Category 5 Amplifiers!!!!

Now this is the kind of blogging I love...talking about gear!

So- as you all know (that know me well)- I love gear. I worked at a music store for a dozen years or so- and love the guitar world I live in. I am constantly searching for tone- and vibe out of guitars, amps, pedals, etc. So...My good friend John Catt from Colorad0 told me about Category 5 amps. We were in Evergreen watching John Nemeth and Junior Watson at the Little Bear. He said that Bonamassa, Thackery, and even Tab were all into these amps. That they were not like any others- I know Tab- and he doesn't usually like anything except his old Fenders. So, John introduced me to Don Ritter at the BMA's in Tunica, Ms. Cat5 were doing all of the guitar amp backline for the awards show. Don and I really hit it off- and he let me try some amps out. I have tried everything there almost is to plug a guitar into- and I know whats up. not to sound cliche', but these amps are different- much different. They are a combination of vintage sounding- modern design. It's like they took what Leo and Marshall did really good- and then went to the next level with it. I am currently using a 90wt Camille- 212- twin like amp, and a 50wt Andrew- 410 - super like amp. They each have 2 channels. But these are wired like 2 amps in each amp. The first channel may be like a 60's brownface dlx- and the second channel is like a blackface super reverb - completely independent of each other. They also use this power technology known as "power scaling". I am no expert- so I may not be doing this any justice- but...This actually turns the voltage back on the output transformer- rather than attenuating the power tubes- which means...you can turn this amp up loud to get the really good natural tone out of the amp- but cutback the actual stage volume- to a more realistic setting, without eating and compressing the power tubes.

IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!

They have many different designs- Marshall and Fender combinations- imagine having a Fender dlx and a Marshall plexi all in one amp. Completely hand-wired- point to point- and these amps truly react. I cannot explain how good they feel when you play. I am now playing with less gain- and more dynamic clarity than ever before. Don Ritter is the man with Cat5- and he has been nothing short of a true friend. He has gone beyond the call of duty to help me achieve my ultimate goal in tone. PLEASE- take a few minutes and check them out online:

http://www.cat5amps.com

You can see and hear the Camille and Andrew at all of my upcoming live shows. Come on up and check them out.

Peace,

Zito

RADIO FREE TEXAS. ORG

Radio Free Texas has just picked up our new cd "Today" and added the entire album

to their playlist!

PLEASE- goto:   www.radiofreetexas.org

and request a song or two.

The more we get played- the more we get played!!!

Thank you for your support!

Mike

WOW!

What a great weekend it was!

We rolled into Tunica on Wednesday night- and the lobby was filled with all of the stars of the blues world. I stayed up late talking with Tab about the wetlands- and how we can help. Thursday was the Blues Music Awards. Everyone from Delta/Eclecto Groove showed up- and the party ensued. Jimmie Vaughan was in front of me in line for breakfast- he got a danish. Got to hang out with Rand and Kelly, David Hughes, Rueben, and other friends. The awards show was great! The Holmes Brothers were awesome- among others. I got to meet Hubert Sumlin, and finally got to shake Jimmie Vaughan's hand. (he had a danish in it earlier) Rand, Kelly, Tab Benoit, and I stayed up late again talking about everything- and eating greasy late night food!

ZITO w/ TAB @ THE BLUES MUSIC AWARDS


ZITO w/ HUBERT SUMLIN

Friday was the Third Annual Delta Groove Revue at Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Ms. It was a hell of show- from beginning to end. Kid Ramos and Los Faublocos were off the hook! Steve Edmundson and Jackie Payne were incredible. So was Phillip Walker- and The Mannish Boys of course stole the show. We had a great set- thanks to Tony Braunagel and Teresa James. Jason Ricci and that Shawn Starski were out of this world. I think Jason is probably the best harmonica player I have ever seen or heard. Shawn Starski just got listed in Guitar Player mag as one of the 10 new great guitarists you have never heard of- he's totally awesome- for sure.

ZITO @ THE ALL-STAR DELTA GROOVE BLUES REVUE


ZITO @ THE ALL-STAR DELTA GROOVE BLUES REVUE


ZITO @ THE ALL-STAR DELTA GROOVE BLUES REVUE


ZITO @ THE ALL-STAR DELTA GROOVE BLUES REVUE

Saturday we drove up to Memphis to play the Red Rooster with John Nemeth. Another fun show for us- thanks to a good early crowd. John Nemeth has a killer voice- and the band is rock solid. Marty Dodson is the drummer- and he is now my new favorite! Junior Watson might be the last of the freakin unbelievable crazy guitar players! We went out to dinner with Rand and Mars Callahan and a big group of friends that night. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend. I felt like the prom queen- my face hurt from smiling so much all weekend. This was my first time at all of this- and I was honored just to be there with everyone. I cannot begin to thank Rand Chortkoff and everyone with Delta/Eclecto Groove Records. I hope to have some pictures posted here soon of this weekend.

Peace,

Zito

BIG WEEK!

so- things are coming along. This is a big week for me. Thursday night is the Blues Music Awards in Tunica, Ms. I have never been- and have wanted to go for years. goto: www.blues.org - for all of the details. Friday is "The Delta Groove All- Star Revue" at Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Ms!!!! I am very excited about the line-up- it's going to be a killer show. I have not had the opportunity to see most of these folks live- cannot wait. The Mannish Boys!!!!- they rock the house for sure- I am a big Kid Ramos fan. I opened for the Fabulous Thunderbirds in St. Louis about 8 years ago- and Kid was playing guitar- he is the real deal. We go on at 10:30 that night- and Jason Ricci follows us and wraps it up. He is incredible- his disc "Rocket #9" is excellent- and I am hoping we might get to jam a little that night! Saturday night we are playing in Memphis with John Nemeth at The Little Red Rooster. We had a Sunday night off in Denver last month- and we went to the Little Bear to see John play. He was fantastic- what a voice- and a smokin band.......Junior Watson was playing guitar- and he was off the hook. This will be a great night of music for sure. Thanks to the guys at Intrepid for setting this up. so, like I said........BIG WEEK! I will let you know all of the juicy details next week.

Peace,

Z