K.platyops

If you're in Texas, be aware that it's not a 'no-fault' divorce state (there are only 15 so far), so you have to be careful of stuff that can be used against you. I'm glad about the news. But I'd still go and see your lawyer about this. It won't hurt to keep on top of things. And don't tell your wife you saw the lawyer (that goes without saying).

...and then he went to court, and reality hit him right square in the nuts. Some of you guys must be living in Disneyland. No, I was raised around this stuff. There was a time when custody battles were hardly battles at all, they were so one sided for the mother's side. It wasn't even something you could contest and hope to win. Obviously, there's still a long way to go. But seriously, fathers can win significant custody rights. It used to be not that long ago, fathers never got custody, except in special circumstances, and had very limited custody rights. We're living in the age of child custody reform, believe it or not:freak: All I was saying about getting a laywer is to go to the source. Try to get the lawyer that your lawyer associate would get for himself/herself if s/he were facing a divorce and custody battle. Then get them to call ahead for you. Can go a long way, at times, towards the attorney you work with treating you professionally while also not always being on the clock when you talk to them, overcharging you, giving you viable options to help your case and lower costs along the way, etc. But it will cost you, just the same.

You want to avoid the court, if at all possible. Because then, you get into a big {censored}ing system, with hundreds and hundreds of cases. Judges do have a lot of leeway, but by nature, it's a conservative and not progressive environment at times. It can be much easier for them to follow tradition and go with mother's custody. Thankfully, the totally one-siding siding with mothers getting custody is waning. Lawyers are tough. I often think you can get the best treatment if you can get a reference to a lawyer from a friend. If you know any lawyers personally, or have had a good interraction with a lawyer who specializes in another field, maybe try getting a recommendation or two from them. You can even try your accountant for a few leads. It can also help to get a lawyer who is familiar with the courts and the staff where you'll be going to file papers and go to hearings. I don't know the situation really, but I'm wondering whether your wife is going to stick with the idea of joining the military...especially if down the road in the near future she gets wind that her move might jeapordize her chances at custody, rather than enhancing it. By the way, really sorry to hear your plight here.

I've been working with an AT-100 head thru a 4x12 with Greenbacks for several months. I've had some tube issues right out the door. The tubes...this is one thing that many AT fans change out. I've heard that re-tubing can tame some of the harshness that can come to the fore in these amps. I really like the gain a lot...that's the main reason I got it. But they do have a reputation for being bright, and even sometimes a little harsh sounding...many on a AT-100 site have had good results with JJ tubes. Since I like the sounds, the versatility and the gain much, I plan to retube the thing regardless. I just played a new Mesa Recto thru a Mesa cab yesterday and must say, for whatever reason, I still prefer the B-52 tone over the Mesa. Or a 5150..go figure. Just my ears, I guess.

the amp sounds pretty good. I liked the cleans a little more than the dirt, though the gain sounds pretty good...it's almost more JCM900 than 800 to my ears. Maybe a little more modern-sounding and a little less brittle sounding?! Rather than the Marhsall-esque sound, how about a 1 watt, totally modern-voiced amp, like a Boogie, ENGL, Framus, Ibanez Thermion,,etc. Now, if you could do that, wow, would that have a market.... I wonder, what would you charge?...