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humidorpalmcoast · 5 years

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2 Must-Have Cigars for Memorial Day Weekend 2019 (plus two additional bonus recommendations)

Most people associate Memorial Day with grilling burgers and hotdogs, drinking beer, and enjoying the beach or hanging out poolside. While it is perfectly okay to relax and take advantage of a three-day weekend, it is also good to remember Memorial Day is in fact a solemn holiday.

Memorial Day is about honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the United States in the Armed Forces.

We have two must-have cigars that we recommend here that will help you accomplish both, a little relaxation and also honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice so you can enjoy cigars in a free country today.

Camacho Liberty 2005 Throwback

Staying true to the Camacho Liberty 2005 blend, Camacho released the Liberty Throwback 2005 edition back in 2018, just in time for Independence Day. In fact, a new version of the Liberty hits the market every year in time for Independence Day.

So why do we recommend this cigar for Memorial Day? You can enjoy this cigar for any patriotic holiday including the Independence Day, but we honestly don’t know if we will have any left by the time July comes around.

The Liberty 2005 Throwback will be replaced by whatever the 2019 edition is to arrive. So we recommend that you go for it now, and get two, one of each color coffins, a red and a white.

Yes, the presentation of this cigar is beautiful. They are in red and while coffins, in a beautiful box with the American Flag on the lid. With a maduro wrapper and corojo filler and binder, this is a bold cigar presented in Camacho’s iconic 11/18 beautiful figurado shape.

It is a premium plus cigar plus already a “unicorn” (meaning you won’t find it again past July 2019) so expect to pay $25 a stick for it here at The Humidor -- but it absolutely is worth every penny of the experience.

CAO America Patomac

CAO America Patomac is a favorite here at The Humidor. Everything about this cigar is right, the size, the shape, the taste, the branding! For us CAO America Patomac is a staple of every patriotic holiday in fact!

This pinstripe barberpole cigar really a joy to look at and to smoke.

Most people don’t realize but both wrappers (the dark and the lighter in the stripes) are actually Connecticut wrappers. The dark one often referred to as Maduro is the sungrown portion, Connecticut Broadleaf.

The lighter tones one of the wrapper, often referred to as Natural is the regular Connecticut (or the shadegrown portion of the leaves).

We price CAO America under $15 a stick. You should get a few of these sticks while you’re at it. If you enjoy a medium to full body, you will enjoy the CAO America.

and as promised:

plus 2 bonus recommendations

Okay, are you ready? These are the two bonus recommendations for Memorial Day Holiday, they both are also from Camacho, and they both are limited edition cigars:

Camacho Hard Charger

“Hard Charger” is a nickname which U.S. Marines call each other when referring to an individual Marine who does their job well and is well respected among other Marines.

This is cigar is a part of “brotherhood series” by Camacho.

And Camacho describes this cigar as follows:

Built with our legendary Original Corojo at its core, the Camacho Hard Charger is a rare cigar that charges forward with intensity, only comparable to the unrelenting spirit of our brothers in arms. Featuring notes of pepper, earth, and spice, Hard Charger delivers a powerful and full frontal flavor experience, paying tribute to those who storm the front with valiance, and are unfaltering in their sacrifice, all in the name of freedom.

You should absolutely try it, before it goes away and you cannot try it anymore.

Camacho Check 6

A second cigar in the Camacho Brotherhood Series is the Check 6.

Often used in the military and law enforcement, “Check Six” refers to the 6 o’clock position on the face of a clock. If you were standing in the center of a clock face facing the 12 o’clock position, then the 6 o’clock position would be immediately behind you -- hence, “Check 6” meaning watch your back. or look behind you.

And Camacho describes this cigar as follows

Built with the impenetrable character of our Original Corojo, Camacho Check Six pays tribute to the unbreakable bond between those who watch their brother’s six no matter what. In honor of those bold individuals who stand side by side to protect our freedom, Camacho deploys its latest addition to the Brotherhood Series with a cigar built from the legendary tobacco we fought to defend.

Backed by integrity and bound by virtue, this is one cigar that yields to no other. Celebrating those who prove themselves through actions, not words. A rare breed of individuals who stop at nothing to lay everything on the line for what matters most. Always doing what’s right, never what’s easy, confirming that there are no limits when it comes to solidarity.

At the core of the new Camacho Check Six is a tri-country blend of Original Corojo, San Vicente and Criollo tobaccos. These powerful filler tobaccos combine to add a depth of strength, complexity and flavor to the overall experience. The addition of a Criollo 98 binder from Nicaragua amps up the pepper notes, while the Habana 2000 wrapper from Ecuador adds roundness and excellent combustion to the blend.

So here we go! As promised 2 main recommendations plus 2 bonus recommendations for Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Isn’t it interesting that 3 of these four cigars likely won’t ever be experienced again, as they are limited edition introductions.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.

Our weekend hours:

Saturday: 12 noon to 11 pm

Sunday 12 noon to 6 pm

See you soon!

#Memorial Day Cigars

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robertbjonesus80 · 8 years

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Buyer’s Guide: Best Saxophone Neck Strap Review in 2017

Ask professional saxophone players to name the most important part of their instrument and expect diverse responses. Some believe the mouthpiece to be the heart of a sax while others insist that without those keys, audiences would hear something akin to a fog horn! All agree that without a hook to secure their saxophone neck strap in place, it could be a struggle to perform, thus it’s the saxophone neck strap that earns universal consensus. Fortunately, there are so many comfortable, attractive, affordable saxophone straps on the 2017 market, it could take time for you to choose just one.

What makes a good Saxophone neck strap?

Your instrument is unique. You’re unique. Your decision to choose one sax strap over another should be based on those principles. Your body should be a first consideration. The size and weight of your instrument a second factor. Price and material? Seriously—can you put a price on comfort? Not if you play your instrument a lot and don’t want to leave a stage or rehearsal room doubled over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Quick Navigation

What makes a good Saxophone neck strap?

How to shop for a saxophone neck strap

Ready to buy?

Five Best Saxophone Neck Strap Products

Conclusions

The objective of a saxophone neck strap is fairly simple: distribute the instrument’s weight evenly, using your neck to do the job, so there’s less strain on your neck and back and your sax actually feels lighter in your hands as a result. If you play alto or tenor sax, you may dismiss the toll an inadequate strap can take on your body as being unimportant, but if your instrument belongs to the bass family, this is no irrelevant matter.

Truth be told, damage can be done to your body in such subtle ways, you may not know that your posture is deteriorating, the nerves in your neck are being damaged or, more dramatically, the discs in your spine are being compressed. Have we convinced you of the merits of finding and wearing the right saxophone neck strap?

How to shop for a saxophone neck strap

Take time to watch this short video before you shop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwERlSKhNJI). Pay attention to the diversity in material thickness you find as you consider straps: some straps are thin and slim; others thickly padded. Many have clasps rather than hooks.

Many types of neck straps are engineered to distribute weight so it rests on the shoulders rather than the neck. If you opt for one of these, you stand to benefit from decreased strain and more airflow to your neck, so if you’re a heavy sweater when you play, this can be advantageous. Materials? Take your pick. Rubber. Plastic. Cloth. Combinations of two or more.

What’s the latest trend in neck straps for sax players? Harnesses. They do an amazing job of eliminating neck weight, so you may not mind design deviations like straps that fasten to your pant belt loops. Whichever strap you pick, keep in mind the growing controversy over the use of stretchy materials because long-term wear can alter the fit and you might not even realize it.

Ready to buy?

After trying on as many saxophone neck strap designs as you can get your hands on, it’s time to have someone who knows what they’re doing measure you so you get the length right. If your neck strap is too low, your body will try to compensate, causing your head and neck to “point down” thereby disrupting your airflow. This head droop can trigger throat strain that’s so uncomfortable, you may catch yourself supporting the weight of your instrument with your thumb to compensate.

But what if you choose a neck strap that’s too short? This situation can alter the angle and feel of the mouthpiece in your mouth so you wind up straining to perform and could experience serious tone issues resulting from a too-short sax strap. Further, weight on your neck—-especially if you play a larger sax—-may render you incapable of focusing on the music because you’re so uncomfortable, so what’s the point? Because strap length is such a critical feature, more and more manufacturers are producing adjustable neck straps to eliminate such issues.

Five Best Saxophone Neck Strap Products

The Jazzlab Saxholder Harness

This product gets five star reviews from veteran and neophyte sax players alike. This strap features handles that hang over shoulders and a pad that rests against the stomach. Invented by a musician fed up with feeling like a 100-year-old man, his strap attracted the attention of medical practitioners with whom he consulted before he brought his neck strap to market. Shoulder features are crafted of aluminum and adjust easily using a telescoping slider.

Will it take time to become accustomed to wearing a harness-type neck strap positioned at stomach level? If you’re a new sax player, probably not, but if you’ve been playing a long time, this strap style may take getting used to. Remember that physics is physics: the weight of your sax must go somewhere if not your neck and shoulders. Choose a harness like the Jazzlab Saxholder and pressure is more evenly distributed, neck and back pain is relieved and even breathing from the diaphragm improves.

Pros

The Jazzlab Saxholder improves or eliminates aches and pains traditional straps cause.

This product improves posture and assists breathing.

At less than $50, this rig is affordable and can be secured with one hand in seconds.

Cons

The dog-lead type catch may not be your favorite feature.

The abdomen rest feature could prove irritating and annoying.

Big and tall musicians may find the shoulder pads dig into back muscles.

Check Current Prices

BG S40SH Harness Strap for Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone

When nearly 90-percent of strap shoppers swear they’ve never enjoyed such comfort at such a low price, the deal can sound too good to be true. But the BG S40SH is a deceivingly simple design that has saved many a saxophone player from having to put a chiropractor on speed dial. For older musicians battling long studio sessions, this leather and cloth strap gets the approval of the over-60 crowd, but that doesn’t mean young musicians won’t benefit early in the game.

While designed for men, women buy the BG S40SH Harness Strap for Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone, despite the fact that this brand makes versions specifically for women. One of the biggest benefits of this strap is that it provides uniform back and neck relief while sitting and standing. There are plenty of independent comments from sax players who swear they enjoy more freedom of movement and a less-restrictions wearing the BG S40SH sax neck strap.

Pros

High degree of comfort experienced even when a gig goes late into the night.

Popular with music teachers catering to kids’ unique fit issues.

High degree of comfort experienced even when a gig goes late into the night.

Cons

It can take time to figure out how to put this on despite instructions.

A professional sax player found the swivel hook questionable and replaced it with a carabiner.

At 7 ounces, this strap may not offer the heft you require for long performances.

Check Current Prices

Neotech 1901162 Soft Sax Strap - Swivel Hook

When a saxophone strap elicits over 645 opinions on top music evaluation websites you might expect a balance of raves and complaints, but in fact, a preponderance of Neotech 1901162 Soft Sax Strap-Swivel Hook buyers say it’s the best bang you can get for your buck.

This strap lays claim to virtues extolled by competitors: reduced neck and shoulder pressure. But this Neotech has been proven to remain stable and in a musician’s full control under a variety of conditions. The comfort-stretch backing includes neoprene, but unlike straps made of 100-percent stretch material, this strap won’t stretch out and require replacement.

According to the Soft Sax Strap design team, one of their objectives was “making the instrument feel 50-percent lighter” and 100-percent more comfortable. Goal achieved on both counts say fans of the brand and the strap. Order yours in three sizes: Regular loop; junior; extra-long loop. By the way, this strap works nicely with other instruments, like English horns, oboes, bassoons and bass clarinets.

Pros

Versatile and secure, this Neotech strap is strong, durable and fully adjustable.

The Soft Sax Strap is fabricated in the U.S.A.

The wider foam section and length offer extra years of wear.

Cons

“Not as easy to adjust as I imagined,” say a select number of purchasers.

The plastic/nylon connector has the potential to malfunction.

Not recommended for heavy saxophones.

Check Current Prices

Protec NLS310HP 22-Inch Ballistic Neoprene Less-Stress Saxophone Neck Strap w/Coated Metal Hook

This neck strap stands up to more expensive competitors by offering features musicians crave: Water-resistant “ballistic” neoprene material provides musicians with the comfort of separate left and right neck pads designed to relieve spine pressure. Soft-ridge padding won’t stretch out or bounce. This Protec strap offers wearers a 4-inch adjustment spread extending from strap to hook and this rig measures 2.25-inches at the widest point for extra security.

Little touches can make a difference: The snap on this accessory swivels for ease of attachment and because the unit’s snap features a strong metal trigger that’s rubber coated, it can cut down on eyelet wear so it remains functional longer than uncoated fasteners on the market. Musicians can look forward to plenty of wear and tear if they opt for this 22-inch saxophone neck strap.

Pros

The adjustment feature shortens and lengthens on the fly without twisting or snagging.

Flexible and ready for duty right out of the package; no break-in period required.

So comfortable, I wanna play all the time!” says a musician who had lost his enthusiasm due to discomfort.

Cons

For musicians seeking more elasticity in a strap, this one could disappoint.

The adjustment feature’s constant movement isn’t engineered for musicians who move around consistently.

Neck aches are reported by sax players who found the strap’s padded sections at fault.

Check Current Prices

Rico Saxophone Strap, Alto/Soprano, Jazz Wave

This brand’s pedigree may add spice to your decision to buy: A global leader in music accessories, Rico collaborates with scientists to produce ergonomic products that offer longevity and performance standards that are particularly appreciated by alto and soprano saxophone owners.

The Rico strap holds the instrument tenaciously through long performances, and when it’s time to release the sax, it’s doubly easy to disengage. Rico’s “quickadjust” button dispenses the right strap length for your body because easy-glide cord is less cumbersome than standard webbing.

While it’s available in no-frills black for sax players who don’t consider themselves showboats, five patterns may strike your fancy so you get efficiency and longevity with the flair you seek at a price even a school-age musician on an allowance can afford.

Pros

Simple, easy-to-wear and adjust, it’s so comfy.

Rico’s signature coated hook saves musicians time and frustration.

Easy-adjust spool is so efficient, adjust length using just one hand.

Cons

Not recommended for sax players in marching bands.

May not be for kids; some report neck-area irritation and “cutting.”

Not as comfortable as padded products.

Check Current Prices

Conclusions

While we’re favorably disposed to recommend all five sax neck straps to readers after culling a field of dozens, our favorite is the Jazzlab Saxholder Harness. Yes, it’s the priciest neck strap on our list, but given its many attributes, sax players would be foolish to go elsewhere when chiropractors, seniors and even kids just learning their instruments find extreme comfort and the ability to get in and out of this rig in a New York minute.

Health benefits include improved breathing, less muscle strain, fewer aches and pains and while the dog-lead type catch isn’t beloved by everyone, it’s an innovation you may come to appreciate once you get the hang of it. Is this harness ready for a fashion runway? Not exactly. But if you’re sick and tired of leaving your gigs in a world of pain and discomfort and would like to know how it feels to perform in a perpetual state of bliss, you owe it to yourself to check out the Jazzlab Harness.

The post Buyer’s Guide: Best Saxophone Neck Strap Review in 2017 appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/2017/03/19/best-saxophone-neck-strap/ from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.tumblr.com/post/158577509952

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musicadvisor · 8 years

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Buyer’s Guide: Best Saxophone Neck Strap Review in 2017

What makes a good Saxophone neck strap?

Quick Navigation

What makes a good Saxophone neck strap?

How to shop for a saxophone neck strap

Ready to buy?

Five Best Saxophone Neck Strap Products

Conclusions

How to shop for a saxophone neck strap

Ready to buy?

But what if you choose a neck strap that’s too short? This situation can alter the angle and feel of the mouthpiece in your mouth so you wind up straining to perform and could experience serious tone issues resulting from a too-short sax strap. Further, weight on your neck—-especially if you play a larger sax—-may render you incapable of focusing on the music because you're so uncomfortable, so what’s the point? Because strap length is such a critical feature, more and more manufacturers are producing adjustable neck straps to eliminate such issues.

Five Best Saxophone Neck Strap Products

The Jazzlab Saxholder Harness

Pros

The Jazzlab Saxholder improves or eliminates aches and pains traditional straps cause.

This product improves posture and assists breathing.

At less than $50, this rig is affordable and can be secured with one hand in seconds.

Cons

The dog-lead type catch may not be your favorite feature.

The abdomen rest feature could prove irritating and annoying.

Big and tall musicians may find the shoulder pads dig into back muscles.

Check Current Prices

BG S40SH Harness Strap for Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone

Pros

High degree of comfort experienced even when a gig goes late into the night.

Popular with music teachers catering to kids’ unique fit issues.

High degree of comfort experienced even when a gig goes late into the night.

Cons

It can take time to figure out how to put this on despite instructions.

A professional sax player found the swivel hook questionable and replaced it with a carabiner.

At 7 ounces, this strap may not offer the heft you require for long performances.

Check Current Prices

Neotech 1901162 Soft Sax Strap - Swivel Hook

Pros

Versatile and secure, this Neotech strap is strong, durable and fully adjustable.

The Soft Sax Strap is fabricated in the U.S.A.

The wider foam section and length offer extra years of wear.

Cons

“Not as easy to adjust as I imagined,” say a select number of purchasers.

The plastic/nylon connector has the potential to malfunction.

Not recommended for heavy saxophones.

Check Current Prices

Protec NLS310HP 22-Inch Ballistic Neoprene Less-Stress Saxophone Neck Strap w/Coated Metal Hook

Pros

The adjustment feature shortens and lengthens on the fly without twisting or snagging.

Flexible and ready for duty right out of the package; no break-in period required.

So comfortable, I wanna play all the time!” says a musician who had lost his enthusiasm due to discomfort.

Cons

For musicians seeking more elasticity in a strap, this one could disappoint.

The adjustment feature’s constant movement isn’t engineered for musicians who move around consistently.

Neck aches are reported by sax players who found the strap’s padded sections at fault.

Check Current Prices

Rico Saxophone Strap, Alto/Soprano, Jazz Wave

Pros

Simple, easy-to-wear and adjust, it’s so comfy.

Rico’s signature coated hook saves musicians time and frustration.

Easy-adjust spool is so efficient, adjust length using just one hand.

Cons

Not recommended for sax players in marching bands.

May not be for kids; some report neck-area irritation and “cutting.”

Not as comfortable as padded products.

Check Current Prices

Conclusions

The post Buyer’s Guide: Best Saxophone Neck Strap Review in 2017 appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/2017/03/19/best-saxophone-neck-strap/

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