Gear Envy: WOS by Brothers - The worlds most powerful iPod Speaker.
What is it? The Wall of Sound is 225 lbs of tube amp powered,handcrafted speaker. Interfacing with an iPod dock.
Why do you want it? Sometimes you just need to listen to your iPod on 11. And by sometimes I mean ALL THE TIME.
Geek Specs: 3’x4’ (huge), 28 elements, 40Hz-20kHz, 8 ohms, crossover frequencies: 1000k & 5500k, 125 Watts,
Price: 5 Grand.
Not sure who is buying this product, but if it’s you… I’ll be over @ 7.
— Jason Abraham

Gear Envy: WOS by Brothers - The worlds most powerful iPod Speaker.

What is it? The Wall of Sound is 225 lbs of tube amp powered,handcrafted speaker. Interfacing with an iPod dock.

Why do you want it? Sometimes you just need to listen to your iPod on 11. And by sometimes I mean ALL THE TIME.

Geek Specs: 3’x4’ (huge), 28 elements, 40Hz-20kHz, 8 ohms, crossover frequencies: 1000k & 5500k, 125 Watts,

Price: 5 Grand.

Not sure who is buying this product, but if it’s you… I’ll be over @ 7.

— Jason Abraham

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Gear Envy: The guts of a hand-made, hand-wired guitar amplifier.

Some seriously cool shots and back-story behind the boutique amplifier craze. Unfortunately, hwn hasn’t invested into this craze yet. Did you hear the silent cry of band wives and girlfriends?

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Gear Envy: Star Wars AT-AT from Hasbro.
From the Hasbro press release :
In space, size does matter, and Hasbro certainly kept that in mind when creating its all-new, highly detailed STAR WARS AT-AT.  The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) played a significant role in the Empire’s military assault in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and it will play an equally important role in every fan’s toy collection this year!  Measuring more than 24 inches tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, this colossal vehicle holds up to 20 STAR WARS figures – 6 of which can fit in its head alone! – and includes so many play and electronic features true to its on-screen counterpart that it’s hard to believe!  From the zip-line in its body and articulated legs for superb poseability, to its LED lights and authentic movie sounds and phrases, this is the must-have addition for STAR WARS fans of all ages. Includes a 3 ¾ inch AT-AT driver action figure and a pop-out speeder bike.
AMAZING. Due out in August 2010 and should retail for about $100.

Gear Envy: Star Wars AT-AT from Hasbro.

From the Hasbro press release :

In space, size does matter, and Hasbro certainly kept that in mind when creating its all-new, highly detailed STAR WARS AT-AT.  The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) played a significant role in the Empire’s military assault in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and it will play an equally important role in every fan’s toy collection this year!  Measuring more than 24 inches tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, this colossal vehicle holds up to 20 STAR WARS figures – 6 of which can fit in its head alone! – and includes so many play and electronic features true to its on-screen counterpart that it’s hard to believe!  From the zip-line in its body and articulated legs for superb poseability, to its LED lights and authentic movie sounds and phrases, this is the must-have addition for STAR WARS fans of all ages. Includes a 3 ¾ inch AT-AT driver action figure and a pop-out speeder bike.

AMAZING. Due out in August 2010 and should retail for about $100.

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Gear Envy: Fuzz Head 
What is it?
100% Grade A Creamy Fuzz Dreams. or Fuzz Head by Keeley Electronics.
Why do I get goosebumps when I turn it on?
The Fuzz Head only has two knobs. Fuzz and Head. The fuzz controls the amount of drive and Head controls volume. It also has a Silicon/Geranium selector switch which controls what diodes it goes through. The “SI” mode inserts two diodes (one silicon and one germanium in parallel.)  It increases the gain and compression a bit for more sustain and for more of an overdrive mode. The end result, a true set it and forget it pedal - no matter where the knobs/switches are it sounds great.
Hear:








Geek Specs:
NPN Germanium Transistor, Silicon Diode, True Bypass, Large Blue LED(A Keeley Trademark)
— Jason Abraham

Gear Envy: Fuzz Head

What is it?

100% Grade A Creamy Fuzz Dreams. or Fuzz Head by Keeley Electronics.

Why do I get goosebumps when I turn it on?

The Fuzz Head only has two knobs. Fuzz and Head. The fuzz controls the amount of drive and Head controls volume. It also has a Silicon/Geranium selector switch which controls what diodes it goes through. The “SI” mode inserts two diodes (one silicon and one germanium in parallel.)  It increases the gain and compression a bit for more sustain and for more of an overdrive mode. The end result, a true set it and forget it pedal - no matter where the knobs/switches are it sounds great.

Hear:


Geek Specs:

NPN Germanium Transistor, Silicon Diode, True Bypass, Large Blue LED(A Keeley Trademark)

Jason Abraham

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Gear Envy: Modulus Genesis 5-String Bass

What is it?

Modulus Genesis 5-string bass

Why does it rock?

It’s built like a beast, the neck is a carbon fiber composite (which is to say that the sound is even and smooth no matter where my fingers are fretting), and the tone is killer without having to fuss with the EQ knobs.

How did it become my weapon of choice?

My first bass was a used beat-up Fender Jazz bass. Red. It had character, but essentially sucked as an instrument. After playing for several years, and getting some lessons here and there, I felt confident enough to get something better. So I started researching and visiting a lot of guitar stores. I tried out a lot of good basses but nothing struck me as the one I was looking for so, for years, I just searched.

Three years later, I randomly found myself at the now defunct Mars Music store near Troy, Michigan. I did my usual round of trying out basses that I thought might have potential but was, again, disappointed… Until I saw the Modulus Genesis hanging real high on one of their walls (why do guitar stores do that? don’t they realise people don’t look up there?). After the employee climbed a giant ladder to get it down, I plugged it in and realized it had the playability and tone I was looking for. True, it was massively heavy and twice as much as I was hoping to pay for a bass, but I couldn’t turn it down - it was the end of an epic search. I managed to get a decent hunk of change discounted on it and drove home a happy man. That was seven years ago.

Geek specs:

- 22-fret, 35” scale

- composite carbon fiber/alder neck

- maple fingerboard

- 2 active Bartolini J-pickups

- quilt maple top/alder body

Eugene Limb

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Gear Envy: Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks

Pick!

A huge part of playing guitar is the pick (or lack of) that you use. It can affect your tone, your speed, and your dexterity. After years of playing, both Joe and I have found that Dunlop Tortex .60mm are the best pick for our playing styles. This particular pick strikes the balance between being too thin and too thick. It is a pick that is thin enough to navigate between strings during solos and is thick enough to allow for solid strumming without bending. The Tortex material is synthesized to emulate the original Tortoise-shell picks used prior to 1973, when tortoise-shell trade was banned.  The shell of a Hawksbill turtle had natural properties that allowed the pick to stay in your hand even with heavy sweating, which makes it a natural fit for live playing. The Tortex material also eliminates any “clicking” noise heard when picking.

Where to get them? I highly suggest Sweetwater.  Everyone I know (including me) has had nothing but excellent experiences with the staff at Sweetwater.  Bonus: They include candy with each shipment!

— Jason Abraham

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Gear Envy: SJC Custom Drums
What is it? SJC specializes in hand-crafted, innovative, built to order drum kits.Who is it for? Drum fanatics who are looking for killer curb appeal.Why SJC? : Plenty of companies offer the option of making custom kits,  SJC takes customization to the next level. Beyond the basics of shell material and shell dimension, they up the ante with choice of  vibrant colors and custom paint jobs. In addition to shell options they offer personalized badges and snare ports. Add the finishing touches with truly unique hardware and easily set your style above the rest.
— Chris Darby

Gear Envy: SJC Custom Drums

What is it? SJC specializes in hand-crafted, innovative, built to order drum kits.

Who is it for? Drum fanatics who are looking for killer curb appeal.

Why SJC? : Plenty of companies offer the option of making custom kits,  SJC takes customization to the next level. Beyond the basics of shell material and shell dimension, they up the ante with choice of  vibrant colors and custom paint jobs. In addition to shell options they offer personalized badges and snare ports. Add the finishing touches with truly unique hardware and easily set your style above the rest.

— Chris Darby

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Gear Envy: McIntosh MXA60

Hotness!

What is it? McIntosh MXA60 - Table top, standalone Stereo System.

Specs : 75 W per Channel, CD/SACD player, AM/FM Tuner, two way loudspeaker.

Why does it cost $7500? It’s made of Cast Aluminum. It has 24-bit 192kHz Burr Brown digital-analog-converters, Vacuum Tube Pre-amps and two line Vacuum Fluorescent Display — Translation: it looks and sounds amazing.

Op: Seriously, $7500 for a tabletop stereo? They point out that this is the team who made the $250,000 McIntosh Reference System, but really who cares? How does this apply to me? I do not have $250,000 for a stereo and I do not have $7500 for a stereo. I do, however,  have love for increasing audio fidelity for consumers. (see CODE) 24 bit 192kHz is a dream. But the price point is way too high for the typical listener. Maybe the gems hidden in this device will trickle their way down into some affordable units in the near future.

— Jason Abraham

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Gear Envy: Skull Slick Nut
What is it? A drum nut secures the cymbal to the cymbal stand.
Why do I want them? The part that makes this drum nut hot snot is that it is quick release. Traditional nuts have to be screwed on and off. This is time consuming. Quick release only needs a push of the button.  Also, SKULLS.
Where to get them? It is available online at Drum Bum.
— Chris Darby

Gear Envy: Skull Slick Nut

What is it? A drum nut secures the cymbal to the cymbal stand.

Why do I want them? The part that makes this drum nut hot snot is that it is quick release. Traditional nuts have to be screwed on and off. This is time consuming. Quick release only needs a push of the button.  Also, SKULLS.

Where to get them? It is available online at Drum Bum.

— Chris Darby

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Gear Envy: Custom In-Ear Monitors

What is it? Jason’s Ultimate Ears UE7-Pro Custom In-Ear Monitors (IEM’s)

Geek Specs : Input Sensitivity: 124db @ 1mw; Frequency Response: 20 to 16,000 Hz; Impedance: 17.5 ohms; Internal Speaker Configuration: 3 proprietary precision balanced armatures; Noise Isolation: -26dB; Input Connector: 1/8” (3.5mm) Gold plated

English Please? Really Fancy Headphones. Handmade customized earphones molded to fit my ear shape.

Making the Mold : An Audiologist injected a quick drying silicon into my ear canal. After the molds had set they were slowly wiggled out of my ear. No ear hairs were injured during this procedure.

Why do I need them? As lead singer of the band I must be able to hear my voice clearly over the rest of the instruments. While playing on stage decibels levels can be quite high. With floor sitting monitors there is a delicate balance between how loud you can get your vocals before they start to feedback. Feedback is the enemy.   The IEM’s have -26dB of built in noise isolation. This helps reduce stage volume allowing the monitor engineer to send a clean, low volume, personalized mix of all the instruments into my ears. The end result : A perfect mix at a comfortable volume to help me sing as on key as possible.

Where to get them? Ultimate Ears offers a wide selection of custom and universal fit headphones aimed at everyone from commuters to audiophiles.

— Jason Abraham

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Gear Envy: Modulus Genesis 5-String Bass
Gear Envy: Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks
Gear Envy: Custom In-Ear Monitors

Bio:

Chicago-based, face-melting rock 'n' roll.

  • Jason Abraham - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
  • Chris Darby - Drums
  • Eugene Limb - Bass
  • Joseph Shields - Lead Guitar

  • Influences:
  • Travis, Wilco, The Wallflowers, Smashing Pumpkins

  • Record Label:
  • Independent
  • Contact:

  • Booking:
  • booking [at] halfwaynorth.com

  • Band:
  • band [at] halfwaynorth.com

  • Love Letters:
  • eugenelimb [at] halfwaynorth.com
  • Calendar:


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