Roland UA-55 Quad Capture Audio Interface

 "The Quad Capture is a brilliant interface for the price.

Roland F-140R Digital Piano

"Living in a small mid-terraced Victorian house in London as I do, space is crucial.

The Roland F-140R was my perfect solution.

At just over 12 inches in depth, it actually fits in my hallway, but more importantly for me the piano key action is the closest to an acoustic piano I've ever tried on a slim-line digital piano. Sorted!” 

Jeff, Pianos & Orchestral Manager

Roland KC110 Stereo Keyboard Amplifier, 30 Watts

“The KC-110 stereo amp has always been popular with keys players. With the option to run it off battery power, it is a popular companion with a lot of buskers I see around London.

The amp has two 6.5 inch speakers and two tweeters generating 30 watts of power. Quite the kick!”

Jordan, Pianos & Guitars

BOSS ST2 Powerstack

“For some reason this pedal is very much under the radar as far as Boss pedals are concerned...

This is a truly excellent digital modelling pedal that emulates the classic Marshall amp tones from all eras, from the JTM45 through to the modern Marshall models.

Very simple to use, nice touch sensitivity, cleans up really well when backing off the guitar's volume control.”

Andy, Guitars

BOSS CH1 Super Chorus Pedal

“The original tried and true classic, much copied by other pedal makers. Smooth warm analogue tones, ranging from a gentle spacious swirl, through to Leslie-like fast vibrato.

Still holds its own against the more expensive "boutique" pedals that copy this design.”

Jake, Guitars

In late 2016, Boss launched the new range of Katana amps.

They have been extremely well received and all of us at Rose Morris love them! I loved it so much that I ended up getting the Katana 100w and when you plug in it’s not hard to see why, let me talk you through my reasoning.

I am a songwriter so when I’m in my home studio I always want either a versatile amp or a massive array of pedals that I can mess around with which can be very expensive and you need to know what you’re buying\using. With the Katana you get both! Now… let me explain.

In all the Katana amps you have “Tone Studio”. This is a technology built into the amp that gives you over 50 legendary boss effects pedals you can use pick from to mould your sound to whatever your musical soul desires. For example, if you are a metal guitarist you might want to add some different types of distortion to add some more grit to your sound. Or say you want to find a more ambient guitar tone you can add some different reverbs, delays or chorus to experiment with! As you can see, in terms of tones the sky is the limit with these amps and one of the main reasons I went for one.

In terms of layout, the top of the amp is very simple which is a breath of fresh air on an amp with so many options built into it. You have your amplifier section, a 3 band EQ, effects section and a master volume with a presence control.

You have 5 types of sounds. Acoustic setting for playing an acoustic guitar which is a nice feature, Clean, crunch, lead and a brown sound which is a higher gain distortion.

This is a very versatile array of sounds to have at your disposal for live, practice or studio application.

In terms of use as a practice amp a feature that I have found extremely useful is the power control. This allows you to have a cranked-up tone at a lower volume to make sure you still get inspired without annoying the neighbours! (too much)

The Katana amps come in 4 different models. 3 combos and 1 amp head.

For your combo amps, you have the Katana 50w, 100w and a 100w 2x12

http://rosemorris.com/search?q=katana

The head is 100w watts and has a 5-inch speaker in it. (Ever seen that before?!)

http://rosemorris.com/products/boss-ktn-head-katana-head

In conclusion, the Katana amps are great for anyone who are still trying to find their sound and experiment all the way to a studio amp that anyone can come in and make use of.

The amount of effects you can use makes the amp extremely adaptable for any situation.

And the different sizes give you options to suit anyone’s needs.

Come down, try one and see what you think!

Jordan

"Who actually made the first electric piano?" I hear you ask. Well like me, you probably imagined it'd be one of the big five brands. However, having 'googled' I was surprised to learn it was in fact a certain Mr C Bechstein. Yes, the purveyor of some of the finest acoustic grand pianos in the world beat all the other companies to this accolade way back in 1939 with the rather audacious sounding Neo-Bechstein - It was an acoustic Grand piano fitted with electric pick ups, a valve amplifier and an external speaker system….A truly innovative product of its time.

So, why am I boring you with all this? Well, Bechstein have teamed up with Casio to produce a unique digital piano which combines the best of both worlds in the form of ‘Grand Hybrid’. Using the same wooden materials found in traditional Bechstein Acoustic piano actions (Austrian Spruce) and developing a unique hammer action combined with all the benefits usually associated with electronic pianos, the two companies have come up with a game changer. They’re aim is simple: Combine the best features of a digital piano with the feel as close as possible to that of a high quality acoustic grand piano hence the name ‘ Grand Hybrid’.

Using samples of the top three European acoustic piano manufacturers along with unique features which allow you to play along with real audio recordings from world famous orchestras, the GP300,& GP500 models have an authentic touch and response which is definitely worth your time and effort to visit our showrooms!  JL

With so many acoustic guitars to choose from, it's easy to get a little lost when trying to find the perfect fit. 

Although it was quite a tricky task, have no fear, I'm here to help make your decision a little bit easier with a rundown of our top ten acoustic guitars:

Shaftesbury 3190e £449

In the 1960's Rose Morris introduced a line of Rodeo Guitars- affordable acoustics readily available to any budding rock star of the day. Nearly 50 years later, we have revamped a Shaftesbury Classic into the modern workhorse. The Shaftesbury 3190 is an all solid wood guitar with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This classic dreadnought shape is great for all players alike, especially those who enjoy blues, country.

I particularly like the way this guitar handles country style-finger picking and big bluesy chords. 

Setup and designed right here in in our London work shop, these guitars are only available at Rose Morris! The 3190 comes with a tweed hard case and a lifetime warranty. Models also available with a custom-fit fishman pickup. 

James Neligan DEV-A £199

Truly one of the best values for money, the James Neligan ASY-D makes for the perfect guitar for beginners and acoustic enthusiasts alike.

I always recommend this guitar to customers who are looking for something they can grow into as well as something they don't have to worry about growing out of too quickly. This guitar's surprising playability will certainly help those who are just starting out get used to the instrument and will also help you stay motivated! 

Sitting at just under £200 with a solid mahogany top, this guitar is perfect for those looking to enjoy warm tones and playability without breaking the bank.

James Neligan offer a full range of guitars under £400 that would suit any beginner or enthusiastic guitarist in search for their first upgrade. Our full range of James Neligan's can be found online here or in store. 

Guild M-120 £471

This all solid mahogany parlour guitar is the perfect companion for any singer/songwriter or blues/folk enthusiast.  With it's slim and rounded neck profile and parlour sized body, this guitar is comfortable and practical, making it the ideal companion for anyone looking for a functional and enjoyable guitar.

I find that this guitars takes really well to melodic fingerpicking patterns. For it's size it is a surprisingly warm sounding guitar, adding a great texture for a vocalist looking for some hearty and lush accompaniment. 

The Guild M-120 is also available with a pickup and comes with a custom-fit Guild flight case. 

This Canadian-made solid top Mahogany acoustic is the answer for anyone looking for an all around classic acoustic guitar. The Mahogany top provides a range of mellow and warm mid-range tones, giving this guitar's sound a great bit of character. 

I would recommend this guitar for folk players looking for an even voice for passionate strumming and intricate fingerstyle techniques. 

Seagull source all of their wood ethically and continue to maintain a positive relationship with lumber mills and use environmentally sustainable materials in all of their guitars- making them completely natural, like an acoustic ought to be. 

Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood £539

The GS Mini Rosewood takes the cake when it comes to travel-sized acoustics. A classic spruce/rosewood combination gives this smaller scale guitar a strong and confident voice. Recently, Taylor have fitted all of their electro-acoustics with the ES2 pickup. Up until now these wonderful pickups have only been available in American models, but are now spread across nearly the entire range allowing any Taylor player to get an authentic acoustic sound while playing live or recording. 

If they haven't played a GS Mini before, customers are always shocked with the playability and volume of this comfortable guitar. I always reassure them that what Taylor does best is consistency, and that their GS Mini's incredible tones will be surprising them for years to come!

This shop-favourite, along with all GS Mini models come with a custom-fit padded gig bag and a 12 year Taylor warranty. 

Taylor 214-ce Deluxe £1035

Like its little cousin the GS Mini, the 214ce Deluxe is another one of our most popular Taylors. With it's glossy finish and handsomely figured rosewood back, this guitar definitely looks as good as it sounds. This is most certainly one of the crown jewels of Taylor's wide range of Mexican made acoustics.

Rosewood back and sides give this guitar a balanced yet powerful bassy tone, while the spruce top is bright and sharp.I think this guitar is great for a variety of styles, but really shines for sparkly pop chords, gritty blues licks, and twangy country plucking. 

The deluxe model features a high-gloss finish, diamond-inlays and includes a Taylor hard case and 12 year warranty. 

Riversongs are certainly the most unique acoustic guitars we have ever stocked here at Rose Morris. Last summer we had the honour of meeting Riversong CEO and inventor Mike Miltimore, and got a first hand experience picking the brain of someone who wanted to change the way acoustic guitars were made. 

These unique guitars include a neck that goes all the way through the body, allowing you to make quick and easy adjustments to the action without needing to use the truss rod. This particular model has a body made entirely of solid Canadian Spruce, giving it a bright and boomy sound. 

I especially like how Mike and his team source wood locally and ethically in their home province of British Columbia. Simple and practical, these guitars give a breath of fresh air to the time honoured design of the acoustic guitar. 

Taylor 614-ce £2663

On a recent trip to Chicago I was given the opportunity to try out the newly redesigned 614ce before it arrived over-seas in London, and I must admit, I was very excited about the prospect that we would be stocking this guitar. 

The 714ce is a rootsy-sounding acoustic that sits perfectly in our wide range of Taylor's. This American-made solid Cedar top acoustic provides sparkly mid tones complimented by deep and boomy solid rosewood back and sides. 

This guitar is great for folk and roots players looking for a bit of bite and their tone. I think this guitar sounds particularly nice in open tunings, and has a nice even tone for those lush open chords.

The Taylor 714-ce comes with a full taylor 12 year warranty and a deluxe hard case.

Even though this guitar has mahogany back and sides, it's surprisingly rich and bassy. You can really feel the guitar resonate, especially on those big and boxy open chords. This guitar is great for a variety of styles, especially complimenting styles like blues and country with it's crisp high tones and strong lows. 

The 510e also features a slightly shorter scale length and a slotted headstock, allowing it to feel like it has a lower tension- making string bends easy. Like all American Taylor models, this guitar comes with a hard case and 12 year warranty. 

...and it's high time for a fresh blog, and what better way than discussing what's so good about the new Roland FP-30 compared to the outgoing F-20?

For starters it's sleeker..with more buttons (the F-20 is mainly sub-menu, ie finicky) and weighs a whole lot less! 

By the by, the new iPhone 4S is the first mobile to have Bluetooth 4.0, and the FP-30 is the first digital piano to have it!  Another more useful addition being 5 types of keyboard touch plus escapement on an 'ivory' touch keybed. At a £450-ish price point Roland should clean up! 

It doesn't get any easier for the modern day musician to make a living. Record companies pay less, rent goes up and yet the endless quest for that perfect tone never ceases. Here at Rose Morris, we are gigging musicians and we understand it can be hard to get exactly what you want and balance the budget. However, there are plenty of hidden gems out there that will get you the tone you seek. Here are our must have bits of gear for your perfect blues rig, all coming in at under £500.

GUITAR

Vintage VSA535 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar - £275

Straight off the bat you need an axe that can handle anything but doesn't break the bank. Classic blues players like BB King and Larry Carlton relied on their trusty Gibson ES-335 (345 in BB's case) to get the job done. It's pretty hard to pick up a guitar quite like 'Lucile' for under £500, However, the Vintage VSA535 is the ideal solution. Amazingly warm tones thanks to the Wilkinson humbucker pickups are delivered with a resonance that only a semi hollow maple body can bring. A steal at £275, the Vintage can go toe to toe with any of its more pricey counterparts and is the perfect platform to build your blues domination. 

AMP

Roland Cube 40GX Guitar Amplifier  - £155

This is where things get tricky. If the guitar is the star of the show, then your amp does most of the leg work. You need something sturdy for the road, yet light weight. It needs to nail a killer blues tone, with enough features to be versatile.  The Roland Cube may be looked upon as a simple practice amp, but at 40w output packs a big enough punch for any venue. That coupled with an excellent tweed deluxe lead setting, or a Marshall JTM setting if you're more into your woman tone, Makes the Cube 40GX an excellent versatile option that wont break the bank. 

PEDAL

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive Pedal  - £43

Blues music isn't often associated with guitar effects. Most people would rather go straight into an amp than clutter their signal with stomp boxes. However, just ask SRV ( a little tricky now I know) how he got his amazing, abrasive tone. Strat into a Twin via a Tubescreamer. An original 808 is maybe a little pricey for our budget rig. However, the Boss SD-1 is a perfect match. Essentially the same circuit as the Tubescreamer, but with a slightly different clipping stage. The Super Overdrive has less mid range and more aggression and is perfect as a lead boost.

EXTRA

Jim Dunlop 222 Brass Slide - £7.99



Utilising the slide can add an extra dimension to your playing. Great players like Jack White and Derek Trucks play amazing lead with slide. This simple brass slide finishes off your budget blues rig with style.

Well friends, here we are, another exciting year of new products and gear to fuel and enrich our fingers and imaginations. Even though 2016 has just begun, we've had an inside scoop of great products popping up over the course of this week at the NAMM show in California. I won't dwell on the fact that none of us get to bask in the glow of the Californian sunshine, but I'm not saying I wouldn't exchange at least one frosty London morning for the chance to chat about guitars sitting by the pool drinking an ice cold glass of rootbeer. 

Never the less, on with the show!

Kermit enjoying the sun at NAMM 

GUILD ARCHBACKS

What better way to start off the new year than a new series of guitars from one of our favourite acoustic guitar makers.

In the £300-£500 price range, Guild brings over 60 years of innovation and creation into the modern age with their all new solid-top archback acoustics. Producing a sweet and balanced tone, these guitars are as versatile as they are practical. The guitars feature a solid Spruce top and laminate Mahogany back sides, complementing Guild's signature archback, allowing the guitar to have a lush projection and great sustain. 

All models in this range are equipped with Guild's own AP-1 pickup, featuring an Indian Rosewood neck and tortoise shell pickguard. Available in the parlour, auditorium, 12 string, and jumbo sizes, these guitars are sure to be a pleasure to play without breaking the bank for that iconic Guild sound! 

Click here to find out more

PRS CE24

2015 was certainly a big year for PRS as they celebrated 30 years of integrating modernization and history into one of the most versatile guitars on the market. This year, in an unexpected but much appreciated twist, PRS are bringing back a forgotten gem originally introduced in 1988: a bolt on, satin neck custom 24.  

 The CE24 is an affordable step into the immense world of PRS guitars, with a classic twist for the player who is looking for that time-honoured feel in a modern instrument. Featuring an on board push-pull coil tap, the guitar allows the player to get a wide range of tones out of the 85/15 pickups. This guitar is perfect for those who want to get that classic fender tweed twang along with gritty gibson-esque meaty tones. 

This guitar features a maple top and mahogany body, an indian rosewood neck with a sleek satin back, and classic PRS bird inlays. 

ROLAND - EC-10 ELECTRIC CAJON

Roland's unique take on the cajon allows players to enhance their playing with electronic layered sounds is a great addition to the ever changing world of electronic percussion. Even though this is a hybrid cajon, don't fret, the cajon itself sounds great on its own, featuring a spruce top to give you a sharp attack and sustain.

Roland takes advantage of the world's most popular portable drum and gives it a new life for those looking to record and add depth to their playing with the tambourine or djembe settings. The cajon's highly receptive triggers allows the player to access built in cajon sounds, which are particularly useful for getting a fuller, rounder tone. With top mounted sound controls, the player can easily access and control the sounds whilst playing- a real bonus for experimental and gigging musicians everywhere.  

With 12 hours of battery life powered by 6 AA batteries, this cajon can withstand long jam sessions or outdoor gigs, which makes it perfect for busking and traveling.

 Click here for details 

VOX - AV SERIES AMPS

Normally known for their timeless valve amps, Vox is never afraid to bring something new and interesting to the market. The new AV (Analog Valve) series gives players a full array of analogue amplifier sounds via eight analogue pre-amp circuits, featuring a sparkly clean tone and a high- gain gritty tone. These amps give the player complete and intricate control over specific tones and an an easy to use EQ that will get you rockin' in no time! 

The valve stage modifies the circuit by adding or reducing brightness and bass response, allowing the player to make specific adjustments to the bias and power section. The amp also features built in reverb, chorus, and delay, giving you a wide array of classic colours to your tone. The amps are available in 15, 30, and 60 watt combos and have 12 AX7 tubes. 

ROLAND- BOSS VB-2W

We're really excited that BOSS have finally resurrected this modern classic. The original VB-2 was released in 1982 and discontinued 4 years later. It soon became much sought after, used by alt guitar heroes like  Graham Coxon and Nels Cline. Original examples fetch upwards of £300 on the second hand market, making this oddball gem unattainable for the regular player, until now. BOSS have perfectly recreated the original pitch vibrato, which can go from subtle warped vinyl sound to full on watery madness, with an all analog BBD circuit developed by the Waza custom shop in Japan. They have also added a custom mode, with a wider frequency sweep and an optional expression control. This is your chance to own an amazing pedal for half the price of the originals.

VIC FIRTH - KEITH MOON DRUM STICKS

Almost every modern drummer has been influenced by The Who's Keith Moon in some way, either directly or by someone who looked up to him. His unique, aggressive style brought power and speed into the world of rock drumming along with the sense that a drummers personality is as important as their technique.

We stock a  large range of Vic Firth signature sticks, representing a wide array of drummer from different styles and backgrounds. 

Looking back at 2015, it was quite the innovative and exciting year for gear. With gems such as the Boss SY-300,  the Electro Harmonix Cool Vibes and Cock Fight pedals, and the newly revoiced Taylor 6 series, 2015 was certainly an intriguing year for gear. 

Here some things we are looking forward to in 2016!

Catalina Chorus - Seymour Duncan

 We here at Rose Morris are huge fans of Seymour Duncan pedals, especially after we named the Vapor Trail Analog Delay one of our favourite pedals of the year.

From clean shimmers to swirling lush effects, this pedal will surely meet every player's needs. With delay times from 6 to 60 milliseconds and a 'hard' and 'soft' modes this pedal gives you versatility and full tonal control. 

Said to be one of the most dynamic and fluent chorus pedals on the market, it isn't a surprise that we are (not so) patiently waiting to get our hands on the Catalina Chorus! 

720 Stereo Looper - Electro Harmonix

If there is one thing we have seen dominate the pedal market this year it would have to be compact looper pedals. We are quite excited that Electro Harmonix will be joining in with the innovative 720 Stereo Looper. 

The 720 Stereo Looper has 720 seconds (that's 12 minutes) of stereo looping time, giving you 10 independent loops and infinite overdubbing. With Reverse and 1/2 speed options this pedal definitely brings a new twist to the loop pedal. It also provides extended battery life, which is a bonus if you are looking to busk. 

Perhaps the most exciting feature: It also includes a stereo in/out so you can record two instruments at once!

SE 277 Semi-Hollow Soapbar Baritone- PRS

 2015 marked the anniversary of 30 years of breakthroughs and innovations for PRS. Boasting a fantastic range of anniversary SE's and Custom 24's, PRS proved that they aren't going to be stopping any time soon, which brings us to one of the guitars we are most excited about in the new year: the 277 Semi-Hollow Soapbar Baritone. 

With its 2 P-90 or 'soapbar' pickups, this guitar offers a flexible, muscled, and over-all aggressive tone. The flexibility of this guitar really shines when played clean- with sparkly high ends for lead work and a warm bass tone for those big chords. Tuned B to B, this guitar unlocks a whole new world of chord voicings and tones. 

They say it's the thought that counts, but that doesn't stop most of us fantasizing about what an unlimited budget could bring on Christmas morning. Here our Rose Morris staff pick what they'd want to find under their tree if money were no object.

Kess - Taylor 614ce



On a recent trip to Chicago I was given the opportunity to try out the newly redesigned 614ce before it arrived over-seas in London, and I must admit, I was very excited about the prospect that we would be stocking this guitar.

Duncan - Roland TD-25KV

As an acoustic kit player, the TD-25KV provides a perfect substitute for the real thing. Every nuance and subtlety is meticulously catered for.  Moreover, the vast amount of sounds, kits and instruments are great inspiration for any creative drummer!

Sam - Roland JC-120

120 watts of the most incredible clean tone with a chorus effect to match. The JC-120 just handles all pedals beautifully, goes louder than you ever need to, has a clean and distortion channel with built in effects. I just can't get past this historic beast, everything sounds great on this amp.

Jeff - Kawai CS10

If I could have any Piano in the shop, It would have the be the CS10. Everything about it just feels amazing. The action on the keys and the finishing are fantastic. Most importantly, the quality of the sound keeps me sat at the keys for hours on end, I cant stop playing!

Matt - Boss SY300

We got a sneak preview of this pedal earlier in the year and I was pretty sceptical. However, I was instantly blown away by how much you could do with this pedal.

The blender function means there's an almost infinite amount of cool sounds on tap and the ease with which you can control the different functions make this a really fun and creative experience. There's nothing quite like it. 

Joe - ESP E-II ST-2

The ST-II is unashamedly the most fun I've had playing any guitar in a long time. You'd certainly struggle to find a more capable shred machine than this!

Although at first glance this guitar suits a metal style of playing, its extremely versatile DiMarzio passive pickups state otherwise.

With Christmas just around the corner, now is the best time to grab that perfect gift! From sticks and pads to full blown kits, we have a great range of accessories and instruments to suit every drummer's needs! Here are our top stocking fillers for Drummers

Vic Firth 5A  American Classic Hickory Sticks

The American Classic 5A has long been one of the world’s most popular drumstick models. Great for all types of players and styles!

The American Classic line combines tradition and Vic Firth style. With bold designs, the Classics are turned from select hickory — a dense wood with little flex for a more pronounced sound. Hickory is also capable of withstanding a great deal of shock, making it highly durable. The tips are deeply back-cut for intensified cymbal response.

Korg Clip-Hit

The Clip-Hit is a new electric drum kit that's ideal for practice at home or for casual playing. Attach the clips with their internal sensor to a magazine, desk, or almost any surface, transforming it into a snare, hi-hat or cymbal.

You can also attach these clips to practice pads, using them to play drums or any of the programmed EFX sounds that include dog sounds, cat sounds and hand clapping. Clip-Hit will breathe new life into your drum practice, and is a great way to enhance your experience and creativity.

RTOM Moongel 

The world's most highly acclaimed resonance control device ever designed, is effective, simple and versatile.When only the most effective means of controlling a percussion instrument's sound will do, percussionists turn to the Moongel Damper Pad.

The self-adhesive gel sticks to the surface of drums, cymbals, and most percussion instruments.

Meinl Hi-Hat Tambourine

The Meinl Hi-hat Tambourine is a new effect that fits on any standard hi-hat rod. Perfect compliment for hi-hat cymbals or can be played on its own.

Remo Putty Practice Pad

Remo Putty Practice Pad, modelling material which can be molded to preferred shape and size. Great for a drummer on the go!

There are plenty of other small gift ideas at Rose Morris this Christmas. Come and see us on Denmark Street and we can help you make someones day!