Today's Top Stories:

  Save BIG on the Korg TP-2 Preamp
There's no question that in this squeaky clean digital age, more and more musicians, engineers, and producers are looking for the rich, full-bodied sound produced by vacuum tubes. The TP-2 Dual Tube Microphone Preamp from Korg combines a dual-channel tube preamp (with switchable stereo operation), transparent optical compression, and digital outputs with 24-bit/96kHz A/D conversion built in. But the hottest feature of the Korg TP-2 is the incredibly low Sweetwater price! Though it carries a list price of $699, the TP-2 Tube Preamp can be yours for just $179.96! That's a savings of almost 75%! The TP-2 offers two completely independent preamps, each driven by its own 12AX7 tube and individual real-time controls. Using a specially tuned version of the Valve Force technology seen in the Electribe X series and Triton Extreme, the TP-2 accepts either XLR or 1/4" TRS inputs, with switchable phantom power. Equipped with a hi-Z switch, 26dB pad button, and a variable trim control, the TP-2 assures the optimal gain setting for any source. The TP-2 uses state-of-the-art optical compression to respond quickly to any signal with a wide range of dynamic control. Compression sensitivity knobs on the front panel are teamed with Fast/Slow release time buttons and large, audiophile VU meters for intuitive realtime control.

  ToonTrack Music Updates Superior Drummer
Toontrack Music has released Superior Drummer 1.5.6 for dfh-Superior, Superior Custom and Vintage, and Superior Vintage. This RTAS version of Superior Drummer is fully compatible with Pro Tools 7 and above for all platforms (M-Powered, LE, and TDM/HD on both PC and Mac). Superior Drummer 1.5.6 is available as a free download for all registered users. This update is strongly recommended for users who had experienced graphic issues with the previous release, and of course, Pro Tools users with compatible systems. Here are just a few of the bug fixes and improvements:

• Graphic meltdown affecting Logic/DP-fronted TDM/DAE systems is fixed.
• Improved multiple instances support on multiple CPUs.
• Various transmute-related bugs fixed.
• Setting Fade mode back to Note On once Aftertouch or NoteOff had been selected was ignored.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass - Squier's great new Vintage Modified Precision Bass offers the stripped-down, straight-ahead tone heard on countless recordings since the dawn of rock. Features include an Olympic White agathis body with a polyurethane finish, one-piece "C"-shape maple neck with 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, 3-ply black/white/black pickguard, thunderous Duncan-Designed split single-coil pickups with Alnico V magnets, chrome hardware and machine heads, and 4-saddle chrome bridge.
• Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass - The Vintage Modified Jazz Bass sports a solid maple body and a slick natural polyurethane finish. The comfortable "C"-shape maple neck has black binding and vintage-style block inlays on a 20-fret maple fingerboard. This retro-inspired Jazz Bass delivers a strong, soulful sound, courtesy of a pair of single-coil Duncan Designed Jazz Bass pickups with individual volume controls and a master tone control. The 3-ply black and white pickguard is the perfect complement to the natural finish.
• Fender Custom Shop Custom Classic Jazz Bass - Subtle refinements to Fender's legendary Jazz Bass guitar make the Custom Classic model perfect for any style of music. It features a slightly slimmer waist contour, plus deeper cutaways for easier access to the upper registers of its 21-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard. The Custom Classic's unbound neck, mother-of-pearl block inlays and detailed fret dressing will inspire every bass player. A cutting-edge 18-volt preamp was designed in parallel with new ferrous-carbon pickups, resulting in an interactive system design offers a dynamic, versatile and controllable tone-shaping platform with greater headroom and less noise.

  Guitar Of The Day
Both John Lennon and George Harrison owned and used Gibson J-160Es for much of the acoustic work heard on various Beatles albums. On stage, thanks to a single-coil pickup installed in the neck position, the J160E could be plugged into an amp, allowing for much greater volume. In 1967, John Lennon commissioned a psychedelic paint job on his J-160E for the satellite broadcast of "All You Need is Love," though for some reason, he chose not to use it during that performance. Probably the painted guitar just didn't sound very good, because by 1969, Lennon had the paint stripped away, and the Gibson Montana John Lennon J-160E Peace model duplicates this "post-paint job" guitar, right down to the smallest detail. This acoustic has Gibson's popular round-shouldered body style with a Sitka spruce top and tropical mahogany neck, back, and sides with 4-ply top and single-ply back body binding. The neck profile, like so many of Gibson's most popular designs, is not too fat, not too thin, and comes with a rosewood fingerboard with those distinctive pearloid trapezoid position inlays. The tortoiseshell pickguard complements the natural finish, while a traditional P-90 single-coil pickup sits in the position between the soundhole and the 20-fret neck. The John Lennon J160E Peace model comes with an authentic replica strap, a Lennon signature truss rod cover and a numbered and signed certificate of authenticity. As you'd expect, this collector's item ships with a plush-lined Custom Shop hardshell case.