The Deal: The Music Zoo, located in Queens, New York has really exploded onto the national scene over the last handful of years and is now one of the premier retailers of high-end guitars in the country.

They’ve just announced their annual Fall Sale. Every guitar, bass, amplifier, stompbox, and accessory will be on sale and at their lowest prices of the year. Check out their website and send them an email for a complete list of in-stock items.

Expires: October 11, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Our buddies over at HowAudio.com have just announced another product giveaway.

Head over to their website to enter to win a free copy of Battery 3 by Native Instruments, the professional standard for drums and percussion sampling.

According to the Native Instrument product info:

The latest version of the acclaimed drum sampler fuses an extensive library with functionality and simplicity. A powerful new engine and a host of sound shaping options deliver tight, punchy drums while the user-friendly interface guarantees instant access and complete control.

Battery 3 is armed with an extensive sample library. Over 100 professional kits cover an incredibly broad spectrum of musical styles. From authentic acoustic kits to contemporary electronic collections and ethnic percussion from all over the globe, every genre is represented. Compatibility with most standard sample formats allows seamless integration of virtually any third party libraries.

Entry Deadline: October 13, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

I have no interests in making this a political blog (God knows there’s enough already!). I also have no desire to tell you who to vote for on November 4th.

I do, however, want to take this opportunity to ask you to register to vote. Today is the deadline to register here in Colorado. I know that the deadline for a few states has already passed, and it’s coming up in the next week for many others.

This is without question the most important election of my lifetime (having spent 31 years on this planet). I suspect that for anyone alive today, it also ranks toward the top. Whichever way you lean, we can all agree that change needs to come to Washington DC. The best way you can affect this change is to vote on November 4th, and you can only do that if you’re registered.

Again, I’m not getting on a soapbox to tell you who to vote for, but I want to point you toward the resources to get registered. There is really no excuse. With the way this system is set up, you can register and vote from the comfort of your home. Register online, request a mail-in ballot, send it in. Do it all without losing out on your valuable practice time!

• Register at Barack Obama’s Vote for Change website
• Register to vote at John McCain’s website
• Register to vote and find your state’s registration deadline at Rock the Vote
• Overseas or in the military? You can still register here

I’m sure I’m very convincing, but just in case I’m not, please watch this video:

Just in case you’re not into a bunch of Hollywood elitists telling you to vote, here’s something to well some patriotism up inside you. I guaran-f-ing-tee that Lee Greenwood is going to vote.

The Deal: I have to start this post off with an endorsement. Three or four years ago I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Moody leather guitar strap. I have touched and owned quite a few straps over the years, but this could possibly be the nicest. The leather is the softest I’ve ever seen used on a guitar strap and the stitching and craftsmanship are perfect. I actually have the strap that is pictured here (black leather with a red suede backing).

That being said…these straps, although worth every penny, are not cheap. These little beauties are going to run you at least $150. If you’re willing to drop this kind of coin, but would still like a few dollars off, check out the promo happening at Musicians Friend. Right now they’re offering 15% off Moody’s Luxury Leather Straps. Trust me…you will not regret it!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Most guitarists, even if not a vintage freak, can appreciate the art and importance of vintage guitars. Some of us take that geekery to another level to vintage guitar posters and advertisements.

I must admit that as music became a huge part of my life in the 1990s, I thought Fender’s “You Won’t Part With Yours Either” ads were genius. Of course, those who were older than me were quick to point out that these were actually updated versions of Fender ads from the 1960s, created by ad man Robert Perine. These ads showed people carrying their Fender guitars and amps into unlikely situations, unable to leave them behind.

Fender has teamed up with ArteHouse, a large publisher of vintage posters and graphics that uses a high-quality printing process and museum-quality materials, to create collectible versions of these ads as well as other Fender memorabilia.

In addition to the Perine ads, the company also offers dozens of Fender instrument and amplifier prints, reproductions of Fender’s acclaimed “Fairy Tale” ads of the mid-1970s, and a special 100-print limited edition run of “Birth of a Revolution” patent-style guitar prints using Leo Fender’s original patent submission illustrations for the Stratocaster® and Telecaster® guitars.

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Sweetwater Sound is offering no payments on your October purchases for six months if you buy gear using your Sweetwater Musician’s All Access Platinum Card.

Also, if you decide to pay off the order total within that six months, no interest will accrue on your balance due.

Expires: October 31, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

These are currently the top 10 best-selling ukuleles at Musicians Friend.

1. Lanikai LU-21 Standard Ukulele
2. Rogue Ukulele Starter Pack
3. Lanikai LU-21T Tenor Ukulele
4. Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Koa Ukulele
5. Lanikai LU-21C Concert Ukulele
6. Applause UAE20 Acoustic-Electric Deluxe Mini Ukulele
7. Lanikai CK-C Concert Ukulele
8. Lanikai LU-11 Standard Ukulele
9. Mitchell MU100 Koa Concert Ukulele
10. Mitchell MU70 Concert Size 12 Fret Ukulele

Check out other Best Sellers.
Search for Ukuleles on eBay.

The Deal: Musicians Friend has just announced you can take an extra 12% off scratch ‘n’ dent items at their website.

These items:

• have minor cosmetic flaws
• are guaranteed to function/play perfectly
• carry manufacturers’ warranties
• carry the Musicians Friend 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

There are currently about 1,500 qualifying product, so follow the link below to grab some deals!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Music123 is already getting into the Halloween spirit. They’ve just announced Deals from the Darkside, a month-long instant cash-back rebate.

Here’s how it works:

• Spend $200 - $399.99, get $30 back
• Spend $400 - $599.99, get $65 back
• Spend $600 - $999.99, get $100 back
• Spend $1,000 or more, get $200 back

No coupon code is required

Expires: October 31, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Guitar Center is now offering 12 months with no payments and no interest on Roland, Boss, and Fender products when you use your Guitar Center Preferred Player Card.

In addition, you can add a bunch of other products to your order and get the same no payments, no interest deal on those, as well.

Expires: October 26, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Evans, HQ Percussion, PureSound, and ToonTrack have joined forces to bring you the Superior Drummer Sweeps, with $1,300 in drum gear and sampling software prizes.

The package includes these Evans, HQ and PureSound products:

• Evans EC2 Clear Tom Pack
• Evans EC Reso Heads (3 Sizes) (Standard or Fusion)
• Evans EC1 Snare Head (14″)
• Evans EMAD Bass Head Clear (Standard 22″ or Fusion 20″)
• Evans EMAD Bass Head Clear (Standard 22″ or Fusion 20″)
• PureSound Custom Series Snare Wire
• HQ Percussion RealFeel Practice Pad

As well as the following EZdrummer Sampling Software:

• Superior Drummer 2.0 with EZplayer Pro and Toontrack Solo
• Nashville EZX, Twisted Kit EZX, and Claustrophobic EZX
• DFH EZX, Vintage Rock EZX, Latin Percussion EZX

Entry Deadline: December 23, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: Whether it’s from a limited run or an item has been discontinued, the Musicians Friend Final Clearance area is where items that will soon be defunct go to die.

Of course, you can find some awesome deals on some quality instruments by sifting through the rubble. Follow the link below to see all items in Final Clearance (nearly 4,000 products), or search on these popular brands:

• Fender
• Epiphone
• Gibson
• Pearl
• Yamaha

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Gibson has announced a new Slash guitar giveaway, with a Gibson USA Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop as the grand prize. I’d like to write a bunch of cool stuff about this contest, but Gibson has already done it for me. Here are the details!

Here’s what you gotta do: You’ve gotta make an ORIGINAL video that lets Gibson and Slash know how you’re gonna GO FOR THE GOLD! You don’t necessarily have to show us that you can play a bunch of Slash licks (though that is pretty cool), but to do have to show us how far you’re willing to go to get one of these fabulous new guitars.

We’re leaving the creative part to you, SO BE CREATIVE (and be safe too)! And remember, we’re busy over here and we have incredibly short attention spans. We’re also gonna have to watch a million of these things, so to get a brand new Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop you’d better make a video that really stands out. We’ve got three rules, and here they are:

• Each video MUST contain a guitar, or some other musical instrument
• Each video MUST contain something gold
• Each video MUST be two minutes or shorter in length

Remember, these are rules so if you break ‘em your video ends up in our trash bin. SO DON’T BREAK ‘EM! Now crank up your cameras and get busy. Need a little direction before making your video? We personally asked Slash for a little help.

“Get a f*%@&#g gold grill for your teeth, man,” advised Slash. “I don’t wear a lot of gold, but it does look good on guitars. You can get some gold sneakers and some other stuff, and if you really want to take it to the extreme get yourself some gold bling, a gold grill, some gold tennis shoes, a gold jacket and just really do it up.”

There you have it, right from Slash. The rest is up to you. And the winner walks away with a FREE brand new Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop from Gibson USA.

Good luck!

Entry Deadline: October 15, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: While supplies last at Just Strings, buy any six sets of Dean Markley Guitar Strings or any two sets of Dean Markley Bass Strings and receive a free Dean Markley Extra Large T-Shirt!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Acoustic Guitar Magazine is giving away a Gold Tone GT-750 Banjitar valued at $1,158.00.

A what? If you’re a guitarist who has always wanted to do a little banjo picking but don’t have the time to master the banjo fretboard or technique, your prayers have been answered.

Gold Tone’s best-selling GT-750 Banjitar is a unique 6-string banjo for guitarists that features a thin head with remarkable responsiveness, making hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides quicker than on an acoustic guitar.

Entry Deadline: October 19, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: PreSonus really, really wants you to upgrade from old to new. If you’re still rocking an FP10 or FirePod recording system, ProSonus wants you to upgrade to the FireStudio Tube.

Once you purchase a new FireStudio Tube, box up your old unit and send it back into PreSonus. Once they receive it, they’ll cut you a check for $200. Easy as that!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

The Deal: Over the past few weeks I’ve posted about a few buy one, get one free microphone deals at Musicians Friend (here and here).

I’ve just stumbled upon a page on Musicians Friend’s website where they list even more buy one, get one free mic deals. They currently have seven such deals, but check back often as I’m sure they’ll add more. These deals are starting at $49, which is pretty sweet for two decent mics!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: I’m going to use this post to vent a bit! I know that everyone loves coupon codes and they’re all over the internet. Scoring a 10% or 15% discount on an online order is awesome, and I’m convinced it creates more business for online retailers.

The guys in the music biz, however, always seems to put a ton of restrictions on their coupon codes. Get $10 off when you spend $150. Good on only certain brands. It must be raining on a Tuesday to take advantage. You get the picture.

For this reason, I’m pumped about this new Music123 coupon code. Get this: Save 15% on your next Music123 order with no minimum purchase. Seriously…whatever you want. If you only need one guitar pick…take 15% off! However, I’d imagine you’d want to take advantage of this.

There are a few brand restrictions, but almost everything at Music123 qualifies.

Coupon Code: SAVE15
Expires: September 29, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Woodwind and Brasswind has just announced that, for a limited time, most orders over $29 will qualify for free shipping. The only exclusions are things like oversized and international shipments, so most orders really will qualify.

This discount will automatically be applied to your order, so no coupon code is needed.

Expires: Not sure. According to the WWBW website: “This is a limited time offer that can be changed at any time”

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Acoustic Guitar Magazine is giving away a Martin Special Edition D-28 Elvis Presley commemorative guitar valued at $6,999.

According to Martin:

This guitar features back and sides of East Indian rosewood and a top of Carpathian spruce. The combination of these fine tonewoods produces a responsive instrument with impressive volume, punch, and sustain. The Style 28 rosette is matched by Style 28 purfling around the top and back. The body is bound in grained ivoroid.

If you are selected to win this Special Edition D-28 Elvis Presley guitar from C.F. Martin & Co, you’ll also get 24 sets of Medium Light Phosphor Bronze Martin FX Strings (retail price $258). That’s a total retail value of $7,257!

Entry Deadline: November 30, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter