Orange Day in Sydney

Today there was a big mother of a dust cloud that hit Sydney. If you live in Sydney I hope you are actually aware of this (otherwise you live under a rock).

But in music news, over the past 3 weeks I've been looking at some 4x12 cabinets. The two main ones being a Marshall 1960 Lead and an Orange PPC412. I definitely like the Orange one better for sound, but the Marshall wins by its far lighter weight, and cheaper price (when buying second hand at least). [Actual review on this coming later]

I also got a reply today from someone trying to sell their 2nd-hand Orange cab. It is in fair condition but definitely not worth the asking price.

Then I had a fleeting thought... If I could get a second hand Marshall, and every day was Orange Day in Sydney, I could very well get the best of both worlds...

Like all fleeting thoughts, this one faded as the day progressed and the dust settled.

The Introduction

Hi all!


I had this realisation recently that my life is currently taking another large, swerving detour down Musician's Rd. It's a bit rough, a bit hazy, and I really can't see where it ends, nor where I truly started from. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But the road will surely have some interesting effects on me...

The Background Story:

I was 13 years old when I picked up my first guitar in 2003. It was a cheap Monterey classical guitar that my parents bought for me from a local music shop, along with some formal lessons, and even an AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) exam.

After a few teething years, I was ready to move to electric. It was an Epiphone Les Paul (I was adamant that it be a Les Paul shape - for some reason I had an automatic aversion to Strat bodies) and I ordered it online for Christmas in 2004.

Epiphone Les Paul in Heritage Cherry Sunburst.

I joined my first band in 2005 (fail), my second band in 2006 (bigger fail), and my first performance as a solo acoustic act was only a few days after my final HSC exam in Year 12. I also took up drums at the end of 2006. Looking back, perhaps this should have been a warning of what was to come...

Since then I've been studying full-time as well as doing music on the side; getting involved with the music society, a few acoustic solo performances and also doing a short-lived stint in a pop/jazz band. Currently (at the time of posting, at the very least) I'm playing guitar for a punk/metal/thrash band based in Sydney called No Peace For Charlie.

No Peace For Charlie.

This is what has been the most recent catalyst of my musical ventures (and thus, my somewhat exorbitant spending relative to my income).

So essentially, I'm a musician in a gigging band who has a penchant for guitar gear, recording gear, and drum gear. I'll be posting my experiences (reviews, if you will) of products that I have owned or substantially tested. From strings, to sticks, to mics, to amps, thrown in with a bit of a story (or an anecdote if you're lucky).

Enjoy!

A Confession

Dear God of Rock,

Today is Saturday the 19th of September, 2009. It is the first Saturday I've had in many months where I have actually been awake to enjoy most of the day (owing to the incidents of previous Friday nights). I went to church this morning for a half hour and made some donations. In light of this I have reflected on my behaviour, and I have a confession to make...


I am a music gear junkie.
There is never. enough. gear.

Yours Faithfully,

Lara.

Above: Church.