Fishman Transducers, Inc - Backstage Pass

Welcome to Fishman’s “Backstage Pass” blog. We’re proud of our extensive artist roster, particularly because every player who chooses Fishman does so without incentives other than a desire for the best possible sound.

Here’s the inside scoop on what these discerning musicians are up to, and the Fishman products that they love and depend upon. Be sure to check out our new microsite "True Life. True Live." (www.truelifetruelive.com) and the Fishman MySpace page for some great photos of these shows! And to all the artists, a heartfelt thanks!

Fishman had 2 significant product launches at this year's Summer NAMM in Nashville.

The first was the Jerry Douglas Signature Series Aura Imaging Pedal, the first artist signature series product for Fishman. The pedal, created in collaboration with Jerry and recorded by legendary Producer/Engineer Bil VornDick, has 16 custom images specifically designed for spider-style resophonic guitars. These signature images were recorded using premier vintage microphones and Class A discreet mic preamps and the controls are the same at the standard Aura Imaging Pedals to include Volume, Blend, Image Select controls, Phase switch and a Bypass/Mute Switch.

Rugged and elegantly designed with a black finish, the pedal also features 24-bit A/D/A and 32-bit internal processing for superior audio quality, along with an Input Trim and Clip/Low Battery indicator. It runs on 9V battery or power adapter.

The second product, which was selected "Best in Show" by Upbeat Daily, Music Inc. and MMR (Musical Merchandise Review) at Summer NAMM, is the highly anticipated SoloAmp™.

Designed for the singer/songwriter, SoloAmp provides exceptional sound quality and coverage in a wide variety of venues. 220Watts of clean, lightweight power drives a line array of six custom high-excursion speakers and a soft dome tweeter. This unique combination delivers incredibly full sound, ultra-wide dispersion, and deeper sonic penetration than the common speaker cabinet. Better yet, the enhanced bass response of the custom-designed speakers means there's no need for a subwoofer!

Weighing only 25lbs, it ships complete with a padded bag equipped with wheels, and includes a rugged speaker stand (25lbs without stand, 35lbs with bag and stand). Set up takes less than a minute, and full-digital universal power means SoloAmp is ready to travel anywhere in the world.

Fishman didn't make SoloAmp this portable by scaling back on features or tone. In fact, all of the award-winning elements of the Loudbox family are included. A unique Monitor feature has been added and is designed to revolutionize an acoustic duo's ability to hear each other on stage. SoloAmp is equipped with two mic/instrument channels featuring high-quality preamps, each with 3-band EQ, phantom power, built-in reverb, effects loop, and feedback-fighting notch filter and phase controls.

Jerry Douglas hooked up his friend Rob Ickes with a Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Pedal. (There's nothing like a Fishman artist marketing his own gear!)

Sheryl Crow has been on tour this summer using a custom Matrix Infinity/ Rare Earth system in several of her acoustics as well as the Loudbox Performer.

The Dave Matthews Band was recently in town on June 24th and we brought the band another Loudbox Pro. Guitarist Tim Reynolds, who has been touring with DMB, also got a new Aura Imaging Pedal for his stage rig.

Madonna had 2 Gibson Chet Atkins Nylon string guitars sent to the factory and we put in all new pickups and electronics for her and her guitar player Monte Pittman. They've also requested a Loudbox Performer to be sent to the upcoming tour rehearsal space.

Singer/songwriter JD Souther sent 2 of his custom Gibson L-00's to the Fishman factory for imaging and installation of Ellipse Aura systems. The guitars were made by Ren Ferguson at Gibson. JD also stopped by the Fishman booth at Summer NAMM to meet Larry Fishman and the rest of the Fishman team.

Paul Simon has recently requested Matrix Infinity systems for his Martin Signature Series OM-42. The techs at Imai Guitars in New York City were sent the pickups for installation.

Fishman is going to be well represented by the world of country music this summer. Kendall Marcy was looking for mandolin, violin, and resonator pickups before going out on the road with Brad Paisley.

Fiddle player Nick Hoffman, who's touring this summer with Kenny Chesney, is loving the sound he's getting with the new Concert Series Violin pickups.

Brian Nutter (Keith Urban, Nashville Star) got a new banjo pickup, and Randy Travis took a liking to the new Matrix Infinity system in his guitars.

Dobro extraordinaires Bruce Bouton (Reba McIntyre) and Randy Kohrs got a new Nashville Series resophonic pickups and Jerry Douglas Signature Series Aura Imaging Pedals, and Fishman friend Travis Tritt sent his 1 and 40 signature Martin guitars for Ellipse Aura installation.

Grammy-winning artist John Mayer had his two main signature Martin OM-28's (1 & 2) outfitted with Matrix Infinity systems. His guitar player David Ryan Harris also sent his Martin OM-28 and a Gibson J45 for imaging and installation of the Ellipse Aura system.

Fishman Friends at the Booth During Summer NAMM 2008

As always, several artists and friends came by the booth at Summer NAMM in Nashville to check out the new gear. We could have renamed the booth "Resonator Central" because of all the players trying out the new Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging pedal. Plus, there was always somebody willing to demo the new Fishman SoloAmp Performance System too. It was a lot of fun and great to see everyone who stopped by...

Fishman Artist Andra Moran demos SoloAmp, Aura Imaging Pedal, and the AFX Acoustic Effects Pedals

Legendary Nashville Producer/Engineer Bil VornDik hangs out with
Fishman Clinician Seth Connelly

Fishman Artist Randy Kohrs checks out the new
Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Pedal

We took the SoloAmp Over to the Martin booth and
look who came by to play through it...

Backstage Pass Tom Bresh

Tom Bresh and...

Longtime Fishman friend and Grammy winning singer/songwriter Steve Earle!

Be sure to check back soon for another update!

Sheryl Crow decided she needed a J-200 for her current tour. When it arrived it was a nice instrument but when plugged in it was not up to snuff. She sent the guitar to the factory for a new Infinity system to equal all the other acoustic guitars on the tour. Sheryl, Rare Earth pick ups and amps have been seen on all the TV shows including "The Today Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman," MSN's "Control Room," "The Ellen Degeneres Show," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Last Call with Carson Daly."

Barry Bales, longtime Fishman guy and bass player with Allison Krauss & Union Station, called to get two more Full Circle Bass Pickups for his new set up in time to tour with his new band Dan Tyminski and Friends. The band includes mandolin great Adam Steffey as well as Justin Moses and Ron Stewart on banjo The Dan and Barry who have some time on their hands this year because Allison Krauss has committed her year to touring with Robert Plant supporting their hit CD "Raising Sand" (more on her later).

Keith Urban, who has been touring non stop, has been using more and more guitars, so we had to rush more Matrix pickups to outfit his touring guitars, back ups and some new guitars.

Brad Paisley sent us a couple of Gibson guitars, some of his favorite Mics and Mic pre- amps to image his guitar for an Ellipse Aura system. Story has it that he was performing an acoustic show and the sound man asked where the mic was. Of course, it was the great sound of the Ellipse Aura system. Keith's utility band member Kendal has been waiting to try our new V-300 violin pick up and our new mandolin set-up on the tour.

We are working on updating the Indigo Girls with the new Matrix Infinity. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been checking out the Aura and DI's for their upcoming summer tour.

Avril Lavigne recently received a new pink sparkle Daisy Rock guitar for her current tour, equipped with a new Matrix Infinity pickup. We have also supplied Fishman ADT-100 drum triggers for all the Avril drums (she a very good drummer).

Porter Howell from the band Little Texas is having a custom guitar built by First Act. Porter has requested a Fishman Tune-O-Matic Powerbridge be installed.

After catching up with longtime Fishman artist John Mayer at this winter's NAMM show John asked if we could upgrade his main Martin guitars to the new Matrix Infinity. He was also very inquisitive about our of our new AFX and Aura pedals. John and his tech Rene Martinez asked if they could try some out.

Country superstar Carrie Underwood's band members Chad Jeffers and Jimmy Herman were in town recently and were very curious about some of our new products, especially the new AFX reverb and V-300 violin pickup and the new Flat Iron mandolin pickup.

Ani DiFranco, with a new baby and a new CD in to show off, came through the Northeast in brilliant form, since all her guitars sound great with their Fishman equipment and bass player Todd Sickafoose is using his second Full Circle bass pickup.

The Fab Faux, made up of studio and TV musicians dedicated to the Beatles, made their only Boston appearance at the Berklee Performance Center. The players include Will Lee (“The Late Show with David Letterman”) Jimmy Vivino (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) Rich Pagano, Frank Agnello, Jack Petruzzelli and a host of others. Rich is a lefty and very much enjoys the sound of a Rare Earth as his “go to” acoustic pick up. The Boston show featured most of the Sgt. Pepper album and a host of other Beatles gems. The added bonus was the Crème Tangerine Strings and Hogshead Horns. A splendid time was had by all.