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Blog
Bananas At Large Updates
ONGOING BANANAS AT LARGE UPDATES 2022 5/23/2022 - STREET CONSTRUCTION UPDATE at Bananas San Rafael The City of San Rafael in cooperation with PG&E are replacing the water lines, sewer lines, and electrical conduit on 2nd street in front of and around Bananas at Large. During this time, there will be no available street parking on 2nd Street until the project is completed. Parking is available within the Bananas at Large parking lot as well as in an overflow parking lot in front of Cafe Arrividerci, one block west of Bananas at Large. If you would prefer to avoid the construction zone altogether, we have convenient and fast options to get your musical needs picked up or delivered. More details on these options can be found here. Buy Online Pick Up in Store Fast - Same Day Delivery starting at $35 (local addresses only) Home Delivery within 1-3 days for Free (local addresses only) We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are here to help and provide the very best service possible. 6/14/2021 We are excited to welcome back our customers in a more "back to normal" capacity in our stores. It is expected that tomorrow, the governor will lift the mask mandate for our state of California. With that expectation, our staff (who are all vaccinated) will not be required to wear a mask unless they desire to do so to protect any unvaccinated loved ones at home. We also will not require customers who are vaccinated to wear a mask. Whomever still feels the need to wear a mask can do so at their own comfort level. Additionally, our lessons are back for scheduling in the store. Please call or text for more information or check out our new Lessons Page. You may also reach out to our Administrator for help at lessons@bananas.com Please remember that if you are showing any signs of illness (cough, fever, feeling unwell) to please stay home. You may call us, email us, or text us and we would be more than happy to take care of your needs in any of those ways with an online order and store pickup at a later time. Call or Text: (415) 457-7600 Email: info@bananas.com We do request that customer sanitize their hands upon entry to the store to keep any germs or illness from spreading and to keep everyone healthy. Thank you for your patience over the last year and a half as we have all navigated the changing requirements and now enter the summer of 2021 with open arms! 12/8/2020 Alan talks about safe holiday shopping & buy online, pick up in-store. Local delivery & contactless curbside pickup 12/4/2020 As we head into the holidays, we want to be sure to remind you that shopping for those perfect gifts or stocking stuffers is safe & easy with Bananas at Large! We have many items to choose from & would love to help you pick out that perfect gift for your favorite musician! You can choose to shop online & have your items safely shipped or delivered same day* OR choose Contactless Curbside Pickup at your chosen location. Have questions? Call us or email us to find out more! *Some restrictions apply for same day delivery. Please see our Shipping & Delivery page for more details 6/23/2020 Alan Rosen President & CEO of Bananas at Large explains the safety protocols in place for customers to shop safely at Northern California's premiere music store, located at 1651 2nd Street San Rafael, Ca 94901 or our Santa Rosa location at 531 College Ave Santa Rosa, Ca 95404. 6/17/2020 We're opening our stores safely, no appointment needed. Together, as we adapt to the “new normal,” Bananas At Large is here to provide you with the gear and great service that will keep you making music. We know how important it can be to try out an instrument or a pedal and get advice from a friendly face who can help you with all your musical needs. That's why we're excited to welcome back customers to safely shop inside our 2 locations (San Rafael & Santa Rosa), no appointment necessary. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nothing has been more important to us than the safety of you and our employees. Before deciding to allow customers back into our stores, we looked at health and safety data in each of our communities, and have worked to implement new safety precautions. Following CDC guidelines, we are: Enforcing mandatory temperature checks, for all employees before each shift. Requiring employees to wear protective gear, including face coverings and gloves, at all times. We require that all customers shopping in our stores wear approved face coverings. Maintaining social distancing, by using floor signage and by limiting the number of customers in the store. Sanitizing areas throughout the store frequently, including demo products and checkout counters. Installing acrylic shields at checkout counters between customers and employees. All customers will be asked to use hand sanitizer before entering the showroom. For those who prefer, we will continue to offer contact-less curbside pickup and in-store consultations. Please check website for store hours. 6/8/2020 Bananas is working hard at getting ready to reopen with all state, county, and city guidelines in place as directed by the CDC. We are still available for curbside/in-store pickup and have shortened hours as follows currently: San Rafael Mon-Saturday 11am-4pm and closed Sundays Santa Rosa Mon-Saturday 11am-3pm and closed Sundays Please call us, message us through the website, or email us at info@bananas.com and we will do our best to help you as quickly as possible! Thank you for all your support and we hope to see you soon! 4/22/2020 Bananas is committed to the health and safety of our staff, families and community. We are directly supporting teachers, students and people who are forced to work at home. We encourage folks to use this time to create and practice music. We have a tremendous selection of in stock Ukuleles, Guitars, Keyboards, Audio Interfaces, USB Microphones, Controllers, Percussion and more! We also carry microphone and headphone sterilization products to help you keep those products clean as well as replacement mic windscreens, so you don’t have to share the same one with others. Our direct download software options are available 24/7. Other online merchants have stopped shipping musical instruments, we are committed to packing and delivering all online orders in 24 hours where possible. For our local customers, we offer online order with in store or curbside pick-up. We also offer local delivery options as well. During this time, we will have limited hours and access. To support work at home, the San Rafael store will be open 11am-4pm Monday thru Saturday and the Santa Rosa store 11am-3pm Monday thru Saturday. The stores are open during the above hours however please note, we are limiting the number of people in the store while maintaining social distancing and cleanliness at all times. 3/18/2020 7:00am Sonoma County has issue a shelter in place requirement for all county residents and businesses for three weeks. As our San Rafael store is already preserving social distancing but continuing to provide ongoing assistance to those who need it, our Santa Rosa store will most likely continue as well. We will have limited in store hours for online pickups. Please call us ahead of time at (415) 457-7600 to confirm availability. We are still accepting online orders for pickup at both locations and we will update this page as soon as any new information comes in. Thank you for your patience and please call us, message us through Live Chat (bottom right hand of our screen) or email us at info@bananas.com. We are here to help! All lessons will be online at this time. 3/17/2020 6:00am Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the community spread of Coronavirus and the recent request for Marin County to shelter in place and preserve social distancing, we want to assure our customers, students, and friends of our commitment to remain available for your needs while being vigilant about preserving the health of our Marin community. As of tomorrow, 3/17/2020, we will have limited availability in person at our San Rafael store, however, we remain committed to answering your questions and completing your orders as needed. Our Santa Rosa store will remain open at the hours listed below until further notice. Looking for the gear you need to provide online lessons or school instruction to your students in the area? Reach out! We have solutions and can help! If you need a product or have a question, we are here! Please call the San Rafael store at (415) 457-7600 with any questions or reach out to us via our LiveChat below (see bottom right corner of your web browser). We have updated our open available contact hours for our San Rafael and Santa Rosa stores to the following: Monday - Friday 11:00am to 6:00pmSaturday 11:00am to 6:00pmSunday 11:00am to 5:00pm Ways to Contact Us: Phone : San Rafael (415) 457-7600 Santa Rosa (707) 542-5588Live Chat here on our web siteEmail : info@bananas.com Lessons: Most lessons at our San Rafael store will be moved to an online platform with the scheduled teacher unless otherwise indicated by the teacher and/or Lesson Coordinator. Existing students will be contacted as soon as possible, if not already. Any questions about lessons should be directed to (415) 457-7600 x104 or lessons@bananas.com. Special Orders: We will be available to fill any online orders as an in-store pickup on limited basis and other online orders will be shipped out as best we can in a timely manner. Again, we are here for you and can answer any questions you have or take care of your needs via online orders, phone orders, and in-store pickup or delivery.
Bananas At Large "Storytime" - May 13, 2021 5pm
A look into the rise of the Bay Area Music scene as seen thru the eyes of retailers and instrument builders! Thursday, May 13th, 2021 at 5:00pm PSTLIVE on Facebook - Click Here! Join owner Alan Rosen as he chats with the founding fathers of BAL and hears the stories about famous musicians who visited, ideas that came about, and explains the history and iconic past of Marin's favorite music store! Get those burning questions answered, such as how we got our name, where the original locations were, how it all came to be, and what famous and notable musicians have graced our showrooms over the years. The unbelievable (but true) stories can go on and on! Don't miss it! Featuring special guests: Billy Stapleton - one of the original co-founders and the inventor of the flying Banana logo we all love! Rick Turner - the founder of Rick Turner guitars and one of the original founders of Alembic Inc. Sean Hopper - the keyboardist for Huey Lewis and the News and former employee of BAL and Prune Music. JD Sharp - a previous owner of BAL and credited with the rise of Bananas as an industry icon with his ideas and secrets to success.
Roland Store Grand Opening - April 8th, 2021
A World Class Virtual Event Featuring Live Interviews and Prizes Hosted by Sarah & Vinnie from Alice 97.3 Join us LIVE at www.bananas.com for the Grand Opening Celebration of the New Roland Store at Bananas At Large, San Rafael! Hosted by Sarah & Vinnie of Alice Radio 97.3 and featuring live interviews with Neal Schon, Joe Satriani, Deen Castronovo, Jonathan Cain and more special guests about all the amazing Roland products that helped get them through the "Play at Home" of 2020. Chat with our Roland specialist, Ian Ulibarri about all the amazing products on display and make an appointment for future private showings of all that Roland has to offer! We gave away prizes including: Roland FP30 KeyboardTD-07 Electronic DrumsetKatana MKII Amplifier Virtual Event at www.bananas.com More details coming SOON! Come to our homepage on April 8th, 2021 to watch the event live! All interviews and product demos will be virtual through the event. Watch the live stream, chat with us, and check out all the amazing products that Roland has to offer! Our Roland product specialist, Ian Ulibarri will be available for questions & to make appointments for future, private demos in store! Check out the amazing artists we are featuring in the event here: Neal Schon Jonathan Cain Joe Satriani Narada Michael Walden Deen Castronovo If you haven't been to our new store location, stop by 1654 2nd Street in San Rafael! Masks and social distancing are required & all sanitation protocols are followed! We hope to see you soon!
Life, Music, and Laughs with Arnel Pineda LIVE - October 1, 2020 7pm PST
Arnel Pineda is taking over our Facebook! On October 1, 2020 at 7pm PST, Arnel will be "taking over" our FB Live for a special interview and chat about life, music and his amazing "journey" with the band we love, Journey! Arnel is joining us all the way from the Philippines & we can't wait for you to join us! You don't want to miss it! Check out Arnel's website to follow all his adventures and see upcoming tour dates as they are posted. About Arnel Pineda Arnel is a singer-songwriter who became international news when he auditioned and landed the role of lead singer for Journey in 2007. His amazing love of music and incredible talent have led to worldwide tours with the band and their Revelation album debuted at No. 5 in the Billboard charts and remained in the Top 20 for six weeks. He divides his time between the U.S. and the Philippines and is currently spending the quarantine with his family there.
Happy 808 Day
Today on #808Day we join the worldwide community in celebrating the legendary Roland TR-808 drum machine and its influence on contemporary music from hip hop to soul and dance music...and everything in between. This year also happens to be the 40th anniversary of the 808’s release. Experience the TR-808 Yourself for FREE For this year’s #808Day and its 40th anniversary, Roland wants you to test-drive the legendary 808 sound, absolutely free. From now until the end of August, anyone with a Roland Account can enjoy a full-featured test drive of the only authentic software version of the original Roland TR-808. Click here to download Roland Cloud Manager, and install your TR-808 Virtual Instrument
Roland TD-27 Module Version 1.10 Update Released 7/17/2020
TD-27 V-Drums Module Version 1.10—More Drum Kits, More Sound Variations, and More Control Roland V-Drums already provide the ultimate experience in electronic drumming—and we’re continually striving to make it even better. The free TD-27 Version 1.10 update adds many great enhancements to the TD-27 module, bringing the latest benefits of our ongoing development to TD-27KV V-Drums and VAD506/VAD503 V-Drums Acoustic Design owners. Ten new drum kits across a range of styles have been added, expanding the onboard total to 65 preset kits. Going further, 21 of the original kits have been improved with numerous sound refinements. And more templates and mic types are now available in the overhead settings, giving you deeper customization and control of the ambient environment. There’s more to explore and more ways to make your drum sound your own—download the TD-27 Version 1.10 update today!
FB Live Takeover with Cindy Blackman Santana - 7/10/2020
Cindy Blackman Santana is taking over our Facebook! On July 10, 2020 at 4pm, Cindy will be "taking over" our FB Live for a special interview and chat about her new album release coming Sept. 2020! We are excited to hear all about it and we know you are too! Join us on our Facebook page on July 10th starting at 4pm for the fun! Check out her website for more details on the upcoming album, "Give the Drummer Some"! About Cindy Blackman Santana From the beginning of her career as a busking street performer in New York City in the ’80s through the present day, Cindy Blackman Santana has been touring the globe and making albums with artists including Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Laswell, Joss Stone, Joe Henderson, Buckethead, Don Pullen, Hugh Masakela, Jackie McLean, Don Pullen, Buster Williams, and Angela Bofill. She writes, records, and performs with her own bands, Cindy Blackman Santana Group, and Another Lifetime, which released its critically-acclaimed self-titled debut in 2010. From 1992 to 2007 and again in 2014 and 2015 she was the drummer in Lenny Kravitz’s band, performing through multiple world tours and hit albums. In 2011, she joined forces with Vernon Reid, Jack Bruce, and John Medeski to form the celebrated Spectrum Road, which released an album and tour dedicated to the music of Tony Williams. In 2016, she joined Santana full-time and has been mesmerizing audiences around the globe ever since. In 2017, she and Carlos Santana teamed up with the Isley Brothers to release “Power of Peace” (SONY) and followed it up with the two most recent Santana releases: the EP In Search of Mona Lisa (2019) and full-length Africa Speaks (2019). On September 18, fall 2020, she will deliver a new solo album, Give The Drummer Some.
How to Stream Audio Online Successfully
Ready to stream video and audio online? Whether it's for online lessons or making YouTube videos, there are several factors that you should consider when looking for the right equipment for video and audio to get your message out. Depending on your platform, and whether you will be streaming live or simply pre-recording your video to edit and post later, you want to make sure your message comes across clearly. This means you want to make sure that whatever platform you are using, you can be seen AND heard properly. Platforms Available Online There are several great options for streaming video live online. Many are free and others are paid through a subscription. Be sure to check each one out for their features to find what works best for you. Although there are many services available, here are a few of the most popular resources to check out: Google Hangouts - free to create an account with a gmail email address. Skype - free to create an account. Facetime (with iOS devices only) Zoom - varying account levels. What Will I Need? What type of audio equipment you need to be successful depends on how you want to do it. Some prefer simply using the audio provided through their laptop or desktop computer. Technology is rapidly developing and although computer-based cameras and microphones can provide just enough coverage for online meetings and chats, you might be ready for something better when it comes to presenting classes or live streaming. Right now we will focus on providing solutions for improved audio sources, assuming you are using your phone, tablet, or computer to catch the video for you. For those looking to go deeper, there are many solutions out there involving extensive setups with external high quality cameras, mixers, and microphones. For the do-it-yourself person who needs to get started quickly, see below for some solutions to get you started fast and on a budget! USB Microphones and Mixers For high quality audio, there are USB microphones that plug directly into your computer so that you can be clearly heard (as well as your instrument if necessary) as well as ones that allow you to plug directly into your phone or tablet. You can also opt to have separate inputs for your instrument and voice if you prefer. In that case you would require a USB audio mixer that a mic will plug into and then be plugged directly into the computer. There are some examples below. With an audio mixer, you can use any microphone that will work, but the mixer will need to be a USB mixer to plug straight into your computer. If you want to plug directly into your phone or tablet, you'll need a microphone or mixer that will allow you to do so via USB or lightning adapter. Here are some options: Shure MV5 Mic - this option is affordable, can plug directly into your phone via USB or lighting adapter and is an easy way to get started quickly. Shure MV51 Mic - this mic can plug into your computer or phone/tablet via USB or lighting adapter. Shure MVi-LTG - this small mixer allows you to plug your microphone or instrument into it which then connects to your phone or tablet for clear, direct audio. This option is good for only one connection at a time, but you can use an existing microphone that uses a standard XLR plug. Roland Go Mixer - this small mixer allows you to plug your instrument and microphone in at the same time directly to your phone or tablet. Easy and portable. Behringer UM2 - a great option for those streaming from a computer! You can plug both your microphone, instrument, and headphones into it for great live sound. If you are looking for a more extensive setup, check out our Work From Home, Stream from Home, and Jam from Home Collections here for ideas and solutions! There are many ways you can get to your goal and we are here to help accommodate your budget and needs! Need help? Have questions? Our amazing staff are ready to give you all the pointers you need to get set up. Don't hesitate to reach out to them with your questions about cables, setup, or what mic or mixer is best for your situation. Call, email, or LiveChat us during normal business hours.
How Many Watts Should My Electric Guitar Amp Be?
It doesn't matter if you're starting to learn guitar or if you've been playing for a while — wattage for guitar amps can be a little bit confusing. If you play the electric guitar, you rely on an amplifier to get the full power out of your guitar. Since wattage is an essential part of an amp, you should understand what it means and how it affects your music. Read on to learn more about how to find an amp with the right number of watts to help you get the sound you want. Number of Watts Vary by Amp Wattage is related to power, which is not the same as volume. An amp's wattage will establish its headroom, which determines the volume when the amplifier starts distorting the guitar's sound. So, the number of watts an amplifier has will tell you how loud your amp can get before the sound starts breaking up. An amp with a low wattage is around 5 to 10 watts, and they can get up to 100 or even 200 watts. When you're figuring out how many watts you want in an amplifier, you need to think about how you'll use it. Consider How You'll Use Your Amp As a musician, no matter your skill level, you'll be doing three main things with your guitar: practicing, recording or performing. If you're just starting out, a lower-watt amp should suffice. When you're building up your skills and your confidence in your playing, you don't need a lot of power. But, if you're a professional musician and play a lot of big gigs, you may need an amp with more power — and more watts. When you're in the studio, you may not need an amplifier with a lot of watts. The mics in the studio are strategically placed to pick up your sound, so your music isn't competing with other noises. If you're an aspiring musician, you probably need to own a few different amps. With varying capabilities of power, certain wattages are more appropriate for some situations. More Watts Doesn't Necessarily Mean More Volume Although wattage is related to volume, it's not the only factor. The number of watts in an amplifier determines power, which isn't the same as volume. Some guitarists think that when they double the watts, they're also doubling their volume. But, that's not true. Wattage and volume are related exponentially, rather than equally. To get double the volume, you'd have to multiply the wattage by 10. So, there isn't a big difference in volume between an amp with 18 watts and an amp with 36 watts. Find Your New Electric Guitar Amplifier at Bananas at Large® When you're looking for a new amplifier for your electric guitar, be sure to take wattage into account. At Bananas at Large®, we have a wide selection of Boss electric guitar and amplifiers and a knowledgeable, helpful staff. We can help you find the perfect amp that bests suits your unique needs as a musician.
Taylor Guitars University
Taylor Guitars prides themselves in educating their customers on their latest models. In fact, they even have an online and in-person training program called TGU. Two of our employees were lucky enough to attend a recent event and Taylor Guitars gave us the red carpet treatment. They flew two of our employees from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego, California, where our friend and Taylor District Sales Manager, Billy Gill was waiting for us. They gave our team a tour of the state of the art Taylor Factory in El Cajon, CA to discuss the build process of Taylor's brand new Grand Pacific Model, led by Inside Sales Rep, Josh Van Dermark. That night, the Taylor team including National Sales Manager, Aaron Dablow took them out to a wonderful dinner to mingle and discuss the next day's training. The following day was an extensive 8-hour training session on the Grand Pacific models (317, 517 & 717 Builders Edition) with Taylor's head team and Master Guitar Designer, Andy Powers. Questions about Taylor models including the Grand Pacific? We have the inside scoop. And, if you think you knew the 'Taylor sound', think again! With innovation at the forefront, buckle up... because you're in for a ride in 2019 and beyond. A huge thanks to the entire Taylor Team for such an incredible experience, and to our Bananas team for making this happen! Shop Now
Should I Buy a New or Used Guitar?
Whether you are a seasoned guitar player or just starting out, choosing which guitar to buy is a big decision. You may know you want an acoustic or electric guitar, and you may even know the exact brand and model you are looking for. Buying new could allow you to select the precise model you are looking for, while buying used may allow you to find a higher-end brand at a price within your budget. If you are stuck trying to decide between buying a new or used guitar, these tips on what to consider before buying can help you find just the right one for you. What to Ask When Buying a Guitar Remember that the "right" guitar will be different for each person, depending on skill level, needs and preferences. Before diving into the pros and cons of buying a new or used guitar, know what you are looking for in your next — or first — guitar. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you begin shopping: What is my budget? Knowing how much you want to spend on a guitar is essential to narrow down the model and brand you want. However, your budget is also important when debating between a new or used guitar. You can often find a higher-end model at a lower price when buying a used acoustic or electric guitar. If you are willing to pay more, though, a new guitar can provide the exact body style or features you're dying to have. Am I investing or experimenting? If you already play guitar and know you will continue jamming for years to come, it may be time to invest. Be it a new model or a rare pre-owned vintage, experienced players can invest in a more expensive instrument with the knowledge that it will last. But maybe you are just getting started or are an acoustic guitar player who wants to experiment with an electric. Buying used can be an affordable choice you won't regret if you end up selling your guitar after a few months. Where will I be playing? While it may seem odd to reflect on where you play your guitar, it may make a difference in the quality of guitar you want to buy. You will most likely not want to take your brand new, fresh-out-of-the-box guitar to the beach or to a friend's bonfire where it is likely to get sandy or dirty. If you play primarily at home or in a studio, your new guitar will stay safe and clean without a worry. How much will I play my guitar? The more often you play your guitar, the more quickly the strings and frets will wear out. A higher quality guitar will better endure regular wear and tear if you play frequently. However, if you take good care of your guitar and perform regular maintenance, both new and used guitars can stay in good condition for a long time. Reasons You Should Buy a Used Guitar One of the most compelling reasons to buy a used guitar rather than a new one is to get a higher quality guitar at a lower cost. The minute a new guitar is taken out of the box and strummed, it loses value. This means pre-owned guitars will cost less than their counterparts straight from the factory, even if they are in excellent condition. When shopping on a budget, you can find the brand you want — be it Gibson, Martin or Taylor — at a fraction of the cost when buying used. You may also uncover a rare or vintage model that is no longer made, possibly even priced below its value. As you grow as a guitarist, you will refine a taste and preference for what you like in an instrument, meaning brand and model may be more influential in your next guitar purchase. However, because good brands produce high-quality guitars, your used instrument will also age well and provide reliable performance for a long time. Below are some other great reasons to buy a used guitar: You can find rare or unique guitars: If you are willing to spend the time searching, you can find extremely rare or even discontinued models for sale. You may stumble on unique designs, models or colors that are no longer available new. Finding a "gem" is one of the main reasons to shop for a used guitar. You have a wide variety to choose from: When buying used, you can find guitars made across decades with a multitude of designs and styles to choose from for both acoustic and electric guitars. If you are looking for a vintage style, you can find used guitars with an old-school flair of decades past — along with all the mojo of whoever played it before you. Some used guitars retain or increase in value: While some guitars lose value when you take it out of the box. Some guitars actually appreciate in value and will be worth more down the road. There's less worry about dents and scratches: While you should always try to take good care of your guitar, buying a guitar that already has a few dings or scratches can provide peace of mind if you happen to dent or scratch it yourself. When you aren't worried about banging up your guitar, you can focus more on making music. You can modify your guitar freely: If you plan to try some new mods, buying a used guitar allows you to experiment with your instrument without the risk of breaking a warranty. With an inexpensive, used guitar, you have less to lose if the modifications do not turn out as you hoped. Buying used is buying sustainably: When you buy used, you save a good guitar from going to waste and prevent it from heading to a landfill. You might find a guitar with a story: Another more sentimental reason to buy a used guitar is the story or legacy it holds in its strings. Your used guitar may have shared the stage with a celebrity or traveled to cities you have only dreamed of seeing. Maybe it took the lead in a metal band or strummed back-up for a country singer. At Bananas we regularly sell equipment previously owned by the greats such as Joe Satriani, Neal Schon, Santana and more. These back stories can create a strong connection between you and your instrument. Cons of Buying a Used Guitar Used guitars offer many benefits when it comes to value, choice and style. However, there are a few potential risks of buying a used guitar, such as: It may need work: If you are confident in your ability to repair your used guitar on your own, this may not be a concern for you. But for the average guitarist, buying a guitar that already needs work means investing money in professional repairs or replacements of parts. The work your used guitar needs may end up costing more than the instrument is really worth. Before committing to a used guitar, be sure to inspect the guitar thoroughly for damage or wear. If you decide to buy a used guitar in need of work, Bananas offers guitar repair services. You might encounter some unexpected issues: Anyone who has bought a used car that was a dud is familiar with the distress of a perfect test-drive followed by a vehicle malfunction within the first few weeks you own it. While issues with your used guitar are not likely to be as severe as they can be with a car, you may encounter problems with a used guitar that you did not anticipate when you tested it in the store. Cracks or scratches could lead to more serious structural damage, and you'll also want to pay attention to the frets — dented frets may need to be replaced, which can be costly. Be prepared for the possibility that your used guitar will need unexpected repairs or adjustments. There could be modifications you didn't know about: If you order a used guitar online or purchase it from an unreliable source, there may have been modifications made to the original guitar that you did not know about before you purchased it. Some modifications decrease the value of a guitar, so be sure you know exactly what you're getting when you buy used. If you purchase a used guitar from a reputable supplier like Bananas at Large, you should not have to worry about these risks. A good seller will carefully examine each used guitar and perform any necessary repairs before putting it on their shelves. Some shops even offer warranties on their used instruments that cover these unexpected problems. Reasons You Should Buy a New Guitar If you buy a new guitar fresh from the factory, you can find the exact guitar you want and know it will sound good as new. While buying a new guitar can be expensive, it offers an assurance of quality you might not have when you buy used. Here are a few more reasons why opting for a new guitar may be the right choice for you: You'll get the look you want: When buying a new guitar, you can find your exact choice for color, finish and model without having to wait around for someone else to turn in an old guitar that suits your needs. New guitars are available in a wide selection at any price range, so you can explore many more options than when you shop used. There's likely a warranty and protection plan: Your new guitar will most likely come with a warranty and protection plan that keeps your instrument safe if something goes wrong. Your warranty allows you to have any issues fixed or faulty parts replaced at no additional charge to you. There's no wear and tear: When your new guitar arrives, it will be in mint condition without any wear and tear on the frets, strings or body. This means you get a clean and sleek look and do not have to worry about cracks or structural damage. A pristine new guitar will also produce a high-quality sound. You can add accessories and swag: Buying a new guitar from a store can come with perks of added accessories like a cool case, strap or cables. You can still find a deal: When a new guitar body style is released, models from in previous years will often go on sale. By shopping smart and doing your research, you can find great deals and discounts on new guitars. Even if you do not catch a sale, many good quality new guitars are available for under $200. You know its history: As the first owner of a new guitar, you know exactly where the guitar has been and what has happened to it. The guitar will respond to the way you play it and will not have any hidden surprises from previous owners who may not have treated it as well as you do. From day one, your new guitar will become part of your story and journey as a musician. Buying Your First Guitar: New or Used? If you are buying a guitar for the very first time, it may be difficult to know exactly what to look for. While used guitars can offer a good deal, an inexperienced buyer may be safer with a reliable new guitar. As you are learning guitar, you can focus on perfecting your skills rather than maintaining and repairing a used guitar that may have unexpected issues. A new player may also be less skilled at noticing these issues when they arise, which could lead to further damage to the guitar. In addition, beginner models for both acoustic and electric guitars are typically very affordable and available in dependable brands such as Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier and Epiphone. Buying a new beginner guitar provides a reliable instrument to get started on without spending too much. Once you know you are a guitarist at heart, you can upgrade to a higher quality new or used guitar for your next guitar purchase. Buy a New or Used Guitar From Bananas at Large Choosing between a new or used guitar comes down to your personal preference and budget. Whether you are looking for specific features offered by a new model or want to score a deal with a name brand used guitar, Bananas at Large can help you find the perfect guitar for you. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you through our vast inventory of acoustic, acoustic-electric and electric guitars until you fall in love with your next purchase. We offer high-quality brands in a variety of body shapes, colors and finishes to match your style. You can also browse our large selection of guitar pedals, amps and accessories for everything you need to get started with your new guitar. Bananas at Large offers free shipping on many of our products, or you can order your guitar online and pick it up in one of our two convenient California locations. If you order your new or used guitar online and are not satisfied, you can return it within 14 days, no questions asked. Still have questions about finding the best new or used guitar for you? Give us a call or stop by a Bananas at Large store today!
Acoustic vs. Electronic Drums
If you're thinking of buying a drum set, you have a lot of things to consider. But, not enough people consider whether they should buy electronic or acoustic. While most people imagine purchasing acoustic drums, there are advantages and disadvantages of both types. Below we'll discuss some essential differences between electronic and acoustic drum sets that you need to think about before you go out and buy your new set. Consider the Features You Want In the early stages of your search, you need to figure out the features you need and the ones you want. This will help you find a set that best fits your needs and how you'll use your drum set, whether it's acoustic or electronic. Here are some different features to take into account: Volume: The drums are well-known for being a loud instrument — they don't need any extra equipment to be heard. If you have an acoustic drum set, anyone near you will hear you. This could be a positive to some people, but it may be an issue if you live in a quieter neighborhood or an apartment complex. When you have an electronic set, you can turn the volume on the speakers way down or use a pair of headphones. Sound: A good acoustic kit will give you the classic sound. But, there are a lot of different types of drum sets when it comes to acoustic ones. If you're going acoustic, you have to pick just one. With an electronic set, you can program your drums to have different tones to sound like different types of acoustic drum sets. Space: Typically, electronic sets are smaller when they're set up and are easier to pack up quickly. If you're leaning toward an acoustic set, you really need a designated space to keep them set up. Effects: With an acoustic drum set, you need new parts to get different sounds. But, with an electronic one, you can press a few buttons to get an entirely new effect. Think of How You'll Use Your Set The type of features you need depends on how you're planning on using your drums. If you are mainly using your set for yourself at home, the drum kit features you need will really come down to personal preference. If you're still unsure about what you want, try out both types. If you plan on starting or joining a band, later on, an acoustic set is best — unless you'll be playing electronica or another genre based on electronic instruments. When you're practicing with your band or doing a live show, nothing beats going all-out on your kit and not having to worry about holding back your volume. If you're a music producer, an electronic kit would be better. When you're looking for just the right tone for a particular track, you'll have way more options with an electronicset. At the press of a few buttons, you can have an entirely new sound. This really helps while you're recording. At Bananas at Large, we have an extensive selection of both acoustic and electronic drums. Browse through our inventory to learn more about the different models, or stop by one of our two locations in the San Francisco area.
