I tiny bit of uke reading for your holiday pleasure:

http://theweek.com/article/index/273808/why-the-mighty-ukulele-deserves-a-little-respect

Should you feel inspired for yourself or another, there are plenty of ukes in all sizes available at the shop!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

FROM 

WAKEFIELD MUSIC!

We were the unfortunate victim of a smash-n-grab recently...

We lost a bass clarinet, tenor sax and an alto sax. Please keep us informed if you discover any instruments up for sale on CL or somewhere else, please give us a call.

Despite having left Westerly, RI years ago, some Guilds find their way back to us like this J-30 Maple Jumbo from the 90's. Big, warm maple tone that's surprisingly comfortable to play for its size.

Holiday Specials Abound!

Alvarez, Fender & Yamaha Starter Guitar Packages 

from $159-$229!

The savvy internet shopper may not consider these unforeseen components of an online (or big-box store) purchase:

1. The box 'hand-off'. 

(Your instrument was taken from the stock

room and never opened, inspected, 

or adjusted for you!

2. Custom-tailored guitar 'fitting'.

A young newbie player or someone

with special physical limitations my have quite the

challenge trying to play an out-of adjustment

instrument. All of our instruments are inspected

and adjusted either before or at the time of sale-

just for YOU.

3. The false economy.

Sure, you scored your instrument for zero shipping

and no tax but there's a hitch: 

If your instrument is in need of setup (99.9% of all

new instruments need some adjustment) 

expect to pay an additional $20-$60 MORE on top of 

your purchase. WMC does NOT CHARGE you

for adjustments and setup when purchasing

new guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins or ukuleles!

Shop local and not only support your community this holiday season but receive the respect and service you deserve!

WMC

A warmly received addition to our Martin lineup this December:

Martin M-36 (0000)-14 fret: Guitar of choice for Jorma Kaukonen. Solid spruce top, forward shifted 'X' bracing, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, 25.4" scale length with a 1-11/16" nut.

Incredible tone, especially for finger style guitarists. Commanding bass and balanced, 'sweet' highs due in part to a relatively shallow body depth of 4" at the end-block. We're particularly fond of Martin's M-series instruments! Something about these guitars feels 'dialed-in'! Regardless of your playing style, this is a guitar for almost any musical approach and will remind you of classics 000's with a bit more 'oomph'.

*SOLD*

With our new online inventory we offer you the convenience of browsing and shopping from home. Updated daily, you will now have the ability to view pictures, descriptions, specifications and prices of over 200 instruments currently in stock here at Wakefield Music. You can also purchase any instrument online and have it shipped to you at a discounted rate or visit our showroom in person where you can hear, see, feel and compare with others.

A newly consigned Selmer Omega open hole, B-foot extension flute just in on consignment today. Solid sterling silver body with gold embouchure plate and silver plated keys. Comes with case and case bag.

Just in for that drummer on your list-

a Mapex 'Pro M-Series' 5-pc kit including

one cymbal stand and a foot pedal in red birch stain finish.

22" bass / 13" snare / 10", 12", 14" toms.

Welcome to our parlour…

Speaking of small guitars in tight spaces, you can't beat a used Alvarez AP710-SB in excellent condition refreshed with new strings and all of WMC's multi-point inspections and adjustments. Relax and play awhile… 

Feeling the crunch for space even more? Try a diminutive Kala soprano ukulele in a multitude of colors, guaranteed to fit any budget. ;)

New Taylors in this week, just in time for the holidays:

From L-R: 716ce / 114e / 110e

Below, a 214ce-K DLX in Koa

ALSO...

If you're looking for an economical way to start yourself or someone special on your gift list this season playing guitar, stop in and check out Yamaha's solid wood topped FS650MS. 

Welcome back Alvarez!

We now have Alvarez guitars back in stock for the holiday season offering great entry level and intermediate guitars that will fit any budget!

Seeing double this week:

Now you can double-up your shopping with a great sounding Taylor 12-string acoustic with the 456ce cutaway electric with solid Ovangkol back & sides, gloss spruce top and Taylor's Expression System® to get it all out there.

This is one of those 'sleeper' guitars that's almost a gift in the Taylor line:

The Taylor 150e 12-string sports the rock-solid Expression System electronics and a solid spruce top with laminate mahogany back and sides for well under a grand, sale price! If you were hesitant about purchasing an expensive acoustic twelve to use for performing or recording you needn't be-this is an exceptionally good instrument worth checking out.

*SOLD* 

(Replacement coming this month!)

During our Kremona Days event Wakefield Music helps celebrate Kremona's 90th anniversary by offering complimentary microfiber polish clothes to customers dropping in to play and experience our selection of handcrafted Kremona guitars and all-solid ukuleles. 

RC Strings and backpacks will be given away to those taking home Kremona guitars during the Kremona Days week.

Easy…take a breath…

It's not an original D'Angelico but a wonderful reissue of his famous 'Excele' EXL-1 model here on consignment at a very affordable price (in comparison to a six-figure original!).

Any guesses?

It's not every day one of these comes across the workbench-a Finnish Kantele.
Apparently the 'national instrument of Finland'. A simple yet haunting sound, we wonder if anyone uses it's sound as their personal ringtone? :)

Excellent information here: http://www.kardemimmit.fi/en/kantele.html

You asked for used guitars, we have them...

...and the stock rotates often.

In this week, L-R: A Fender Gemini I student classical / Epiphone PR350 

Both guitars are under $200 and come with cases!

Other used guitars currently available:

Gibson LG-2
Ovation Ultra 2171 *SOLD*
Ovation Elite 1718 *SOLD*
Suzuki SD335-S
Walden CD2040

Exotic woods at every turn here:

An all koa Talyor 324e-K FLTD:

Lots of new faces have just arrived this week!

L-R: DCPA4 / 810E / SWOMGT / CE-07

It's band instrument season again at WMC!

Some helpful tips to provide you with a seamless, pleasurable rental experience:

• Find out beforehand what's required of your child regarding books and 
  accessories-it could save you a second or third trip!

• Be sure your child understands what's involved in playing an 
   instrument, especially if they are new to music and curious about more 
   than one to try. Although we encourage your child's enthusiasm and 
   curiosity, we don't often have 'demonstrator' models available or the 
   musician available to perform on the instrument so it's best
   to have your child's band teacher explain and demonstrate for them.

• Plan to rent your instrument earlier in the day, perhaps prior to school 
  getting out. It's best to arrive no later than 5:00pm to rent your instrument
  so that we can take the time to assist you without the hectic 'buzz' of last
  minute shopping and closing duties going on. The average rental can take 
  15-minutes but oftentimes double that if you're here with other renters at a
  busy point in the day.

• Link to our rental company's site:
 http://www.musicarts.com/rentals/02879?id=4f4c3426-8894-426a-9da3-d6f59b40ce50&aid=8516

Last days for our sidewalk sheet music closeouts…

Some used finds around the shop this week:

Used Deering banjos are few and far between around here so stop by to check out this very clean example of the Goodtime Classic.

Used basses are just as rare, especially in the sub-$500 range like this Mexi P-Bass in pearl blue with a 'shell' pick guard!

Listen up parents…and read this article:

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28703013

We're big fans of kids being involved in music throughout their school years!

A couple of newbies here in the shop…well, new to us! ;)

\

An early-mid 70's Epiphone EA-260 short scale bass *SOLD*

A Luna TC MAH 'Tatto Concert' uke

in mahogany *SOLD*

Counterfeits! Buyer beware!
This instrument came into our shop for adjustments recently, the third in a 'series' of counterfeit guitars we've come across here. Purchased in good faith by their owners only to be duped by the all-to prevalent deception of forgeries in many things but in our experience, musical instruments imported from China. This guitar is badged a 'Gibson Les Paul Special' but is obviously a 'clone' with several glaring discrepancies, most importantly the choice of woods (the mahogany is obviously not genuine), there's something just not right about the lettering and the Gibson logo, and a few other points. The smoking gun is hidden under the truss rod cover for those of you presented with more questions than you have answers for: Gibson guitars (as far as we've experienced over the years) use a 'nut' to adjust the truss rod so you'll need a nut-driver/wrench to turn it-this guitar uses an almost hidden hex head adjuster (allen key wrench) to adjust. 

On the left, an authentic 60's Gibson truss rod, R-forgery.

The simplest answer for the tentative buyer would be to contact Gibson Guitars directly with the serial number-chances are the numbers are not in their database or a mismatch.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ;)

There's a growing vintage corner in the shop these days…

...and by vintage we mean the real McCoy! 

From L-R: 

'67 Gibson 'C-0' classical / mid-late 60's LG-2 with pickup / 1916(?!) Vega Model 205 'Cylinder Back' mandolin / early 1920's F4 Gibson mandolin.

Thanks to a very generous donation, we have received a welcome upgrade for our piano students this week!

Just out of their shipping boxes today:

In the foreground: A Martin DCPA5K and an 'aged-top' D15M! 

The last of the American Telecasters…

Sounds like a work of fiction but it's reality here at Wakefield Music. We've whittled our Fender USA Tele collection down to this American Deluxe in 'pewter' finish. Coupled with our 'Born in the USA' sale and the current markdown, this is guitar is $200 off the sale price! Don't wait 'til the 15th of July to come and go for the deal will vaporize just like the Summer humidity…

*SOLD*

An entertaining and informative video about the history of the bass in brief:

New Taylors and Guilds all around the shop this week!

L-R: D-140ce/F-130sb/D-50sb/F-130ce

A stunning 712-E 12-fret

L-R: D-125/D-125ce/M-120 (also a M-120c)

150 E 12-string

Some updates in the ever changing guitar business of note:

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20783-cordoba-acquires-guild

We will still have Guild guitars with a few more on the way in the next week. We've sold Cordoba classical guitars in the past and hope for their continued attention to detail and quality within the Guild line.




Fender electric guitars have long been a fixture in our shop, spanning about two decades and although we love their style and value for the dollar, we are parting ways. Our electric guitar lines will be fortified with Gretsch, Eastman, and Yamaha instruments as we move towards the second half of 2014. We feel these lines emphasize superb features, value, and individuality for those seeking to set themselves ahead of the crowd. So please check our inventory online or stop by to find great deals on our remaining Fender electric guitar amplifier stock!

Marin's 000-15SM is one of the many reasons Martin Guitars have been in the biz since 1833. It's an all solid mahogany guitar with a Morado 'rosewood' bridge and fretboard. Modeled after Martin's classic early 20th century designs with modest appointments yet a maximum of tone, the 000-15 series guitars are sure to please the fingerpicking songwriter and performer.

For this Fathers' Day, come to Wakefield Music and pick out a life-long soul mate. We've got a kennel full of top-breed acoustic, classical and electric guitars. All waiting for just the right owner. Free financing available!

More than a way with words, a consummate artist:

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6099398/maya-angelou-music-history-ashford-simpson-calypso-album-listen

New arrivals!