Latest stories
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Saxophone Instrument Terminology
15th Jul 2026
A summary of some of the common features of a saxophone
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Presto Presents... Jazz at Presto Music 2
9th Jul 2026
In this latest episode of Presto Presents, our Piano Specialist Duncan Fairweather joins Dave Olney (Acoustic Bass) and Myke Clifford (Sax/Flute/Vocals) for an evening of Jazz standards in our second live Jazz event!
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Spotlight on Azumi Flutes: Bridging the Gap Between Student and Professional
8th Jun 2026
Azumi Flutes were founded in the autumn of 2002 in Azumino, Japan, as an off-shoot of the premium brand Altus Flutes. Created by renowned master flute maker Shuichi Tanaka, the brand was designed to bridge the gap between student and professional models by offering high-quality, handcrafted flutes at an accessible price point
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A Legendary Choice: The 70-Year Reign of the Buffet R13
29th May 2026
Known as the legendary choice for professionals since its inception in 1955, the R13 clarinet is the oldest model in Buffet Crampon’s catalogue and is still their biggest selling professional clarinet worldwide. Its revolutionary design is that which all modern clarinets are measured against.
Featured product
Buffet Crampon B flat Clarinet - R13
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Small but Mighty - A Guide to Clarinet Mouthpieces
13th Apr 2026
Clarinet players of all levels will, at some point, go through the process of choosing a new mouthpiece. A clarinet mouthpiece might appear to be a small and simple part of the clarinet, but in fact has a huge impact on the tone and responsiveness of your instrument. In this guide, we take a look at the difference the right mouthpiece can make to your playing.
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Jakob Winter Cases: Where Tradition meets Innovation
1st Apr 2026
Jakob Winter is a renowned German manufacturer of musical instrument cases with a history dating back to 1886. Originally focusing on the production of traditional handmade wooden cases, the company has expanded its range over the years to produce instrument cases which include modern and environmentally friendly materials.
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Faith Legacy: The New Satin Sunburst
23rd Jan 2026
The new Faith Legacy Earth Satin FG4HCE is an OM‑sized, all‑solid electro‑acoustic that pairs a torrefied Sitka Spruce top with African Mahogany for that warm, responsive, stage‑ready instrument.
Featured product
Faith: Acoustic Guitar - Legacy Earth Satin
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Clarinet Instrument Terminology
14th Jan 2026
If you have started playing the clarinet – congratulations! You are at the beginning of an exciting musical journey. There are lots of additional details you will learn as you go, but here is a list of the most common clarinet terms and definitions to get you started.
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Höfner: Tomorrow Never Knows
18th Dec 2025
Höfner bass guitars precariously sit at a crossroads into late 2025; still iconic and in demand, but with the company now in German insolvency proceedings that cast a real and serious doubt on its future ownership and structure.
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Why that Bargain Woodwind Instrument is a False Economy
30th Oct 2025
Everyone loves a bargain, especially at a time when the cost of living is so high. For some purchases, those bargains can represent a genuine saving, but when it comes to musical instruments, the mantra ‘you get what you pay for’ almost always applies. In this article, we look at the reasons why the purchase of a cheap woodwind instrument isn't worth it.
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Buffet v Yamaha: Beginner and Intermediate Clarinets
15th Oct 2025
When it comes to purchasing clarinets, we are often asked what the difference is between Buffet and Yamaha. In this article, we take a look at the student and step-up models from both manufacturers and what they have to offer to help you make the right choice for you.
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String Theory: D'Addario XS Electric Guitar Strings
11th Sep 2025
In the world of electric guitar, strings can be the "un-twanged" heroes, bridging the gap between your fingers and the amp's roar. They can make or break a riff, a solo or an entire gig.
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Blackstar HT Series Amplifiers: The Galactic Heroes of Guitar Tone!
4th Sep 2025
You're a guitarist on a quest for that perfect amplifier, one that roars like a lion but purrs like an adorable kitten when the neighbours start banging on the walls. Enter the Blackstar HT series, the valve-powered wonders from the UK-based amp wizards at Blackstar.
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The Sidekick of Your Sound: A Deep Dive into Guitar Cables
21st Aug 2025
Guitar cables might seem like the boring second-thought sidekick in your gear arsenal or wish-list, but they're the vital artery pumping your tone from instrument to amplifier. Skimp on them and you're inviting a tonal Bertolt Brecht tragedy.
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Polar Go: Calling All Creators
7th Aug 2025
Many creators rely on their mobile devices for recording but are limited by poor-quality internal microphones or bulky, expensive gear. Polar Go solves this by offering a portable, easy-to-use solution that delivers professional audio quality.
Featured product
Blackstar: Polar Go - 2-Channel Interface
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Sontronics Solo: The British-built dynamic mic making a serious case for itself
15th Jul 2025
In a crowded market filled with long-established favourites, it's not easy for a new dynamic microphone to stand out. Yet the Sontronics Solo, designed and manufactured in the UK, does exactly that—quietly but confidently.
Featured product
Sontronics SOLO Microphone
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Blackstar ID:X 50 & 100
12th Jul 2025
The IDX:50 and IDX:100 amplifiers are Blackstar’s latest high-power digital combos, building on the acclaimed original ID Series amplifiers and designed to deliver exceptional sound and versatility in a compact format and go directly up against the current industry leader in the hottest sector of the market, the Boss Katana.
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Piccolos - A Short Guide to Purchasing a New Instrument
30th Jun 2025
There are a few things to consider when you are looking to purchase a new piccolo, whether you are new to the instrument or looking to up-grade from your student model. In this short guide we take a look at some of the factors you might take into account in your search to find the right instrument for you.
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Yamaha TAG3C Trans-Acoustic: Adjourn the Analogue Acoustic
19th Jun 2025
Yamaha has been a titan in the guitar world since the 1940s, blending Japanese precision with a knack for innovation that’s made their acoustics a go-to for everyone from campfire strummers to face-melting solo magicians.
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Faith: Eclipse 12-String - An Astral Gem
5th Jun 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of strumming a guitar that has a “chorus of smooth” while looking sleek enough to look sharp in the spotlight, the Faith Eclipse Neptune 12-String is your ticket to stardom.
Featured product
Faith: Neptune - 12-String
