Voltron

Not as sweet, smooth or well-known as bourbon these days. Scotch took over the country's high-end drinkers. Rye was a fundamental part of the cocktail set back in the day, but I don't know when it declined in favor of bourbon.

Hem -- Rabbit Songs

*Note to self: Guzzi doesn't get any whisk[e]y at CJ09* I bought the Ri on the recommendation of the shopkeeper and without knowing anything about it. It turns out that it is a Jim Beam product that is in fact an answer to the slick premium vodka marketing that was so successful. This stuff is a turnoff but I like rye whiskey so I am willing to try it. It smelled perfectly fine, and the wine/booze snob who sold it to me said it was great stuff. We shall see. The Ardbeg pic I used was a net find and it looks like a top-hinged box that is way fancier than the simple flip-top one mine came in.

That's a great suggestion, Chris. Thanks. I will pass along.

Happy krautrock day!

Is it really so hard to post the picture too?

Jeff "Tain" Watts -- Watts

In his defense, fwiw, he doesn't blame the McCormack or think it has a problem. He is just not sure what the problem is and why his other amp -- something tubey -- doesn't have the same problem. But see below, because I think he should at least check with Bel Canto if he wants to make an attempt to make it work. Thanks, I will pass this along.

Any other ideas? I really would rather keep the money instead of getting the amp back.

Bill Frisell -- In Line

You're obviously not going back to the other thread I posted this in, but you seem to be paying attention here:

Welcome to the Bigs, 'Viper. Have fun. I know your skin is thick enough. Now the important question is whether you will be attending CJ09 in LA in a couple of months? We will send stevieo up there personally to shame you into showing up, so you might as well commit now.

Thanks, I will check. No. Yes, with no problem.

Thanks, I hadn't even noticed that it was being released next week. Probably not at Amoeba today, then.

He knows you need to buy some of his used shit.

I sold my McCormack DNA-500 to a guy with an agreement that he could audition it and decide whether to go through with it. He uses his Bel Canto Dac3 as source and preamp. He goes directly into the amp, and I have asked whether he uses balanced XLR cables or s/e RCA cables but I have not heard back yet. The amp sounds great with his Wilson Benesch speakers, but the problem is a buzz/hiss that is present and presumably most noticeable in quiet passages or when there is no music playing. He has contacted SMc Audio, Steve McCormack's shop, and has done what they have suggested (cheater plug, switch outlets, try a line conditioner and direct into outlet, etc) to no avail. I am not sure if it is some kind of ground loop or impedance mis-match or what. If he is using RCAs, could XLRs possibly solve any issues? I have some Jensen Iso-Max transformers like these: I could see if one of those worked for him as well as they worked for me when I had a similar thing going on. Any smart and knowledgeable Head-Casers have any suggestions for how to explain or resolve this mess? Thanks in advance.

Neko Case -- Middle Cyclone I think I will try to find the vinyl version today at Amoeba.

That is very cool of you to offer, Chris. (No, that is not a freezer reference.)

She's all about the young people.

I think Ryan's JG should have HP2s on.

John Zorn -- The Dreamers

While they run screaming in the other direction.

Can you even imagine him walking around in headphones at a high school? The Perv Squad would take him out immediately.

Sweet! I think we have at least one other member of the Danny Boys! Maybe you should come out to San Francisco next week for John Zorn's residency at Yoshi's. It looks killer: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 SECRET CHIEFS 3 PLAY MASADA BOOK II 8pm &10pm $20 Wednesday, March 11, 2009 MASADA STRING TRIO John Zorn: Composer, Conductor Greg Cohen: Bass Mark Feldman: Violin Erik Friedlander: Cello 8pm (Book I) $45 & 10pm (Book II) $45 Thursday, March 12, 2009 All Four Original Members MASADA John Zorn: Saxophone, Composer Joey Baron: Drums Greg Cohen: Bass and special guest Trumpeter 8pm (Book I) $50 & 10pm (Book II) $50 Friday, March 13, 2009 BAR KOKHBA Cyro Baptista: Percussion Joey Baron: Drums Greg Cohen: Bass Mark Feldman: Violin Erik Friedlander: Cello Marc Ribot: Guitar 8pm (Book I) $50 & 10pm (Book II) $50 Saturday, March 14, 2009 THE DREAMERS Joey Baron: Drums Trevor Dunn: Bass Marc Ribot: Guitars Jamie Saft: Keyboards Kenny Wollesen: Vibes John Zorn: Alto Sax Cyro Baptista: Percussion 8pm (Volume I) $50 & 10pm (Volume II) $50 Sunday, March 15, 2009 ELECTRIC MASADA Cyro Baptista: Percussion Joey Baron: Drums Trevor Dunn: Bass Ikue Mori: Electronics Marc Ribot: Guitar Jamie Saft: Keyboards Kenny Wollesen: Drums John Zorn: Alto Sax 7pm (Book I) $50 & 9pm (Book II) $50 Right now, I need some background music that will keep me awake: Tyler Bates -- The Watchmen Original Film Score