup...this guitar is built to make you feel like you are the lead guitarist in Avenged Sevenfold, Synyster Gates. Designed to replicate the guitar he plays on stage the cool Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S at guitar center will blow you away. This guitar doesn't just make you feel that way by looks, but it does it by design.

The Sustainiac Driver/Pickup creates Humbucker tones when the Sustain switch is off, and works as the Sustainiac Driver when switched On. The Sustainiac Driver creates an infinite feedback sustain of string vibrations by electromagnetic feedback.

Gold Tone Cripple Creek Irish Tenor Banjo

If you are looking to buy an entry level banjo and look good while doing it, you aren't going to find a much better choice, or price than the beautiful looking gold tone Cripple Creek tenor banjo at musicians friend. Laid with chrome hardware, 4 strings, and a maple resonator it looks and sounds wonderful. This is a true entry-level banjo that will look like you are out to impress with the fantastic design and colors.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE Review

Volkswagon seeing their faithful followers of their brand as the only real market for their cars has been in a mode of trying to be #1 in the world market and the U.S. for foreign car sales. Although we all know the VW brand and it does hold a place in many hearts as a popular brand, the sales aren't even close to what VW wants, or expects. So what is it that they are doing to gain market share in the U.S.? Redesigning brands like their most popular vehicle the Jetta that will help boost sales. Starting with things tht will push the price down to a more affordable sticker and will be more attractive to the American masses. Not trying to pull a fire proof tablecloth printed over our eyes with anything. Just make a good car at an affordable price to get the name back into the highest sales lists

So VW gambled big-time with the release of the latest version of the Jetta, its most popular vehicle here, in model year 2011. Styling was simplified, and the car apparently de-contented, all the better to be sold for a lower price. Lower price being key to greater market share, especially in the American market.

The faithful screamed, and the masses bought. De-contented details like reversion to a torsion-beam rear suspension from independent and lower-cost hard plastics in the interior bothered the mainstream buyer not a bit. The faithful still had their older cars, or upscale versions of the Jetta like the performance-oriented GLI. full review

Hammond Keyboard

When you need to strum some keys on an electirical keyboard you won't do better than the good models from hammond keyboard. With the fancy and sleek dark black colors for most of us is fine, I bet you have never seen the amazing wood finish designs they have so that you can pretend you actually own a wooden organ with just the box, but better sound from a small package. Not even close to as heavy, or difficult to move as a massive keyboard organ now is it?

Electro-Harmonix Effects

The electro-harmonix at Guitar Center effects pedals give you a wide range of nearly any sound you are looking for to be the rockstar you walways wanted to be. High distortion, polyphonic octave effects, freeze sound retainer, cathedral stereo reverb, and even sitar effects can be found in this family of pedals to give you nearly any sound you want and a great mix of music genres for the band that loves to play it all.

More Drivers with Clean Diesel this year than ever

While you may be thinking more about your new amt pumps right now than diesel, this year we are seeing more and more clean diesel fuel cars on the road than we ever have. Drivers are getting some of the best fuel economy in a long, long time.

"For this year's holiday road trip, drivers are taking to the road in more fuel efficient clean diesel choices than ever before; they've got 23 cars and SUVs and 15 pick-ups and vans to choose from. Sales of new clean diesel vehicles through September 2013 are up 9.7 percent over the same time last year, so you might say consumers are 'gobbling them up,'" said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a non-profit educational group.

"Those picking new clean diesel technology will be thanking themselves because this time of year is when time, money and patience are often in short supply, and investing in new clean diesel technology puts you miles ahead of fellow car drivers in all three categories," noted Schaeffer.

4 Winter DRiving Myths

Everyone knows that if you go somewhere that doesn't get much snow as a driver that comes from a place like say...Michigan, people lose their minds at even the slightish bit of snow on the roads. It's comical to us, but dangerous at the same time with all these panicked drivers. Like those sending you print postcards in nyc from a winter vacation back home to Florida.

While we all know the tricks of driving in snow in the upper U.S. some tire companies want to share some myths people have that aren't true. We know that turning into the skid is the best advice. That and not slamming on your breaks when you start to slide like a moron. Tires have a few myths though that you can check out here.

Pintech Drum Accessories

Looking at the selection of pintech at musicians friend I'm not only excited about the designs, but the reviews on the quality of the products for such low prices. The designs are well made and the quality is of what you would expect from Pintech. Everything you want to find and use to help make your drums sound better, and for you to get better are right in this family of drum accessories and tools.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Named 'SUV of the Year' by Esquire

Seems like it has been a while since everyone was talking about the Grand Cherokee. Esquire is just gushing over what the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee ST brings to the table. Highly doubtful we'll see any san diego wrongful termination reports from Jeep if they are working on this prize.

The one sonic experience of the year that I will not forget is engaging the ignition on the [Grand Cherokee] SRT," said David Granger, Esquire magazine editor-in-chief. "This is the sweetest-sounding most reasonably priced engine note of our time."

Esquire editors drove numerous vehicles to make the selections for the 2013 Esquire Car Awards, which appear in the magazine's November issue on newsstands now.

"The new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT combines impressive performance and luxury wrapped in a muscular and stylish exterior," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. "Winning Esquire's 'SUV of the Year' award continues to help set us apart from esteemed competitors by appealing to the passionate, performance-enthusiast consumers with its unique blend of value, technology, power and character."more

2014 Jeep Cherokee Review

The 2014 Jeep Liberty...I mean Cherokee, returns with its old name after donning the Liberty name in 2002. It looks very mini-vanish to me just from the rounded design. Something to bring the kids to swing sets in woodbridge va, but not necessarily looking like the old Jeep that I used to want, or own.

The Cherokee name dates to 1974, when it was used for a two-door version of the Jeep Wagoneer, a body-on-frame utility vehicle. The more familiar second generation debuted for 1984, and was notable for being one of the first unibody SUVs, if not the first. Yes, Virginia, a unibody does not necessarily a crossover make -- that Cherokee integrated lower frame rails and cross-members into its unibody structure, making for a stronger, lighter, and quieter structure. Offered in both two- and four-door form, it was one of the few bright spots in the dying days of then-owner American Motors Corporation (AMC). And it, and the rest of the Jeep line, were likely important reasons for Chrysler buying AMC in 1987. full review

2014 Acura TL SH-AWD Review

Acura likes to bring new tech to their vehicles and keep them up to date. Not just with the fun stuff inside to entertain you, but with thin the body of the vehicles to ensure you have the most comfort and control you can imagine. Priced in the mid-$40k range this isn't for everyone, but it still fits into the sports luxury lower end range I would say whether you are driving to reidsupply.com to work, or Wall Street you will look and feel just fine in an Acura TL SH-AWD

"SH-AWD" is an acronym for "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive". When it was introduced back in 2000, it was the first AWD system to use active torque vectoring to send more torque to the outside rear wheel during hard cornering to help turn-in, and reduce understeer. It uses sophisticated electronic sensors and integration of the car's multiple electronic control modules to seamlessly improve adhesion on dry or slippery surfaces, in any weather and all seasons. It was first used in the TL when the fourth generation debuted for 2009. full review

Godin 5th Avenue Acoustic

The laminated, Canadian wild cherry, godin 5th avenue acoustic guitar is a flashback to the 50s in looks, but has been designed to play like the guitars of today. The 5th Avenue has more projection and volume in the low and mid tones than original archtop acoustic guitars, giving it the sounds that you want for yesterday's music, but more importantly, the music of today as well. It will play exactly how you want it to, but it won't cost you anything near as much as you would expect. The quality of this archtop can't be enied and the price will leave you wondering how you got such a steal.

Classic Bose Wireless Soundlink

Ever since I purchased my first real iPod, that first one with the video on it that had 80 GB of storage space, I have had some sort of Bose mobile speaker system. While the technologies of the mobile devices have moved on considerably since then, so have the Bose mobile speaker systems. When I first started out it almost always had to be docked so every time I went on to the newest technology I was risking the loss of my great Bose system designed for such devices. As you can imagine this could get a little expensive for those of us that wanted to bring our portable music studio to every party with them, which is exactly what it was like with 10,000 songs and a Bose system. You can't beat the sound and the size of showing up at a party with it and limitless music.

Now we have much better tech with products like the classic bose soundlink wireless mobile speaker at guitar center. This is where you can connect Bluetooth devices instead of docking. Making it much more versatile to work with all your mobile devices that support Bluetooth. Tablets, laptops, and your music devices. Portable DJ Booths just keep getting easier for the party traveler.

July was Quite the Month for Auto Sales

The August 1st reports for company sales were popping in at record highs for all kinds of car manufacturers. In light of a 50 straight month increase in manufacturing numbers the auto manufacturers were pulling in record numbers as well. You know what that means...well eventually...in a few years. That housing should start trending upwards quite a bit again finally I suspect and the cashiers nc real estate will get some more of my business.

The AIADA reported that July 2013 was a successful month for the U.S. auto market as all of the largest manufacturers saw double-digit gains. Subaru led the way with a 42.9 percent improvement from July 2012, thanks to record sales of the Forester, Outback, and Impreza. Honda sales were up 21.3 percent, Nissan’s were up 16.8 percent, and Toyota saw an improvement of 16.2 percent to outsell Ford for the first time since March 2010. Customers had plenty of reasons to buy in July, including rising incentives. According to Edmunds.com, incentives were up 10 percent from July 2012 for an average of $2,463 per vehicle.

2014 BMW 5 Series Review

If you would rather just drive yourself than to get chauffeured around by http://www.tampalimotransportation.com/, the 5 Series is a pretty good car to do it in. The test drive vehicles are out and we can get a sneak peak into the newly designed BMW 5 Series from Henny Hemmes.

BMW has been aware of the critical comments on the somewhat bulky looking rear of the GT. They took it serious and focused on a more dynamic design for the update in the middle of the 5 Series life cycle.

Before starting our test drives, exterior designer Fabian Clottu explained how this has been achieved: “We optically lowered the complete rear end with a longer hatch and a larger angle. The creases are deeper and the horizontal chrome list has been moved downwards to a lower position.”

2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring V6 6-Spd AT Review

The 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring V6 6-Spd is a mouthful when written like that. Let's just call it the 2013 Honda Touring. Much easier right? Now I can relax with a place to buy padron cigars and just keep on rambling about it.

At $33,430 (without the $790 destination charge) it is priced about where most of its competitors are if you carefully match up content. And, what intense competition it has with the new Fusion, great entries from Hyundai and Kia, a sporty Nissan Altima, well-equipped Camry, and lots of others. The Accord comes is five trim levels with two powertrains in either coupe or sedan starting at $21,680 for the four-cylinder manual transmission car. Altogether they sell more than 300,000 Accords a year. full review

2014 Chevrolet SS Priced at $44,470

Well...Chevy has themselves a bit of a pricey low level sports sedan now do they? Not a very memorable name here either is it? "SS"? Probably not as memoralbe as: kitchen cabinet organizers at ovisonline.com

The U.S.-exclusive SS – Chevrolet’s first rear-drive performance sedan since 1996 – comes well-equipped in only one model, with a power-operated sunroof ($900) and full-size spare tire ($500) as the only options.

“The all-new SS is engineered for performance enthusiasts who’ve been clamoring for a rear-wheel-drive sedan,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “Adding the SS to the lineup further solidifies Chevrolet’s position as America’s best-selling performance-car brand and completes a trifecta that includes the all-new 2014 and Camaro Z/28.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio Review

The VW Bug is on of the most classic vehicles ever made. Bringing up childhood memories of riding down the road and earning a black and blue upper arm from the imminent "SLUG BUG RED!" from a sibling. They were much more prevalent when I was a kid and it seemed that I would get a couple of those hits every time we got into the car. Of course few of those came with the "Oops...thought I saw one...hahaha!". Now we fight about things like a System Mechanic slow computer fix.

Anyways...

Spring is here, and what could be a better car for Spring than a convertible? But since Spring weather can be unpredictable and quickly changing in temperature and precipitation -- no matter where you live -- said convertible should have a top that can be dropped or raised quickly, and that top should insulate well against both heat and cold. It would also help if the convertible was actually affordable, by real people, not multi-millionaires. And while we're wishing, why not room for four of those real people, and maybe even a little space in the trunk with the top down? full review