Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Update: Zebra Lounge Pics!

Okay, we got the purple rope lights working in the Zebra Lounge and I got some new pics. I have to say though, none of these photos do justice to the ambiance and vibe of the real thing.

 

 

And while we're at it, I almost forgot to show you all our super groovy lightshow in the studio. There's definitely no shortage of ambiance and vibe at the Gear Shop.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Photo Shoot

We've had numerous requests for new pictures of the FMO Gear Shop now that it's finished. So we had a little impromptu photo shoot last night, and here's the result.

Aerial View


 Overhead Door, starring Harvey the Ladder

The Office, where I sometimes actually get stuff done...

The Shipping and Receiving area, which doubles as a bar when the area in front becomes the dance floor...

The Lavatory is Lovely...


Aerial View of the Work Bench, where Cats build Pedals...

Makes ya wanna work here, don't it?

One of many surprises we have in store - our Vintage Keyboard project studio!

Lots o' gear in here...

 2 hours free studio time to the first person who can name every keyboard pictured...

Storage and Inventory room...

And finally, my personal favorite - the Zebra Lounge!

You should see it with the purple rope lights on. They need a little tweaking, but it looks AWESOME when they're all working.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Recession? What recession?

Listen, don't let this turn in the economy get you down. Sure, we've hit some turbulence, and the ride's getting a little bumpy, but as the saying goes, This Too Shall Pass. It's true! Allow me to quote these immortal words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, from his first inaugural address 76 years ago, at the height of the Great Depression: "... the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance..."

Think about it, it's fear that fuels this recession. People freak out en masse and stop spending. First retailers feel it, then manufacturers, and ultimately everyone's affected in a sort of domino effect. I know there’s a little more to it than that, but hey, I’m a guitar player not an economist. The point is, let’s not panic and make things worse (after all, FEAR Is often little more than False Evidence Appearing Real).

Let’s remember, this is a time for giving, generosity, and good cheer. So here’s hoping, in spite of present circumstances, you all have a happy, joyous holiday season... And of course, I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t mention the fact that Analog Man’s Guide To Vintage Effects makes the perfect holiday gift for all your musician friends and relations.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

We're Live!

Finally! Our new shopping cart is up and running! Check it out!

I know it's been a while between updates, but between moving and getting set up in the new place, PLUS working on the shopping cart, I've been a very busy boy. The new place looks amazing! We're just putting the finishing touches on it, and then I'll take some pictures and post them. Stay tuned!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes...

 ... turn and face the strange ch-ch-changes."

Yeah, so we did a mini move on Monday, when I did the last update, but then ran into complications. Long story short, I rented a U-Haul yesterday and with the help of Dave, Amica, and Jorge, moved more gear than you could play in a month into the new space... and my house hasn't been this empty since I moved in. It's so weird... and a little sad, my big empty lonely house (even my cat's a little freaked out)... but it's new and exciting at the same time. I still don't have current pictures of the finished space, but I have some from a few weeks ago that show further progress than the last batch.

The room with the window is the lounge (you should see it now!). In front of it is the packing and shipping station. The studio is behind the lounge. To the left is the office, behind that the bathroom, further back is the work area, and the storage room is all the way at the end (behind the back wall).

 

 

Monday, November 3, 2008

It's All Happening!

... like RIGHT NOW! The two main things we have going on here at FMO are the big move to our new location and getting our new shopping cart up and running. Each of those things have been demanding my full-time attention, on top of what I usually have going, and I've been running around like a nut 24/7 trying to get everything ready. It's all very exciting, but incredibly hectic as well. So if anyone feels I may have been a little neglectful lately, please feel free to be a squeaky wheel and let me know.

The shopping cart has a go live date of (dare I say it) this Saturday, November 8th, but a LOT needs to happen before then. And we're scheduled to start moving into our new location like... TODAY! Seriously, the movers will be coming by with the big rig later today.

Speaking of the new location, it looks fantastic! All the construction was completed a couple of weeks ago; then there was painting, electrical, plumbing, flooring; now we're just doing some finish work and a few final tweaks and then moving in. I'll bring the camera so I can get some pics to show you all what the finished space looks like. In the meantime, check out these shots I got while it was still under construction...

Looking in from the open overhead door

The StudioStudio Under Construction

The Work Area

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Did we ever mention our column in Premier Guitar?

You know, it occurs to me that the column I write with Analog Mike for Premier Guitar magazine - called "Stomp School" - has never been never been mentioned on either the For Musicians Only website or on Analog Man's website. We've been doing this column for over a year and a half now, so it's about time we told you about it. As you can probably guess, it's all about your favorite topic and mine, the stompbox. But rather than talk about it, why don't you just go check it out! Make sure you select "All Issues" from the pull-down menu so you can pick which article you want to read.

Oh, and while we're at it, check out the feature article I wrote for the November issue, called "The Wild And Wacky World of Collectible Effects." Lots of great G.A.S. inducing, drool-worthy pictures by yours truly.

Keep On Stompin'!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Analog Man's Guide To Vintage Effects - a video review!

We've been super busy this week getting ready for the big move to our new digs, so I haven't gotten to do as much blogging as I wanted. More to come soon though. In the meantime, check out this video review of Analog Man's Guide To Vintage Effects by fellow Harmony Central forumite workinclasszero: Watch It Now!

Speaking of video reviews, check out this interview with Joe Satriani where he talks about Analog Man's Guide toward the very end of the interview (it's a long interview, so feel free to skip ahead): Joe Satriani Loves The Book!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Experience Hendrix!

I saw an awesome show last night at the Palace Theater in Waterbury - the Experience Hendrix Tour 2008. But get this, I didn't just see the show, I had an all access backstage pass, courtesy of my friend and colleague Analog Mike, who was bringing some custom made Analog Man Sunlion pedals to his pal, Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

The show was fantastic! Check out this all-star line up in attendance: Eric Johnson, Buddy Guy, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith (another Analog Man customer), original Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Kenny Wayne of course, Jonny Lang, Eric Gales, Bernard Allison, and Mato Nanji. All this in addition to original Jimi Hendrix bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox. Mitch only played on a few songs, so Chris Layton of Double Trouble held down the drum duties for most of the night.

I have to say (not to make anyone jealous), it was a blast hanging backstage, standing 3 feet away from Eric Johnson and Brad Whitford, chatting it up with Kenny Wayne (well, actually Mike was doing most of the chatting), and Jonny Lang with an ear to ear grin over getting a King of Tone pedal and an Analog Man t-shirt. Mike and I even went up to the balcony for a bit to check out Eric Johnson's set.

The music, of course, was great throughout the entire evening. But the thing that impressed me most was the way most of the guitarists just hung out in the wings all night watching each other play when they weren't on stage, all respectfully attentive and cheering each other on. Hubert Sumlin was so enthusiastic he even got up and started dancing a little (he's 76!). That's the stuff that made my night.

Unfortunately, I didn't think to bring a camera until I was halfway to the show, so you'll have to settle for a picture of my pass and this setlist that I got backstage.

 

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Yeah, we're blogging. Got a problem with that?

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new For Musicians Only web log (a.k.a. blog). We've got sooooo much going on here to tell you about and no other way to say it, so we're doing the blog thing.

First, let me begin by introducing myself - I am Analog Tom. I'm also known as Non-Digital Tom. But if you want, you can just call me Tom. We can save the rest of the biographical info for another time. What I really wanted to do is tell you all about the new and exciting things going on here at For Musicians Only. First of all, we’ll be launching a new, high-tech fancy-schmancy eCommerce shopping cart in the next few weeks – fully automated and user friendly with a greatly expanded product line. About time, huh?

But wait, there’s more!

We’re also moving to a new location. It’s a 1500 square foot space in a brand new building, being custom configured to my specification (pictures to follow!). This will not only help facilitate the growth of our current business – that being online retail for premium vintage and boutique gear – but will accommodate our pursuit of a few exciting new projects we have in the works…

Now, you may be wondering, “What exactly are these new projects of which you speak, Analog Tom?” Well, I’m a firm believer in the philosophy of show don’t tell, so I don’t want to let the “Cat” out of the bag just yet. But I can tell you that we will be manufacturing an entire line of incredibly awesome boutique pedals that we know for a fact you’ll love. And there’s more… a LOT more. So stay tuned, I’ll be giving you all the juicy, intricate gear-happy details, all in good time. The plan is to update this blog as frequently as we can with news and info that will entertain and enlighten all who find their way here, and to encourage interaction with and among the great community of gearheads out there. Yeah, I’m talking daily updates… hold me to it! Feel free to leave your comments, get a dialog going. Let’s get this party started!