diablo175

I hear there's a sweet Vector on Reverb as well. With a Floyd, a zebra TB-5 Custom and a zebra Dimarzio PAF in the neck.

I agree. The set neck really does play like buttah. Easiest playing guitar I've laid hands on in a LONG time. The low E string actually seems to vibrate much more animatedly. Like I can see the width of vibration is much more pronounced in comparison to my others. Almost cartoon-like. But it ain't no joke. That set neck is all business. Pure rawk with a nasty growl and a nastier bite. Cuts thru the mix like a hot knife thru... well, buttah.

+1 Cali's defy conventional shredder logic and conformity in that sense. Necks are a bit rounder and IMO, more comfy. Not as wide, as I recall, as Jacksons and not as arthritis-inducing thin as Ibby Wizard-style. But one man's carpal tunnel is another man's lightning fast neck.

Maybe Nathan can show you something from the line of potato-shaped guitars?

It really depends on two things- what you want to do with it and what you, personally, work best with. As you surmised, I don't need to voice my opinion but I will say that I own what I do (and why I mod them) because they suit my needs best and are the most compatible with my preferences in terms of feel, options, style, aesthetics, etc. So, what is it that you will use it for? Gigging? Recording? Plunking around? Conversation piece? What are your own likes as far as materials, tone, options and aesthetics go?

I'm happy to report that both Cali's (Mike's former set neck and the purple metal flake LE he helped me procur) performed admirably! Suprisingly enough, both of them gave my CS Charvel Star a run for the money in trem performance. No shit. Both had incredible responsiveness and sounded killer. I got a little carried away with the bar on our version of Play That Funky Music. Went to town on the whammying. And while it likely sounded like bar abuse and trem overkill, I had way too much fun! The SG was pretty solid but kinda amemic sounding due to the Gibby stock p'ups. Might need to lower the strap a little. Wasn't feeling all-rawk-like. The G-Cali was solid as was my Charvel. All-in-all, a great line up. I think my checkered Cali Custom, with the midnight marauder Cali Custom, the CS Charvel, my Axcess LP and the hopefully-soon-to-be-delivered Jackson Star will make for the ultimate gig arsenal. Those old ladies won't know what hit them! -

Fair enough. The rig and and rack. The rawk:

Carfish FTW!

I totally believe you. My Cali may never be voted prom queen, but I wouldn't sell or trade her for anything. I just like everything about it, and I'd have no problem if it were the only guitar I held or played ever again. I'm not suggesting there aren't a bazillion prettier guitars out there, but my guitar has become so much a part of me (as far as guitars go) that I never even dream of replacing it with something else. And if I were a gigging musician and were asked what I'd want to gig with, it'd be with my Cali and nothing else (assuming the fantasy criteria of not having to worry about breaking a string applies to me, thus my not requiring a backup guitar).Come to think of it, if EVH continued gigging with his trademark guitar which looked like a POS, even though he clearly had the lettuce to play any beautiful guitar of his choice while on stage, then I'm not sure why anyone with a favorite guitar would gig with anything else, even in a fantasy scenario. My gigging fantasy involves actually being able to play my favorite tunes really well, but the guitar I imagine playing is always what I already own. Certainly can't fault your choice for the ultimate ax! I do have one perspective that will totally unhinge your otherwise laudable and admirable position: How do you KNOW there isn't another guitar out there that might bond as well as, if not better than your current flame, while offering you something different in the way of options and aesthetics? It is that very question that keeps me (and I suspect hundreds of thousands of others) ever vigilant for another possible addition.

specialk gets it!

sigh....

No, no, no! You guys are missing the spirit of the post! If schelpping and the physical wear and tear and the threat of theft and room on stage and whatever else were NOT an issue- (i.e. IDEAL) what would be your dream gig line up of axes? ETA- also my less than subtle way of saying that IMO my Calis and my CS Charvel Star are my dream guitars. No BS.

I eliminate those issue by using essentially the same guitar with the same specs and settings (no turning of knobs- all the way up! ) for most tunes (Cali's) and for the others, I practice on that specific guitar at rehearsals so it's a non- issue as far as adjusting goes.

I've been debating which axes to bring to tomorrow night's gig and I decided, "fuck it!-- bring 'em all!" Okay, it won't be ALL- that'd be beyond stupid. And difficult to manage logistically. No, I'm talking about the debate over which Cali's to bring. Got two "new" ones to consider vs. the tried and true, battle tested. I snagged a new stage guitar rack that holds up to 10 electrics and I figure I'll be a tad eccentric and bring 6 axes- the G-Cali w/ heavy gauge strings for the heavier, pseudo drop D tunes, the new-ish Midnight Marauder and the soon-to-be ex-Barney Sparkle V.2.0 as well as the MelonCali. Then, my SG for the more "classic" stuff (AC/DC, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Zep, Who,etc), and the EMG-equipped Charvel Star for a few of the Floyd-centric, heavier shredders (this ax is, hands-down, the best Floyd guitar I've EVER played) That should cover any and all bases as far as our set list goes. If logistics and the physical toll were not an issue, what would your IDEAL gig guitar line up be? ETA- whether you own it or not.

+1

Maybe. But the likelihood of me strumming or plucking your schwantz? Zero.

Number of things to consider before a legit answer can be given: 1) is it stock or upgrades/mods? 2) condition- everything in good shape? Frets still have life? Finish intact? Bumps, boo-boos, scratches dents, dings and to what degree? 3) any repairs ? Check eBay for recent sales of Diablos. That's a half decent starting point. Black and clean, w/ OHSC and no repairs or mods? $500- $600 would be my guess.

Awww, that's just lovely. Everything I like about super strats, save for the HSS and the clunky headstock.

Likewise, as I don't know when Thorn's B-day actually is, (and honestly, don't care; that he's here with us is good enough! ) I'll throw out the belated wishes which will then cover me for the next 11 months, 3 weeks and 6 days. His actual birthday's GOTTA fall somewhere in that span of time.

Needs boomers.

Always thought that part WAS tapped!

+1 Ya know, I was just contemplating putting this and You Can Still Rock in America in front of the band as a set list addition considerations but got to thinking; I'm the Floyd Whore in our merry little band of miscreants, and the other guitar player is more of a meat and potatoes, Slash-style player (though he does have 2 axes w/ Floyds) so, I'm not really sure who could do Watson's parts. Not even sure if I could even get close.

+1 Not a huge NR fan either but I have SERIOUS respect for Gillis' skills. He pretty much epitomizes a lot of what I wanted (and still want) to do on guitar.

This is one way to get banned, folks...