New Beginnings

It's a new year, although it's been almost a month and a half into it. I originally just started this account so I could comment on Adrian Belew's blog, but I guess the blogging bug got a hold of me again. Maybe we'll see what happens this time since I'm starting a new one.

So, right now I'm in the middle of a purchasing a new bass guitar amplification setup. My old amp sounds great, but is too big and bulky, not to mention underpowered, for transportation. I found some deals on craigslist, but ultimately I'm shooting for 300-400 watts at 4 ohms. I've looked at Ampeg, trying to replace my combo as it sounds amazing, but it's too out of my price range. I have also looked at Avatar speakers, which use Eminence PA speakers which have a nice frequency response to bass guitar, as they're recommend on the site. I was not very open to speakers I had never heard before, but I found someone selling one on craigslist. I made an appointment to come over to his house and try it out. I found I liked it even if the head was probably not what I was going to buy. It was a good approximation of my sound with my current amp, but getting home and plugging in my current amp revealed it was not as "Growly" or "bassy" as I wanted it to be. I have a feeling this was with the head and the fact it was a 2x10. My current amp is a 15 with a 8 for a tweeter. Very nice. I feel as so if I go with avatar I will probably purchase the 2x12 though to make up for the 15.
So this morning I receive a notice from the seller saying that the buzz we found in the Avatar 210 was infact a blown speaker. He says he's only gigged with it for about a year, using it for reggae gigs. But I guess this is now a question of reliability for the cab, but I think I'm going to have to ask this question of everything I buy.
The question with the head is do I ultimately try and strive as close as possible to the wattage? I did some research (read: Someone told me) that said when pairing a head with a cab, try to get it as close to the watt rating as possible, as heads when clipping will send out square waves which are bad for the speaker. I think If I get within 50 watts I should be fine. I've been looking at ampeg and GK heads, and hopefully I will sell my ovation soon so I have a little more money towards all this.
Hopefully I am happy with whatever choice I make, and I'm not throwing money into a pit.

On to something less esoteric, a trio of shows are coming up. Which is good news for me. Friday is the Project Venue show at URI, with Mahi Mahi, Bed Of Knives (Formally Phil N Crew), POW!!!! (Next Haven Members), MATH the band and a few others. Should be good, although the last time I saw MAHI at a project venue show I was entirely pissed off at people that thought it would be funny to try and sway the crowd. Maybe I just shouldn't get in the front anymore. I have seen then 14 times...

Saturday is the New England Guitar Craft with Your Move who are performing Closer To The Edge in it's entirety. Eh, not too crazy on that, but I have not seen the Craft in a long time, and I feel as though I need to support Martin in his musical en devours as they're usually always good. Although ironically I always end up disliking them, then giving them another listen, then ultimately liking them. Going to see if recording and/or photography is allowed, since this is the Craft...

Sunday is Neptune, White Mice, Lazy Magnet and The Glass Shivers. Hopefully The White Mice will not suck as much as they did last time at the Machines With Magnets show. It's Neptune's record release show, so hopefully I can go and score a copy of the album if I have enough money. The Glass shivers should be a good time, I've enjoyed their album.

Hopefully I can also find a job within the next month or so. Not having a job is kinda cool but not having money is not fun at all. :(