YoLo
Waiting, It’s just part of life….
I’m waiting on a sign…that’s the wrong idea. I’ll spend my life in search of some “sign”…kinda like ponce Deleon searching for the 7 golden cities of cibola.
I’m still salivating over a dreamy performance 4 string, that’s definitely a Wyn-Wyn situation dontcha think? Dont be such a Roscoe about it!!!! Or just be MTD4LYFE???? Hmmmm, yeah I may
I realize that as I continue on this path of furnishing my brand I’ll have to make a choice-stick to what I know or explore
YOLO-you only live once. It’s expected of me to make mistakes, just trying to live life…one piece of equipment at a time.
magic sparking at magik eye studios [houston, tx]
it’s raw yet enjoyable. it’s unedited yet perfection in the nude. mess-ups and all it’s still a euphoric moment to my ears…call it what you feel but i felt something so i’ll call it beautiful…the music’s tone was speaking to me, summoning a connection that i truly enjoyed. these rare times where i may freak the heck out of frequency is what i strive to do everytime my fingers grace the fretboard…
*enjoy the track on this page which’ll process upon clicking*
update on my sanity: a relevant aside
tonight i’ve calmed down from my ‘kid in a candy store’ syndrome…nahhh, more like the ’10 black stiletto pairs just isn’t enough!’ syndrome. i’ve calmed down because though i would love to invest in such a beautiful boutique bass i want to SURPASS my current position in life…yes i DESIRE MORE…of course i’ll improve but the working conditions must improve as well. when i’m spending more time on the road i’ll consider those axes that makes my trigger finger quiver. i’ve acquiesced to my inner shoe addict the most logical decision…no tears were shed, just a sigh from my wallet.
grab some tea/coffee/water and invest in some time to read this…you won’t be sorry; however, if you become sorry over the course of reading it, scroll up the page and start reading from the beginning
If you’re new here, you should probably read my biography just to give you a better sense of who I am. In short: I do a lot of stuff. I’m curious. I love learning. I take risks. I speak my mind. I dare.
The risks I take are reinforced by a belief that I owe it to myself to at least try. I’ve always seen myself as a bit of a Jack of all trades, rather than an expert in one subject, but I’ve come to believe that’s a blessing rather than a curse. Releasing myself from the aim of being an expert or being perfect at something means that I have the complete and utter freedom to try. And fail. Hell yes, fail. Even often!
But trying, definitely.
I’ve spent a lot of time talking with (girl)friends about what’s next for them. I mentioned that I wanted to have…
View original post 1,685 more words
another modded MTD KZ-series case
as i’m on the quest to customize my KZ6, i’ve checked out more modded MTD KZ-series basses and stumbled upon a cool Talkbass forum entry. this time it’s on KZ5.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/official-mtd-non-us-made-club-part-2-a-633113/index10.html
this modded 5 comes with upgraded Vilex Pickups, Aguilar OBP3, and a BadAss Bass Bridge.
“I cant agree more! Upgrade these basses and
you will get close to an American MTD for fairly
little money. I have a KZX Ltd. and thats pretty darned close.”
i’ve been a fan of bad ass bridges since my youth, and since then i’ve placed ‘modding’ onto the back burner but maybe it’s something worth considering if i continue this modding process…
Another modification can be found here: http://basspeople.cart.net.au/store/mtd-kingston-z5-mod-natural-gloss-maple-fingerboard.html
Seymour Duncan pups with retro frequency-phile preamp should sound really nice…
Decisions decisions decisions…
when acquiring gear doesn’t feel good…
last night i stopped by windsor village to check out a couple of my friends during their organized band rehearsal. and while i was there i managed to relive the anticipated moment I had initially at NAMM when I played on a Wyn bass [after so much hearsay]. from my knowledge there are atleast three bassists employed here: as Pat and Jerry practiced on their 6/5 stringed Smiths, Craig whipped out his 6 string Wyn bass [his other prized musical possession is a 6 stringed performance bass]. Tuned low F# B E A D G and balanced with the perfect Comfort Strap, I fell in love all over again [the performance bass is yet another lovely axe but his model’s frets are too wide]. as i lusted after his axe I realized that that’s my next one for a while unless ‘a deal of a lifetime’ pops into existence…i see why he sold his MTD KZ6 for this baby
I started to ponder on my choice of actions…I have friends that boasts more than 20 snares and manages to play on all of them every once in a while, and so far I’ve done a decent job giving my playable axes an opportunity to shine in different venues, but am I starting to buy just to buy??? Lately i’ve started to feel that way, and like stuffing one’s self with food nonstop it doesn’t feel good. i know PLENTY of purveyors of fine musical instruments without the talent and MANY talented musicians without the fine instruments…what makes me different? before shelling out $4Gs I just want to make certain that I have the world tours coming my way so these beautiful axes will be seen lol.
I know that like many women out there our closets aren’t ever ‘too filled’ with black stilettos; but another cute black pair with tasty sequence won’t hurt my collection…will it??? that’s how i started to feel, which is great and depressing; depressing that i’m stopping myself from leaping on the bandwagon of buying yet another sweeeeet axe but good because i get to sort out my ideas of desires..wants and needs. at the end i’ve summed it up that after this MTD KZ6 [check 2nd recent post] i’m gonna invest in this beautiful wyn that craig’s sending me the info on…i just pray that i’ll garner more work to cover the longterm costs-feeling good about this majestic purchase.
…but honestly i’m thinking about satisfying my passive fix some way…maybe through another endorsement
My latest amp addition
I’m Not trying to be a purveyor of equipment but this seemed to be a good deal. Normally I’m into amps with large headroom like 400-700 watts, but I’m thinking that realistically I’m usually using 200 watts. Also I’m DEFINITELY interested in weightless portability!
Gallien Krueger MB200 is a 2lb, 200 watt little unit of an amp. when I first saw it the first thing I thought of was the SWR head lite.
My review is from jamming a 5 string Lakland bass into the baby amp through an Acoustic 8×10 cabinet with adjustable horn application and an Ampeg 4×10 cab. It yielded decent results, with much clear sound through the Ampeg cab…thinking that I’ll keep my monstrous Bugera cab for this baby amp.
Welcome to the “axe heavy hittaz” family: Dirty Amber Bomb
2010 MTD KZ6 [satin amber] +upgraded bart pups and SKB hard case for a decent price…let’s just say that it’s a nice deal.
i guess i can properly fill my MTD double gigbag with two MTDs [my main axe is an MTD KZX]…i’ve received a Cort Curbow 6 string as an addition that’s quite the perfect fit for my hands. with a single Bart pup and the high C , it’s a lovely complementing device to my latest 6 string which i’m adjusting the strings to be F# B E A D G…this is gonna be fun. also, i’m going to give some time pre and post setup to make a decision of whether or not to upgrade the preamp [different forums are telling me to upgrade for the par-settings that lay within the built-in preamp…idk, but what i do know is that my KZX boasts nice custom Bart pres and pups…
now here’s a fine example of a ‘pro pimped MTD KZ6’ found on talkbass forums [http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/pro-pimped-mtd-kz6-831970/]
according to the seller, he pimped his KZ6 axe with OB3-preamp, Bridge and Nordstrand Big Splits, performed by Bass Exchange in Los Angeles.
on another forum i’ve found the following to be an interesting alternative to Mike Tobias’s all Bart package [i.e.-my MKZX’s electronic entrails] http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php?topic=66348.0
“So I found a cat on talkbass who did a Nordy DC5’s each with a coil tap, Audere 4 band with Z-mode and am going to try that.”
here goes yet another fantastic job done well by the bass exchange out in CA [http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/mtd-kz6-6-string-bass-upgrades-%241-500-%2Alimited-free-shipping-fs-f-s-752153/#post10620668]
This is a 2007 MTD KZ 6 with over $800 in upgrades selling for $1,500 OBO (with shipping covered up to $50).
Specifications:
35″ Scale
6 String Bass (B-E-A-D-G-C tuning)
New set of Dean Markley SR 2000 Strings (Still In The Box)
47 1/2″ Overall Length
53.25 mm Nut Width
18.5mm String Spacing at Bridge
10 lbs (on Floor Scale)
Mahogany Body, Maple Burl Top, Matte Finish
Maple Neck
Maple Fingerboard
Hipshot Ultralite Tuners (upgrade)
Hipshot B Bridge (upgrade)
Graphtech Graphite Nut (upgrade)
Nordstrand Big Splits, Custom Sized (upgrade)
Audere 18V Preamp (upgrade)
Black Steel Knobs (upgrade)
Knob Config – Vol – Blend – Treble – Mid/Stack – Bass
Treble Frequency Select Switch
Hennessey Strap Locks
Fender Tweed Gig Bag (for Protection Only)
decisions Decisions DECISIONS!!!!
oh well, atleast i’ve grown certain to the name Dirty Blonde Bomb Dirty Amber Bomb, Dirty Amber Blonde (Bomb), i came up with the name myself..like it??? or maybe i should call her dirty amber for short [dirty diana’s daughter lol] share your thoughts
Christmas in February! Cases in abundance
So I stopped by my friend’s studio in a studio complex and found 1 Levy’s deluxe bass gig bag, 1 bass hard case, 1 acoustic gtr case and 1 SKB electric gtr case! Can you say awesome? Yep!!! Also I got a DDrum kick pedal bag that houses MPC1000 well. Also, I found an interesting bag that may fit the BOSS GT-10 (well if I’m short on funds then ill get the GT-8/6).
More details to come.
electronics, sounds and pedals oh my!
i’m in the market for a cool pedal, like the aguilar ‘twin’ envelope filter pedal…not much of a compressor but if so an MXL will do, but then i’ve watched this video where Robert Lewis displays and discusses his experiences with one of his musical weapons- the BOSS GT-10B massive bass pedal board. so this is where all of those funky tones come from??? i though he was superman making up those awesome noises [just joking-i’m quite bright lol]…enjoy
last night’s homework
so this is what occupied my attention through the night…well, starting around 2am til 7am…just breaking down the details and soaking it all in, one scene at a time [all i have is time so no worries lol]. of course people have some roundabout knowledge of their keys and arpeggios but breaking it down in a repetitive nature made the experience all the more productive.
…now off to bed
patiently waiting
sorry for this entry but i’m in the midst of just feeling myself right now [excuse me]…my mind’s on the clean road so don’t worry-no need to hide your kids and wives for this blog entry i’m great, i’m just ecstatic about my newest addition to my bass family, a 6 string modified MTD KZ-6+pup upgrade and more…for the price i realize that it’s fair considering all of the contents in the deal.
as an MTD KZX owner and KZ6-modified i wait for my mtd kz-6 to be modified slightly [i’m replacing the stock pups for some barts as starters-came with the deal along with an skb case] i’m taking it all in from my hands on NAMM experience…im definitely an MTDer fo’ lyfe [whoa der with that spelling lol] but for the same price of that extremely light wilkins bass [sportin’ a mean mango wood] i can buy a wyn, which is more lust-worthy in my book [onl if they can hollow it out a bit more for me]…i definitely want to invest in a lovely custom MTD as well as wyn [i’m loving that koa texture]; one that can sound like ME all over it.
just as i am a certified mac-head, i’m all in love with my MTD axes…but i’m definitely into acquiring a wyn…dang it felt so good at NAMM!!
DNA of bass guitar
this is critical reading on those seemingly minor nuances that make major differences in tone and audible harmony. from the wood choices to pups/preamp preferences and much much more…now this is not a bible but a supplemental reference to whatever you call your bass bible. like a buffet, just take what you can and leave the rest for someone else to make a connection…it doesn’t hurt to read right? yeah take your time…
http://bestinbassguitars.com/2012/02/dna-of-bass-guitars-part-1/
http://bestinbassguitars.com/2011/09/d-n-a-of-bass-guitars-part-2/
instruments will be allowed on flights as carry-on
great news! an official notice has been disseminated that congress has passed legislation which allows instruments to be recognized as carry-ons! i just hope that the emancipation proclamation all flight associates will be aware of this awesome change and will quit harassing us faithful musical servants at the desks as we’re trying to leave them in the first place.
to be honest the two times my bass had to go ‘under’ as checked baggage resulted in broken cases and axes, but i’m grateful that it was two times out of hundreds! i bet flautists never have this issue but for us heavyweights packing one if not two bass guitars [and the likes] in the past we’ve pretty much have been asking for the weird calls by those people [and don’t get me started on TSA]…i hope that the effects will be felt pretty soon bc i’m tired of exhausting my resources assuring people who’ve never flown with such a travel case that i’ve done my homework and am confident that i won’t cause any delays…flight people be prepared to lighten up-i’m packing two basses for now on so be prepared!
SNAPSHOT:
SNAPSHOT of the actual AFM release:
Cameron Hood on tonewoods in MTD electric basses
Part of a collection of videos comparing various MTD basses and their unique tonal qualities. Hopefully dispelling many myths on tone woods, and on MTD basses in general. These instruments are the pinnacle of electric bass building techniques, and are by far the most expressive and unique instruments available, regardless of price.
now pay attention to the texture of the ‘tapping’ on the video below, not minding the audio quality linked to the A/V capturing mechanism, but take a gander into what type of wood would have such tone quality, etc…i hope this task isn’t impossible if not stupid altogether…oh well, try it 🙂
Performance schedule
When a kid finds the quotient to solve the problem (go look that up) I’m quite elated to solving a potential headache: a concise RELIABLE way to show my gigs other than blog entries that are shoved onto other pages with other “older entries”…Of course reviews and such will remain in post form, but for the general event info will be posted there.
So check out “performance schedule” in the upper right corner and if you’re available and in town come by and check out the awesome talents I’m playing with.
Stony&hemp at Hemp fest? Could be
Cross your hemptouching fingers and count your hemp stars guys because we’re blowing up. we’ve been official for a week or two and already utilizing contacts in store! Gotta call from my stony & herb drummer kevin berry and we’re a step closer to being picked for this year’s Hempfest in Seattle this August! More details to come but so far we have 2 private parties this and next month along with:
February 18th
Bayou a drink
Spring, Tx
3p-7p
March 2nd
Jailhouse Saloon in olde town spring
8p-midnight
How much should be tolerated?
Its been a minute but last night I was at a very unorganized rehearsal…and to make matters worse is that the event facilitators went full throttle stupid with their obvious flirting…and one in particular really believed that I was into him as hard as he was in me; that old troubled fool didn’t fit my vast description of preferred attraction…and was nowhere near it. But he tried to put his sorry game on thick but my resistence thinned that out. As an audience sometimes not feeling your music I wasn’t feeling him by a LONG shot (not even considered).
So this is a paying gig but I feel much more comfortable building this gig with my self worth than go through it, becoming susceptible to another opportunity to place myself around horny old men….this is SUCH a no-brainer!
Stony & hemp’s soft debut at jailhouse saloon
A biker bar on a wet Friday evening. to some thats a recipe for disaster. For the entire night 30+ cars with +1s inside AND 1 bike filled the bar. Especially for that bar (whose busiest day is Sunday) they made over $1000 that cold wet night in olde town spring…they consider that a good productive effort on their books. My drummer said that.they want us back for sure; definitely more than what he can say when his former group played
there…
About 38 songs were on the roster to be played; barely touched was that painstakingly constructed list…too bad for the soft debut that we left it untouched but we’ll rehearse later today so we’ll be well acquainted by the 18th…yep its still going on.
Anyways, stony&hemp will be jamming at the jailhouse saloon AGAIN march 2nd.
Bandtastic4 at Stereo Live
cool.rainy. thursday night. confusion was thick in the air. not from our end but from …you know [management’s]…we ready. always. i pray that never a time will occur that we’ll be insecure of our readiness…[did that make sense…oh well]. so we began to gather before 6pm and soundchecked but 7:30p or so. took to the stage [showtime] around 10:15pm or so. killed like always [typing in confidence not in cockiness favor-TRUST!]. once again we shared with the audience our snippet of a new release…if you missed it twice then you must wait for the next EP “all hope lies in doom” release…and since i was uncapable of multitasking to the fullest [play and record footage] hopefully footage can be found soon but in the meantime enjoy these pre-show pics.
We’re live at studio live! Can you tell?
Tanisha subbing on the drums
@fullmetalfdot sitting on the drums
visual artist @seanDblanco chops it up with “the thing” cale borne 
our condensed setlist [notes originally Tanisha florence’s-sub in drummer]
1st floor gallery
The stage from the second floor
2nd floor art gallery
doing some work with magikeye productions
check out this track I worked on with http://magikeyeproductions.bandcamp.com/track/mystic
Stony&Hemp: debut change-this Friday!!!!!!
Woke up around 11:30am. got a call from my stony&hemp drummer about a show this Friday at jailhouse saloon. We showed out on stage sunday night I guess….SOOOOO Stony&Hemp will debut THIS friday at jailhouse salon (olde town spring).
Free admission
Tasty beverages
Awesome music
Be there
herbassfulness 