Product: Polycarbonate saxophone 

 

Brand: Founded by Thai saxophonist Piyapat Thanyakij with the aim of making it easier for Thai people to own a saxophone, Vibratosax has already scooped the Thai-Sang-San and New Business awards from the Design Innovation Contest For Businesses. 

 

Vibratosax is the first company in the world to produce the instrument using polycarbonates. While the sound quality is not exactly the same as the classic brass saxophone, its properties make it suitable for beginners to learn the ropes. It’s lighter (850g compared to 2kg), cheaper, requires less finger pressure and the pads are easily replaced.      

 

How to order: Currently available in two models: A1 from B9,000 and A1S from B11,000. Available at three outlets in Bangkok: Moe Shop (JJ Green, 089-033-3390), Dontree Paplern Music School (116/2 Pinnacle, Rama 2 Soi 33. 02-426-5110) and Marcato Music (www.marcato.co.th, 02- 717-3976/77, 086-799-0077)     

 

Products: Cajon (box-shaped percussion instrument)

 

Brand: A group of friends, full-time graphic designers and percussionists, quit their jobs to further follow their music dream, turning out customizable versions of the cajon, an instrument that originated in Peru.

 

It’s cheaper. Combine this with the fact that the makers are also a percussionists, who can customize the instrument to your needs, and you get a very good deal. You can further alter your cajon’s appearance with add on accessories like castanets and woodblocks for a more unique sound. 

 

How to order: A standard Cajon starts from B1,000-2,800, while a customized instrument can rise to B4,000 depending on the design and additional materials. The makers recommend those interested in a customized version to try out the product and talk with them before placing an order. Orders can be made via 085-319-0708 or tung_ad@yahoo.com  

 

Product: Acoustic guitar

 

Brand: After 10 years working as a graphic designer for an advertising agency, the ex-guitarist of early Smallroom electro-pop band 15th Scenery, Chalermpun “Pun” Punjamapirom, decided to get back into music by building his own made-to-order guitars.     

 

These are highly customized. Pun tells us the reason he wants to make his own guitars is because every piece of wood gives a different result. He handpicks each piece, selecting different thicknesses to give different tones.   

 

How to order: Pun makes each guitar individually at his home. Place your order at 081-623-2311 or vanillaacoustic@gmail.com. The price of a standard acoustic guitar starts from B48,000 with each order taking up to three months to complete.  

 

Products: Handmade effects pedals for guitar and bass

 

Brand: Guitar shop and rehearsal studio Tui Music has been around some 10 years, but it’s only been more recently that they’ve started producing these handmade effects pedals under the brand Shark. The products are widely used among Thai bands and are now also exported to countries like Japan, Australia and Singapore.  

 

They are cheaper and smaller than most effects pedals on the market, as well as highly customizable, allowing you to really nail your desired sound. 

 

How to order: Products include the Mini Clean Booster (B1,500) for clean volume gain, the Bangkok Sound My City Drive pedal (B3,500), and the Warzy Drive (B5,000) a high-gain pedal that provides a heavily distorted sound suitable for extreme heavy metal bands. Available at Tuimusic.com and in the shop at Hollywood Street (BTS Ratchatewi).             

 

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