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8 Ż Yamaha Motif Yamaha MOTIF 76 Key Music Production Synthesizer - Troy
I loved it

8 Ż GT-6B bass effects Boss GT6B Bass Effects Processor - Crazy dave
It is a little complicated to learn but I played on a GT-3 Guitar effects for a couple of years and this taught me how to use it. If you get one you need to dedicate a couple of weeks to this product. Once you learn it is is a wonderful tool to compliment your playing abilities. The learning process is the only reason that it didn't score higher.

10 Ż best amp I've ever owned Line 6 Line6 Spider II 212 Stereo Guitar Combo Amplifier (2x12 in.) - czrweezer
This is by far the best amp I've ever owned

7 Ż Yamaha Yamaha CS6X Synthesizer (61 Keys) - Mark De Raaf
Cool sounds, but not so easy to handle

7 Ż This keyboard is almost all around great, by jackie watson Casio CTK731 61-Key Keyboard - Jackie
I would have to say that this keyboard is an awesome keyboard. Although, for playing big piano pieces it might not be the best one in the world. There wasnt enough octives. But that wont just happen with this one, most other keyboards are shorter than the piano. Other than that, this keyboard was awesome. I erally liked how you could change the sound of the music (going from piano to violin etc). This one was also nice because you could record the music you were playing. There are many thigs I liked about this keyboard and I would highly recommend it to those who do not want a piano. Jackie Watson

8 Ż Support makes all the difference... Akai DPS24 24-Track Digital Workstation 32/44.1/48/88.2/96kHz sampling rate - Tedluk
I just got a DPS24 and although I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet, I wanted to let people know that in addition to having a very impressive feature set, what sets the DPS apart in my mind is the level of support available both from Akai and also in their user forum.

I'm a member (as I'm sure many of you are) of a lot of online forums for many of the products I own. Some of them are very active, some of them are completely dead. What I have been so impressed with on the DPS24 forum, is that these people are truly helpful, respectful and silly though it might sound, caring.

This coupled with, the also impressive, level of support that Akai offers and their frequent and ongoing upgrades make this a purchase I'm confident that I will be happy with for quite some time

8 Ż casio lk30 Casio LK30 61-Key Lighted Keyboard, 3-step Teaching System - Lilmissy
I bought my lk30 used and I know nothing about music so this has been a nice teacher (that doesnt yell) the only thing that could be better is music reading course

Karen in kansas

9 Ż Yamaha DGX300 Yamaha DGX300 76-key Portable Keyboard - Msh
I just purchased the DGX300 and could not be happier with this 76 note keyboard. I compared to Casio (in similar price range. ) and found the DGX300 superior in intuitive use and in the sound. The built-in speakers are my only complaint. Compared in the showroom the Casio comes out a bit better. HOWEVER, when hooked into an auxillary set of speakers the DGX comes out brighter. The lower bass notes on the Yamaha were dull and lower volume but are just great with better speakers. Can't say the same for Casio.

9 Ż Guild JF65 Jumbo 12-String Guild JF6512 Jumbo 12-String Guitar Blonde w Case - damonavery
It is ,to my taste, the best sounding and one of the best looking 12s I've layed fingers and eyes on, (blond maple arched back) including the Martins, the Taylors, Gibsons, etc. I've had mine since 1994 - One problem though - the spruce top has separated slightly at the seam from the bottom end of bridge to the tail end of the body. depending on temp and humidity sometimes it reveals itself other times not. there is a fair amount of temp change in my apartment over the seasons. I guess the "damp-it" humidifier helps but I've been using it since I bought it new 10 yrs ago. About 2 years ago I had the bridge reglued because the split began causing it to pull away. What a night mare. All said and do the thing still plays and sounds like a charm thanks to Rudy's in New York. . . Good folks. . . That where I purchased it as well

10 Ż Akai Dps16 Akai DPS16 24 Bit, 96 KHz Multi Track Recorder - squrlyq
You have to use it to really appreciate its features. It is definitely user-friendly. Very easy to understand manual and everything is explained fully. I have never had a problem in getting support. The technicians are extremely helpful and take their time in helping you with whatever question you might have. After using another brand of recorder and having to use their CD burner exclusively, at an extremely high cost, it was a real pleasure to find AKAI. I won't go into all the tech features. They explain themselves better than I can but I can say how happy I am with their product.

9 Ż Les rocks Gibson Historic 1956 Les Paul Electric Guitar with P90s - dust
I think all les pauls, the real ones at least, are the best you can buy. Their sound is unmatched when blasted through an old fender showman, and their beauty is hard to beat. The only thing that could make this guitar better would be if it was balck, the black les's have a slick and smooth look. In my mind it's almost impossible to beat a les

7 Ż Good Axe for the money Roland A37 MIDI Keyboard Controller 76 key - Ken
If youare looking for a controller with some decent features and don't mind a keyboard feel that is not truly piano like, then this keyboard is for you

5 Ż Got it for GarageBand M-Audio MAudio Radium 61-Key USB Controller - dan
I got the keyboard for Apple's GarageBand. I liked the direct USB connection. The keys seemed like they where made of very light plastic. Found no use for all the knobs and sliders. Replaced it with a Fatar TMK88. The Fatar has a much better feel to the keys. You can change the sound just by the way you hit the key on the Fatar/Studiologic much more than on the M-Audio

9 Ż My review Akai DPS24 24-Track Digital Workstation 32/44.1/48/88.2/96kHz sampling rate - Mongoo
It looks like the best recorder on the market for the price

10 Ż awesome Ibanez GSA60 Electric Guitar - Guess555
Awesome, excellent for it's price, just don't use it's whammy bar

9 Ż Vox Valvetronix = Versitle Vox AD60VT Valvetronix Guitar Amplifier - kragbax
Vox hit a home run with their Valvetronix series amps.

A huge problem with playing cover music, especially with a wide range of music types, is getting destinct sounds from your gear. Another problem a gigging musician has is carrying all the typical gear around with them. Aside from the amp itself, most carry a few pedal effects, volume pedal, wah pedal, etc. The Vox Valvetronix series, for me, cured all that ailed me. No longer do all my guitar parts sound the same, or even similar. No longer do I have to spend loads of time setting up, tearing down, and fiddling with effects and cords. Here's why:

The Valvetronix amp is a modeling amp. And a damn good one at that! I played through a few other modeling amps, including a Line 6 and a Fender. The Vox blows them away. Press a button and instantly your sound changes. And unlike some, where you basically get various levels of distortion or chorus added, the Vox actually reroutes it's internal schematics to match the amp it's modeling, including the power supply (A or A/B)! Add to that a load of 'pedal' effects which are factored in PRE preamp (just like any 'typical' pedal, yet unlike on most amps with DSP where the effect is added AFTER the preamps), Modulation effects (to stack with the pedal), Delay and reverbs, and you've got a winner. My friends and bandmates can not believe the quality of the sound. Perhaps it's the fact that the power amp is actually TUBE driven, not solid state (though the preamp section is of course solid state, hence the name - Valvetronix (valve being the UK term for what we americans call tubes)) I don't know. But I know it sounds great.

One other feature which simply increased the desirability of this amp. It has a little switch on the back which limits it's maximum output wattage, WITHOUT EFFECTING THE SOUND! Ever turn down a tube amp (or solid state even) and still try to get a good sound? It doesn't work. For most all tube amps, best sound is achieved with higher gain. Vox came up with a way to keep the juices flowing through the amp, yet limit the wattage that hits the speakers. So you hear the same awesome sounds regardless of where the switch is set, just at lower/higher volumes. Why is that a big issue? Two fold. For one, if you play in a small session, or practice in a small room, the last thing you want/need (or more to the point the last thing your family or neighbors want!) is windows blowing out just so you can get 'that sound'. Secondly, I like to record my original music. It's great to be able to go into a studio and get the same great sound at 1 or 15 Watts as I would in a live situation at 60!

As for wattage, for most cases, the more the merrier. But I found 60Watts (especially tube power amp watts) is plenty. I haven't been lost in a mix yet. And were I feeling I might be, a speaker line out can be run directly into a PA system.

One final comment. This unit doesn't come with a foot switch, and they are definitely not cheap. However, they make playing live so much easier it's almost a necessity to have. The VC4 footswitch has several buttons (used for switching programs and/or turning individual effects on/off). It also has a pedal that can be used for either a volume or wah. And Vox has it's renown Wah pedal electronics built into the amp, so the floor controller comes in handy!

Honestly, I don't know what could make this unit better. It's solid, very well built, has an awesome retro look to it, and sounds phenomenal.

But that's all just my opinion. Go to your local music store and try one out!

9 Ż Roland XP30 Roland XP30 64-Voice Expandable Synthesizer - sdhtdg
This is a great all-around synth. I play in a touring band and, although I once programmed all of my sounds personally, I just don't have that kind of time anymore. The XP30 instantly maked available any type sound I need. The keyboard mechanism itself feels good for a semi-weighted board. I bought this used without the manual and haven't really needed it. The operating system is extremely intuitive with well-labelled switches for most functions. The opposite of Yamaha systems. It has room for two more expansion boards and if I relied on this unit for piano sounds I would definitely get a piano expansion card because it's not the greatest in that area. However, it suits me perfectly as a synth. I am very happy withh my decision to purchase this synth. It's one of those keyboards I connect with. I have a technical/production background and understand that the sound, specs, and capability of a piece of equipment are the qualities upon which you should judge your gear but I believe in one more factor - "How does it make me feel?" I know this is not a qauntifiable parameter but it is, nonetheless, very important to me. The XP30 is one of those synths I "connect" with. It makes me "want to play it". I felt the same way about my old Korg M1 long after it was bypassed in the technical realm. I would highly recommend the XP30 to anyone looking for well-built, great sounding all around synth

9 Ż The Yamaha Tyros Yamaha TYROS 61-Key Digital Workstation - larz
I use the Tyros in a band setting and I couldn't be more satisfied - I can find or tweak any style - It's an invaluable asset, especially in combination with my motif ES7 - I can hardly wait for the Tyros II !

7 Ż vetta Line 6 Vetta amplifier 2x12 2x50 Watt Combo Guitar Amp Next Generation! - tbone
It is a great amp once you figure out all the settings and the plethora of different models you can emulate. Line 6 has made downloads available which makes the tone selection endless. Cleans are great. . . . Distortion great. . . . And everything you want in between. Happing creating

8 Ż Roland TD6 and Acoustic Triggers Roland TD6 V-Drum Module - Jabo
One of the most user-friendly modules on the market. Same sounds as the TD8. The TD8 just has a few more editing features. Great value for the price. Easy to set parameters for acoustic drum triggers. Two inputs allow for dual instrument triggering with a stereo y-cable.

I use the TD6 for acoustic drum triggering with a Yamaha Maple Custom standard 5 piece set-up with Remo heads and with the Pearl Rhythm Traveler tom(s) and bass mesh heads. Roland snare and kick triggers on the mesh heads. Roland tom triggers do not work on mesh heads. I have experienced only minor difficulties with the settings for the tom triggers with standard heads. PinTech's 12" trigger rod plugged right in and triggered perfectly.

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