Blue S2

Hey Stedge! Why a Recto? Very dry and overpriced in my opinion. If thats what you are cool with, go with that. I guess it depends really on how much you play. Remember, you will drive the Porsche anyways. If you have a crappy amp, guitar is not nearly as fun. Go for an amp, it will feel much better to rock out when you need to. A recommendation if you are looking for a good combo, check a Crate VFX-5212, or 5112. Seriously give them a look. I play through a Crate Blue Voodoo 120 Celestion stack, and I also have a Crate Vintage Club running through a 15" speaker. After our album is released i am hoping Crate will help me out with a White version or the Voodoo 300 with a dual 15" cab. Crate has a wrongly given bad rap, their amps are really great. Another thing you may be interested in checking out is a Line 6 POD XT. Try one of those running through your current amp, they are really pretty cool. I can make a small crate with a POD XT sound like my live rig, just not as loud. Its great for when you want your tone and feel, but cant afford to wake people. Seriously give the VFX5212 or 5112 a play though, i played through one ay accident at a store and it blew my mind! I went back the next day with my guitar on the premise of trading my Vintage Club amp. I ended up not doing that because 12" speakers just dont push enough air cleanly for my instrument, but damn if they did i would have bought it on the spot for a smaller amp! (my main guitar is a 7 string, 7 octave signature axe, 1/2 hollow aluminum, 1/2 mahogany/maple with rosewood/ebony fingerboard combo)

Blue S2

Oh, and i believe the VFX line is much cheapter in price than MesaBoogie, but can sound virtually identical if you play around with it.

Rick Lee

Hey Stedge, no I graduated in '89. My mom was Dr. Stephens' asst., but that was probably just after you left. I was in Hamill. Maybe you knew my grandmother, June Hansen, who was Mr. Cole's asst. in the admin. bldg. Small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it. Diceman rules!

BTW, there were not a lot of great musicians (rock anyways) when I was there. There was one guy, Dave Dodge, who graduated in '85 I think. He would crush "Eruption" at every talent show or event. He could play Yngwie. Just awesome. And he totally looked like Richie Rich with the blonde mop, docksiders, no socks, untucked Polo. He introduced me to the GK 250ml amp. Later on, when L'ville got serious about a music program, they got a real star named Paul Hofreiter - a real eccentric Juliard guy. I had him for music theory. Back then, when it was an all boys school, we had a lot of weird fun in the music house. Sometimes he would take us into the chapel and bust out Bach's Toccatta and Fugue in Dm on the organ. What a time!

Paul M

The timing of this thread is most appropriate...

I went to see the G3 show last night here in PDX - Yngwie, Vai and Satriani. Vai had Tony MacAlpine on keyboards/rhythm guitar and Billy Sheehan on bass. A total widdly, widdly, tap-tap-tap fest. However, I couldn't believe how fat Yngwie is now, he certainly has the fastest fingers onstage and, it would seem, backstage at the buffet area...

I have a Boogie MK IV, Les Paul and PRS custom 24 with a scary quilted maple top:



The MK IV is a very versatile amp. It's very robust, and the tones are very 'useable' - it's hard to get a bad sound.

And, most importantly, it's VERY LOUD.

Paul M

Kim,

I have a tip that may help improve your sound... It's all in the facial expressions. Try practising in front of a mirror - my tone improved immensely once I'd mastered the "I look like I've just sucked on a lemon" face. I can't bend a high note properly without it.

Blue S2

Actually playing infront of a mirror is very good for you. Loo at the mirror while you play and not your actually hands. Not as easy as you think since you are seeing your hands move backwards. Helps break the habit of always looking down at your instrument.

Edward

Ah...NICE OT!!!

Stedge,

Ditch the Laney....10" and solid state??? Argh!! Put it on ebay, give it to a nephew, or the neighbor's kid, whatever. IMHO, since you've already GOT a beautiful 993, get a Boogie. I own two and a 12" Thiele cab and love them!! They absolutely ooze and drip soulful tone! Sure a Randall, Soldano, or Dumble would be nice, but a bit pricey for this hack, anyway ....for you, your call. BTW, I don't know if you've shopped different Boogies. When I was on the hunt for mine, I found that each model has it's own personality; find one that fits you and your style before deciding on which (kinda like deciding 993 or 996 without driving them first), and don't rule out some of the older ones. Some of those are gems! Take care, and have fun with this one

Kim,
You're killing me!!! First you have multiple 993 spares, then you build the yellow zonker, and now you tell me you have a Mk IV??? If you are ever feeling charitable....

Paul, gorgeuos PRS!

Edward

os993

All these guitarists, but where are the drummers?? If anyone needs a drummer in the Bay Area (all types of music), give me a buzz!!

stedge

Edward - I know, the Laney sucks. But I have been playing so infrequently, it was only the rare moment I would suffer with it. Now I want to play more, and cannot stand it. Have a
"gig: in April, gotta get these old hands tuned up!

OK, let's set a $$ limit. 1000 bucks, new or used. Can't go for the 3000 (with appropriate addition) Fuchs. Rivera sounds like it might be fun, new is about 1695. Have not seen a used Fandango yet. Chubster is right there. Mesa makes an amp or 2 around there, and certainly I can get a used one on Ebay (none local, I checked) and take my chances.

So for about 1000 or less.....

This has been a great discussion! I appreciate all your thoughts. We ought to get some big *** band together. I'll play bass (what I usually do - all set up for that), we have plenty of guitars. Just need 1 drummer for that power trio plus 35 guitars. My brother is a drummer...

Pete in DC

We're here, Oleg! After years with Tamas, I now have a TD-10 powered set of Roland V-Pro's in my "studio."

os993

Oohh, V-drums!! I would love to get these so I can jam endlessly without worrying about the neighbors or the family crew. Best case would be if I could find a second-hand set....

Edward

Stedge,

$1000 is a good budget for a good amp, so long as you're ok with used. New...forget about it, IMHO. There are scores of good amps on ebay (and lemons, caveat emptor and do your homework). I think with some legwork, you can do very well and stay within your budget. Good luck!

Kim,
I'm holding you to that
...Mark IV...droool

Edward

Blue S2

??? I bought my live setup, upgraded Celestion speaker 4x12 cab and a Blue Voodoo120 head together NEW for $1100. I can gaurantee it sounds just as good if not better than a $2000 marshall or Mesa. Its the way you adjust your gear. No one ever believes thats what i use when they hear my tone. The secret...$100 30 band EQ. You make any amy come alive if you know how to use an EQ right with an amp.