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JamStack … The Most Amazing New Amplification Product In Years!
Chris Prendergast is the inventor of a new portable guitar amplifier that attaches onto the vast majority of electric guitars. Working with your smartphone it’s a guitarists dream. Funded via an Indiegogo campaign, it’s funding from guitarists around the world has been simply overwhelming. In this podcast GMI talks to Chris about the idea of JamStack, it’s development and his hopes for the future.
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Podcast Ep 8 – Table Of Contents
0.50 The inspiration for JamStack.
3.28 Evolution of the initial idea and Indiegogo.
5.30 Integrating with mobile phones and battery life.
7.45Â Creating the connection between apps, mobile and amp.
9.34Â Strap button included!
10.12 The biggest challenges faced.
11.00 Success with Indiegogo and unit pricing.
13.30 Getting onto Canada’s “Dragons Den”.
16.21 Speaker technology and it’s use in JamStack.
17.45 It ain’t heavy.
18.32Â Fitting the JamStack to your guitar.
20.31 Plans for the future.
21.32 Release date coming soon!
23.36 For use in education establishments
26.40 Patents pending…
27.42 The long term goals and vision
More About JamStack
JamStack Explained
The JamStack is the world’s first attachable guitar amplifier and the first to integrate seamlessly with a smart phone for incredible effects, shockingly good tone, and total portability.
Electric guitars can be a pain to set up. All the required equipment like cables, pedals, power outlets and amplifiers take up space and limit where and when you can play. The JamStack solves that problem, letting guitarists and bassists play wherever, whenever they choose.
Easy Set-up: JamStack’s lightweight, portable amplifier connects to the base of an electric guitar (or electric bass) in seconds. Weighing under 2lbs. (900 grams), the amp fits on the strap button at the bottom of most guitars using a spring load system and soft mount to protect from scratches. Adjust the smartphone mount and connect two short cords to the phone and guitar’s output and you are ready to jam!
How Long Does A Charge Last For?
The JamStack runs 8-hours on a single charge and works with iOS, Windows, Android, and iPhone Touch. Its 10-watt speaker is designed to sound great at high AND low volume. It’s not distorted like a mini-amp, so guitarists can sound as good practicing in the middle of the night at low volume as they would jamming alongside other instruments on the street. Since it is so small and light, the JamStack fits in a guitar case making it perfect for road trips, parties and jamming in the park.
Using Effects
Layer Effects: Pair the JamStack with apps like AmpliTube and AmpKit to add layered effects like drum beats without wasting time on levels. Back tracks won’t drop out like regular amps! And since the phone is right on the guitar body, guitarists can set up loops on the fly, perform sequined samples, or record and share music effortlessly. JamStack helps recreate virtually any guitar sound without the need for a lot of computer equipment.
It’s great for new guitar players too! Adjust the phone to can hear the lesson and follow along on the screen. It even works as a great tuner! Plus, JamStack can be paired with Bluetooth to double as an ultra- premium Bluetooth speaker for sharing tunes wirelessly.
When Will JamStack Be Ready
What’s Next: JamStack will take pre-orders on a new Indiegogo campaign starting May 2nd and will appear on Canadian TV’s Dragons’ Den in Fall 2017. A winter 2016 Kickstarter campaign raised more than 325% of its goal to fund the tooling and first manufacturing run in Summer 2017. They have a working prototype and high-end manufacturer lined up so the first customers will receive their JamStacks in August.
About JamStack
Company History:Â Chris Prendergast founded JamStack out of a desire to add layered effects to his electric guitar sounds without expensive computer equipment. Using his background in electrical engineering, Chris built a custom guitar by drilling a hole for a speaker and a smartphone. To make it more accessible to all guitar lovers, Chris hacked together an attachable cardboard version that eventually led to the JamStack. Overwhelming support and an experienced design team will soon bring it to market to let musicians play whenever they get inspired.
Chris Prendergast – His Background
About Chris: Chris Prendergast is an inventor, a teacher, a musician and an inspiration to young minds. His passion for experimental hands-on learning landed him a job traveling throughout Canada teaching students how to build Lego robotics. He’s also coached 6-robotics teams and speaks often about inventing and entrepreneurship.
Chris has been recognized for his inventions with numerous television appearances starting when he was child, including: Discovery channel’s Daily Planet, Science Max and TVO Kids. He has recently been interviewed about JamStack on High Tech Toys and local Toronto stations.
Chris got his physics degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, and a teaching degree at the University of Western Ontario in Perth. His love of guitar stretches back 15 years and includes 3-years in a local band called the Death Valley Yacht Club.
You can find out all about JamStack’s Indiegogo campaign by clicking HERE.
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