Hsu-Nami -- a prog meets metal meets funk band from New Jersey formed in 2005. Earlier Gearwire talked with Jack Hsu who plays the erhu (a two stringed Asian violin) in the band. The erhu takes the place of vocals for Hsu-Nami. After talking to Hsu we wanted to hear what the other members of the band play.

Guitarist Brent Bergholm talked about the guitars he uses -- electric and acoustic.

"We normally only use the acoustic in the studio. There's something about the acoustic's tone and textures that adds so much to the music that a clean electric can't. It gives it a more classic and traditional feel which is why I think it evokes so many different emotions than an electric," says Bergholm. "We're utilizing the beauty of the acoustic so much more on our new CD than the old one -- even if its a small section we're putting it in to make a better listening experience for the listener. I play a Breedlove Pro Series acoustic. It's one of the best acoustics out there hands down."

When it comes to electric Bergholm uses an American Strat with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail near the bridge.

"I love them for their versatility and smooth sound. They can give you a nice clean tone, a sharp funky tone and a really mean growl which is a perfect for the heavier stuff. I never feel restricted when I have a Stratocaster. I can play anything from jazz to metal. It also gives a very original tone and shows the personality of the player so much more so than other guitars."

Bassist Derril Sellers uses a 1984 Fender P Bass.

"Most of the pick guard is broken off so the only piece left is covering the cavity for the tone and volume knobs. The pickup is a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound," says Sellers. "All of the electronics are taken out, so the pickup is wired straight to the two output jacks. It seems to open up the sound a bit and i can send the output to two amps or whatever else I may want."

Drummer John Manna plays a five-piece Mapex Saturn Pro kit (22" bass, 12", 14", 16" toms, 14" snare).

"Its a good quality kit, and I like having the option of using three tom-toms," says Manna. "The kit is also very versatile, it can kick ass with the heavy group Hsu-nami while still able to be used in jazz."

Kits he has used in the past have been somewhat less qualitative.

"Before this kit I had a really cheap kit. I think it was made of particles of wood glued together with some sort of cement, ha-ha. It was really awful, didn't even have the bottom heads and rims to the drums. Thats what I started to learn drums on," says Manna. "After that, I got the Mapex and have been using it since. I also have a Roland V-Stage electronic kit that I use for practice when I don't want to cause a lot of noise. It was great for when I lived in a dorm at college and still wanted to practice. Perhaps one day I will include parts of this kit with my acoustic kit."

He uses Zildjian cymbals.

"I like the richness of the tone and the quality of the cymbals. My setup includes 14" a new beat hi-hats, 22" dry K series ride, 18" projection a custom series crash, 18" a custom series crash, K series splash cymbal, and an 18" FX series china," says Manna. "I've used Paiste in the past and liked them, but after smashing though [a Paiste] cymbal I decided to go completely with Zildjian."

If there is a "dream kit" out there for him it would be a custom made Orange County Kit.

"The kit would of course be monstrous as well with two bass drums, six toms and full of cymbals," he says. "This is all assuming I also have the roadies to lug it around for me on tour!"

Manna also scolds me for not asking about hardware (what the hell do I know? I am not a drummer). He likes DW hardware.

"Double-bass is a big part of Hsu-nami's sound. I have a DW9000 double-bass pedal and it feels like I'm gliding on air when I am playing double kick." he says.

Hsu-Nami have just released their first recording Entering the Mandala and will be featured in coverage of the Beijing Olympics.