REVIEW: BOSS RC-300 loop station (used with cello)
PROS
- Has so many more features than the RC-20XL
- In-built effects like reverb
- 3 separate tracks to overdub on per song
- You can set the speed very accurately e.g. 122.4 bpm
- 99 slots to save songs/pre-sets
Where to buy a good cello in Amsterdam
Finding a good cello in Amsterdam is not easy. Finding a good cello anywhere is not easy. And Amsterdam is not really known for its long classical music history. But I found the needle in the haystack!
I needed a cello temporarily to hire last year so I searched high and low for a real cello specialist, and not a chain manufacturer selling straight-from-the-factory-in-China-cellos. Then I found it. Muziekatelier Amsterdam located in North East Amsterdam run by a lovely Dutch cellist named Ascon van der Westen.
The atelier has cellos ranging from student models from €600 to mid-range to beautiful antique 1900′s French, Italian, and German cellos even up to €24,000 (ouch!). Bows, cases, accessories and smaller members of the string family are also available.
The photos below are of the gorgeous beauty I called mine for some time. It has performed with me with Imogen Heap and also has a few cameo appearances on YouTube here and here.
Oh, and they also sell double basses!
Muziekatelier Amsterdam
Ascon van der Westen
Stromarkt 37
1012 SW Amsterdam
tel. 06-15126536
---UPDATE 19 APRIL 2018: Ascon as moved his Atelier to a new location outside Amsterdam---
Muziekatelier N'Holland
Ascon van der Westen
Rechtestraat 45
1483 BB De Rijp
tel. 06-15126536
strijkinstrumenten@hotmail.com
REVIEW: BOSS ME-50 (used for cello)
It has taken me a few years to get going, first an appropriate amplifying system, next a BOSS RC-20 Loop Station and finally, I’m happy to announce I now have an effects pedal, BOSS ME-50 given to me by my favourite Dingo Bird! It’s not easy being a cellist in modern times.
I don’t have so much to ‘review’ yet, since I’m still learning (and I don’t have an amp yet… hahaha so I just listen through headphones, not exactly the desired sound for a crunch distortion. But here are my impressions so far:
- This works great for cello, even though it’s a guitar pedal
- It has an in-built tuner, now I’ll feel so cool to tune my cello between songs on stage (what ever happened to tuning by ear?)
- Reverb options are Room, Hall, Spring or Mod – necessary for a cellist to have reverb!
- Favourite modulation setting so far is harmonist - automatically tunes a specified interval e.g. major 3rd above every note played
- Delay function is neat with tap function or 2 sec memory – still need time to work out its best uses
- Overdrive/Distortion are probably the least effects I will use, have no idea what a Ibanez TS-808 TUBESCREAMER or FUZZFACE are supposed to sound like.
- Sturdy design
- There are knobs for each effect section – and no menus to scroll through
- Easy to turn on and off effects with the 3 foot-switches
- The big black pedal on the side can be used for volume or one of 6 expression options such as +1 octave/ -1 octave (very fun, now I can finally be that jazz double bassist I’ve always dreamed of being)
So far I can say for a cellist it's only good for reverb, delay and live as a pre-amp or volume. More on this soon. Perhaps a video demo if you’re lucky… or yet another version of Bird’s Lament? hahaha…
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REVIEW: 32 key Belcanto Melodica
So now we know hipsters wear Kånken backpacks and listen to music with WeSC headphones, ever wondered what instrument hipsters play in their hipster band? The Melodica. A piano-like, accordian-sounding keyboard with a mouth piece or long tube that you blow into. This instrument is so versatile. It can play as background fuzz, solos or beautiful harmonies. Watch out cello, I think you have a rival.
Ok ok. It’s not a Hohner Melodica but now I have one. And it’s red.