New wired smart guitar headphones offer immersive audio and built-in amp for listening or guitar/bass practice and play
Positive Grid announces Spark NEO Core, the newest member of the Spark NEO family of smart guitar headphones. These wired headphones integrate a Spark guitar amp in a lightweight, ergonomic design that offers plug-in simplicity for electric, acoustic and bass players. Users can also enjoy onboard guitar tone presets, access to dozens of amps and effects, plus AI-powered tone generation.
Just like the original wireless Spark NEO, the new Spark NEO Core doubles as premium Bluetooth headphones that deliver rich, detailed sound for listening to music or streaming podcasts. Designed for total immersion without distraction, Spark NEO Core makes it possible to experience premium tone anywhere––from late-night guitar jamming to quiet home practice and audio streaming.Clear, Immersive Sound
Spark NEO Core shares the same premium audio engineering found in the original Spark NEO, delivering high quality sound with crisp highs, tight lows, and balanced mids.
The custom 40mm drivers are tuned for guitar and bass frequencies, so every note resonates with rich, detailed, sound—from clean melodic passages to high-gain riffs. An Advanced Bio Fiber (ABF) diaphragm enhances sound clarity and durability, ensuring consistent performance across every genre of music or instrument type.
Endless Tone Options
Spark NEO Core connects seamlessly with the Spark app, unlocking access to 33 amps, 43 effects, and thousands of community-shared presets through Positive Grid’s online ToneCloud. Additional creative tools such as backing tracks and Auto Chords enable users to learn, experiment, and expand their musical ideas effortlessly.
Guitarists can also use the app’s Spark AI feature to instantly create or discover tones by describing their desired sound. Whether chasing classic warmth, modern drive, or shimmering acoustic textures, Spark AI intelligently delivers amp and effect combinations tailored to the player’s style and needs.
Designed for Comfort and Ease
Built for extended wear, Spark NEO Core features soft, ergonomic ear cups and a lightweight construction that minimizes fatigue. The noise-isolating design enhances focus, allowing users to stay immersed in their sound without external interference.
Players can quickly connect using a standard ¼” guitar cable*, for immediate performance and authentic Spark tone. Onboard controls allow fast access to four customizable preset tones and quick volume adjustments.
Long-lasting BatteryPower
With up to 6–8 hours of battery life and USB-C charging, Spark NEO Core supports everything from brief warm-ups to long creative sessions or podcast streaming.
Spark NEO Core comes in a classic black finish and is available for USD $159 through Positive Grid’s online store. It’s also available through Amazon and authorized music dealers worldwide.
What would one be most likely to discover in the basement of an old house in rural Alaska, deemed unfit for occupancy by local authorities? Smoked fish? A dog sled? A rare, possibly one-of-a-kind, turn-of-the-century banjo?
That’s exactly where this 1911 Vega Tubaphone tenor banjo was before it arrived at Fanny’s House of Music. It came by way of a local Alaskan musician who was helping move things out of the condemned house and found this instrument—over a century old, but looking as if it had left the factory earlier that week.
The rabbit holes of vintage banjo identification are myriad. It’s a Vega because of the stamp on the dowel rod, but why does it also say “Fairbanks Banjo made by Vega?” The serial number dates it to 1911, and of the banjo models Vega produced at that time—the Regent, the Imperial Electric, the Whyte Laydie, and the Tubaphone—this one is clearly a Tubaphone. Except Tubaphones never had an elaborate gryphon peghead inlay, so how can it be a Tubaphone? When did Vega switch from a grooved stretcher band to a notched one? And what the heck is a stretcher band, again?
That’s when it’s time to bring in the big guns.
Enter Karl Smakula, friend of Fanny’s and third-generation banjo expert. His grandfather Peter H. Smakula heard Pete Seeger in the 1950s and immediately bought himself a Kay banjo. He began repairing instruments and building banjos, eventually opening his own music store, where his son Bob also worked. Bob went on to open Smakula Fretted Instruments in 1989, where his son Karl also worked. Suffice it to say, if it’s a banjo, Karl and his family probably know about it.
“I would have never said the gryphon inlay was used on a Tubaphone until I saw this one,” says Karl. “My dad, who has seen everything, has never seen this.”
In the early 1900s, Vega was focused on guitars, mandolins, and brass instruments, but they were aware of the growing popularity of the banjo. The A.C. Fairbanks Banjo Company, a widely respected banjo maker, suffered a devastating fire in 1904 and made for a timely acquisition by Vega. (“After which Fairbanks made a hard pivot to bicycle parts,” reveals Karl.)
The striking gryphon inlay on the headstock makes this Tubaphone a very rare gem.
Photo courtesy of Fanny’s House of Music
Vega kept making the Fairbanks Whyte Laydie model, retaining the intricate gryphon peghead inlay and scalloped tone ring. In 1909, they introduced a new model called the Tubaphone, with a leafy “flowerpot” inlay and a brand new tone ring design featuring a sequence of holes drilled into the side. Where the Whyte Laydie sounded sweet and refined, the Tubaphone was louder and more aggressive. It quickly made a splash among banjo players, as this customer letter from the 1912 Vega catalog shows: “I have tried them all but from now on it will be a TU-BA-PHONE and nothing else for me. Refer any inquiries you like to me ... and I will show them what a real banjo is.” Banjo players have always been an opinionated bunch!
Tubaphones are still highly valued among old-time musicians today, although it is important to note they were intended for what’s called “classic” banjo playing when first produced. Derived from classical guitar playing, it uses bare fingers and gut strings. While this style is little practiced these days, it doesn’t take a big intellectual leap to see how classic banjo combined with African banjo playing, jazz, and two-finger style to form the bluegrass “Scruggs” style we’re familiar with today.
“This old gal made it from rural Alaska to Nashville, nearly stumping two generations of banjo experts.”
“This banjo’s had a life, that’s for sure,” says Karl with a laugh. Karl noted the dowel stick at the end of the neck matches the rim, indicating the neck and gryphon inlay are, improbably, original to this Vega Tubaphone. “It shows they were figuring out what they were doing.”
This old gal made it from rural Alaska to Nashville, nearly stumping two generations of banjo experts. It’s in superb condition, and everyone who takes it for a spin at Fanny’s agrees with the 1912 Vega catalog, which proclaims, “There is Tone Value to the Vega with which every player should become acquainted. To know and realize that Vega Construction is the easiest way to advancement means that your future Musical Prosperity is assured.” It’s safe to predict the Tubaphone will be assuring musical prosperity for another 114 years at least.
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Time to start training for your local rock and roll marathon: Foo Fighters have confirmed their first stadium tour since the massive 2023-2024 Everything or Nothing at All run that sold out football and baseball fields the world over. Kicking off August 4 at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, the new tour will see Foo Fighters bringing the maximum volume euphoria of the band’s recent surprise US club gigs and overseas outdoor / arena spectaculars to a total of 12 North American cities, concluding (for now) September 26 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
Queens of the Stone Age will be direct support on all dates except September 12 in Fargo.
General on sale for all shows is Friday, October 31 at 10am local time. Don’t sleep on information re: tickets, pre-sales and more at foofighters.com
If that’s not enough good news for you, today sees the release of new Foo Fighters song “Asking for a Friend.” Featuring a decidedly darker melodic approach than the smash hit “Today’s Song,” “Asking for a Friend” ratchets up the energy and intensity of its predecessor in favor of hypnotic opening verses that build and explode into impassioned refrains of “What is real? I’m asking for a friend…” By the time the song's final breakneck rave-up screeches to a halt with a throat-shredding “Or is this the end?”, FF fans of all ages will find themselves joyfully bludgeoned into submission.
Dave Grohl wrote at length about inspiration for the new music and upcoming tour, in a post that read in part:
"Since our return to the stage in San Luis Obispo five weeks ago, we have been reminded of why we love and are forever devoted to doing this Foo Fighters thing. From reuniting as a band and staring at a list of 30 years worth of songs to brush off, to reimagining versions with the incredible blessing of the one and only Ilan Rubin behind the drums, to reconnecting with our amazing fans and blasting them with everything we’ve got (no matter the size of the venue) because we would not be here without them, we have the most solid core. And the sun is finally rising over the horizon.
What better way to share the view than with close friends?
In 1992 I first saw the legendary Kyuss perform at the Off Ramp in Seattle and met Mr. Josh Homme. The band were friends of a friend, and before long their album Blues for the Red Sun became the soundtrack to that summer. 33 years later and with many miles behind us, I have shared some of my life’s most rewarding musical moments with my dear friend, Josh. A lifelong bond that goes far beyond the sound we’ve made together. So it is with great happiness that we can share this next chapter together with his almighty Queens of the Stone Age.
Take cover.
But none of this would be complete without new music to share from Pat, Nate, Chris, Rami, Ilan and I. ‘Asking for a Friend’ is a song for those who have waited patiently in the cold, relying on hope and faith for their horizon to appear. Searching for ‘proof’ when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again.
Many more shows to come as well -- keep an eye out for impending announcements and sign up to the mailing list at: foofighters.com to stay inFFormed.
Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee and Ilan Rubin.
FOO FIGHTERS
2026 Stadium Tour
August 4 — Toronto ON — Rogers Stadium August 6 — Detroit MI — Ford Field August 8 — Chicago IL — Soldier Field August 10 — Cleveland OH — Huntington Bank Field August 13 — Philadelphia PA — Lincoln Financial Field August 15 — Nashville TN — Nissan Stadium August 17 — Washington DC — Nationals Park September 12 — Fargo ND — Fargodome September 15 — Regina SK — Mosaic Stadium September 17 — Edmonton AB — Commonwealth Stadium September 20 — Vancouver BC — BC Place September 26 — Las Vegas NV — Allegiant Stadium
Fans can sign up for Artist Presales now through Sunday, October 26 at 11:59pm PT.
If you are already on Foo Fighters Newsletter, sign up using the same email address at https://livemu.sc/foofighterslist for first access to tickets during the Newsletter Artist Presale. Tickets will be available beginning on Tuesday, October 28 at 10am local time
If you are not signed up to Foo Fighters Newsletter, sign up at https://livemu.sc/foofighters for access to the General Artist Presale. General Artist Presale begins on Wednesday, October 29 at 10am local time.
Adrian Belew has spent his career on the cutting edge of guitar sounds, inventing the most forward-thinking tones to ever appear on record. His work as a solo artist and with King Crimson would be enough to land him on every guitarist’s radar. But that’s just one facet of his musical life, and he’s famously spent time with some of the biggest artists of all time: David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails. He even appears in places you’d never expect experimental guitar, like Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al.”
To talk about Adrian, we called up Blair White. As co-owner of Nashville’s Eastside Music Supply, White and Belew struck up a friendship and they ended up working together to decode some of the tones that Belew needed for the much-lauded Beat tour and beyond. Blair gives us some insight into Belew’s playing, his process, and helps us solve a mystery.
