Knock ‘Em Dead

COFFIN CASE
G3x1

When your standard guitar case just isn’t enough, the G3x1 from Coffin Case is a three-guitar case/locker on wheels ready for serious guitarists or vampires. The heavy-duty design features road-ready, solid-wood construction with a black vinyl exterior, mesh storage pocket, three handles, and slide rails for ease of transport. Its soft plush interior, and deep well bottom has a design Béla Lugosi or Bela Fleck would love. Retail price is $229.95. Visit www.coffincase.com for all the details.

APPLE
MacBook

Apple Computer‘s revolution will be televised as it converts its acclaimed computer lineup from IBM PowerPC processors to the dreaded PC competition: Intel processors. Since our last recap on Apple’s dramatic crossover (“Gear” January ’06) to all new processors, Steve Jobs and his posse have enabled PC users to use both Windows and Mac OSX on Intel-Macs with a beta plug-in called Boot Camp. Apple’s new entry-level MacBook laptop recalls the sleek black designs of the G3 PowerBooks, arguably the company’s most bullet-proof laptop. With a list price starting at $1,099, the MacBook will come loaded with a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor that will power iLife software to run GarageBand, iDVD, and iWeb among an array of programs. A built-in iSight camera rounds out its features. With up to 2 MB of SDRAM available, the first place you’ll want to upgrade your new MacBook is with another 1MB RAM to properly run the memory-hogging GarageBand. To get the classic black MacBook, you’ll need to fork over another $300 for a faster processor, more hard drive space, and a DVD/CD burning SuperDrive. The MacBook is another inevitable step away from the beloved PowerPC Mac to an affordable mobile computing powerhouse. Check out www.apple.com for more information.

ELECTRO-HARMONIX
Metal Muff Guitar Pedal

Electro-Harmonix‘s Metal Muff distortion pedal enables users to generate tones that will have you sounding like Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi or Tool’s Adam Jones. With three powerful EQ bands from midrange contouring to commanding bass and defined top end, this Muff will have you rawking in no time. Its user-controlled distortion offers sounds from “pinched-edge” to totally crushing and clean distortion. For more information, visit www.ehx.com.

NEWS & NOTES

Aurora-based Hix Bros. Music is taking the concept of Rock School to whole new levels by offering Rock U, an in-store lesson program that ends its “semester” with performances by more than 20(!) bands at Walter Payton’s Roundhouse in Aurora. If you’re looking to catch the next Common or Corgan, Rock U takes place June 11th. For info call (630) 898-8840.

The grandaddy of local guitar shows (along with Guitar Madness), Texas Guitar Shows’ Chicago Show, takes place at the Odeum in Villa Park June 3rd to 4th. As you’d expect, you can buy, sell or trade your guitar there. For more information call (888) 473-6059 or visit www.texasguitarshows.com.

– David Gedge

Category: Gear