Bergerault vibraphone
For the first time at The NAMM Show, a slew of instruments from Bergerault Percussions will be on full display at the Hoshino USA booth. As part of a new distribution deal, finalized over the summer in 2019 between the Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based distributor and French manufacturer, attendees can expect to find a range of mallet percussion instruments such as marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, glockenspiels and a line of timpani.
“We’ve been in the marching percussion space for a number of years now, and the partnership with Bergerault offered a natural path to expand into the concert percussion arena,” said Scott Miller, communications and marketing specialist at Hoshino USA. “Bergerault has an outstanding reputation, and the partnership’s been mutually beneficial for both companies.”
Hoshino USA expands its catalog and dives into the concert percussion category with Bergerault
In addition to introducing a host of instruments from Bergerault, Hoshino USA is launching new products from its two primary brands, Ibanez and Tama, at The NAMM Show.
“We have a special limited run of new Tama Starclassic walnut/birch kits in two limited-edition lacquer finishes, Neon Yellow Oyster and Neon Orange Oyster. The series was a major new product for us in 2018, so we’re continuing to expand the offerings there,” Miller said, adding that the series is geared mainly toward advanced hobbyists and professionals. “Something else we’re doing for 2020 is offering 16-inch bass drums on the Starclassic Maple, Starclassic walnut/birch and Star series kits. It’s becoming more popular among certain players in particular genres, and it’s been a regular request.”
Miller went on to highlight Tama’s Bold Spotted Gum and Sonic Stainless steel Sound Lab Project snare drums, the ultra-compact Club Jam Flyer kit and the Superstar Classic Exotix series, a mid-level kit available in either five- or seven-piece configurations.
“We have three, new gloss lacquer finishes, whereas the old ones were a simpler matte finish,” Miller said about the Superstar Classic Exotix series. “They have a Lacebark pine outer ply, so there’s a little bit of added figuring in the wood, which gives the kits an enhanced natural look.”
Electronics & Acoustics
On the electric guitar side, Ibanez has revamped its Premium series with five AZ models and two RG models.
“The RG1121PB and RG1120PBZ have really nice poplar burl tops on them. They feature a nice transparent-burst finish,” Miller said. “These have a little bit more of a boutique-style while still preserving that notable Ibanez visual edge, rock playing look.”
According to Miller, another big announcement for Ibanez this year is the company’s Ergonomic Headless Bass series.
“There’s been a resurgence in popularity of headless basses in recent years,” Miller said. “The concept we’re going for with our headless models is to really maximize the comfort for the player. The basses have unique contouring on the back for comfort and they’re chambered to reduce the weight. They’re also designed so that the playing position you use is going to be the same whether you’re sitting or standing, and I can attest from first-hand experience they are very comfortable to play.”
As far as acoustic guitars go, Ibanez is showcasing the Artwood Fingerstyle collection and its redesigned AEG series, featuring a new, proprietary preamp and a slightly thicker body that produces a louder, fuller acoustic sound.
“We have an extensive catalog of instruments, both on the Tama side and the Ibanez side,” Miller said. “We offer everything from $100 guitars all the way up to $4,000 high-end pieces crafted in Japan. We have a nice range of acoustics, basses and hollow-body guitars. And with the AZ models, we now have a more traditional-style instrument for electric guitar players, so we really do have instruments to suit a wide variety of players.” MI
