Actually, the Armstrong has better tone than the Selmer.
Plus, I've had the Selmer so many years now, the silver plating is coming off.
The nastiest looking instruments get played in the salt spray. Except for the guitar, since I only have one good one.
I'm on the other side of the dune from the ocean. The venue is covered with a canvas cover, and we are on the east end with the dune to our back. On windy days, the salt covers everything.
We do this 3 days a week, and the owner keeps us all summer, even though the business is not very good that time of the year. His philosophy is that if he wants great entertainment in the winter tourist season, he needs to keep them all summer when it's slow. He does that with the cooks, bartenders and wait staff, too.
So if the instruments turn to rust, they are paid for.
I bought a used sax for this purpose. I got the used Armstrong to play outdoors, but since it has better tone than the Selmer flute, I decided to make it the indoor flute.
We also play twice a month at a huge, outdoor RV Resort. It's outdoors too, but about 3 miles west of the ocean, so there is no salt spray. But I use the outdoor instruments anyway.
Playing in a place like this, Caig DeOxit Red and Caig DeOxit Gold are staples of life. They keep the connections working, but not the finish on the instruments.
The picture is at low tide, you can see how high the water comes by the change of sand color.
Thanks for the explanation. I’m surprised the Armstrong sounds better than the Selmer but now your choice makes sense. Actually I’ve never played a Selmer flute so it was just an assumption based on saxes. I had a Mark V tenor. And I’m very familiar with the Atlantic coast from Ponte Vedra. It certainly adds a challenge for you.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I traded it in for a Mark VII which in the shop sounded great. The problem was I play pop music, and I couldn't overblow the VII. It had nice tone, a little brighter than the VI which was good for rock and blues, but it had only one tone. So I went back to the shop on Monday to buy my old VI back, but they sold it already.
I traded the VII for a Couf Superba, and I liked that even better than the VI and the VII. The problem with that was it had a lot of copper in the brass, and shops don't relacquer anymore. It eventually turned green with a surface that had the texture of a cantaloupe skin.
A few more horns, and I got the MacSax. I did a custom job and had it plated with silver colored nickel. It's a Taiwan horn, and I found out from a couple of manufacturers, that other than ornaments, all the Taiwan horns are the same. The body and parts are farmed out to different factories, so the working parts are all interchangeable. MacSax only makes mouthpieces now.
The guy I had overhaul both flutes told me he has never been impressed with Selmer flutes, but he said mine was an exceptionally nice Selmer. He thought the Armstrong sounded better too.
I'm not really a flute player, just a doubler. I wouldn't take a gig playing nothing but flute. But I do a Jethro Tull tune, a Herbie Man tune, and a few others. It's fun to have that voice.
Ha; I'm a flute doubler at best, also. I see the quizzical looks when someone glances up and says, wait a minute - the trumpet player took that flute solo?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I'm on the other side of the dune from the ocean. The venue is covered with a canvas cover, and we are on the east end with the dune to our back. On windy days, the salt covers everything.
Playing in a place like this, Caig DeOxit Red and Caig DeOxit Gold are staples of life. They keep the connections working, but not the finish on the instruments.
Notes ♫
Yep...everything at the ocean is going to be covered in the salt mist. Between the humidity, the wind, the sand, and the salt spray, that is one harsh environment.
Walking down the beach it looks like smoke/mist coming off the ocean.
One of the pickups on my SG... the bridge pickup, is missing all of it's chrome plating. Not from playing at the ocean, but from the salt in my sweat from countless nights on stage. We did, over the course of time, play several indoor nightclubs that were at the beach. They used huge fans for ventilation which pulled in the salt spray and the marsh mosquitos. Might as well have been outside. It was a case of wipe them down after the sets, and then go home and clean the guitars fully.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Ha; I'm a flute doubler at best, also. I see the quizzical looks when someone glances up and says, wait a minute - the trumpet player took that flute solo?
My brother-in-law does that. He is both a great trumpet player and a great flute player. It's a rare combination. He plays flute better than I do. Sadly, there isn't a lot of work for trumpet players around here, so he teaches school too.
On stage in my current duo, I play tenor sax, flute, wind synth, and I sing. I get the "How many instruments DO you play?" Question a lot. It's good for show biz appeal.
I used to bring a keyboard and not the guitar, but as we started playing fewer standards and more rock, the guitar became more important. It has better stage appeal, too.
In bands, I've been in through the years, I learned from the other guys in the band to play bass, some keys, and rhythm guitar (barre chords only). I've also doubled on drums (my first instrument). Not every song has a sax part, so it was good to learn other instruments. In one band, the drummer was a good singer, so I'd get behind the kit for a few songs and let him get out front (the girls loved it).
It's show biz, so switching instruments gets people talking about you, and that generates more audience members, which means more gigs.
During the psychedelic years, I played bass, as nobody wanted to hire a sax player. I had a Fender P Bass and a used Ampeg amp. Heavy stuff to tote around and hang on your shoulder, but I was much younger then.
Playing notes on the bass taught me how to find my way around the fretboard, so in my 60s, when I decided to buy a guitar and learn lead, I progressed quickly.
I like playing different instruments, as they require different forms of expression. You don't play the instrument, you let the instrument play you.
I also like playing different genres of music for the same reason. It's all fun.
1 Thrown together parts 50's P Bass knock off (I hand made the pickguard) 2 Takamine Acoustic 3 Fender MIM Jazz Bass Squier Series (Check the headstock & pickguard - I still don't quite know what this is) 4 Fender MIM Jazz V 5 String 5 Mini I don't know P Bass knockoff - 5 bucks at a pawn shop 6 Fender MIA Jazz (used to be my favorite to play) 7 Fender MIJ '62 Precision Reissue - My current favorite 8 Fender MIM Jazz with some cool upgraded pickups 9 Squier Bronco Bass - $15 at a yard sale . . . Fender Bassman 4x0 / 1X15 Combo with a Genz Benz Amp
Custom strap by Cody Hixon at Great Point Custom Leather
Guitars Martin Acoustic Custom Built Tele Fender "Waylon Jennings" leather covered Tele Fender Acoustic Boss Katana 2x12 MK II Amp Johnson Mandolin
I have a lot more guitars but those are my "go too"
Last edited by Sawmill Music; 06/22/2306:24 AM.
Don't ever try and be like anybody else and don't be afraid to take risks. -Waylon Jennings
Hah! I bet! I think I'll keep them where they are for now . . . my grandson (at 18 months) has already taken a liking to them LOL - Counting on him being MUCH better at this music thing then his old granddad
Don't ever try and be like anybody else and don't be afraid to take risks. -Waylon Jennings
THIS collector would still rather be playing but the physical ability left the building like Elvis. So now, like me in my younger days, all that matters is that they are pretty to look at.
Some days I just cant wait to see how you are going to fit in your flex and boast about how much you work and how rich and famous you are. You manage to do it on 4 of every 5 posts you make. (Even though nobody asks are cares.)
What HAS been lacking is your bragging about the expensive world destination vacations. You're slipping, ol' timer!!!
Hey everyone. I mostly hang around on uke territory, but I see so many guitar folks here, I figured I’d drop in. I switched to ukulele partly because I wanted something lighter and less gear-intensive. Now and then I’ll grab a song off Ukulele Tabs Ukulele Tabs, but mostly I just like how simple and relaxing the uke is. It’s been a fun way to mix things up without stepping away from guitar completely.
Before my stroke, anything with strings, keyboards, percussion, voice, conducting.
Since my stroke, I record some fretted instruments through tuning and capos, play bass live by tapping on the glass of an iPad, keys with my right hand only, conduct, sing—did some opera a few weeks ago, oldies band that’s gigs now and then, folk music.
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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Norton Music
Hah! I bet! I think I'll keep them where they are for now . . . my grandson (at 18 months) has already taken a liking to them LOL - Counting on him being MUCH better at this music thing then his old granddad
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