Alchemist

get a yamaha silent guitar..... they are cheap, decent enough to play on, are made to be quiet, and theres not much to get broken, and if it gets stolen you arent out a lot of money

I dont like faded finishes, so I am not a big fan of the faded studio or highway 1 guitars.... dont care how much they cost or where they are made, just not really my thing

at $1800... it wont be happening for at least a year

things are only a crutch if you need them to be..... same as any effect, you can use distortion to create a raw and melodic effect, or you can use it to cover up your terrible playing and inability to fret and pick properly by compensating with a lot of gain.... I use my compressor for several situations..... keeping even tone and dynamics for backing rhythm work, giving me a boost as well as more attack for touchstyle jazz, and giving me more snap and attack for funk rhythm and country licks......

I dont see a problem with them. The V7 is a fairly nice pickup. I've put numerous pickups in my RG570 and I'm back to my V7/V8's because they happen to work better for most applications I need, especially once the "omg omg my guitar now has upgraded pickups yeah!!!!" phase wears off. They worked much nicer than the Jazz/JB thats for sure. I had various dimarzios in there as well, but either switched those to other guitars or sold them, they worked better than the stock ones, I'll stick another set in there in the near future.... but thats just because of personal preference. I find the stock ones entirely useable.

Arent Cornfords affordable down your way? They have a few models.... maybe you can get some nice tones from one of those?

Marshall 1960A is kind of the standard.

Originally posted by Petrucci_is_God The MKIII is discontinued isnt it? What is their current equivalent? The only marks currently in production are the Mark I reissue, and the Mark IV. The Mark I's are awesome amps and sell for around $1250, but it may not have all the characteristics you are looking for.

Originally posted by Petrucci_is_God What cab do u use? Fender Supersonic, closeback, vintage 30's... heres a pic

Originally posted by Petrucci_is_God F-50...50 watt? Would u get much power and volume outta that? I have an F-30 halfstack (I prefer el84 tubes to 6l6's), its so loud that I cant play with the master past 1, even at that, it litteraly rattles things in the room.

well if you are paying a premium for any american amp.... then look at european amps.... and add an EQ pedal, it wont be exactly like a Mesa, but it will probably still sound great.. Try some out and see which give a thick warm tone... you have Hughes & Kettner, Ashdown, Koch, etc at your disposal. I am sure one of their models can get you in the tonal ball park. You may even try a Mesa V-twin in that amps loop, those are pretty cheap on the used market....

I know petrucci had an F-50 head in his rig a while back, dont know if he still does. You might be able to find one of those used, plus a good cab for a decent price.

Originally posted by 4nkam used Mesa Boogie MJ you just blew my mind with your logical thinking:eek: